Project Management Articles
from the
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The
One Nugget Report from The Project Management Advisor™
Issue 2009-39 - Empowerment - Problem Ownership = Errand
Runner
Some time back I was working with a leader who was having difficulty with his employees feeling empowered in their work. Ned (not his real name) was frustrated. "I don't understand it!" he stammered. "I assign tasks out, stay out of their way while they're completing the tasks, hold them accountable to dates, and praise them when the task is done well. I do all this yet my employees tell me I don't empower them. I'm ready to pull my hair out (ironically he was folically challenged)".
We talked a bit more about how he does things. As Ned was describing his empowerment technique, something occurred to me. When he assigned work, he took great pains to describe the task, what the deliverable had to look like, and when it needed to be done. What Ned failed to do was clearly articulate the underlying problem that he was trying to solve. Rather, he would assign the task to an employee, get the work product, then use the work product to help solve the problem. In the meantime, the employee was doing work that she didn't completely understand the rationale for doing or how it was going to be used to solve a problem. Once Ned and I discovered the issue, he was able to change his focus from delegating tasks to delegating problems which had a positive effect on how his employees felt about their work.
Empowerment - Problem Ownership = Errand Runner
Being responsible for completing a task is an important part of getting things done; but when it's done without owning the problem then the person doing the work is merely running an errand for someone else responsible for solving the problem. This not only results in less fulfilling work for the errand runner, it also significantly increases the likelihood that the resulting work product won't contribute effectively to solving the problem. The errand runner is one step removed from the problem and is throwing darts at a dart board in a pitch-black room.
The nugget here is simple: Delegate problems not just tasks. You'll get a better work product, develop a more empowered organization, and free yourself up to get more done.
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The Project Management Advisor™ Report Archive
2010-26 - Developing High Potential (HIPO) Leaders
2010-25 - Nailing That Interview
2010-24 - Regaining Trust
2010-23 - Relax, the Audience is Rooting for You
2010-22 - Project Management Screw-Up 1 - We weren’t addressing the right problem
2010-21 - More Cloud Computing Articles updates
2010-20 - How Could This Happen? Avoid Project Screw-Ups for You and Your Business Partner
2010-19 - Drive a Tight Agenda, Don't Let it Drive You
2010-18 - Watch the Pontificator!
2010-17 - Managing Cross-Organizational Teams
2010-16 - Team Building: Some Assembly Required
2010-15 - Am I Meant to Mentor?
2010-14 - Managing Project Risks and Issues
2010-13 - Project Management Screw-Up 7 - We Didn't Involve The Right People
2010-12 - Practical Pillars of Success
2010-11 - The "Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds Status Report"
2010-10 - More Cloud Computing Articles
2010-09 - They Actually Pay Me To Do This?
2010-08 - Leading that Virtual Team
2010-07 - Squashing the Procrastination Demon
2010-06 - Cloud Computing Articles
2010-05 - Asking for Help
2010-04 - Bedside Manner and the PM
2010-03 - Nervous Nellie PM's
2010-02 - "Morning After" Decision Making
2010-01 - Not all Thought Leaders Are Great People Leaders
2009-39 - Empowerment - Problem Ownership = Errand Runner
2009-38 - I'll Be Done Friday, Honest! Six Techniques to Ensure Solid Project Management Execution
2009-37 - How Could This Happen? Avoid Project Screw-Ups for You and Your Business Partner.
2009-36 - One Less Meeting Gets You Home In Time For Dinner
2009-35 - When Are You Coming Home? Five Practical Tips To Realizing Work/Life Balance
2009-34 - In Search of the Good Enough Leader
2009-33 - Getting Invited Back for a Second Interview
2009-32 - Six Takeaways to be a Better Public Speaker
2009-31 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Slide Deck
2009-30 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part 1
2009-29 - Be Accessible, Not Open Door
2009-28 - The Seven Deadly Sins of Leadership
2009-27 - Six-Word Lessons for Project Managers
2009-26 - Attributes of an Effective Project Manager
2009-25 - Twitter and Flight of the Buffalo
2009-24 - Can You Make a 2AM Meeting?
2009-23 - Hot Air Balloon or Guided Missile?
2009-22 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part III
2009-21 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part II
2009-20 - It Takes Two to Tango: Great Sponsor + Great PM = Great Success Part 1
2009-19 - How to Succeed Under an Insecure Leader
2009-18 - Ten Differences Between an Insecure Leader and a Secure Leader
2009-17 - Building a Purpose-Driven Resume
2009-16 - Be a PM Closer
2009-15 - Challenge Minus Inspiration Equals Mediocrity
2009-14 - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
2009-13 - Why Don't They Follow Me? 12 Easy Lessons to Boost Your Leadership Skills
2009-12 - Mastering Credibility Part III: It's How You Deliver Results
2009-11 - Mastering Credibility Part II: It's The Relationships You Build
2009-10 - Mastering Credibility Part I: It's What You Know
2009-09 - Babbling is for Babies, Not Interviews
2009-08 - Getting Job Alerts at The Project Management Jobs Career Center
2009-07 - The Project Management Jobs Career Center is now open!
2009-06 - You Can't Over-Prepare For An Interview
2009-05 - Critical Thinking Drills Influence Hiring Decisions
2009-04 - Impress First, Then Talk Compensation
2009-03 - Project-Management-Jobs.info launched!
2009-02 - Great Quotes On Leadership
2009-01 - Don't Embellish Your Credentials
December 1 2008 - The Truth About Getting Your Point Across...And Nothing But The Truth
November 15 2008 - Our Fallibility as Leaders...Defining a Meaningful Workplan in MS Project...ZAPP! The Lightning of Empowerment
November 1 2008 - Getting Invited Back for a Second Interview...A Complimentary Status Report Template...The Wal-Mart Effect
October 15 2008 - Managing Outsourced Relationships...Making Sense of Calendars in Microsoft Project...Surviving an Aneurysm
October 1 2008 - Diffusing Conflict Between Co-Workers...The Perfect Brainstorm: Getting The Most Out Of Brainstorming Sessions ...Go Green, Live Rich
September 15 2008 - Using Project Guides to Define Your Project in MS Project...The Top Ten Attributes of a Great Project Sponsor...Hail to the Chiefs: United States President Mischief, Morals, and Malarkey from George W. to George W.
September 1 2008 - Replacing a Project Manager Mid-Flight...30 Tips to a More Fulfilling Dinnertime with Your Family ...Healthy Living - You The Owners Manual - An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger
August 15 2008 - Putting Some Balance in the Work Life Balance Equation...How An Autistic Child Changed A Career for the Better...The Kindergarten Adventures of Amazing Grace: What in the Word is Autism?
April 2008 - Complimentary Self-Study Seminars, Webcasts, and Resources...Setting Yourself Apart From Your Colleagues...The Good and The Bad of Virtual Meetings...Smarts Minus Direction Equals Absent-Minded Professor...Small Business Made Simple Co-Author Spotlight: Bill Stride...Ebay and the Project Manager...Be a Better People Leader
March 2008 - Motivating Employees...Practical Interview Etiquette... Ten Tips to Boost Your Facilitation Skills... Freud and The Small Business Owner... Of Mice and Motivation... Be a Better Process Leader
February 2008 - The Shift From a Process to a Project Focus...Politically Aware Doesn't Mean Politically Motivated...Getting Serious About Balancing Work and Family...Eight Crucial Questions You Need to Answer to Successfully Exit a Small Business...Five Simple Strategies To Unify Your Project Teams...Be a Better Planner
