There’s a temptation when you’re a Project Manager to want to know it all, to do it all. Even when we know that’s not possible. You’re in charge of the success of the project so you’re tempted to get your hands into everything.
PMP Training teaches us that the true Project Management Professional doesn’t get involved in every single detail of the project. But even so, we generally want to know everything and when we’re faced with situations in which we don’t know the details, it’s tough to let go. But as Lynda Bourne notes, there are benefits to not knowing.
The power of “not knowing” will also open up two-way communication within the team and generate all sorts of efficiencies. Here are a couple of examples on how to put the power of not knowing to work:
- Delegating. Some tasks are simply better delegated to an expert who knows how to do the job well and quickly. I’m sure everyone could learn to use pivot tables in Excel. But is it worth several hours of struggle when a knowledgeable expert — even if it’s the most junior team member — can solve the issue in a few minutes?
- Engaging team members. Ask a team member to talk you through a challenge he or she is working on. You’ll get the lowdown on the task at hand, and good insights into how he or she works.
By encouraging your team to ask questions, it reduces errors, frees up communication and enhances the information flow in a positive way. It seems obvious, but it won’t happen without a push in the right direction.
It’s easy to talk about the need to delegate, in principle, but it’s particularly important to note the team benefits of doing so. Professionals want to contribute. When you show that you value their opinions and skills by giving them responsibility, they’ll work to ensure the project’s success. This hard work will redound in the project’s favor and consequently in your favor as well.
An added bonus is that by following-up with folks who are now well-engaged in the work, you will have the opportunity to gain additional knowledge about the details of a project; knowledge that you may not have been able to glean had you tried to do it all/know it all yourself.