In 1969, Jim Lovell, an astronaut, was asked by a reporter about the amazing landing on the Moon by Apollo 11. He simply replied, “It wasn’t a miracle, it was just that we decided to go.” A team of highly qualified and dedicated people must work together to achieve a project that is either amazing or miraculous. How do you stay motivated to accomplish these amazing, almost miraculous projects. These are some guidelines that might help.
Why are you doing this project?
It is important to understand the motivation behind your decision to embark on a project. It may not be possible to realize your ambition if it isn’t supported by a group of people. Simon Sinek explains the power of starting with why in his TED Talk. To inspire that motivation, you need to be a great leader. Before you can set off, you need to have a clear goal.
Create a Strategic Team
You will likely be the least intelligent person in the room if you try to be the smartest. Norman Brinker, the leader of Brinker International, which owned and operated renowned restaurants like Chili’s, Macaroni Grill and Steak & Ale, used a simple leadership strategy: “Ai surround yourself with people four times smarter than yours.”
Know the skills you will need to complete each aspect and feature of your project. Project managers, budget specialists, engineers, technologists, and communications professionals all play a key role. However, no one can or should be the chief chef and bottle washer. What is your role? Respect your area of expertise and then support your team members in their fields. Make sure they have the resources necessary to do their job.
Simple Steps
The overall project can be complex. However, simplifying the project without compromising quality can help you and the team not get lost in the details. These great management hacks have been tried and true and are great for anyone looking for quick solutions.
To make it easier to understand, break down the project into smaller parts. Although it might seem productive to think about the color of your house before you even decide on how to build it, this is not necessary. The ambitious project will seem more tangible if you can clearly outline each phase. The team will see how the pieces will fit together at the end, rather than being overwhelmed by the overwhelming nature of the project.
Manage team conflict
Teams may encounter conflict along the way. These conflicts could arise from personality differences or disagreements about the direction of the project. Do not allow your team to get into any political conflict. Each expert should share why they feel this way, given their perspective and background. People who are passionate about something usually have a good reason. To help you and your team understand why they feel the way they do, give them an audience to express their concerns.
Once the team has identified a problem, creativity can begin to flow to solve it together. Perhaps aluminum could work just as well than the more expensive stainless. Unless you ask, you won’t be able to tell if the differences in opinion are purely personal or genuinely for the benefit the project and the team.
Shun Fear
Fear can paralyze. If it does, try to appreciate the objective perspective and focus on gratitude. Fear can cause team members to feel overwhelmed and prevent them from reaching their potential. Fear often peaks when we get close to the finish line.
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