Project Management Tips

Listening to the Committee

How to manage projects through committees

The team gathered in the glass encased conference room for a lunchtime meeting of the minds. Gary, the manager, was leading the meeting of creative vision for a new client's product. People sat around the conference table looking from face to face, wiggling their bodies with nervous energy, waiting for Gary to speak.

Gary cleared his throat, said hello and good afternoon, and launched into a speech on the purpose of the meeting; they needed a new brand initiative to amaze the client and it was all about a toothbrush. The exact concept of the initiative was still undefined, but Gary made it clear that he was looking for something original and fresh. Something no one had done before.

Gary was a neatly dressed man with a slim demeanor. He had joined Philligan, Hamlim and Spice just two months ago from a top advertising agency across town. His reputation was above average, and since arriving, he was gaining in popularity. At an ad agency like this one, the politics were always fresh and heated, and Gary was certainly being targeted by some of the power players.

The team listened carefully to Gary's requirements for the toothbrush campaign, and a minute later the room grew noisy with excited chatter. People turned to one another in discussion and Gary watched his meeting transform into a healthy, creative session.

Above the din of creative energy, Gary noticed the conference room door open, and in walked Humphrey H. Spice, senior partner at the firm. Humprhey Spice moved in silently, not allowing the busy attendees to notice him. He quietly found a chair, and slumped comfortably into it, clearly set on observing the proceedings from a distance. Gary smiled as he noticed the small intrusion. He then raised his hands high in the air and said, "Ok, ladies and gentlemen, now we will begin to outline the ideas you all look so excited about. Please begin." With the end of his statement, hands started to move up in unison.

Humphrey Spice watched in surprise as Gary listened carefully to each recommendation, noted the idea on the whiteboard, and commented smartly each time. It did not take Humphrey long to notice the unexpected charisma of his new manager, Gary S. Cummins. Humphrey sat in awe of Gary's ability to listen and stroke the ego of each person in the room. He thought about how difficult it was to work in a committee-like environment, and he had never quite seen anyone so skilled at managing such a committee. Humphrey stood up, and walked towards the conference room door, leaving without a word. "Wow," Humphrey thought to himself, "finally someone I can learn a thing or two from."

Project Management Through Committees

Working on projects in a committee is one of the most difficult challenges an executive or manager can face. Not only will people have differing opinions and views of facts, but project leaders must walk gently to avoid offending anyone. Committees can mean certain failure if the project leader suffers from a case of bullying, where he will offend his troops and bring upon himself undesired political consequences. But, do not give up hope - for those with a strong will and heart - because there are techniques to successfully manage committees, and with the proper tools in hand, the committee will become little more than a first or second task step on your schedule to project success. Listen up.


Continue...


Back to project management tips