The Impasse

Two projects need the same person. Two groups need the same physical space. Two departments compete for the same funds. On the surface, impasses appear to have either no way out or no way around.

Nine times out of ten*, impasses are caused by a communication problem that needs to be resolved. That explains why impasses are so hard to overcome. We often don’t view communication as real work. The impasse itself may actually be relatively minor in surmounting once we are truly on the same page with the other person. Put effort into the true work of communication and the impasse will look like an opportunity to deepen a relationship instead of appearing to be an obstacle.


* - feel free to make up your own statistic that means most of the time.

Beginner Stuff

Beginners are not stupid, backward, or slow. Beginners do, however, lack knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, while it is vital to ultimately decrease the importance of methodologies (see Pawel Brodzinski's blog that explains why --> http://blog.brodzinski.com/2007/12/clue-of-project-management.html), the beginner requires strict orders to follow.

Ken Blanchard calls this the directive stage of situational leadership. You need to tell the beginner exactly what to do and when to do it. The beginner only wants to hear what they need to know and not endless rhetoric about the background of a problem. The stricter and tighter you make the instructions to the beginner, the faster they will get to the point where they want and need to know more.