Guide to Navigating Project PoliticsGuide to Navigating Project Politics

The Politics of Project ManagementThe Politics of Project ManagementThe Politics of Project ManagementThe Politics of Project Management

Understanding how to navigate politics through leadership and influence is key to project success. It is also essential to your own longevity as a project management professionalmanagement professional. 

Ignoring politics (external or internal) can profoundly affect the health of your project. 

Project Management ChecklistProject Management ChecklistProject Management ChecklistProject Management Checklist

#1: Be consistently ethical and authentic

#2. Observe the Shadow Organization

#3. Build relationships without imposing agendas

#4. Apply your power of persuasiveness through l lrelevant value

#5. Promote full disclosure and openness

#6. Restrain your self­brilliance and have humility

#7. Acknowledge that you are there to serve

#1 B i l hi l d h i#1 B i l hi l d h i#1. Be consistently ethical and authentic#1. Be consistently ethical and authentic

Project stakeholders want to trust you.Project stakeholders want to trust you.

Be truthful and transparent to help build integrity and trust.

#2 Ob h Sh d O i i#2 Ob h Sh d O i i#2. Observe the Shadow Organization#2. Observe the Shadow Organization

Notice who the hubs of social interaction andNotice who the hubs of social interaction and corporate intelligence are.– Discover who has influence, who is respected, and who champions others.

Cl if i l i hi d h h fClassify interrelationships and the strength of each connection.

#3 B ild l ti hi ith t i i d#3 B ild l ti hi ith t i i d#3. Build relationships without imposing agendas#3. Build relationships without imposing agendas

In order to build a strong network, avoid imposingIn order to build a strong network, avoid imposing personal agendas.

A healthy network allows you to:– Build visibilityAttract opportunities– Attract opportunities

– Improve difficult relationships– Gain access to informationGain access to information

#4: Apply your power of persuasiveness through#4: Apply your power of persuasiveness through#4: Apply your power of persuasiveness through #4: Apply your power of persuasiveness through relevant valuerelevant value

In order for people to be persuaded, they need to p , yunderstand the relevanceand value of what you are saying in a way that fulfillssaying in a way that fulfills their needs and desires.

#5 Promote full disclosure and openness#5 Promote full disclosure and openness#5. Promote full disclosure and openness#5. Promote full disclosure and openness

Set a standard of communication by encouraging open and candid discussions.

Listen as well as you speakListen as well as you speak.

Share information openly (both good and bad).Share information openly (both good and bad).

#6 R t i lf#6 R t i lf b illi d h h ilitb illi d h h ilit#6. Restrain your self#6. Restrain your self‐‐brilliance and have humilitybrilliance and have humility

Acknowledge how fortunate you are for being inAcknowledge how fortunate you are for being in the project management position.

Understand that past success does not guarantee future success.

#7: Acknowledge that you are there to serve#7: Acknowledge that you are there to serve#7: Acknowledge that you are there to serve#7: Acknowledge that you are there to serve

Always rememberAlways remember that project success is team‐driven, not d d ll dindividually‐driven.

When problemsWhen problems arise (no project is perfect), make sure the right people are there to solve them.

Eze Castle Integration OverviewEze Castle Integration OverviewEze Castle Integration OverviewEze Castle Integration OverviewFounded 1995

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