What’s going on?

I’ve always made a big effort to keep my team members in the picture when it comes to project or programme status. Aside from the usual discussions which go on throughout the week, I’ve used weekly status meetings, weekly messages and intranets for doing this.

It’s all very well that you the Project or Programme Manager are aware of what’s going on, as well as those you report into. Let’s face it, most people make far more of an effort to update those they report to than to those who report to them. It’s human nature. But most of us have also been in the position where someone we report to hasn’t given any consideration to ‘keeping us in the picture’. It’s frustrating isn’t it – and it’s a professional failure on their part – regardless of what their position might be.

Showing your team of PMs or your project team that you go out of your way to keep them in the big picture will always help you win their support, loyalty and respect. They are after all the cogs that make up that great machine which you are managing. They deserve to be kept in the big picture.

Whether you keep your team or partner in the dark about things, it’s not a very smart thing to do in the long run. How well you keep your team in the picture depends on how often and well you communicate with them. Make an effort and you’ll see the benefits.