Shift Good Intentions into Commitments
August 20th, 2003 by Hal
Inspiration for this week's Project e-Tip came from Jeffrey Cufaude's May 19th weblog posting Are Good Intentions Good Enough? in Jeffrey Cufaude - Idea Architect. His answer was no. So let's do something about it!
 The Project Reformer's e-Tip of the Week |
| 014: Shift Good Intentions Into Commitments |
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Most people are well-intended. They want to please and often will go out of their way for you. But good intentions are insufficient for coordinating action on projects. The work of projects entails sequences of action. The completion of one task often releases work for other team members. An intention to perform work is insufficient for others to plan their work and to make commitments. Listen for the intention. Shift it to a commitment.
This is not manipulation. Your team mates will thank you for helping others be reliable. It sets everyone up for success. Trust grows when people perform reliably for one another. Now that's a payoff worth pursuing!
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August 21st, 2003 at 2:58 pm
Hal, one other thing strikes me. This language is central to the skill of gaining reliable promises. In so doing, doesn’t this help another person make a reliable promise, one which others can then take action upon??
August 21st, 2003 at 7:42 pm
I see e-Tip #15 in your comments. Your choice Joe, Purple Cow or Business Book Summaries? :+: :+: