Project Management - Need of Human Psychology

 

Business Problem:

Project Management is an infinite subject, we cannot limit with few subjects. We witnessed a huge change in the subjects and topics in the PMBOK too. It’s the time to consider the Human Psychology as well as part of Project Management, it helps everyone to understand people thoroughly thereby there won't be any deviation in the plans and prone to failures in the execution phase. 

We see so many reasons; the resource leaves unhappily from the Organization due to his / her reporting manager (RM), dis-satisfaction on the work allocated or on the compensation that he/she getting or anything that does not fit in his/her shoe, culture, region or age differences in the team members; ultimately, he / she look for the change and that leads to increase attrition at times. Anyhow its continues; however, I see these incidences mostly with younger generation.  They won't compromise that easily hence it's one of the reason they leave the Organization more often like changing their mobile phones.

This worsened situation can be minimized to certain extent, if we could know him/her better personally than professionally. This change of nature would definitely help in both younger and rest of the generations.

We should go back to our roots, to know each one of them more than a family member; in long run, they will become extended family to us. We should maintain a friendly relationship and have frequent gatherings to spend time with one another. This change would definitely help us in reaching greater heights or milestones in our project management too without implementing any processes in place. In my view, processes are to make everyone and think in similar lines but never saw the implementation in the right way because of their individuality or nature of thinking. 

We need to realize that the process drawn by us, but we don’t follow because of so many individualistic nature of human beings. Thereby, we are curbing everyone's thought-process by implementing policies in place. The new generation is looking for change more frequently because they wanted something new (flavor / change / away from routine) in every moment of life; given a chance, they would do wonders, provided they are in a good environment and opportunities.

Introduction:

In the past couple of years, we put into practice the following subjects to overcome the past issues and  lessons learnt in the software field.

1.       Statistics for Management

2.       Commerce for Management

3.       Inventory for Management

4.       Health Management

    5.   People Management

    6.      Resource Management

All human beings have character traits based on the environment and culture they are brought up in. A few other qualities have been inculcated by us over time which are interim. 

As mentioned above, once we start considering the team just like our extended family, we would all work towards a common goal. This in-turn implies we need not monitor/mentor/request them to work on weekends or when in need. Since there is no need to show domination/bossism/power, there won't be any pressure to deliver the work. When one works without pressure then it results in ultimate and chances of getting ideas would be OUT OF THE BOX (Creative ideas won't come by any external force; it will come out of Passion/Compassion). Hence, once should know the Human Psychology. It’s a theory of science, when the human body and mind works together then only the take away would be in positive mode. 

Just to make you all understand and the topic more interesting, below shown is the SIPOC Model of Human Psychology in a pictorial representation:

You all might be aware and even specified in Project Management on the leadership styles as mentioned below. It's true and one should agree that the Human Nature as a reflection of the duties/actions that he/she performs (what that his/her HEART says on that moment of time). The working styles are unlimited and directly proportional to characteristic of the Nature again. One should understand/agree that the below leadership style never be given to any personal as a role rather it's a reflection of individualistic nature or reflects multiple styles in single human being.

Approach:

What we should include or know:

Once we live in a environment where everyone around us is treated as a family member at work then they would become our extended family and they too treat us same, Hence, we would be reaching great heights of success in the complex projects too.

We should start applying the human psychology primarily while onboarding any resource (interviewing or recruitment) in first place and second one is knowing them personally while working together and most complex thing is here would be

1.       working with them and

2.       making them work

Ultimately, the main focus is to understand the human nature. This is illustrated in the below table in order to take a wise-decision to WIN yourself and WIN as a team/organization.  

As mentioned, in the above table we need to have a similar kind of mixture in the team in order to run the show. No one is ever perfect, so why not have a correct proportion of the skillset in the team to get the pessimistic results at least by managing all kinds of minds and mindsets which is very important. 

Example: Illustrating the Nature of Human Psychology - TAMAS

The characteristics of Most Likely (M) behavior as mentioned above, we would be seeing that in those who has Tamas in nature, they are slow and steady just like Tortoise, they possess excessive knowledge, root level thinking, exhibit high patience. Another major characteristic they possess is self reliance which makes them to take maximum time.

Real time example: Most of the times, while doing estimations for any project we go with Pessimistic mode (balanced mode - unexpectedly/unknowingly we choose Pessimistic because of its nature RAJAS [ means good selection without a second thought]) but we won't go with either Most likely or Optimistic.

I would like to provide in-depth of Tamas, Rajas & Sattva, these are called as Thriguna's. These characteristics if you observe keenly you will find in you and around; means you will see in both living and non-living things as well.  Below are the details according to their nature.

1. Sattva                     =    Akaasa (Ether)

2. Rajas                     =    Vaayu (Air)

3. Sattva + Rajas     =    Agni (Fire)

4. Sattva + Tamas     =    Jal (Water)

5. Tamas                     =    Prithvi (Earth)

Guna's basic characteristics

Sattva - Symbolizes White color - Active - truth, mentally strong, self-controlled, non-violent, goodness, harmony, balance & pure intelligence.

Rajas - Symbolizes Red color - Overactive - energy, passion, dedicated to work, self-centered, achiever, desire, fear, depression, anxiety & selfish.

Tamas - Symbolizes Dark color - Underactive - Inactive, Ignorance, appreciative in nature, concerned about others, dullness, greed & confusion.

Additionally, there are other three biological forces called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, called Tridoshas in Ayurveda and this is the basis for all diseases, and controls entire human body (Body, Brain, Mind & Heart), dominates and influences the Thriguna's(mentioned above) as well. Thereby, there will be an impact on the nature of the characteristics based on the degree of percentage of these three biological forces. 

Finally, due to these biological forces one will get any of these namely Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Sugar etc., even at a young age. These diseases will not subside by spending "MONEY", rather will subside "WITHOUT MONEY" only. When you live with Nature, like Nature & in Nature along with own family, extended families & friends; you will live a happy and successful life both professionally and personally.

Train Principle: Every organization should train and follow the "Train principle" to see the wonders in their journey throughout infinite successes.

"Super Seniors" are like a Train Engine (One should protect Pillars).

"Seniors" are like a Train Bogie (Strong Pillars to an Organization).

"Youngsters" are like a Railway Stations (in and out flow will be huge - which is expected [Young BLOOD should flow always - in order to have a HEALTHY Organization]).

"Travelers" are like a Projects (without projects non-exist); When all join hands (when tightly coupled) only then it's possible to travel from starting point to end without any issues, throughout the journey with joy.

Otherwise results to FAILURES with single/tiny issue or a gap.

Hence, we need to periodically be in touch with the each one of the team members knowing them better than you; then you will be knowing yourself automatically. This is secret of Human Psychology.

Conclusion:

Hence, once should know the human psychology rather having a face reading or only validating their skillset; few times this would work but not always, because we are living in the short span of software era. This subject is also very important. 

Therefore, we need to run after market needs and upgrade skills in less span to sustain in order to get bread and butter; that is the reason rather we need to have a best composition of the team of individual skillset as bundle in the team that shows alternate thinking in order to balance oneself in professional life successfully. It’s only possible with the relationship that one owns to stay for a very long period with the person or system or Organization.

COVID is the best example, it brought back the need of showing care, concern & support to the employee(s) and their immediate families too. Hence, you all should agree and understand the need and importance of knowing Human Psychology.

Humble Request to all online readers...

Please provide your valuable thoughts/comments on this post... Hope we hear this topic soon in Project Management as well.