Hi Reader,
Do you believe in magic?
On one of my current projects, I have six project sponsors. Yes, six. It’s a massive project. And some days, I’m convinced at least four of them think I’m a magician.
To be fair, I’m not. I can’t even make a coin disappear without just spending it quickly.
The closest I’ve come to magic was in Las Vegas watching David Copperfield. He vanished from the stage and suddenly reappeared directly in front of me with a big smile, almost knocking over my very expensive drink. True story.
Unfortunately, that is also the level of expectation some people bring to delivering initiatives.
The reality is a little less magical. We can only do what we can do. Despite what AI promises, we’re still working with real people, and real people come with real constraints. Limited time. Competing priorities. Vacation schedules. Overcommitment.
There’s no shiny wand that makes all of that disappear.
That said, a little bit of “project magic” does help. Not the illusion kind, but the kind that comes from clarity, communication, and just enough persistence to keep things moving forward.
Two of my six project sponsors asked me to “work some magic” the other day. And they both had a David Copperfield-kind-of-smile that came along with it.
Their request? Bring together a group of people who have never worked together and, if I am being honest, do not particularly want to. They would much rather stay in their own lanes and hope everything somehow comes together in the end.
I told them I would find a way to make it happen.
Then I did what any good “magician” would do. I went fishing. Not for answers, but for advice. I reached out to my trusted circle of project people and asked what they would do.
Here’s what they said.
- Get clear on the goal and roles. Make sure everyone agrees there is actually a hidden rabbit.
- Keep communication easy and regular. No mind reading, just quick updates and check-ins.
- And stay gently persistent. A few well timed nudges keep things moving without anyone disappearing.
So I am following their advice. Stay tuned for the results of my magic trick.
Not exactly Las Vegas level magic… but in project and people terms, it’s pretty close.
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Barbara Kephart, PMP
Founder and Chief Project Officer
Projects Pivot
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