PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING. A synopsis of observations

If you are into project management or consulting of any capacity, then you will understand that a tree does not make a forest. It takes a formidable team of understanding & willing individuals working together to deliver a successful product or service to a client. This idea is not exhaustible but just a view of what has been observed over the years on, while we know there could be frictions but as long as the goal is to be a “team” then individual differences don’t matter.

There is a saying in German, "Manchmal sieht man den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht" - sometimes you can't see the forest because of all the trees”. This advises that if you channel too much attention to small details, you are likely to miss or overlook the bigger picture.

These experiences are just a synopsis of what has been observed over the years:

1. Flat organizational structures are as risky as rigid structures
Structures with little or no middle level between the executives and the employees can be chaotic where responsibilities are diffused and people avoid decision making as it makes them liable in case of an error. People avoid accountability, and where there is no accountability growth is zero.

This flat structures are prone to over-bureaucratize everything, where those who should make the decision, pass the decision making over to their superiors.
They end up making the wrong decision, because of a lack of information (which is not their fault).

2. Avoid asking questions that makes you look uninformed
As the member of the team, though you might not know everything but at least you must know something that you can sell at the table during discussions

When the people you work for ask you a question you can't answer 100% correctly, say what you think is right, but promise to get back as soon as you speak with the expert in the field of question.
It's not a bad thing when you don't know something.
Someone is always around who has the info you need, that's why we work in teams.

3. If you are in a team, BE A TEAM!
Consulting in a big project can be tough, but it gets indefinably easier when you work together. In most cases during projects, there will always be people of your client company that are not be comfortable with the fact that they have been assigned an external consultant or an external member in their team.
Some ascribe it to lack of trust from their executives, which is understandable, you need to make sure however to be professional, stay sharp and support assigned people; because you work for them not besides them. Else they will try everything to get rid of you.
Also remember, your customer is not your co-worker!

4. Not everybody can be helped
There is a German word "beratungsresistent", which means "resistant to any form of advice".
Some customers, even some companies, are like this and it could be very frustrating.
This can make a project a pain in the ass and makes you wonder why they hired a consulting company in the first place.
In a case like this, the previous point on TEAM is even more important.
Your team will help you stay sane (smile).

5. Follow the chain of command
This might seem like an opposite to the first point but it is essential to never outshine the master.
Never ask you team leader's superior to make a decision that your team leader should make.
This oftentimes break the trust with your team lead and your teammates.
You will be seen as a "climb the ladder, no matter the casualties" person and you will loose their trust.

6. Make the team success your goal, not for promotions
In a project environment, in a trusting team that works together, you will get promoted without actively working towards it.
When you're just looking to get that promotion faster, you lose focus on what actually matters and that is the project and your team, it is dangerous to work in silo.

7. Nobody is irreplaceable
If you are not adding any meaningful value to your team, you will be shown the way out fast, which is why the previous point is more important.
Good consultancies send full teams on-site.
They send teams that are used to working together; as a trusting team works more towards each other, they support each other and they work more efficiently.
If you managed to become a member of such a team, they will take you everywhere and it will be your decision to leave, not theirs.

Lastly, a tree does not make a forest and a single person is not addressed as “we”.