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Module 3 Paper

Nicholas Angilley

Arizona State University

PMG 321: Project Leadership

Dr. Ben Pandya

January 29th, 2023

Module 3 Paper
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Introduction

Adding to my development in project leadership and the project management skills that

need to be associated between the two, simulation B changed the perspective along with the

knowledge from the provided text. Situational leadership I believe now, is absolutely vital to

understanding project leadership as well as connecting the information into practice. In this

paper, I will dig into the understanding of situational leadership and its benefits, along with two

external sources that coincide with the information that has been digested as a whole.

Simulation B and the Situational Approach

Once in the hot seat of being a project leader in the simulation, it really puts into

perspective that adapting to change is utterly necessary in success. Having the comprehension

that not all projects will be universally successful from prior strategies and solutions, can be

quite difficult to put into practice. But, a project leader can attempt to do as such, but the leader's

capabilities will be proven with the results. For instance with the simulation, I had chosen to

utilize almost the same strategies and management practices, but I did not stick with them. This

is essentially where situational leadership comes into play. The stress of losing half of the team,

along with the crunch for costs and timeline can either cause a leader to continue to adjust is their

traditional methodology, or adapt and adjust as needed in specific areas that are emphasized in

the situation at hand.

Situational leadership stems from a leader understanding that change, conflicts, and

solutions are malleable; not concrete. Situational context has everything to do with the decisions

and adaptations required to create viable solutions. If the use of the same tactics are continued,

the leader is now not susceptible to change and becomes obnoxiously predictable. With that in
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mind, if someone’s solutions are always driven into the same direction, should they be in the

position to create, align, coordinate and execute projects that are versatile and unique?

Understanding the Art of Behavioral Excellence

After consuming the text from chapter 10, Behavioral Excellence, I now have created the

idea that behavioral expertise is a practiced art. From the text, it distinguishes the crucial skill of

tolerance in project leadership, tolerance of external factors & tolerance of different

personalities. (2006) With that being said, situational leadership and the concept of behavioral

excellence, takes a leader that is fluid, susceptible to change in both quantities and qualities

aspects. Having the capacity to ground oneself to not let emotions, external & internal

environmental factors deteriorate the vision of clarity to make strategic and effective decisions

specific to the situation at hand is quite simply in my point of view, the key to successful project

leadership.

To dig deeper into the concept, if someone cannot have a level internal ground of

themselves in an emotional intelligence perspective to be decisive in dissecting the conflict at

hand, there will not be a plausible solution for the long term. In other words, it can be described

as a reactive and short term solution. When a leader of a team is not centered and allows external

stress to inflict a sense of panic, aggression or worse, self doubt, the team has a large chance of

following suit. This can and will have a detrimental effect on the project outcome in every

aspect. Even in a personal life perspective, if someone is leading their own pursuit of their

definition of success, if they allow every external factor to inhibit their ability to adapt, there will

be no growth towards said success.

Trying Too Hard

Now, understanding there has to be a level mind and clear drive for success in a sense of

being fluid to adaptations is key, but comprehending the decisions and actions made also affect

the external/internal factors in play. If a leader in a sense is “trying too hard”, or trying to prove

that they are exceedingly competent to solve everything, will turn the drive and motivation to

follow the leader into vaguely a constant “eye roll” reaction of the team. (Carrol, J) When trying

to constantly prove perfection, rather than embracing the team's process of growth to success can

and will inherently deteriorate cohesion. “The wise project manager does not make a fuss about

things. He allows things to happen and unfold at their own pace while observing them,” this

directly correlates with situational leadership and the understanding of not allowing external

factors to consume a leader. (Carrol, J)

Aligning with that concept, the article Product Development doesn’t have to be

narcissistic, has a fantastic point of view that shined light into the overall topic. Essentially, the

fear of not being the next extraordinary person and having that sense of impact, causes us to

make poor decisions. (Warnert, N) This to me resonates in a metaphor of a horse with blinders, it

does not see all of the outlining factors that need to be taken into account when leading a team. If

the leader is focused on their own personal gain rather than the completion and gain of the entire

big picture, does it really hold the same value as it should? Everyone is naturally narcissistic to

an extent and is necessary for survival, but not success, especially when it comes to project

success as a whole.

Personal Reflection

With all of the information provided to this point, will hold absolutely zero value if one

action is not taken: self reflection. For a perfect example, I have taken 15 credit hours while
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working demanding full time positions, pretty much the entirety of the two and a half year

journey of completing my bachelor’s degree. But, never have I taken 21 credit hours while trying

to plan and strategize my future plans, working full time and the in-depth demand of both work

and upper divisional classes. For the past few weeks (as you know), my time management skills

have not been to par. Up to this point, I have utilized the work all day, learning all night with the

combination of unhealthy practices to compensate where energy inhibits my ability to execute.

Quite obviously, my methodology for this term cannot be the same as the past. Instead the

courses are full of so much in depth information that the lack of rest, planning, and proactive

practices are not effective in the slightest. In the past, my time management skills have been

precise and almost perfect, but without adaptation it has been deteriorating.

With that being said, self reflection and true understanding and setting my stubbornness

aside, has made seeing this clearly. Consuming food and not digesting and pulling the nutrients

from said food, does not show its value of keeping your health in tact. The same as in learning, I

can read the chapters, blogs, articles, etc., but if there is not a level of conceptualizing the

information and reflecting it inward towards thyself, then it essentially has no real value. To take

the chapter, and two blogs into account. I have always been a person that seems to make things

seem effortless, but I have always tried my absolute hardest. Not from a narcissistic point of

view, but with my drive for an impeccable work ethic. Understanding that I cannot read the text,

digest the information, reflect, and then put that all into words in a single setting until 4am, is

just not plausible or effective. Having these realizations from simulation B, the concept of

behavioral excellence and the blogs for wisdom, I am able to clearly see the path of success and

what is inhibiting the execution; adapting per situational context and not allowing myself to be

affected greatly by external and especially, internal factors.

References

Carrol, J. (2021, October 12). Trying Too Hard. Retrieved January 2023, from

http://thetaoofpm.blogspot.com/ .

Kerzner, H. (2006). Chapter 10 Behavioral Excellence . In Project Management Best Practices:

Achieving Global Excellence. essay, John Wiley & Sons.

Warnert, N. (2018, March 28). Product development doesn’t have to be narcissistic. Retrieved

January 2023, from http://nataliewarnert.com/product-development-doesnt-have-to-be-

narcissistic/.