Tunnel vision -January 11

I’ve been accused of having tunnel vision when working on projects. I thought being focussed was what it was all about, and now I’m criticised for it. What’s my next step?

Tunnel vision is both a compliment and a criticism, as is looking at the wider picture- the necessary skill is combining the two
I recall a senior manager at Shell offering the view that helicopter quality was perhaps the single most important skill of leadership. By this she meant being utterly comfortable with the details, the muck and bullets of project management and then being able to lift off and see how the project fits into the overall goals of the business.

The key question here is of course, who is criticising you- one of the favourite ways for detractors to slow innovation is to make the broad assertion that a particular change programme is out of kilter with his part of the business and therefore cannot be implemented in its current form.

I suggest that you reference back to senior management for a brief review of project status. In my opinion project management is about first class communication and then boldness. Make sure you are getting an “A” in both. It is only in dotting i’s and crossing t’s can you deliver success.