Project leaders have a multi-faceted responsibility that goes beyond project delivery, rooted in the intrinsic nature of projects and our present understanding of human nature.

  1. Intrinsic Nature of Projects and Human Nature: Our success as a species is largely due to our adaptive and adventurous nature. Undertaking projects is a fundamental expression of these traits, driven by our cognitive, social, and motivational frameworks. Historically, projects have been essential for survival and advancement, from building shelters to developing technology.
  2. Human-Centric Leadership and Wellbeing: Given our understanding of human needs and psychology, project leaders should ensure psychological safety, work-life balance, professional development, and an inclusive culture. This supports the mental and physical health of the team, enhances job satisfaction, and drives performance.
  3. Ethical and Contractual Commitments: Delivering high-quality work while maintaining ethical standards and building strong client relationships is crucial. This involves clear communication, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that client expectations are met or exceeded.
  4. Sustainable Practices and Planetary Health: Our expansive project activities have fundamentally changed our planetary environment. Recognizing this, project leaders should assess and mitigate the environmental impact of their projects by adopting sustainable methods, using ethically sourced materials, and considering the long-term viability of their work. This commitment to sustainability helps protect the environment and ensures the project’s lasting positive impact.
  5. Responsibility to the Planet and Future Generations: By neglecting the intrinsic link between human nature and project activities, we have contributed to environmental degradation. We owe it to our species and our home planet to understand these implications and change our ways of conducting projects—both in what we do and how we do it. This means integrating sustainable practices into all project phases and promoting environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

Project leaders should embrace a holistic approach that considers human wellbeing, ethical commitments, and environmental sustainability. This is not only crucial for project success but also for the long-term viability of our planet and future generations. By understanding and acting on the intrinsic link between our project activities and human nature, we can foster a more sustainable and responsible approach to project management.

Terry Cooke-Davies
5th June 2024

With thanks to ChatGPT(4o) for support and co-operation in the preparation of this blog post.

Perspectives: Management, Reimagining Tomorrow
Subjects: Business and administrative studies
Issues: Ethics and morality, Projects
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Terry
Terry is a retired managing director, management consultant, lay preacher and academic. He obtained a BA in Christian Theology from Nottingham University in 1965. After working in Jordan as a schoolteacher and Biblical Archaeologist, he pursued a career in business until he retired at the end of 2018. Terry was a Lay Preacher in the United Reformed Church from 2004 until 2019. After gaining a PhD in Project Management in 2000, he later became a Visiting Fellow or Professor at Universities in the UK, Australia and France. Terry is passionate about harnessing cognitive diversity to find wisdom in all disciplines across the sciences, social sciences and humanities and from all faiths and none.
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