Trust, Curiosity, and Adaptability: Lessons in Project Management from Parenting a 3-Year-Old

Parenting and project management may seem like two entirely different fields, but the challenges and experiences in one can often provide valuable lessons for the other. This blog post explores the similarities between managing a team and raising a young child, with a focus on trust, curiosity, adaptability, and the importance of prioritizing tasks.

Just as a parent must establish trust with their child to ensure cooperation, a project manager must also build trust within their team. Trust is the foundation of any successful team, enabling members to work together effectively and accept the decision-maker’s authority, even in emergency situations where quick action is required.

Children have an innate curiosity, and their willingness to ask questions can be a valuable lesson for project managers. Encouraging open communication and a curious mindset within the team helps ensure that everyone fully understands the tasks and reasoning behind them.

Creating habits can simplify our lives and help us feel accomplished. However, the ability to adapt and prioritize tasks is essential in both parenting and project management. With an ever-evolving project, issues must be prioritized to determine their impact on project delivery.

In the same way that parents must spend time with their children to understand their perspective, project managers must also invest in building relationships with team members. By addressing concerns and questions individually, managers can foster trust and ensure that each team member feels valued and understood.

Parenting a 3-year-old may seem far removed from managing a project, but there are valuable lessons to be learned from both experiences. By focusing on trust, curiosity, adaptability, and prioritization, project managers can create an environment in which their team can thrive and succeed.

Key takeaways:

• Trust allows team members to understand and engage in their tasks.
• Trust is crucial during emergencies, when swift action must be taken without question.
• Embrace childlike curiosity by encouraging team members to ask questions.
• Foster an environment of open communication to clarify tasks and objectives.
• Prioritizing tasks is crucial for project success.
• Continuously reassess and adapt to changing situations.
• Strong relationships with team members promote trust and understanding.
• Address individual concerns and questions to create a cohesive team dynamic.