When projects are managed too tightly

Errol Flynn, the swash-buckling actor, was once asked about the correct way to hold a sword. Flynn replied:

“one should imagine holding a small bird rather than a sword. If you hold too tightly the bird dies and the life is lost. If you hold too loosely, the bird escapes and flies away, and you’re left with nothing”

Whether it’s a sword or a project, when you want to keep control, holding too tightly is tempting… and you know, the world is littered with failing projects that have had all of the life squeezed out of them.

– Jason Bates

Tags:  project+management, project+leadership, Errol+Flynn