All too typical. It’s tough to live in a world where people insist on deferring decisions on even the smallest actions.

I really liked this post, but the statement above jumped out at me. I work with academics and serve as a project manager sometimes, and it’s painful for me at times. It goes like this:
Them: “We need to do this”
Me: “Okay, who needs to do this by when – I propose Dr. Smith do it by Tuesday”
Dr. Smith (and them): Incredulous stare – why do we need to figure that out right now is the look in their eyes.
Me [sensing that look]: “Look, it’s easier to get this ironed out now while we’re all face to face than to try to do it via email and phonecalls.”
Them: “Let’s think about this and figure it out later.”

And, a few weeks later, with a disjointed round of emails and phone calls, Dr. Smith starts the action.

[sigh]
It pains me that they think the process is running so smoothly because I’m gluing it together. They have no idea how much easier these things could be if we would move from Group ToDos to delegated/assumed individual Next Actions. But, I’m the low man on the totem poll, so what should I expect? I so need to write about Group ToDos and individual Next Actions – but you’ll no doubt beat me to it because you’re awesome like that. :p

Brad