Regardless of the size and complexity of the projects , people are always at the center of everything. Having skilled resources on the project contributes to a top critical factor for project success. Not always there will be full choice around it, but the closer you can build a team which you are comfortable with, the better.
Many of us who get choices in picking up a team – do look for a certain rare species of people – the silent achievers. These are the people who get the job done – without making too much noise about it. They come, they work and they leave. Only their actions speak for them. In my experience, more often than not the best performers in a project are actually these silent ones. Its similar to a pot full of water – it makes much less noise compared to an empty one. These team members are knowledgeable, confident and humble. There’s pride in what they do – but its not false pride and its as if they have nothing to prove to anyone. Maybe that is what helps them work in a relaxed manner in pressure situations delivering the very best.
These silent achievers are there in every project I have seen succeed – without exception. Its important to recognize them and keep them motivated. Especially for the fact that because of their silent nature, its so easy to overlook them in comparison to the more bold ones. This is not to say that the ones who are bold enough to claim the credit of their work don’t do anything. Definitely they contribute and many of them are excellent performers as well, but these ones need special attention to ensure that they are also remembered when its time for appreciation and rewards.
So how many of such – Quietly Brilliant – people do you know. Would love to hear their stories.