Have you ever had that sense when you’re working heads down on something or so focused on something that you forget where you are or what day it is? Or you're so focused on your driving that you didn’t realize you were clenching the steering wheel so tight that your hands and fingers were going numb? Ok, we all probably still do that at the dentist’s office, right? But that is truly out of fear of pain and suffering.
But focus – intense focus. Do you get that way from time to time while working on your creative projects? That sort of intense focus can be either good or bad. It depends what you’re focusing on and at what level of detail you’re focusing that attention on. And is it the right time to do it? And what else might you be neglecting by focusing so much attention on one area or detail? Are we becoming a bit obsessive? At what cost?
These are all good questions because being a little intense as a creative project manager can actually be a great thing and show the client that you really care about the project, their money, their needs, and your team. Or it can make them think you’re a little bit off your rocker.
Personally, I'm a big fan of making my team and client aware of the fact that I am intensely focused on this specific project no matter how many other projects I'm leading simultaneously...which has numbered as many as 16 at any given time (but is usually around 5 or 6). I do this in several of the following ways...
Engage the creative team daily. Show the team you care by reaching out daily. Whether it is a brief email to the group or several conversations with each team member, you just have to make sure it happens. Everyone is busy on their tasks, but this type of daily engagement lets everyone know you're right there with them and keeps them informed of project info on a higher level. This is particularly important when they are usually so focused at the task level. Creativity takes intense focus at times – make sure they stay informed at the 10k foot level, too.
Engage the client regularly. This one is obvious, but make sure it happens. You need it, the team needs it, and the client deserves it. Regrouping as a full team - client included - is just a great reset point every week. Questions get answered, ideas get shared, status gets disseminated and updated and clients stay happy and confident. It's great for the creative focus on your project.
Involve senior management in the project. Nothing says your project is important to the company as much as having senior management play a visible role. That can happen in one of two ways. 1) you invite it to happen by periodically involving them in your project meetings and having them engage with your team and client. 2) they chose to get involved because the client is complaining about something. Go with #1 on this one...it's way better for your career.
Ensure that all are aware that the budget is being watched closely. This one may sound a bit different, but budget management says you care about the project and are focused on it. It's important that both client and team know this. Why? The client one is obvious, but the team is important too because they are charging their time to the project and if they know that you're watching the money, they will be more careful - and more accurate - in how they bill their time. Trust me.
Summary
There are lots of ways to keep from being too focused on detailed project issues that it drives you crazy. It's best to maintain a good balance and this list helps me. It helps me to make sure that I can usually feel my fingers. What works best for you? How do you stay focused on your creative projects, show your team and client that you are "on it" even if you're running five other projects at the same time?
