The Great Enemy of Truth... | Bite Sized Project Management Thought from John F Kennedy | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Effective communication is crucial in project management to avoid rumors, speculation, and resistance to change.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Lack of information during times of change leads to rumors and gossip, which are more disruptive than the actual facts.
• 💁 Effective communication is a crucial aspect of a project manager's role, as it keeps stakeholders well-informed and enables better decision-making.
• 💁 Repeating false information enough times can cause it to be believed, emphasizing the importance of addressing and providing correct information promptly.
• 👯 The more accurate, detailed, and frequent the communication is, the better people can understand the situation and feel informed.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did John F. Kennedy say that the great enemy of truth is often not the deliberate lie, but the persistent myth?

Kennedy's statement highlights the power of persistent myths in shaping beliefs. In project management, this reminds us of the importance of providing accurate information to avoid rumors and misinformation.

Q: What role does effective communication play in project management?

Effective communication is vital as project managers need to keep stakeholders, sponsors, clients, and the team well-informed. Good communication helps to prevent misunderstandings, align expectations, and build trust.

Q: How does speculation and fear contribute to resistance to change?

When people lack information about change, they tend to speculate and fill the information vacuum with rumors and gossip. This speculation can cause fear and resistance, making it harder to implement changes smoothly.

Q: What is the potential consequence of denying or ignoring false information?

Denying or ignoring false information can reinforce the strength of the lie in people's memories. It is important to address falsehoods promptly and provide accurate information to counteract the spread of misinformation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lack of information in times of change leads to speculation and gossip, which can be more disruptive than the facts themselves.

• Project managers play a significant role in communicating and providing information to stakeholders, sponsors, clients, and the team.

• The more accurate and detailed information is shared frequently, the better people will feel informed and the more successful the project manager will be.