Q&A: When a Project Team Member won't Complete Tasks
What if a project team member won't do their tasks?
Many project managers in mission-driven organizations are leading teams they have little to no authority over and whose members they may not know well. Project team members often include colleagues from other departments or partner organizations, volunteers, clients/users, and board members.
With little history and limited power, handling a team member that won’t complete tasks can be challenging and requires project managers to communicate well and exert influence.
If a team member won’t do their tasks, begin with a 1-on-1 conversation with the goal of collaborating on a solution. Aim to listen more than you speak. Discuss and consider together:
What obstacles or challenges are they facing that may be interfering with their tasks?
Do they have the resources, information, or expertise they need?
Is the project or task schedule reasonable and achievable? Or does more time need to be allotted?
Do they understand their project role and the importance of their task to the overall project?
If the outcomes of this conversation don’t result in change, it may be necessary to reassign those tasks to another or additional team member or to ask for support from someone who does have influence with or authority over the team member.
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