Being consistent in your management style and personality is important for success. One of the first lessons in parenting is being consistent. If you discipline your child one time for something, but then ignore that same thing a different time, you are sending a confusing mixed message. Obviously, your project team members are not children, but the principle still applies.
Our teams depend on us for leadership and direction. As managers, if we are on a roller-coaster of emotion, our project teams will be all mixed up.
My manager when projects are late
Inconsistent behavior stifles creativity and does not allow a tolerable environment for ideas to be exchanged. If a team member is not sure how you will react from one day to the next, they are less likely to be forthcoming with ideas and suggestions.
No matter how crazy a project becomes or how much stress leaders are under, we must be the model of consistency. Like the commercial says, “never let them see you sweat.”
–Warren