1. Build TRUST for Advancement with Project Management Approach
By M. Aslam MIrza, CEngr, MBA, LMG, PMP
Making efforts for business advancement in VUCA world becomes more challenging when Projects team
has to earn TRUST of stakeholders for application of PM approach in the project implementation
process. The intensity of VUCA – volatility, uncertainty, complexity, &ambiguity is increasing in various
measures with passingeach day.The application of PM Approach for business advancement in strategic
direction helps effectively.
There the challenge in application of PM is twofold like noted following;
a) Earn TRUST of stakeholders for application of PM
b) Create TRUST in team for Successful application of PM for reaching desired results
The two challenges need to be addressed together with building trust and strengths created with Team
Building, effective Skills for application of PM Processes, interrelation with Stakeholders, and Leadership
practices.
Importantly leadership practice is pivotal at every level down to each team-member with self-
understanding, self-management, self-growth and self-grooming. The leadership needs to satisfy the
necessary elements of Trust, as noted following;
Competence
The incompetent professionals are never trusted. The TRUST emerges from the confidence of
team/stakeholders that you know what you are doing.
Consistency
The most pragmatic element when your team/stakeholders know what you stand for, they
believe that you will react in a predictable way to certain situations. Over time the consistency
expressed value become the shared value of the team/stakeholder and enhances trust.
Loyalty
Your team/stakeholders trust you to the degree you are committed to their success and well-
being.
Openness
The quality of relationship with team/stakeholder expresses the trust where openness is the
cornerstone of the ability to build the relationship.
The effective and efficient leadership is required to have the following capabilities;

2. TRUST: credibility, integrity, character & attitude are the foundations for building trust where
words have powerful impacts like;
 to change people's lives.
 to motivate or tear down.
 to inspire or kill a dream.
 to cause visions to be realized.
 to give confidence to a weary soul.
INFLUENCE: inspiring team members to do the right work with all skills & capabilities at every
stage for right results.
COMMUNICATION: management of flow of info to the right person for right job in right time has
great impacts on building trust & confidence for achieving desired results.
VISION: have clear understanding of bigger picture where project deliverable will add value and
the ability to communicate the importance to each team member & stakeholder how they may
be contributing.
MOTIVATION: each team member’s engagement is enhanced when understanding of MQ-
Meaning Quotient, the value of contribution in bigger picture. The realization of value and the
free hand given to work for value addition helps motivation to stay at peak.
Finally make yourself trustworthy to help building Trust that has value for application of PM and
advancement of business in strategic direction. How to become trustworthy, the plan is noted following;
Trust
Influence
Communication
Vision
Motivation

3. Caring Honesty Skills Reputation
Transparency Fairness Knowledge Credibility
Openness Authenticity Experience Performance
Create trustworthiness to help building TRUST which is essentially;
Truthiness: whatever is happening is not only true but also need to look true.
Respect: profound respect in letter & spirit.
Understanding: make efforts to find the facts and be prepared to give benefit of doubt.
Sense: highlight the reason & find sense in every action.
Thoroughness: be thorough when relating with bigger picture
Hope it helps, enjoy it.
T - Truthiness R – Respect
U –
Understanding
S – Sense
T -
Thoroughness
Trustworthiness
Character Competence
Intent Integrity Capability Results