Thought for Friday: Our Best Work

Here’s an interview with Alanis Morrisette on “Ironic” and the 25 Year Anniversary of “Jagged Little Pill”, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/alanis-morissette-ironic-isnt-really-ironic-lyrics-1027132 (300 Words and a 39:08 interview) [RollingStone Music Now, Brian Hiatt, 10-Jul-2020]

Morrisette discusses owning her space in the world and being open to new beginnings. She touches on the irony of not wanting the song on the record, eventually agreeing, then realising later that it really wasn’t what she wanted as people attacked the lack of irony in the lyrics. She talks about embracing stupidity and brilliance which, as she notes in the song Hand in my Pocket, she hasn’t “got it all figured out just yet”. She also touches on the quest to find an answer and being open to the answer not coming. For us, this is part of management controls, risk management and organisational governance.

Some things to consider:

  • Creating space. A construct for exploration.

  • Building resilience. The opportunity / challenge stays on the table.

  • Embracing comedy. A place to play out opposing viewpoints.

What are you holding together? When do you let it all go? What is the outcome?                         

How does this thinking apply to you as a Project Manager? What constructs are in place for your teams? Where are scenarios played out? What can you look back on and take a learning from?

Why is this important? Good question. We may think that our best work is behind us. It may have been seminal, challenging and / or popular. This doesn’t mean that our work is done. Being open to explore what is currently before us and flexible enough to engage in it from many sides may bring our next best work.

For further viewing / reading:

Inviting you to have a view / read and to have a chat with me about your thoughts.

[Originally posted internally in my role as Project Management Practice Lead at The Warehouse Group.]