From Ancient Greece to Our Technical Projects!
It's no secret that I hail from a country in Southern Europe, which today is mostly recognized as a tourist destination with its exquisite food, sunny beaches, and crystal-clear seas. Greece is for many of us synonymous with this image. But if we look back in history, we find the "ancient Greeks," whose rich cultural heritage continues to inspire and shape our world today. Their contributions in philosophy, politics, science, literature, art, and architecture form the foundation of Western civilization. How could so many groundbreaking ideas be generated in such a short time? The theories are many, and it is likely that the ancient heritage, together with the environment and the relationships between the ancient Greek cities, where contrast and competition created a unique alloy of thoughts and innovations. Perhaps this is a model we can learn from, to incorporate diversity and creativity into our projects.
Most of our projects are not only a technological change but also a cultural transformation, as we have emphasized many times. Perhaps it is not wrong to create an environment where each group is encouraged to take initiative and find their own solutions, and organize their work in a way that suits them best. Just as the ancient Greek cities allowed their residents to explore and develop their ideas and innovations, it may not be wrong to give our teams the freedom to shape their working methods and tools to deliver according to their specific needs and abilities.
For many years, our organizations have tried to establish a top-down model that dictates the details of each group's work, and time and again we have seen that the result has not been optimal. It is an exciting and challenging thought to instead give each group the responsibility to find their own solutions and tools. The role of leaders should change and should be to provide the direction and support needed for each group to thrive and grow, and create the conditions for the famous group dynamics required to tackle all challenges.
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That being said, we do not need to introduce an anarchistic system that would create chaos. We must find a balance where freedom and responsibility, as well as flexibility, serve the common good. We are all an important part of a larger whole and must agree on the "what," while the "how" can be defined by each team individually. We must establish routines for planning and reporting effectively. It is part of our challenges ahead. I do not have all the answers on how we will overcome these challenges, but I have full confidence in the teams. Together, we can shape the future of our? projects and create something that is not only technologically advanced but also culturally significant. Let us draw inspiration from the ancient Greeks and take our organizations one step further in our development.
Together, we can!
Sektionschef Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration)
7 个月Very true Christo! And it aligns well with the Agile principles. Maybe we now can say the ancient Greeks prototyped todays Agile manifesto? ??
Chief Cloud Officer at Servicef?rvaltningen part of Region Stockholm, Stockholm County Council
7 个月I totally agree with you! With that said, I would also add that The Agile manifesto if implemented correctly can support your thoughts and findings from ancient Greece. Here is what’s written in the fifth Agile Principle: “Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.”