Fachhochschule Dortmund
University of Applied Sciences and Arts
European Master in Project Management
Niccolo Machiavelli for Project Management
Authors: Sorokina, Yevheniia (7096375)
Tashpulatova, Ziyoda (7096190)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Reimann, C.
Module: MP19 Social Competencies
Date: 30/05/2015
Abstract
The following research paper is dedicated for the study of the Machiavellian approach to management and its relations to modern Project Management principles. First of all, one of the most popular books of Niccolo Machiavelli, “The Prince” was examined and the content of this book was discussed in chapter 2, “The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli”. As an outcome of this chapter, the reader will find out general information
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Based on this book it is possible to make conclusions how a new leader should behave with subordinates or how to resolve conflicts. Machiavelli accurately described all the qualities that should have a project manager: be decisive, cause loyalty or buy it, be independent, avoid flatterers.
Machiavelli 's advice can be successfully applied in modern project management. It will help the Project Manager define own strategy of behaviour at different phases in the project life cycle: during growth and development, when the first competitors appear, if necessary, changing project team members and many others.
In conclusion, Machiavelli 's ideas about power and leadership, though rooted in a specific time and place, have also been reformulated and reinterpreted to apply to the project management. Analogies described above encouraged discussing the diversity of work of the project manager. And this diversity exists at different levels - the project manager, a small unit, CEO, president of the holding. The number of problems is increasing, but they still can be compared with the ideas of
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From Machiavelli’s point of view, people who are willing to change are less enthusiastic than those who fight against changes and make everything to not let this change to happen. In his book, Machiavelli advised 3 principles to leaders that want to introduce new alterations such as building support from subordinates, avoiding expert change resistance and considering change as a continuous
Lao Tzu and Machiavelli have different perspective on how a leader should lead, one believes in a compassionate leader while the other believes in a cunning leader. These seemingly contrasting ideas can be combined to form an effective leader. Lao Tzu’s idea of a compassionate leader is compatible with Machiavelli’s idea of a cunning leader, because these ideas are complementary. For a leader to become respected and praised, one must be compassionate to one’s subjects. A leader must try to act for the benefit of the citizens, one must have empathy towards the people.
Overall, change is portrayed negatively by the authors. When change is negatively portrayed, there are many options to overcome it. In the story “Metamorphosis” by “Franz Kafka” Gregor
In Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince (1513), he evaluates on how a prince can be a successful leader. Machiavelli’s purpose of this guidebook was to construct his argument to the rising ruler Giuliano de Medici for when he comes to power in Florence. He adopts a casual but authoritative tone in order to convince the prince that Machiavelli’s evaluation on how to be the best prince, is the right thing for the prince to do without coming off as he knows more than the prince or is trying to intimidate him.. Machiavelli’s reference to previous rulers and whether their tactics failed or succeeded helps to benefit his credibility along with his allusion to historic text. He appeals to our logic by simply stating a prince can only do what is within his power to control, and his use of an analogy furthers his argument.
Machiavelli argues the perfect prince will be both feared and loved by his people, and if unable to be both he will make himself feared and not hated. Machiavelli believes it is much safer to be feared than to be loved because people are less likely to offend and stand up against strong characters, also people are less concerned in offending a prince who has made himself loved. Accordingly, Machiavelli believes generosity is harmful to your reputation and the choice between being generous or stingy, merciful or cruel, honest or deceitful, should only be important if it aids the prince in political power. All in all, Machiavelli believes the ruler must be a great deceiver and do what is essential to uphold power over the
Argumentative Essay: Is change positive, negative, or neutral? Change is inescapable. No matter which stage one is in life, changes, both of little or major consequence, are bound to happen. As human beings, to fear the concept of change is deep-rooted in our nature. While majority deem change as a negative occasion, it is arguable to consider it as otherwise.
A leader’s cruelty enables him to make the decisions necessary for the kingdom, while also being miserly to keep the people happy. I think that Machiavelli’s advice provides a sound basis on how leaders today can lead. On other hand, others may argue that Machiavelli’s advice leads rulers astray and rather rulers should be kind and generous because morally that is the right thing to do. No matter the interpretation of how a ruler should lead, Machiavelli's analyst of a leaders provides insight into everyday life and causes leaders today to think about how they
Machiavelli believed that men will follow a ruler as long as the ruler serves their interests, and a quick to turn against the ruler unless they fear great punishment. Machiavelli would say that it is best to be feared rather than loved as long as the fear does not cause hate, which he believed to be perfectly possible.
The Prince, written by Machiavelli, is a candid outline of how he believes leaders gain and keep power. Machiavelli uses examples of past leaders to determine traits that are necessary to rule successfully. Leaders such as the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan lacked military power, made their subjects hate them, or did not know how to protect themselves from the elite, causing them to lose power. He says that these rulers should blame laziness, not luck, for their failures. By looking at these historical successes and failures, Machiavelli is able to develop his own thoughts on how politics and leaders should be in the future.
Hence, leaders need to be prepared and manage readiness to the alteration by making an environment of honesty and transparency for their team as a successful implementation of the change is unlikely. Employees must be part of the change hence, they must to be told about the requirement of the change and be given a reward to motivate to embrace the change. If change be accepted by all recipients it can be implemented quickly and effectively. The leaders’ attitudes and behaviors have both positive and negative alterations on the change success. Therefore, leaders of organizations need to try and develop a more framing and shaping behavior, adding skills on themselves to change and motivate the subordinates towards the embracing the change.
A Project Leader, as opposed to a manager that manages the team by bending it to fit the project, guides from the front and mainly aims to realise the potential of the team by using skills and resources at his/her disposal to achieve the best from the team (Curlee & Gordon, 2011). The complexity theory is furthermore about accepting chaos in some stages of the project life cycle, but in such a manner that allows the project manager a level of individuality to move a project forward. Hence, complexity is about learning to accept certain unknowns with flexibility and grace. (Curlee & Gordon, 2011). A leader who motivates individuals can assist in creating a controlled hurricane that can conquer complex tasks.
According to Machiavelli, a successful leader should to exhibit a certain character which is key to their success. He highlights five key qualities that a leader should possess A leader should be feared by the people. According to Machiavelli, it is better to be feared than loved. He believed that the people were less likely to revolt if they feared the leader
I. Machiavelli In his famous work the Prince Niccolo Machiavelli exposes what it takes to be a good prince and how only this good price and keep control over his state. There are many different qualities that make a man a good ruler but there are some that are more essential than others. In this work Machiavelli stresses the importance of being a warrior prince, a wise prince, and knowing how to navigate the duality of virtù and vices. Without these attributes there was no way that a prince could hold together their state and their people.
The principle reason that motivated me to pursue the MSc Project Management course is the appeal and challenge Project Managers experience in delivering assignments they undertake in their career. The qualification, indeed, lead to very smart and modern careers for graduates who love challenges, creativity, leadership and success. As a graduate of Mathematics, I have cultivated these features in my student life. Now, for my master level of study, I would like to take my chance of attaining formal skills in the area of project management. From my research, I see that Project Management is the application of skills, knowledge and techniques to meet the objectives of a project and stake holder’s expectations.
Reflective Journal Student Name: Talita Silva Lima Programme: Higher Diploma in Science – Cloud Computing Month: July 1. Project Management In this section I will explain in detail my project management through a Gantt Chart and what I have done since my last journal until now, how my time management is going in order to delivery this project before the deadline and some of my achievements.
In his novel, the prince, nicolo machiavelli guides us to be a fruitful ruler. He clarifies the best routes for any ruler or sovereign to govern a region, bring prosper to the society, and keep up their position. This book can be read by anyone to get a few pointers on political issues. Most of the thoughts held by machivelli were linked to mercilessness and evil, hence they raised a considerable number of eyebrows. He maintains that the ruler 's primary goal should be conquering, staying in control of the general public and to always have the idea of war in mind.