Just recently I experienced how things show their human side in a project: We were doing well, actually better than the plan and under budget, not at least because we strictly kept to the rule “no change without approved CR”.
What should I tell you? All of a sudden, right before the finish of works, some desires for improvements that presumably could be done “just as a sideline” slipped in. Needless to say in passing and bypassing the PM. But this guy got it: by the supplier’s change request flying on his desk. And see, by a more close and detailed assessment some collateral at some dependent tasks became visible that had not been recognized on the radar in the “back room”…
What do we learn from this? You can’t be everywhere as a PM, ok. And relaxation is likely to lead, same as in real life, to a “let-yourself-go”, that seems human. That’s why it is even more important (as it is in sports) to keep up discipline and motivation, even and especially in times when all signs seem to be pointing towards easing of tension.
And of course the PM must always go ahead with unquestionable authenticity as a good example, because if he gets sloppy this will not only rub off but will make himself insensitive for the weaknesses in his team!