Behind are the times when I thought that managing a project is a purely technical job. Problem tree, Objectives setting, logframe, work plan, work breakdown structures, reports, scorecards, Gantt chart, technical requirements etc sound indeed technical and schools make you believe that. No blame assigned. It is just easier for them to teach you. Your growth however is fully up to you.

When I read fiction or watch movies I catch my brain in Roden’s “Thinker” pose. The little voice asking “what can I learn from this character for my projects world”. The inspiration is borderless. All you need are wide-open eyes and tuned in ears. I learn a great deal of tips and approaches from most unexpected sources.

I’ll start with one example. The “Queen of the Desert” movie by the famous director Werner Herzog, staring Nicole Kidman, is about Gertrude Bell, British writer and archeologist, passionate about studying the East. https://youtu.be/Stacvv4VK1A

I drew parallels with my work, comparison with Nicole Kidman would not be in my favour anyway. So, back to her character, Gertrude. She goes into the unknown places, makes deeply rooted traditions her allies in changing without challenging, creates cooperation and collaboration without confrontation. Projects also take me into the unknown, I am in quest of legal and institutional traditions on which to build changes for development, I create space for cooperation with others doing a similar development work.

The way this movie character talks, positions herself with the almighty gives me insights into how to distinctively approach female and male decision makers according to the culture they operate in. The way she persuades her own breed, with knowledge and self-earned authority, is insightful for relationship building within the organisation I work in. And it goes on …