The PM's Guide to Smart Disobedience explores when and why project managers should challenge the rules. Drawing lessons from military strategy and real-world project pitfalls, this guide shows how courageous, well-reasoned defiance can drive success.
Sebesi Mihaly
Project Manager Professional
Have you ever followed orders when, deep down, you knew there was a better way?
In an 1860 book about the Prussian Army, The Origins and Development of the Prussian Officer, there's a story about an officer who rigidly followed orders - only to be told by a high-ranking general:
"The King made you a staff officer so that you would know when not to obey."
This timeless lesson echoes in the world of project management. Just like a Prussian officer, new project managers eager to fit in often follow rules blindly. But real success sometimes requires the courage to challenge norms or even disobey when circumstances demand it.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom
Rigid plans that no longer serve the project's goals
The avoidance of necessary but difficult conflicts.
Team structures that hinder efficiency
Waiting endlessly for approvals that delay progress
Tasks performed just to look busy, not to deliver value
Ignoring gut instincts out of fear of repercussions
Like army officers, project managers fight their battles with one clear goal: winning. And sometimes, that victory depends on strategic disobedience.
In Guidance for Large Unit Commanders, General von Moltke writes:
"With darkness all around, develop a feeling for what is right… and issue orders in the knowledge that obstacles—random accidents, unpredictable challenges—will hinder execution. In this fog of uncertainty, the one certainty is your own decision… the surest way to reach your goal is through the single-minded pursuit of simple actions."
Sometimes, that “single-minded pursuit of simple actions” means choosing to disobey.
When Disobedience Becomes Strategic
While disobedience might sound reckless, effective project managers see it as a strategic decision. Here are some questions to consider:
Will waiting for approval cause unnecessary delays or missed opportunities?
Is the current process outdated and slowing progress, and do you have a better alternative?
Will sticking to the original plan cost more than adapting to new information?
Are rules or hierarchies blocking the team’s potential?
Are team members' valid concerns being dismissed?
Can you clearly explain the value of your alternative approach?
If you proceed differently, can you take responsibility and communicate transparently?
A Lesson in Courage
In complex projects, sometimes courageous leadership looks like polite defiance. It’s about making strategic choices that prioritise success over conformity.
Are you ready to challenge the norms when success depends on it? Sometimes, strategic disobedience is the secret ingredient for victory.
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