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PROJECT MANAGEMENT 15
The basic idea of the “vision, mission, strategy, tactic” thing boils down to this: Tell
your people what they can accomplish, fire them up, give them a strategy so they can
act together, and point them in a good direction so they can march off as an effective
force to accomplish the goals.
Consider the famous speech Shakespeare wrote in Henry V about the English
king’s bloody conquest of France (the play can be found at www.theplays.
org/henryV/). Kenneth Branagh played Henry V in the movie version (http://
us.imdb.com/Title?0097499) and he delivered a stirring rendition of the speech, fir-
ing up his outnumbered troops on the eve of battle as they grumbled and wished for
reinforcements.

The fewer men, the greater share of honour ...
I pray thee, wish not one man more ...
Rather proclaim ...that he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart ...
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly ...strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day” ...
This story shall the good man teach his son ...
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day ...
You know your places: God be with you all!
Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii (excerpted and edited)

I actually gave this speech once to a project team, although I admit I had to read it.
It was a gamble, but it was well received and had the desired effect. Notice that Henry
did not try to motivate his troops by saying they could win a battle. Instead, he told them
they had a great opportunity to gain glory and could tell their kids all about it. He
appealed to emotions like pride, love, and a sense of accomplishment.
A leadership speech should be given at the beginning of the project to the whole
team. It can be reiterated with individual team members when they need it. Further,
don’t forget that different things motivate different people, and individuals may need
different leadership guidance.
One last thing: Let the group name the robot. The engineers will have much more
personal stake in the project if they can name the robot themselves. It’s almost a prom-
ise to give birth to a being of sorts.