Grow up - You are a project manager, not a professional parent

A lot of literature in project manager circles have the underlying theme that a project manager is a "baby sitter for adults". You see references to project managers as developing team members into leaders and acting as a benevolant dictator. My response is "grow up"

As long as you think of yourself as a "baby sitter for adults" and see your team members as being dependant on you to accomplish their project tasks, you will attract and retain team members that fit your perception. You will also find yourself complaining that your project team members are not working independently and your day will be consumed with micromanagement.

However, if you realize that your highly educated, competent and passionate team members need a facilitative project manager, then you can get out of your own way. Listen to the underlying theme of your project team's communications and "grow up".

Develop a vision for your project. Document, communicate and live your vision. Lead your project team towards your vision and they will follow. They can't follow you if you are stuck in the outdated project management thinking and acting as the baby sitter.

The world needs project leaders, not professional parents with MS-Project and PowerPoint.