The Project Manager's Life 28

A project manager’s success or failure as the leader of a project may depend on his character and fortitude. If he is easily intimidated by superiors, either from the client’s team or from within his own company, he will soon have others making important decisions for him. Within his project team as well, his demonstration of strength as a leader will instill confidence and contribute toward acceptance of decisions. He must be the master of his own fate.

Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who in addition to writing on politics and religion, also wrote about issues of self respect. In the following couplet, he gives a strong recommendation on how we should position ourselves in life.

Position yourself such that prior to each determination of your fate,
God himself should ask you, his servant, if you have given your approval.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal

ख़ुदी को कर बुलंद इतना कि हर तक़दीर से पहले

ख़ुदा बन्दे से ख़ुद पूछे कि बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है
अल्लामा मोहम्मद इक़बाल

خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خدا بندے سےخود پوچھے کہ بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے
علامہ محمد اقبال

If you do not think of yourself as a leader and act as such, it is doubtful that others will view or treat you as one.