Sometimes it's quite astonishing how little some of these so-called senior managers know about leading project team members. Some may know how to manage budget, but most are clueless when it comes to leading people. Perhaps all those books they've read, all those years of experience they've had never really made it to their heart... *SIGH* It seems like most of them simply don't take the time to try and understand their team members. You can argue that it takes too much time, but if you're not willing to spend time on building that relationship with your team members, then I'd say you should give up on the whole "working with others" gig. Sit down with them and try to first understand where they are coming from, then see how you can help them work more efficiently. Find out what it is that drives them to work hard on a project and what it is that makes them happy. Unless you're dealing with the devil himself, making your team member happy will directly efect the quality of the project results. Spend time earning their trust. Yes I said earning their trust. Don't you for a second think that they should earn your trust first. If there's one reason why seniors are called seniors, it's because they are supposed to be more humble, and more respecting of others. Now if you've worked with me and I don't practice these things, then lemme know cuz I'd like to know.