by If you think there’s no connection between John Wick and project management, think again.
Beneath the bullets and bloodshed lies a surprisingly structured world; governed by rules, protocols, and an unshakable authority called The Table. In many ways, it’s not that different from navigating the world of enterprise projects and PMOs.
So let’s dive into how the world’s most feared assassin has something to teach us about how to manage projects, people, and power.
1. “The Table” = Project Governance
In John Wick’s universe, The High Table is the ultimate authority. Untouchable, unbreakable, and omnipresent. Every assassin, kingpin, and concierge must follow its rules. Break them, and you’re excommunicado.
In project management, The Table mirrors your PMO (Project Management Office), regulatory board, or executive sponsor group. These are the structures that define how work gets done, who’s accountable, and what rules must be followed.
📌 PM Lesson: No one, not even your most senior stakeholder is above the governance structure. Respect the process, or risk project chaos.
2. John Wick = The Relentless Project Manager
John doesn’t act without a plan. He evaluates the environment, leverages allies, and moves with surgical precision. When the situation spirals, he adapts fast but always with control.
As a project manager, you’ll face changing requirements, political crossfire, and impossible deadlines. You won’t always want the job, but you get it done with process, grit, and strategy.
📌 PM Lesson: You don’t need to be flashy. You need to be effective even when all hell breaks loose.
IT projects are one of the most stressful kind. Adding to the list are failed IT projects that need to be closed, and closed gracefully because of the sunk-cost fallacy.
3. Coins and Markers = Project Resources and Commitments
In Wick’s world, gold coins buy more than favors. They represent trust and access. Blood markers? They’re non-negotiable obligations.
In project management, think of these as resource allocations, stakeholder buy-in, and promises made. Use them wisely. Once committed, they’re hard to take back.
📌 PM Lesson: Projects succeed on more than timelines and budgets. They run on trust, influence, and kept promises.
4. The Consequences of Going Rogue
Remember what happened when Wick broke Continental rules? Total system lockdown. Even Wick had to claw his way back, by playing within the system again.
Likewise, skipping governance checks, ignoring scope processes, or overriding stakeholder feedback can tank your project even if you had good intentions.
📌 PM Lesson: Even lone wolves need structure. Rogue decisions without alignment will come back to bite.
5. The Continental = Safe Zones for Strategy
The Continental isn’t just a hotel, it’s a sanctuary where rivals meet, negotiate, and realign. Think of it as your retrospective meeting, steering committee, or war room.
It’s where clarity is restored and decisions are made often quietly, but powerfully.
📌 PM Lesson: Create neutral spaces where collaboration can happen. Projects don’t fail because of conflict, they fail because people avoid it.
Final Shot: The Wick Mindset
John Wick didn’t win because he had the most firepower. He won because he understood the system better than anyone and navigated it with discipline and intent.
As a project manager, your job isn’t just to fight fires. It’s to understand the rules of the game so deeply that you can move through chaos with control.
Remember this:
📌 No one is above the table. But if you play your cards right, you’ll never have to flip it.
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