Four Key Ingredients to Become a Great Project Manager
There isn't a single path or a one-size-fits-all approach to becoming a project manager. In reality, anyone who leads a team or oversees a project from inception to completion can consider themselves a project manager. However, project managers are often viewed as an elite group—business-savvy professionals with extensive experience and advanced degrees.
So, what sets a successful project manager apart from the rest? What's their secret sauce?
It comes down to four key ingredients (attributes): flexibility, curiosity, and patience—with a serving of positive attitude on the side for good measure.
With those ingredients in mind, let’s dive into why some organizations and project managers across the globe continue to miss the mark!
My experience in project management spans several industries, including technology, wireless, law, and clinical trials. Despite the diversity of these fields, they share a common challenge: people. Having the right group of people in a team can make or break your team, which is why having a positive attitude is the fourth ingredient to the secret sauce. Having a positive attitude is a crucial temperament to any successful project manager, as it will:
Enhance your flexibility towards people and their culture;
Bolster your curiosity which will help you and your team identify new strategies towards completing the project on time and within budget;
Strengthen your patience towards both internal and external stakeholders — or those who are in a momentary rut. It happens.
Maintaining a positive attitude towards your project can inspire your team and, even in a Star Trek no-win scenario’s Kobayashi Maru, help them navigate difficult challenges ahead. This approach enriches your team's experience and builds their confidence for current and future endeavors.
Sometimes, the inevitable happens—projects go over budget, and resources become scarce or are lost to cuts. During such challenges, having a strong leader to guide and uplift me was essential, helping me learn and support my team through tough times.
When your team faces tight deadlines and pressure from stakeholders, your attitude can either motivate them to reach the finish line or cause them to falter under stress. My professional recommendation to organizations and to both current and aspiring project managers is to invest in their people.
People are the cornerstone of any successful project, but they can also be a reason why projects fail. Investing in individuals who are flexible, curious, patient, and possess a positive attitude can create a ripple effect throughout your team, projects, and organizational culture, driving your organization's success. Advanced degrees and certifications are valuable tools that help leaders navigate the complexities of project management, but they can be taught to anyone. Why not equip the right people with these tools to set them up for success?
While managing people is one of the biggest challenges in project management, fostering the right attitude is the key to supporting and enriching your team now and beyond!