10 Things That All Great Project Managers Do
They Seek Clarity From Start to Finish
Ambiguous marching orders or confusion lead directly to mistakes, repeated processes and blown deadlines and budgets.
They Don’t “Ask for Permission” to Assert Authority
They give directives because they know how to get the job done. They don’t resort to wishy-washy qualifiers such as “The higher-ups told us to do this ….”
They Edit Information as It’s Presented
Because there’s always “noise” in workplace conversations, they immediately know which facts are important to the project and which aren’t.
They Re-Evaluate on the Fly
Frequent market and logistical shifts demand the constant adjustment of the game plan. While due diligence is necessary, paralysis through over-analysis will drag down a project.
They Craft Conversations for their Audience
They know the goals and pain points of every team member and stakeholder. That’s because they’re great listeners first, and skilled speakers second.
They Stick to Regular Communications Schedules
This doesn’t mean incessant meetings. It speaks to knowing when each project cycle merits productive exchanges.
They Put the Right People in the Right Positions
Like a great football coach, they design their play book according to the distinct talents of their players, as opposed to forcing round pegs into square holes.
They Exude Integrity
Because without it, they recognize that they have no credibility and, thus, will earn no real commitment from their project teams.
They Maintain Composure
They realize that team members will judge them by how they lead through adversity much more so than during the good times.
They Respect Work-Life Balance
Sure, deadlines and budgets matter, as does exceeding stakeholders’ expectations. But this can’t come at the expense of driving team members into the ground and burning them out. Great project managers think long-term.
