So you want to be a Project Manager?
16 rules for good Project Managers
After ten years of speaking on project management, the top issue raised by my audiences is anything relating to the roles, responsibilities, accountabilities and competencies of a project manager. This is especially important to those who hold the PMI PMP certification because what they have learned from the PMI PMBOK Guide does not completely reflect the realities encountered in the real world. In my typical audience 75% hold PMPs, but when I ask how many are in project management positions it is usually less than 10%. If I ask them whether they enjoy their work, only a few say “Yes,” but most say “No”. And if I ask the non-project managers how many would like to be a Project Manager, most hesitate to raise their hands. This proves my view that “To get a PMP is one thing, but to know how to be a good project manager is another.” As an advocate and promoter of project management, I know my mission is to encourage those PMPs, or PMPs-to-be to accept the challenge bravely as a Project Manager now or in the near future.
I have discovered 16 rules for those who want to be a good Project Manager. Why not test yourself and see how you measure up.
Rule #1: You cannot be an “Accidental Professional”
Obtaining professional certification (such as the PMP) is important. These are fast becoming a “MUST” instead of “PLUS” in the professional management-related job market. The day of “Accidental Professionals” has gone, especially if you want to survive in an organization facing severe competition.
Rule #2: 9 to 5 is not enough
The Project Manager cannot expect to do their job in the same way as those who are not responsible for a project, because your boss will expect you to handle everything in your project 24 hours a day, if possible.
Rule #3: Fighting fires is normal
As an old proverb says “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” To be a Project Manager is never easy, and you have to accept that you are always working in a tough situation.
Rule #4: You are not an individual, but a team worker
The Project Manager is no longer an individual. Always remind yourself that you are leading a team, and you have to work very closely and establish good relationships with your team members. Most important, you need to create a good environment for coordination to support team-working.
Rule #5: Be humble, even if you believe you are a hero
Most of the time project resources are borrowed from somewhere and your team members normally don’t belong to you. Arrogance is your enemy. Instead you should aim for “humility with confidence” when leading your team.
Rule #6: Always control your emotions
Good Emotional Intelligence is essential, because no one likes working with an emotional person. Shouting when you are angry only makes things worse!
Rule #7: Deal with your stress without transferring it to others
As a Project Manager, you can never live without stress. If you cannot overcome stress, you will not achieve your project goals. Therefore, you must be able to transform stress into a source of energy, and motivate your team rather than giving them your pressure.
Rule #8: Politics and conflict are inescapable
Jeffrey Pinto says “Without an understanding of the role that politics plays in project management, the likelihood of managing the successful development of a project will be diminished.” Politics and conflict happen in every project, and a Project Manager has to be politically sensitive in order to survive in an environment where conflict is inherent.
Rule #9: Love your team
Most Project Managers do not have a right to select their team members. If perhaps a person who you don’t like is assigned to your team, you may just have to accept them. When forming your team, forget if anyone has upset you, and try to love them.
Rule #10: Be flexible
If you are a person who insists on what you have always believed, you may need to adjust your mindset to be more flexible when leading a project, because otherwise conflicts from scarce resources and other reasons will destroy your persistence.
Rule #11: Keep a positive attitude when facing difficulty
Risks, uncertainties, difficulties, complications, conflicts, and problems are normal ingredients of a project. As a consequence, if you are pessimistic, you won’t last one day! Optimism is the best attitude toward any tough situation, combined with broad and diverse approach to solve problems.
Rule #12: Be people-oriented instead of technically-focused
It is no surprise that majority of Project Managers in the world come from a technical background, because most projects have a strong technical element. However, if a Project Manager focuses only on the technical issues, rather than the people, he or she cannot accomplish the project mission. “Trouble shooting” can be technically-oriented, but “problem solving” must be people-focused.
Rule #13: Keep your passion, even when you are frustrated
One of the most valuable characteristics of a Project Manager is to be passionate, and this is always a significant strength to motivate people within the project. Indolence and indifference in a Project Manager and the team are likely to lead to project failure.
Rule #14: 90% of your job is communication
The three most important things for a good Project Manager are communication, communication, and communication. As a Project Manager, you must develop a good communication environment for your team and stakeholders. Don’t just identify barriers of communication that block your project. You can save your project only by talking, listening, responding, deciding, and acting.
Rule #15: Identify your stakeholders and balance their needs
I have discovered that dedication, hard work, and sacrifice do not guarantee the success of a project. No Project Manager can survive if he/she knows nothing about stakeholder identification and management. Negative stakeholders are always hiding somewhere in your project and they need to be managed. To satisfy all stakeholders’ expectation is almost impossible, but you should try.
Rule #16: Be versatile
Don’t worry when you realize that a good Project Manager must have such a wide range of competencies including both hard and soft skills. You may think no one can be so perfect and faultless, but a competent Project Manager must be able to exercise all these characteristics, and be willing to develop their weaknesses.
So now you have tested yourself against these 16 essential rules of being a good Project Manager, let’s ask the same question “Are you sure you really want to be a Project Manager?” If the answer is “No,” then there are plenty of other very valuable roles in the project team. But if your answer is “Yes,” you can apply the 16 rules to become a competent Project Manager, and may God bless you!
