Project management, at its core, is leadership. It may be leadership on a micro or macro level, but it is leading in certain aspects, directing at least one portion of project operations. Some are born into such roles, while others take years of learning to be effective. Effective project managers embrace the role of leadership, get rid of the “good little consultant” mentality, communicate boldly, and don’t be afraid of failure.
I grew up as a farm kid, expected to lead work crews at a very early age, and taking the reins of leadership and problem solving. So, the ingrained qualities of effective management have come naturally. Others may struggle with such roles, hampered by indecision and fear of failure. Sometimes there is no right answer, but you make the best decisions with the best information at that time. No matter the position held, no matter whether it’s a public or private sector role, there are key aspects of effective project management that apply across the board.
Embrace the Leadership Role
Many project managers want to lead by committee. Leading by committee can result in failure. While the team you lead can have a lot of effective advice and should be listened to at times, at least someone must lead and make decisions. This is not an option. Many projects fail due to a lack of the “one” decision maker. Project effectiveness is not generally due to group consensus. Take charge and own decisions whether successful or not.
As a public sector manager, I led a very effective state government division that went through many iterations of project management and growth. I began as a low-level project manager in this Division at a time when every decision, whether to move forward with a project, its design, and acquisition, was all decided by a committee. It almost bankrupted this entity. When I became a manager in this Division, we changed that direction. We allowed leaders to be leaders and make decisions based on the best available information. That change caused this Division to thrive, staff turnover came to an all-time low, and contractors appreciated clear, concise direction. Allowing staff to embrace leadership, even at a micro level, breeds success and satisfaction for all involved.
Scrap the “Good Little Consultant” Mentality
A major pet peeve of mine while working as a public sector manager was hiring project managers to advise in various situations that told me what I wanted to hear. A good project manager should always speak respectfully, but honestly to the client. There are many instances that a project manager is hired because those contracting the work don’t have the right answers and are seeking advice. In that vein, government procurement processes are rigid and may not provide the initial discourse of ideas in the contracting process that is sorely desired by the contracting entity.
Many times, I sought advice from those considered to be “qualified professionals” in a given field. Some gave answers that they perceived as the “right answer” that we wanted to hear, while others provided advice based on what could potentially benefit them financially in the future. However, those who gave honest advice, beyond potential financial gain, were those who were consulted in the future. An effective project manager does what is right, beyond financial gain. Do the right thing. Give your clients advice and direction regardless of whether it will benefit you in the future. That honesty will benefit you in many ways and, in the end, provide more opportunities than short-term looking after your own interest.
Communicate Boldly
Seldom does a project manager communicate too much. In some cases, miscommunication is related to using the wrong approach. What works in an emergency is probably not the same communication approach that you want to use for monitoring longer-term issues related to schedule creep. Study communication. Don’t be afraid to communicate boldly, including up the chain of command when appropriate.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Effective project managers should embrace failure, problems, and issues. There is one thing for sure, if it can go wrong managing a project, it probably will. You are not going to get everything right. Make the best decisions with the best information you have at the time. Not being afraid of failures will lead to success. Use it as a learning experience. The most effective project managers are those who consider failures and difficulties in the business model. Everything will not go perfectly. But with each difficulty is an opportunity for growth and a learning experience.
As a manager, I encouraged staff that I would rather deal with failures and problems than indecision. Projects that stall due to a lack of decision-making or fear of failure do no one any good. Indecision costs money and valuable time. Make the best decisions and move forward. Own both successes and failures.
Communicating as an Effective Project Manager
Being an effective project manager means being a leader. Take the reins and move forward. Be honest and straightforward with clients. Communicate boldly. Project managers are hired for expertise and not to agree with every perceived opinion. Lastly, failures provide valuable experiences for learning. Factor unanticipated problems into your business model and understand everything is not going to go perfectly. Move forward, make decisions, and be the best project manager you can be.
Tim Baumgartner has focused his career on being in nature and the outdoors. Growing up on a farm in eastern North Carolina instilled the value of water, soil, and natural habitats. Working in the private sector, Tim planned and directed many stream, wetland, and forest restoration projects. Serving the public sector and the citizens of his home state, he had the awesome opportunity to mold and direct programs and policies to better natural resources. Tim feels blessed that his career path provides him with many opportunities to see, experience, and help to develop awesome ecosystems.
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