1.Build strong relationships: The ability to build strong long-term relationships with others within and external to the organization is key to successfully managing projects. The best project managers develop relationships before they need them. Get to know others – introduce yourself and learn about them, share ideas, thoughts, best practices. If there are individuals I know I may be working with at some point, I try to get out to lunch with them or coffee so we can get to know each other on a personal level. If individuals I’m working with are coming from half way around the globe and we may never meet, I try to hold a virtual session with them so that we can “meet” via computer and get to know each other that way.3.The ability to manage global teams: It seems that working on a global virtual team is the norm for many project managers these days. What is essential – and requires a bit of planning and flexibility – is figuring out how to work effectively when your team is not co-located and you are working with individuals from a variety of time zones. Too often those team members with the most members from their location seem to “win,” in that meetings are usually scheduled convenient for them. Don’t let this happen on your teams! Alternate times for meetings so that everyone has a “reasonable” meeting time at some point during the project duration. In addition to managing meetings, frequently you are not able to actually meet in person the team you will be leading when members are coming from all over the globe. If your company does allow an initial meeting with everyone in the same location to kick-off the project – don’t hesitate to take the opportunity. But let’s assume you cannot get everyone together – consider a virtual format – maybe Skype or another platform, using cameras so you can see each other – to “meet.” It’s always nice to put a face with a name.