Project Manager
CurrentInterpersonal and Leadership SkillsSuccessful project managers know how to motivate people who do not work for them, and keep teams working effectively together.Quite simply, effective project managers tend to be as “likeable” as they are assertive.OrganizationProject managers create structure from chaos by using specific tools such as charters, risk assessments, Gantt charts, decision matrices, and many other tools throughout the project.Time ManagementSteven Covey’s quote, “The enemy of the best is the good,” applies especially well to project managers. They understand that there are countless good things to be involved in, but there are a vital few best things that must come first each day. Successful project managers are very good at saying, “I’m sorry but I can’t support that right now.”Successful project managers also respect their teammates’ time. Project managers run efficient meetings, which results in good attendance by all parties over the long run.CommunicationProject managers communicate clearly, concisely, and frequently. They know, for example, when a simple email will suffice, or when a “working document” like a project charter will better serve their purpose.Political SavvyThere are times when interpersonal skills are not enough to garner the support needed from the organization on one or more project tasks. In these cases, project managers use senior leadership support to get things done. Project managers are very good at scheduling update forums with senior leadership and functional leaders, to ensure that all business functions are making the project a priority.Comfortable Running a MeetingAs a project manager you will spend a lot of time orchestrating meetings. As a result, you must be comfortable running meetings with wide variety of audiences.