The 4 P’s of Successful Modern PMs

Dear David
The topic you brought to our reflection and debate is very interesting.

The 3 P's constitute a proposal to take into consideration

I would add to the aS toolbox:
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Leadership (which includes vision and sense of mission)
- Critical thinking

Posted: Dec 1, 2023 5:45 AM

Dear David,


Your reflection on the essential human skills for project managers, even in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, is indeed insightful. The emphasis on presence, people skills, perception, and proficiency underscores the irreplaceable value of human elements in project management. In addition to these fundamental skills, here are a few more core competencies that I believe are crucial for the modern project manager:

Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in approach is critical. Projects rarely go exactly as planned, and a project manager must be able to pivot as needed, handling unexpected changes or challenges effectively.

Communication Skills: Effective communication is key in project management. This involves being an active listener. Project managers must be able to communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders, from team members to executives, and tailor their communication style accordingly.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ): This involves the ability to understand and manage one's emotions and empathize with others. High EQ helps in building strong team relationships, resolving conflicts, and creating a positive work environment.

Strategic Thinking and Vision: A good project manager must have a clear vision of what the project aims to achieve and the ability to think strategically about how to get there. This includes setting goals, planning, and foreseeing potential risks or issues.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Projects often involve complex problems that need to be solved. The ability to think critically and devise practical solutions is essential for a project manager.

Leadership and Team Building: Effective project managers are also strong leaders. They must motivate, inspire, and guide their teams, fostering a collaborative and productive environment. Building a cohesive team and nurturing individual talents are vital aspects of this skill.

Risk Management: The ability to identify, assess, and manage risks is crucial in project management. This involves not just foreseeing potential issues but also having contingency plans in place.

Technical Proficiency: Depending on the project's nature, a certain level of technical knowledge or understanding of the specific area (IT, construction, healthcare, etc.) can be extremely beneficial.

Cultural Competence: In our globalized world, projects often involve working with diverse teams and stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds. Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial for effective collaboration.

Ethics and Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards and integrity is fundamental in building trust and credibility as a project manager.

These skills collectively form a comprehensive toolkit that equips project managers to handle the multifaceted challenges of modern projects effectively. It's important to note that these skills are not static; continuous learning and development are key to staying relevant and effective in the field of project management.

Reflecting on your experience, how do you see these skills playing out in your project management journey? Are there specific areas you focus on for personal development or see as increasingly relevant in the future?

BR,

Markus

Posted: Dec 1, 2023 11:46 AM

Well said! I would like to add another ‘P’ - Perseverance. When faced with setbacks, challenges and obstacles, Project Managers need to march towards achieving the project goal without giving up.

Posted: Dec 4, 2023 4:26 PM

The balance that people skill and a project focus PM produces is so vital for project success

Posted: Dec 9, 2023 5:45 AM

This was a good read. I would add "Adaptability" as well. Today's world is more robust and ever changing. The rapid evolution of technology and global urbanization puts a high demand on being able to adapt to a vision that could incur many changes. Therefore, contingency and the ability to adapt is vital and this is where AI could assist in rapid changes. However, I agree that there has to be a level of oversight and people and organizations with good intentions leading the charge.

Posted: Dec 13, 2023 7:49 AM

Thanks for all of your comments.

People skills seems to be a topic that people are coming back to with a greater clarity.

As far as the framework, all of the additions totally fit. The challenge with any of this is that you need to make a framework or a plan easy enough to understand and easy enough to be acted upon.

As I learned in marketing class, it is easy to create products, but great marketers kill them. It is the same with ideas and parts of a plan, it is easy to put things in, we all need to strive to make things as simple as they need to be to achieve results.

Posted: Dec 13, 2023 8:59 AM

Thank you

Posted: Dec 27, 2023 1:41 PM

Great article! Thanks for sharing

Posted: Dec 29, 2023 7:37 PM

As a project manager, you need to be sensitive and perceptive when questioning or understanding the different fascets of the industry.

Posted: Mar 7, 2024 6:53 PM