Common Mistakes Project Manangers Need To Avoid. Even Senior Leader Can Learn From. Managing Up, Down and Across.

Communications Management Leadership Organizational Project Management

Igor Zdorovyak Director of Projects| Immunovant Fair Lawn, Nj, United States

Relationship with your boss one that is defined as a double edge sword is doomed to have cuts on both sides. Miscommunication must be avoided or your head will be on the chopping block. Relationships needs to be nurtured.
Some bosses who were promoted because they were good at their job. They might not have the skills necessary for their current role such as managing others. It’s a learning curve. So no matter where you are in your career knowing how to manage up (managing your boss), as well as managing down (managing your subordinates) and managing across (managing at the same level) is an important skill to have. This kind of skill is known as a Soft Skills.
Know how your boss likes to communicate is also important. Does your boss prefer regular scheduled one on one status communications or randomly checking in on you throughout the week? Knowing how your boss likes to communicate will let you better prepare in advance for that encounter. And, you won’t be caught off guard.
Some bosses are known as micro managers. Giving you a task and wanting you to accomplish it a certain way. Or, they would closely observes and/or controls your work. They apply the same level of intensity, scrutiny and in-your-face approach to every task, whether warranted or not. While some might argue that micromanaging is good technique to get short-term results, over time it negatively impacts the tea and the organization.
Some bosses loosen the rope for you to do your job the way you want it. As long as the job is done at the end. So if you have this kind of boss provide regular status updates so you don’t hang yourself at the end.
If your boss’s boss asks you to do something and you don’t tell your boss right away. Your boss might resent you for this. And this could possibly damage your relationship with your boss.
Managing down. Well you’ve been in their shoes. Don’t make the same mistakes that made you resent how you’d been managed to the point of looking for another job. Remember the old adage "people leave managers, not companies”. Most of the times. Treat your subordinates as humans and not just another resource. Treat them like you want to be treated. If you are treating someone with disrespect than get some professional help for yourself.
If something is wrong in the company. Tell your subordinates like it is. Don’t withhold that information even if it doesn’t impact your team directly. People will listen to the rumor mills. Then they’ll come up with their own stories. Usually those stories will be filled with fear, the unknown and exaggerations. And, once they find out what is truly going nuts and you had some knowledge about it. Then they might not trust you.
Managing folks across who are at similar level. They deserve the same respect. The same courtesy. Get to know them. Find out what projects they are working on. That way you’ll know if there are any interdependencies.

Managing in essence should be with the mindset that at the other end, across from us is another human being.

Posted: Jul 13, 2018 12:49 PM

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Igor Zdorovyak Director of Projects| Immunovant Fair Lawn, Nj, United States

Jul 13, 2018 8:53 PM

Replying to Kevin Drake

...

I have to admit Australia has one of the best corporate culturs in regards to the relation between the manager and staff.

It's time for the rest of companies import this kind of culture.

Posted: Jul 14, 2018 6:17 PM

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Common Mistakes Project Manangers Need To Avoid. Even Senior Leader Can Learn From. Managing Up, Down and Across.

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