Critical 'art' skills of a Project Manager headed into 2021
Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
I think we can all agree successful PM's are able to blend the art and science of project management. As we head into 2021 and many projects are fully remote due to the current environment, what would you tell a newer project manager are the 3-5 most important skills to focus on? Saving Changes...
In the current environment, team development, communication abilities, leadership, active listening, and technology adaptation maybe important skills to attain success in a project with a remote-work basis.
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
The adaptability of our skills is what is being tested in this era
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1 reply by Christopher Healy
Oct 27, 2020 11:19 AM
Christopher Healy
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What are some of the skills you find will be challenged the most and how would you recommend someone adapt?
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Christopher, traditionally building a team was more an art than a science for project managers.
With remote work, we should use more the science for it.
The art is characterized for me by unconscious behaviors and reactions. It is harder to understand what you should do if a lot of sensual inputs are missing. Saving Changes...
Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
Oct 26, 2020 4:18 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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I don't believe the skills have changed, Christopher, but rather the "how" we apply those skills would have changed.
Stakeholder engagement and team development are always critical, but more emphasis on overcoming distance and a lack of non-verbal cues may be needed.
Kiron
Agree. What are some of the 'how's' you recommend people do differently?
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Oct 27, 2020 6:30 PM
Kiron Bondale
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Effective use of virtual tools, especially to create psychological safety within the team would be one example...
Saving Changes...
Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
Oct 27, 2020 5:54 AM
Replying to Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
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The adaptability of our skills is what is being tested in this era
What are some of the skills you find will be challenged the most and how would you recommend someone adapt? Saving Changes...
Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
Oct 26, 2020 7:52 PM
Replying to Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz
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In the current environment, team development, communication abilities, leadership, active listening, and technology adaptation maybe important skills to attain success in a project with a remote-work basis.
Agree. Saving Changes...
Wan-Phek HowCareer and Project Management Coach| Wan How ConsultingBurnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Hi Christopher,
Great question. In my opinion, the ability to run effective virtual meetings and remotely align stakeholders is critical. What are your top three skills?
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1 reply by Christopher Healy
Oct 27, 2020 1:00 PM
Christopher Healy
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Mine would be similar to you. Being able to engage people virtually is critical. I would say the following are uber important.
1) Become proficient in your virtual tools (whether it is zoom, teams, google, etc). You need to know how to use these tools to run meetings otherwise you will lose your audience.
2) Personal engagement - make time to connect with your business partners and team. Drive by hellos or questions are not an option right now, but a quick chat message can be just as effective to stay relevant.
3) Be present - always have your camera on in meetings. This will help you focus and it will encourage others too.
Saving Changes...
Christopher HealySR IT Program Manager| General MotorsBerkley, Mi, United States
Oct 27, 2020 12:19 PM
Replying to Wan-Phek How
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Hi Christopher,
Great question. In my opinion, the ability to run effective virtual meetings and remotely align stakeholders is critical. What are your top three skills?
Mine would be similar to you. Being able to engage people virtually is critical. I would say the following are uber important.
1) Become proficient in your virtual tools (whether it is zoom, teams, google, etc). You need to know how to use these tools to run meetings otherwise you will lose your audience.
2) Personal engagement - make time to connect with your business partners and team. Drive by hellos or questions are not an option right now, but a quick chat message can be just as effective to stay relevant.
3) Be present - always have your camera on in meetings. This will help you focus and it will encourage others too.
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3 replies by EMRE EMANETOGLU and Wan-Phek How
Oct 29, 2020 1:16 PM
Wan-Phek How
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Great answers. I like them.
Nov 01, 2020 6:00 AM
EMRE EMANETOGLU
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I would like to add just a thing to Christopher's reply, especially for point 3. I believe this is already in the overall answer, but it is worth highlighting.
While carrying out the meetings, listening carefully to the team members with an open mind is essential. The topics they talk about, the issues they give their attention to, and their mood when delivering the message will often provide important information or clues. You can then calibrate and improve.
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