Yongheng Li
Program Manager| China Unionpay Data Services co LTD
Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Mainland
Project managers often encounter a variety of issues in their daily work. When faced with these challenges, it is essential to start by seeking solutions within oneself. If personal capabilities do not suffice, seeking help from superiors should be considered next. I would like to share some of my experiences in the area of self-management.
Not only should you be good at communication, but you must also possess solid skills.
Project managers frequently find themselves in situations that require “debating the scholars.” In these cases, “debating” does not mean defeating the other party, but rather engaging in effective communication. The “scholars” have different meanings depending on the context, such as clients when communicating with them, or team members who need to be coordinated within company meetings. To convince others, in addition to excellent communication skills, you should also have solid knowledge and expertise. For instance, when introducing the advantages of an IT product, you need to explain its architecture, performance, business scalability, and industry advantages in detail, and support your claims with examples and data. This knowledge encompasses IT, business, and industry environment among other areas, and requires long-term accumulation, not a quick fix. After providing these rich details, the product’s “advantages” become evident to the client.
Thick skin is necessary.
In China, when people mention “thick skin,” negative connotations like “brazen” may come to mind. However, in certain situations, this term can have a positive meaning, signifying inner strength and resilience, making it difficult to be swayed by external negative factors, and the ability to stand firm on what one believes is right. Project managers need to demonstrate this “thick skin” when facing situations such as client criticism for project delays, internal team conflicts, resource shortages requiring resource allocation from superiors, and more. This requires courageously stepping up and speaking out.
Be proactive, it can only do good.
We all know that in tennis or table tennis, the side with the serve often has more scoring opportunities. The same principle applies to project management; being proactive in identifying potential risks allows us to take more effective measures. Actively inquiring about task progress and adjusting decisions in a timely manner based on performance can help us better control the project timeline and reduce unexpected issues. Projects involve multiple departments within and outside the company, making cross-functional communication challenging. Project managers need to take the initiative to understand the progress of each step to ensure that when one step is completed, the executor of the next step is promptly notified. Do not rely too heavily on communication between step executors, or task delays may occur frequently.
Hang in there, and difficulties will pass.
“Mountains heap upon mountains, waters flow and loop, casting doubt on the path ahead; but behind the dark willows and bright flowers, another village appears.”This is my favorite line of Chinese poetry. This poem was written by the Song Dynasty poet, Lu You. Whenever faced with major setbacks, I recite it repeatedly. In projects, many seemingly insurmountable problems can be solved by adjusting one’s mindset. When dealing with project crises, my approach is to handle them to the best of my ability, then relax, reduce anxiety, control my emotions, and face everything calmly. Client complaints, project delays, frequent test issues, major changes before launch, and other pressures can all heap immense stress on a project manager, but these are also the moments where a project manager can shine. Whether a project manager can withstand this pressure often determines the success of the project. As Marx said, “Only those who do not fear hardship and climb the steep mountain road have hope of reaching the brilliant peak.”
In summary, as project managers, we need to possess excellent communication skills, solid professional knowledge, a strong inner core, proactive attitudes, and a positive mindset. When faced with various issues in a project, we should first look for solutions within ourselves, while also being adept at leveraging team and superior resources. Only through continuous self-improvement and management can we achieve success in our projects and fulfill individual and team goals.
Debating the Scholars ：The story of ‘Debating the Scholars’ （舌战群儒）takes place during the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, when the strategic and cunning politician Zhuge Liang, serving the Shu Han state, used his superior argumentation skills to outwit and persuade a group of scholars from other factions, showcasing his brilliance and resourcefulness in a series of challenging debates
Mountains heap upon mountains, waters flow and loop, casting doubt on the path ahead; but behind the dark willows and bright flowers, another village appears.：山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村。This sentence means that when people feel lost and uncertain in difficult circumstances, they often discover a glimmer of hope unintentionally, just as they might suddenly find another village hidden among the dim willows and colorful flowers. It conveys an optimistic spirit, suggesting that even when the way forward seems impassable, there may still be unexpected turnarounds.
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