Joseph AbboudCorporate Trainer and Management Consultant| FreelancerKaslik, Lebanon
A Project Manager without a grit, strength of character that is, is almost worthless, because it is directly related to respect.
Simply put: all the good habits will be thrown out of the window if a PM does not possess a strong character. If a PM has a weak personality, no one will listen to him even if he speaks about how God is great :) Saving Changes...
James PorterSr. Project Planner| Hitachi Rail STS USAGlenshaw, Pa, United States
@Stephane, I do agree with your observation that millennials like to have frequent feedback and hand-holding. I think the challenge is to be able to do that without becoming a micro-manager. Early in my career in a new position I worked for a manager who felt I was coming to him too often with "what should I do" questions. He jokingly said "If I have to make all the decisions, one of us isn''t needed."
Frequent (and brief!) feedback is good for millennials but we can''t let it slip into directing every step they make (=micro-managing). Saving Changes...
MAEN QADDOURAHProject Director| AJ SAUDIJeddah, Saudi Arabia
thanks for sharing Saving Changes...
Austin HundleySenior Consultant| Nordic ConsultingNashville, Tn, United States
Stephane
I''ve experienced the opposite. I guess it depends on industry.
Most Gen X / younger people I work with, know, etc are the start-up, entrepreneurial, get out of my way, I''m on a mission, I don''t need your approval or input, work on my own, types.
The people who need constant feedback or input are, regardless of age, generally the types who have low self-confidence and need a boost to feel secure. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Austin,
I find Gen X are a lot more like baby boomer: give me room and I''ll get it done.
The millenials that had their parents call the teachers, coach, etc. to deal with their problems are usually the ones that expect more of their managers.
Of course, there are many people who are relationship-focused. They are the ones who need to talk through a situation or issue. I''ve had some actually do all the talking and then walk away saying "thanks for listening". This is cross-generational.
"But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown."
