Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
I've met a number of project managers who seem to constantly operate under a high degree of stress. Others project managers act relaxed; some remain calm even when guiding their project through turmoil.
Why is this? Do the demands of some projects and organizations generate this stress, or do project managers tend to bring their personalities with them to the job?
Restated, does the profession attract people who prefer to operate in stressful environments, or is anxiety a natural byproduct of a career which balances urgent and important tasks against the variables of uncertainty and timelines?
Another consideration: is there a purpose in the mere portrayal of stress? Do some project managers merely create the illusion of overload? Does it affect your perception of a project manager's ability when that person is either typically stressed or typically calm?
*Note: I like to discuss PM topics for fun. Please don't let this discussion create stress. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Stress is needed and it is impossible to avoid because a human condition. The key is to deal with it. What people do not understand most of the time is: you have in your hands all the tools to deal with stress. So, it is up to you. Stress has to work to benefit you. Saving Changes...
Stress is a human condition and the anxiety that comes with the stress is to dealt. Different people deal with it differently. Some work very well under stress and extreme conditions (famous example of war time PM for UK). Understand how you can deal with it with the tools available. I suggest reviewing the “Tangible Tips for Handling the Endless Stress in Project Management” by Steven Flannes, Ph.D, where some of the techniques are elaborated. Review other stress management techniques.
Finally, you are the best judge of the level of stress you can accept and your reaction to that would help you in the process. Saving Changes...
Different persons have different ways to handle stress. Some people have very calm demeanor while others are anxious. I would say it is the individual's nature which dictates how one behaves in a situation, be it personal or professional. Saving Changes...
Steven SiegelFunctional Manager| CitigroupWestbury, Ny, United States
I agree too that we are born with a predisposition on how we handle stress to many situations. However with experience we learn to mitigate our stress though diet, exercise and rest, Over time we can learn to adapt. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
Does it affect your perception of project managers when you see how they handle stress?
Is the PM that's always rushing off to the next meeting simply disorganized, or is the PM who seems so relaxed simply lazy? Saving Changes...
Teleri BeatyBusiness Unit Deputy| TrellisWare Technologies, Inc.San Diego, Ca, United States
It certainly affects my perception. If I see a PM constantly stressed, and seemingly disorganized, I am concerned about how they will impact their team. Language is mostly non-verbal (depending on the study it can be from 60% to 90%), so I believe this type of behaviour will impact the people they are supposed to lead. Saving Changes...
Michelle VeneziaExecutive PMO Leader| BAE Systems, Inc.Hilton, Ny, United States
I've noticed that often times the project managers who are constantly stressed need to go back to the basics. Those that have strong project plans, are well connected and aligned to their teams, and well understand their risks and have them mitigated are far less stressed than those PMs that like to fly by the seat of their pants. Saving Changes...
Fann LiuTeam Manager/Sr. Manager, PMO| 8X8 IncIrvine, Ca, United States
STRESS is not a bad term. People often perform better when under certain amount of stress. To a PM, stress is the natural byproduct due to team member personality differences, time constraints, resource limitations and many uncertainties. The list can go on and on. A good PM can manage, mitigate and minimize them but cannot eliminate them all. I found certain amount of stress can do good to a project. You become more focused, more results driven, and lead more effectively. If someone is constantly stressed for nothing, that's a personality trait. Bottom line.... Put your stress to work for you, not to work over you. Saving Changes...
Aude Scheibli-RoumegouxStrategic Director EPMO| Fifth Third BankCincinnati, Oh, United States
Project managers can be high-energy & control obsessive, Type A personalities, who might fuel on stress. It seems however that one can get more accomplished if keeping team members "experience" at the forefront. Winning hearts & minds requires to focus on solutions rather than problems, avoid finger pointing, have each others back. In a high functioning team usually stress is rather low/positive regardless of the pressures. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Similarly to cholesterol, there are two types of Stress: bad stress and good stress. The former drains the energy and has a bad impact on the managed projects; the latter is a boost of good energy and vibes that empowers the project team.
Also, stress is related to time management. Review Eisenhower matrix. (Badly) Stressed PM live permanently in the Important& Urgent corner... Not good. Saving Changes...
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