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By Duncan Brodie
Project management is a tough role. You often find yourself being
pulled between keeping users, subordinates, team members and senior
people happy. Given these demands, what do the best project managers do
that makes them stand out from the crowd?
1. Focus on Solutions
Problem solving and breaking through constraints is an essential
part of managing projects. Those that excel as project managers have a
mindset where they focus on finding solutions to problems. They keep
asking themselves how they can overcome whatever barriers arise.
2. Participative and Decisive
All the best project managers understand the need to communicate and
consult. They also know that lots of talking and procrastination
achieves nothing. Finding the right balance between consulting,
deciding and acting is what separates the best from the rest.
3. Focus on Customer
In every project there are customers. They might be internal or
external or a combination of both. The best project managers keep
customers at the forefront of their mind. They listen effectively, take
on board the feedback they are getting and look for ways of
incorporating it whenever they can.
4. Focus on Win-Win Outcomes
In any project there will be many stakeholders, all of whom will see
their issues as being the most important. The challenge that the best
project managers respond to is finding solutions that address the
issues without compromising the overall project structure.
5. Lead From the Front
Project managers need to lead by example. The example they set
determines how the rest of the team behave and respond to the
challenges that arise. Those project managers who want to encourage
openness and honesty are open and honest themselves. Those that take
risks and learn from their mistakes empower others to do the same.
6. Adapt to What Arises
You can set out the best plans in the world, think about the risks,
put great tracking in place and even then the unexpected will show up
from time to time.
Adaptability is a key characteristic of the best project managers.
View adaptability in projects a bit like the flight path of an
aircraft. It can be off course along the way but it needs to be right
on target when it comes to landing.
7. Get the Best Out of Everyone
Those that excel as project managers realise they cannot do it all
on their own. They recognise the importance of the collective team
effort in getting results. They find and utilise the strengths in
everyone and try to ensure that they allocate roles to those best
placed to deliver. They learn to keep everyone motivated and pushing
the boundaries to get results.
Project management is a complex and demanding role. Starting to work on these 7 habits can take you to the next level.
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