Good vs Bad Project Managers - Project Management

Summary

In this insightful session, Jennifer Whitt, Director of ProjectManager.com, explores the nuances of good versus bad project management. She outlines 13 key areas for self-evaluation, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, self-awareness, mentorship, relationship building, and effective communication. Whitt encourages project managers to adopt best practices, certifications, and to be decisive, collaborative, and mobile, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes.

Takeaways

• 📘 Professional Development: Good project managers are constant learners, seeking to improve their skills and knowledge through professional development and certifications.
• 🧘‍♂️ Self-Awareness: They are conscious and aware of themselves and their team members, recognizing strengths and weaknesses, and providing support when needed.
• 🤝 Mentorship: Effective project managers have mentors to guide them and are also mentors to others, fostering a culture of learning and growth.
• 🔗 Building Relationships: They excel at building and nurturing relationships, understanding that strong connections are key to project success.
• 🌐 Social Engagement: Good project managers are socially active both online and offline, sharing and learning from the community.
• 🚶‍♂️ Mobility: They are not desk-bound, often moving around to interact, collaborate, and socialize with their team and stakeholders.
• 📞 Availability and Responsiveness: They are accessible and prompt in their communication, striking a balance between availability and setting boundaries.
• 🤔 Collaboration: Good project managers actively collaborate with their team, seeking diverse perspectives to inform their decisions.
• 🛠️ Decisiveness: They are able to make decisions promptly and appropriately, which is crucial for driving projects forward.
• 🏆 Resoluteness: They are determined to get things done, leveraging their go-to people and resources to achieve project goals.
• 🗣️ Effective Communication: They communicate effectively, understanding their audience and ensuring a feedback loop for clear information exchange.
• 🔧 Delegation: Skilled project managers know how and when to delegate tasks effectively, avoiding becoming a bottleneck in the project workflow.
• 🌟 Leadership: They understand the difference between managing and leading, inspiring their team by setting a vision and fueling passion.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Jennifer Whitt's whiteboard session?

The main topic is the comparison between good and bad project managers and the 13 areas to evaluate oneself as a project manager.

What does Jennifer Whitt assume as the baseline for project managers?

She assumes that the baseline for project managers includes using best practices, tools, templates, and having some type of project management training.

What does Jennifer Whitt suggest as the first area for self-evaluation for project managers?

The first area for self-evaluation is professional development and certifications, emphasizing the importance of being a constant learner.

What does Jennifer Whitt mean by 'seasoning' and 'special sauce' in the context of project managers?

By 'seasoning' and 'special sauce,' she refers to the unique qualities and skills that set good project managers apart from bad ones, beyond the basic principles of project management.

Why does Jennifer Whitt emphasize the importance of being conscious and aware for project managers?

Being conscious and aware allows project managers to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their team members, ensuring they can set their teams up for success.

What role do mentors and mentees play in the professional development of project managers according to the script?

Mentors provide guidance and experience, while mentees offer fresh perspectives and the opportunity for the mentor to learn from teaching, fostering a reciprocal learning environment.

Why is building and nurturing relationships important for project managers?

Relationships are crucial for getting things done within and outside the team. Good project managers are adept at fostering these relationships to facilitate collaboration and success.

How does Jennifer Whitt describe the ideal behavior of project managers in terms of being mobile?

Ideal project managers are mobile, meaning they are not confined to their desks but are actively interacting, collaborating, and socializing with their team and stakeholders.

What does Jennifer Whitt suggest about the communication style of good project managers?

Good project managers communicate effectively, understanding their team members and stakeholders, and having a communication plan in place to ensure clear and prompt feedback loops.

How does Jennifer Whitt define the difference between managing and leading in the context of project management?

Managing focuses on controlling and organizing tasks and people, while leading is about setting a vision, fueling passion, and inspiring the team to follow, which is more effective for project managers.

What is the final call to action presented by Jennifer Whitt in the script?

The final call to action is for individuals to sign up for their software at projectmanager.com to implement the skills and practices discussed for becoming a good project manager.