Over the past few months, I’ve been working with a client on helping them to get their high potential employees on a path to leadership roles within the business. I noticed that their project managers were not on the “high potential list.” (Mind you I have come up against this situation before.) When I asked why not, my client mentioned that their project managers, while excellent at their job, were not business savvy. Their high potential candidates, on the other hand, had experience in the business and had strong business acumen. When I asked how they got this experience, the client noted that they had opportunities to work in various areas of the business and often participated in strategy sessions. When I asked if their project managers had the same opportunity, my client paused for a few moments and then answered, “No, I guess they haven’t.” The client then said – “Ah, we have a problem here, don’t we?” “Yes, but a fixable one,” I responded.
Frankly, this is common. Too often project managers stay focused in their own little worlds. Sometimes this is the fault of the company, but other times it is the fault of the project manager who doesn’t look for, nor pursue, opportunities to get more involved with the business. Often the non-project manager employees – those who seem to have the opportunities – pursue those opportunities themselves. They make it known they want to learn more about the business and get involved. Project managers must do the same! Even if, as a project manager, you don’t work for a specific department or business unit but rather move from project to project, you still want to get involved in learning more about the business and increasing your business acumen. You know what it does for you? It gives you increased credibility when you are working with the various businesses on projects. Additionally, this knowledge in how things are done in various parts of the business makes it easier to get things done on projects and securing assistance to meet project goals. You’ll have a better understanding of the needs of the various buisness units and how to help them meet those needs.
What are you waiting for? Get started today. Walk into one of the departments/business units and introduce yourself and get to know the people – how they work, their challenges, their goals and objectives. Let me know how it turns out.
Oh…the client – he has a plan to reach out to the project managers and get started in integrating them into the business and getting them knowledgeable about what is going on throughout all the business units.
I agree Tom; it is all too common which is an absolute shame. I do find that it is actually coming to mind to an increasing number of leaders I speak with – they recognize that something needs to be done – I guess that is the first step! For some, there is a fear that with the economy beginning to pick up (I know it is still slow coming!), and the need to get products and services out to market quicker than before to compete effectively, they must retain those project management staff who know how to get things done. This means provide them opportunities and a career path. Still lots of work to do here though!
Thanks for your comment and for reading!
Best,
Gina
Sad to say, but this is too common. Some organizations, or some of the departments DO have career paths for PMs, but others do not. For a PM who has worked on projects that involved IT and several other groups/departments in various projects, over many years, one would think this is a no-brainer, but no it isn’t.