When you were a kid, and someone asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, what did you say? Firefighter? Pilot? Doctor? Gamer? Policeman? I’m willing to bet no kid ever said they wanted to be a project manager when they grow up. In fact, we probably did not know something like that existed until we left college or university.
In the corporate world, chances are you became a project manager by “accident”, through one of these methods:
You do great work, get things done on time, detail oriented, and experienced in what you do. So, when your company needed someone to manage multiple resources or projects, you were the best person for the job. Or the poor fella stuck with the impossible project.
Maybe it was the bad economy, or a retirement came early. Some say perhaps they could not take the pressure, or most likely a better compensation package somewhere else. Whatever the case, your boss is gone, and being the next most experienced member on the team, you find yourself having a bullseye on your back (even if you didn’t want to)
There was one position available, and five people gunning for it. But as a saying goes, “one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers”. (or in this case, five) Simply put, there can only be one. So, you showcased to management that you were the best person with the best credentials and experienced for the job and it would be silly for them to choose someone else. That, and you demolished your competition in every aspect possible.
There are always that projects that no one wants. Maybe it’s because the project has stakeholders from hell, with an unrealistic budget, a hopeless deadline, nobody has a clue what the client wants, and one wonders why would any company take the project in the first place . It’s career suicide. You on the other hand, have cultivated a reputation of being “The Chosen One”. The word impossible does not exist in your vocabulary. You get amazing stuff done; stuff mere mortals cannot hope to achieve. When all else fails, you don’t.
Great project managers are great communicators and a people person. They know how to conduct tough negotiations, and they know when to be nice. They have a way with people. You know how to motivate people to do great work and perform well in their projects. You also possess the ability to tell someone to go to hell in a way they look forward to the trip. You are a fair person, and treat people with respect, regardless of right or wrong. They may not remember what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel. That’s why you are in the hot seat.
So, do any of these accidental PM methods apply to you? Also do remember, regardless of how you became a project manager, as long as you manage your stakeholders and resources well, the project is in good hands.
