How to Continue Staying on Top as a Project Manager?
One of the good qualities of a project manager is constantly looking for ways to improve your managing skills. Professional development isn’t something a project manager takes for granted. One needs to be motivated and learn to adapt to the ever-growing changes of the project or company as a whole.
Always start with self-evaluation. Generally, as human beings, we must know ourselves. This is the starting line where you need to comprehend the area for improvement, enhancement, and development. The first action you should do in this self-assessment stage is to narrow down your own strengths and weaknesses. You also need to put yourself in a scenario where a predicament puts you in an uncomfortable and confusing position. There are numerous tools, surveys, and applications around the Web to aid you in achieving a path towards development as well as videos, books, and blog posts that provide you lists on how to incorporate the knowledge and experience you have acquired.
The next stage is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. After narrowing them down, you think of situations where your weak point overcomes your strong point. Your weaknesses don’t have to be hurdles to become an effective project manager—this is your room for improvement comes in. Give yourself a chance to change and enhance your strengths. School yourself with more knowledge in regards to weakness and strength assessment and learn to adjust them based on what area that needs fixing. For example, if you are good at multi-tasking, but have a hard time managing your time, focus on your issues with time management. Create a to-do list on that certain hour, so you have a set of organized priorities rather than just doing tasks with a messy flow.
Talking about scenarios, the responsibility of a manager is to settle a dispute within a team or have immediate actions when problems arise in a project. Arm yourself with knowledge in regards to problem-solving as well as advanced interpersonal skills. You also need to enhance your skills when it comes to communicating with your subordinates, leading the team, and solving problems within your circle.
Place yourself in a situation that is most likely to happen in your management. Say that two of your employees don’t get along with each other because Employee 1 used to date Employee 2 and both of them did not settle the break-up properly and this causes a problem within your team. Talking to them is your best bet, but keep in mind that different situations call for a different approach. You should reenact various situations so that you know how to properly deal with them.
Lastly, get credentials. This will upgrade your credibility as a project manager. Certificates available are Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)®, and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® where you need to acquire Professional Development Units (PDUs) and provide your report to the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. Continuing Certification Requirement or CCR must be fulfilled as well and from there on, a 3-year renewal to keep your status.
Don’t be too complacent just because you get the hang of everything. Learning doesn’t end on what you have obtained or practiced. Always look for ways to not only sharpen your skills and capabilities—instill this in your team to build a solid foundation of trust and harmony. Besides the common resources like books and videos, attend on-site or online seminars and don’t miss out an opportunity for free hands-on practice in effective project management.
Join a community of like-minded managers who also want to enhance their skills. Share your experiences. Consult. Learn from the best. Before you know it, you are at the peak of your game.
PMI, PMP, CAPM and PMI-ACP are registered trademarks of Project Management Institute, Inc.
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