Becoming a project manager: ready steady go!

In 2006, I hesitated to apply for an open project manager position. Thanks to the courage, role models, and proper information, I have taken the plunge. That is the best decision I have ever made.

1. Believe in yourself

I enjoy being a project manager. However, without the support of my manager and some kind colleagues, I would not be there. I had some doubts that hindered me to move forward:

· Will I succeed?

· Will I be competent enough?

· Will the project team accept me?

Some skeptical even negative voices reinforced my lack of self-confidence. When I asked the departing project manager about the remit of the position, he put me off: ‘it is too administrative and not interesting’. He almost convinced me until I asked myself: ‘why had he been doing it for three years, then?’

It gave me the impetus to jump.

2. Look around

Before becoming a project manager, I contributed to different projects. In the first project, I had been waiting for the project manager for a month to come and see me. Every time I met her, she said with a big smile ‘I’ll come soon. I’m busy at the moment to close the budget’. In another project, I noticed the lack of communication and involvement towards the team. Conversely, I admired the way one of my colleagues managed her project team: she spoke with empathy and took time to listen and help.

I jotted down these nurturing observations.

Imagine yourself in the shoes of a project manager:

· What would you do differently?

· What would you improve?

· What would you keep?

Does someone inspire you at work? Ask if you can shadow her to get a good grasp of the needed skillset. If it is not possible, you can use other information sources.

3. Diversify the information source

Explore a myriad of paths to gain valuable knowledge about the profession:

· Ask some passionate project managers: you will broaden your perspective and build your own opinion

· Tap into your university alumni network

· Find out if there is an internal group for project managers within your organization

· Be part of a project management association, like Project Management Institute: you do not need to have a project certification and you will get a flavor of project management in a safe environment

· Read project management blogs

There will be fears. There will be challenges. There will be knowledge gaps. Carry on undaunted! Don’t aspire to be a perfect project manager. Reflect on the project managers you work with and begin to sketch your desired model, paving the way for success.

I look forward to reading your comments! Thank you!