97 Things Every Project Manager Should Know

Chapter 88. We Are Project Managers, Not Superheroes

PMP. Angyne J. Schock-Smith

THIS IS A TIP THAT IS USEFUL if you're a software project manager in information technology environments, but is also transferrable to whatever type of projects you manage.

"We are project managers, not superheroes," is part of my introductory routine when I deliver training on project management skills. When talking about the characteristics of a good project manager, my favorite line is, "Get out your capes, people! It takes a superhero to do all a software project manager must do, and to do it well." However, since this comes early in the training, I have to offer some hope. So I say, "OK, some of us mere mortals actually become good project managers. What's the trick?"

I believe this trick has three parts:

• Know your personal strengths and weaknesses.

• Know the personal strengths and weaknesses of your team.

• Use this knowledge to create complementary partnerships with team members who possess strengths where you have gaps.

How can you get to know your personal strengths and weaknesses?

• Get out your copies of all the old personality or work behavior tests you've ever taken.

• Be honest as you extrapolate data from these old evaluations. Were you honest when you took the questionnaire? Does the "label" still fit, or have you grown and changed since that time? Which of the label's associated strengths and weaknesses ...