Chapter 24

Ten Tips for Being a Better Project Manager

In This Chapter

arrow Being proactive and looking at the big picture

arrow Encouraging others and treating them with respect

arrow Communicating effectively and acknowledging other people’s accomplishments

Successful project management depends not only on what you do, but also on how you do it. Your attitudes and behaviours towards people affect how they respond to you. Perhaps this whole chapter should have a large Tip icon on it because it offers ten tips that can help you successfully win people’s support.

Being a ‘Why’ Person

Look for the reasons behind requests and actions. Understanding why helps you make sure you respond appropriately to team members, senior managers and all other project stakeholders (which, in turn, increases people’s motivation and buy-in). Always look for the reasons behind other people’s requests and actions. People rarely do or think something without reason, and even if they’re wrong, you need to understand where they’re coming from.

Being a ‘Can Do’ Person

Look at all problems as challenges, and do everything you can to find ways to overcome them. Be creative, flexible and tenacious. Keep working at the problem ...

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