Being a new project manager can be an incredibly daunting task. It can be easy to feel burdened by the responsibilities of the role and feel like you have to be perfect, or else you’ll disappoint your team or your company. Experienced project managers will tell you, however, that being a successful project manager doesn’t mean you’ll never make a mistake or knowing everything at once. Project managing is a dynamic and complicated task, and you’ll inevitably run into hurdles you won’t be able to predict.
Successful project management isn’t about being perfect; rather, it’s about the way you handle problems and how you treat the role of project manager through the process. Here are three expert tips for new project managers to ensure your success and achievement in this new challenging position.
Communication Is Key
Almost all successful project managers agree: when managing a project, communication is key. When you first start on a project, you should take the time to try to understand the members of the team and the culture and dynamics of the team or department. Understanding how people on the team feel comfortable communicating and what communication medians are usually used will go a long way to helping you ensure the smooth and comfortable operation of the team day-to-day.
You should also try to be as available to your team as possible. Encourage your team members to get to know you and voice their concerns to you personally, and always listen to what your team members have to say. Additionally, you should try to keep everyone up to date on the game plan as quickly and efficiently as possible. One great way to do that is through detailed notes to share with the group in case someone misses a meeting or a miscommunication occurs.
Don’t Shy Away From Learning From Your Team
One of the biggest mistakes new project managers make is feeling like they constantly have to appear confident and knowledgeable in front of the team. This rarely increases the trust the team has in you. Instead, it can make you seem unapproachable and conceited. If you give your team members the impression that you think you always know best, they will be less likely to provide you with their own valuable input, lowering the overall communication of the team.
Furthermore, it can also make your team resentful of you, which can ultimately lead to poor teamwork down the line. Instead, you should ask your team members questions as much as possible and be open to learning from the unique knowledge and experiences of everyone on the team.
Create a Positive Workplace Environment
Finally, it’s extremely important that, as project manager, you work to create a positive workplace environment for your team. An efficient and well-working team needs to be motivated and inspired, and your position as the project manager means it’s up to you to keep the team grounded and motivated throughout the process. Try your best to foster a culture of two-way trust between yourself and your team and encourage open and honest discussion with the rest of your team members.
It’s also important that you acknowledge the fact that any project is inevitably going to face hurdles and problems down the line. As a project manager, you need to be prepared to deal with unexpected challenges flexibly without panicking or taking charge too suddenly. Your team is a reflection of you, so try your best to be a good role model. To learn more about how to become a strong leader for your team, why not check out our available courses today?