Unfollow some “Roles” and Follow some “Rules”
What you will learn
Understand the various “Roles” which should be unfollowed by the Project Manager’s so they can be seen as leaders rather than executive assistants
Learn about different “Rules” to become an indispensable strategic business partner in your organization
Become the most valued employee in your organization
Get more visibility, recognition and salary raise in your organization
Description
Many organizations do not fully understand the value of Project Management. Hence, as a Project Manager, you have very little authority and made to work on trivial tasks. You might be made redundant if you do not bring any value add in your PM role, In today’s world, with more emphasis on automation, cost-cutting, agility – it is very important to show the benefits you bring to your organization or your team in the PM role
I have worked as a PM in big organizationss as well as startups. I had always felt that most of the organization do not understand the value and importance of a Project Manager. While the senior managerss see the PMs as a person to provide the status reports, the team members think that a PM is a word or an excel expert. They fail to see the value add that a PM brings in a project.
With this course, I will try to create awareness among the PMs to add value in their projects. They should become the most valueable employees in their organizations
In this course, I will talk about
– Roles which should NOT be considered as a PM role as they dilute the PM’s responsibility and authority.
– Best practices which can help you shine in the PM role and eventually make you a valuable resource in your organization.
I created this course from the webinar delivered earlier in the PMI forum.
Few Review comments on the webinar:
“Awesome insights. I loved the approach and the example showcased.”
“A good and informative presentation. your term “paper pm” fits a few that I have had to deal with in my early years.”
“What an excellent presentation, one of the best I’ve seen on coaching project management and their success. I really loved it. Thank you.”
“Very good – it’s comforting to know that so many of us struggle with the same issues. Some good tips here to help flip the script, though. Thanks, Anju!”
Content
Introduction
Reality check for Project Managers
Whom should I Unfollow?
Unfollow Administrators
Unfollow Order Takers
Unfollow a “Control Freak”
Pause & Ponder
What should I Follow?
Follow – Expert
Follow – Practice
Follow – Share
Follow – Business Partner
Epilogue
Bonus Section
- Course Caption: Unfollow some “Roles” and Follow some “Rules”
Course Overview
- This course redefines the Project Management role, cultivating a strategic, value-driven mindset beyond mere task execution.
- Challenge the “executive assistant” stereotype, positioning yourself as a pivotal business contributor and strategic enabler.
- Distinguish between managing projects and leading strategic initiatives, empowering you to proactively shape business outcomes.
- Shift organizational perception by actively demonstrating tangible business value, transforming your role from cost center to profit-influencing catalyst.
- Understand organizational influence and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes to become a trusted advisor in higher-level decision-making.
- Align project objectives directly with overarching business goals, ensuring every initiative contributes to the strategic vision.
- Articulate the strategic impact of project decisions, translating technical details into compelling business narratives for senior leadership.
- Break free from operational inertia, fostering an environment where innovation and strategic foresight define your contribution.
Requirements / Prerequisites
- Fundamental Project Management Experience: 2-3 years practical experience, understanding project lifecycles, methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid), and common tools. Builds on existing knowledge.
- Openness to Paradigm Shift: Crucial willingness to challenge conventional PM practices and embrace a strategic, business-centric approach. Eager to seek greater organizational impact.
- Basic Business Acumen: General understanding of business operations, structures, and key performance indicators (KPIs) is beneficial.
- Desire for Professional Growth: Motivation to accelerate career trajectory, seek leadership opportunities, and enhance personal influence.
- Active Participation Mindset: Readiness to engage in discussions, case study analyses, and peer learning.
Skills Covered / Tools Used
- Strategic Alignment & Value Articulation: Connect project activities to organizational strategy; communicate financial and non-financial value effectively.
- Stakeholder Influence & Executive Communication: Master techniques for rapport, expectation management, negotiation, and clear presentation to senior leadership.
- Proactive Risk & Opportunity Management: Move beyond reactive problem-solving; anticipate challenges and identify strategic opportunities for project and organizational advantage.
- Business Case Development & ROI Analysis: Construct compelling business cases, justify investments, and evaluate return on investment for strategic initiatives.
- Organizational Agility & Change Leadership: Lead and manage change effectively within projects and across the organization, fostering adaptability and resilience.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enterprise Thinking: Break down silos, foster synergy across departments, and view projects from an enterprise-wide perspective.
- Data-Driven Decision Making (Conceptual): Understand leveraging project and business data for strategic choices, resource optimization, and measuring value-adding initiatives.
- Personal Brand & Leadership Presence: Develop executive presence, enhance credibility, and cultivate a personal brand as an indispensable strategic asset.
- Scenario Planning & Future-Proofing: Anticipate future trends and disruptions, guiding initiatives with a forward-looking perspective for long-term relevance.
Benefits / Outcomes
- Elevated Strategic Impact: Transition from implementer to strategic partner, influencing key business decisions and shaping organizational direction.
- Enhanced Leadership Credibility: Develop a reputation as an insightful leader consistently delivering significant business value.
- Improved Organizational Influence: Gain tools to effectively advocate for strategic initiatives, negotiate resources, and drive consensus.
- Greater Career Trajectory & Opportunities: Position yourself for advanced leadership roles and accelerated career growth.
- Measurable Value Contribution: Quantify and articulate tangible project benefits, linking contributions directly to success metrics.
- Mastery of Business Acumen: Sharpen understanding of core business drivers, aligning project outcomes with enterprise-level objectives.
- Resilience in Dynamic Environments: Acquire strategies to navigate complexities, mitigate strategic risks, and adapt project approaches.
- Development of a Strategic Network: Foster stronger relationships with senior leaders, expanding internal advocacy and support.
- Increased Job Satisfaction & Purpose: Experience greater fulfillment contributing at a higher strategic level, beyond routine task management.
PROS
- Transformative Career Guidance: Provides a clear roadmap for PMs aspiring to strategic, leadership roles with actionable steps.
- Practical, Real-World Applicable Strategies: Focuses on immediately implementable techniques for current projects and challenges.
- Holistic Skill Development: Addresses technical PM skills alongside critical soft skills like influence, communication, and strategic thinking.
- Directly Addresses Common PM Frustrations: Provides solutions for perception challenges, empowering PMs to redefine their professional identity.
- Significant ROI on Professional Development: Skills gained correlate with increased visibility, recognition, and potential for higher compensation.
CONS
- Requires Active Application & Organizational Buy-in: Successful implementation depends on individual effort and organizational willingness to embrace a new PM role definition.