I Am a Project Manager. I’m Spinning Plates, and I Speak a Lot.

“Dad, you are just speaking all day, do you have a job?” 

My answer: 
I am a Project Manager. I’m spinning plates and I speak a lot. 

Back in 2020, during lockdown, my son approached me after a long day. He “witnessed” the day-in-life project manager reality from, 8:30 AM stand-up call, through solving issues, handling stakeholders, and mentoring other PMs. All this during a “normal” workday. 

Your words, as a project manager, make a difference. 

80% of a PM’s time is spent on communications. The words you use can shape your stakeholders’ perception of the project status, your leadership style, and personal credibility. 

Your way of communication should give stakeholders confidence that you have this project under control. 

Great communication is a skill. It requires thought and practice.  

You need to be able to clearly explain goals and tasks to people on your team as well as give status updates to stakeholders and management. Unfortunately, this isn’t always easy. 

Here are a few examples that you can implement this week:

• “Just get it done.”
  …say instead: “Let’s do it right, not just fast.” 
• “This isn’t working.”
  …say instead: “Let’s pause, review, and realign.” 

I hear this every day:

• “Everything’s urgent.”
  …say instead: “What actually moves the needle?”
• “That’s how we’ve always done it.”
  …say instead: “Is this still the best way?”
• “I already told them”
  …say instead: “Let me follow up and make sure we’re aligned.”
• “Their fault.”
  …say instead: “Let’s focus on fixing it, not blaming.”

My favorites:

• “That’s unrealistic.”
  …say instead: “Here’s what we can do in that timeframe.” 
• “I don’t know.”
  …say instead: “I’ll find out and get back to you.” 
• “It’s taking too long.”
  …say instead: “What’s blocking us? Let’s find a solution.” 
• “That’s how we’ve always done it.”
  …say instead: “Is this still the best way?” 

Your ability to communicate is, hands down, the best skill to have.  

Communication in project management is not only about talking or writing, it’s also about listening. They all go hand in hand.  

As a summary: 

Communication is your project management super-power. 

You plan, manage and monitor communications. With effective communication practices and processes, you can eliminate misunderstandings around project goals and objectives.  

There are going to be fewer conflicts. Team members and stakeholders will be on the same page. Planning for communication means that you take the time, early in the project planning process, to understand stakeholders and how they want to be communicated. This means they’re more engaged and committed to the success of your project. 

Language you use shapes the culture you lead.