In this new work environment, what’s the title and role of the person who brings all the resources together in the project team? Is the person a project manager, leader, coach, facilitator, or some other term?
Project leadership is abstract, touchy-feely, and frankly difficult for many of us. The projectized organization looks and feels a lot different than the managerial, hierarchal work model. In the hierarchal model, work got done through one person telling another what to do and how to do it. Even the term ‘project manager’ evokes images of one person dictating to thousands of ready minions the direction of something grandiose, such as moving mountains, building airports, or dredging rivers. Manager still implies a hierarchal relationship where the boss is responsible for all planning, organizing, staffing, and controlling all project activities. Decisions are based on power and position.
In the projectized model, work gets done differently. A project is still organized around a lead person, who may be called project leader instead of manager. The project leader facilitates more than manages the project. While a project may have started with one person who had the vision and authority to push onwards, one-person management has been replaced by team driven, project leadership. The project leader may not have sufficient resources or authority to tell someone to do something. The leader must rely on influence, web of preexisting relationships, and goodwill established through prior work.
Each project allows you to gain more experience and exposure to a company’s operations, processes, and products. You’re a team leader or sometimes a virtual team participant. You’re adding value to the organization, team, and finally to your career portfolio.
Life Lesson Earned: PM work is squishy – lots of opportunity, little authority, lots of responsibility.