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Do you have what it takes to be a Project Manager?

Aug 24, 2012 | | 0 comments |

Most people looking for a change in their job profile aren't sure, if the role of a Project Manager is something for them.

It is a demanding job and to be successful at it you will need to develop a set of required skills. So how do you know this role is for you? Is there an assessment that allows you to find out if you have the required traits?

Yes. It turns out there are some good tools out there.

Dr. Harrison of Harrison Assessments says “For most jobs, suitability factors are about 50% of the job success factors. Therefore, effectively measuring suitability is an essential part of assessment”. Unlike most behavioral research which examines the norms or average traits for people in the job, the Harrison research focuses on the traits that differentiate the high performers from the low performers.

So, can everyone be a Project Manager? Can you?

There are no rights and wrongs here. There is no way I’ll tell you that if you have set your mind and heart to it- you cannot do it. Project Management is such a vast domain, enough for anyone who puts their mind into it. From the very creative to the methodical you are all welcome.

If you are willing to spend $75 (USD) and take the test, you can email directly at pmreports1@gmail.com to request for an assessment.

Another way of knowing more about your compatibility with the profession is by taking the Myers-Brigs test by clicking here .

Based on the study Project Teamwork, Personality Profiles and the Population at Large: Do we have enough of the right kind of people? ; an observation has been made and conclusion drawn based on your MBTI category (see figure)

According to this study there are certain groups of people who are considered more suitable for the role of a Project Managers job based on their personality type. Once you know your personality type by taking the MBTI assessment, you can find yourself in the figure above.

As displayed by the colors, the personality types marked in “green” are the ones best suited for the job like the INTJ, ISTJ, ESTJ and ENTJ.

Don’t be disheartened, if you are not in the right group as there are always exceptions to rules and you can always develop the skill or traits you need to be successful Project Manager. Also, trust me when I say this, there are very few Project Manager’s who will take this test and give up on their careers if they don’t fall into the right category.

The third route is to find a mentor, someone who is ready to guide you and take you under their wing. It is essential to look for someone who has enough experience in the field, understands what you expect from your profession, makes you comfortable to discuss failures and is equally happy to rejoice in your successes. Having a mentor makes all the difference in the world.

This is an excerpt from the book Stepping into Project Management (Welcome to the #PMOT Circle). To buy click here

Available E-book Stepping into Project Management


The E-book Stepping into Project Management (welcome to the #PMOT circle) is available now.

The 35 page book which covers all areas of getting into the profession has expert opinions from Project Managers all over the world and a foreword written by Samad Aidane from

You can buy the book by clicking here which takes you the payment page via PayPal. You don’t need to have a PayPal account to buy the book, you can simply use your card. Once the payment is confirmed you can download the book in pdf format.

Priced very nominally at $2.99, almost equivalent to a cup of coffee and probably less the book is for college graduates, professionals interested in the project management and newbie’s. Click here to see the Table of Contents.

You should be able to buy the book from any part of the world with your local credit or debit card. 

Don’t hesitate to email me in case you need any help or have any issues downloading the book.


Burned Out?


This morning when he called for the 100th time I decided to pick up the call. I have pretty much ignored it for the entire last week and a half.

I just didn’t want to talk.

The moment I picked up the call, things were like it used to be. I had to ask him why he was calling me and he said it- it was the burn out that was killing him. He wasn’t as inspired as he used to feel.

He had pulled all nighters and rolled himself out to be walked over with expectations and more work and he pretty much volunteered for it all.

I knew how it felt; I had been there and done that. I worked twice the regular hours, worked in 2 time zones, constantly checked my blackberry even in the middle of sleep, slept for less than 6 hours a day, ate lunch at desk and felt very important doing it all. I loved my life, my work life!

Till I pretty much felt like a Zombie; that’s when I decided it was time to reconnect with myself. So, I quit.

Listening to the same story over the call, made me just think how much employees go through and don’t know when to stop.

Some just can’t face the fact that they are going through a problem and there’s no way to love your job as dearly as you did. Few, go through it with their hatred for the job soaring.

Studies estimate that stress costs US businesses up to $300 billion dollars in lost productivity each year. In a Business Week article, Marissa Mayer talks about finding the rhythm, to avoid the burnout. It boils down to one activity that you think is the anchor of your sanity. Like meeting your friends for a Friday night dinner or attending parent teacher meets for working parents.

Turns out there are 4 stages of burn out and it’s a common scenario for all kind of jobs.

Katy Cowan, in her article in The Guardian talks about the physical, emotional, behavorial signs to take as cue before you have the actual breakdown. New hobbies, putting technology way once in a while and learning to switch off and take breaks are the few ways to get back to your regular self.

Taking a creative sabbatical surely is one way and some people are more serious about it than others. Designer Stefan Sagmeister is one of them and he takes it regularly closing his New York based design studio.

Stress might be the predecessor to a burn out, so make sure you know how to identify one.

So, here are 5 ways to combat it:

  • Stop ignoring the symptoms- You will always know when you are leaning towards it, just make sure, you don’t ignore the signs and think it will all go away. It won’t until you take some actions for it.
  • Talk it out aloud- Call a friend and talk about what you are going through. Unburdening yourself helps and smaller suggestions when reinforced over time will help you convince yourself to take the break.
  • Find time to do what you like the best- It’s probably the rhythm, make time to travel, paint, call your best friend or whatever it is you like doing. Just find the time to do it and don’t underestimate the influence of a positive work environment. 
  • Me time- Every single day, find time or a routine just for yourself. Even if it’s for 5 minutes, still stick to it. Go for a walk after dinner by yourself or watch your favourite show.
  • Get back when you are ready- Some will admit it, some wont; this is a common phase unless you know how to handle it. Break your routine and induce some freshness. Sooner than later, you will be back on your feet and happy to live in the Now.
Pic Courtesy: Google Images


Giveaway


The new E-book- A Guide: Stepping into Project Management (Welcome to the #PMOT World) is ready for giveaway.

And there are 2 of them.
 To get your copy free (will be emailed to you), you can:
  • Tweet about your project management plans for the future and why you want to become one with the Hashtag #SIPM, so I can find you.
  • Or you can simply send a pic (via twitter) about your project management initiatives that you are taking. This can mean pictures about workshops attended, study groups to clear off certifications, prep books being delivered –pretty much anything that related to your interest in project management. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #SIPM, so I can find your post.

This is open till August 15 and 2 winners will be announced in the blog and twitter.

Don’t have a twitter account, get one. You will be surprised how much it can help you learn by following PM related hashtags, chats and other project managers.

For the rest of you, the book will be announced in the blog and twitter soon.

By the way, don't forget to sign up for the Free Google Hangout session on Sept 2 (Sunday) and the SIPM Newsletter. 


SIPM Monthly Newsletter


The SIPM monthly newsletter is on it’s way and to subscribe all you have to do is sign in (see to your right).

I used to maintain the Feedburner delivery of my posts and after a lot of contemplation if I should still keep it running, I decided to let it be.

If you are one of the subscribers, feel free to let me know if you would still like the service to continue or add yourself to the monthly newsletter list. You can email me directly or find me in twitter.

I’ll leave it to you.

The monthly newsletter is a way to connect to you and give out more on insider information on getting closer to your goal of becoming a Project Manager. The newsletter is the additional information that doesn’t find it’s way into the blogposts. It will answer your queries that I often get, insider knowledge of what’s coming up on SIPM next and true to it’s audience a way to tell the realities of being in the profession.

Have a wonderful weekend!

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)