What does it take to be successful as a manager? It takes more than knowledge and technical skills. This project manager has the winning combination.
While in Mobile, Alabama waiting for a flight to Dallas, I met a young couple with two little boys. They were headed to DesMoines and I was seated by the husband on the flight from Dallas. He asked me what I did for a living? I explained I own a business where I train people on relationship skills. That started an intriguing conversation which continued until we landed.
As I explained about different work styles and ways to communicate he started telling me about his experiences. He said he was a project manager for a construction company. As we talked about differences in people, he told me about one man who frustrated him every time he saw him because he talked all the time and did not listen. He came to his office but did not seem to want advice. Finally, he decided to just listen and not say a word. The man rambled on about options until he finally said he thought they should do option A. This project manager agreed and the project moved forward. He couldn’t believe how easy it went. From then on, he just listened.
This work style is referred to as a ‘Blue’ when I conduct the REAL Colors personality training. They are very intuitive and will figure out the answer to their own problem if someone will just listen to them. I was impressed this young project manager figured out how to handle a style very different from his own. As he thought about it he concluded with the statement:
You need both the skills to manage a project and the ability to communicate with different people to succeed.
We agreed this was a rare combination but can be learned. He decided he would pursue more training on work relationships and communication styles as soon as he could.
His father had a big impact on his career choice as well. His father was a plumber/electrician. He taught his son to anticipate what tool he needed next when they were working on a project. He hated it as a child but today really appreciated his father’s lesson.
Anticipating needs is an invaluable skill for a project manager.
I would be remiss if I did not mention two other things that impressed me with the way this young supervisor handled himself during the flight.
First, he asked me my name and remembered to call me by name later when he saw me on the flight to DesMoines.
Second, he offered help to identify which gate I needed to catch the next flight to DesMoines. We had less than a half hour to get to the opposite side of the Dallas airport. I would have missed my flight without his help.
He figured out the winning combination for becoming a great leader: Technical skills plus people skills; anticipating needs; call people by name; and offer help. No doubt, this project manager is well on his way to a very successful career.
Give your career a boost by learning how to understand and manage people.
Jean
