When I envisioned my project in Jos, I didn’t anticipate the joy and fun I would have with my friends. It’s always exciting to reconnect with old classmates, but unfortunately, their reactions have been underwhelming most of the time.
Nevertheless, I’ve come to understand the concept of progressive elaboration. The more I delve into life, the clearer my path becomes, and I gain a deeper understanding of what steps to take next. Life itself is a project, and this principle applies to all endeavors.
Hence, I realize the importance of employing rolling wave planning. It’s not about the waves at Marina Lagos, but rather a high-level approach to planning. As circumstances unfold, I can develop more detailed plans.
During our Young Professionals dialogue today, we explored the essential power skills required by project managers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
I inquired about their opinions on the project manager’s role in enhancing decision-making and ensuring successful project outcomes, as well as the necessary skills for this endeavor.
Based on a survey conducted by PMI and PwC last year, they identified the top five skills and capabilities of project managers in Sub-Saharan Africa, listed in order of priority:
– Strategic Thinking
– Adapting to different projects and teams
– Creative problem-solving
– Collaborative leadership
– Commercial awareness
The one I like most is the collaborative leadership. A skill that focuses on fostering cooperation, inclusivity, and effective teamwork within a group or organization. It involves bringing people together, encouraging open communication, and facilitating the collective sharing of ideas and resources to achieve common goals. Here are some key elements of collaborative leadership that I truly want to exhibit in my projects:
Building Relationships: I want to prioritize relationship-building and create a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals feel valued and respected. In all my projects to promote trust and establish strong connections among team members, like Engineer Eyo as well as Kathryn.
Active Listening: To actively listen to others, even if I don’t understand the Hausa and Pidgin English they speak, seeking to understand their perspectives, concerns, and ideas. If I encourage open dialogue and create space for everyone’s voice to be heard. It is tough to throw bias out the door but then I want to be a world class project manager and I commit to listen actively.
Conflict Resolution: I want to be skilled in managing conflicts and disagreements that may arise within the team. However, not the type that happened in our Lagos office that had handbags and lipsticks flying in the air as scud missiles. Conflict resolution skills will help me navigate conflicts constructively, encourage open dialogue, and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Empowering Others: As a collaborative leader, I want to empower team members by delegating responsibilities, encouraging autonomy, and recognizing individual strengths. They create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their work. I noticed that the word “empowerment” in 9ja language is often times interpreted as financial empowerment.
Facilitating Collaboration: I resolve as a rookie project manager to promote teamwork, encourage diverse participation, and foster a culture of cooperation. I’ll break down silos, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and promote collective problem-solving.
Relationship with Stakeholders: As a project manager, I want to extend collaboration beyond the Trauma Center technical team of engineers, architects, contractors and engage with stakeholders, such as clients, customers, and partners (within and outside Nigeria). I’ll build relationships and foster cooperation to achieve shared objectives. This is what counts for project success, when the Center meets stakeholders objective and adds value, then I’ll beat my chest to say “Well done boy project manager, you’ll soon become a man pm”
Results Orientation: Collaborative leaders remain focused on achieving results and aligning the team’s efforts with organizational goals. They establish clear objectives, track progress, and ensure accountability while celebrating achievements collectively. I guess I’ll fit into this smoothly like a greased pipe.
So it was when I explained the importance of the ideal skill set for the modern project manager that Terga mentioned the talent triangle combination of technical project management knowledge, leadership and strategic + business management. I told him he was holding onto the old handle.
It is strange how the profession evolves and the talent triangle has evolved from that to:
– Power Skills which include stuff like leadership, active listening, communication, conflict management, emotional intelligence, team work, negotiation and others
– WOW: this was what we would shout in Lagos office when we deliver or make breakthroughs. However, WOW simply means Ways of Working like, is it hybrid, Agile, hyper Agile, Design thinking, Earned Value Management, Project Governance and others.
– Then we have the other end of the triangle as Business Acumen. This is very important in the talent triangle as it involves the project manager’s competence in this like Legal and Regulatory Compliance; Market Awareness; Competitive Analysis, Industry Domain Knowledge, Business Models and Structures and others.
We discussed these talents and skills the 9ja project manager would need to become a world class one. The most dynamic profession is that of project management.
I was very impressed when Salem gave a very good illustration of Design Thinking but was concerned by her shyness or, could it be an Imposter Syndrome? Maybe i should talk with them on Imposter Syndrome next time…
Here I come, AAA – the collaborative leader of the century. Right now, I beg to sleep and dream those sweet dreams.
Written by PETER Honest Dateme, PMP, FNIA, CFPM, Vice President + Healthcare Architect + Project Manager + Salutogenesis Advocate + Trauma Healing Facilitator + Speaker + Author and Life Coach at Divine Dimensions Consult Follow
The Diary of a Rookie Project Manager aims to convey the principles of project management in a straightforward manner by chronicling the everyday experiences of an African project manager, infused with humor. Its goal is to help people grasp project management concepts using relatable stories and a light-hearted approach.