It’s Time to Recognize the Project Manager as a Leader

The most challenging leadership positions are the informal roles where an individual leads based on his or her credibility and capability without the backing of a formal reporting structure.  These positions are often characterized by a high-level or responsibility for results with little direct authority over the people doing the work.  The role of Project Manager matches this description perfectly, with organizations increasingly looking to the individuals charged with project or program management to play key roles in executing on strategic priorities. 

Unfortunately, in many organizations, the role of Project Manager is inappropriately disconnected from the strategy process and is often viewed and treated by executives as a mid-level or administrative role.  This is wrong.  Senior executives would be wise to tap into the unique skills, insights and capabilities of the best Project Managers as they look to build out their leadership teams and to propel their organizations faster.

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What Are You Doing All Day If You Are Not Developing Talent?

I speak, counsel and write consistently about the critical need for an organization’s leaders to institutionalize the process of identifying, developing and retaining talent.  In a recent workshop, less than 20% of the organizations represented indicated that they had any form of succession planning or early talent identification programs in place.  The numbers got worse when we talked about development activities for established associates.

While I suppose that I should be grateful for how miserably organizations perform in the area of talent development—after all, it means a large market for workshops, programs and books, it frankly pains me more than it pleases me.  This isn’t that hard or expensive people.  What are you waiting for? 

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