Drop the Extraverted/Introverted PM Debate
For the hundredth or thousandth time, I got pulled into a discussion about whether a project manager needs to be an extrovert. It’s a useless argument. None of the key behaviors that separate struggling project managers from successful ones relate to extroversion or introversion. Here are several effective behaviors that introverted and extroverted project managers demonstrate.
- Believe in the project objectives. Buy-in from stakeholders starts with the project manager. You need to understand the value (and outcomes) the project brings to the business, demonstrate a pathway to success, and respond to queries to build stakeholders’ belief in the project. You can do all these face-to-face, as well as through project status reports or targeted emails to key stakeholders. Both extroverted approaches and introverted approaches work. The key is prompt and accurate communication.
- Use active listening when interacting with people. Getting stakeholder support depends on them feeling heard and understood. When you talk to stakeholders, focus on what they say and what they need. Don’t get distracted. They want to feel like you heard what they said and can act on that information. It doesn’t matter whether you’re talkative or reflective. The key is that stakeholders believe you have their interests in mind.
- Be gracious and convey gratitude. Project management is a team exercise. Team members, management, vendors, product owners, and product users need to pull together to deliver a project. Be gracious when you ask them to participate, and be grateful when they deliver. In return, they will dedicate themselves to you and the project. You can do this quietly with a well-placed conversation or written note, or with bold, outgoing actions. Genuine kindness and gratitude go a long way.
- Make decisions effectively and confidently. Many people think that quick decisions inspire confidence. Nope. Effective decision-making uses a combination of data, experience, and team input. Sure, some decisions require immediate action. In other situations, it’s better to take time to collect more data and opinions. Neither approach to making decisions has anything to do with extroversion or introversion.
This list is by no means complete. What other important PM behaviors can be handled by introverts and extroverts alike? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Coming Up
Anna Lung’aho Anderson and I get so many questions from people who want to transition into a career in project management. In this LinkedIn Learning Office Hours, we’re going to dig deep into the work YOU have to do to move into project management. Yes, it does require some effort on your part. We will talk about how to figure out if project management is a good fit for you; learning project management hard skills and terminology; how to update your resume, LinkedIn profile, and approach to networking; and finally, how to research companies you apply to so you have a better chance of getting their attention. We’re also going to explore how to move into project management from non-traditional backgrounds, such as sales, real estate, customer service, nursing, and (fill in your current role here).
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