Balanced? Consider career in Project Management

I found myself in an intriguing situation at work that prompted me to reevaluate my perspective on myself. This experience ultimately inspired me to adopt a new approach to my career.

Everything began with the unexpected departure of our manager, who had built a solid rapport with the team. Unfortunately, his disagreements with senior management led to the end of this collaborative relationship, leaving us without direct management on-site support for several months. After the initial turmoil, however, the team adapted to the new circumstances and grew stronger every day.

Eventually, senior management based outside the U.S. found us a new manager with an impressive resume. However, after a few weeks of onboarding, it became clear that collaboration would not be easy. The honeymoon period was officially over. With each passing week, the situation grew more complex, particularly in the sales department, but the misunderstandings reverberated throughout the entire team. The new manager faced a tough challenge. Our team, made up of strong-willed women who had worked closely together for months without much outside support, were not easily swayed. A few months into her tenure, the HR team stepped in following serious accusations of taking over sales leads, sexism, and a general lack of competence.

The Senior Manager was brought in as well with the goal of helping to resolve the situation.

I hadn’t had much direct contact with him before, so I was quite surprised when he pulled me aside during our business trip, which was focused on a completely different topic. He asked me a straightforward question about my thoughts on “the new guy.” Before I could respond, he began to explain his reasoning behind his choice. To his surprise, I validated some of the concerns I had frequently discussed with the team and provided additional context. It made me curious why he singled me out for that question, especially since it was the first time he had been so direct with me. He told me he considered me the most balanced member of the team, and that’s why my opinion held weight for him.

The concept of being ‘balanced’ has lingered in my mind ever since. Before that, I had never considered this trait as a significant asset I could bring to my job or be recognized for. I came to realize that soft skills can be just as important in a professional career as hard skills are.

For me, being a balanced Project Manager means striving to understand all perspectives involved and putting myself in others’ shoes to grasp their viewpoints. Taking sides or showing favoritism won’t foster long-term respect within the team. When conflicts arise, it’s beneficial to step back and observe the situation as an impartial bystander, allowing you to listen to everyone and understand team dynamics.

If you find that you embody this sense of balance, consider a career in management—it’s a valuable trait that can take you far.