Summary
Behind almost every accomplished project manager stands a wise and generous adviser who sets an example, helps define goals, lends an ear or simply provides a much-needed dose of reality. Of course, finding that wise and generous adviser is often a project in itself. By its nature, project management demands an intricate balance of skills, and mentors can provide the kind of knowledge that typically only comes after spending years in the trenches. Alexandre Rodrigues, executive partner at PMO Consulting, Lisbon, Portugal, and founding president of the PMI Portugal Chapter, says many project managers simply can't learn skills such as top-down thinking, problem solving and delegating tasks through training alone. Project managers need to see the strategies in action, with a mentor demonstrating their value. Along with bolstering skills and efficiency, mentors can also offer a source of emotional support for project managers just starting out in their careers. Given the benefits, many organizations aren't leaving mentoring to chance. In the United States, the state of New York has its own formal project management mentoring program. Project managers in organizations without formal programs should form interest groups to share knowledge, experience and lessons learned, Rodrigues says. Informal mentor relationships can often grow out of this arrangement.
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Behind almost every accomplished project manager stands a wise and generous adviser who sets an example, helps define goals, lends an ear or simply provides a much-needed dose of reality. Of course, finding that wise and generous adviser is often a project in itself.
Over the course of his 36-year caree...See the full content of this document
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