What Senior PMs Wish They Knew Sooner ⏳ 6 lessons from the top

Hello friend,

Every Senior Project Manager has that one moment where they think, “If only I knew this sooner!” 

Whether you're just starting or you're a seasoned PM, these hard-earned insights from the top are for you.

1/ It's Not Just About Delivering on Time – It’s About Managing Expectations

Set clear, realistic expectations from the start, and communicate frequently when things change. It’s better to manage expectations proactively than to fix damage later.

2/ People Over Processes

Prioritize your relationships. Spend time understanding your team’s strengths and motivations, and you’ll see productivity and morale skyrocket.

3/ You Can’t Avoid Conflict – But You Can Manage It Well

Develop strong conflict resolution skills early on. Learn to listen, stay calm, and help parties find common ground. The sooner you get comfortable handling tough conversations, the smoother your projects will run.

4/ Perfect Plans Don’t Exist – Agility Is Key

Instead of striving for perfection, focus on being agile and adaptable when things inevitably shift. Build flexibility into your project plans. Set clear goals but be willing to adjust as you go. Staying rigid can lead to unnecessary delays and stress.

5/ Trust Your Team – Don’t Micromanage

Micromanaging kills productivity. Delegate effectively and trust your team to handle their responsibilities. Focus on clearing roadblocks and providing guidance, rather than checking in on every detail.

6/ Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

Learn to push back when necessary. Saying no (or at least “not yet”) to additional tasks or unrealistic deadlines will help you deliver higher-quality projects and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

When I was starting out as a junior PM, my goal was to learn hard from my colleagues and be a sponge who not only absorbed all the information around me but also learned from my senior colleagues’ mistakes. Yes, from theirs, not yours first.

But do not be afraid to make mistakes. It’s life and mistakes are part of our progress.

The desire to avoid failure is the same as the desire to avoid success. Playing it safe keeps you from truly growing.

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P.P.S Hi from New York ❤️ This past weekend in New York was a powerful reminder of how small we are in this vast world. So, why wait? If you've been thinking about making a change, now is the time. Change careers, send that message you've been hesitating to write, follow your passions, travel, start that blog or side hustle you've been dreaming of. Life is happening now - don't wait. Take the leap and live fully in the present.

Until the next issue,

With Love

Violeta