What they don’t tell you about a Project Manager’s role 🤫

Hey friend,

Last Saturday, I was a guest at the podcast and was asked, “Who should not be a Project Manager?”. This question hit me hard, as we rarely discuss this.

Project management is often portrayed as a structured, methodical role. But behind the Gantt charts and status updates lies a reality few discuss.

Here are some of the lesser-known truths about being a Project Manager:

1. Emotional labor is real
   You'll juggle roles like diplomat, therapist, and peacekeeper. Dealing with frustrations, different personalities, and conflicts will be a daily part of the job - even though no one mentions it in the job description.

2. Stakeholders don’t always agree
   In theory, priorities should be clear. In reality, you'll have to navigate conflicting interests and make decisions that won’t make everyone happy.

3. Leading without authority is tough
   You're responsible for the project's success, but you don’t always have direct control over the team.

   The secret?

   Influence, negotiation, and strong relationships.

4. Communication takes over your day
   Expect to spend half your time writing emails, updating reports, and keeping everyone aligned. That means less time for deep work during normal hours.

5. Priorities change all the time
   What’s urgent on Monday might not matter by Wednesday. The challenge is staying flexible while keeping things stable enough to move forward.

6. Things will go wrong
   No matter how well you plan, surprises will happen. Your job isn’t to prevent every problem-it’s to figure out which ones need your attention first.

7. You’ll have to share bad news
   Project delays, budget issues, and resource shortages? You’ll be the one breaking the news, whether it’s to your team or leadership.

Project management is rewarding, but it requires resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. If you’re in the trenches, know you’re not alone!

Would love to hear - what’s one surprising challenge you’ve faced as a Project Manager? Hit reply and let me know!

P.S. If you are still ready to be a Project Manager or continue being the one and looking for a job now, I created a playbook, which I will share with you on Feb 22-23rd, get your spot here. See you soon!

Hope you are having a great week! ❤️ 

With Love,

Violeta

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If you haven’t seen it yet, my client from the 1st cohort of CareerBootcamp landed a job!!

Super happy to see your results and that my playbook works! If you want the same results, see you at the bootcamp.