I’m a big fan of yours, Wes. You’re an amazing writer and thinker.
I led an executive search firm for many years (not anymore). I agree that project management skills are essential, but it is difficult to be recruited for a more senior role based on one’s PM abilities and experience alone. The reason has to do with perception. Most people…
I’m a big fan of yours, Wes. You’re an amazing writer and thinker.
I led an executive search firm for many years (not anymore). I agree that project management skills are essential, but it is difficult to be recruited for a more senior role based on one’s PM abilities and experience alone. The reason has to do with perception. Most people in an organization have no idea what a project manager does, or most positions for that matter. They are only concerned with doing their job. You can be known as someone who 'gets shit done,' but that can be said of the mid-level manager. One wants to be known for one's leadership, ability to influence, strategy, ability to work across organizational boundaries, flexibility, and ability to communicate vision. Most senior executives equate PMs with a junior position. Sadly, they don't know everything the PM does, including the strategy and execution aspect of the position. Additionally, many employees with project management skills and jobs are not always called project managers, which may pigeonhole their careers even more. When I saw this lack of growth in a candidate, I advised them to look for another role at another organization. It is difficult to change another person's perception of you once an opinion has been made.
I’m a big fan of yours, Wes. You’re an amazing writer and thinker.
I led an executive search firm for many years (not anymore). I agree that project management skills are essential, but it is difficult to be recruited for a more senior role based on one’s PM abilities and experience alone. The reason has to do with perception. Most people in an organization have no idea what a project manager does, or most positions for that matter. They are only concerned with doing their job. You can be known as someone who 'gets shit done,' but that can be said of the mid-level manager. One wants to be known for one's leadership, ability to influence, strategy, ability to work across organizational boundaries, flexibility, and ability to communicate vision. Most senior executives equate PMs with a junior position. Sadly, they don't know everything the PM does, including the strategy and execution aspect of the position. Additionally, many employees with project management skills and jobs are not always called project managers, which may pigeonhole their careers even more. When I saw this lack of growth in a candidate, I advised them to look for another role at another organization. It is difficult to change another person's perception of you once an opinion has been made.