So you’ve gotten a promotion? Yay! A pay increase? Woohoo!! A new title? Yahooo!
More responsibilities? Yeah, about that…
Receiving a promotion is wonderful, but there are some challenges that come along with it. As a Project Assistant, you’ve probably witnessed or even helped coordinate multiple projects, teams and timelines all at once. But as a Project Manager, you’re in the trenches making sure everything runs smoothly and it’s your name on the line if something goes wrong.
Now before you start re-thinking the acceptance of this position, just know that good project management takes a little getting used to.
To get you prepared and help you transition into your new role, let’s go over some new responsibilities that you’re likely to take on.
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More projects. And, more important projects; with bigger budgets, larger project teams and higher-level clients. Some of these projects may be make-or-break deals for your company.
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More people. This may be internally and on the client side. Be prepared for different personalities and different needs.
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More communication. With larger teams in place, good communication is essential. From leading client meetings and conference calls to emails and instant messaging, you have to stay up to speed on all project happenings.
And that’s just a general outlook. As you settle into your new position and the new duties that follow, make sure to keep these friendly reminders near as well:
- Good organizational skills are mission critical. If that’s not your strong suit, thankfully there are several PM tools and software programs available that can help. Check out this post for more info on how to stay organized.
- Time management is key to hitting the many deadlines that you’ll be facing. Not only will you be managing your own time, but you’ll also have to keep track of everyone on your project teams to ensure that tasks are completed on time.
- Don’t stress. That always makes things worse. Maintain focus and complete things one task at a time. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. To learn how to avoid PM Panic, see my previous diagnosis.
I promise, the goal of this is not to scare you off from your new job. Let’s face it, you’ve gotten a promotion, and that’s worth celebrating! Just remember why you got the promotion in the first place–your past performance gave your company the confidence to trust in you and your ability to succeed in your new role. A promotion should challenge you! More is always expected as you move up the ranks. But with each new challenge, you learn something. It’s these bits of wisdom that make you better in your position and a greater asset to your firm.
And I leave you with a great cap to the week, and this post, with a quote that speaks volumes beyond just work ethic:
“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome.” – Helen Keller