PMO Tips: Five A+ habits PMO managers like project managers to have

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We all know or have an idea of the kinds of project management skills that PMO Managers like their project managers to have. And the PMP credential serves as a positive indicator that a project manager is like to have both knowledge and competence in the various skills and knowledge areas that make up project management. But what about habits and traits? What do PMO Managers like to see in the project managers in terms of habits? What are habits?

Well, Stephen Covey defines habits as the overlapping of knowledge, skills, and desire as shown in the image to the left. That seems to be a good place to start and using that definition, here is a short top-five list of A+ habits that PMO managers like their project managers to have.

• Number 5: Acceptance
• Number 4: Appreciation
• Number 3: Admiration
• Number 2: Approval
• Number 1: Attention

Starting from the bottom of the rank and working up is the fifth habit, acceptance; acceptance of people, acceptance of goals and objectives and strategies, and acceptance of the decisions that management and the leadership team has made and has to make. To some extent, everybody has a deep need to be accepted unconditionally and without reservations by other people. When you accept other people just as they are, without comment, criticism, or any suggestions that they need to change in some way, you raise their comfort level, their self esteem, and their ability to work and express themselves. And when you don’t, the reverse of these things is likely to occur. One of the simplest ways to express acceptance of another person is to simply offer that person a smile and mean it. It works all the time.

The fourth habit PMO managers like to see project managers have and demonstrate is appreciation. It may sound like a cliché, but it is quite true. The more appreciative and thankful you are of good things that exist, they more likely that they will increase and expand. And one of the most effective mindsets and ways of thinking that you can have is “an attitude of gratitude.” Instead of complaining and criticizing, like too many people are quick to do, focus on the positive. For example, it is easy to complain about or become frustrated when implementing a new PPM tool that doesn’t quite work the way you would like it to. Often, features we don’t like and things that might bother us a bit overshadow great areas of value and the things that we do like. For some folks, it is easier to be discontent than appreciative. To get into a habit of being appreciative, two words, “Thank You”, can greatly help. Develop the habit of saying thank you to anyone and everyone for any action or deed that warrants some kind of thanks. When you thank someone, their esteem goes up and the spirit of appreciation is contagious.

The third habit that PMO Managers like to see in project managers is admiration. What is admiration? In the context of PMOs and PMO Managers, admiration is taking the time to notice and admire people’s achievements and accomplishments. Make it a habit to admire all those around you. Compliment them for their achievements such as delivering a project, obtaining their PMP, or even making a good presentation. When you compliment a person for their achievement, it makes them feel great. It increases their self esteem. It makes them want to be their best and get noticed more. No amount of management thanks and feedback can equal the peer to peer admiration of those that participate in the workplace. And, there is very much a boomerang effect that comes back to you. When you admire someone and pass along a compliment, you make their day and it is hard for not just a little bit of that good feeling to rub off on you too.

The second habit that PMO Managers like to see in project managers is giving approval to others. Now, project managers typically do not have direct reports. But project managers are in a position to give their approval to others on just about an every day basis. This approval can be given to peers, subordinates, and especially to management and the leadership team. A project manager can voice their approval over actions and decisions. There are no rules for giving feedback in this way or for who you can and who you can’t pass along your nod of approval to. And often, you might find that management comes to you formally or informally like on an elevator, at the break room, or in the parking lot and asks you a question like, “what do you think of our decision to etc, etc, etc,” Such instances, and others, happen daily and give project managers an opportunity to approve others. When is the best time to give someone your approval? Immediately. Without delay, right after the person has engaged in praise-worthy behavior.

And the first habit that PMO Managers like to see and value in project managers is being an expert in the habit of paying attention. This is not only being a great listener, but a great observer as well. Most people are better talkers than they are listeners. And most people are better at doing than observing. But, paying attention is a discipline that you can take and apply in just about any project endeavor or work situation. And you can be so helpful to others when you pay attention. For example, how many times have you sat through a presentation? Perhaps, you project sponsor is presenting a topic or perhaps your project manager is giving a PMO performance update. Are you listening to the presentation or are you paying attention to the presentation? And by paying attention, are you receiving the presentation from your point of view or are you observing how others in the audience are listening to the presentation, their body language, their non-verbal communication. Almost always, your PMO manager or colleague that is giving the presentation will not be in a position to observe like you can. They will be more focused on their giving of the presentation than on their listeners receiving of the presentation. Hence, you are in a great position to be of significant value in relating how things went and if necessary and appropriate to even step in and help.

Well, there you have it. Five A+ habits that PMO Managers like to see project managers have; Acceptance, Appreciation, Admiration, Approval, and Attentiveness. And in my book, five A’s make for a good report card.