1. Bruce Gay, PMP | @brucegay
Guidance for Project Managers

2. Recently I worked on a
turnaround project that
needed some additional
project management
discipline and rigor.

3. What follows is guidance
provided to other Project
Managers that I want to
share with you.

4. Tips for Becoming a Better
Project Manager
Bruce Gay, PMP | @brucegay

5. Empathy and
listening is key to
being a successful
Project Manager.

6. Be an escalation point for
your teams to ensure
their issues are addressed
in a timely manner.

7. Teams do not
communicate well.
It is our jobs as Project
Managers to correct mis-
communications or delays
in communication.

8. Get your hands
dirty.
Step in and do project
work not assigned to any
one group.

9. Spend time to
think about the
bigger picture.

10. Keep a watchful eye
on dependencies
and their impacts on
milestones.

11. Stay focused on the
Top 3-4 critical
issues that could
derail your team’s
progress.

12. Make sure your team
takes time to prepare
for key stakeholder
meetings.

13. Challenge your
team.
Teach your team not to
run away from problems.

14. Cut down meeting
durations.
Keep meetings focused
and outcome based.

15. Shield your team from as much
administrative work as possible

16. Do not overlook
cultural differences
and customs when
you have a multi-
national team.

17. Project Manager Guidance
• Empathy and listening is key to being a successful PM.
• Issue escalation is a powerful tool. Ensure your team’s issues are addressed in
a timely manner.
• Teams do not communicate well. It is our jobs as Project Managers to correct
mis-communications or delays in communication.
• Get your hands dirty – Step in and do work not assigned to any one group.
• Think strategically and think about the bigger picture.
• Keep a watchful eye on dependencies and their impacts on milestones.
• Stay focused on the Top 3-4 critical issues.
• Make sure your team prepares for key stakeholder meetings.
• Challenge your team. Teach your team not to run away from problems.
• Cut down meeting durations. Keep then focused and outcome based.
• Shield your team from as much administrative work as possible.
• Do not overlook cultural differences and customs when you have a multi-
national team.

18. Share these Tips for Becoming
a Better Project Manager

19. Thank you.
Bruce Gay, PMP | Twitter: @brucegay
brucegay@verizon.net
www.linkedin.com/in/brucegay