Selecting the project should generally come before selecting the manager; the project’s needs dictate the manager’s required skillset.
Do you select project or manager first? It’s a question many teams grapple with, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. We often assume a strong manager can make any project succeed, but that might not be the most effective approach.
Thinking about the specific project goals and requirements first will help you identify the management style and experience needed. This approach ensures the manager’s abilities are a good fit for the task at hand. Prioritizing the project allows you to choose the right leader.
Do You Select Project or Manager First?
Choosing between a fantastic project and an awesome manager is a tough call, isn’t it? It’s like picking between a super cool video game and a really fun friend to play it with. Both are important, but which one should you focus on first? This question pops up in lots of places, especially at work. Let’s break down why this choice matters and how to make the best decision for you. This article will guide you to understanding which one comes first, the project or the manager.
Understanding the Pull of the Project
Let’s start with the exciting world of projects! A project is like a big puzzle you get to solve. It has a specific goal, a timeline, and lots of interesting pieces to put together. Think of it like building a Lego castle – it’s cool, it’s challenging, and when you finish, you have something amazing to show for it.
What Makes a Project Appealing?
- Interesting Work: A great project grabs your attention. You feel excited to work on it, and the tasks don’t feel like chores. You are interested in the topic.
- Growth Potential: Sometimes a project is great because it helps you learn new things. You get to try new skills and become better at what you do.
- Clear Goals: A good project has clear goals. You know exactly what you’re supposed to achieve. This makes it easier to stay focused and see your progress.
- Impactful Results: It feels good to work on something that makes a difference. When your work has a real impact, it can be very motivating.
- Brand Alignment: When a project fits into your own brand image and personal goals, it feels more like destiny than just work. It is important to be passionate and align with the work you do.
When to Prioritize a Project
If you love a project’s aim, if it aligns perfectly with your personal goals, and you feel you can accomplish the goal with your skillset, then it makes sense to prioritize a project. There will be some instances where you will feel that you can easily handle the work and it will give you more chance to grow. Here are some situations when you would prioritize a project first:
- Skill Development is Key: When you want to learn something specific, a project focused on a skill is the best choice. It will help you to become expert in one thing.
- Passion Projects: If you are deeply passionate about the project, it will keep you going even when the task seems difficult. Passion motivates you.
- High Visibility: If you want to impress and show what you are capable of, picking a well-known project will give you great chances to make a name for yourself.
The Impact of a Great Manager
Now, let’s talk about managers. A good manager is like a great coach. They guide you, support you, and help you be the best you can be. Think of them as the leader of your team. They set the tone and make sure everyone can do their best work. A good manager can make even an average project a good experience and an average manager can make a great project bad experience for everyone.
What Makes a Manager Effective?
- Clear Communication: A great manager tells you exactly what’s expected. They explain things clearly, so you know what to do.
- Supportive Environment: The manager makes sure you have what you need to do your best. They cheer you on and offer help when you need it.
- Feedback and Guidance: A good manager gives feedback, both when you do a good job and when you need to improve. This helps you grow and get better at what you do.
- Fairness and Respect: They treat everyone fairly and with respect. This makes work feel like a safe and welcoming place.
- Career Development: An effective manager cares about your future and helps you grow in your career. They help you understand your pathway.
When to Prioritize a Manager
There are cases when you should prioritize a manager over a project. If you want a mentor and someone who can push you in the right direction, a manager is the key. Here are some situations when you should choose a manager first:
- Seeking Mentorship: If you want a leader who guides you and helps you improve your skills and career goals, a great manager is very important.
- Need of Support: If you are feeling overwhelmed at work and need someone who can understand and support you, then a supportive manager is important.
- Challenging Projects: If you are not confident in the project but you have a manager who you trust can lead the project to success, then choosing a manager is important in this case.
The Balancing Act: Project vs. Manager
Choosing between a project and a manager isn’t an easy task. It’s a tough balance. The truth is, both are important. You may think you’re getting a great project to work on, but it may be ruined by a bad manager and the same goes to another case, it may look like a boring project but a great manager can lead you to good outcome.
The Ideal Situation
Of course, the best situation is when you have both – an amazing project and a fantastic manager. It’s like having a super cool video game and your best friend to play it with. When everything is perfect, you can be happy in your work.
The Reality Check
But the reality is that sometimes it is not possible to have both. So what do you do then? Here are some scenarios with a difficult choice.
- Amazing project, not-so-great manager: You will have a great learning experience, but you may feel unsupported and unmotivated sometimes, but because it is a learning experience it can still be great.
- Average project, great manager: You may not have the best learning experience but you will feel supported and motivated by a great manager.
- Average project, average manager: In this case, try to look for other options, but if there is no other option, try to find something to learn in the process.
- Not so great project, bad manager: In this case, try to find any other option. If you are stuck in this scenario, try to look for other opportunities.
How to Make the Decision
When you’re faced with this choice, it’s a good idea to think about what is really important to you.
Assess Your Needs
Take a moment to think about where you are at the current time, what you want and what you need:
- Career Goals: What do you want to achieve in your work life? Is learning a new skill, growing your career, or working on something impactful important to you?
- Work Environment: Is the culture of the working environment important to you? Do you need a fun and supportive team, or do you like to work independently?
- Support System: How important is it to have a manager who gives guidance, and listens to you? Do you prefer self management or regular feedback and guidance?
Ask Questions
When you’re trying to decide, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can talk to people who are already in the project or under the manager.
- Ask about the projects: What is the project goal? Is there anything that you can learn from it? Is it hard or easy?
- Ask about the manager: How do they manage the team? How do they respond to feedback? Do people like working with them?
- Ask yourself: Will the project or the manager help me grow more? What is more important to me at the current moment?
Real-World Examples
Let’s look at some real-world examples to help you understand how this works. Imagine you are in any of these scenarios:
Scenario 1: The Tech Enthusiast
You are a tech lover, and you want to learn about the newest technology. You are interested in every new tech trend. You have two options – either work with a manager who is good but the project is not exactly related to your passion, or take a new project with a manager who you don’t know well but is working on new tech that you are excited about. In this case, you should probably go for the project that you like, because you want to learn the new skill and it is a big priority for you.
Scenario 2: The Career Climber
You want to improve your career, you feel you are stuck and want to grow up to next level. You have two options. One project is really challenging, but you don’t know the manager. The other project is average but the manager is known for mentoring people and helping them with career planning. In this case, the right decision will be to choose the manager, since your priority is your career and career growth.
Scenario 3: The Team Player
You like to work as a team. You want to feel comfortable in your workplace and be a part of a good team. In this situation, you want a manager who is a good listener and you need a team where everyone is happy to collaborate. In this case, the right decision will be to prioritize the manager and a team which can work with you and create a friendly environment.
Long-Term View
It’s also helpful to think about your long-term goals. It’s not just about the next project or the next manager; it’s about where you want to be in your career down the road. Consider these points when you make your choice:
Building Your Skills
If you are focused on gaining skills, and you are not so concerned with the management style of the manager, then you would want to prioritize the project. This is where you can learn and become more expert in your field.
Building Relationships
If you value the relationship with your manager and you believe in your manager’s guidance, then it would be great to prioritize the manager. This can help you understand a good mentorship.
Making an Informed Decision
Finally, no matter what you choose, ensure that you are making an informed decision. This means that you’ve taken your time to think about what you need, what you want, and gathered information. Do not choose anything without research, even if it is a project or manager that seems good to you.
Remember, there is no single correct answer. It’s a very personal decision depending on your career stage and needs. The choice between project and manager depends on what you are looking for. Your priorities can change over time, so don’t worry if your decision changes in the future.
Program Manager vs Project Manager: Key Differences
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between project or manager first depends on the specific needs. A crucial project with tight deadlines might demand an experienced manager. Conversely, a great manager can make any project successful, so they must be the first pick. Consider the priorities; do you select project or manager first.
Focusing on which is more important for your current company is key. Both project needs and manager talent require careful consideration.