Do you think like a CEO?

On October 6th, Dorte Thyrri Rasmussen introduced to PMI Denmark Chapter the managerial challenges faced by Project Managers when leading projects. The Q3 / 2016 PMI Newsletter already featured the highlights of this topic, which were discussed in-depth in a 2 hours-session.

Dorte explained that the complexity characterizing today’s projects demands prepared professionals , properly trained in to the role: a specific set of skills and competencies which are similar to those required to fill a CEO role.

Besides the 5 crucial competencies required by Project Managers moving forward, a special focus is given to leadership, which can be seen as follows:

• Leading the organization

Setting vision and strategy, navigating the organization and managing stakeholders, solving problems, innovating, making decisions and taking the risks

• Leading one self

Increasing self-awareness, demonstrating leadership, ethics and integrity and acting as a role model

• Leading others

Managing and developing individuals and teams, communicating

A shift from Project Management to Project Leadership is key to deal with the increasing project complexity  and the next practice will be funded on:

Business understanding

Understanding how the benefit deriving from the execution of the individual project “fit” in the broader picture and can be value creating for the whole organization

• Commercial acumen

Knowing the landscape in terms of market, products and competitors, will hopefully shed light on strategic decisions.