How long of a read?	< 5 minutes (16 mins)
What level of expertise?	All levels
What is the article about?	This podcast discusses 3 top challenges of a Project Manager who manages a team of project managers.

Podcast by Elise Stevens: Podcast: Helen Hull – Successfully leading a Project Management team

I recently decided to find podcasts with a women focused theme.  I find Elise’s podcases well rounded and with varying levels of information and approaches.  

This particular podcast is a focus on how to manage a number of project managers.  

Helen brings some insight on what the top challenges are with many project managers.  Ms. Hull does focus on that you need to understand and spread the different personalities and strengths across projects or how to buddy up the different PM’s to help each project.  

Ms. Hull discuss’ the team building that can occur throughout the life of a project.  She also sheds light on what the challenges are for her as the leader of the PM’s. She gives details on the different personalities and the politics that can influence and how to overcome these hurdles.  

LEADERS THOUGHTS SECTION

Joy – Project managers who are focused on communication and strong leadership will help to get things done.  However as all good PMs are known to be in control at all times, it’s important to focus on overcoming personal conflict and focusing on keeping an open mind and being flexible for the good of the overall end goal and success of the project.  Personal insight and self awareness and continual improvement of each individual can be gained when working in a team environment.

Glenn – The top challenges and areas that a PM has to excel in include Communication, Planning/Risk Management, and Decision Making. Unpacking this a bit:

• Communication requires listening, being available, and ensuring understanding has occurred.
• Planning/Risk Management requires proactively identifying risks and determining strategies to address them, and then ensuring everyone is working from the same plan. 
• Decision Making is essential as even not making a decision is a decision.

Lauren – When you take on a role in which you are leading a team of project managers, it must be a top priority for you to take time and lay the groundwork for good communication and a clear mission for your team. Thinking through a good mission and objectives for your team is always a good place to start. You want your team to understand what your focus and priorities lay. You also want everyone to work together in a cohesive and communicative fashion. You as the leader can lean you your knowledge of the personalities and strengths of your team. But, it is always a good idea to present your goals and get buy in from your team to have a good starting point of expectations. Tensions and personalities will ebb and flow, but as long as you have a place to come back to as a team you will weather any project management storm.