People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

PPP 441 | Mastering the Human Side of Project Management, with Michaela Flick

Dec 23, 2024

Michaela Flick, a project management practitioner and author of three books, dives into the essential human element of managing projects. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and communication in leadership, arguing that successful projects are built on strong relationships, not just technical skills. Michaela shares insights from her career transitions and the balance between work and personal life. She also highlights the natural project management talents of children through her forthcoming book about a little dragon. Discover how these insights can transform your approach to project management!

33:34

Creator website

Episode guests

Michaela Flick

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Mastering interpersonal skills and empathy is crucial for successful project management, as projects are fundamentally about people.

Utilizing practical tools like the project canvas and stakeholder analysis enhances project management effectiveness by fostering collaboration and clarity.

Deep dives

Navigating Career Uncertainty

Many individuals face career uncertainty after completing their education, often feeling overwhelmed when asked about their future plans. This can lead to anxiety and a sense of inadequacy, as they may struggle to identify a clear path forward. Acknowledging this common experience, the discussion introduces a course designed to assist those who are unsure about their career direction, providing guidance and practical strategies to help navigate this uncertainty. The positive feedback on the course highlights its effectiveness in providing clarity and support for those at a crossroads in their professional lives.

Intro

6min

The Human Element in Project Management

10min

Embracing Growth: Career Reflections

10min

The Journey of Writing Practical Leadership and Project Management Books

3min

The Little Dragon's Project: A Lesson in Teamwork and Creativity

3min

Exploring the Versatility of Project Management

2min

Summary

In this discussion, Andy welcomes Michaela Flick to discuss her journey in project management, the importance of people skills, practical tools for managing projects, and the balance between work and personal life. They discuss the significance of understanding stakeholders, the value of hands-on experience, and the insights gained from teaching and writing about project management. Michaela shares her experiences and lessons learned throughout her career, emphasizing the need for empathy and connection in leadership.

Sound Bites

"Projects are made by people, for people. When this people thing is not working for you, forget it--it ain’t working."
"If you wait until you’re confident to jump in, you will never jump in."
"What I consider success might not be what my customer considers success."
"Children are natural born project managers."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Start Of Interview
06:00 Lessons on Leadership and Project Management
08:24 Metaphors for Project Management
10:30 Practical Management Practices
15:23 Key Career Decisions for PMs
18:30 Confidence vs Competence
23:25 Priorities Beyond Work
25:05 Books by Michaela
32:23 End Of Interview
33:00 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Michaela on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/michaela-flick/.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: project management, leadership, career development, people skills, stakeholder analysis, project tools, work-life balance, personal growth

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Great Great Lengths by Blue Dot Sessions Licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial License

Music: Feelin Good by Kevin MacLeod License (CC BY 3.0): http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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