227: How PMs Can Break the Glass Ceiling with Pierre Le Manh
Oct 29, 2023
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The podcast features Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO of the Project Management Institute, discussing the challenges project professionals face in breaking through the glass ceiling. Topics include the importance of PMOs in driving organizational change, developing leadership skills to reach the C-suite, strategies to overcome obstacles, choosing leapfrog CEOs for transformation, and understanding executives' priorities in order to gain their support.
Project professionals should focus on business objectives and outcomes, rather than getting caught up in processes and templates.
Project professionals should embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as an opportunity and position themselves as knowledgeable leaders in leveraging AI for transformative projects.
To break the glass ceiling, project professionals should develop a higher tolerance for risk and ambiguity, gain experience in launching strategic initiatives, and speak the language of senior executives.
Deep dives
Importance of Project Professionals Earning Respect from Executives
Project Management Institute CEO discusses what it takes for project people to earn the respect of executives, break through the glass ceiling, and become an executive or C-suite executive. The conversation highlights the importance of project professionals understanding the language of executives, speaking in terms of business objectives, outcomes, and big impact. It emphasizes the need for project professionals to focus on the link between business objectives and execution, rather than getting caught up in processes and templates. The discussion also emphasizes the role of PMOs in driving organizational change, innovation, and growth, and how PMOs can be more interesting and valuable to the C-suite.
The Future of PMOs and Project Management Landscape
The podcast episode explores the key trends and future developments for PMOs and the project management landscape. It highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in automating administrative tasks and project planning, and the opportunity for project professionals to shift their focus towards higher-level roles involving strategic transformation. The episode discusses the need for project professionals to embrace AI as an opportunity rather than a threat to their careers, and to position themselves as knowledgeable leaders in leveraging AI for transformative projects. It also emphasizes the importance of simplifying communication, being data-driven, and focusing on outcomes to effectively communicate value and influence to senior executives and stakeholders.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling for Project Professionals
The podcast episode addresses the challenge of breaking the glass ceiling for project professionals and provides insights on how they can overcome it. It highlights the importance of developing a certain attitude, including a higher tolerance for risk and ambiguity, as well as a willingness to challenge the status quo. The episode suggests gaining experience in launching new and strategic initiatives, as well as considering lateral moves to adjacent positions like product management. It also emphasizes the need for project professionals to speak the language of senior executives, demonstrating a deep understanding of business objectives, return on investment, and long-term impact.
Earning Trust and Speaking the Language
To be successful as a project professional, it is crucial to earn the trust of stakeholders by investing time to understand their challenges and speak their language. By demonstrating that you trust and value your team members, you foster an environment where collaboration and problem-solving thrive. Building trust and effective communication are essential for achieving project success.
Developing Leadership Skills and Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Leadership skills are not limited to CEOs or high-level executives. Project professionals can enhance their leadership skills by inspiring others, driving change, and taking ownership of their organization's performance and future. This requires a mindset shift where project professionals prioritize the success of the company as a whole. Developing power skills such as self-awareness, communication, and the ability to think critically and creatively can help project professionals break through the glass ceiling and make a significant impact in their organizations.
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Hey, IMPACT Driver!
In case you missed it, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Pierre Le Manh, President and CEO of the Project Management Institute, at this year’s IMPACT Summit.
The conversation was an important one for you to hear, IMPACT Driver, since he’s revealing what C-Suite executives are looking for from their leaders to help them make a bigger IMPACT.
We looked at what is holding many project professionals back in their careers and effective strategies to communicate your value to executives.
Join us for this episode to get the executive’s perspective on what it takes for you to break through the glass ceiling and get your seat at the table.
Enjoy!
Connect with Pierre on LinkedInProject Managers as Strategic Leaders – in the C-suite and Beyond
P.S. – The IMPACT Engine System™ is the only program of its kind that shows you how to build, run, and elevate your strategy delivery organization. If you are building or running a PMO, SDO, Agile, or Business Transformation Office, your career depends on making an IMPACT. This program will help you drive measurable value for the business, making it easy to get your executives on board. Learn more today!
Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!
I welcome your feedback and insights!
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Warmly,
Laura Barnard
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