GUEST EDITOR
Monica Gillison
For those of you who remember the hit ABC series Scandal, Olivia Pope (played by Kerry Washington) was the best fixer in D.C. No matter the problem, she seemed to have a solution and, just like magic, she worked behind the scenes to make problems disappear.
So, who is the person on your team who takes on this task? When working with a supplier partner, I would venture to say the learning and development fixer is also known as the project manager. They are the people who plan, organize and direct all aspects of a project.
A good project manager will ensure a project is completed within scope, on budget and on time. However, a great project manager will not only take a strategic and proactive approach to the project but also employ an ample amount of crisis management.
These are the folks who deal with complexities and resolve conflicts. They specialize in the unknown and plan for contingencies. They communicate extensively with both the internal and external teams and foster a spirit of collaboration. They ask probing and clarifying questions, listen attentively and build trust. They’re people who make things happen and can be relied upon to help you achieve goals.
I have worked with many project managers and have even taken on the task myself, as I’m sure so many of you have too. The job is not easy or for the faint of heart.
Like Olivia Pope, the project manager sometimes takes on the role of the “bad guy” or the “enforcer.” They are often the one who is motivating everyone else to make sure the deliverables are completed, often behind the scenes. They offer friendly reminders, gentle nudges and a quick heads up to keep the project on track.
They are known to check in on a request in a polite way. They offer a tone that is warm and non-offensive but with a clear call to action. They know how to get things done.
The project manager is the hidden star of the team. That’s why when prospecting for supplier partners, I often ask about the project manager. I’m extremely interested in hearing their philosophy and approaches, and how they would tackle the project. In my experience, they’re the people who can make your life easier and make the difference between having an idea and bringing it to fruition.
No matter whether your project requires an adaptive approach that offers flexibility, a predictive approach for well-defined requirements or a hybrid approach, just remember there are people who possess the skills, knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goals.
I call this person the project manager extraordinaire.
Monica Gillison is director, product and sales training capabilities, for SK Life Science and a 2022 LTEN Member of the Year. Email Monica at mgillison@sklsi.com or connect through
linkedin.com/in/monica-gillison-mba-1b281279.