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Does this question bother you? If yes, then you’re either considering jumping into this space, or you’re overwhelmed by the challenges it’s throwing at you and are reconsidering your earlier decision. In either case, you’ve raised a question that can be transformative. This quick blog is not a statement about you but a testament that you’re not alone in thinking this way.
Here are some WARNING signs one can look for.
- If you can’t communicate in a way that makes others listen to you, then either you lack the skill for this role or you’re in the wrong environment.
- If you believe you’re the smartest person in the room, then it’s better to work alone than to take on a management role where teamwork is the only mantra.
- If company politics irritates you, then you still have lessons to learn about human behavior and may need to wait before taking on such responsibilities or going too far.
- If the idea of being answerable and responsible for sending reports gives you nightmares, then you may not be technically prepared for project management.
- If work affects your sleep or causes you to lose sight of your roles as a parent, spouse, daughter, or friend, it might be time to reconsider whatever you are doing—whether it’s project management or anything else.
Does this mean you shouldn’t venture into project management if you’re not ready for all of this? One might counter this by pointing out that many senior managers seen around don’t necessarily embody these traits.
Conclusion
The answer lies in the choices we make and the stakes involved at specific stages of our careers. Some of these warning signs are skill-related, while others are rooted in attitudes and beliefs. While the former can be easily improved the latter ones are tough to adapt to too late in a career.
Anyone can jump into a role unprepared and learn through experience, or they can enter with due preparation—though the latter is highly recommended. Above all, experience is the greatest teacher, and we can continuously learn and improve throughout our careers. Unfortunately, many managers fail to do this until they encounter a major setback. Setbacks in our careers aren’t necessarily bad; they teach us humility and offer opportunities for reflection.
So, if you are at a turning point in your career and reflecting on this question, its important to assess the stakes involved and check these warning signs.
Hrushikesh Deshpande is a certified coach with ACC credentials from ICF. He is a PMP certified and has been in IT industry for 26 years. He brings in deep expertise in project and program management as well as practice leadership roles. He has been in corporate L&D for over 15 years and has experience in project management & leadership training interventions.