Interpersonal Skills for Project Managers

How to stay indispensable as a PM (Even when AI replaces the busywork.) When I first started as a Project Manager, I thought success was simple: → Meet the deadlines → Deliver with high quality → Keep stakeholders happy Honestly, I did a good job and got good feedback. And for a while, that worked. But here’s why “good” isn’t enough anymore. Today, AI can already handle the basic work. Managing tasks, tracking timelines and even predicting risks. If success is only about deadlines and reports, AI already wins that game. That’s why the real edge of a great PM isn’t in the checklists. It’s in the human side, the things no AI can replace. Here’s what it looks like in practice: 1/ Earn Trust, Don’t Just Ask for It ↳ Trust is proven through action. Be consistent and stay transparent. ↳ That’s the foundation of every strong team. 2/ Communicate With Purpose ↳ AI can generate updates, but only you can make them meaningful. ↳ Clear, simple communication keeps people aligned. 3/ Turn Pressure Into Growth ↳ Stress is part of the job. Don’t fight it, use it. ↳ Stay calm, learn from it, and let challenges grow you. 4/ Lead With Empathy, Not Just Authority ↳ Leadership is more than assigning tasks. ↳ When you lead with empathy, your team will give their best. 5/ Be Proactive, Not Reactive ↳ Don’t wait for problems to explode. Spot risks early and act fast. ↳ Proactive PMs keep projects moving forward. Great project managers don’t compete with tools. They stand out by inspiring, anticipating and leading with purpose. So ask yourself: in a world where AI can manage the work, will you stay “good,” or step up and be “great”?

Project management is no longer just about the project. I had a great conversation this week with a fellow project management leader and enthusiast, and we kept coming back to one point: Strong project management today is far more about people than process. Sure, timelines, scope, and status reports matter—but those things don’t get you to the finish line on their own. What actually moves projects forward? ▪️ Building trust across teams ▪️ Managing change and uncertainty with empathy ▪️ Navigating competing priorities and personalities ▪️ Communicating clearly, consistently, and often ▪️ Leading with influence—not authority I’ve seen seasoned PMs with deep technical expertise struggle to deliver when they don’t invest in people management. And I’ve seen rising PMs without decades of experience deliver incredible outcomes—because they know how to read the room, build relationships, and bring people with them. The truth is: no project succeeds without the people behind it. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #PeopleFirst #PMO #ChangeLeadership #SoftSkillsMatter

Being a project manager is a tough job. You’re expected to deliver results, navigate shifting priorities, manage competing stakeholder interests, and keep the team aligned—normally without direct authority. But you know what skill I see underappreciated the most? Communication. Think about it: 📌 Communicating updates to leadership 📌 Managing expectations with stakeholders 📌 Facilitating team meetings 📌 Clarifying priorities 📌 Planning communication strategies 📌 Gathering feedback and adjusting course It’s not just part of the job—it’s the majority of the job. In fact, research shows project managers spend over 80% of their time communicating in some form. And yet, most project management training programs focus heavily on tools, timelines, and task tracking—and barely scratch the surface on effective communication. Want to be a better project manager? Start by becoming a better communicator. Listen more. Clarify often. And never assume alignment happens on its own.

Project managers: You are not a sentient checklist. I’ve always believed project management is about people first, not just tasks. But I’ve worked with (and frankly, been annoyed by) PMs who treat every project like a giant to-do list. Ping. “Is this done?” Ping. “What’s the ETA?” Ping. “Did you see my last ping?” Look, I get it—keeping projects on track is important. But your team isn’t a factory line, and you’re not a human version of a task reminder. Before checking on a task, check in on the person. Maybe think about doing it this way: 1. Start with context. Instead of dropping tasks into the void, talk about priorities and what’s actually possible. 2. Check in, not just check up. A simple “How’s it going?” is wildly different from “Why isn’t this done yet?” 3. Find the real problem. Missed deadlines aren’t always about time—they’re often about confusion, roadblocks, or competing priorities. Here’s the deal: AI can track deadlines. AI can send reminders. But if a bot can do your job, you’re doing it wrong. That’s why I wrote PM for Humans, not PM for Robots. #projectmanagement #taskmaster #leadership #AI #PMforHumans

I used to think being a great project manager was about mastering the right framework. The right tool. The perfect Gantt chart. But I was wrong. The real shift in my career happened when I stopped managing tasks... And started leading people. Deloitte's new Human Capital Trends report confirms what many of us have felt: The PM role is being redefined. We're no longer just delivery leads. We're transformation enablers. To thrive in this new era, project managers must develop 3 core capabilities: → Coach, motivate, and grow people Because performance starts with connection, not compliance. → Lead human-AI collaboration and redesign how work gets done Because success means integrating tech without losing the human edge. → Drive adaptability, strategic thinking, and innovation Because in a world of constant change, agility is everything. But there's a fourth capability—one the report didn't name explicitly: → Translate complexity into clarity Because PMs don't just manage—we make sense of chaos. It's what turns a mess of meetings, tools, and expectations into momentum. It's how we bridge the gap between vision and execution. These aren't soft skills. They're what keep projects—and people—moving forward. Project managers aren't becoming obsolete. We're becoming essential in new, more meaningful ways. This is our moment to lead with clarity, connection, and courage. And I believe we're ready. → Repost ♺ to empower others, and follow Jesus Romero, M.Eng, PMP, CSM for project leadership tips. #LIPostingDayApril

Sharing my personal experience with the top 5 essential skills of project management! 1️⃣ Leadership: As a project manager, I've learned the importance of inspiring and guiding my team, especially when faced with tough decisions and challenges. Setting a clear vision and empowering my team members to contribute their ideas has been key to our success. 2️⃣ Communication: Clear, effective communication has played a vital role in conveying project goals and updates to my team, stakeholders, and clients. Active listening and adapting my communication style to different audiences have been crucial in fostering collaboration. 3️⃣ Time Management: Juggling multiple tasks and ensuring projects are completed on time has been a constant in my role. Identifying critical milestones, efficiently allocating resources, and adjusting schedules to meet deadlines have been essential skills in my journey. 4️⃣ Risk Management: Throughout my projects, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks has been a continuous process. Developing risk management plans and making informed decisions to minimize the impact of unexpected events has been pivotal in ensuring project success. 5️⃣ Problem-Solving: As a project manager, problem-solving has been a daily occurrence. Overcoming challenges and finding alternative solutions to keep projects on track has been instrumental in achieving successful project outcomes, especially when faced with unexpected delays. Combining these skills with my technical knowledge has enabled me to effectively oversee and deliver successful projects. #projectmanagement #personalexperience #leadership #communication #timemanagement #riskmanagement #problemsolvingskills