The 7 Archetypes of Highly Effective Project Managers
The Behavioral Model for Predictable Projects & Speedy Career Growth.
👋 Hey, Kyle here! Welcome to The Influential Project Manager, a weekly newsletter covering the essentials of successful project leadership.
Today’s Overview:
Early in my career, I saw two types of project leaders. Some were outstanding. They handled challenges easily, supported their teams, and always delivered. As a result, clients kept coming back.
Others struggled. They were often disorganized, faced constant issues, caused disputes, and were hard to work with, leading to unhappy clients. After reflecting about the difference, it all boiled down to one thing: their behavior.
To become a top-notch project manager and attain this level of predictability, you need to learn and practice seven key behavior patterns: The Communicator, The Enforcer, The Builder, The Leader, The Attorney, The Accountant, & The Business Developer.
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The Predictable Project: 7 Archetypes of Highly Effective Project Managers
Filed under: Project Management, Frameworks & Tools
Early in my career, I saw two types of project leaders.
Some were outstanding. They handled challenges easily, supported their teams, and always delivered. As a result, clients kept coming back.
Others struggled. They were often disorganized, faced constant issues, caused disputes, and were hard to work with, leading to unhappy clients.
This is what inspired the concept of ‘The Influential Project Manager’ newsletter.
This type of manager has both the technical know-how and the people skills. They lead well, get the best out of their teams, and deliver results.
After reflecting about the difference, it all boiled down to one thing - their behavior.
The Formula for Predictable Projects
A top project manager must play many roles. The challenge is knowing when and how to adapt.
There are many ways to lead, but for a project manager who wants to excel, the following 7 Archetypes serve as a great foundation.
The seven archetypes are as follows:
The Communicator
The Enforcer
The Builder
The Leader
The Attorney
The Accountant
The Business Developer
What is an Archetype?
An archetype is a typical example, pattern, or model that helps people understand each other.
These archetypes provide a way to better understand different styles of project management.
We'll explore each archetype and guide you on how to embody them effectively so you can successfully deliver your projects.
Archetype 1: The Communicator
Success begins with clear communication. You cannot lead others if you cannot adequately share your thoughts and ideas with them.
It's not just about talking; it's about actively listening and tailoring your messages to your audience's needs.
Good communication prevents misunderstandings and unites the team.
Archetype 2: The Enforcer
The Enforcer is not a friend, a pal, or a coach. You cannot use your buddy status with the Enforcer. The Enforcer is the guy the team knows will not compromise on key policies or values.
They know that if they push, there will be push-back. Cross the line, and consequences follow, especially for things like safety, cleanliness, timeliness, schedule, and accountability.
A PM who can't or won't take on the Enforcer role is going to deal with a lot of complications while trying to be only the good guy.
Archetype 3: The Builder
The central figure that ensures quality construction work takes place.
The Builder has in-depth knowledge of how to use various construction materials; methods, and building systems.
They can see what's not on the plans, create solutions, fix problems across different trades, and organize work efficiently to reduce waste and maximize value.
Archetype 4: The Leader
The most influential and visible way everyone on the project learns is by watching The Leader.
The Leader is a selfless, dedicated individual who prioritizes the team and its goals over personal interests.
As natural motivators, they build an environment that produces future leaders and inspires passion and dedication.
Archetype 5: The Attorney
In construction, contracts bind us all, and understanding the legal side is crucial.
The Attorney navigates contracts, legal obligations, and risk management.
Their expertise helps the team understand these complexities and manage risks to keep the project compliant.
Archetype 6: The Accountant
Handling millions in finances means the margin for error is minimal.
The Accountant is skilled in preparing and maintaining key financial information.
With expertise in forecasting and budgeting, they manage risk, make great decisions, and keep their profit.
Archetype 7: The Business Developer
Future projects are just as important as the current one.
The Business Developer, both authentic and likable, focuses on building lasting relationships and understanding clients needs, leading to ongoing success.
The Well Rounded Project Manager
The closer work feels like play, the more we feel we are thriving.
To get into flow in all aspects of work, you need a good scorecard. Change is a sustained reinforcement of new behaviors and thinking patterns.
The 7 archetypes provide a clear framework to gauge and refine your management approach.
Evaluate your proficiency in these behavior patterns so you can decide where you want to make changes and improve.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
Assessment Wheel: Visualize the center of a wheel as 0 and the outer edges as 10.
Rate Yourself: Assign a number to each archetype based on your satisfaction. Shade the section to represent the score.
Analyze Your Wheel: Most wheels aren't perfectly round, meaning some areas need more attention.
Focus: Choose up to two areas to work on. It is hard to make improvements in many places at once.
Define Success: Ask, "What does a score of 9 or 10 represent in each section?" By doing this, you visualize your ultimate goal.
Set Time-bound Goals: Allocate a realistic time-frame to achieve these objectives.
Make it a Game: Aim for a score of 10 in every section. Stay true to your goals and avoid being swayed by others.
Team Effort: If you lead a team, engage them in this exercise. Revisit and evaluate together 1-2 times per year to track progress.
Remember, round wheels roll best!
Final Thoughts - Your Technology
Self-improvement is a continuous climb, and with each step, there's more to learn and adapt.
Adopting the seven archetypes is crucial for mastering the complexity of construction projects. But the real game-changer? Seamlessly blending these behaviors with the right technological tools.
It's the bridge between processes and people. With the right tech, you get real-time insights, so you can make informed decisions.
Here's the bottom-line:
Systems streamline your communication.
They set clear accountability standards.
They enhance your construction strategies.
They underpin your leadership strengths.
They ensure risks are managed effectively.
They sharpen your financial insights.
They shape stakeholder interactions.
In short, a synergy of people and processes, like what PROJEXION brings to the table, is the pinnacle of project management.
As you improve your actions, let your technology work in your favor, streamlining your journey towards becoming an influential project manager.
Until next week,
Kyle Nitchen
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