International Project Management Day 2025

The PM as a Catalyst of Influence: Lessons from My First Project

I began my project management journey in 2000—long before I knew the formal frameworks and methodologies. My first project became a defining moment that shaped how I view the role of a Project Manager.

The Project:

A high-stakes initiative with demanding scope and quality requirements. The delivery timeline was constantly under pressure, yet through collective team effort and relentless communication, we delivered exactly what was promised.

The Catalyst Moment:

This project taught me that a PM cannot—and should not—manage everything alone. Instead, a PM must become a catalyst of influence, empowering every team member and stakeholder to take ownership.

Key Learnings:

✅ Influence Over Control: My role wasn't to micromanage but to inspire, align, and enable the team to excel.

✅ Communication as the Core: Effective communication at all levels wasn't just a tool—it was the foundation of our success.

✅ Shared Accountability: Risk management, quality delivery, and timeline adherence became collective responsibilities, not individual burdens.

✅ Anticipation & Adaptation: Proactive risk identification and quick decision-making kept us ahead of challenges.

What I Believe Today:

Project Management is not a playbook to follow blindly—it's a dynamic discipline requiring constant monitoring, deep planning, empathetic leadership, and strategic value validation (cost vs. revenue generation).

To Future PMs:

Lead with empathy, humility, and inclusiveness. Be the catalyst that transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing team.

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