Most Important Skills for a Project Manager at United Launch Alliance
Joshua, a Project Manager at United Launch Alliance, emphasizes time management as "probably number one," prioritizing tasks and strategically planning "what can I accomplish today," and "what can I not accomplish." Beyond technical skills, the ability to "manage up," anticipating the needs and perspectives of superiors, and mastering PowerPoint for clear and concise communication, are highlighted as unexpectedly crucial for career advancement, with PowerPoint described as "the reason I have been fast tracked for the majority of my career."
Project Management, Communication, Time Management, Strategic Thinking, PowerPoint Skills
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joshua Adams
Project Manager
United Launch Alliance
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
MBA - University of North Alabama
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Time management and prioritization are crucial skills for project managers, focusing on what can be achieved within available time and planning for tasks that cannot be completed immediately.
2. Developing the ability to 'manage up' by understanding the perspectives and goals of superiors is essential for aligning personal work with broader organizational objectives.
3. Mastering PowerPoint and presentation skills is surprisingly important; creating clear, concise, and visually appealing presentations is a highly valuable skill that aids communication and reinforces messaging effectively
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
There are many skills required for a job like mine. As a chief of staff, time management is probably number one. You are constantly overloaded with tasks that need to be performed within a certain day or timeframe.
Prioritizing those tasks is key. This means identifying what you will accomplish today and, more importantly, what you won't. I like to call this "strategic failure."
Going through your task list at the start of the day, you figure out what you can achieve within your available hours. Then, you plan how to tackle the remaining tasks by a set deadline, whether it's the end of the week or month. Setting priorities is therefore a significant aspect.
Another crucial skill is managing up. It's more of a philosophy, but it involves thinking at the level of your boss and even their boss. Thinking one to two levels up and being able to gain the perspective of those above you helps align your work with everyone else's.
This skill applies not only to messaging and creating presentations but also to your daily tasks. If you have free time, understanding your superior's perspective and their superior's perspective helps you better utilize that time to meet common company or organizational goals.
Lastly, PowerPoint is arguably the most important skill in my career. While it may sound trivial, and many disliked making presentations in school, PowerPoint has fast-tracked my career.
The basics of creating a clear and concise message on a neat slide are essential. Being able to draw attention to a single point on a page, rather than a page full of data, makes a significant difference.
Proficiency in PowerPoint also helps you become a better presenter. You learn to create slides that complement rather than detract from your message, reinforcing your points. It can be a powerful sales and communication tactic. Understanding not just how PowerPoint works, but what constitutes a good presentation, especially tailored to your organization, is a vital skill that many underestimate.