Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Development at GridStor
Matthew's biggest challenge as Director of Development at GridStor is that "most of the things that affect the success of the projects" are outside of his control, requiring a constant balancing act between influencing what is possible and objectively managing risks like policy changes or shifts in political will. This necessitates developing "a good sense of objectivity" and making data-driven recommendations to mitigate external factors impacting project success and sustainability.
Project Management, Risk Management, External Factors, Influence and Control, Decision-Making
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
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Traits
Matthew Gilliland
Director of Development
GridStor
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA Anderson MBA
Environmental & Related Sciences
Energy & Utilities
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Managing external factors impacting project success is a key challenge.
2. The ability to differentiate between controllable and uncontrollable factors is crucial for effective decision-making.
3. Maintaining objectivity and mitigating risks associated with external influences are essential skills for career sustainability.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your role?
If I had to sum up the daily challenges I face, the biggest one is that most things affecting project success are outside my control. For example, we might spend years developing a project, only for a policy change to put a tariff on our product, preventing us from building it.
Alternatively, an election could result in a new mayor who dislikes the project. Therefore, a significant challenge in this role is learning to discern what I can and cannot influence.
It's about doing what I can to achieve the desired outcome while also understanding what's beyond my influence. This involves planning accordingly and making recommendations to my team based on observations, effectively managing risk.
You don't want to invest heavily in a project that ultimately won't be built, as that's not a sustainable business practice. The core challenge lies in our natural inclination to believe hard work or proper setup guarantees desired results.
However, at a certain point, one needs objectivity and the ability to assess a situation without personal bias. Being a thoughtful observer and making sound recommendations is crucial.
I believe this is a challenging aspect of the role, and it's something I'm continuously working to improve.