What Type Of Person Thrives In The Construction Industry According To A Construction Project Manager At Los Angeles World Airports
Successful construction project managers are "very outgoing," possessing "strong personalities" and the confidence to actively contribute; however, this doesn't preclude quieter individuals, as success hinges more on "not being afraid to put yourself in the ring" and demonstrating curiosity to make an impact.
Communication, Confidence, Project Management, Problem-Solving, Teamwork
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sebastian Potes
Construction Project Manager
Los Angeles World Airports
USC
MBA UCLA Anderson
Engineering - Civil
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Outgoing personality is an asset, but shyness is not a barrier to success. Success depends more on self-confidence and willingness to participate actively.
2. Curiosity and a proactive approach are important for career advancement. Don't be afraid to seek opportunities to contribute and make an impact.
3. Skills as a leader develop over time. Fresh graduates should focus on being confident in their abilities and inserting themselves into situations where they can learn and grow.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
People who thrive in this industry are very outgoing. There are a lot of strong personalities.
This doesn't mean you have to have a strong personality to succeed in engineering and construction management. However, the most successful people I've seen, my mentors, have always been really forward, straight-talking, and not afraid to shake the tree to get the coconut.
That could be interpreted in many different ways, but it's really about being confident in yourself and your abilities. This confidence also comes with time as you evolve in your career and develop your skills as a person and leader. Even when starting fresh out of undergrad, the new hires who succeeded most were very outgoing.
There's a difference between being shy and being timid. Being shy isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just a different personality type. Introverts and extroverts both have enormous success in many different industries.
It's more about not being afraid to put yourself in the ring and in situations. Take that seat at the table and try to contribute as much as you can.
To sum it up, I guess it would be being outgoing. But I don't want people to think that being outgoing is the only way. A shy person can also be outgoing. I want to make that distinction.
I would also say it's about being very curious and inserting yourself into situations where you can have an impact. I'm not sure if I explained that right, but I hope so.