Most Important Skills For a Program Project Manager at Accenture
Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, emphasizes "quick thinking and adaptability" as crucial skills, highlighting the importance of figuring things out and helping others manage change, especially during mergers. This involved clear messaging about transitions, impacting individuals, and outlining paths forward based on prior experiences; a skillset that accelerated their career.
Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Communication, Change Management, Project Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Steven Smith
Program/Project Manager
Accenture
University of Georgia, 2017
University of California, Los Angeles & M.B.A
Finance
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Operations and Project Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Quick thinking and adaptability are crucial, especially when working with experienced professionals. The ability to learn and solve problems is highly valued.
2. Being adaptable and helping others manage change is essential, particularly in roles dealing with mergers and acquisitions. Effective communication is key to navigating transitions.
3. Clear communication regarding changes, including reasons, affected parties, and steps forward, is vital for smooth transitions and team morale. Leveraging past experiences helps this process.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
The skills that are most important are quick thinking and adaptability. When I started as a consultant, I was nervous working with people who had more work experience than I had been alive.
They understood I might not have their depth of knowledge, but they found comfort in knowing I could figure things out. Once I learned that, I accelerated my career and became a good consultant in my eyes.
Being adaptable is also crucial, especially in my role dealing with mergers and changes. Change was a constant and can be uncomfortable, especially for those who have been doing the same thing for many years.
So, learning to be adaptable and helping others manage change was key. This involved a lot of messaging, not just repeating myself, but ensuring I was clear about why the transition was happening, who it affected, and how to proceed based on prior experiences.