Project managers are in high demand in 2024, as they have been for many years. Large organizations often oversee several projects at once, so they need people with the necessary skills to manage them effectively.
To put this demand in perspective, one has to consider the numbers. According to estimation, more than 25 million project managers will be in demand over the next few years. The industries with the most project manager vacancies include manufacturing, construction, technology, and finance.
The landscape of project management itself is changing as well. Whereas it was seen as a male-dominated field, women are increasingly demonstrating skills and leadership to take over project manager roles. In fact, in 2024, 31.1% of project managers are women, and this figure is set to rise.
The continuous shift to more women project managers is driven by the unique skills these women bring to different industries. They have proven that they can overcome complex work challenges while working with and supporting their male colleagues.
Other reasons women make excellent project managers include the following:
Effective Communication
It is impossible to complete a project (or even start one) without communicating. Women often get praised for their communication skills in the workplace. They can explain and set up project goals while managing client expectations. They can also lay out the expected timeline for stakeholders.
Women generally excel at preventing misunderstandings during projects by being open and transparent about every aspect. They also do their best to ensure everyone involved in a specific project works towards the same goals.
Moreover, women excel at active listening. They do not listen to concerns or complaints to voice their opinion immediately without acknowledging the problem. Instead, they listen to hear what others are saying. They want team members to feel comfortable voicing issues and offering alternative ideas.
Women often create a collaborative environment where everyone puts their heads together to make projects run smoothly.
Collaboration and Motivation
They build this type of environment using their leadership skills. Women are not generally interested in a one-person show when it comes to project management. They want every team member to use their skills and strengths to succeed in their part of the project. To that end, women will assign tasks to each team member to make it easy for them to use said skills.
At the same time, a woman project manager will keep motivating her team. She knows how important it is for each team member to feel valued and appreciated. Therefore, she focuses on avoiding empty praise and instead inspires her team to relish the accomplishment of completing a massive project.
Women project managers thrive on helping others come into their own and diffusing potential conflicts. They focus on finding solutions to problems that benefit the project instead of letting personal differences get in the way of the project timeline.
Meticulous and Organizational
Projects can be challenging to manage, especially big ones. They come with inevitable obstacles and lots of moving parts to oversee. Women project managers are typically good at keeping the big picture in mind while managing the details of a project. They have strong organizational skills, which allow them to put employees in the right place at the right time. They can also break down tasks into smaller chunks to make them easier to complete.
Furthermore, women project managers usually have the experience and skills to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. They are adept at assessing risks and coming up with plans to prevent potential problems. This allows them to keep projects on track and complete them by the deadline.
Risk Management
Speaking of risks, preventing them is crucial for project success. Studies have shown that women are generally more risk-averse than men. This means that a woman project manager will typically be more cautious with their decision-making. They would rather focus on what could go wrong than risk the derailment of a project by making a bad decision.
Leadership
Women have natural leadership qualities that go beyond giving orders and expecting results. They display a strong work ethic and a commitment to their clients. This in itself helps motivate teams to do their best work.
Women are also natural mentors. Women project managers become invested in the professional development of their team members. They want to see them grow into their own. They also provide constructive feedback and offer guidance where necessary.
The Future of Project Management
Businesses can unlock the potential of their project management teams and close the gender gap by acknowledging the skills that women project managers bring to the table.
Women project managers can help bring innovation and improved financial performance, making businesses more attractive to investors.
As we move into a more inclusive future where women offer as much value to projects as men, this new environment will benefit individual careers as well as the success of entire businesses. 3232