Introduction
The YouTube video “Are You Ready to Become a Project Leader?” made me more determined to improve on my project time management skills. In this video, the CEO and president of the project management institute, Mark A Langley, highlights some of the important characteristics of those individuals who are ready to become project leaders. The video made me realize that successful project management goes beyond the knowledge gained when attending project management classes. I now know that position of a project leader requires extra knowledge in other areas as well as skills such as communication, conflict management among other ones. I believe that project management is crucial to the success of any given program.
Main text
Langley points out that more organizations are looking for qualified project leaders. He states that statistics show that there will be about 1.5 million project management-related jobs per annum for the next ten years. I find such statistics encouraging since it shows that I am likely to get a project management job once I do the course. However, I have to improve on some of my skills including leadership and conflict management skills. I have always been a good communicator, and through this course and other language classes I took earlier, I have been able to sharpen my communication skills. Disciplined project management and leadership require a leader who thinks critically. I believe that I am a critical thinker because I always challenge myself to dig deeper into issues that directly affect me. By reading various project management books, I have been able to conceptualize the relevant issues in project management. Langley points out that organizations are looking for project leaders who are well qualified and talented. I believe that I have what it takes to be a disciplined and successful project leader.
The video challenged the ideologies and beliefs I had about project management. I always believed that for one to become a successful project leader, they had to have extensive knowledge in project management alone. Watching the video made me realize the importance of other skills and talents in project management. Additionally, the video made me ask myself whether I was on the right path to becoming a successful project leader or not. Langley’s presentation challenged my thinking and has inspired me to change my approach to project time management. The ideas about the importance of project management that were presented in the video are similar to those presented in the classroom readings and lectures. The video, as well as past readings, highlight that good project management is crucial in the timely delivery of project results. Additionally, the effective project manager should ensure that the project remains on budget.
Conclusion
The speaker touched on many important issues. However, I feel that he should have mentioned some of the ways through which we can improve our skills and apply our talents to become successful project leaders. Nevertheless, it has become easier to identify the gaps in my knowledge and skills in project management. I am working towards filling these gaps since this is one way through which I can become ready to take up project leadership. I feel that I have been able to expand my knowledge in project management by taking this course, but there is still room for improvement in my leadership, communication, and other skills needed to become a successful leader.