Top 3 Skills of a Good Project Manager in Humanitarian Aid

John Cropper, Pyramid Learning

DisasterReady’s Facebook Live event featuring John Cropper from Pyramid Learning was a fascinating discussion on a range of topics including the moral imperative of good project management in humanitarian aid, the need for more accessible training in project management for local NGOs, and the importance of having a common language within project teams. If you missed the Facebook Live event, I encourage you to watch the recording.

Cropper has over 25 years in the humanitarian and development sectors implementing projects all over the world. He served as a subject matter expert on DisasterReady’s free Project Management Essentials Certificate and has worked with a wide range of NGOs to improve their project management capabilities. During the Facebook Live event, Cropper shared what he sees as the top 3 skills of an effective project manager:

1. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a really good project manager who is not an effective listener.”

One of the most important skills for any project manager is the ability to listen. This might seem like a small thing, but it is essential for ensuring that project goals are met. Good project managers need to be able to listen to their team members and understand their concerns. They also need to be able to listen to feedback from a range of internal and external stakeholders. By taking the time to truly hear what others are saying, project managers can make sure that everyone is on the same page and that all voices are heard. This, in turn, leads to more successful projects with fewer problems along the way.

2. “The best project managers are clear communicators.”

Project management is all about ensuring that a project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required standard. One of the most important skills for a project manager is clear communication. This involves setting clear objectives and expectations at the start of the project, maintaining regular communication with all project stakeholders, and providing clear instructions to project team members. Clear communication is essential for keeping everyone on the same page and preventing misunderstandings that could lead to project delays or cost overruns.

3. “Project managers are the great enablers.”

Project management is about bringing all the skills, competencies, and experiences of an organization together to deliver what has been promised. This means that project managers need to be able to identify the different skillsets and knowledge bases within their team as well as across teams. In some cases, this may require delegating tasks to different team members according to their strengths. In other cases, it might mean bringing two different parts of the organization together to work on a set of tasks. Either way, the goal is always the same: to bring individuals together so that they can work effectively towards a common goal.

When we think about project managers, the first thing that comes to mind is usually technical skills such as risk management and budgeting. Or perhaps you see certain personality traits like being detail oriented? According to Cropper, successful project management does not depend solely on what the project manager knows, but also their level of self-awareness and interpersonal skills: “Project managers need to know their own limitations and they need to create clear decision-making mechanisms and communicate them effectively. Because… waiting for a decision to be made can be the kiss of death for a project.”

In order to be an effective project manager in the humanitarian and development sectors, it is essential to have a strong foundation in technical skills. However, soft skills are just as critical to success. Being an effective listener, clear communicator, and great enabler can make all the difference for a project's success. If you want to build your project management skills and enhance your resume, sign up for our free Project Management Essentials Certificate today.