Critical Knowledge inSight: Communication and Listening

May 25, 2023

A project manager should gather good solutions and ideas from their project team through attentive listening.

Sue Motil, who at the time of the video served as the Manager for the European Service Module Integration Program Office for Orion, provides her advice about communication and in particular the importance of listening to your project stakeholders in order to make the best decisions.

Video key learning points:

1. 1.
  Communication is a critical skill set for all project managers.
2. 2.
  The most important part of communicating is listening. Listening helps a project manager learn what other people are wanting or needing from you and understanding their positions.
3. 3.
  A manager should be open to other people’s ideas. You may find a better idea from your team, or you might find an idea that can be combined with your idea to provide the best hybrid solution for a project.
4. 4.
  If you make a mistake as a project manager, the best thing you can do is admit your mistake. Don’t try to hide that you made the mistake.
5. 5.
  A project manager needs good data coming in from all project stakeholders in order to make a good decision.