4 Types of Business Skills Every Project Manager Needs

Every business is different, and every project within a business is unique. As a project manager, it’s your job to be prepared for anything. That means being skilled in a variety of business areas. These areas include communication, critical thinking, and managing people.

And with over 59% of project managers running between 2-5 projects and 11% running between 6 to 10 projects at a time, multitasking skills are a must.

But what business skills should every project manager have? Here are four essential business skills that will help you succeed in any project management role.

1. Communication Skills

Good communication is the foundation of a successful business. As a project manager, you’ll need to communicate clearly and effectively with your team, your clients, and your superiors.

You’ll need to explain your vision for a project, give clear instructions, and provide feedback in a helpful and constructive way.

You should also be comfortable communicating via email, instant message, and video conference. Today more and more businesses are going global. So, communicating across cultures is also an important business skill for project managers.

2. Critical Thinking Skills

A successful project manager is able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. When problems arise, you’ll need to be able to assess the situation and come up with a solution that minimizes risk and keeps the project on track.

You’ll also need to be good at planning ahead. Part of successful project management is anticipating potential problems and developing contingency plans. This way, you can avoid costly delays and keep your project on schedule.

3. Managing People Skills

Project managers are responsible for leading a team of people. That means you’ll need to be good at managing different personalities and motivating people to do their best work.

You should also be comfortable handling conflict and giving feedback. As a project manager, you’ll need to be able to have difficult conversations with team members. You’ll also be responsible for helping them resolve personal or professional issues affecting their work.

4. Technologically Savvy

As technology continues to evolve, so do the skills that project managers need to be successful.

Being technologically savvy means using various types of software and applications. Additionally, you need to understand how they work and how they can be used to improve project management.

This also means keeping up with the latest project management trends so that you can stay ahead of the curve and be prepared for anything. Some popular trends include agile methodology, virtual teams, and stakeholder management.

Now You Know the Key Business Skills You Need as a Project Manager

Whether you’re just starting out in your project management career or you’re a seasoned veteran, honing these business skills will help you succeed in any business environment.

Not only will these skills take your career to the next level, but they’ll also help you become a more well-rounded business professional.

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