Job satisfaction for women in project management
Blog: Monday Project Management Blog
Women have shattered the glass ceiling across skill sets and industries, reducing the gender gap in many business practices. Women often lead by teaching and are adept at scheduling, budgeting, and multitasking, which can make them ideal candidates for project management roles. Women-led teams are less likely to experience unforeseen costs, potentially because female leaders are effective communicators. Plus, women are strong collaborators and team motivators, resulting in more efficient, accurate project delivery.
Women can succeed as project managers when they are prepared with smart strategies to help them thrive in the field. Keep reading to learn how you can flourish in project management.
Job satisfaction for women in project management
Most female project managers have grown into their roles. They didn’t typically aim for a project management career in college, often because they didn’t have role models for that career path.
However, job satisfaction among women project managers is high. These women appreciate being able to move from one unique project to another, the ability to produce and see clear results when each project is completed, and the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of clients and team members. Understanding what women bring to the table as project managers as well as their increasing presence in the field can help you chart your own path toward success in project management.
The numbers surrounding women in project management
Women make up about 30% of the project managers in the field, according to the PMI Project Management Salary Survey. However, their average salaries tend to lag behind male project managers by about 10% in the United States (with even greater salary gaps in other countries). This gap may result from males historically dominating fields such as construction and engineering, where project management is a mainstay. Numbers are starting to increase partly because of the strengths many female project managers bring to their roles.
What women in project management bring to the table
Women come to the project management field with a wealth of skills that often make them stand out compared to their typical male counterparts. They communicate well (crucial for successful project management) and help their teammates flourish. In fact, a survey by the Project Management Perspectives research group reports that female project managers are less likely to abandon a project and more likely to exceed expectations and adhere to a project’s budget and schedule than their male colleagues. Take a look at some of the abilities that contribute to the success of female project managers.
Creation of a collaborative environment
Female project managers tend to create a work environment that pairs practicality and logic with creativity. Yes, they deliver projects on time and budget — but they also inspire their teams to exceed expectations and bring innovative methods and attitudes to their work. Women may rely less on their egos in the workplace to focus on keeping the project moving. Their natural abilities in multitasking help them pivot quickly when project requirements, staffing, or budgets change.
Simplification of complicated projects
Many women in project management have a talent for guiding complex projects and simplifying them. They clearly communicate project goals and define business objectives to their teams.
Team management and motivation
Female project managers are invested in their team members and successes. They’re willing to flex when needed, constructively communicate criticism, and dissuade unhealthy competition and conflict. As a result, female project manager-led teams are often loyal and motivated to accomplish goals.
Communications skills
The abilities of many women in project management overlap with good communication skills. Women tend to be good communicators — half of communication is listening, and women tend to pay attention to what their team members are saying. Women in project management tend to address potential problems early. They soothe team conflict and ensure everyone understands their project roles.
Strategies for success as a project manager
If you’re trying to move up the ladder as a project manager, you can align yourself with strategies that help you get where you want to go. Follow these tips to get yourself noticed so you can potentially move into positions of leadership.
- Build relationships with other female project managers: Women who have preceded you down the path you’re hoping to follow will be well-positioned to advise you when you hit a fork or a bump in the road. You can learn from their journeys and use them as a sounding board when you have a tough decision to make.
- Control the discussion: Speak up when you need to, lead discussions to effectively address your concerns, and make eye contact with your audience.
- Know what you’re worth. Women are often underpaid compared to their male colleagues. Research average salaries for project managers and negotiate your pay according to your findings.
- Value your team. Empathy and constructive feedback are excellent team motivators. Exhibiting these skills shows your team members you appreciate them.
- Show integrity. Be honest with your team to promote loyalty and trust.
- Step up to the plate. Is there an opportunity to try out for a new role in your organization? Raise your hand, and you can raise your profile. Even if you meet 80% of a position’s qualifications, it can be worth it to take the risk.
- Always do your best. Some people may seek a reason to discount you as a project manager. When you prove your abilities, they can’t doubt what you bring to the table.
- Gather supporters. All around you are people rooting for you to succeed. Surround yourself with those supporters on the job and in your personal life. By cultivating relationships with those who are in your corner, you set yourself up for more positive relationships and eventual success.
- Be bold. You may have to negotiate to get the budget, time, or other resources your team needs to succeed. Go into these negotiations prepared to achieve your agenda, and avoid apologizing for what you need.
Project managers of all types can turn to monday.com for innovation and success
Project management promotes strategic alignment, ensures better leadership and project direction, and provides clear objectives and planning. Organizations that trust and encourage project management processes often see an uptick in ROI thanks to budget-conscious project managers, more efficient project turnaround, and more robust stakeholder communication.
Whether women or men, project managers are only as effective as the tools they use. monday.com supports project managers with tools such as our Project Tracker and Visual Milestones templates. Our project resources help you centralize and plan projects from conception to completion, automate project approvals and tasks for a more streamlined approach, and monitor performance to support strategic decision-making.
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