A short lightning talk I presented to my Project Management team in March 2016. It looks at five different roles that managers need to adopt. It also explores the strengths and weaknesses of each role.

1. WHICH TYPE OF
MANAGER ARE
YOU?

2. THE FIVE ROLES OF THE MANAGER
2
Leader
Manager
MentorTrainer
Coach
Set vision and ensure resources
Define processes
Track Progress,
Measure team productivity
Share how we have
done this in other
markets
Teach new skills to
increase our chances
of delivering the
project
Work with the team
to maximise attitude,
effort and production

3. THE FIVE ROLES OF THE MANAGER
3
Leader
Manager
MentorTrainer
Coach
Set vision and ensure resources
Define processes
Track Progress,
Measure team productivity
Share how we have
done this in other
markets
Teach new skills to
increase our chances
of delivering the
project
Work with the team
to maximise attitude,
effort and production
All roles are essential
to achieve the goal

4. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE 5 ROLES
4
Strengths WeaknessesRole
Leader Create vision and focus Lots of ideas, but little direction
Manager Gets work done on time Micromanagement
Mentor Share what we know Overreliance on mentor
Trainer Teams learn how to do jobs Training is not always the answer; overtelling
Coach Develop skills Over-analysis; lack of accountability

5. WHICH HAT SHOULD I WEAR? START WITH THESE
QUESTIONS:
5
• Do I need to set Direction? - Leader
• Are the processes to be followed clear? – Manager
• Do my team need advice or support? – Mentor
• Do my team need to learn new skills? – Trainer
• Do my team need help developing their own skills and behaviours? - Coach
Leader
Manager
MentorTrainer
Coach

6. FURTHER READING / LEARNING
6
• How Google sold its Engineers on Management (HBR)
• You can’t be a great manager if you’re not a good coach (HBR)
• Project Leadership over Project Management? (Robins Varghese)
• Why Project Managers should coach - Darren Cockburn
• Managing as a Coach Specialism on Coursera