Why project managers get fired?

There are several factors for a project manager’s dismissal to occur.

In times of crisis no one is safe and preventive actions, which avoid dismissal, must be executed and monitored.

Among the factors that can trigger a dismissal, the main ones are:

1 – Behavioral

Attitudes in a professional environment can elevate or denigrate your image before the organization.

A project manager without an adequate posture is a shot in the foot for any company. Just as it’s possible, through motivation, to make a team produce and deliver quality, it’s also possible that lack of sensitivity, empathy and the most aggravating, immaturity, make the team plummet 30 floors without safety equipment.

The behavioral factor is the most relevant aspect in a professional, I dare say it’s even more important than technical skills.

When I’m conducting a selection process, I look for candidates who demonstrate the behavioral factor that best fits the organization’s profile, who show commitment, proactivity, willingness to work in the proposed position and also desire to be part of the organization.

Technical skills can and should be trained and evolved as the employee’s career develops. Character and behavioral profile are more difficult to be molded according to the employer’s expectations.

This behavioral factor fits any position, however, when it comes to a management position, the behavioral becomes even more evident, with a project manager’s soft skills being the most used tools in their day-to-day, such as communication, leadership, conflict resolution, positive attitude, etc.

It’s important to be constantly reviewing your behavioral profile, getting feedback from management is a great way to prevent the worst from happening.

2 – Project Manager Training

The lack of technical knowledge is another aggravating factor for the project manager. It often makes actions not taken with the wisdom they should have. Even with experience, in the medium and long term, a solid foundation will be missing for the professional to have a more acute critical vision.

Experience alone will not guarantee competence for success. Theoretical knowledge is needed, knowledge base at an administrative level. Best practices are hidden in books, training and workshops. It’s necessary to be open to reinventing yourself, seeking information and not being afraid to face the new.

Taking an MBA in project management is a great option. In addition to the theoretical knowledge obtained, you can do excellent networking and exchange great experiences with teachers, who are mostly market professionals, who have practical experience and theoretical knowledge, making them a great source of knowledge.

Obtaining high-level certifications like PMP® or ASM® are also great options. In addition to having the credential of a renowned institute, you will obtain an excellent level of theoretical knowledge in preparing to obtain the certification. In times when companies are increasingly focusing on standards, whether traditional or agile management, obtaining a certification is a great differential.

3 – Organizational structure

Organizations with low maturity level end up making there no adequate structure for project management. The non-existence of a PMO also makes it difficult for the project manager to perform their function with support and standardization.

The fact is that in Brazil, the vast majority of companies are in transition, from a world where project management is treated without due importance, to a world where the power of using a management methodology is seen.

The point here is up to the project manager together with the organization, to structure or restructure the management area, focusing on good practices and current methodologies. The so-called “2.0” makeovers are trends in various organizations of different sizes.

4 – Lack of executive support

Executive support in an organization is vital for several areas. When it comes to project management, sponsor support is vital, without this support, it will be an aggravating factor for the manager’s career decline. When there’s a lack of support structure, the project manager’s performance will not reach their cruising level.

The project manager’s lack of authority is also a factor that causes their activities to be impacted, especially when we talk about non-projectized organizational structures.

It’s up to the project manager to try to obtain executive support, showing them the importance of project management in the organization and the benefits this will bring.

5 – Ethical preparation

Finally, the ethical issue is a factor that should always be taken into consideration. Often the project manager is not prepared to deal with a certain ethical issue. In some situations involving conflicts of interest, the project manager may not have a clear vision of the conduct they should adopt, ending up violating a certain code of ethics of the organization.

Brazil has lived in recent years examples of lack of ethics on the part of our politicians, where politics itself ends up corrupting the vast majority of those around it. Project management in Brazil’s political environment is an immense war with ethics.