Project managers, in theory, are some of the best candidates to become CEOs of their organizations. In their daily work, they must bring together all the disparate aspects of theory, reality, vision, process, finances, value, politics, and human nature to create successful outcomes. When you demonstrate success in managing enterprise-level projects and organizational resources from a holistic perspective, you should be a viable candidate to move up to a CEO-level position. Especially now that we have entered the project economy.
The Leap from Project Manager to CEO Is Hard — But Not Impossible
Develop nine skills to increase your chances.
November 08, 2023
Summary.
Project managers who aspire to be CEOs are often surprised to learn that their skills, while highly valuable, do not directly align with those needed for positions of executive leadership. Why isn’t successful management of high-stakes projects and organizational resources sufficient to ascend to the top ranks of the business? In this article, the author explores the subtle, yet significant, differences in career trajectories of PMs and CEOs as well as nine attributes PMs should develop to increase their potential to become the next executive leader.
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HBR Learning
Developing Employees Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Developing Employees. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Support and challenge your direct reports to help them reach their potential.