Effective People Management: How CLMGMT Leads with Clarity, Kindness, and Strategy

The Art of Herding Cats

I’m often asked, “What’s the hardest part of project management?” While many tasks come naturally to me, managing people is always the biggest challenge. I often joke about “herding cats,” but there’s truth in it—coordinating different personalities, work styles, and priorities requires patience, strategy, and adaptability. As an experienced project manager, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about completing tasks and hitting deadlines; it’s about understanding people, setting clear expectations, and continuously refining processes. Whether I’m leading cross-functional teams or managing client relationships, my goal is to foster a collaborative and efficient work environment where everyone can thrive.

Understanding People and Their Timelines

One of my key strengths is assessing the realistic timeframe it takes for team members to complete tasks. This skill allows me to build accurate timelines that are both ambitious and achievable. By understanding how each individual works, I can create schedules that set the entire team up for success instead of stress. This way when I have my initial kick off with clients I am able to provide them with realistic expectations on when deliverables will be produced. There are often moments where we have to come to terms on time, but I always keep my teams capacity and availability first when candidly discussing deadlines… and my team appreciates me for it. Managing people effectively requires a balance of clarity and compassion. I strive to be as transparent as possible with my expectations, ensuring that my team knows exactly what I need and when I need it.

Clear Deliverables and Expectations

One of the most effective ways to prevent confusion and inefficiency is to outline deliverables upfront– to both clients and team members. I put together detailed outlines that clearly define responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations, in written or spreadsheet form depending on the nature of the project, prior to injecting these details into PM software. This practice not only ensures accountability but also empowers and supplies team members with the details needed to do their best work confidently.

Listening and Seeking Feedback

Another practice that I often make clear at the start of a project is my open door policy. I try to always make myself available for any questions clients or my team has. I do set boundaries, as all people should on when and how often, however I make all stakeholders involved with a project feel comfortable to reach out to me about anything related to the project. It’s a priority for me to check in with my team, ask for constructive criticism, and create a space where open feedback is encouraged. Learning from those you manage is just as important as leading them and I am constantly making adjustments from project to project. Because of the nature of the projects and industries I work on and with I can honestly say I am almost ‘learning something new every day’.

The Importance of Post-Mortems

It is vital for me to learn, take notes and adjust from each project which is why at the conclusion of all projects I conduct post-mortem recaps to evaluate what worked well and what could be improved. These reviews are invaluable for refining processes and ensuring that future projects run even more smoothly. No two projects are the same, and learning from past experiences is key to long-term success. In fact, I just wrapped up a project where new obstacles were thrown at me each step of the way. I always use those moments as stepping stones for improvement or adjustments moving forward.

Our Advice for Managing People Effectively

No matter your role as a leader who manages, you will be faced with challenges when managing people. In my opinion, there is space for it to get easier the more experience you have. If you are looking to get into, or sharpen your skills as a project manager, here are a few practical takeaways:

• Set clear expectations from the start to avoid confusion.

• Understand your team’s working styles to build realistic timelines.

• Be transparent and communicative—ambiguity creates frustration.

• Encourage feedback and be open to constructive criticism.

• Review and refine your processes after each project to continuously improve.

Why Hiring a Project Management Consultant is a Smart Move

The reality is—managing people isn’t easy. It requires patience, emotional intelligence, and a strong ability to balance multiple moving pieces. That’s why having an experienced project manager in your corner is invaluable.

Bringing in a project management consultant, like Creative Lens Management, ensures that your team is supported, your projects are organized, and your goals are met efficiently. Whether it’s managing timelines, coordinating teams, or streamlining communication, having a professional overseeing operations allows businesses to focus on what they do best—without the headache of keeping all the moving parts together.

Managing people may be like herding cats, but as seasoned cowboys and cowgirls, we’re always down for a rodeo (Yee Haw) 🤠! If you’re looking for a seasoned professional to help manage your next project, let’s talk