What do you do if you're an entry-level program manager working with mid-career program managers?

// Clearly outline what you hope to gain from the mentorship and how you believe the mentor's expertise can support your professional growth. Highlight specific areas where you seek guidance, advice, or mentorship, such as leadership skills, project management techniques, or career advancement strategies. // Express your eagerness to learn and grow as a program manager. Demonstrate your commitment to professional development and willingness to invest time and effort in the mentorship relationship.

1. Stay curious: Program management is rapidly evolving thanks to frequent advancements in technology. So, keep yourself up to date by taking up courses, attending networking events, and reading on the latest approaches to efficient program management. 2. Active listening: Be it at or outside the workplace, consider all interactions as learning opportunities. Empathize with the speaker and look for ways to be of service to them. 3. Seek guidance: Reach out to experienced PMs within/outside your org. with a genuine interest to learn. They can help expand your network and share valuable learnings from managing complex projects. 4. Share ideas: Don't hesitate in sharing your unique ideas during meetings as they might carry valuable insights.

As a coach, I would advise new PgMs to seek out coaches who can assist them in establishing criteria such as relevant experience and compatibility. Identifying several sorts of mentors, such as internal senior leaders, industry experts, or professional networks, broadens the range of mentorship opportunities. Mentors can be found within the organization, in industry groups, or through mentorship programs. Networking is the key.

If you're an entry-level program manager working with mid-career program managers: Learn from their experience. Ask questions for guidance. Offer assistance to support them. Build positive relationships. Take initiative on tasks. Invest in continuous learning. Be adaptable to their working styles.

Finding a mentor as an entry-level is a fantastic way to boost your development. 1. Identify Your Ideal Mentor. *Look around your workplace for mid-career program manager who consistently delivers successful programs, manages stakeholders well, and inspires team. *Attend conferences or workshops related to program management. You might meet experienced professionals there who could be potential mentors. look out for Professional organizations or similar associations often have mentorship programs that can connect you with experienced individuals. 2. Crafting Your Approach towards Mentors *Do your research: Learn about their background and expertise. *Be respectful of their time. *Express your desire to learn. *Highlight your value.

Observe, contribute, learn and lead - in that order will build your knowledge, strengthen relationship, enhance learning curve, and provide hands-on

As an entry-level program manager, continuous learning is key to bridging the experience gap with mid-career colleagues. It enables you to quickly adapt to industry trends, apply best practices, and contribute effectively to your team. This commitment to growth can accelerate your career progression and help you build a strong professional reputation.

For an entry level program manager learning from mid-level managers who has expertise and experience saves lot of time and keeps you in trend with industry specific inherent knowledge that comes with experience. Learning from their decision-making approach and showing curiosity and understanding rationale will accelerate your growth curve.

Here's how you can leverage your position and continuously learn: Learning from Mid-Career PMs: * Ask your mid-career colleagues if you can shadow them in meetings. * Don't be afraid to ask questions! * After overcoming a project obstacle, discuss their thought process and decision-making steps. This will help you develop your own critical thinking skills. Expanding Your Knowledge Base: * Attend events which provide exposure to industry trends, best practices, and new methodologies. * Take advantage of online platforms. * Subscribe Industry Publications for insights Demonstrate Your Commitment: * Implement the lessons learnt, this shows initiative and a willingness to adapt. * Don't hoard the knowledge! * Regularly seek feedback.

while you are an entry - Level Program manager it is very challenging and as entry Program manager i will do the following: 1. build your skills: Take courses like Project management. 2. seek To build your Network 3. Learn continuously and Get Feedback

While respecting the experience of your colleagues, don't be afraid to respectfully offer alternative perspectives or fresh ideas…. Your unique background and viewpoint could bring valuable insights to the table.

Each individual thinks differently. One gets entry into program management after successfully handling of number of projects. The past learnings from executed projects will help to contribute the ideas. So long as the idea is backed up with sound rationale , it's gets accepted easily. Openness is the key.

In my experience, I've quickly recognized the value of contributing fresh ideas to a team of high-career professionals. Despite initial reservations, I learned that my unique perspectives could lead to innovative solutions and enhance our projects. I ensure my contributions are well-researched and thoughtfully presented, often framing them as questions to foster collaborative discussion. Actively listening to experienced colleagues has deepened my understanding, allowing me to refine my suggestions. This approach has helped me gain respect and establish credibility within the team. By confidently sharing my insights and embracing collaboration, I've not only grown professionally but also made meaningful contributions to success.

Your unique viewpoint can be a game-changer. Embrace Your New Ideas: * Don't shy away from sharing your ideas during discussions. Your perspective can spark creative solutions. * Don't just point out problems; present well-thought-out suggestions for improvement. Building Credibility: * Do your research, Before meetings. * Clearly articulate how your ideas benefit the project. * Listen receptively to feedback on your suggestions. Gaining Respect: * Speak clearly and confidently, demonstrating your belief in your ideas. * Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and engage in constructive discussions rather than arguments. * Actively listen to their perspectives and use their insights to strengthen your own contributions.

Unpopular opinion, but if you're kickstarting your career as an entry-level program manager, remember ANY interaction you have can become a stepping stone and EVERY interaction is useful (even when it seems like not). Any opportunity like seeking a mentorship and learning, or networking will fuel your gut feeling and helps you to watch & learn from others that did it already. In short: every piece of feedback or advise might bring some level of novelty at the beginning of your career (or, in general when entering a new field) so give it some space. Lastly, the one single advice I'd give is that: don’t just build relationships—nurture them. Establish a rapport with mid-career managers and create a support network for yourself 💡

Building relationships is essential for an entry-level program manager because it fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing with more experienced mid-career managers. It helps in creating a supportive network for guidance, accelerates learning curves, and can open doors to new opportunities within the organization. Strong relationships are the foundation for a successful career in program management.

This is common that sometimes Program managers are less experienced than projects manager they are responsible for/ working closely with. Building relationships is one of the important factor for any job. But when you are entry level program manager who doesn't have authority but want program success it becomes more important. While dealing with senior/mid-career managers, having one on one equation takes you far ahead. You would be depending on their inputs for all sorts of data, metrices, milestones progress and what not. Fostering these relationships and showing curiosity and respect towards their learning and experience will take any entry level manager far in their career along with ensuring program success.

I've discovered that building strong relationships with experienced managers and directors is vital for my success. I make it a point to engage with them both professionally and socially, which has been instrumental in understanding their work styles and expectations. By genuinely listening and valuing their insights, I've been able to forge meaningful connections and contribute more effectively to our shared goals. These relationships have not only enhanced the work environment but have also provided me with a robust support network.

rechercher un mentorat solide et un soutien professionnel pour intégrer les évènements et les organismes internationaux pour apprendre des expériences des autres et mieux booster ma carrière professionnelle

Another thing is, do not feel intimidated or shy to ask questions when not clear about things. Know your onions. Be ready to learn as fast as possible. Be open minded to criticism, there is always some sense even in nonsense.

I take the time to reflect on the feedback thoughtfully and, when needed, I don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions. This ensures that I fully understand the context and the expectations, allowing me to formulate a targeted action plan for improvement. By actively seeking and responding to feedback, I demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning.

Here's how to strike the perfect balance between humility and confidence: Respecting Expertise: * Recognize the years of experience and the valuable knowledge they bring to the table. * Seek their guidance: Don't hesitate to ask for their input on complex program management challenges. Demonstrating Confidence: * Present your ideas with conviction backed by research and reasoning. * Recognize your strengths and the value you bring to the team. Finding the Balance: * Active listening * While acknowledging their experience, present your own well-thought-out viewpoints for consideration. * Focus on the success of the project above personal ego.

Beautiful and well articulated contributions. In addition, offering to assist or work with mid-level managers on certain projects or tasks also helps as well.

Some additional considerations for seeking success, Embrace Continuous Improvement: * Track your progress regularly * Seek feedback actively from stake holders * Celebrate small wins Develop Your Soft Skills: * Learn effective conflict resolution techniques. * Develop your negotiation skills. * Time management skills to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and ensure efficient program execution. Stay Organized: * Familiarize yourself with project management tools. * Transparent communication with all stakeholders throughout the program lifecycle. * Proactively identify potential risks and develop contingency plans. Build Your Brand: * Volunteer for challenging tasks. * Attend industry events * Stay up-to-date with certifications.