I'm playing with the idea that there are 3 types of project managers:
1. Digital Firemen
2. Traffic Lights
3. Air Traffic Controllers
Digital Firemen put out fires. They troubleshoot. Or as my friend Drew Lucas describes it: "They triage the stress." They're ER docs who tirelessly work to stop the bleeding. People seem to dump on digital firemen and digital firemen are constantly putting out fires and making miracles happen. The problem with digital firemen is that they're usually overloaded and either implode or explode, depending on the situation and the personality. It's easy to overwork a digital fireman and that's typically when trouble arises.
Traffic Lights are needed and often times under appreciated -- they're really good at forwarding emails and passing on information. They're also good at "time releasing" information. Often times, traffic lights are gate keepers and only allow you certain information when you don't need it and no information when you need it most. Unfortunately, creative types who don't understand project management end up being traffic lights. They're high-level vision people who don't like to live in the details (even though that's where the devil is) and they often turn into traffic lights not by choice but because of their DNA.
Air Traffic Controllers (ATC's) coordinate from the best vantage point on the field. They keep all of the moving parts from crashing into each other and -- with the exception of some real air traffic controllers who have been known to nap on the job -- can do it gracefully. ATC's talk fast; they're able to articulate needs efficiently and effectively; they produce great results and usually save the day. But ATC's need digital firemen and traffic lights in order to succeed. ATC's can't do it alone and so they're not any more or less important than the firemen and traffic lights.
It is possible for you to be any one of these three at any given time. Sometimes I feel like a digital firemen on Monday, then I turn into a traffic light mid-week and end the week as an ATC. Everyone is different and each type has its pros & cons.
So which project manager are you?
