Hi Reader,
Before entering the field of project management, I genuinely had no idea what the field was all about.
Someone suggested I'd be a good fit for a project management position where I was working and encouraged me to apply. I promptly researched the Project Management Institute (PMI), found the contact information for a local chapter, and made a call.
The person who answered was enthusiastic and shared insights about the role of project managers. When I asked if they were happy with their work, they replied that they loved it, especially when tackling challenging and interesting projects.
Below average happiness
A reader recently shared an article summarizing research on the happiness levels of project managers. This career-focused organization surveyed approximately 6,000 project managers and discovered that their happiness levels were below average.
The survey assessed their job satisfaction by examining factors such as salary, sense of job meaning, personality fit, work environment, and skills utilization. Notably, only 2.8 out of 5 project managers reported finding meaningfulness in their work.
Let's first acknowledge that "happy" is a complex and subjective term. How do we assess someone else's level of happiness? And what factors influence our happiness levels? I believe these results are missing a key factor – how motivated project managers feel with their work.
Personally, I'm more motivated when I work on challenging projects with engaged stakeholders who are eager to tackle problems together, such as working together on a clean energy project to provide power to a remote northern community.
Get happy now - People and motivation
Let's put aside project managers and focus on people in general. When someone decides to prepare a fancy six-course meal, including a crème brûlée dessert which is my personal favourite, it's likely they're highly motivated. They might be a master chef, someone learning to cook, or trying to impress a special person in their life.
If you're highly motivated, the outcome of your efforts will likely make you proud and satisfied with your work. And ultimately, happy with the work you did.
Daniel H. Pink’s Motivation Theory shows that people are motivated by three factors: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. This theory provides valuable insight into what motivates us, offering us important knowledge to keep in our back pocket.
Autonomy is about wanting the freedom to guide our own lives. Mastery involves getting better at something we care about. And, of course, there's purpose—the drive to contribute to something larger than ourselves.
Motivated by our projects
Were the project managers in this survey genuinely excited about their work and the projects they led, or were they truly unhappy? It's hard to say. Motivation in both our work and personal lives can significantly impact our happiness.
When we're motivated by what we do, like cooking a fancy dinner for an appreciative person, this can translate into greater happiness and personal fulfillment. Understanding specific factors that drive a project manager's enthusiasm can shed light on their overall sense of satisfaction in their role. And exploring these motivations can not only enhance their job satisfaction, but also improve the outcomes of the projects they are leading.
Tips for project professionals and executives
For Project Managers:
- Feeling motivated in your work is important. It not only enhances your overall happiness but also translates into more successful and fulfilling projects.
- When you’re engaged and inspired, it positively affects how you manage your daily tasks and interactions, leading to a happier work experience.
For Executives:
- It's important to keep your staff motivated. A motivated project team is more productive, innovative, and committed, which ultimately drives the success of your organization.
- By fostering an environment that encourages motivation, we can ensure employees not only thrive professionally but also find happiness in their work. This, in turn, creates a positive culture that benefits everyone involved.
The person I spoke to over the phone at PMI years ago really stood out to me. They seemed to embody the best of both worlds—being incredibly motivated while also genuinely happy in their job. It was inspiring to see someone who found such a perfect balance between drive and contentment in their professional life, and they motivated me to pursue the PM career I now have.
I wonder if this person could also whip up an awesome crème brûlée?
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Barbara Kephart, PMP
Founder and Chief Project Officer
Projects Pivot
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