Natural project managers

I was talking to a great lady at the recent APM Awards Dinner - someone who was there with her partner - someone who said she didn't really understand project management.  Then, with no sense of irony she explained that she was restoring a 15th century spanish villa whilst being a single mum with three children, one disabled - and all this while working on a freelance basis to pay the bills.

I laughed and suggested maybe she should be the one getting the award!

She asked me what it took to be a great project manager.  My answer...

Someone who is naturally organised, but is also willing to be flexible.
Someone who naturally engages people, but is also skilled in communicating difficult messages.

In my experience there are some people who are naturals.  It's always great to meet them.