Myth of Project Managers Only Sending Emails

You hired a Project Manager. Not a postman. Not a translator. Not a human firewall. But now they’re the only line between your employees and you. The only one “allowed” to talk to leadership. The only one “trusted” to deliver updates. Let’s be real: That’s not project management. That’s mismanagement of communication. Because when a PM becomes the mouthpiece, you lose signal. You lose nuance. You lose the people. Your team doesn’t need a middleman. They need a culture where feedback flows, both ways. They need to know it’s okay to speak. That they’ll be heard. That their voice isn’t filtered through someone else’s “version.” So no your PM shouldn’t be your comms department. They should run projects, not play messenger. If you want communication to work, evaluate it. Reward it. Improve it. That’s why we built Kodecrew. To give feedback where it matters. On the stuff that actually drives performance. Like communication. Like ownership. Because the moment you reduce communication to a single person, you’ve already lost the message.

Project Management - Perception vs. Reality Perception: Project Managers have a straightforward job: Moving tasks on a Gantt chart while sipping coffee. Sending quick emails like, “Please share your status.” Wrapping up with phrases like: "Let’s align for maximum impact." Reality: Morning: Starting the day with multiple "urgent" emails sent late at night because deadlines don’t follow working hours. Midday: Explaining to stakeholders that a six-month task cannot realistically be completed in one week, even if it’s labeled as "just a small change." Afternoon: Managing team dynamics: Developer: "The API isn’t responding." Tester: "It worked perfectly yesterday." Manager: "Is the release still on track?" You: calmly strategizing amidst challenges. Evening: Revising risk plans and preparing multiple backup strategies because unexpected issues are a given. The Real Skill: It’s not just about tools or certifications (though those are helpful). It’s about solving problems, listening effectively, managing priorities, and staying adaptable. The Takeaway: Project Managers play a crucial role in keeping things on track amidst complexity. If you’re one, acknowledge your efforts and the value you bring. And if you work with a Project Manager, show appreciation with a simple thank you or a kind gesture. Their work ensures that everything runs smoothly. Tag your fellow PMs and share your most memorable project management experiences in the comments. Let’s connect and share insights!

Good communication isn’t about saying more. (It’s about saying what matters.) Many new Project Managers think strong communication means: — More meetings — More updates — More reports But too much noise makes it hard to focus. If your team doesn’t understand what’s going on, more info won’t help. It just adds stress. Great PMs do the opposite. — They listen. — They simplify. — And they help their team feel heard and supported. Here are 5 ways to lead with better and kinder communication: 1. Talk Less. Say It Better. ↳ Skip the fancy words. ↳ Be clear and simple. ↳ Focus on why the task matters - not just what needs doing. 2. Make Space for Others to Speak ↳ Some team members stay quiet, even when they have ideas. ↳ Try: “Hey [Name], I’d love to hear your thoughts.” ↳ That one invite can build instant trust. 3. Check for Understanding, Not Just Progress ↳ Instead of asking, “Any questions?”, try: ↳ “Is anything unclear?” ↳ “What might slow us down?” ↳ It opens up honest answers. 4. Share Only What Matters ↳ When you send too many emails, people stop paying attention. ↳ Be brief. Be timely. Share only what’s needed. ↳ “Here’s the update for your task. Let me know if it’s unclear.” 5. Use Encouragement as a Tool ↳ Your words can lift people up. Say: ↳ “I know this is tough, but I trust you.” ↳ “You’re doing great work , thank you.” Communication is not just about giving instructions. It’s about building connections. The best PMs don’t just move projects forward. They create teams that feel calm, clear and confident. P.S. What’s one small way you’ll improve how you talk with your team this week?

I've been asked to do the most ridiculous things as a project manager. "Can you make a PowerPoint about why we need fewer PowerPoint presentations?" (For a software project) "Track how long people spend on their lunch breaks." (Actual request from a founder) "Can you follow up on why Sarah seems sad lately?" (I'm not a therapist... sorry Sarah) "Just send a weekly email with green, yellow, and red dots." (Everything's on fire, but sure, dots... gotcha) Here's what stakeholders are totally missing... Project managers aren't spreadsheet jockeys. We're looking at your project through a realistic lens. We don't succeed because we color-code your Excel dashboards perfectly. We succeed because we: • Turn your vague "Er, yeah... can you make it better?" into actionable tasks • Navigate office politics you pretend don't exist • Ask the uncomfortable questions you're avoiding • Bridge the gap between what you said and what you meant Every project dies from communication breakdowns, not missed deadlines. You don't need someone to "keep things organized." You need someone who can work through the problems and get people synchronized. That's why projects succeed or fail.

The moment you realize effective project management is more than crossing things off a list or sending reminder emails is the moment you actually see how powerfully it can transform, well, just about anything. Those of us who have had these moments are all nodding in agreement. 👋 Most of the time when I see a person or organization who has built something with sustainable, long term success, there is some really good project management happening behind the scenes (whether they realize it or not). That’s because success doesn’t usually just happen. It’s intentional. It’s strategic. It’s planned one step at a time, executed methodically, and periodically adjusted with grace. Sound familiar? And, again, I’m not talking about the ability to simply use project management software or literally make a list and check things off. Tons of people can do that (no offense). I’m talking about really getting it at a deep level. Stuff like: ✅ The ability to see the big picture while also having respect for the pieces that need to come together to make it happen. ✅ Further understanding the interconnectedness of all the bits in your project: the people, the resources, the time, the ideas, and the tasks. ✅ Practicing discipline and accountability in your activities, consistently and over long periods of time. Great project managers believe in their projects and are, therefore, committed to being good stewards. ✅ And finally, actually caring about everything listed above (rare, but not impossible to find). So if you’re a project manager wondering how you can level up your skills and become more valuable as a contributor, give this post another read. And if you’re on the lookout for your team’s next project manager, consider there’s a lot more to it than a fancy resume or laundry list of certifications. As always, I'm here to help. My inbox is open 📬

"Most Project Managers aren’t managers. They’re messengers." Too many PMs push emails and update spreadsheets—but never move the work. If you can’t tie buyout, submittals, and schedule into one plan, you’re not managing—you’re spectating. A real Project Manager: ✅ Links buyout to schedule (long-leads locked before they matter) ✅ Drives RFI/Submittal SLAs and chases decisions to closure ✅ Tells the client bad news early—with two executable options ✅ Protects fee by tracking exposure and packaging COs smart Hire for ownership first. Software skills are useless without it. If the job only moves when the superintendent saves it, you don’t have a PM—you have a note-taker. What’s the #1 habit you expect from a great PM?

Why does no one really understand what Project Managers do Great project manager is often invisible, and that’s exactly the point. What People Think Project Managers Do:  ❌ Assign tasks  ❌ Create Gantt charts ❌ Send reminders ❌ Sit in meetings all day What Project Managers Actually Do:  ➜ Align cross-functional teams with business goals ➜ Manage scope, timelines, budgets & resources ➜ Anticipate risks before they become issues ➜ Balance priorities, stakeholders, and delivery expectations ➜ Ensure smooth execution while enabling team success ➜ Keep chaos in check without being the center of attention Common Myths About PMs: ❌ Project managers just follow up on deadlines. ✓  Reality: They lead project strategy and execution end to end. ❌ PMs don’t add value in Agile. ✓  Reality: In hybrid setups, PMs align delivery across multiple teams. ❌ They just manage tasks, not people. ✓  Reality: PMs manage communication, motivation, expectations, and people. ❌ PMs are replaceable with tools. ✓  Reality: Tools can’t think ahead, adapt under pressure, or manage people. Still misunderstood as a PM? Share your story in the comments. ♻️ Repost to help others finally understand what PMs really do.  #ProjectManagement #BusinessAnalysis #Leadership #PMLife #ProjectManager 

Project management isn’t a supporting role. Period. I got off a client call last week where the COO said, “Project managers are there to support the real work of the business.” I smiled. Then realized they were serious. Let’s get this straight... Project managers don’t just schedule meetings and send reminders. We lead. We align. We deliver. We don’t support the work. We drive it forward. We create clarity when there’s chaos. We bring people together who don’t usually speak. We protect the team from distractions so they can focus. We turn vision into outcomes, and outcomes into impact. Think about the biggest wins in your organization. If a project manager was involved, chances are high that success wasn’t an accident. Instead, it was: → Intentional → Coordinated → Tracked → Delivered We’re not behind the scenes. We’re at the center of it all. What’s the craziest thing you have ever heard someone say about the role of a project manager?