Fiction for the Project Manager’s Soul: Lessons from American Psycho

Written by Sibhongile Lachish Chitengi

?In 1991, Bret Easton Ellis published the controversial novel American Psycho, introducing a deeply unsettling protagonist. The story was later adapted into a film in 2000, starring Christian Bale, arguably the best Batman (don’t @ me). Set in 1980s Manhattan, the plot follows Patrick Bateman, a seemingly charming and successful businessman working on Wall Street. When you picture a project manager, Bateman is probably not who comes to mind. Yet his world of cold precision, obsession with perfection, and meticulous attention to detail oddly resemble traits of a highly effective (though perhaps terrifying) project manager—minus the psychopathy, of course.

Section 1: Obsession with Details

Bateman’s meticulousness is almost supernatural. Nothing slips through the cracks, whether it’s his carefully curated business card or morning skincare routine. As PMs, while we don’t need to be quite that extreme, there’s something to be said about?maintaining a high level of detail-oriented focus—it keeps projects running smoothly. The smallest oversight in a timeline or task assignment could derail the entire operation.

Takeaway for PMs:

• Keep your “business card” perfect—your timeline and project details should be spotless. It doesn’t mean obsessing over fonts, but your attention to detail can be the difference between smooth sailing and absolute chaos.

Section 2: Control and Adaptability

Bateman needs control, and while it often manifests in... more sinister ways, control for a PM is about?managing chaos and bringing order. Projects, like Bateman’s life, can spiral out of control if not carefully handled. The key difference? While Bateman loses himself in the need for control, a PM must know when to adapt, when to let go of minor issues, and when to focus on the bigger picture.

Takeaway for PMs:

• Unlike Bateman, you can’t (and shouldn’t) control everything. Learn to?compartmentalise and adapt. Know which tasks are worth obsessing over and which are not.

Section 3: Perfection vs. Progress

Bateman’s obsession with perfection is unmatched. Every suit, every dinner reservation, every encounter must be just right. In project management, while perfection is often a goal, it’s also a trap. A successful PM knows that?progress beats perfection every time. You can’t afford to get stuck on making something perfect, even if you have an incessant itch in your PM brain to do so over and over—projects are about moving forward and learning as you go.

Takeaway for PMs:

• Don’t fall into the trap of endless revisions and overthinking. Trust me, I know it’s hard, but?Progress over perfection?should be your mantra. Projects are living, breathing entities, and they’ll never be “perfect”—but they can be delivered with great quality and still excel, even if it’s not always as on time as you’d want.

Section 4: The Importance of Presentation

Bateman’s obsession with appearance is key to his life. For a project manager, the way you present a project—whether to clients, stakeholders, or your team—is crucial. Just like Bateman’s pristine suits and polished persona, your project updates, reports, and communications need to be?clear, concise, and visually appealing. I myself am a sucker for a well-structured progress tracker, and that can be the project equivalent of a sharp Tom Ford suit.

Takeaway for PMs:

• Presentation matters. Whether you’re leading a meeting or delivering a final product, make sure your message is clear, well-organized, and polished. It shows confidence and leadership – something I’m still learning and working on remembering and practicing.

Section 5: Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

Okay, so Bateman clearly doesn’t have this one figured out. But his character shines a light on what happens when work obsession and personal turmoil collide. For PMs, maintaining balance is critical—burnout can be just as destructive as ignoring project details. You have to know when to step away, regroup, and return with a clear head, something Bateman never quite masters.

Takeaway for PMs:

• Unlike Bateman, learn to set boundaries between your work and personal life. You can be committed to your project without losing your sanity (or anyone else's!). A pro tip I learned from my CEO is to take small, regular breaks. Unfortunately, there's no room for six-month vacations, no matter how much you swear you deserve a mental health leave, but a pro tip: an uninterrupted, work-free one-hour lunch break can save you from a lot of impatient outbursts and office bathroom tears.

Conclusion:

Patrick Bateman might not be the first role model you think of when it comes to project management, but his character highlights both the pitfalls and the power of certain PM traits. Attention to detail, controlling chaos, and maintaining a sharp presentation can elevate any project manager’s game. Just remember—don’t take it to Bateman’s extreme. Success is about finding balance, not perfection…. Hard to accept for a project manager, trust me I know.