Flying High into Q4: How Project Leaders Can Soar to Success

I love the fly! Until recently, I never really thought about how the invention of the airplane has literally transformed the way we travel around the world!

An Unboxed PM can transform projects, organizations, and most importantly, themselves.

When the Wright brothers took their first flight in 1903, they likely couldn't have imagined the global impact their invention would have. What started as a 12-second journey in the skies evolved into the foundation for modern-day air travel—connecting continents, boosting economies, and making the world more accessible to all. The airplane, in all its innovation, strategy, and persistence, mirrors the journey of a project leader in today’s fast-paced world.

As we approach the final stretch of 2024, project leaders have the opportunity to reflect on their year, make necessary adjustments, and chart a flight path toward finishing strong. Like the Wright brothers, who had a vision but needed strategy and innovation to make it a reality, I believe that as an Unboxed PM, you can use these traits to aid in your success in wrapping up the year.

Let’s dive into strategies for an Unboxed PM to lead with purpose, elevate performance, and finish 2024 on a high note.

1. Look Back to Fly Forward

Before the Wright brothers achieved their dream of flight, they spent years studying and testing their ideas. The key to their breakthrough wasn’t just in looking ahead but understanding what had and hadn’t worked in the past. As a project leader, it's crucial to review the year's progress. What milestones did you hit? Where were there setbacks? By evaluating the journey so far, you can gather insights to help you recalibrate and make the most of the remaining quarter.

Unboxed Tip: Dedicate time to reviewing your team’s progress. Celebrate wins, acknowledge challenges, and involve your team in discussing lessons learned. This will build trust and foster a collaborative mindset for Q4.

2. Innovate Like an Aviation Pioneer

The Wright brothers didn’t just stick to the status quo—they continually sought out new ways to solve problems. They were innovators at heart, willing to take risks and think beyond existing technology. As the year wraps up, be prepared to introduce fresh ideas and creative solutions to keep your team engaged and energized.

Unboxed Tip: Think about what hasn't been tried yet. What innovative solutions or approaches can you implement to streamline processes or tackle lingering challenges? Encourage your team to brainstorm and experiment with different methods to overcome obstacles.

3. Strategize for a Smooth Landing

Flying isn’t just about soaring through the skies—it’s about making a smooth landing, too. Wrapping up projects at year-end requires precision, planning, and coordination. Whether you have projects closing out or new ones starting in Q1, having a clear roadmap will help you glide into the next phase without turbulence.

Unboxed Tip: Build a detailed project wrap-up plan with specific milestones and deadlines. Communicate this plan clearly to all stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned and knows what needs to happen to finish strong. Set goals that bridge the end of this year into the start of the next.

4. Leverage Natural Abilities and Talents

Just like the first pilots relied on their skills and instincts to navigate the skies, project leaders must tap into their own natural abilities to succeed. Whether it's your knack for communication, strategic thinking, or leadership presence, leaning into your strengths will allow you to inspire your team and tackle challenges confidently. I like to refer to this as your "Professional DNA" - your defined natural ability to succeed.

Unboxed Tip: Reflect on your leadership abilities and how they’ve evolved this year. How can you leverage those strengths and your Professional DNA in the last quarter? Consider how you can empower your team members to use their talents to push the project forward.

5. Prepare for Future Flight

The invention of the airplane didn’t stop with the Wright brothers. Every iteration that followed—jet engines, commercial airliners, and modern spacecraft—represented growth, innovation, and transformation. As an Unboxed PM, your role is to embrace this mindset of continuous improvement, ensuring that you and your team are not only wrapping up the year but also preparing for greater heights in 2025.

Unboxed Tip: Start laying the groundwork for 2025. Think ahead about new opportunities, upcoming challenges, and where you want to take your team next. Continuous growth is key to staying ahead and positioning yourself for long-term success.

The evolution from the first airplane to modern flight is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when vision, strategy, and innovation come together. As you wrap up 2024, think of yourself as the pilot of your team’s journey. Use these strategies to guide your team through the final quarter and beyond, and to position yourself for career advancement in the coming year!

#leadership #projectleadership #careerdevelopment #projectmanagement #UnboxedPM

About The Author: Tareka Wheeler

Tareka Wheeler is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than 20 years of project and program management experience in the public and private sectors. She is a wife, mom, Senior Project Management Executive, Career & Work-life Strategist, and Podcast Host of the DNA of a Professional Podcast.

She often lends her voice and expertise to various podcasts and conferences, and Tareka serves as a mentor for professionals seeking to advance in project management. Tareka is also an author, along with an incredible group of leaders in project management. Discover a treasure trove of wisdom and practical guidance in Executing Excellence: Actionable Insights from 10 Savvy Project Managers. This practical, thoughtful book brings together a diverse group of experienced project managers from various fields, including construction, consulting, software, and more.

As founder of the career development and consultancy, T. Wheeler Strategic Solutions, her team specializes in empowering professionals and organizations to accelerate their growth and strategically achieve their goals through project management, personal branding, and strategic planning.

Tareka is also the founder of The Unboxed PM, a movement and community designed to reshape the narrative for women in project leadership and empower them to boldly take up space, obliterate gender disparities in project leadership, and secure project leader and executive roles.

When she's not busy serving, leading, and strategizing, you'll find her at home with her husband, spending time with her three children, or hanging out with her family's two fur babies.