Project Manager and Total Team Player

“I enjoy engaging work as a project manager and very much thrive on being stretched – by a growing business, new tools, innovative technology, and where every client is different and there are greenfields projects to which we’re often at the bleeding edge.” 

Recently celebrating her third anniversary with LAB³, Kerrin has been a project manager for over 20 years and still absolutely enjoys the discipline. 

“From the beginning I found I was good at herding cats, juggling balls, pivoting, being agile and problem solving. And I really enjoy the discipline, tools & techniques of project management,” says Kerrin.

When she started out in project management, the framework largely adopted was Waterfall and although these days there’s also Scrum, Agile, Lean, and Kanban, Kerrin describes the flexibility of being able to adopt in full or in part (hybrid) these frameworks as providing flexibility to craft a process that truly fits the project, delivery and team. 

On top of her flair for spreadsheets, the secret to Kerrin’s success as a project manager is her high EQ – emotional intelligence. 

“As a project manager I am often in the trenches with the team,” explains Kerrin. “I might not have specific deep technical knowledge, but I certainly know enough to understand what is going on. I hear the questions being asked and pick up on the tone of conversations – measuring risk and potential pivot points,” says Kerrin. 

“I observe the sentiment in the team and pick up when people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed and my response is how to help balance, alleviate or mitigate.  The team dynamic and our ability to thrive and achieve successful project outcomes for our clients is always front of mind”. 

Interestingly, Kerrin notes there is no material difference to being able to do this in today’s remote work model as opposed to being physically in the office. And rates herself as being even more productive because of the increased ability to focus. 

“I enjoy working in the office on days when I do not have back-to-back meetings, when there’s time to socialise, which for me makes the commute time worth it.” 

With working from home, Kerrin is still perfecting the balance between work and down time, the more so given how much she enjoys her job.  

“When I notice that I am feeling stressed, I take myself for a short walk for a dose of Vitamin D or put a load of washing on – just to step away for five minutes and reset,” says Kerrin.

“There’s also the great network of people that we have at LAB³ who pass no judgement and who just “lend an ear” when needed for support during challenging times”.