Quick Hits: Shikha Vaidh, PMI-ACP, PMP

Shikha Vaidh, PMI-ACP, PMP
Location: Bengaluru
Title: Project Manager
Organization: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
Industry/Sector: IT

What three adjectives best describe you?
Creative, flexible and adventurous.

Why does the world need project leaders?
Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.

What’s the best project management advice you’ve received?
Set realistic expectations, practice effective time management and always keep stakeholders informed.

What’s the one must-have skill for project leaders?
Agility is essential in today’s competitive, disruptive and uncertain environment.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
I was a part of managing the event management system for FIFA World Cup 2010. I learned a lot from real-time technical challenges. I also grew as a leader by learning to manage people efficiently.

What guides your project management thinking?
Create clear and concise project goals along with well-defined team responsibilities. In absence of these, it is hard to have the right vision and accountability to ensure successful project delivery.

What advice do you have for new project managers?
Make realistic promises, not optimistic ones. Give your team a shared sense of ownership. Put people ahead of process by knowing the team’s strengths and motivations. These things help project managers build trust and rapport—and boost productivity.

How has the pandemic affected your leadership style?
It made me that I was less in control of things than I once believed I was. By learning to trust team members, my peace of mind has improved because every individual now plays an active role in contributing to the organization’s vision.

How do you relieve stress?
I generally prefer self-care like meditation. I also prioritize getting enough sleep.

What movie are you recommending these days?
Chak De! India. It’s a masterclass in showing resilience in the face of all odds. It also showcases the value of a leader and how they can encourage a team to overcome.

_{Photo credit: Neeta Shankar}

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