Project managers are accustomed to managing risks and navigating unforeseen challenges, but what happens when the unexpected hits close to home? For Michelle Dickstein, a nonprofit PMP, managing large-scale, mission-driven projects became deeply personal when life threw her not one, but two major curveballs. From discovering she was pregnant with twins while working on a maternal health project to later facing a cancer diagnosis, Michelle’s story highlights the importance of adaptability, open communication, and leaning on resources when personal challenges collide with professional responsibilities.
Twins and Timelines
Imagine managing a grant-funded project aimed at reducing preterm births and discovering midway that you’re carrying twins. That’s exactly what happened to Michelle. Her role required her to coordinate maternal-fetal medicine doctors, nurses, and social workers to identify and support mothers at risk for preterm birth. Suddenly, she found herself as both the project manager and an at-risk patient.
"I knew too much about preterm births," Michelle recalls, "and now I was at high risk myself."
While this situation was unexpected, Michelle leaned on her project management skills to navigate it. She planned ahead, communicated openly with her manager and team, and ensured her responsibilities were covered during critical moments. By treating her own situation like a project—complete with contingencies and clear communication—she was able to balance the demands of her role while preparing for her twins’ arrival.
Hear more about this experience on the Wear Your Cape to Work podcast episode: "Spreadsheets are My Jam."
Facing the Uncontrollable: A Cancer Diagnosis
Unlike her pregnancy, which allowed some level of preparation, Michelle’s cancer diagnosis brought challenges that were far less predictable. While managing nonprofit projects already filled with complexities, she was faced with something entirely out of her control. How would she be able to control her treatments and how her body would respond? This time, her approach shifted.
- Open Communication: Michelle immediately informed her manager about the diagnosis, explaining how it might impact her workload and availability. Transparency was critical in ensuring her team could adjust expectations and redistribute tasks if necessary.
- Leaning on Resources: This time, Michelle relied heavily on her team and organizational tools. Utilizing project management platforms, she centralized project updates, ensuring minimal disruption despite her reduced capacity. Tools that tracked cross-project dependencies and captured real-time data across teams became lifelines, allowing her to maintain visibility without being in the weeds of daily tasks.
- Prioritizing Self-Care: Michelle recognized the importance of taking care of herself to be effective in both her personal recovery and professional responsibilities. This balance required setting boundaries, delegating effectively, and accepting help when offered.
Hear more about this experience on the Wear Your Cape to Work podcast episode: "Spreadsheets are My Jam."
Lessons Learned: Adapting When Life Happens
Michelle’s experiences offer valuable lessons for project managers navigating personal challenges:
Communicate Early and Often: Whether planning for an expected event or responding to a crisis, open communication with managers and stakeholders builds trust and ensures the team can adjust as needed.
Use Tools Strategically: Lean on project management platforms to centralize updates, track dependencies, and keep everyone aligned when you’re unable to be fully present.
Plan Where You Can: For foreseeable challenges, like pregnancy, set up contingency plans and timelines to ensure coverage during your absence.
- Adapt to the Unpredictable: When facing uncontrollable situations, prioritize flexibility and rely on your team to help shoulder responsibilities.
Life’s unexpected moments don’t have to derail your professional journey. Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of personal challenges, strong communication, strategic planning, and effective use of resources can keep projects on track. By embracing vulnerability and leaning on your team, you can navigate even the toughest pivots with resilience.
For tools to help manage your projects and stay organized during life’s unpredictable moments, explore more about Project Insight.