“What’s your secret to being a good project manager?” a friend asked me on a web project during my funemployment days.

I jokingly answered, “I like bossing people around.”

But I have discovered recently that it’s more than just that. It’s about shoving. It’s about communicating. The concept from start to finish. It’s about delivering the support, providing that support, knowing when to provide the support when needed. It’s about keeping everyone’s best interests at heart—but knowing how to prioritize when there are pressures coming from above and keeping the members on the team happy. It’s also about telling those far above you what to expect, what they need to give…and taking ownership, because nobody else will. The project becomes your baby—you water it carefully, prune the unneeded parts, fertilize it with the support, and let the sun fall in…stabilizing the temperature all day.

Several months ago, I planned a huge event with a friend. A large reunion from an organization at Berkeley. I enjoyed the planning, the scheduling of activities and organizing the vendors. There was chaos yes. Long meetings. Disagreement. Task assignment. Yet ultimately, the funny thing was…I loved the planning more than the execution. I wanted to see the pieces falling into place, but seeing it come fruition was the last part I wanted.