You're Doing It Right: Why There's No Single Path to Project Management Success

If you've ever felt like you're not "project managing" the right way, you're not alone. Maybe you see colleagues who seem to have every framework memorized, every process documented to perfection, while you're over here figuring things out as you go. Or perhaps you're the one with the detailed project plans and risk registers, watching others succeed with what looks like organized chaos.

Here's the truth: there's no single right way to be successful as a project manager.

👋 A quick introduction

If you’re new here, my name is Jonathan. 15 year Project Manager, Engineer and productivity-lover.

If you are obsessive (and want to do the best work in the quickest time) like me, have a look at my Gumroad page where there are a ton of free and paid resources for everything from using Artificial Intelligence to get more from your day, through to templates, cheat sheets and career tools to land that dream role. Because why start from scratch when someone has already created exactly what you need. Get them here.

Now back to the article.

Two Masters, Two Methods

Consider two of today's most influential thinkers: Robert Greene and Simon Sinek. Their approaches to their craft couldn't be more different, yet both have achieved remarkable success.

Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power and Mastery, is legendary for his research obsession.

He reportedly reads over 300 books for each project he writes. Greene believes that deep wisdom comes from immersing yourself completely in history, psychology, and strategy before distilling that knowledge into something actionable. He spends years building his foundation before he writes a single word for public consumption.

Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last, takes the opposite approach.

He's openly admitted that he's written more books than he's read.

Sinek's philosophy centers on turning lived experiences and real-world insights into compelling stories and frameworks. He believes in testing ideas in the field, gathering feedback from audiences, and iterating based on what actually works in practice.

Both men are bestselling authors. Both have influenced millions. Both are considered thought leaders in their respective spaces. Yet their methods are fundamentally opposite.

One is deep research and theory focused, the other relies heavily on practical experience and intuition.

Your Project Management Style Is Valid Too

This same principle applies to how we approach project management.

Maybe you're a Greene-style PM: you love the planning phase, you dive deep into stakeholder analysis, you build comprehensive risk registers, and you feel most confident when you've thoroughly researched similar projects and documented lessons learned. You thrive on preparation and feel uncomfortable moving forward without solid groundwork.

Or perhaps you're more of a Sinek-style PM: you prefer to start with a clear vision, get something minimal up and running quickly, and then iterate based on real feedback from users and stakeholders. You're comfortable with ambiguity and trust that the right solution will emerge through action and adaptation.

Here's what matters: both approaches work.

The Greene approach gives you the power of preparation. When you've done your homework, you can anticipate challenges, avoid common pitfalls, and build solutions on proven foundations. This methodology really shines in complex, high-stakes projects where failure isn't an option and the cost of mistakes is high.

The Sinek approach gives you the strength of rapid learning and adaptation. When you start with action, you get real-world feedback faster, you can pivot when assumptions prove wrong, and you build momentum that keeps stakeholders engaged. This works beautifully in innovative projects, fast-moving markets, or situations where requirements are likely to evolve.

The Real Skill: Knowing When to Use Which Approach

The most successful project managers don’t stick religiously to one method. They recognize what each situation demands.

Some projects need you to be Greene: researching compliance requirements thoroughly, understanding every stakeholder's concerns, and building detailed plans before you begin. Others need you to be Sinek: getting a prototype in front of users quickly, learning from their reactions, and adjusting your approach based on real data.

Your most likely have a natural tendency toward one approach. Leverage this appropriately.

You're Already Doing It Right

If you're reading this and thinking, "But I'm not good at the detailed planning stuff" or "I struggle with the agile, iterative approach," stop right there. The fact that you're aware of different approaches and thinking about your methodology means you're already on the right track.

Great project managers aren't perfect at everything. But they do shine at recognizing their strengths, understanding when those strengths are needed, and adapting when the situation calls for a different approach.

The next time you see a colleague managing projects differently than you do, don't assume they're doing it wrong or that you need to copy their method.

Instead, appreciate that both approaches have their place, and focus on becoming excellent at recognizing which road your current project needs you to take.

All the best,

Jonathan