Do You Want More Than Just Delivery?
- Influence decisions
- Align with business priorities
- Lead high-visibility programs
- Be seen as a strategic partner — not a delivery machine
💡 “Technical skills might get you the job. Business acumen is what gets you promoted.”
What is Business Acumen?
First, I want you to see why I am talking about Business Acumen for PM Career Growth! Check out the video below.
Business acumen is our ability to understand beyond just our project. It is understanding the WHY…. Why are you doing the project. What value are you bringing to your business and its strategic goal!
In 2012, I was in the middle of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. We’d just got back from a 45 day operation. And on top of being tired, I was confused as to what the purpose was for me being out doing what we were doing.
Venting frustration to my boss, he explained to me the strategic purpose of what we were doing over the past month and a half. I was stuck with a blinder that only showed me what I was doing in the moment.
But there was more going on in the area that I was not aware of and suddenly things made more sense.
I also learned at that time to ask questions early as to “Why” – and as the PM, find out WHY you are doing what you are doing. Why is your project important. What is the goal beyond delivery to meet strategic success for your organization.
It will make you better as a PM and make you better as a professional in your organization. Increasing your Business Acumen!
Why Business Acumen Is Your Career Multiplier
- Only 18% of PMs demonstrate high business acumen
- These PMs outperform their peers across every success metric
- They’re more likely to earn trust, expand scope, and influence enterprise-level initiatives
Your Next Step: Build Strategic Fluency
- Learn to Think in Business Terms
- How does your project affect revenue, customer experience, or competitive advantage?
- Talk to your stakeholders about these topics
- Practice Framing Outcomes as Value
- Instead of saying “we launched the tool,” say “we helped reduce processing time by 40%.”
- Speak Their Language
- Stakeholders care about margin, retention, risk, and growth.
- Learn to link your work to theirs.
The Risk Blog is a part of Forty-Four Risk PM, LLC.
