Plot Twist: You're Basically the COO

Happy Thursday, PM Community!

A few years ago, I was juggling 5 cross-functional projects, each with different teams, priorities, and chaos levels. On paper, I was “just” the project manager. But in practice? I was setting direction, managing capacity, interpreting financial data, smoothing out ops issues, and — let’s be honest — coaching people through change.

One day a stakeholder said, “You’re basically our COO.”

It stopped me in my tracks.

I wasn’t trying to be the COO, but I realized something powerful:

The Big Shift ✨

Project managers who thrive don’t just manage timelines. They lead operations.

Here’s what happens when you start thinking like a COO:
- You stop reacting to project fires and start preventing them.
- You zoom out to understand how your project fits into the bigger business picture.
- You make decisions rooted in strategy, not just speed and completion.

The modern PM is more than a task manager. You’re a translator between vision and execution. That means understanding:
- Priorities: What actually moves the business forward?
- People: What does your team need to operate at their best?
- Processes: What’s repeatable, scalable, and clear?

Here’s a mindset shift I use often with my 1:1 clients 🧠 

When a challenge hits your project, ask yourself: “If I were a COO, how would I solve this?”

Would you rework the workflow to reduce friction?
Clarify roles and responsibilities to cut the noise?
Push back on misaligned priorities to protect your team’s focus?

This question alone can shift you from reactive mode to strategic mode.

Ready to Think Like a COO? 🤔

If you’re leading projects but want to lead with more strategy, clarity, and operational insight—this is your next step.

Grab my mini-guide: Do You Think Like a COO?

It’s packed with the 10 practical prompts to help you lead like the strategic partner your team needs.

Your Turn 📣

Where in your current project could you show up with a COO lens? Reply and tell me what you’re navigating. I’d love to feature your question in a future issue.

Until next shift,
Tanesha @The PM Shift