Mastering Project Management: A Conversation with Nadege Minois

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Project management is often portrayed as a world of frameworks, methodologies, and structured plans. But as anyone in the field knows, real-world projects rarely go according to plan. I had the pleasure of speaking with Nadege Minois, a Project Management Specialist with a background in biology, who transitioned into managing IT and research projects before founding Coaching Vision—a consultancy dedicated to helping project managers improve communication and stakeholder engagement.

Her journey, insights, and candid reflections on the reality of project management were eye-opening. If you’re a student or an aspiring project manager struggling to break into the field, this conversation is packed with wisdom you don’t want to miss.

Nadege Minois, PhD, PMP

From Scientist to Project Manager: A Leap of Faith

Nadege’s transition into project management wasn’t something she meticulously planned. In fact, uncertainty led her there. While managing research projects, she realized she enjoyed the process of coordinating teams and ensuring everything ran smoothly. When faced with the need for a career change, she took a leap—despite not having formal project management training at the time.

This resonates with many of us. Often, we think we need to have every qualification before stepping into a role. But Nadege’s story proves that real-world experience, curiosity, and adaptability can be just as valuable as certifications.

The Myth of the Perfect Plan

If you’ve ever studied project management, you know the importance of planning. But here’s the reality: plans rarely go as expected.

According to Nadege, most projects don’t allow the luxury of detailed, upfront planning. “People are so eager to see results that they skip over the planning phase,” she shared. And even when you do plan, things change. The ability to adapt is what sets a great project manager apart.

Another major misconception? Communication. Project management isn’t just about holding meetings—it’s about making those meetings effective. Many PM courses teach stakeholder engagement but don’t dive into the nuances of real communication: handling resistance, managing conflicts, and ensuring everyone feels heard.

Dealing with "Difficult" Stakeholders

One of the biggest challenges in project management is stakeholder management—especially when you have people who resist change or seem impossible to please.

Nadege’s approach? Shift your mindset.

“Instead of seeing someone as a difficult stakeholder, ask yourself—why are they resisting? What are they afraid of? What do they see that you don’t?” She emphasized that most resistance comes from fear, misunderstanding, or lack of clarity.

When you take the time to listen and understand their concerns, you might discover they actually have valuable insights that could improve the project.

What Defines Project Success?

It’s not just about meeting deadlines. According to Nadege, a successful project is determined by three factors:

1️⃣ Delivering True Value – Does the project fulfill its intended purpose? Does it solve the right problem?

2️⃣ The Experience of the Team & Stakeholders – Would they willingly work with you again on another project?

3️⃣ Lessons Learned – Did the project leave insights that improve future projects?

The Biggest Lessons & Mistakes in Project Management

Even experienced PMs make mistakes, and Nadege was candid about hers.

One of the biggest? Trying to do everything.

“As a new project manager, I found myself acting as a business analyst, tester, problem-solver—everything except focusing on leading the project,” she admitted. “But a PM’s role is to orchestrate, not do it all.”

Another mistake? Following the textbook too rigidly. While methodologies are important, practical experience and adaptability matter more than blindly following a process.

Breaking Into Project Management Without Experience

One of the biggest hurdles for aspiring PMs is gaining experience without already having a PM job. Nadege’s advice?

✅ Volunteer – Find organizations that need help managing projects.

✅ Create Your Own Project – Gather a team, set a goal, and run it like a real project.

✅ Leverage Past Experience – Many jobs involve project-like work; frame your experience in a way that highlights your PM skills.

✅ Keep Learning & Networking – Engage with the PM community, seek mentors, and never stop refining your skills.

The Future of Project Management

According to Nadege, the biggest shift in project management is moving from task management to leadership.

"Project managers today need more than technical skills—they need to be leaders, strategists, and communicators," she explained. AI and automation will also play a role, but they won’t replace PMs. Instead, they’ll serve as powerful tools to streamline processes and decision-making.

However, the core of project management will remain human-centric. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strong leadership will be the defining factors of great project managers.

Final Thoughts

Project management is challenging, dynamic, and constantly evolving. But as Nadege highlighted, it’s also one of the most rewarding careers—one where you can drive real change, help teams grow, and deliver meaningful impact.

For those struggling to break into the field, her advice is clear: start where you are, seek opportunities to apply your skills, and focus on mastering communication and leadership.

If you’re an aspiring project manager, what’s your biggest challenge right now? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!