Mark van Offenbeek has been working as a project manager at Stevens Van Dijck for two years. Previously, he was a property manager at several organizations. What is his role in construction projects?
Building is people work. That is perhaps my most important lesson so far in this profession. Of course, we all work and reason from a construction engineering background. Contributing to better buildings is paramount at Stevens Van Dijck. But as a project manager, I must have an unerring sense of what the person opposite me needs in order to do his or her job well. And how I can help with that.
Because that’s my role, in projects: to be the lynchpin between client and contractor, or other specialists involved. I’m constantly having to level with people, with different wishes, interests, preferences and backgrounds. Sometimes the velvet glove fits, while at other times clarity works best. Sometimes you have to negotiate, or sound out exactly what the other person means. Not everyone immediately says what he or she wants, or expresses himself or herself clearly. It’s up to me to figure that out. Because getting that building done within the client’s schedule and budget requires a team. Forging that team and keeping it on track is what we do. If you make sure that every member of the team feels seen and understood, you make them a partner, responsible, full-fledged part of a greater whole. That’s how you create an ideal situation as far as I’m concerned. There is trust: you can tell each other what you think about something, even if you have a different opinion. And together you are prepared to go the extra mile. So that you can lift the project you are working on together to a higher level. If that works, then my mission is accomplished.
