Being a Jack of all trades is often how we feel in our delivery roles, whether as a Delivery Lead, Delivery Manager or Delivery Consultant. It turns out, according to Forbes, that juggling multiple skills isn’t just a necessity—it’s a key to success!
Delivery roles are a balancing act. There’s what the organization wants you to do, what your job description says you should be doing, and then—of course—what you actually end up doing. Spoiler alert: it varies wildly, sometimes by the day, sometimes by the hour. The magic is in adapting to whatever challenge pops up. This is where being a jack of all trades really shines—calling on a variety of skills, switching contexts like a pro, and pulling just the right tool from your well-stocked toolbox.
Personally, my career path has been a bit of a winding road. I started in a lab as a bench chemist (yes, really), then moved into project management where I was all about hitting deadlines and keeping Gantt charts tidy. Eventually, I found my way to agile delivery, which shifted my focus toward team coaching, fostering collaboration, and generally trying to keep everyone happy. Why? Because happier teams tend to be more productive. Oh, and deadlines? Yep, they’re still very real in the agile world—more on that in another blog!
One of the best explanations I’ve come across for what a delivery manager actually does comes from Emily Webber's blog. She breaks it down into three key areas: lean agile practices, team health & happiness, and delivery support. Simple, right? Well, sort of. Those are just the big categories. Beneath them lies a sea of essential skills like servant leadership, communication, and facilitation.
When you look at that list, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So much to do, so little time. But here’s the thing: you’ve got this! (Even when imposter syndrome whispers otherwise.)
If you’re in delivery, you’ve probably felt imposter syndrome at some point. Maybe it’s because you’re not as “technical” as the engineers, or because you’re faced with a challenge you’ve never seen before, and suddenly feel like you’re not an expert in anything. Sound familiar?
The good news is, the agile community is incredibly supportive. There are tons of meetups—both online and in person—where you can swap stories, share struggles, and learn how others have conquered their own bouts of imposter syndrome. Networking with peers going through the same things can be super refreshing. And hey, if you ever need a chat, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help!
There you have it—being a jack of all trades might just be your secret weapon in the world of delivery. After all, who wouldn’t want to be versatile, adaptable, and ready for whatever challenge comes next?