What Makes an Iconic Project Manager So Special

A casual conversation turned into one of those moments that make you stop and think. 

The other day in the office, a casual conversation turned into one of those moments that make you stop and think. 

Oscar was telling me how he’s worked alongside project managers from a range of other companies, including some very large consultancies, and it’s made him appreciate just how exceptional our own team is. With obvious pride, he said, ‘our team is in a different league.’ 

Rachel, without missing a beat, agreed and it wasn’t just friendly bias - she’s seen the difference up close too. 

What followed was one of those quick-fire, slightly chaotic, entirely heartfelt chats that often happen in our office. Between the laughter and the knowing looks, we found ourselves articulating something important: our project managers really are world class.

That isn’t because we’ve got the biggest brand name, the flashiest systems, or a 200-slide training manual, but because of the way we work, the values we live by, and the kinds of people we choose to hire. 

We don’t do ‘good enough’, we don’t hide behind process for the sake of process, and we certainly don’t believe that delivering a project is just about ticking contractual boxes. For us, project management is personal. 

The Iconic Difference: Why Our Project Managers Stand Out 

1. We genuinely care 

Rachel put it perfectly: ‘Every single member of our team genuinely cares about the people and the projects. We all want the best possible outcome and won’t settle for “good enough.”’ 

It sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly rare. In some organisations, ‘care’ is a word you find in a mission statement but never quite see in action.

With us, it’s the fuel for everything we do. It’s why our project managers pick up the phone instead of firing off a vague email. It’s why they’ll take the time to walk a site with a contractor in the rain, not because they have to, but because it matters to the project. 

When you care, ‘scope’ isn’t just a list of deliverables - it’s a promise. ‘Programme’ isn’t just a schedule - it’s a commitment to the people relying on you. ‘Budget’ isn’t just numbers in a spreadsheet - it’s the trust your client has placed in your judgement. 

That’s why, when something isn’t right, we don’t look the other way, we don’t hope someone else will fix it, we roll up our sleeves, we have the hard conversations, and we make it right. If you genuinely care, you don’t accept ‘good enough’, you work until it’s the best it can possibly be. 

2. Collaboration as partnership 

We don’t see clients and contractors as two opposing sides to be ‘managed’, we see them as partners working towards the same end goal.

That shift in mindset changes everything. 

True collaboration means we’re all pulling in the same direction, openly sharing information, ideas, and even mistakes. It means inviting input from the people on the ground who see challenges first-hand, and treating that input as valuable, not inconvenient. It means contractors feel safe to flag risks early, knowing they won’t be blamed but will be supported to find a solution. 

This approach removes the ‘us versus them’ mentality that so often plagues construction projects. Instead, it creates a united team - one where successes are celebrated together and setbacks are tackled side-by-side. 

The result? Fewer disputes, faster problem-solving, and stronger relationships that outlast the project itself. When you work as genuine partners, the project’s success becomes personal to everyone involved. 

3. Broad, Hands-On Experience from Day One 

At Iconic, nobody is pigeonholed into a narrow role - not even our apprentices.

From the very start, our project managers are exposed to a wide range of projects, sectors, and client needs. 

We believe breadth breeds brilliance. The more varied the experience, the better equipped our team is to adapt, problem-solve, and bring creative solutions to the table.

A project manager who’s worked on heritage restorations, airport infrastructure, and high-end residential developments doesn’t just have a bigger technical toolkit, they also understand how different stakeholders think, what matters most in each context, and how to tailor their approach accordingly. 

For our apprentices, this philosophy means real-world responsibility from day one. They’re not tucked away in a corner, producing endless programmes in MS Project for someone else’s project. Instead, they’re out on site, contributing to meetings, and delivering tangible outcomes, always with the full support of experienced mentors who are there to guide, challenge, and celebrate their growth. 

It’s not about throwing people in the deep end, it’s about giving them the opportunity to swim, knowing we’re right there alongside them. 

4. Radical Transparency 

Problems don’t get better with age so, at Iconic, we believe that telling the truth early, even when it’s uncomfortable, is one of the most powerful tools a project manager can have. 

When something isn’t going to plan, our clients hear about it immediately, along with our plan to put it right. We know that delays in delivering hard news can turn minor issues into major crises.

By addressing problems openly and early, we give everyone involved the best possible chance to correct course and protect the project’s outcome. 

Radical transparency also means being honest with ourselves and with our partners - clients, contractors, and colleagues alike. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it. If we see a risk, we flag it. If something could be done better, we say so, always with the aim of achieving the shared goal, never to score points. 

This level of openness builds trust. Over time, it creates a culture where everyone can focus on solutions rather than blame and that’s when the real progress happens. 

5. Don’t Be an Arsehole 

It might sound blunt, but it’s our core value and it’s non-negotiable.

At Iconic, ‘don’t be an arsehole’ means we treat everyone with respect, even when the pressure is on and tempers could flare. It means no egos, no politics, no throwing someone under the bus to make our own life easier. 

In practice, it looks like project managers who pick up the phone instead of firing off a passive-aggressive email, who take ownership instead of shifting blame, and who collaborate rather than compete. It’s about recognising that construction is a team sport and every player, from apprentice to client CEO, matters. 

This value isn’t just a nice idea for the handbook. It’s lived and reinforced daily.

When everyone holds themselves to this standard, trust flourishes, relationships strengthen, and the work gets done better and faster.

The absence of arseholery might not be measurable on a Gantt chart, but its impact is written all over the projects we deliver and the reputation we’ve built. 

The Iconic Difference 

We may not be the biggest team in the industry, but our impact speaks volumes.

What sets Iconic project managers apart isn’t just technical skill (and, yes, we have plenty of that!), it’s the unique blend of culture, competence, and character that runs through everything we do. And those things don’t happen by accident. They’re built deliberately, nurtured daily, and protected fiercely. 

If you’re a client looking for a partner who’ll care about your project as much as you do, a collaborator who values transparency and teamwork, or a project manager who wants to work somewhere that will bring out your very best, come and experience the Iconic difference for yourself. 

Author

Lizzie Hewitt

Lizzie is the CEO of Iconic Project Management and the driving force behind its bold, people-first culture. Known for her blend of strategic clarity and creative flair, she leads with purpose, passion, and just the right amount of rebellion. Lizzie builds resilient teams, delivers impactful results, and is quietly transforming the construction industry into a space where both people and projects are empowered to thrive.