<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true">The article highlights the often invisible work of a project manager (PM) in managing stakeholders and navigating challenges in a team.PMs are described as part therapist, translator, and political diplomat, responsible for managing egos, agendas, and priorities.Effective PMs are portrayed as persuasive and skilled at influencing discussions and decisions without being loud.Real alignment work involves daily interactions and reminders of the project's goals and challenges in various team settings.PMs are tasked with being the keeper of the project's purpose while ensuring consistency in the team's efforts.Managing priorities is crucial, where saying 'yes' to one feature often means saying 'no' to another.Great PMs approach saying 'no' by suggesting alternatives, phasing in features, or validating needs before committing resources.The job of a PM is not about winning but about aligning expectations and ensuring all team members feel like they've achieved something.The article concludes by appreciating the unseen work of PMs who navigate challenges, clear obstacles, and ensure team success.