Accountability and innovation are byproducts of a top-notch project manager. Both can be seen in The Ohio State University & Colombus State Community College’s Battery Workforce Challenge team. That’s much thanks to David DeLise, the team’s project manager, who took home the BattChallenge Year One Competition’s Overall Project Management Award earlier in May.
We recently caught up with DeLisle. Let’s check out what he had to say in this fun Q&A.
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Q: What does earning this award mean to you?
A: “I am deeply humbled to receive this award. Throughout my academic journey, I had the privilege of building numerous programs from the ground up. Leading a team through such a rigorous process can indeed be challenging. This recognition not only honors the collective hard work and dedication of my team, but (it) also validates the methods we employed. It brings me immense satisfaction to see our efforts acknowledged in this way.”
Q: You’re being recognized for your outstanding project management skills. What is your secret sauce in providing exemplary execution for your team throughout the first year of the challenge?
A: “When faced with a new task, I see it as an opportunity to try something new and apply what I learned. Both successes and, importantly, failures have provided invaluable lessons for the team and me. Encouraging team members to take ownership of their tasks fosters a culture of accountability and innovation, which I believe is crucial for success.
“Additionally, I find considerable pride in connecting team members from diverse backgrounds to collaboratively tackle the competition’s objectives, particularly in battery-pack design. I am especially proud of our institutional partners at Columbus State, where our collaborative problem-solving approach brought forth some of the most creative ideas I’ve had the pleasure of working (alongside).
“Lastly, emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is one of the most critical skills a leader can possess. Understanding and empathizing with team members, competitors and future industry customers underpin effective project management. My confidence as a leader is deeply rooted in a solid foundation of EQ, which aids in everything from team culture to meeting facilitation and conflict resolution.”
Q: What do you hope your involvement in the BattChallenge not only prepares you for your future career but also your prospects of becoming a game-changer in the EV battery workforce?
A: “Participating in BattChallenge has been an invaluable experience, pushing me to embrace complex challenges and apply my skills. The competition’s integration of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics encourages innovative thinking and problem-solving beyond conventional methods. Such experiences nurture creativity and resilience, qualities essential for industry leaders. Exposure to these engineering challenges during my studies has left me feeling prepared, confident and eager to contribute to the EV battery workforce. After completing graduate school, my aim is to contribute to the progression of electrified mobility to drive advancements in this ever-evolving field.”
