A leader in project management is called a project manager. He must possess several other qualities than just leadership competencies. Who is fit to manage and head a project is analyzed based on how many of the following traits an individual has. A project manager bears the yoke of a project’s responsibilities. Inherent leadership skills prove useful in making the right decisions at the right time. Those who do not naturally possess such qualities can go through the list here to imbibe the ones they lack.
What Are The Qualities Needed For Leading A Project Team?
Depending on one’s nature, one can tailor these qualities to adapt to them.
1. Focus
A leader should only focus on what exactly is needed by a project. The spirit of competition shouldn’t distract him in any way. Just to gain attention, a leader must not exaggerate issues of minor importance. One should learn to ignore any information other than what is crucial to the project. It could be a complaint from any of the team members or criticism from competitors.
2. Clear vision
A leader’s job is to lead the way for others. An individual needs to present a clear picture of his vision to the team members so that they too can visualize it in their minds. This makes the team members more confident about their responsibilities.
3. Become an example
Being ethical and loyal are the essential qualities of a project manager. A leader is one on whom others can fully rely. A project’s team members also expect the same from their leader or manager.
4. Team building
The quality of team building is the most desired leadership skill. A project manager needs to prioritize it above other qualities that he must adapt. Detecting conflicts among team members and managing them at an early stage is the secret to maintaining a dynamic team.
5. Excellent communication
A project manager’s main responsibility is to interact with individuals at different levels of the workplace, stakeholders, and many others. They need to communicate with others for acquiring their feedback and share project expectations with them.
6. Problem-solver
A leader must be adept at solving problems either on his own or by recognizing the appropriate person in the team. Project managers are required to detect and resolve issues irrespective of their magnitudes.
7. Task assigning
Team members trust a leader who entrusts them with responsibilities they are best suited for. An efficient leader cum project manager knows which member of the team is the best fit for a particular task, and assigns it accordingly.
8. Fully competent
A leader’s ability to inspire, encourage, and challenge constructively makes him suitable for the post of project manager. By exhibiting complete control over oneself, one earns the confidence of others. Such is the impression that a project manager must create on his team members.
9. Positive attitude
Remaining optimistic under all circumstances adds positivity to an organization’s work culture and ambiance. A leader’s enthusiastic cooperation with his team members makes the latter remain dedicated to the former’s instructions.
10. Be compassionate
A project manager should keep in mind that his team members need to balance their project tasks with personal lives. One receives respect in return for one’s empathy for others. This same quality is desired in a team leader.
11. Keep calm
Maintaining composure is another significant quality of becoming a leader or project manager. Obstacles are inevitable in a project’s course but the leader should handle them with a cool mind. Instead of getting impatient and finding faults with the team members, he should be passionate about them. This makes the problem appear less severe and easy to overcome with a combined battling spirit.
12. React decisively
An efficient leader must think quickly and make decisions that are most suitable for a project. A project’s future depends on a project manager’s decisions. These decisions determine the action of the team members, respectively.
13. Well-organized
Staying well-organized is essential for a project manager to enhance the team’s productivity. This not only helps in monitoring others but to concentrate on one’s responsibilities as well. It is the art of management that blends craft, art, and science.
14. Be knowledgeable
Knowledge and proficiency are the determining factors of a team leader’s wisdom. A project manager must make the most of his industry knowledge such that it not only benefits the project but is also visible to his fellows.
15. Collaboration
A project manager must possess a spirit of collaboration. He has to intervene in the contradictions coming from different members of the team. A leader’s job should have excellent command over team progression by making them realize the broader organizational objective towards which they need to work.
16. Negotiating skill
Maintaining harmony within a team is the foremost responsibility of a project manager. This requires expertise in negotiating the problems of different individuals to reach an effective solution for all of them.
17. Strategic thinking
Strategic thinking enables a project leader to critically examine the weaknesses and strengths of the project team. An individual can identify the possible threats to a project and the scope of its advancement.
18. Skill of patience
The tenacity of a project manager counts in leading a team and accomplishing the project. Patience is the key to continuing the journey despite discords or unfavorable circumstances that might appear in the way.
19. Open-mindedness
Leadership doesn’t mean imposing a way of doing things on the team members. Instead, a project manager needs to be creative enough to accept suggestions even if they are unconventional. They should be adept at leveraging feedback, ideas, and even criticisms in a constructive way.
20. Self-awareness
Becoming a self-judge is essential for a project manager or leader in any department. To analyze own faults and rectify them accordingly is the true style of leadership. One doesn’t need to fit into any particular mold but only to keep assessing oneself.
21. Flexible
Change is inherent in every business and the projects need to be tailored accordingly, from time to time. A project manager must possess a flexible mindset to prepare project strategies in alignment with business changes.
22. Continual improvement
The quality that gets a team leader or project manager going is the continuous urge to improve. This makes the project management process more engaging and less stagnant. His approach to a project drives the rest in the same manner.
Each of these qualities is a virtue for those working in the project management domain, especially the leaders.
