Answer to Question #255173 in Management for Liz28

Question

In your opinion, what personality traits, attitude, aptitudes, and skills should a successful Project Manager have? (Hint: look at all the aspects given in the question) 

Answer 1

Discussion

A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers play the lead role in planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing out projects. They are accountable for the entire project scope, the project team and resources, the project budget, and the success or failure of the project.

Managing a project can be daunting, the reality is that there is no secret formula that will make any project unwrap flawlessly, very often project managers stumble upon a series of challenges and obstacles before they reach success. And the ability to overcome those unexpected challenges and deal with them on the go is what makes a successful project manager. A well-versed project manager will be able to picture project management within the context of his/her company culture and align objectives with the already established practices and mission. Behind each successful campaign, a superbly organized event, or a functional product is a project manager with a sharp skill set. One who isn’t afraid to get stuck, pull the team forward, and get everyone back on the feet when things go wrong.

Below are some essential qualities/attributes that lead to success and create an environment of trust, communication, and productivity for project managers;

• Leadership skills. Successful project management requires strong leadership skills on behalf of the manager overseeing the project. A project manager, must be able to effectively lead their team from start to finish to ensure the efficient completion of a project. A good leader motivates his/her team to perform at their best throughout the project and ensure all team members have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. A project manager should also be able to assess his/her team’s strengths and weaknesses and decide how to best utilize them throughout the project completion process.
• Communication skills. Effective project management requires clear and competent communication about the expectations, goals and responsibilities of the team who will be completing the project. Being able to efficiently communicate with the team as well as clients and management can ensure that everyone is of the same understanding regarding project expectations. Good communication skills also allow project managers to provide constructive feedback to their team to better guide them. Both written and oral communication skills are important for project managers to have.
• Problem solving skills. Successful project managers should be able to solve a variety of problems throughout all stages of a project. Issues that may need to be solved could involve team members, clients or stakeholders related to the project. Being able to think and address disputes and problems is key to ensuring the project is completed in an efficient and timely manner.
• Enthusiasm. Enthusiastic project managers are committed to their goals and express this commitment through optimism. Leadership emerges when someone expresses a commitment in such a manner that others want to share his/her optimistic expectations. Being enthusiastic helps keep team members motivated and in a positive state of mind while working on their assigned tasks.
• Competence. Being competent in project management can promote both a sense of trust and authority in the team. Knowing how to effectively and competently lead the team is key to the overall success of project completion. However, it is important for a project manager to ask for help when it is needed as part of competency, that is if he/she is not an expert in a certain field.

In conclusion, project managers should never underestimate the profound impact team involvement can have. To achieve continuous improvement, they need to ensure all members are fully committed to business growth. This cohesive progress is the end goal of every successful project manager.

Reference

Gehring, D. R. (2007). Applying traits theory of leadership to project management. Project Management Journal, 38(1), 44-54.