Traits That Every Successful Project Manager Must Possess
Projects are short endeavors carried out to achieve the desired goal, which could be a product, service, or result. Industry experts think that a good project manager is one of the top contributors to a project’s success.
A project manager is a crucial link between the project sponsor or client and the team that’s involved in executing the project. In most organizations, 71% of projects fail. Lack of enough experienced professionals, right from a project manager to project team members, is one of the leading causes why most projects fail.
What Does It Need to Become a Good Project Manager?
Across organizations, there are some essential qualities every good project manager has.
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Below are the essential characteristics of a quality project manager:
1. Visionaries
A competent project head should be a visionary who can predict the direction the project takes even before it is executed. The aspired goals can be achieved only when project managers explain the vision of what must be done during project execution clearly to their team members.
2. Astute Planners
Planning should be second for project managers. They should be able to assess and determine the demands of their project even before it starts. They should also be able to do a project to completion within the specified budget and timelines. In case of any hiccups, they should also have the readiness to turn and device a new plan of action seamlessly.
3. Dependable
Since project managers are professionals who will require to interact with both stakeholders and team members in a project, they should be reliable to the tee. Their competence and work ethic should encourage both the stakeholders and team members to rely on each other without any fail.
4. Competence
A good manager knows what he is doing, can start new projects as well as face the challenges that come with them. An effective project manager must possess most of these attributes for him to succeed in managing the project.
5. Highly Experienced Project Manager
A skilled project manager should be out for his or her credentials in project management. Credentials like project management certifications such as PMP or CAPM, etc. can help validate the competence of a project manager as someone who can handle any project in any industry.
It also supports their courage in project management to the employers, stakeholders, colleagues, and team members.
6. Lead by Example without Micromanaging
Good project managers do not micromanage. Project management allows employees to take possession of their tasks in the project while adhering to deadlines. Project managers who assume their team members to do an efficient job guarantee that they are not bogged down by useless distractions.
These managers favor to get weekly updates and do quality assurance checks regarding the projects rather than nit-pick. This method will help groom a confident and self-assured team capable of handling any project.
7. Effective Communicators
People skills are necessary to become an effective project manager. It is their regular habit to spell out goals, strategies, responsibilities, expectations, and performance. They would also have to choose activities among team members. Hence, a good project manager must be a clear and compelling communicator.
8. Good Negotiation Skills
One of the qualities required for effective project management is the ability to negotiate. In times that dispute arises due to differences in opinion, project managers need sheer negotiating skills to settle the issue and maintain harmony in the team.
9. Potential at Troubleshooting
Every project would have a fair portion of the potential risks associated with it. An experienced project manager would have the wisdom to divine approaching barriers and do the needful. While performing a project, a PM should be able to solve unexpected hiccups that occur.
10. High Emotional Intelligence
Emotionally intelligent individuals can tackle the difficulties that come with being a project manager. In situations where the team’s morale requires a boost, an emotionally intelligent project manager would be able to act accordingly. Staying calm under stress and handling different adverse issues demands a high degree of emotional intelligence.
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11. Cool Under Pressure
As the project goes on, specific incidents could take a toll on the project’s momentum and test the project manager’s patience. It is essential that a project manager has his calm at all times and be consistently grounded so as not to lose himself and negatively affect his relationship with the team.
Being a Good Project Manager Is Not Easy
Having the theoretical side of project management under your hat is one thing; however, if you know your stuff and are blessed with all or most of the qualities on this list, you ought to do pretty well!
While earning relevant Project Management certification is a fundamental aspect of being a project manager, the above key attributes contribute a long way to a project manager’s success.
Acquire the high qualities and relevant Project Management certifications and attempt a project management career of your dreams!
