20 Traits of a Successful Project Manager

 

Increasingly work is being completed by organizations in the form of projects. This can be the result of the ever-changing technology dynamics and the fast-paced market trends that require organizations to undertake new projects.

Project managers need not exist 20 years ago within organizations, rather they were simply referred to as managers, and however, with the onset of projects, a new job title arose i.e. project managers.

They are given a specific period, a budget, and creative control regarding the completion of the project and its overall well-being.

Over the years, as industries look for the perfect project managers, research has been conducted to narrow down what are the traits that make a project manager successful. The following points are a summary of the research conducted regarding project managers.

1. Communication is key

Communication is key and shall remain so in the coming years, without it ever-changing. If the team members feel are not communicated the purpose of the project, given guidelines about the project then they will be neglected and everything will go downhill from there. Therefore, communication is key.

2. Be Competent

Being a project manager doesn’t mean you get to enjoy all the perks and none of the work. Team members need to feel that you earned your position because of your competence and that you have the skills to hold the reins of the project.

3. Party on the Roof

No one likes a dictator who keeps a tight leash on things all the time, from start to finish. Project managers need to loosen the reins when things are slack and a little fun can be brought to the office.

Employees will start to resent you if there is no downtime, which would ultimately affect their work performance.

4. Be Understanding

It’s always important to emphasize with your co-workers and help them overcome any difficulties they may be facing.

This will make them appreciative of the help they receive and motivate them to give their best through their work performance.

5) Recognize your Limitations

A good project manager will try to solve any problem which they have encountered but a successful project manager will recognize their own limitations and bring in an expert in the field.

By doing this not only will they save time but also be able to solve the problem effectively.

6) Own your Team

Make sure you are with the team in all the highs and lows they encounter. Be their godfather and be prepared to be held accountable for the actions of the team.

This will encourage the trust factor amongst team members and allow them to take risks regarding the project.

7) Manage the Risk

Taking risks is an integral quality of project manager, however, they need to strike a balance between the being an avid risk-taker and playing it safe.

It’s pertinent to identify risks at the beginning of the project and then keep a track of them throughout the tenure of the project.

8) It’s all in the Details

Thinking about things on a grand scale is all very good, however, the details should not be ignored. The details can either make a project or doom a project. Make sure the minor details are given due importance in the grand scheme of things.

9) Be Proactive

If the project manager will wait till a problem arises to solve it then it may be already too late to do so. The best project managers are always one step ahead and lead a proactive approach to solving any problems.

10) Delegate

If you think you can micromanage all the finer details of the project then you might as well wish for the stars. A successful project manager is one who delegates tasks to ensure their completion rather than keeping them all in their hands.

11) Time is of Essence

Time is one factor that is of utmost importance and the need to carefully track and monitor it cannot be stressed enough. Successful project managers understand the urgency of time and are constantly on the lookout for ways to preserve it.

12) Be Diplomatic

Being a project manager can take a toll on your personality as it’s not easy to please everyone. There are other project managers, teams’ members, your subordinates and the clients who are most likely to be working on different wavelengths.

Curating some diplomatic qualities will allow you to sail and maneuver through the rough waters.

13) Adapt Accordingly

Successful project managers adapt to the various changing market and consumer trends. They understand that one can’t stay rigid as project manager, rather it’s important to be dynamic and adapt to any new changes occurring.

14) Learn! Learn! Learn!

Project managers as individuals never cease their learning process and are always on the lookout to acquire new skills and information. This continuous learning process allows them to be successful as they can understand the situation better than their counterparts.

15) Be Fair

The best project managers steer clear of all forms of favouritism, nepotism and unethical practices to maintain a healthy environment. By maintaining such an environment there will be less chance of toxicity and office politics.

16) Invest in Team Members

Project managers that can recruit the right team members for their project are often the most successful ones. Their ability to accumulate people with different skills and abilities gives them an edge over their counterparts.

17) Be Goal-Oriented

Project manager set goals and then pursue them rigorously to achieve them. This allows them to get tasks finished faster and in a timelier manner.

18) Practicality is Key

Being ambitious is appreciate however, if the roots are not firmly placed in the soil of practicality then things may quickly spiral out of control. Successful managers are always practical and vary in the changing dynamics of the market trends.

19) Think Out of the Box

If everyone is doing the same thing then the results will also be the same. Therefore it is imperative to be creative and look for opportunities that have never been tapped in before. This is what makes a project manager successful.

20) Technology Utilization

Technology has revolutionized the world and increasingly organizations have started to rely on technology to complete even their day to day tasks. Within this scenario, the project manager needs to be tech-savvy and competent to use it.

 

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