The process of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling a project is known as project management. It can be completed by a single person or by a group of individuals. However, it is usually the responsibility of a project manager (PM) to supervise the work of a project team. Project managers are classified into two types: project leaders and project managers.

Project Leader vs Project Manager – What’s the Difference?

What is a Project Leader?

A project leader is someone who manages a group of individuals who are working on a project. A project leader may be the person who allocates duties to others or the one who ensures that the team respects all of the project’s rules and regulations.

The project leader is also in charge of ensuring that the project runs well. If a project fails, it is usually the fault of the project leader. In some circumstances, a project leader is also the team manager, hence they are also referred to as project managers.

Your projects’ major drivers are the project leaders. They take the time to get to know you, understand your goals and objectives, and assist you in developing a personalized solution that is ideal for your company. They also ensure that everything runs well over the duration of your project. They are your project manager, troubleshooter, and advocate, and can assist you with the most difficult difficulties and issues.

What is a Project Manager?

A project manager is a professional who is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the project’s execution. Clients hire project managers to oversee the development, planning, construction, and/or operation of a project.

A project manager is in charge of overseeing your project from start to completion. They collaborate closely with the project manager to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They also collaborate closely with the team to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that all assignments are accomplished on time and on budget. They also keep the project leader up to date on any adjustments that are required to keep the project moving forward.

Differences Between Project Manager and Project Leader

1. The project is managed by project managers. They have a vision for the project and make certain that everything goes as planned.

2. The team is led by the project manager. They are in charge of ensuring that the team works well together and that everyone does their job well.

3. Decisions are made by project leaders. They must be able to think quickly on their feet and make decisions based on what they observe around them.

4. Project managers have the ability to delegate duties. They may assign particular responsibilities to certain employees while managing others.

5. They are responsible for ensuring that deadlines are met. They will be held accountable for ensuring that the deadline is met.

6. Project managers ensure that everyone gets along. They must be able to establish limits and ensure that others follow the rules.

7. PMs are held accountable for the project’s success. They must ensure that everything goes as planned.

8. They  are responsible for the team. They must guarantee that the team is cooperating and that everyone is doing their job.

9. Project managers accept accountability. They must take ownership of the project and guarantee that it is completed successfully.

10. PMs are excellent planners. They must plan ahead of time and determine how everything will be completed.

11. They have a strong grasp of the budget, whereas project managers have a strong grasp of the budget.

12. Project managers understand the resources well, whereas project leaders understand the resources well.

13. Project leaders understand the project scope well, whereas project managers understand the project scope well.

14. Ls understand the project deliverables well, whereas project managers understand the project deliverables well.

15. Project managers are in charge of keeping the project going forward, whilst project leaders are in charge of making sure that everyone is on the same page and that nothing is overlooked.

16. While project managers are in charge of communicating with stakeholders, project leaders are in charge of communicating with the team.

Skills Needed for Project Manager Role

There are many skills required for a Project Manager, but the most important ones are:

• Project Management Skills.

The project management abilities required for project managers are quite similar to the talents required for any excellent manager. It’s only a matter of adapting those abilities to a certain situation. For example, if you want to be a competent project manager, you must be skilled in leadership, communication, and planning.

• Leadership Skills.

Leadership qualities are the abilities required to persuade others to work toward a common objective. Influencing, inspiring, leading, guiding, and managing others are all examples of leadership skills.

Project managers can aid their teams by utilizing a variety of leadership abilities. They can be utilized to encourage and motivate their team. They can also be utilized to guide them, show them the way, and assist them in making sound judgements.

• Communication Skills.

The ability to communicate with everyone you deal with is the most critical aspect of your job as a project manager. Communication skills, whether over the phone, via email, or in person, are what distinguishes you as a successful project manager.

When discussing a project with someone, you must utilize precise terms and phrases. You don’t want to sound robotic, but you also don’t want to be too quiet.

• Organizational Skills.

A project manager is an experienced someone who can plan, organize, manage, and lead a group of individuals working on a certain assignment. They might be part of a team, or they might be in charge of a single project.

Project managers might be hired full-time by companies or act as freelancers or consultants. Project management is a critical component of every organization’s organizational skills.

• Negotiation Skills.

A good negotiator knows what they want, can communicate properly, and is willing to make concessions when necessary. It is your responsibility as a project manager to facilitate these conversations.

It’s also vital to keep in mind that the best negotiators aren’t usually the most skilled. Sometimes you have to break the rules. Negotiating with someone in a higher position in the hierarchy than you is frequently easier.

• Time management Skills.

If you’re a project manager, you already understand that time is your most valuable resource. Time management skills are required to make the most use of available time and resources.

• Problem-solving Skills.

Problem-solving is a technique for identifying and resolving issues. Decision-making and analysis are other terms for problem-solving. Problem-solving is the process of detecting and resolving difficulties that develop over the course of a project. It is used by project managers to determine what has to be done in order to successfully complete the project.

• Managing Stakeholders.

The project manager is responsible for managing stakeholders’ needs, priorities, and demands. As a result, he or she will be dealing with a wide range of people from various walks of life. The project manager must also deal with internal organizational politics.

Skills Needed for Project Leader Role

The following are some skills needed to be a project leader:

• Good Communication Skills.

Every leader must be able to communicate effectively. A successful project team is built on strong communication abilities. It is the only way to ensure that the team’s goals and objectives are clearly communicated to all team members.

• Good Interpersonal Skills.

This is the ability to collaborate with a varied group of team members and stakeholders. Working with a broad collection of individuals, such as employees, customers, and vendors, necessitates strong interpersonal skills. Listening, negotiating, communicating, and problem-solving are examples of these abilities.

• Critical Thinking Skills.

A project leader must be able to think critically since it allows them to see things from a different perspective. All project managers must be able to think critically. You must be capable of thinking critically and objectively. You should also be able to address difficulties in novel ways.

• Dedication.

A project leader should be committed to the project while also being available to assist the team as needed. He or she should be concerned not only about the project but also about the team. The project manager should ensure that the team is getting along well.

• Ability to take initiative and make decisions.

A project leader must be able to think on his or her feet when making judgements. A leader must be capable of making swift judgements that affect the entire project.

A leader is someone who has a vision for the project and can make the right decisions to see it through.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively.

As a project leader, being able to efficiently handle many tasks and responsibilities is critical in many ways. For starters, it means you can plan your time so that you are not overburdened with work.

It also implies that you may be available to your team members and guarantee that they complete their tasks. Finally, being able to effectively handle various tasks and duties indicates that you are a leader who can accept responsibility for a project’s success or failure.

• Ability to communicate with clients and internal teams.

All parts of existence require communication. As a project manager, you must be able to successfully communicate with your team, clients, and even internal teams.

This should be possible via email, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and in person. Communication skills are an important aspect of project management. People that do not communicate well can bring a slew of issues.

• Ability to handle stress, high volume of work, and deadlines.

A project leader is someone who is responsible but yet has a lot of freedom. They can make decisions and take action on their own, but they must also manage the team and keep everyone on the same page. A project manager must be able to handle stressful conditions and perform under pressure.

How Do You Become a Project Manager?

You may need to attend some formal training classes depending on the type of project manager you wish to become. You will also most likely need to take some online courses to come up to speed.

There are no certification requirements to work as a project manager in the private sector. If you wish to work for the government, you must first obtain a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

Furthermore, many organizations demand project managers to hold a bachelor’s degree. If this is the case, you might think about getting a bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to your job ambitions.

How to Hire a Project Manager?

1. First, you must select the sort of project that must be accomplished. Then you must determine what type of project manager you require.

2. After you’ve determined what you require, you may begin looking for a suitable project manager. You can find a project manager by using a website such as LinkedIn or Google.

3. If you locate a project manager you like, request references. If you have any questions concerning the project manager, you can get in touch with them.

4. Once you’ve identified a project manager, you may begin planning the project. You’ll need to talk about what has to be done, how long it will take, and how much money you have.

5. You should also discuss what the project manager is and is not allowed to do. Make certain that they understand what you want to achieve and that they are willing to go to any length to complete the task.

6. Talk about how you’ll communicate with the project manager. You’ll want to make sure you have a solid working relationship so that you can finish the project together.

7. After you’ve reviewed everything, you’ll need to write out your plan. To keep track of everything, you can use a project management application like Microsoft Project.