Projects are temporary endeavors carried out to achieve the desired goal which could be a product, service, or result. Industry experts believe 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 adequate experienced professionals, right from a project manager to project team members is one of the main reasons why most projects fail.
What does it take to become a good project manager?
Across organizations, there are some key attributes every good project manager has. Below are the top 8 essential attributes of a successful project manager:
1. They are visionaries
A competent project head should be a visionary who can foresee the direction the project takes even before it is executed. The desired goals can be achieved only when project managers articulate the vision of what must be done during project execution clearly to their team members.
2. They are astute planners
Planning should be second in nature for project managers. They should be able to assess and decide the demands of their project even before it starts. They should also be able to drive a project to completion within the stipulated budget and timelines. In case of any hiccups, they should also have the agility to divert and devise a new plan of action seamlessly.
3. They are dependable
Since project managers are professionals who will need to interact with both stakeholders and team members in a project, they should be dependable to the tee. Their competence and work ethic should inspire both the stakeholders and team members to rely on each other without any fail.
4. They are competent and highly experienced
A skilled project manager should stand out for his/her credentials in project management. Credentials andproject management certifications like 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 asserts their prowess in project management to the employers, stakeholders, colleagues, and team members.
5. They lead by example without micromanaging
Any good project manager will simply not micromanage. Project management gives employees the liberty to take ownership of their tasks in the project while adhering to deadlines. Project managers who trust their team members to do an efficient job ensure that they are not bogged down by unnecessary distractions. These managers prefer to get weekly updates and do quality assurance checks regarding the projects rather than nit-pick. This approach will help groom a confident and self-assured team capable of handling any project.
6. They are effective communicators
People skills are mandatory to become an efficient project manager. It is their daily habit to spell out goals, strategies, responsibilities, expectations, and performance. They would also have to delegate activities among team members. Hence, a good project manager must be a clear and effective communicator.
7. They are pros at troubleshooting
Every project would have a fair share of potential risks associated with it. An experienced project manager would have the wisdom to predict impending obstacles and do the needful. While executing a project, a project manager should be able to resolve unexpected hiccups that arise.
8. They have high emotional intelligence
Only emotionally intelligent individuals can tackle the rigors that come with being a project manager. In situations where the team’s morale needs a boost, an emotionally intelligent project manager would be able to act accordingly. From staying calm under stress to handling various untoward issues, demand a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Earning the relevant certifications is not the only important aspect of being a project manager. The above key attributes are a must-have for aspiring project managers out there. Acquire the above attributes and relevant certifications and pursue a project management career of your dreams!
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