Defining Project Leadership
Project leadership is an essential skill for any business today. It has taken on a monumental role in the success of many companies because of its supervisory and decision-making skills. Project leadership can be defined as the art of bringing together members of a team to successfully deliver a project. According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a project leader is someone who leads people and guides them toward the same vision while facilitating their input into shaping the final product.
A typical day in project leadership would entail reviewing work done so far, identifying any risks to the completion of the project, and making necessary changes/additions as needed. He or she also works on various company tasks to make sure that each team member’s performance is at its peak and is meeting the agreed-upon goals.
Project Leadership – Key Skills Needed
Generally, project leadership requires the following skills:
1. Motivation
Without motivated people, the project would have no progress. A leader’s job is to motivate and inspire his or her team to achieve the target. Leaders should always be trying to find ways to motivate their people so that work does not feel like a burdensome task.
As Sudberg points out, a great leader identifies the strengths, weaknesses, and values of each team member and uses those qualities to motivate them.
2. Delegation
Projects are too large for one person to complete. Hence a project leader should be able to delegate work to individuals who can best accomplish it. Delegation to the right people ensures that the job will be done correctly, and also allows the project leader to be able to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
3. Conflict management skills.
Conflict situations often arise in a project. A key component of project leadership is gathering information to determine which problems are operating in the team and addressing those before they blow up into full-blown issues.
Conflict management skills include understanding the differences between conflict and confrontation, as well as resolving problems through communication instead of confrontation. Skills such as active listening, problem-solving, and assertiveness can be used when working with a team member on an issue.
4. Communication skills.
The ability to communicate well is a key component of project leadership. Communication is not only essential to the team and project, but also to the company itself, especially during difficult times. A leader should be able to have their ideas heard by others in their organization.
Communication skills include listening and demonstrating that they have understood and appreciate the message they are receiving during meetings. A leader should be able to express themselves well, whether orally or in written form.
5. Crafting solutions
According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a project leader should be able to craft solutions. This means they should be able to come up with workable ideas and solutions to the problems at hand. They should also be able to communicate those ideas clearly and concisely.
Conclusion
Defining project leadership is not an easy feat. There are many aspects that one must take into consideration when working on a project, but the key skills that a leader should have been motivation, delegation, conflict management, and communication. Without these characteristics, they will be hard-pressed to lead a team and keep their projects on track.