Project managers are people who oversee and plan projects.They are responsible for making sure that the project stays on time, within budget, and meets specifications. While it may seem like a thankless job some days, there are many things successful project managers do differently than others.
In this article we will discuss 10 things successful project managers do to help their teams stay productive while still meeting deadlines!
Successful Project Manager Skills:
- Ability to plan, organize and manage projects in an efficient and effective way.
- Compassionate with team members while still having high expectations.
- Understanding of what needs their teammates may have outside of work responsibilities.
- Ability to encourage creativity and innovation.
- Confidence in each team member’s abilities and strengths, while also acknowledging their weaknesses.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with the rest of their team.
- Teamwork skills: able to motivate others by working together for a common goal or project outcome that benefits everyone involved.
Successful Project Manager Habits:
“Evaluate your environment” – Make sure you understand what is going on around you so that you can plan ahead accordingly.
“Quiet time” – Take some alone time every day to recharge from all the stressors.
“Create deadlines” – Create deadlines for yourself (or figure out how much time it will take) so that everything is on a timeline.
“Give credit” – Celebrate the success of your team members by giving them all acknowledgement and praise.
Successful Project Manager Behaviors:
- “Be transparent to others what you are thinking about their past behavior”
If there is an issue with another person, communicate it in private so as not to create more issues among colleagues.
- “Recognize people for progress they have made but also remind them of goals that still need completion.”
(i.e., if someone has been doing well at work since joining the company, tell him or her how much he or she has improved!) This may sound like two things, but one will encourage while the other reminds! It’s important that project managers are able to show both sides of the coin.
They’re humble. The best project managers know when to let their team take the lead and work collaboratively for a desired result. It’s not about being right all of the time, it’s about making sure everyone succeeds together.
They’re mindful of people first, processes second. People are often at the heart of any successful company and project managers should be committed to ensuring that they have what they need, resources, training opportunities etc. Processes may change over time but employees don’t so make them feel valued by putting them first in your plan/strategy!
They focus on the end goal rather than metrics or tasks alone: “The most important metric is how many relationships you build.” Every day, project managers tie up loose ends and watch the clocks. But they know that their most important work is building relationships, not ticking boxes or delivering reports on time.
The best project managers will always focus on body language and non-verbal communication in order to understand what’s really going on with employees. This helps them establish trust which can ease tensions between team members as well!
They’re selfless: “It may seem counterintuitive but a successful project manager focuses less attention on themselves.” As leaders of many projects at once, it can be difficult for these individuals to maintain personal goals while also caring about all the others who are relying on them so this selflessness becomes an essential quality when you consider how much more productive employees can be.
They’re adaptable: “Sure, there will be times when things don’t go according to plan but successful people know how to roll with life.” Successful project managers get thrown curveballs every day. When something unexpected happens or goes wrong, these individuals find ways around issues instead of getting caught up on them.
A project manager should always make their team feel like they are worth as much, if not more than the PM themselves. This means being a key player in boosting morale within your company and ensuring that employees have what they need to succeed! It may sound similar to number one but it’s actually an extension of this idea. By looking out for others you create happiness in yourself too!
Successful project managers are people that not only plan the work, but also execute it in a way to achieve desired results. In order for them to do this successfully, they must be able to manage their time effectively and use good judgment when making decisions.
They need to build relationships with all stakeholders on the team so that every party is aware of what’s happening at any given moment. If you’re looking into becoming one or improving your skills as one, then do check News Report Online.