Successfully managing projects and mastering difficult situations in day-to-day project work? Project managers face a number of challenges. But how exactly do you actually manage projects successfully? And what knowledge and skills should a project manager have? What are the pitfalls to watch out for, where do pitfalls lurk and what techniques support smooth day-to-day project work?
Leadership qualities of serious project managers
The very first project meeting is extremely important: it’s about getting to know each other, but above all it’s about underpinning your leadership role. Your team needs to know why they should follow you of all people.
Project managers don’t have a second chance to make a first impression.
A motivating and explanatory introductory speech with an upright posture and convincing body language is a good starting point for your joint project.
Particularly in the first few days, close teamwork is essential in order to build up the necessary trust and co-operation. This is the only way to make getting to know each other easier and more efficient and to promote group dynamics.
Delegation and motivation in the project
To ensure that deadlines are met and tasks are completed correctly, a binding deadline, clear instructions and continuous explanations of the procedure are required. However, not only tasks but also decision-making competences are delegated. If team members try to reject tasks because they are “not getting anywhere”, it is advisable to get to the bottom of the problem.
In addition, every project team needs constant motivation. Psychologist Steven Reiss’ model can be helpful here. He defines 16 life motives (including curiosity, family and Eros) that drive people. It is important to motivate each team member according to their life motive.
However, for a project to run successfully, all strengths and weaknesses, both those of the team members and those of the project management, should be clarified. Nobody is perfect.
Flexibility and attention
Project managers have to assert themselves on all fronts and fulfil many roles because, unlike department heads and management, they do not automatically have leadership status. Project management requires knowledge and leadership qualities.
Always keep an eye on all tasks and resources. And CX Project Planner provides the perfect basis for this.
As deviations can always occur or crises can arise, two things are particularly important:
- Flexible response
- Attentive guidance with a steady hand
The perfect team as a vital component for project success
As a project manager, it is important to always bear in mind that nobody is solely responsible for the success or failure of a project. Everything stands and falls with your team, which is why you should never underestimate team management.
At an initial meeting or kick-off workshop, the first step on the right path together is taken. Initially, it is mainly about getting to know each other, but also about jointly defining the goals, roles, tasks and individual measures as well as the schedule. Rules of the game should also be agreed: How do we deal with conflicts, which points do we communicate by email and which do we prefer to discuss in person?
Team development in 4 stages
It usually takes a few days for a team to get to know each other properly and then start working productively. The four-stage model developed by American psychologist Bruce W. Tuckman is a particularly good way of understanding this team development.
1. Forming
This allows your team to get to know each other and build trust.
2. Storming
The team members discuss, differences of opinion arise and there is friction. Every team goes through this phase and it is completely normal.
3. Norming
The team members recognise that they need common rules and that initial progress in the project is motivating.
4. Performing
The team members perform at their best because everyone knows their role, their place and their task.
Knowledge of human nature is the key to success
Whether it’s through your friends and colleagues on a daily basis or by reading advice books, try to learn as much as you can about other people. Understand what drives, motivates or holds them back, what strategies they use to get through life and what types of people there are. Because regardless of whether you are implementing strategies, using negotiation tactics or overcoming crises, as a project manager you are always and everywhere dealing with other people who need to be convinced and won over.
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