Project Leadership: Your Journey to Become a Project Leader

As is known, project leadership is a required part of projects; these days, the demand for leadership within the project management profession becomes more pressing as projects become more complex and as more organisations become project-oriented. Project leadership is becoming a strategic issue for businesses, and understanding its capabilities could make a difference and support organisations in widening the pool of future project leadership capabilities and developing existing talents.  

What is Project Leadership?

As per PMI¹, project leadership combines project manager skills and competencies in context. It is an area growing in relevance and importance as projects are being delivered in a more complex and uncertain environment, which requires more leadership.  

Project leadership combines science and art in guiding, motivating, and coordinating a team towards successful project completion; simply put, it is about getting something done well through others.

Here, it is necessary to underline the difference between project leadership and leadership in a general organisational setting. Also, between project leadership and project management, where leadership is required to deal with change management and maintain a focus on strategic outcomes, project management is a narrow set of activities focused on planning and controlling all the elements of running a project. In contrast, project leadership draws attention to the importance of solid leadership at the project level, builds energy and focus, and establishes emotions and attitudes that percolate the organisation. It requires skills in leading people, bringing them together to achieve a common goal, and managing tasks. On the other hand, project leadership is a specific form of leadership focused on overseeing and managing a particular project from initiating to completion and closing; it involves general leadership skills and includes project-specific skills like planning, managing resources, coordinating tasks, and dealing with project constraints. Project leadership is a subset of broader leadership skills tailored for managing and leading specific projects. 

Who is the Project Leader?

The project leader unifies diverse talents, navigates challenges, inspires and motivates the team members, and enables them to soar beyond limits. He is responsible for creating a balanced, positive, and productive work environment that embraces challenges, where ideas flow freely, and innovations have no bounds. The project leader can set clear goals, communicate effectively, encourage collaboration, and support learning and individual growth; his role is significant in achieving the organisation's vision, and his effort brings the project's goals to life.   

Keys to Becoming a Successful Project Leader

To be a successful project leader, you must examine the essential skills that are crucial and form the foundation of effective project leadership. Let us understand them:  

Creating the Project Culture and Environment

Project culture is an essential element within the project team. We can define it as "the way we do things around here". Also, creating an environment for success is especially important when the project leader becomes the role model for promoting behaviours; the team's behaviour is very indicative of the project leader's style. He represents the orchestra chief who leads the project team and makes them understand that they are responsible for the project delivery. So, boosting your team's energy, projecting an optimistic attitude and creating a positive environment are critical. Giving them the confidence that there will be a solution no matter how big a problem is and that their project leader is behind them.  

Organisational intelligence

This kind of intelligence is needed to attract resources, understand the organisation's landscape, and build political awareness. The key to success is having people happy to work for you as a project leader. Building a reputation for being someone people want to work for can attract talent from across the organisation and allow you to influence and access the organisation's decision-makers. 

Building Credibility and Confidence

A successful project leader must have the confidence of both sponsors and his team; building his credibility is vital to achieving this. As a project leader, you need the space to lead your way, which makes you trusted and, in return, trust your team. Credibility and confidence are significant; your role is to make people believe that the project is deliverable when they do not think it is. So, your ability to steady the ship while your team stays focused and motivated is crucial and can let your reputation as a project leader go so far. 

Inspiration and Vision

The project leader has the most holistic view of the project; he can see the whole picture. Seeing it all is key to a successful project leader. It requires a deep understanding of the project, including what is working and what is not working through the team, and a comprehensive view of the stakeholders, the project environment, and any changes or threats that could occur. 

Decision Making

The project leader must have the power to make decisive choices. By making decisions and showing courage in your decisions, you can inspire your team, make them trust you, and lead them to remarkable achievement. 

Communication and Transparency

Effective communication is a significant key to a successful project leader. It can ensure clarity, transparency, and unity within the team. Effective communication conveys your vision precisely and fosters a shared understanding among your team; you open dialogue, create an inclusive, collaborative environment and enable your team to work cohesively toward shared goals.  

Conflict Management

As a project leader, navigating conflicts, opening effective communication and cooperation among your team members, transparently prioritising conflicts, encouraging a safe environment for dialogue and creating a pleasant and productive work environment can ensure the successful realisation of your shared project goals.  

So, by mastering these essential skills, you will be ready to become a successful project leader who can create a positive and productive work culture that empowers your team to achieve project goals efficiently and effectively within the defined parameters. 

 Reference Literature:

1. PMI. 2006. "Effective project leadership."