Top 9 Qualities A Project Manager Must Possess

Are you thinking of working in the corporate world? If yes, consider a career in project management. Following this career path has several benefits, as they are the most demanded professionals nowadays. 

Today’s business environment is very competitive. Entrepreneurs constantly introduce new initiatives to stay ahead of the curve and compete in today’s economy. Consequently, expert project managers have become a necessity for most company projects. So, if you want to improve your work potential, a career in project management is a good choice. Besides, project management careers tend to pay better than the average profession.   

Furthermore, you can have a better work-life balance as a project manager. Unlike most other jobs, you can fulfill project management tasks remotely. You can use the technology to communicate with other staff members and stakeholders and complete daily responsibilities from home.     

While project management jobs are in high demand and much more rewarding than other jobs, there are some project manager skills and competencies you must possess. They include the following:  

• Leadership Skills

One of the essential qualities a project manager should have is leadership skills. As a manager, you’ll have some junior staff under you. You must be able to lead them as they work on the assigned projects.  

The success of projects in the organization will depend on your leadership skills. For instance, the overall productivity of the junior staff will depend on how well you can motivate them to perform at their best.  

Aside from that, you should be able to evaluate each team member’s strengths and weaknesses. This way, you’ll be able to identify where they can contribute the most to the project’s completion. Doing this allows you to maximize any assistance you’re offered and complete the assignment successfully.   

• Decision-Making Skills

Contrary to popular belief, strong decision-making skills are not restricted to personal affairs. They are also crucial in the workplace and the corporate world in general. As a project manager, you should be able to make the right decisions for the company. 

For instance, a business may want to invest in two projects. But because of the limited resources, it can only fund one of the initiatives. As a competent project manager, you should be able to evaluate the two projects and make decisions based on their profitability or the value they can provide for the business.  

• Delegation Skills

A project manager must be an effective delegator. As a department leader, you’ll have many things on your shoulder. Therefore, assigning some of your managerial tasks to your junior team members would be best.  

There are several benefits of delegating. It’ll ensure tasks are completed efficiently and without delays. This delegation process can also be a great way to motivate your team members while increasing efficiency in your department. 

For better delegation, you should be able to assess your team members’ qualifications and skills. It will enable you to delegate tasks to the right people. This is crucial since you can only achieve higher returns on investment when people with the right expertise accomplish tasks.  

• Communication Skills

Better communication is necessary for businesses to complete projects effectively. You’ll have to communicate with several people daily. These include employees, clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Remember that effective communication guarantees everyone involved in the project completion process is on the same page.  

You should be able to explain the company’s objectives and expectations to junior team members. Additionally, you must be able to make comments on each team member’s tasks and obligations to ensure projects are completed on time. Besides, better communication skills allow you to provide constructive feedback to your team members.   

On the other hand, when it comes to clients, better communication can enable you to update them on the status of the project effectively. It will help if you enhance your written and oral communication skills. You can improve this skill by taking short courses on business communication, being a better listener, reading magazines, thinking before you speak, and checking your messages before you send them.  

• Problem-Solving Skills

You should also be capable of problem-solving. You’ll likely face various challenges during the project completion process. For instance, there might be a disagreement between your teams, or you may encounter an angry client. It would be best if you kept in mind that to ensure that projects are finished more efficiently, you must address all issues and problems accordingly.    

• Technical Expertise

Today, businesses are using software or innovative tools to complete tasks. This implies that your department will likely have project management automation tools. Therefore, you need technical expertise to use the software and address all the technical issues.    

• Team Building Skills

Team-building skills are another quality of a competent project manager. It enables you to boost workers’ morale, promote communication, and enhance productivity. As a project manager, you should value each team member and focus on their strengths rather than punishing them for minor mistakes. It would also help if you were fair when dealing with your team members.  

• Good Negotiation Skills

Your team members might occasionally disagree for various reasons. For instance, there might be a conflict due to different opinions on accomplishing a particular task. In such a case, you should be able to resolve issues between your team members to maintain unity in your department.  

• Competent

Lastly, a project manager should be competent. You must excel at what you do and demonstrate to the team that you can. Remember that you’re in charge of a team of employees, and they might lose trust in you if they realize that you aren’t competent enough to lead them. Even worse, if you are incompetent, you risk losing your job.  

There are various ways to enhance your competency. These include leveraging the power of technology, joining mastermind groups, and finding a mentor. You can also advance your career to be a better person.  

Takeaway

You must possess the necessary qualities to boost your employability as a project manager and finish the task more efficiently. However, it can be challenging to understand what is expected of you, particularly if you’re new to this field. This article has explained all the essential qualities you must have as a project manager. So, ensure you find effective ways of improving them to become a successful project manager.