The most highly effective project managers share specific traits that help successfully lead a project from concept to delivery. Being a good project manager is more than overseeing a project to ensure it gets completed on time and within budget.
A project manager is responsible for the smooth running of a project which takes certain skills. Here we’ll go over what makes a good project manager and how you can advance your capabilities to become a project manager that is in-demand and successful.
A project manager plays a lead role in the day-to-day responsibilities of a project to ensure it gets completed on time and within budget. They must manage all aspects of a project, including planning, organizing, delegating, overseeing quality, managing risks, and budgeting.
The project manager is responsible for the successful delivery of a project which takes several soft and hard skills to manage effectively. There are many moving parts to projects, and it takes the right individual to handle it all with ease.
There are several skills needed to be a project manager. The best project managers have many of the same qualities that add to the successful outcomes of the projects they oversee. Here’s what makes a good project manager.
The primary responsibility of a project manager is to lead the team throughout all aspects of the project. What makes a good project manager is having excellent leadership skills. They need to give the proper direction without hesitation to all stakeholders in the project, including executives, CEOs, and managers.
Great leaders also have outstanding listening skills and take the opinions and ideas of others into consideration. They maintain a positive attitude and remain calm and collected even during stressful situations.
A project manager with great leadership skills will ensure their team knows what’s expected of them and motivate them to do their best work. They are familiar with each individual’s strengths and weaknesses and ensure they feel valued and like part of the team.
There are many moving parts to most projects overseen by a project manager. Many managers find it uncomfortable communicating with their employees. In order to ensure all aspects of the project get handled correctly, a project manager must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to the entire team and feel confident doing so.
A project manager spends a lot of their time communicating with their team and vendors each day. The best project managers figure out how to effectively communicate with the various personalities as what works for one doesn’t work for all.
Project managers need to ensure all contributors are on the same page and know their responsibilities and the project expectations and goals. They also need to provide updates and notify key individuals of changes to the original plan.
Any miscommunication can be detrimental to a project. A great communicator can effectively provide feedback and direction to guide their team in the right direction.
A project manager must be able to delegate tasks effectively to ensure all parts of a project get completed successfully and on time. They must assign tasks to the right team member and provide the necessary information to each individual so they complete their duties correctly.
Good project managers delegate tasks and then put trust in their team to get it done correctly but still oversee to ensure quality and accuracy.
What makes a good project manager is the ability to build a strong team and motivate them to work together effectively and do their best. Great project managers know the importance of team building and take the essential steps to ensure the project contributors work well together for the best possible outcome for the project.
Motivating the team by showing respect, appreciation, and support is a daily priority for a good project manager. They remain positive and enthusiastic about setting the tone for the entire team.
With so many parts to projects that include several individuals, problems are inevitable at times. What makes a good project manager is the exceptional ability to evaluate, problem-solve, and redelegate quickly as needed to handle any obstacles that arise and keep the project moving forward.
A project manager must keep a calm demeanor during issues, so the team remains focused on the end goal and maintains a positive attitude.
A good project manager is an excellent negotiator. The project manager is responsible for choosing the vendors used and negotiating rates to ensure the project stays on budget.
Project managers often find themselves negotiating with their team when disagreements arise to help everyone see eye to eye.
Here are a few actions that a good project manager will likely take on a regular basis.
What makes a good project manager is an excellent ability to set clear standards and expectations that are attainable for all and result in the successful completion of the project. When all stakeholders in a project know what’s expected of them and the goals of the project, they’re more likely to deliver.
Project managers are responsible for setting the standards and monitoring all aspects of the project to ensure each contributor delivers the highest quality product. They need to ensure the timelines for each phase are understood and met. Good project managers do their best to help contributors eliminate tasks that would stop them from delivering the highest quality product on time.
A good project manager schedules regular check-in with their team through emails, meetings, or project management software. These check-ins are a great time for a project manager to get feedback from the team to ensure everything is running smoothly and as planned. It’s also a time to check on the team’s well-being and build a close connection with each key contributor.
A good project manager does extensive research to ensure they follow the best practices, and the team has access to top tools and programs to deliver the highest quality products. A project manager who continues to learn new skills and advance their qualifications is one that is sought-after by top businesses.
A good project manager takes full responsibility for the project, whether it goes well or not. A great project manager treats the project they’re overseeing as their own. They know if the project is a success or a total fail, it’s on them.
Great project managers don’t focus on putting the blame on individuals when issues and problems arise. They take responsibility and do what’s needed to make things go right.
The best project managers are proactive and stay one step ahead of their team. They’re able to foresee particular issues and avoid risks before they happen. They don’t wait for their team to have needs that are stopping points. They deliver ahead of time to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible and on time.
If a project manager sees a team member overwhelmed or running behind, they step in and do what they can to lessen the load and get back on schedule.
Certain traits would lend themselves to being a good project manager. Read more about them here.
A good project manager doesn’t act like they know it all. They should listen to the ideas and opinions of others involved in the project and are open to changes.
A project manager shouldn’t always problem-solve themselves as their team may have a better solution, so they should discuss the issue with all stakeholders before deciding on a resolution. A good project manager acts like a chameleon at times and blends in as another team member to ensure nobody feels like less of a contributor to the project’s success.
A project manager works with various people with different needs and working styles. A good project manager is understanding and compassionate to adapt to the variety of individual issues and difficulties that could affect the project.
Integrity is what makes a good project manager. They must adhere to strong ethical principles and put a high value on the honesty and accuracy of one’s actions. Great project managers hold very high standards for themselves with strict discipline on time, quality, and accuracy.
The qualifications for a project manager vary depending on the employer. Some companies require a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, while others look for a project manager with experience leading a team.
There are many programs an individual can take to advance their skills and obtain certifications that will help them land a job as a project manager. The more training and experience an individual has, the more in-demand and valuable they become to a business which increases their pay and long-term success.
What makes for a good project manager is an excellent communicator who can confidently lead a team throughout all phases of a project to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget. Great project managers motivate their team and help ensure all contributors feel valued, know their responsibilities, and understand the expected standards and quality. They also are excellent problem solvers and are proactive to avoid avoidable issues.
Sources:
Two-Thirds of Managers Are Uncomfortable Communicating with Employees | HBR