LEADERSHIP AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Leadership and interpersonal skills are those necessary to relate to others, persuade them to participate, give them guidance, and ensure that decisions are made when necessary. To some extent, these skills are based on inherent physical and mental characteristics of the individual or on values and behaviors learned after birth. Regardless, training and knowledge can enhance skills. The leadership and interpersonal skills and characteristics are presented here in a sequence representing the priorities that this old hand considers most important. However, an effective project management professional must have at least minimal skills in each of the areas.

Interest in the Job

The first test, although not necessarily the most important, is interest in the job. If there is no interest, the remaining characteristics may be academic. That is not always so. Sometimes our interests change when more information is available. Have you ever experienced the feeling, “No one ever explained it to me that way”? If interest cannot be generated, enthusiasm will wane with the adversity that is inevitable in managing a project.