Leading

All projects require leadership. Without good leadership from the project manager, the chances of a successful outcome are diminished. Leadership involves inspiring people to perform in a manner that meets or exceeds requirements. But how does a project manager do that?

Leaders provide a vision—that is, they communicate to people a solid visualization of the end result. They also provide a path for achieving the vision. Of course, developing a vision and a path, albeit important, is not enough. They also must generate a sense of urgency and enthusiasm for accomplishing the goal. Further, they must generate in people a sense that the project’s goal is their own goal and that the path is their path. Above all else, they must sustain interest via communication and maintain everyone’s focus.