11.7. Motivating the Team

Your team looks to you for more than just directions on what tasks should be completed next, settlements of issues, and updates on the project. Your team also looks to you for motivation. Motivation is more than a pep speech and a positive quote in your outgoing e-mails. Motivation, in project management, is the ability to transfer your excitement to your team members and have them act on that excitement.

No matter how wonderful your smile, your ability to talk with your project team, and your passion for the project, not everyone will be motivated. Much of the motivation of the project doesn't even stem from the project manager! The motivation and level of excitement will come from the company itself, the working atmosphere, and the overall commitment to the organization of each project team member.