There are certain qualities that are most important for a project manager to be an effective leader. On the basis of feedback received from a recent survey of leaders from a particular industry, following qualities are found to be most relevant for a projects manager to be a successful leader.
Quality #1 - INTEGRITY
The most important quality of a leader is Integrity, a project manager as leader must remember that his or her actions, and not words, set the modus operandi for the team. Commitment is what is sought most from good leaders. Creating standards for ethical behavior for oneself and living by these standards, as well as rewarding those who exemplify these practices, are responsibilities of project manager as leaders. Leadership motivated by self-interest does not serve the wellbeing of the team in long run. Leadership based on honesty is what would let other accept a manager as a natural leader, Integrity represents nothing less than a set of values others share, behavior consistent with values and dedication to honesty with self and team members. Thus walking the talk is one of the most fundamental quality found in good project leaders.
Quality#2 - COMPETENCE
For any work to be done correctly one should know well what he or she is doing. Leadership competence does not essentially corresponds to the project leader's technical abilities in the core technology of the business. Yet as the project management continues to be recognized as a field in and of itself, project leaders will be chosen based on their ability to successfully lead others and sound technical expertise is the surest way to be considered competent. Expertise in leadership skills like ability to challenge, inspire, enable, model and encourage must be demonstrated if leaders are to be seen as capable and competent.
Quality #3- INSPIRES A SHARED VISION
Leader need to have a vision and ability to involve team to be a part of the vision. Half battle is won the instance people start believing in the vision and perceive it the same way. Visionaries thrive on change and being able to draw new boundaries. It was once said that a leader is someone who "lifts us up, gives us a reason for being and gives the vision and spirit to change." Visionary leaders enable people to feel they have a real stake in the project. Effective project manager in a leadership role have to empower people to experience the vision on their own. According to Bennis "They offer people opportunities to create their own vision, to explore what the vision will mean to their jobs and lives, and to envision their future as part of the vision for the organization." (Bennis, 1997)
Quality #4- A GOOD COMMUNICATOR
In every dimension of professional journey the ability to communicate with people at all levels is one of the most important skill to learn. For project managers it is imperative to get acquainted with the team members and without clear expressions it would not be possible. The project leadership calls for clear communication about goals, responsibility, performance, expectations and feedback.Also, there is a great deal of value placed on openness and directness. The project manager as a leader is also the team's link to the larger organization. The leader must have the ability to effectively negotiate and use persuasion when necessary to ensure the success of the team and project. By means of effective communication, project leaders could potentially support individual and team achievements by creating explicit guidelines for accomplishing results and for the career advancement of team members.
Quality #5 - ABILITY TO DELEGATE TASKS
Delegation is an art of establishing trust among team members and trust is an essential element in the relationship of a project leader and his or her team. Projects leader has to demonstrate their trust in others through their actions - how much they check and control their work, how much they can delegate and how much they can allow people to participate. Projects managers who are unable to trust other people often fail as leaders and forever remain little more that micro-managers, or end up doing all of the work themselves. As one project management student put it, "A good leader is a little lazy." An interesting perspective!
About Shri Arun Kumar Mishra
Arun Kumar Mishra is currently placed as a Chief Engineer in the UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation). Under his leadership, the UPSIDC has forged into new arenas and embarked on great projects including Leather Technology Park, UPSIDC has developed two Agro Parks at Kursi Road Barabanki & Karkhion, Varanasi, Textile Parks, Tronica City and scores of Industrial ventures. A tireless worker, Arun Kumar Mishra stays on task with the most difficult of projects. He is one of those quiet, behind-the-scenes leaders who knows how to get things done.
Arun Kumar Mishra initially joined the UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation) as Assistant Engineer and through his sheer hardwork rose up the ranks among his peers to become the Chief Engineer at UPSIDC. Since then, he has been a valuable member of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation.
Visit for more information about Shri Arun Kumar Mishra:
http://www.slideshare.net/arun-mishra-upsidc
https://plus.google.com/106187640504774348612/posts
http://www.upsidc.com/headoffice.htm
Quality #1 - INTEGRITY
The most important quality of a leader is Integrity, a project manager as leader must remember that his or her actions, and not words, set the modus operandi for the team. Commitment is what is sought most from good leaders. Creating standards for ethical behavior for oneself and living by these standards, as well as rewarding those who exemplify these practices, are responsibilities of project manager as leaders. Leadership motivated by self-interest does not serve the wellbeing of the team in long run. Leadership based on honesty is what would let other accept a manager as a natural leader, Integrity represents nothing less than a set of values others share, behavior consistent with values and dedication to honesty with self and team members. Thus walking the talk is one of the most fundamental quality found in good project leaders.
Quality#2 - COMPETENCE
For any work to be done correctly one should know well what he or she is doing. Leadership competence does not essentially corresponds to the project leader's technical abilities in the core technology of the business. Yet as the project management continues to be recognized as a field in and of itself, project leaders will be chosen based on their ability to successfully lead others and sound technical expertise is the surest way to be considered competent. Expertise in leadership skills like ability to challenge, inspire, enable, model and encourage must be demonstrated if leaders are to be seen as capable and competent.
Quality #3- INSPIRES A SHARED VISION
Leader need to have a vision and ability to involve team to be a part of the vision. Half battle is won the instance people start believing in the vision and perceive it the same way. Visionaries thrive on change and being able to draw new boundaries. It was once said that a leader is someone who "lifts us up, gives us a reason for being and gives the vision and spirit to change." Visionary leaders enable people to feel they have a real stake in the project. Effective project manager in a leadership role have to empower people to experience the vision on their own. According to Bennis "They offer people opportunities to create their own vision, to explore what the vision will mean to their jobs and lives, and to envision their future as part of the vision for the organization." (Bennis, 1997)
Quality #4- A GOOD COMMUNICATOR
In every dimension of professional journey the ability to communicate with people at all levels is one of the most important skill to learn. For project managers it is imperative to get acquainted with the team members and without clear expressions it would not be possible. The project leadership calls for clear communication about goals, responsibility, performance, expectations and feedback.Also, there is a great deal of value placed on openness and directness. The project manager as a leader is also the team's link to the larger organization. The leader must have the ability to effectively negotiate and use persuasion when necessary to ensure the success of the team and project. By means of effective communication, project leaders could potentially support individual and team achievements by creating explicit guidelines for accomplishing results and for the career advancement of team members.
Quality #5 - ABILITY TO DELEGATE TASKS
Delegation is an art of establishing trust among team members and trust is an essential element in the relationship of a project leader and his or her team. Projects leader has to demonstrate their trust in others through their actions - how much they check and control their work, how much they can delegate and how much they can allow people to participate. Projects managers who are unable to trust other people often fail as leaders and forever remain little more that micro-managers, or end up doing all of the work themselves. As one project management student put it, "A good leader is a little lazy." An interesting perspective!
About Shri Arun Kumar Mishra
Arun Kumar Mishra is currently placed as a Chief Engineer in the UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation). Under his leadership, the UPSIDC has forged into new arenas and embarked on great projects including Leather Technology Park, UPSIDC has developed two Agro Parks at Kursi Road Barabanki & Karkhion, Varanasi, Textile Parks, Tronica City and scores of Industrial ventures. A tireless worker, Arun Kumar Mishra stays on task with the most difficult of projects. He is one of those quiet, behind-the-scenes leaders who knows how to get things done.
Arun Kumar Mishra initially joined the UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation) as Assistant Engineer and through his sheer hardwork rose up the ranks among his peers to become the Chief Engineer at UPSIDC. Since then, he has been a valuable member of the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation.
Visit for more information about Shri Arun Kumar Mishra:
http://www.slideshare.net/arun-mishra-upsidc
https://plus.google.com/106187640504774348612/posts
http://www.upsidc.com/headoffice.htm