The difference between a truly successful project manager and one who is less than successful can often come down to the little things like building up a good rapport with your team and with your stakeholders. But sometimes, no matter how well a team and project are managed, failure seems to loom large from the start. Usually because there is a pre-defined and unrealistic deadline or a limited budget or an awkward client who wants the project done right but is not prepared to invest in the time and effort required to get the requirements right.
Whatever the reasons that are outside the control of the project manager, the most successful tend to ameliorate these problems by certain simple steps and behaviours. These are 20 of the things that successful managers do – often instinctively – but the list is far from exhaustive:
1. Display a confident and optimistic attitude about the project at all times
2. Have a positive attitude towards their team and the project stakeholders
3. Are prepared to be proved wrong in their opinions
4. Encourage frank and open discussions about all aspects of a project
5. Get to know their team members
6. Set clear goals and expectations
7. Ask questions about all and everything related to the project
8. Praise their team when praise is due
9. Offer constructive criticism when necessary
10. Are prepared to admit mistakes
11. Search for solutions to problems rather than apportioning blame
12. Coach team members on ways to improve their performance where necessary
13. Value the contribution of all members of the project team however junior
14. Understand the importance of delivering a quality product
15. Get stuck in to help out on difficult problems
16. Are confident in challenging assumptions
17. Expect 100% effort from all of the project team
18. Are prepared to listen to innovative or unorthodox ideas
19. Have regular conversations with the client and stakeholders
20. Never get angry
Actually I’m not sure about that last one – maybe it’s a nice-to-have that we aim to achieve.
Why not let me know what you think I have missed off this list – there are plenty of other things that a successful project manager does…
