Project Leadership Characteristics

Name: Project Leadership Characteristics
Author: Charlie Williams

Discover what makes a good project leader.

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 9 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(bright music) (cymbals crashing) What are the characteristics of a successful project leader? The best project leaders embody the qualities that inspire their team. In these lessons, we'll look at how you can lead with integrity and inspire, motivate, communicate clearly, take care of conflicts, manage plans and risks, and foster relationships among your team. It's important to demonstrate integrity throughout the project lifecycle. Your own integrity lets project team members know that you will make the right decisions when something goes wrong. Integrity means you make the right decisions even when no one is watching, but it also means that you make consistent decisions for the project and for the project team members. You might serve in many capacities on a project, but regardless of your role, it's always best to lead by example and keep to your own word. You can exhibit ethical behavior in all your duties by showing fairness, honesty, commitment, guidance, and respect. Here are some advice for how you can lead with integrity. Provide each team member with equitable treatment. Give certain project team members task assignments based on their merit. Don't show favoritism because that can disrupt team cohesion. Show respect to all stakeholders, including project team members, so they'll pay back that respect, both to you and their teammates. And show each person how valuable they are to the project's success to obtain buy-in and understanding of their role in the project's success. It's best to be honest, regardless of the consequences. For instance, say your project is burning hot and money is running out. At that point, it's recommended to inform the project sponsor. If you don't inform them of issues in a timely manner, it prevents project tasks or milestones from being completed. It's best to always provide full disclosure to organizational leadership, the project sponsor, and your project team. Or say that your project is behind schedule. It's best to honestly assess the situation to organizational leadership and the project sponsor. You are recommended to put the project first in all decisions. You have to make tough decisions for the good of the project, champion it and your team, and fight for the project's sustainability in front of the project sponsor and all other stakeholders. Additionally, it's recommended to protect the project's core values. Core values provide you and the project team with a sense of direction and understanding as to why the project is important.

Beginner Provider : Charlie Williams 9 Lessons · 29m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Chinese

Course Description

As a project leader, you are recommended to embody certain characteristics so that you will inspire your team and lead them competently. Why? Because good project leaders embody the kinds of qualities that will inspire their team to work their best. So, what are these characteristics?

These lessons will provide guidance on how to become a successful project leader and ensure that the necessary elements are in place to meet project objectives. For starters, you’ll discover what it means to lead with integrity, as well as how to inspire and motivate your project team throughout the project’s life cycle. Then you’ll learn how to clearly communicate with the project team and with key project stakeholders. You’ll see how to identify and manage project conflicts, and to do the same for project risks. Finally, you’ll learn how you can promote collaboration and foster relationships among both your team and your project stakeholders.

What You'll Learn

Communicate clearly and effectively with your project team and key stakeholders
Inspire and motivate your project team throughout the project's life cycle
Identify, manage, and resolve project conflicts
Manage project plans and project risks
Promote collaboration and foster relationships among your team and stakeholders
Lead with integrity as a project leader

Key Takeaways

Good project leaders embody qualities that inspire their team to work their best and lead competently.
Leading with integrity and effective communication are central to successful project leadership.
Project leaders need to identify and manage both project conflicts and project risks.
Promoting collaboration and cultivating relationships with team members and stakeholders supports meeting project objectives.
The course covers different types of project plans and risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It provides guidance on becoming a successful project leader, including leading with integrity, inspiring and motivating the team, communicating clearly with the team and key stakeholders, identifying and managing project conflicts and risks, and promoting collaboration and fostering relationships.

Who is this course for?

It is for project leaders who want to embody the characteristics that inspire their team and lead them competently to meet project objectives.

What skills will I gain from this course?

You will learn how to communicate and motivate effectively, handle project conflict, promote collaboration and cultivate relationships, and understand the different types of project plans and risks.

What topics or lessons are included?

Lessons include Leading with Integrity, Inspiring and Motivating, Communicating Clearly, Identifying and Resolving Conflict, Managing Project Plans, Managing Project Risk (Parts 1 and 2), Promoting Collaboration and Fostering Relationships, and a Test Your Knowledge assessment.