In the project management process, you will also be subjected to a lot of pressures from all sides. Superiors will harass you about deadlines and costs, while underperforming team members will bombard you with excuses. However, embrace the challenges you are presented with. If you tackle them willingly and with determination, you will emerge as a more mature leader.
As a project manager you will also be responsible for managing hundreds of tasks at once. Therefore, you will have to use your discretion when it comes to selecting which tasks to focus on first and which tasks to delegate to others. You may even have to make executive decisions to do away with tasks that do not contribute significantly to the project’s progress.
Additionally, always consider your own career as a project manager, which depends on the efficient execution of the project at hand. While conceptualizing the execution of the project and integrating individual team members, try to determine each individual’s best qualities and professional strengths. Use this knowledge to unleash the latent talent and capabilities in each team member for maximum utilization of potential. Not every project manager knows how to dig beyond employees’ surface talents, and project managers often overlook opportunities to use their team members’ skills.
Merely assigning your team members tasks will not motivate them. Instead, roll up your sleeves and work with them in order to accurately assess their talents and build rapport. As a smart project manager, understand the value of involving each individual in meetings. Taking note of ideas from team members and making everyone feel appreciated are major components of the project manager’s job.
Establish with each team member goals for his or her personal assignments. You might even want to try distributing similar tasks to groups within the team. Encouraging a bit of competition can lead to improved efficiency.
Finally, never forget to reward good work, even if it’s simply with a word of praise or a pat on the back. Team members who feel appreciated will perform at a much higher level than those who feel taken for granted. This, in turn, will lead to earlier completion of the project and demonstrate that you, as the project manager, can deliver the goods.
Although you are the team leader, you are still part of the team. Your success as a project management professional depends on your ability to motivate others. To ensure that your team members meet the goals you set for them, show them that you understand their challenges and recognize their unique strengths.
