A project manager can make or break a project. When we get the right person with the right qualities at the helm, we’re on the road to success - but if the person at the head of our project hasn’t got the right blend of experience, traits, and skills, then we could be in for a struggle. An effective project manager possesses a range of qualities that help them navigate the complex landscape of coordinating different people, skill sets, information, deadlines, and stakeholders.
So what are the qualities of a project manager that we need to know we’ve got the right person in the job?
Core qualities of a successful project manager
Strong leadership abilities
Effective project managers know how to inspire and motivate their teams. Through a thorough understanding of their team’s skills and the requirements of the project at hand, project managers provide clear direction and foster a clear sense of purpose amongst team members. The leadership required here goes beyond the definition of the word ‘manager’ within their job title. Management is task-oriented: Leadership inspires and drives people forward toward a unified vision.
Excellent communication skills
Project managers are responsible for encouraging communication between different stakeholders and contributors. They need to facilitate open and honest conversations between all of these people to ensure everyone remains aligned, informed, and engaged through the project lifecycle. One of the key qualities of a project manager is, therefore, their ability to communicate and to recognise when others need their support in doing so.
Adaptability to change
Anybody who’s ever been involved in a big project will tell you how much things can change while you’re working on it. Whether it’s internal change like restructuring or a new direction from above, or external change in response to new policies or the ever-shifting economic climate, effective project managers have their eyes and ears open to the situation and can adapt to it. Project managers need to be flexible and able to pivot their strategies and communicate this to their team. Particularly excellent project managers will listen to any concerns their team has about the change before any decisions are made to ensure a smooth transition.
Problem-solving expertise
Anyone managing a project should be able - and expect - to solve problems. There are going to be issues that come up along the way. Highly effective project managers have the additional ability to not only solve problems but to anticipate potential issues and devise strategic solutions before the problems have the chance to upset the progress the team is making. This foresight and ability to act on it is highly valuable.
Attention to detail
A must-have. When we talk about the qualities we’re looking for in a project manager, a meticulous approach to project planning and execution can’t be overlooked. Attention to detail prevents oversights and enhances the quality of project outcomes. Many great project managers have learnt from experience - they know if something is missing because they’ve been there before.
Decisiveness
To keep a project on track, project managers must be decisive. They need to assess the information they have to hand and utilise the experience of the team around them to make timely, informed decisions and resolve issues as they arise. Without decisiveness, projects can fall behind schedule.
Emotional intelligence
Projects themselves don’t tend to have strong feelings about things, but the people who make up the team employed to deliver the project do. Emotional intelligence is a key facet of any good leader, particularly for project managers as they need to have an awareness of interpersonal relationships within their team and manage these dynamics to facilitate effective collaboration.
Risk management skills
As a project progresses, project managers need to be able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Risk management should be completed at the outset of a project, but any effective project manager knows that they need to be continuously aware of the changing landscape around a project and whether they’re nearing any risks. This applies whether these risks were identified at the start of the project or whether they’re only becoming clear as the project progresses.
Time management and organisational skills
Time management and organisational skills are some of the most highly prized qualities of a project manager. These abilities are crucial for meeting project deadlines and managing multiple tasks efficiently. It only takes a delay in one area of a project for delivery dates to start creeping further and further into the future, so we must ensure our project managers have these skills. Psychometric assessments can determine whether a potential project manager has good time management.
Passion for continuous learning
This one is a little less obvious than some of the other qualities of a project manager that we’ve outlined but is necessary nonetheless. Highly effective project managers who are going to get results are committed to their ongoing professional development. These project managers understand that it’s essential for them to learn new methodologies, adapt to changing technology, and stay on top of industry trends to do their best work.
Enhancing project management skills with Thomas
Now that we know the qualities we’re looking for in a project manager, how can we ensure we’ve got the right person for that role? Thomas' assessment tools can identify strengths and areas for the development of your team members and potential new hires and support them with tailored skills. Our customised training programmes, designed by psychologists and data scientists, will equip your project managers for success.
The impact of effective project management on team dynamics
We’ve identified the ten essential qualities of a successful project manager, including strong leadership abilities, adaptability, decisiveness, emotional intelligence, and time management. We also know that these traits are about not only managing a project but also leading and inspiring people in a carefully cultivated environment of collaboration and communication to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
To ensure your project managers are operating at the top of their field and can rely on this optimised skillset, have them take a Thomas psychometric assessment to identify any weaknesses. Use the findings to commit to improving your results, and read through our resources to continue improving.
When your project managers embody these ten traits, it will have a transformative effect on your people, your projects, and your results.
