3 Key Traits of a Great Project Manager

A successful project goes beyond coming in under budget. When done well, a project also leaves team members feeling accomplished, with an understanding of the role they played in its success.

It takes a true people person to be a great project manager and guide a successful project. Project managers come from varied backgrounds, education and perspectives; the common threads are a passion for people and strong communication skills. 

The career outlook for project managers is bright due to a growing need for specialists who can guide organizations through transformation and innovation projects. If you’re looking to change to a career where you bring people together, inspire leadership in others and have an impact on the success of an organization, project management could be for you. Regardless of the size of the company or project, there are three key skill areas to develop.

1)      Flexibility

Project management can be fast-paced and require a quick pivot if things are going off course. There are likely multiple personality types on any team you manage, and working together well isn’t always intuitive. Project managers must be flexible and able to keep a cool head in high-stress situations. The broader team will look to you for direction when things get hard, and thinking on your feet is a must. A good project manager will be able to switch course as needed, keeping communication open and smooth throughout the process.

2)      Empathy

The 2019 State of Workplace Empathy Survey showed that a human-centered workplace does more than boost employee longevity – it also boosts company performance. More than 90% of CEOs who participated in the survey said that empathy is directly connected to a company’s financial success. Working with a team from different departments and backgrounds will require project managers to walk in multiple pairs of others’ shoes. Seeking to understand the whole person keeps the team feeling good and boosts the chances of a project’s success.

3)      Listening

Project managers need to be skilled communicators, and listening is the foundation of communication. Being an active listener also supports the two skills mentioned above – flexibility and empathy – by ensuring that you get all needed information, process it and use it to move forward. Even when a project is on a tight deadline, there is always time to take a step back and be a listener first.

By learning to be nimble, empathetic and an active listener, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong project management skillset. The project management industry will continue to grow in traditional and new industries, and people with a clear head and drive for helping others will be needed for those roles.