Source: Image of female leader, puzzle pieces, thumbs up, shoes on paths, Creative Commons, Kelly Eddington; Image of callout, smiley face, pointing finger, easel, balanced bar, high five, hand holding card, checkbox, checkmark, images by Video Scribe, License held by Jeff Carroll.
Hi, I'm Jeff, and in this lesson we'll cover leadership and motivation. Each project manager might have different styles by which they lead a project team and motivate team members to complete the work. But, we'll cover some basic methods that can help a project succeed. So, let's get started
Some leadership styles are more effective in a team environment than others and experienced project managers learn to vary their style based on the situation or the group. Some keys to being a strong leader and motivating teams are create a safe environment. If team members don't feel comfortable communicating about issues with the project manager then too many problems will remain hidden until they become considerably worse. Provide clear direction. Be sure that goals are understood and that the rewards for success and the consequences for failure associated with the goal are also understood.
Leverage team capabilities. Experienced team members can often complete work considerably faster and with better quality than less experienced members, so don't waste their talent. But a good leader will also provide opportunities for less experienced team members to stretch their abilities. Facilitate team meetings in an organized and constructive way. Well-run meetings that reach the goal of the agenda are the result of good planning and preparation by the project manager. Approach problems as opportunities. Quite often, when teams rally to fix issues, this can bring the team closer together. During these times, try to remove as many roadblocks from the team as possible so the work will feel smooth and enjoyable.
Now, it will take some practice to master these methods, so don't worry if you don't get it right immediately. It's important that project managers continue to sharpen their skills in this area. Part of the role of being a project manager is motivating team members. Often, this is the result of clear and appropriate communication methods. Project managers should provide consistent reinforcement and encouragement to team members.
When people are focused upon their work, they may not stop to recognize other's contribution. So it's critical for the project manager to provide praise for a job well done. In fact, the basis of motivation is encouragement. So the project manager should find opportunities to provide compliments. Regular meetings are excellent times to call out someone for their work.
One-on-one meetings are perfect openings for more detailed feedback to a team member. Or just drop by where a team member is working to say good job, because that can go a long way to provide motivation. Project managers should also keep team members aware of issues that might impact their work. Especially if there are large changes to the project. In fact, when project documents need modified, the project manager should make a list of those impacted by the change and then plan times to discuss the change with them.
Finally, the project manager should be open and honest with the team. The team needs to trust the project manager in order for the project manager to develop trust in the team. All right, good job. In this lesson, you learned how a project manager leads project teams, and how they motivate those teams to success. Thanks, and have a great day.
