The Power of People: 5 Reasons Relationships Matter in Project Management

A North Carolina-based Senior Consulting Manager, Kimberly leads a team of project managers who support state & local government and education customers.

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Topics: Communications Management, Leadership, Stakeholder Management

Let’s face it: Being a project manager isn’t just about timelines, Gantt charts and budgets. While those technical skills are important, what really makes the difference between a project that runs like clockwork and one that derails is relationships—with your team members and customers alike.

When you think about it, every project is a human endeavor. It’s not machines or software alone that bring plans to life; it’s people. This is why building strong connections with both your internal team and your external clients is like having the secret sauce that makes everything work better.

So let’s dive into why building those relationships is not just a “nice to have” but a “must have” in project management.

1. Team Relationships = Team Synergy
You’ve got a great team, but even the best talent can’t get things done if they don’t feel connected. When you take time to get to know your team members—understanding their strengths, challenges and even what makes them tick—you build trust. And when people trust each other, magic happens.

Think about it: Would you rather work with a boss who knows nothing about you, or one who understands your workload, listens to your ideas, and even shares a laugh over a cup of coffee? When a project manager takes time to foster these connections, team …

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