Do Project Managers Really Make a Difference in Project Success?

 

Now considered one of the greatest military figures in history, General George S. Patton never suffered a major defeat in World War II.  Credited with introducing armored warfare into the U.S. Army, Patton proved to be one of the most outstanding front-line commanders of the war.

Patton is remembered for his fierce determination and showmanship, often appearing in full dress uniform adorned with medals and ribbons—including the .45 caliber, ivory-handled pistols he wore on his belt.  By the end of WWII, "Old Blood and Guts" had lead the Third Army to liberate or conquer 81,522 square miles of territory.  Patton's greatest success was his ability to lead men in combat and motivate them to succeed against great odds.

In a post written by Cindi Smith, she asks "Does a successful project manager = a successful project?" I certainly believe it can.  I agree that there is much more to a successful work management approach than establishing milestones and assigning resources.  Part of what made the Third Army successful in battle was the leadership of "Old Blood and Guts."  Below are five leadership skills shared by successful project managers:

1. A collaborative management style: Engaging the team and stakeholders in problem-solving and decision-making is critical for work management success.
2. Adaptability: Project teams and individual projects are always different.  Successful project managers are able to adapt and overcome the challenges new projects present.  A fluid project management approach is a very effective method for managing project-based work.
3. "Figure-it-out" resourcefulness:  This implies creativity and occasional out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems along with a tenacious, never-give-up approach to overcoming obstacles and resource allocation issues.
4. Highly-developed communication skills:  It's paramount that project managers are able to effectively communicate with stakeholders, project teams, and their peers.  If project managers are unable to customize their communication style to the appropriate audience, success will be elusive.
5. Flexibility: Adapted from a line in To a Mouse, by Robert Burns, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."  No matter how well a project is planned, there will always be something or someone that throws a monkey-wrench into the works.  Flexibility is the genesis of creative thinking—which is critical for project success.

Are there any other skills you would like to add to the list?