Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Donna
From my side, most of those skills fall under soft skills:
1) Emotional Intelligence 2) Servant Leadership 3) Agility 4) Adaptability 5) Effective Communication 6) Active Listening 7) Influencing
RK
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1 reply by Edward Hickland
Oct 30, 2021 12:46 PM
Edward Hickland
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I agree. Unfortunately, viewing job postings, HR and those who generate the postings do not agree. How many job postings list a technical requirement? A good project manager backed up by a solid technical team uses the aforementioned soft skills to manage a project.
Saving Changes...
Fatema Tuz ZohraProject Management Consultant| Catapult Management Consultancy Co. W.L.L04, Saudi Arabia
Donna,
1. Observation: As a project manager, I've benefitted from observing with an open mind. When initiating a project (with a new team or acquainted team members), observing how the team members interact with you and each other helps in understanding the team dynamics. It will inform your decision on how to communicate with your team members (esp. when you have to give them some space).
2. Knowledge of project management best practices. Tailor project management practices that improve the project outcomes. Engage team members in work rather than seemingly never-ending documentation and reporting practices. Most people do their job with sincerity when they understand how their work brings value. Hence, tailor the project management practices in a manner where the teams are often engaged in doing work that leads to successful project outcomes. Knowledge of project management practices is key here.
3. Clear and respectful communication. People have different communication styles. I've learned that those who can intuit the communication needs of their listener and respond accordingly make good project managers. A family member is on the autism spectrum, and she understands short sentences better than long convoluted responses. I try simplifying my sentences when I communicate with her. I'm still practicing my communication skills.
4. Open to learning. Learn from diverse sources. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Donna,
I can mostly agree with Kiron, except that I would replace servant with situational leadership and combine agility and adaptability (my #1: soft skills).
I would add though that ethical behaviour is a requirement for the success of the soft skills, so making yourself aware of your ethical status (decision making, perceptions) and continuously improving your ethics is important for me. My #2: ethics.
And to extend the view, also rational skills like knowing your stuff that is relevant for your job and role (WHAT) and knowing HOW to solve problems or to complete projects (e.g. by design thinking) are both necessary to hone. My #3.
And, as my #4, being aware of and considering the context of all what we focus on, give us perspectives and options and support even beyond teaming (think Ubuntu - I am because you are).
To complete all these, I add wisdom, not as a skill but a competence as #5. Wisdom defined as expert knowledge concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life.
Thomas
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Oct 27, 2021 9:58 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Thomas, I agree with your changes too. Spot on feedback.
1. Judgment - while not technically a skill, the school of hard knocks helps to develop this and makes you more effective over time
2. The ability to connect the dots - project possess all kinds of data, some useful, mostly useless, but being able to detect and act on patterns helps
3. Interpersonal skills - yes, this is a broad skill set, but without it, you can't be successful on any project involving people :-)
4. Adaptability - not just a willingness to change when it is required, but the ability to change ahead of it being forced on you
5. Time management - it's the one resource we can't get more of, so you need to learn to use it wisely
6. Discipline - a lack of discipline is a sure path to project failure
Kiron
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1 reply by Thomas Walenta
Oct 27, 2021 8:35 AM
Thomas Walenta
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Oh my …
Sorry, Kiron (and Rami).
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Oct 27, 2021 8:02 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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(Thomas - that was Rami, not me :-).)
Donna -
1. Judgment - while not technically a skill, the school of hard knocks helps to develop this and makes you more effective over time
2. The ability to connect the dots - project possess all kinds of data, some useful, mostly useless, but being able to detect and act on patterns helps
3. Interpersonal skills - yes, this is a broad skill set, but without it, you can't be successful on any project involving people :-)
4. Adaptability - not just a willingness to change when it is required, but the ability to change ahead of it being forced on you
5. Time management - it's the one resource we can't get more of, so you need to learn to use it wisely
6. Discipline - a lack of discipline is a sure path to project failure
Kiron
Oh my …
Sorry, Kiron (and Rami).
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Oct 27, 2021 9:57 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Kiron, Maybe Thomas found the feedback soIid so he immediately thought it’s you because you’re always spot on … A positive way to look at it :-)
Thomas, No worries but Why am I between brackets ? :D
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Oct 27, 2021 3:27 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
...
Donna,
I can mostly agree with Kiron, except that I would replace servant with situational leadership and combine agility and adaptability (my #1: soft skills).
I would add though that ethical behaviour is a requirement for the success of the soft skills, so making yourself aware of your ethical status (decision making, perceptions) and continuously improving your ethics is important for me. My #2: ethics.
And to extend the view, also rational skills like knowing your stuff that is relevant for your job and role (WHAT) and knowing HOW to solve problems or to complete projects (e.g. by design thinking) are both necessary to hone. My #3.
And, as my #4, being aware of and considering the context of all what we focus on, give us perspectives and options and support even beyond teaming (think Ubuntu - I am because you are).
To complete all these, I add wisdom, not as a skill but a competence as #5. Wisdom defined as expert knowledge concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life.
Thomas
Thomas, I agree with your changes too. Spot on feedback. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Donna.
Very interesting your question
I am convinced that they are the same for everyone:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
I'm undecided about the fifth competency:
- Leadership (starting with personal leadership)
- Problem solving
- Curiosity (applied to all areas of life that is associated with personal growth) Saving Changes...
Five important project management skills may be:
1) Research skills - Continuous Learning Adaptability to new scenarios
2) Emotional intelligence: Intrapersonal skills
3) Emotional intelligence: Interpersonal skills
4) Project management methodologies
5) Organization - Time management
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1 reply by JASHAN ramjee
Nov 03, 2021 10:18 AM
JASHAN ramjee
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i totally agree!
and to add to the list
competency.
Saving Changes...
Edward HicklandOwner| Hickland & AssociateMerrick, Ny, United States
Oct 26, 2021 10:49 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Donna
From my side, most of those skills fall under soft skills:
1) Emotional Intelligence 2) Servant Leadership 3) Agility 4) Adaptability 5) Effective Communication 6) Active Listening 7) Influencing
RK
I agree. Unfortunately, viewing job postings, HR and those who generate the postings do not agree. How many job postings list a technical requirement? A good project manager backed up by a solid technical team uses the aforementioned soft skills to manage a project. Saving Changes...
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