Ela GreearEnterprise Project Manager I| ITS IncWest Des Moines, Ia, United States
Hello, I am a Project Manager and would like to transition into a team leader/trainer. I am looking in to obtaining a leadership certificate and go through training, but there are many options out there. Any tips and recommendations are greatly appreciated! What does leadership mean to you and how did you accomplish the transition? Thank you! Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Apr 29, 2016 11:06 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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I need to bring on the table this: you need to understand what leadership is, for you and for your organization. Unfortunatelly Leadership is a new "buzzword". But in my case, when I ask "what is a leader for you?" to organizational leadership teams that belong to hugh organizations the answer is "somebody that get the most from her/his team" where that means that leaders get more than 24 hours a day of work. That is not leadership. So, we need to agree what leadership is.
Hi Sergio,
agree, we need to agree what we mean by a term like leadership.
Some thoughts:
Let us start with wikipedia which says it is the "ability of an individual or organization to "lead" or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations", while it is also states that different views exist between east and west, US and Europe etc. PMI also seems to say it is the 'ability to lead'.
Leadership can be learned (in contrast to older statements that leaders are born), has to do with power (influence), needs followers, is rather inspiration than motivation (or: a vision than objectives), is based on joint values and beliefs.
Project Management Leadership is generally discussed as being positive, e.g. like in servant leadership, probably because PMs need to develop skills in leading without authority and teaming is seen as mandatory (I have seen successful autocratic PMs using mostly coercion though, but also leaving behind a burnt environment). The joint values could be those of PMI's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, maybe some more.
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1 reply by Vincent Guerard
Jul 21, 2016 4:14 PM
Vincent Guerard
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Both reply from Thomas and Sergio too the point.
Leadership need to be define, is it just about short time delivery or building the team for long term commitment?
Leadership can be learned, so true!
Saving Changes...
Thomas RiceOperations Manager| EMCOR Facilities ServicesGlendale, Az, United States
Yes there's a lot of options out there. I think developing your soft skills is one of the most essential. I'd like to recommend a series of leadership and management courses I took online from Notre Dame: http://www.notredameonline.com/programs/ce...and-management/ Saving Changes...
I have been a Toastmaster for more than nine years now. You cannot beat it for increasing your communication and leadership skills. Check it out. Saving Changes...
Plus there are several resources from John Maxwell
I am a strong supporter of the Toastmasters program as well. Saving Changes...
Julia CunninghamManager Project Management| BattelleRichland, Wa, United States
I also support the Toastmasters recommendation. I have been an active Toastmaster for approaching twenty years, and learned a lot about myself as both a leader and a speaker. [The Distinguished Toastmaster award on my office wall also serves as a great conversation starter]
Toastmasters International is a well established (90+ years) "nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. Through its thousands of member clubs, Toastmasters International offers a program of communication and leadership projects designed to help people learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking."
Many people do not consider themselves public speakers, but don't we all communicate with others through group meetings, seminars, and even hallway conversations? All of these are important opportunities to think and speak clearly to convey our message. Saving Changes...
Congratulations, on your DTM, Julia. I've been one project away from mine for over two years. We are starting a breakfast club next week. If we can take it to charter it, it will give me my last piece. Saving Changes...
Cynthia ClarkProgram Manager| Dish NetworkCentennial, Co, United States
Apr 29, 2016 1:43 AM
Replying to saurabh mahajan
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As a project manager you should be a leader as well. Because that is very very important trait of a manager. However to sharpen that skill you can start behaving like a leader. Take responsibility and convene a team to achieve a common goal. Lead from front to resolve the impediments. Take stand on team issues. This will picture you as leader.
I agree with your statement 100% Saurabh. You don't have to know everything about a subject to be the leader, you just have to know how to pull the right individuals together and get a discussion going, and facilitate as necessary. There are many ways to do that. I manage a specific program at work, and my teams look to me to take the lead in driving things to move forward. To be a leader - no certification necessary. Saving Changes...
Cynthia ClarkProgram Manager| Dish NetworkCentennial, Co, United States
Apr 30, 2016 10:05 AM
Replying to Frank Dieters
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Hello Ela, A lot is already said in this thread. If you want to lead, you have to learn to lead yourself first. It is about finding what makes you want to be a leader in the first place. If you want to read more on leadership, I wrote a number of blogs on this issue. One of them:
I read the thread you posted Frank and could not agree with it more! You spoke very well and I really enjoyed the article! Saving Changes...
M. Sahir A. Shatiry, PMI-RMP, PMPSenior Hook-up and Commissioning Engineer| Petronas Carigali Sdn BhdIpoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
Leadership..maybe one of my suggestion to have a lot of leadership book reading. And the critical part is the implementation of what you have learnt. And the critical part is to build the attitude inside you as a leader and not as boss that only directed your sub-coordinate. The true leader is someone that inspiring others people and they willing to follow... Saving Changes...
