Janei ResendeProject Manager| National Service for Rural Learning - SENARBrasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
Having the ability to find solution alternatives to daily problems of project management can be one of the key skills of a good project manager. Of course, a number of other features are also critical, but the ability to solve problems, or have a network of people who can help you solve problems in projects, can perhaps influence the steakholders or make a better impression about you. What do you thing about it? Saving Changes...
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I will write something obvious. The way to influence stakeholders depends on stakeholders themselves. Project stakeholders analysis activity is the key. What you stated will help indeed but some stakeholders will not take it as a must. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Remember that you should not be solving other people's problems. A good leader helps people solve their own problems. Saving Changes...
Janei ResendeProject Manager| National Service for Rural Learning - SENARBrasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
Generally speaking, in the corporate world, knowing how to influence people certainly suggests special skills for consultants and executives.
But bringing the situation to a project context, when there are problems to be solved in projects, whether they relate to schedule, cost or quality, in fact the solutions must be precise. For this, the various group discussion techniques can help.
However, when it comes to innovation projects, where creativity is the essence of decisions, project managers are required to have more ability, which is the ability to influence people, to influence decision-makers.
The question can be further deployed: knowing how to influence people is important. But is this ability congenital or can it be learned? Can we understand the ability to influence as a characteristic of leadership? Leaders are good influencers of people? Saving Changes...
If the PM is the person always solving problems, that's not a good sign - as Stéphane has indicated, a good PM has the ability to harness and focus the creative power of their team towards problem solving.
The type of power you are referring to is "expert power" and it is certainly one way to influence people, but shouldn't be the only type of power used by a good PM.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Will PribleDirector| CoastalFrankfort, Ky, United States
I agree with Kiron and Setphane on this. The PM facilitates communication between stakeholders to ensure the project stays the course. Saving Changes...
