Leadership like anything can be learned. I don't subscribe to the Great Man Theory that people are born with leadership qualities. So yes, PM's can become better leaders through things like training, mentors/coaches, experience, observation etc.
...
1 reply by Kevin Drake
Apr 17, 2018 4:00 AM
Kevin Drake
...
I agree with you 200% and I do not have "but". I do not subscribe at all as well to "The Great Man Theory" and I take it personally as well.
The transformation needs a lot of self-discipline like anything else in life but it is very particular in this case I guess.
I had a young team manager with a bad attitude to his team (Managing style instead f leading) , and I told him from day one that we need to address his issues about that subject, it was a very obvious problem, even previous managers and teams complained about him.
I have to admit that training, coaching, mentoring worked so well, in addition to actual situational hands-on.
It did not take a long time until I put him to tough test (situational) and he did so well. He transformed completely within 3 months. I was in touch with him last week and he reminded about it, and he promised me to look at PMP as next step in his career.
Leadership like anything can be learned. I don't subscribe to the Great Man Theory that people are born with leadership qualities. So yes, PM's can become better leaders through things like training, mentors/coaches, experience, observation etc.
I agree with you 200% and I do not have "but". I do not subscribe at all as well to "The Great Man Theory" and I take it personally as well.
The transformation needs a lot of self-discipline like anything else in life but it is very particular in this case I guess.
I had a young team manager with a bad attitude to his team (Managing style instead f leading) , and I told him from day one that we need to address his issues about that subject, it was a very obvious problem, even previous managers and teams complained about him.
I have to admit that training, coaching, mentoring worked so well, in addition to actual situational hands-on.
It did not take a long time until I put him to tough test (situational) and he did so well. He transformed completely within 3 months. I was in touch with him last week and he reminded about it, and he promised me to look at PMP as next step in his career.
...
1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Apr 17, 2018 4:24 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
...
That's great, you may have assisted in creating a leader on the "good" side.
I agree with you 200% and I do not have "but". I do not subscribe at all as well to "The Great Man Theory" and I take it personally as well.
The transformation needs a lot of self-discipline like anything else in life but it is very particular in this case I guess.
I had a young team manager with a bad attitude to his team (Managing style instead f leading) , and I told him from day one that we need to address his issues about that subject, it was a very obvious problem, even previous managers and teams complained about him.
I have to admit that training, coaching, mentoring worked so well, in addition to actual situational hands-on.
It did not take a long time until I put him to tough test (situational) and he did so well. He transformed completely within 3 months. I was in touch with him last week and he reminded about it, and he promised me to look at PMP as next step in his career.
That's great, you may have assisted in creating a leader on the "good" side. Saving Changes...
Conan KennellyPM Specialist| National Broadband IrelandKiltegan, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
I personally think modern day mangers are mostly there for title, I have worked with many "manager" who not only do not manage but don't have resources under then to manage. I think Leadership come from experience, by learning skills over time you can lead junior resources better than just say you manage them. Saving Changes...
the most important to make the changes is the ability and acceptance that motivate them to move forward to the new shape and rules because changes requires different change strategies, plans and degrees of employee engagement. -moving to a new rule mean new future state is uknown when it begin, and all will be determind through involving and doing the job that forsure ERROE involved as new ifformation as gathered, that's make it not so easy or sometime impossible. -the future state is so radically different than the current state that the people and culture must change to implement it successfully. A very common reason for failure in change is leaders unintentionally using approaches that do not fit the type of change they are leading. Saving Changes...
Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
I think there are people who are natural leaders. That does not mean it is not a skill that you can learn. It only takes the desire to learn and openness to change in yourself.
A manager will tell you what to do. A leader will lead you to do what needs to be done. Saving Changes...
Not by way of examples, but 2 key realizations will need to be embraced by aspiring leaders (and can be learned):
1) What got you where you are right now won't get you where you want to be in the future
2) EQ is a key leadership trait, which requires a degree of vulnerability
On second thought, vulnerability is not something that can be "trained". Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
I had the privilege of working with good and bad managers in my career. In most cases managers will only count value, while leaders will add to the value team already creates by empowering them. So, the biggest difference between managers and leaders is the way they motivate the people who work for them. Saving Changes...
Meade RubensteinPM III| IT Project GuideSparta, Nj, United States
I agree with Dinah - truly GREAT leaders are a combination of natural talent plus desire plus opportunity (just like any other profession). There are many examples: US Grant, Lincoln, FDR, Churchill, etc....and, I'm sure, we've all worked with/for people who have had 'some' skill with varying degrees of desire and have witnessed the results of that. Saving Changes...
