Top 5 Interpersonal Skills Every Project Manager Needs

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The five key interpersonal skills every project manager needs include communication, negotiation, leadership, diligence, and adaptability.
• Project managers with proven leadership skills not only motivate their team to do better but also inspire them to take action.

A study conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) reveals that one in three projects fail due to ineffective communication between project managers and their teams – this gap costs companies $62.4 million per year in lost productivity. Projects also fail due to a lack of poor leadership, unclear expectations, and conflicts of interest between management and workers – divulging the importance of developing technical and interpersonal skills simultaneously.

Successful project managers not only understand the practical aspects of a project but also have the necessary people skills to keep their teams on track and motivated to perform.

Here are the top 5 interpersonal skills that every project manager needs to have in their arsenal:

Communication

If project managers don’t communicate expectations clearly, it unnecessarily complicates the assignment before they’ve even started working on it.

It is essential to follow a proper communication plan, sharing the goals, updating team members with the progress and providing feedback to the team.

A project manager must also be able to share the project status and other reports with the management, and clearly communicate the overall progress with other stakeholders.

Professional education is imperative for project managers who want to develop their skills and expertise, and the right project management course can deliver all they are looking for.

Negotiation

Successful managers are known for their negotiation skills. They can quickly reach an agreement with their allies and establish common ground with rivals. They know how to create win-win scenarios for all stakeholders and that earns them the respect of their teammates.

Project managers looking to better their negotiation skills can practice being more flexible – give others a win instead of taking the glory.

Leadership

Project managers who are also seasoned leaders can motivate, inspire action and even govern when required. They give timely feedback and constructive criticism to employees to help them become the best version of themselves.

They’re known for showing grace in the most stressful circumstances, making sure that the organization’s values and vision are adhered to at all times. They also promote a supportive culture in the company by encouraging continued professional development.

Diligence

Successful project managers are diligent and conscientious in practice so that their team members can follow suit. They also have a relentless work ethic that’s fueled by great attention to detail, helping them outperform and outplay the competition.

Project managers can learn to be diligent by carrying through with their daily commitments and achieving set targets, no matter the circumstances.

Adaptability

Lastly, successful project managers can adjust to unforeseen obstacles to get to the top and share the credit of that success with their team.

They anticipate pitfalls ahead of time and plan accordingly. This can only be learned with practice and mental preparation for contingencies when things don’t go as planned.

Bottom Line

Are you prepared to develop these skills for the ultimate workplace performance?

Remember, soft skills matter just as much technical expertise, and project managers can develop these with a substantial commitment to personal development.