Creating a capable team 

The Project journal archive has a wealth of material that we have sifted through in order to gain some insight into how we can ensure successful project delivery, for any size project.

People change the fate of complex projects. When they are inspired, motivated and engaged, they can overcome just about anything. In this fourth Project digest we look at ways to help you create a ‘positive people’ environment that is conducive to good stakeholder engagement and communication.

1. Communication matters

Great leaders, including top-rate project managers, are those able to inspire others. To do this, their communication must be bold, not bland. The success of projects and business as a whole depends on communication, and leaders spend more time each day communicating than performing any other activity. Here are four ways leaders can ensure their communication is effective… 

2. Growing into a leadership role

Projects are done by people, for people. Successful project managers know this and use it to their advantage to create a team that is focused on working with other stakeholders to create success. Developing the skills and personal characteristics needed to evolve and lead a committed team needs more than technical training. Experience, reflection, coaching and mentoring all help the project manager to grow and develop. So how can you tell if you’re a great team leader? Read more about what it takes to lead a high-performing team.

3. The best approach to developing capability

Further your development by seeking out opportunities to learn on the job and from others’ successful behaviours. Knowledge and accreditations are critical in the early stages of our development, but more than that, we need work-based experience and learning from others. Experiential learning allows for the development of new skills. What can you do to further your own personal development, which allow your projects to be successful as a result? Read more for some practical advice.

4. Get more out of your team by becoming 'people-intelligent'

People change the fate of complex projects. When they are inspired, motivated and engaged, they can overcome just about anything. Imagine if our project leaders were committed to becoming ‘people intelligent’ - inspired, motivated and engaged with their teams. How could they do that? Here are five ways to get the most out of your team.

5. Mentoring not managing 

Mentoring: A relationship where someone with relevant experience provides assistance to help a person to learn, grow and progress. The ultimate goal of a mentor is to empower the person they are mentoring. Through the relationship that emerges, the mentee learns, develops and grows to be better equipped for everyday life. Learn how to address common dilemmas in the mentor/leader relationship. 

6. Can any project manager be a leader?

Leadership is the factor that enables teams to do more than they believed possible. It empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. When a project may be at risk, when requirements are changing, resources are short and stakeholders are demanding - it is then that true leaders make the difference by being a uniting force in the team, inspiring to find solutions and motivating members to succeed. So can any of us aspire to this? Indeed, all of us can be better leaders. Here are some tips on how you can grow…

Blog: Read our top ten tips for developing a high performing team