17 Nov

Top 9 Traits of a Successful Project Manager

All construction projects are temporary endeavors for construction workers, however the results of the build, and the lasting impression on the client, are much more permanent. For that reason, it is important to keep staff motivated and quality of work consistently high throughout the entirety of a project, which is where Project Managers can help.

There are several traits and qualities that make some Project Managers more successful than others, and it is these Project Managers that usually get the best results out of their staff.

To excel as a Project Manager, 9 traits you will need to possess are:

  • Communication
  • Ability to delegate
  • Vision
  • Enthusiasm
  • A team-builder
  • Empathy
  • Composure
  • Competence
  • Ability to solve problems

Read on to find out more about the traits of a successful Project Manager – and take note!

istock_000072862505_double

Good communicator

The Project Manager is usually the go between for everyone involved on the project, including the client and the Managing Director. This means that it is essential that the Project Manager is an excellent communicator, and can pass along information from one camp to the other in a clear, concise manner. Failure to communicate can lead to a breakdown in productivity and crossed wires, so keeping an open channel of communication is the most important part of the job description for any successful Project Manager; in fact, the Project Management Institute believes that a Project Manager should spend 90% of their time communicating!

Ability to delegate

Let’s get down to basics; a Project Manager should be comfortable delegating their workload. If you cannot identify key qualities in your team and set them tasks based on their skills, or you feel uncomfortable assigning work, it is likely that you will become overworked and overstressed. Your team are there to support you in completing a project; utilise them!

Vision

To be an effective Project Manager, you will need to be able to envision the end project, or the solution to a problem, and then articulate how to get there to your team. This is quite a creative trait, but one that many in the industry overlook.

 

building-1080592_960_720 (1)

Enthusiastic

Being enthusiastic about the work and having a can-do attitude is infectious, and you’ll find that you can really boost the morale and productivity of your team by talking about what’s going well rather than focusing on what elements of the project are still lagging behind. Project Managers are effectively the leaders of a project, so it is important that they inject energy and optimism into the workforce – and towards the client – to keep the project driving forward.

A team-builder

While team building days are often dreaded, a good working relationship between your team members is crucial to not only ensure that any social tension is diffused and that your team can work together peacefully and productively, but also that you can drive your team towards your combined goal. A team that works cohesively is much easier to manage than a divided team, so a good Project Manager will need to ensure that team spirit is upheld at all times.

meeting-1015291_960_720

Empathetic

Your workforce are all individual people living different lives and facing different stresses and problems. It is important that as a Project Manager, you keep this in mind. If an employee is having a particularly bad day, or his/her behaviour hasn’t been up to standard, consider whether there may be a reason behind this and talk to them one on one. Project Managers are often confidants for team members, and it will do a world of good for a Project Manager to care rather than simply dismiss any business outside of the project. Bear in mind, however, that a Project Manager’s empathy must extend to your workforce’s internal irritations too – your team is likely to vent to you about what’s going wrong with the project, and you must hear them out and try to rectify or placate the problem!

Konference_phone_meeting

Composed

Projects are never completely plain sailing. Whether your stock delivery is wrong, your project has been rained off or the client has had a last minute change of heart on something, there are always obstacle to overcome and problems to face when acting as a Project Manager, and dealing with these issues and keeping everything on track and all involved parties happy will be solely on the Project Manager’s shoulders. A composed nature and the ability to take everything in their stride is essential for dealing with these stresses; a good Project Manager will be able to brush things off their shoulders and move forward with the same can-do attitude – this isn’t a job for the delicate!

iStock_000005615199XSmall

A problem solver

It’s something of a recurring theme you may have picked up on throughout this article; problems are often occurring for Project Managers. To be a successful Project Manager, you must be able to think on your feet and solve problems quickly in order to keep the project on track and completed by the deadline.

Competent

No matter if you possess all of the other traits on this list, if you are not competent and good at your job, it will be frustrating and demotivating for your team to be expected to follow your orders, and even harder for them to have faith in your judgement calls, too. While in the construction industry Project Managers tend to have a lot of hands-on experience before they reach a managerial role, it is not uncommon for Managers to get to their roles based on qualifications and personality rather than technical ability. If you fear you are in the latter of these two groups, it may be time to get your knowledge and abilities up to scratch.


For over 40 years, Hitchcock & King have been supplying timber and building materials across London in a time-efficient and reliable manner. We have eight branches across the capital offering same or next day deliveries and an expansive stock array, so we’re certain we can get the stock you need to your site in no time. Get in contact today to find out more.