Project Leadership
Overview:
Introduction:
The early development of project management focused heavily on techniques such as the planning and control of large, multi-functional, multi-organizational projects. Whilst these activities remain central to professional project management, the leadership role of the project professional has been increasingly recognized as a key determinant in delivering success.
This program focuses on the leadership skills needed in project situations, where tight budgets and deadlines demand high levels of performance from a team that is frequently changing and where the working environment presents fresh challenges daily.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the participants will be able to:
- Understand the significance of leadership skills to the project professionals and the impact of these skills on project performance
- Review the key skills needed to be an effective, 'multi-dimensional' project leader and learn how to develop, adapt and apply them in practice
- Learn how to identify the preferred leadership style for the context and organizational culture of a project and how to develop personal style versatility
- Understand the role of the project leader in building an effective team and the skills required to promote and sustain team performance
- Gain a better understanding of the interpersonal skills needed to motivate individual team members and harness the full potential of the team
Targeted Audience:
- Project Managers
- Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders
- Project Technical
- Workstream Leaders
- Individuals who are interested in project management and leadership skills to enhance their profile
Course Outlines:
Unit 1: Project Management and Leadership:
- What is a leader? how much can leadership be learned?
- The project environment and the impact of leadership skills
- The characteristics of high-performance project teams and their leaders
- Some useful models and theories of leadership explored
- Types of leadership; choosing how to use leadership power
- Evaluating personal leadership style; how to develop style flexibility
Unit 2: Essential Skills For Project Leaders:
- 3 key dimensions of project leadership: inwards, outwards, and upwards
- Developing a 'project vision': strategic thinking skills
- The vital role of communication skills and how to develop them
- Understanding others; emotional intelligence skills
- Being a visible leader; behavioral and influencing skills
- Building effective relationships; the importance of trust and respect
Unit 3: Leading The Project Team:
- The role of leadership in developing team performance
- Understanding individuals in the team; recognizing team role preferences
- Managing conflict and promoting positive team dynamics
- Setting standards, maintaining discipline, and rewarding performance
- Harnessing team potential: building motivation within the team
- Promoting team learning; the team leader as coach/mentor
Unit 4: Leading Across Organizational Boundaries, Internal and External:
- Gaining the support of other leaders; developing effective influencing skills
- Getting empowerment from key stakeholders
- Knowing when and how to take the initiative and lead
- Building and maintaining rapport with key partners
- Becoming an effective team player in leadership teams
- Becoming a business leader and leading other leaders
Unit 5: Leading More Senior Stakeholders:
- The challenges and skills of leading and managing upwards
- Communicating with senior stakeholders; building credibility
- Essential negotiation skills; knowing when and how to negotiate
- The role of networking skills; building and sustaining rapport
- Handling disagreements between senior stakeholders; the art of diplomacy
- Handling personality and style conflicts with more senior people