Positive Leadership in Project Management

True leaders seem to have an endless supply of energy. They accomplish a great deal, keep their followers engaged and loyal and somehow always appear to be ready for the next challenge. They are calm during a crisis, are decisive and confident, and always have a word of appreciation for their team members. Where does this energy come from? What fuels the drive of a leader? Depending on how you define “leader” there are many answers. Let’s focus on the “positive leader.” The positive leader understands that the main ingredient in achieving a successful outcome to a challenge or an objective is the people who perform the tasks. These people expect support, direction, protection from interference and meddling, and appreciation for their work. The positive leader realizes that he or she must create an environment that provides a general sense of support and a feeling that the work being performed is actually adding value. This is a very tall order.

So how does a leader generate the energy required to lead? At least part of the answer to that question can be found in the following 5 steps:

Develop personal goals that are clearly defined and written
Ensure that the work you do is interesting
Ensure that the work is challenging
Perform work that will be appreciated by the entire organization
Identify work that will add value to the organization’s processes or specific mission

Develop personal goals that are clearly defined and written

An important step in generating personal energy is to clearly define a set of personal goals. These goals should be realistic, non-competing (one goal does not undermine another goal) and should be things you really want. Create goals for your family and personal life, your professional career, and your health. Simply having a set of goals will create an urge to move forward to achieve them. Just imagine reaching a goal and you can feel the energy beginning to build.

Ensure that the work you do is interesting

People with just a touch of creativity and innovation can make even the most mundane work seem interesting. Attitude is a key factor here. The leader sees opportunity in all work. The leader also knows that the work performed and the results achieved are a reflection of their true value. If work is to be performed, the work should be necessary and should contribute to the higher goals of the organization. The leader seeks work that will result in an increase in personal value (such as increased knowledge about a business operation or product or improvement of a skill such as negotiation) and will perform work that will interest others.

Ensure that the work is challenging

The leader seeks and accepts assignments that are challenging. These are assignments that others shy away from. A good challenge sparks the imagination and causes the mind to come alive with ideas. A challenge asks to be overcome and ignites the energy cells within the leader.

Perform work that will be appreciated by the entire organization

At any level of an organization, work must be performed. There is always someone to whom the leader reports and all leaders are expected to perform work that will benefit the organization. This includes the “C” level managers who are generally held accountable by stockholders, a board of directors, or a board of trustees. The CEO is also held accountable by the employees who look to the CEO for direction, strategies for continued growth, and a workplace to be proud of. The positive leader performs his or her assignments with a high degree of professionalism, a focus on quality, and with an understanding that the work has been assigned for a reason. Partially completed work, poor quality, late completion of assignments will certainly not be appreciated.

Identify work that will add value to the organization’s processes or specific mission

The positive leader focuses on work that will add value to the organization and enhance his or her personal value. The work may be associated with improving the financial condition of the organization or may improve the reputation of the brand. The work may increase the loyalty of the employees or create a greater bond with customers. There are leaders at every level of an organization and anyone who identifies and performs value adding work is a leader.

The energy that drives the leader also creates the environment that will motivate the team. A team that observes a leader who shows interest in their work, clearly demonstrates appreciation for their work, and who challenges them to reach beyond their perceived limitations will always have a “positively charged” organization.

© 2011 allPM.com

Frank P. Saladis, PMP is a consultant and instructor in the project management profession with over 35 years of experience in IT, Telecom Installation and the IT Project Management training environment. Frank is a past-president of the PMI Assembly of Chapter Presidents and is the originator of International Project Management Day.

Artykuł opublikowany dzięki uprzejmości International Institute for Learning, Inc.

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Positive Leadership in Project Management