Project Leadership

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.

Targeted Groups:

• 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 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 Competencies:

• Project management
• Leadership skills
• Situation analysis
• Problem-solving
• Understanding motivational needs
• Customer orientation
• Leading projects
• Controlling projects

Course Content:

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