Three Strengths of Great Project Leaders

Great project leaders have certain strengths in common. Whether they were picked up in a project management training program or learned by experience on the job, there are some key traits that make a project’s success not guaranteed but at least more likely.

Assess your own abilities as you take on a new project and build up your strengths in the following three areas:

1. See the forest for the trees. Depend on your team members to focus on the details. You should always keep the big picture in view and be able to think clearly when pressing problems arise. Climb out of the trenches and take your time as you analyze possible solutions.
2. Stay positive. Even when enthusiasm lags as the project drags on, you as project leader should stay upbeat and full of practical encouragement and ideas to keep moving successfully forward.
3. Establish smart milestones. Lengthy projects benefit from multiple checkpoints. Be sure to celebrate the smaller goals along the way to keep the team engaged, monitor progress and manage expectations.

Strategic thinking, enthusiasm and ability to keep your team on task are all critical to successful project management.