Description

The leadership role of the project manager is increasingly recognised as a key determinant in delivering success. These skills can often be critical in project situations, where tight budgets and deadlines demand the highest levels of team performance and where the working environment presents fresh challenges on a daily basis.

This programme focuses on the leadership skills required of project managers and will benefit anyone involved in managing projects large or small wishing to extend or enhance those skills.

The objectives of this programme are to help the participants:

Understand the significance of leadership skills to the project manager 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 organisational 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

DAY ONE

1 Introduction

Aims and objectives
Personal objectives

2 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

3 Principles of effective leadership

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

4 Syndicate case study: Leadership in action

Review of the role of leadership in a contemporary project
Feedback and plenary discussion: effective project leadership

5 Team exercise: Leadership skills of the project manager

Teams compete in performing a project simulation
Project review and feedback
Discussion of the outcome: role and skills of the project leader

6 Leadership skills for project managers

The 3 dimensions of project leadership: inwards, outwards, and upwards
The vital role of communication skills and how to develop them
Developing a 'project vision': strategic thinking skills
Understanding others; emotional intelligence skills
Being a visible leader; behavioural and influencing skills
Building effective relationships; the importance of trust and respect

DAY TWO

7 Leading the project team

The role of leadership in developing team performance
Understanding individual strengths; recognising 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

8 Leading through the organisation

Gaining the support others; 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; leading colleagues and co-workers

9 Team exercise: Leadership and negotiation

Teams engage in a negotiation exercise
Exercise review and feedback
Discussion of the outcome: negotiation skills of the project leader

10 Negotiation skills for project leaders

Characteristics of effective negotiators
Classic problem behaviours and mind-sets to avoid
Getting to win-win; building partnership and trust

11 Leading more senior stakeholders

The challenges and skills of leading and managing upwards
Communicating with more senior stakeholders; building credibility
Negotiating upwards: knowing when and how
The role of networking skills; building and maintaining rapport
Handling disagreements; the art of diplomacy
Handling personality and style conflicts with more senior people

Course Images

Effective project leadership (In-House)

By The In House Training Company

Booking options

Highlights