LEADERSHIP IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The goal of this paper is to indicate possible ways to improve leadership qualities in Project Management. The approach to leadership is changing. The traditional concept of leadership perceived as “command and control” gradually gives way to a new, more flexible approach, which requires - on the one hand - the ability to predict (looking ahead) and - on the other - “courage” to delegate powers and the ability to motivate a team. The paper analyses two different approaches to leadership: transactional vs. transformational.

The results of the studies prove that a modern leader should be a transformational rather than a transactional one. Transformational leadership is about making all project members creative, engage and full of initiative. It is project manager role as leader to integrate team members around defined goals and make them feel responsible for solving project problems. In regard to growing demand for versatility of Project Manager, a Project Manager has to continuously improve his/ her leadership skills.

The author of this article, basing on her years’ long experiences with running projects, formulates a recommendation concerning three ways of improving one’s leadership skills. All three recommendations are practical and are aimed at helping Project Manager in engaging project team members in a joint effort to overcome difficulties, as well as looking for new challenges.

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