Whatever type of Project you are Managing results will be improved by paying more attention to your people skills:-
- Treat others as you would expect to be treated yourself – it’s so obvious but so easily neglected. When the pressure is on it’s even more important. Every word you say, every action you take needs to take into consideration the impact on the feelings of those around you. It sounds a bit ‘wet’ but if you consistently neglect the impact your actions have on others you will pay the price of poor Team performance and morale.
- Communicate – keep the team informed by giving regular briefings and updates.
- Don’t rely on email – it’s a great way of communicating complex information but terrible at conveying emotions.
- Face to Face – the most effective way of communicating. Sit down with your key team members at least once a week.
- Leave the door open – always make yourself available for a private chat.
- Make it fun – it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the bureaucracy of project management – keep a sense of humor & maintain a positive outlook.
- Never criticize anyone in front of the Team – keep it for your one to one.
- Open & Honest – personal communication should make your team members aware of your thoughts. This means telling people face to face what you think is good & what you think is bad. This requires you to listen openly without interrupting & being argumentative. Through this process your team will gain respect for your point of view & learn that you are a good listener.
- Treat people equally – whether they are the cleaner or the CEO.
These issues will be further explored in my forthcoming book – ‘The Projectsguru guide to effective Project Management’
chris@projectsguru.co.uk
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