Consorzio per il Lavoro e le Attività Innovative e Formative

THE SOFT SKILLS OF THE PROJECT MANAGER

Mary Trapani UNIVERSITA’ DELLA CALABRIA Rende, May 10, 2012

MANAGE YOUR PROJECT MANAGE YOUR FUTURE

MANAGE YOURSELF

MANAGE YOUR PROJECT MANAGE YOUR FUTURE

MANAGE YOURSELF

KNOW

yourself, your skills, your attitude, your behavior Then you can be a successful person

My experience

•

President of LAIF

(Vocational training, Lifelong Learning,

Masters, Counselling for selection and developing of human resources; SME support for innovation; Project management)

•

CEO with a wealth of experience in the training project, the processes of training, human resources and business growth.

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Entrepreneur

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Project Leader and Project Manager in national and international projects

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University lecturer and trainer

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Coach and mentor for the European Commission for young entrepreneurs

•

Scientific director of the Master in "Human Resources Management and Development"

LESSONS LEARNED

MANY…..ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IS: that most of project management involves the act of getting things done through the skills and efforts of other people, mainly the project team members. Our ability to influence, oversee, assign, delegate, and supervisor others is critical.

Since this is true, the project manager’s interpersonal skills are of immeasurable value. Closely tied to interpersonal skills are behavioral skills: our personal conduct, style and approach. Together, these two skill sets are called SOFT SKILLS, a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces.

Some of soft skills that project managers need to possess in order to be successful:

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Team and individual leadership

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Communication and public speaking

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Conflict resolution

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Negotiation

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Influencing

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Delegating

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Coaching and mentoring

SOFT SKILLS

Team and individual leadership

The ability to lead individuals on your team and within the organization is critical as is the ability to lead a cohesive team and direct them on a long-term project toward a successful conclusion.

Oral and written communication

Communication is n.1 for the project manager . Keep the team and customer well informed, keep the communication flowing on the project, and communicate well with your executive leadership and no one gets hurt.

SOFT SKILLS

Conflict resolution

There will always be differences to resolve. The skilled PM must have conflict resolution skills and be able to settle differences that arise on the team and with the customers. Be considerate, but be firm because project success may be at stake.

Negotiation

The PM must have good negotiation skills. Areas that may require negotiation such as resource availability, technology decisions, change orders, travel needs, etc. The project manager will find themselves negotiating more than they even realize.

SOFT SKILLS

Influencing

A well-connected PM will have very useful influence over certain key personnel and departments in their own organization. This helps knock down roadblocks during the project and helps acquire critical information or resources to complete the project.

Delegating

Learn to delegate – it’s a key part of being a project manager. Most of your time should be spend directing others, not doing each project task.

SOFT SKILLS

Coaching and mentoring

Think of everyone on your project team as a sort of mini project manager. They have their own tasks and have to get that work done by whatever means necessary in the given situation. That often means directing the work of others to help them accomplish the tasks. They are looking to you for guidance and support and your expertise in the project management world will both help them develop necessary skills and help your project

DO YOU LIKE AN EVALUATION OF YOUR SOFT SKILLS?

WILL BE A FAST TEST OF ASSESSMENT

SOFT SKILLS

1. Good Communication Skills:

Are you both verbally articulate and a good listener? Can you express your needs in a way that builds bridges with colleagues, customers and vendors?

2. Flexibility/Adaptability:

Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? Will you embrace change and be open to new ideas?

3. Working Well Under Pressure:

Can you handle the stress that accompanies deadlines and crises? Will you be able to do your best work under pressure?

4. Positive Attitude:

Are you optimistic and upbeat? Will you generate good energy and good will?

5. Self-Confidence:

Do you truly believe you can do the job? Will you project a sense of calm and inspire confidence in others? Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas?

SOFT SKILLS

6. Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism:

criticism? Are you open to learning and growing as a person and as a professional? Will you be able to handle

7. Time Management Abilities:

a number of different projects at once? Will you use your time on the job wisely? Do you know how to prioritize tasks and work on 8.

Strong Work Ethic:

Are you motivated and dedicated to getting the job done, no matter what? Will you be conscientious and do your best work?

9.

Problem-Solving Skills:

Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? Will you take ownership of problems or leave them for someone else?

10. Leadership and Team building:

Will you work well in groups and teams? Will you be cooperative and take a leadership role when appropriate?

HOW MANY YES? HOW MANY NOT? AND MAYBE?

…

Remember… whether you are applying for a service position or a technical job as member of project team or mainly as project manager, it's your combination of core competences and soft skills that will set you apart from the crowd!

Most project management training focuses on technical aspects: structure, roles, work breakdown structures, planning, control, etc.. Obviously the technical skills are essential, however, these HARD SKILLS are not sufficient in themselves to ensure a successful project.

The SOFT SKILLS are CRITICAL for SUCCESS of the project.

Courses in the field of project management Tecniche di Project Management (Certificazione rilasciata dall’Istituto Italiano del Project Management) Project Management con Microsoft Project Tecniche di Project Management applicate all’Europrogettazione e Tecniche di Fund Raising Relationship skills Management skills TAILOR MADE

Thanks

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www.consorziolaif.it

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[email protected]