Introduction
Get to the Core of Your Leadership Style Some project managers naturally know how to lead, while others have little or no idea how to successfully manage projects. Among so many leadership styles, it can be hard to identify what exactly is your leadership style. As a project manager you must have a good understanding about your own leadership style as well as other styles as well. A good knowledge of your own leadership style and other styles lets you understand the different personality traits of the people you work with. Having this information is paramount, because it helps you predict behaviors, plan for outcomes and improve performance. Keep reading, here we are going to discuss the most significant leadership styles in project management and how to identify and practice your style. Project management requires leadership. In fact, it’s impossible to be a successful project manager without demonstrating effective leadership styles.
Most important leadership styles
The range of leadership styles is vast. Some leaders are great at motivating staff through their passion, others through their willingness to provide criticism and yet others are good at promoting a balance between the two. Before you choose what style is best for you, it’s critical to know that some methods work for some people but not for others; all successful leaders must be flexible and adaptable in order to lead their teams effectively. Some of the most influential leadership styles are given below, read carefully, it can help you to select and practice your style;
Visionary: Visionary leaders are all about the future. They understand that the decisions they make today will impact the organization’s future, so they’re always looking ahead. A good visionary leader will identify new opportunities and seek out new ways to implement them in their projects.
Coaching: The coaching leader nurtures employees’ ability to do their jobs well, and gives them the tools they need to grow in their careers. They encourage learning and growth within the organization, because they believe that when individuals improve, the company does too.
Affiliative: Affiliative leaders build strong relationships with their coworkers. They bring people together and create strong team bonds that help coworkers work effectively together on projects by fostering positive relationships among everyone involved.
Democratic: Democratic leaders listen to every voice on their team before making decisions about projects or business practices. They encourage collaboration and feedback from everyone involved in order for there to be shared consensus about what needs to be done
Pace setting: The pace setting style sets a high standard and expects people to follow it without any questions asked. This works best among experienced teams who already know how to work well together with minimal supervision from above or below them on the organizational chart. In order for this one not go wrong, it’s important that you’ve set clear expectations and created an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions if they need clarification.
The iceberg model to identify leadership styles
The Iceberg Model for Leadership is a great way to understand the many facets of leadership. This model views an iceberg as a representation of leadership, with only 10% of the mass visible above water and 90% hidden below the surface. Above water is the visible portion, which includes personality traits such as courage and determination. This part of the iceberg also includes skills such as planning and problem-solving. Beneath the waves are the invisible aspects of leadership: values, beliefs, character, knowledge, and experience. This part of the iceberg describes how you carry yourself as a leader. It is through these two types of elements—those that are visible and those that are not—that we can identify different leadership styles.
How to practice your leadership style
Practicing your leadership style in project management is an essential task that any leader can use to build and develop their team. By starting with good communication and making sure you’re creating a healthy environment for your team, you’ll be able to establish the type of leadership that’s right for your business or organization. Good communication is key to practicing your leadership style in project management, as it allows team members to speak up, ask questions, and communicate their needs. Good communication also helps everyone stay on track with tasks and deadlines, which makes everything run more smoothly.
Creating a healthy environment for your team is also important. This means providing a space where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns about the project. It’s also important to make sure that all voices are heard—even if they don’t agree with what others have said—so that nothing gets missed out on during meetings or discussions about the task at hand.
Conclusion
Not all these leadership styles will be the best for everyone, and one style may be more effective than the other depending on the situation. Nonetheless, by recognizing your natural strengths and working to become flexible in different areas, you can be confident that you’re using your leadership capabilities to their utmost potential.
Now that you know your leadership style, it’s important to keep in mind the people involved when you make decisions. You’ll be more successful as a leader if you accept that others have different leadership qualities than yours. Each of your co-workers will respond to you differently, and sometimes they may cause conflict with one another. Instead of trying to get everyone to be like you, make sure everyone is heard when making decisions or comments. Be an active listener and let others learn by example. Adapting your leadership skills can change the way your team works together, allowing for a well-rounded workplace that makes decisions efficiently.
