For a project manager to be effective he/she needs to be able to both lead and manage. Leadership and Management are not the same. However, they must complement each other if you are to be successful. So how are they different?
Management
Management generally focuses on the work aspects of the project. When we manage something we typically deal with work and work activities. Managing focuses on items such as:
- Plans – project, risk, contingency, assumptions, scope, change, communication
- Resource Allocation – physical & people
- Time/schedule
- Costs/budgets
- Monitoring and Controlling
- Coordinating
- Directing
- Conflict
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
Leadership
Leadership generally focuses on the people aspects of the project. When we lead we focus more on items such as:
- Vision/goals
- Stakeholders
- Teamwork & Team Building
- Persuasion
- Inspiration & Motivation
- Relationship Building
- Communications
- Counseling & Coaching
- Instructing & Teaching
- Mentoring & Guiding
An effective project manager will need to be able to apply both managerial and leadership skills.
Al Senzamici, PMP
Program Manager
ImageSource, Inc.
Posted by alsenzamici 
