How Do You Run a Project Team?

Running a project team effectively involves a blend of strong leadership, clear communication, and a deep understanding of your team members' strengths and working styles. It's about guiding your team towards successful project completion while fostering a supportive and productive environment.

Effective project team management isn't just about tasks; it's about people. A successful project manager builds trust, empowers team members, and ensures everyone is aligned with the project's goals.

Core Principles for Managing a Project Team

To successfully navigate the complexities of project delivery, a project manager must adopt several key practices that prioritize both outcomes and team well-being. Based on expert advice, here are fundamental approaches to running a project team:

1. Praise Your Team Where It Is Due

Acknowledging and celebrating successes, big or small, is crucial for team morale and motivation. Regular praise reinforces positive behaviors and shows your team their efforts are valued.

• Practical Insights:
  • Timely Recognition: Offer praise immediately after a success or significant effort.
  • Specific Feedback: Instead of "Good job," say "I really appreciate how you solved X problem with Y solution; it saved us a lot of time."
  • Public and Private: Recognize achievements in team meetings and also through individual messages.

2. Be Approachable and Encouraging

An approachable leader fosters an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, raising concerns, and asking for help. Encouragement builds confidence and resilience within the team.

• Practical Insights:
  • Open-Door Policy: Make it clear that your door (or virtual chat) is always open for discussions.
  • Active Listening: When team members speak, give them your full attention and listen to understand, not just to respond.
  • Growth Mindset: Frame challenges as learning opportunities and encourage experimentation.

3. Allow Your Team to Work in Their Style

Trusting your team to accomplish tasks using methods that best suit them empowers individuals and can lead to more innovative and efficient solutions. Avoid micro-managing.

• Practical Insights:
  • Focus on Outcomes: Define clear objectives and deadlines, but allow flexibility in how tasks are completed.
  • Provide Resources: Ensure they have the tools and information needed, then step back.
  • Respect Autonomy: Understand that different people thrive with different approaches to work.

4. Be Decisive, Not Flaky

Project managers must make timely and clear decisions. Indecision can lead to delays, confusion, and a lack of confidence in leadership.

• Practical Insights:
  • Gather Information: Base decisions on available data, but avoid "analysis paralysis."
  • Communicate Clearly: Once a decision is made, communicate it unambiguously to the entire team.
  • Stand Firm (When Appropriate): Be prepared to explain your rationale and stick to your decision unless new, compelling information arises.

5. Know How to Delegate

Effective delegation is about more than just offloading tasks; it's about leveraging team strengths, developing skills, and distributing workload efficiently.

• Practical Insights:
  • Match Skills to Tasks: Assign tasks based on individual strengths and areas for growth.
  • Provide Context: Explain the "why" behind the task and its importance to the project.
  • Empower and Trust: Delegate responsibility, not just tasks, and trust your team to deliver.

6. Lead Your Team by Example

Your actions speak louder than words. As a project manager, modeling the behavior you expect from your team builds credibility and sets a high standard.

• Practical Insights:
  • Work Ethic: Demonstrate commitment, diligence, and a positive attitude.
  • Integrity: Be honest, transparent, and fair in all your dealings.
  • Accountability: Take responsibility for your own actions and commitments.

7. Maintain Good Communication with Everyone

Clear, consistent, and open communication is the backbone of any successful project team. This includes regular updates, feedback, and active listening.

• Practical Insights:
  • Regular Check-ins: Schedule daily stand-ups or weekly meetings to discuss progress and roadblocks.
  • Feedback Loops: Encourage two-way feedback, both positive and constructive.
  • Transparency: Share relevant information openly, including challenges and changes.

8. Never Settle for 'One Size Fits All'

Every team is unique, and so are the individuals within it. A flexible and adaptable management approach that recognizes individual differences is more effective than a rigid, standardized one.

• Practical Insights:
  • Understand Individual Needs: Learn about your team members' working preferences, strengths, and development areas.
  • Adapt Your Style: Adjust your leadership approach based on the specific needs of the project, the team, and individual members.
  • Foster Diversity: Recognize that diverse perspectives and approaches can lead to better outcomes.

Summary of Key Leadership Traits

Here's a quick overview of the essential traits for running a project team:

For more detailed insights on managing a project team, you can explore resources like the VertoCloud blog.