How to be a good project manager

As a new project manager, there are a ton of challenges you are going to face moving ahead. Gone are the days when you just had to focus on your work and be done with it. Now you are in charge of an entire team of individuals who look to you for leadership and guidance. Whether it is task management or allotting responsibilities, here are some ways you can inspire them to complete each task you give them to perfection:

Listen and engage without discrimination

When you were an entry level employee yourself, what did you do to be where you are now? You listened, observed and learned. That is exactly what your team members will do so you need to give them time to soak up everything you teach them. Make that easier by paying attention to the team dynamics.

This will help you determine strengths and weaknesses of each team member and determine what you can do to even the playing field for them. Engage with them to learn how they can work with you well enough to make project completion a priority. Listening and working on the information you get will go a long way in developing lasting relationships with your team that can make for a comfortable work environment. This tip will also hold you in good stead with virtual teams you might manage someday.

Be a problem solver – not an antagonist

You will face this sooner or later. Sometimes, upper management such as CEOs and Senior managers might decide to ‘drop in’ on team meetings to give their opinions on your work or suggestions. Similarly, you might face confrontations with certain team members who have a completely different way of doing things.

That might turn into a problem that can overthrow your leadership but not if you handle things diplomatically. The first thing you need to see is how much preemptive solutions you can come up with according to each situation. Explore their point of view first before giving your two cents about the matter. That way both parties will be satisfied that their opinions have been heard and they will be more willing to consider your point of view.

Determine project milestones beforehand

Nobody likes a leader who does not know the plot. If you cannot determine the milestones of each project, how can you expect your team members to take you seriously? Each project will seem endless to them and the rewards vague. Therefore, the best thing to do before every project is to determine its lifecycle.

This should be divided in phases that are easy to follow such as initiation of the project, planning, execution and conclusion. After each phase is complete, evaluate the results to determine if you should move to the next phase. Make sure that all of the specifications of the project are met at each stage to ensure a positive outcome and a happier team at the end. Planning phases this way will not only help you limit risks, but it will also go a long way to make your team stronger.