Webinar Review: Leadership and Communication Skills for Project Managers

Webinar Date: 8/6/2011 (11:00 PM – 12:00 AM GMT+8)
Provider: Corporate Education Group (Website: http://www.butrain.com/)
Speaker: Star Dargin from Star Leadership LLC
(Website: http://www.starleadershipllc.com)
Cost: Complimentary
PDU Count: 1 unit

SUMMARY

• Leadership: involves changes and new directions.
• Leaders: influence people.
• Projects require change; therefore, projects need leadership.
• New areas require leadership.
• Thus, project managers need to have leadership skills.
• There are certain characteristics that differentiate a leader from a manager.

• Leadership attributes change as project progresses.

• A leader must be; amongst others: hones, forward-looking, competent and inspiring.
• A leader must be able to identify cultural characteristics and identify to it so that response can be tailored accordingly.
• To be informed on organisation’s style, check what books, for example, that the CEO reads. Find out who are their role models.
• Different types of leadership:
  • Character – respond to their conscience
  • Analysis – respond to ideas
  • Accomplishment – respond to problem
  • Interaction – respond to people
• Know your strength, know your blindside, know what the project needs
• Emotional intelligence plays an important role to a leader:
  • Self awareness
  • Self regulation
  • Motivation
  • Empathy
  • Social Skills

PMBOK Guide 4th Edition on leadership (pg: 240):

“Successful projects require strong leadership skills. Leadership is important through all phases of the project life cycle. It is especially important to communicate the vision and inspire the project team to achieve high performance.”

 

COMMENT:

The webinar explained a lot of leadership qualities and ways to achieve it. However, it lacked the in depth explanation when it comes to communication skills; referring to the webinar main topic. All in all, it was a great experience and new knowledge gathering session for me.