AtTask

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper of the U.S. Navy said, "No one ever managed men into battle."

Over the years I've noticed that the traits that make people successful leaders are not always the same traits that make people successful managers.  Is this also true in project management?

Method and process are important tools when used by a project manager who can communicate, motivate, inspire, and lead.  Unfortunately, sometimes the skills and attributes that make a good project leader aren't associated with the metrics that determine whether or not they are a successful project manager.

Typically, project managers are measured against:

• Methodology
• Process
• Project Plans
• Reporting
• Project Meetings
• Software Skills

I suggest the following attributes are even more important:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Focus
• Motivation
• Inspiration
• Energy

In an article published some time ago on www.projectsmart.co.uk, they suggest that "Success boils down to the character and talent of the person leading the project over and above the mechanisms used to deliver the project."

I agree.  There is a difference between leadership and management. 

Dealing with the minutia of work management can be accomplished with the right project management software.  Successful project leaders take advantage of available project management tools to make planning, reporting, and implementing process easier—allowing them to focus on "leading" the project team.

I believe successful project based work really is led, not managed.  What are you doing to improve your "leadership" skills?