The top five most valuable soft skills for project managers

In the project profession, there is a common misconception that soft skills, often referred to as human or professional skills, such as communication and leadership, are innate qualities that project managers either possess or lack. This belief can lead to the undervaluation of these crucial skills, with many assuming they cannot be taught or developed.

However, soft skills are not merely inherent traits but competencies that can be cultivated and refined over time through training, experience, and practice. Understanding this opens up a world of development possibilities for project managers who strive to enhance their effectiveness and achieve even greater success.

When thinking about upskilling your project management abilities, soft skills can be a great place to start. But what are the soft skills that really matter in project management? Today, we’re exploring the top five most valuable soft skills that are indispensable in our current professional landscape.

Top five soft skills for project managers

1. Effective communication

Communication is the cornerstone of any project’s success. A project manager must articulate goals, expectations, and updates clearly and effectively to a variety of stakeholders, including team members, executives, and clients. Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and project delays.

Effective communication looks like:

• Clarity and conciseness: ensuring that messages are clear and to the point helps avoid confusion
• Active listening: understanding and addressing concerns and feedback from team members and stakeholders
• Adaptability: tailoring your communication style to suit different audiences and mediums, from formal presentations to informal team meetings

How to boost effective communication:

• Regular updates: keep all stakeholders informed with consistent communication in preferred formats and at regular intervals
• Feedback loops: establish mechanisms for receiving and acting on feedback
• Documentation: maintain clear and accessible project documentation

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2. Leadership

Leadership in project management goes beyond assigning tasks. It involves inspiring and motivating team members, fostering a positive work environment, and leading by example. Strong leadership helps navigate challenges and steer the project towards its goals.

Inspiring leadership looks like:

• Vision: articulating a clear vision for the project and aligning the team around it
• Empathy: understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of team members
• Decision making: making informed decisions swiftly and confidently, even in uncertain situations

How to boost inspiring leadership:

• Lead by example: demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team
• Empower team members: delegate responsibilities, trust your team to deliver and boost their development
• Celebrate successes: recognise and reward team achievements to maintain morale

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3. Conflict resolution

Conflict is inevitable in any team setting, but how it is managed can significantly impact a project’s outcome. A project manager needs to address conflicts promptly and constructively to maintain team harmony and productivity.

Navigating conflict successfully looks like:

• Early intervention: address conflicts as soon as they arise to prevent escalation
• Mediation: act as a neutral mediator to help parties find common ground
• Win-win solutions: strive for solutions that satisfy all parties involved

How to boost conflict resolution:

• Open communication channels: encourage team members to voice concerns openly with psychologically safe feedback options
• Training: provide conflict resolution training to team members