10 qualities of a top project manager you should know

10 qualities of a top project manager you should know

Learn more

Next page

1. Communication skills

Since a project manager will lead team members of various seniority levels, they will need to interact and communicate with all of them effectively. Your project manager must have excellent communication skills, including skills in active listening and understanding non-verbal cues, to lead and communicate effectively.

Next page

2. Leadership skills

It’s essential for a project manager to have excellent leadership skills. Part of leadership involves leading team members who have different backgrounds, strengths, and abilities. Your candidates should have project manager qualities that will help them unify team members despite their differences.

Next page

3. Technical expertise

To understand the projects they oversee, project managers must have technical expertise. For example, a software engineering project manager must understand the technical requirements of the team’s projects, including code reviews, testing, debugging, and deployment. They should also understand the tools, processes, and project 

Next page

3. Technical expertise

management steps needed to successfully complete projects.

Next page

4. Team-building skills

Another essential quality of a project manager is team-building skills. Assembling an efficient team that can work together effectively to overcome challenges is crucial to a project’s success. Since several barriers can prevent team cohesion, such as team members’ individual, unique work priorities, you should look for project 

Next page

4. Team-building skills

managers skilled in team building to help build a productive team.

Next page

5. Problem-solving skills

Project managers with problem-solving skills have answers to complex problems. However, other project manager qualities can also reinforce problem-solving skills. For example, you should look for an applicant who can draw upon their team’s knowledge to solve problems or think of unique and creative ways to resolve issues.

Next page

6. Delegation skills

Task and project delegation skills are another example of the qualities of a project manager. Task delegation doesn’t only entail assigning team members their tasks. A project manager must also understand the skills of their team. Relying on the strengths of their team members and trusting them to complete the tasks is another 

Next page

6. Delegation skills

subskill related to delegation – it’s what makes a good project manager successful in the role. Try to find project managers who have delegation skills such as these.

Next page

7. Ability to work under pressure

Can your candidate solve problems and work under pressure? Project managers should know how to keep calm while handling the most complex projects. To work efficiently under pressure, project managers need to stay organized and be resourceful. It’s also critical for them to know where to get the right information or who to ask for support.

Next page

8. Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm doesn’t just mean having a positive mindset when managing a team. Buoying up team morale is a major part of what makes a good project manager successful. You should look for candidates who have a positive leadership mindset. However, it’s also important to find applicants who are prepared to get their feet wet and actively support 

Next page

8. Enthusiasm

their team. For this reason, one of the subqualities of a project manager that relates to enthusiasm is the willingness to constantly learn new things about their field of work. This skill will ensure your candidates lead by example and show enthusiasm for the projects they lead.

Next page

9. Competence

Ideally, a project manager should show mastery of their field, which gives them the competence to lead a team.  Competence encompasses a range of behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and skills that contribute to success. Another example of competence as a project manager is the ability to make business decisions. 

Next page

9. Competence

Project managers must know when to offer more assistance to a team member or take a step back and reinforce a teachable moment by letting their team take charge. In short, competence is more than just having skills – it’s about knowing how to use such skills and incorporate them fully into the behaviors required for project management. This skill 

Next page

9. Competence

integration is what you must look for in a project manager.

Next page

10. Integrity

Top project managers have an honest, hardworking attitude, and this quality is a fundamental element of integrity. But integrity is more than this. In project management, candidates need to remain consistent in their actions and behaviors with all team members. They must show that they are champions of hard 

Next page

10. Integrity

work by recognizing and rewarding their team’s efforts. It’s essential to search for candidates with integrity because this quality enables them to motivate teams and drive success.

More

Read

10 New Job Fields for Women in 2022

10 Steps to a Resume That Will Get You Hired

10 Important Career Tips for Women

See More