PMEducation

SKILLS

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A long list can be made of all the skills necessary to succeed in Project Management. These skills can be categorized in different groupings. One way of grouping these skills is to look at: Interpersonal Skills, Technical Skills, and Conceptual Skills.

 

Here is a list of Interpersonal Skills. In reality, we are all learning, and no one I know has mastered any of these skills. So, use this list as a reference point; consider these as "things to work on".

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Interpersonal Skills:

• Leadership. Includes gaining respect and trust of the project management team.

• Team Building

• Motivation

• Communication

• Influencing

• Decision Making

• Political and Cultural Awareness. How the organization really works, in practice.

• Negotiation

• Trust Building

• Conflict Management

• Coaching

• Active Listening

• Overcoming Resistance to Change

• Facilitating Consensus

• Flexibility in Management Style.

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            Click on this link for more HELP with Interpersonal Skills.

 

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COMPETENCES

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A competence is a cluster of related knowledge, attitudes and skills, that enable a person to act effectively in a situation. Possible groupings include: Personal, Performance, and Knowledge competences. This list of 6 competences will serve you well in every project you manage.

  

Project Manager Competences

• Understands and applies Knowledge of how Project Management works.

• Applies appropriate Tools and Techniques.

• Brings area-specific skills. Working knowledge of the major discipline involved.

• Has a broad understanding of the other disciplines and special functions involved.

• Utilizes general management skills

• Gets things done, through and with other people. A track record of accomplishment.

 

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CHARACTERISTICS

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Sometimes called personality traits, a characteristic is a feature or quality belonging to a person, that helps to identify them. As Professional Project Managers there are 4 characteristics that you should integrate into your being. If these are not your natural inclination, some work will be required; but it will be worth it!

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Project Manager Characteristics

• Time Driven. "If there is anything to do, do it"

• Resourceful.

• Tenacious.

• Able to use both sides of the brain.

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                                      Left Brain, Right Brain

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Though outdated, the psychological theory of left or right brain dominance is still a popular way to describe certain traits in individuals. The theory goes that a person who is "left-brained" is said to be more logical, analytical, and objective. A person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective.

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As Professional Project Managers you should strive to fully use both sides of your brain. This will serve you well; not only to have a complete style of management, but also to relate better with other people who seem to be more left- or more right-brained. Here are some examples of a complete style of management:

            1. the ability to influence, without having authority

            2. the ability to pay attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture

            3. the ability to establish an open communicative environment, while

                remaining down-to-business.

            4. an inclination to hope for the best but plan for the worst