Have you ever experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of a project teetering on the brink of disaster? That sinking sensation in the pit of your stomach as deadlines slip away and tensions rise, signalling the impending collapse of what could have been a triumph.
This isn’t just a scenario—it’s a reality for many PMO managers and executive sponsors who have witnessed firsthand how diverse mindsets and varying degrees of emotional intelligence among stakeholders can turn potential triumphs into overwhelming challenges. Contrast that with a team that operates like a well-oiled machine, delivering on time, under budget, and with stellar team morale. The difference? A project team that is aware of a handful of subtle leadership and interpersonal traits.
Project teams come together and bring diverse skill sets to deliver a product, service, or capability that has significant financial or strategic value. The synergy of the team members determines the project’s fate.
Consider the following scenarios:
Scenario #1: Company ABC starts strong, banking on the past successes of its project managers and the solid reputation of its partners. Yet, six months in, typical stressors lead to team discord: misalignment on architecture, behind-the-scenes politics, misinterpretations of requirements, strained relations, and escalating change requests. The result? A paused or cancelled project, significant delays, cost overruns, departing team members, dissatisfied suppliers, weakened strategic alliances, and a tarnished company reputation.
Scenario #2: Company XYZ adopts a proactive approach. They invest in pre-project team building and leadership development, where a facilitator uses specific assessment tools to outline conflict-handling, working, and communication styles and establish clear team operating practices. A leadership coach remains engaged, helping to resolve conflicts, guide dialogue, and ensure team coherence throughout the project lifecycle.
How does the cost of the potential losses in the first scenario compare to making a preventive investment of 2-3% of the project budget to develop leadership across the project team?
Investing in Leadership—An Insurance Policy
Just as we invest in insurance to mitigate the risks to our health, property, and operations, investing in project team leadership does the same. Our 8020 Excellerate Project Success Leadership programs are insurance policies against the risks associated with poor leadership, such as strained relationships, lost opportunities, and unmet potential.
By equipping leaders with growth mindset tools and improved cognitive and emotional skills, organizations can ensure that their projects not only meet immediate objectives but also create a lasting positive impact.