Motivation by Project Manager – Makes or Breaks the team!

People and Planning is what really determines the overall project success. The team members are the real gems of any project. When a team is working well, each member knows that he or she is part of something bigger than the individuals involved - that the team is greater than the sum of its parts. When a team performs well, they know they can overcome obstacles have achieve their goals easily. All this is only possible when the team is headed is by a strong leader, in most cases – The Project Manager.

Jim Rohn says - The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly. What it all boils down to is – If a Project Manager can rightly motivate his team!

From a bit of research, here are a few points below that I feel really help motivate a team:

1. Clarity 

The most important factor while working in a team, is that the team realises what they are working for. Each project has different goals and as a project Manager, be sure that you have shared clearly with the team what they are working towards achieving and when it needs to be achieved by.

2. Maintain a Positive Outlook

Whether you love your job or hate going to work every day depends on the kind of environment you work in. If it’s a negative environment it creates frustrations and it becomes difficult to retain people. Hence, a project manager needs to ensure that a positive environment is maintained in his team. He needs to ensure communication is open; members can state their opinions knowing that differences of opinion are valued. 

3. Be understanding

It's important to be friendly with your team members, to make small talk, and to make them feel wanted and cared for, but you don't want to cross too far over that line. Most importantly, successful team members should not just "feel good", they need to get their work done, meet deadlines and achieving their goals – it is important. 

4. Reward for Contributions

Be a project manager who is acknowledged as one of the team member. It is easy to turn into a dictator – So make sure you behave far from one. Ask for your team members opinions, ask them to share their knowledge. Make them feel important and equally responsible for the project. Reward the members for making contributions and encourage healthy competition.

5. Create Social Events out of Work Space

Everyone likes to party! It has been studied that creating social events for the team to gel up will make the team stronger. You can decide to have lunch together, or go dining after office. Adding a bit of fun element to your daily routine environment will serve as a change as well get more productive efforts from your team members.

A Project Manager is responsible for the overall success or failure for a Project. And how the Project Manager relies on are team members. Motivation is thus an important skill that every project manager must possess to get the best out of his team!

About Author:

Shweta Samudra is a consultant in Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd. Within Systems Plus, she actively contributes to the areas of Technology and Information Security. She can be contacted at: shweta.samudra@spluspl.com