As project managers we are called not only to manage the scope, costs, quality and various other knowledge areas prescribed by so many PM methodologies, but also called to lead. Leadership can be one of those concepts that we work hard at achieving but sometimes totally miss the mark on. Understanding leadership related to really understanding not only the dictionary version of the word leadership, but also what it aims to achieve. According to John Maxwell, leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. It relates to creating and facilitating movement from where we are to where we need to be. This is not achieved through a position being held, or through instilling fear in those that need to move, but by creating a compelling desire to move. And if the leader has that desire, the rest of his team can have it to.
The theme song of the movie Madagascar is so contagious. I caught myself singing and tapping to “I like to move it move it, I like to move it” phrase every time it plays. The energy and passion created around the song will get everybody going. King Julian managed to get everybody shaking and dancing to his tune even the new comers.
This is a simple illustration, but I do believe that leadership is not so complicated. It requires a solid character entrenched with integrity. It requires enough passion and energy and good articulation of the vision to influence the team towards developing the desire to move in the same direction.
Influence however is not the same as manipulation. When we manipulate people, we often to so to achieve our personal goals at ALL costs and leave those we have manipulated feeling cheated and done in. When we influence however we work together to achieve a common ALLIGNED goal that we all feel good about when we have achieved success. Influence would never happen at the intentional detriment of others. The key lies in your intention or motive behind your persuasion of others.
So as a project manager I need to understand the vision of my project, have the ability to share and sell it to the project team and put lots of passion and energy behind it so that they can follow suite. Simple right?
