How to activate your project team
The Insight
Everyone knows that without a chef, even the best ingredients won’t magically turn into cake.
Projects are the same.
It’s easy to assume that a talented team of experienced, qualified personnel will automatically deliver a successful project. However, a great team doesn’t mean that as the Project Manager, you can put your feet up.
You need to consider the risk of your team getting distracted with other responsibilities. Your project is likely one of many of their projects, as well as one of many of yours.
If you want a team to be engaged, committed and enthusiastic, it’s your responsibility to motivate them. Harvard Business School suggests that what a manager says and does can impact a team’s engagement by up to 70%.
The Impact
As Project Manager, getting what you need from your team is mostly up to you.
There is a wealth of research surrounding the impact of soft skills in successful team management. But before even looking at organisational culture and personal development and the positive impact those aspects can have on engagement, commitment and attitude, there are four basic things a Project Manager can address to ensure each team member has the ability to perform at 100%.
Establish a clear project objective – i.e. define the expected outcome of the project.
Allocate personal responsibility – i.e. ensure every team member understands their role and the importance of their contribution.
Provide access to appropriate tools/info/support – i.e. provide the best resources possible to achieve their job.
Allow freedom and trust – i.e. give people space to do their job without micromanagement.
To ensure your project can thrive, you must give the team the recipe, utensils and an understanding of what success looks like and they will stay motivated and deal with the challenges that come along the way.