The leadership skills of the project manager have a substantial impact on the success of a project. You can be a leader without the skills of a project manager, and vice versa, but there is a lot each role can learn from one another. To lead effectively, you need to have a solid foundation of leadership skills, management skills, and communication skills.
How do project managers learn to lead?
As a project manager, you will be required to hold project meetings, coordinate internal and external staff, organise resources, manage client and stakeholder relationships, design a risk mitigation plan, oversee all budgeting for a project, and much, much more. A project manager has a varied and challenging career, but one that can be extremely satisfying if approached correctly.
There are plenty of options to help a project manager acquire leadership skills. Undertaking further education from a trusted organisation is one of the most beneficial steps you can take to achieve success as a project manager. Creating a foundation of knowledge to build your skills on will increase the likelihood of advancing in your career.
Studying will allow you to develop effective communication skills, create a positive workplace, develop emotional intelligence, and learn the key elements you need to be the best you can be in the project management field. All online diploma courses are developed in conjunction with leading industry experts, using modern case studies, so you are set up for long-term career growth from the beginning.
What skills can you gain from a Diploma of Leadership and Management?
Whether you are pursuing full-time or part time-study, the Diploma of Leadership and Management will offer you real-world expertise that is going to be easily transferable in your career.
You will undertake units that include:
- Managing an operation plan
- Team effectiveness
- Communicating with influence
- Quality customer service
- Creating a safe workplace
- Managing people performance
What skills can you gain from a Diploma of Project Management?
If you want to be a Project Manager, the most concise way to learn the essentials is by completing the Diploma of Project Management. At the end of this diploma, you will be well-equipped to succeed as a project manager.
When choosing this diploma, you will learn how to manage project scope, cost, information and communication, stakeholder engagement and project risk.
Double diploma – the best of both worlds
If you are sure that you want to get a qualification in Project Management, but you think the knowledge from a Diploma of Leadership and Management would give you a leg up, there is a solution. You don’t have to choose one or the other.
When you choose to study with the College for Adult Learning, you will have the opportunity to undertake a double diploma. You will be able to explore both disciplines in an effective double diploma combination. You will gain key skills and knowledge that will be crucial to helping you in your career, and potentially save hundreds of hours of study time by completing a double diploma.
A double diploma provides a way to fast track your career into management by honing the necessary skills and knowledge. Once you’ve completed your study, you will be qualified to work in a variety of industries like construction, engineering, healthcare, information technology, and so much more.
Ensure you develop the best leadership skills
The difference between project management and leadership is important. To be successful at both, you must ensure that you have the best skills to apply in the modern workplace. Project managers are not always effective leaders, but leadership skills are ones that can be learnt and built upon with practice. Like anything worth doing, you want to be practising the best methods that get results. That’s where a quality online diploma will make all the difference.
Good leaders have strong interpersonal and communication skills, otherwise known as soft skills. Your leadership needs to be the right balance of firm and fair. For example, you will be required to give immediate direction when needed while creating an environment where everyone feels safe and heard. In addition to unwavering management skills, you must be able to make trusted decisions on behalf of clients, stakeholders, and staff. A leadership and management diploma will give you the foundation to steady you among the many conflicting interests you encounter each day as a project manager.
Leadership is a team effort
Your project management skills are needed to guide a project, meet deadlines and satisfy your clients and stakeholders. By putting in the effort to strengthen your leadership skills, you will empower your team to deliver quality work and outcomes. Using your leadership skills to foster a team who are happy in their job and engender good stakeholder relationships will increase productivity and workplace wellbeing for everyone.
Leadership and management skills are essential for the project manager who strives to stand out and ensure long-term career satisfaction and performance. Is that you?