The reality of project leadership - what's so special about good leadership?

What's so special about good leadership – it's the followers that make or break a project isn't it?

Leadership is the ability to establish vision and direction, to influence and align others towards a common purpose, and to empower and inspire people to achieve project success" – APM Body of Knowledge, 5th edition

Assuming the project manager adopts the role of a leader when designing and delivering a project, leadership skills will be a critical factor in affecting the outcome of the project.

Developing leadership skills has been high on the agenda for a number of years. A leader, however, is not an island.

In the words of Max de Pree:

“A team of giants needs giant pitchers who throw good ideas but every pitcher needs an outstanding catcher. Without giant catchers, the ideas of the giant pitchers may eventually disappear.”

We look at what makes a leader lead, and what makes a ‘giant catcher’ choose to be on the team and go the extra mile to catch the ball.

The workshop will aim to:

• Challenge the assumed 'top heavy' emphasis placed on the attributes of the leader in the project context
• Determine when leadership skills are appropriate, which ones, and in which context?

This is an interactive and workshop based session designed to develop thinking and understanding of leadership in a project management context and is an opportunity to take part in some practical co-creation in this developing area of project management understanding.

The final session of this event will be feedback from the APM People SIG on the recent project manager as coach event.

The speakers

Jane Royden specialises in coaching and mentoring in the context of programme, project and change management. Chair of the APM People SIG, Jane is also involved with the APM Mentoring pilot group. Jane is interested in identifying the sort of things that give us confidence as project, programme and change managers, what really makes the difference to our outlook, how we feel and ultimately what we deliver. Jane is a director E AND H, a leading provider of people focussed change, programme and project management in the UK.

Eleri Evans fist joined the APM in the 90’s as a PM. She is now the energetic director of Trans4rm Ltd which brings strategic coaching programmes for mid and senior level management that are designed and aligned with business strategy, transformational change and organisational development objectives. Her passion is to accelerate the maturity process for managers through developing their skills and increasing their resilience alongside real life situational business scenarios. This passion has been built from past personal experience of progressing in corporate organisations through to delivering IT projects and programmes internationally.

Carol Sharp of can do people ltd is a highly experienced OD/HR professional with 15 years at senior management level. She has a track record in successfully delivering large scale transformation projects, aligning people strategies with business goals, and unlocking human potential. She has worked with chief executives and boards of directors, senior managers, teams and individuals across the UK to transform performance. Carol is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Public Sector People Managers Association.