Tag: Emotional Intelligence
Beyond Bullet Points: Elevating Project Communications to Strategic Art
The art of communication is the language of leadership. James Humes 1. The Myth: “Communication Is Merely Data Transmission” Too many project managers equate effective communication with the flawless delivery of facts and figures. They compile spreadsheets, craft dense slide decks, and send them out on a strict schedule, assuming that raw data alone will…
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Project Leadership
The Day I Almost Lost My Cool It was a high-stakes meeting, and tensions were running high. A key stakeholder was frustrated, the team was defensive, and the project was at risk. My instinct? Push back hard. But something stopped me. I took a breath, acknowledged the stakeholder’s concerns, and shifted the focus to finding…
The Power of Project Retrospectives: Learning from Every Project, Win or Lose
A Tale of Two Projects (and One Missed Opportunity) Early in my career, I managed two back-to-back projects. The first was a mess—delayed, over budget, and full of friction. We barely made it. The second? Smooth sailing. On time, under budget, and the team was thrilled. After the first project, we were so relieved it…
The Power of Storytelling in Project Management
A Tale of Two Projects Let me tell you about two projects I managed early in my career. Both had similar scopes, budgets, and timelines. Both had talented teams. But one soared, and the other… well, let’s just say it limped across the finish line. What was the difference? Storytelling. In the first project, I…
Emotional Intelligence: The Unsung Hero of Project Management
A Confession from the Trenches I’ll let you in on a little secret: I used to think project management was all about the hard stuff. Scope creep? Build a tighter plan. Missed deadlines? Double down on the schedule. Budget overruns? Crunch the numbers harder. For years, I was a spreadsheet warrior, armed with formulas and…
Emotional Intelligence in Project Management: Building Stronger Teams and Better Outcomes
1. Introduction Project management often focuses on processes, methodologies, and deliverables. Yet, the human element underpins every successful project. Emotional Intelligence (EI)—the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions while also empathizing with others—can profoundly impact team performance. This article explores how EI intersects with project management, offering practical strategies, case studies, and creative…
