You're stepping into a leadership role in a project. How will you navigate the challenges ahead?

When I have stepped into a leadership role on a project, I think one of the most important things is to take some time with the project team to get their take on what the project is, what they have done so far and what areas they need help with. They are on the inside and getting their perspective is invaluable. This kind of listening also helps build a trust relationship with you as their new leader.

Start out with identifying leadership's priorities and how the project's mission and vision align. Identify key stakeholders and engage with them early to clarify interests, assess commitments and resource allocations. Apply these insights into developing a comprehensive project plan/approach that is clearly communicated with the project team, and stakeholders as appropriate. Ensure that everyone on the team is clear on the strategy for addressing any issues that arise, including escalation strategies. Communicate clearly and often, to stay ahead of the triple constraints of time, scope and budget, in the course of project implementation.

As per my experience, it is important to establish what the team is working towards to understand the vision. This as a leader directs you towards how success would look and how each team member contributes. Change is always difficult and you as a new leader coming in a team will also be difficult for the team members, so to start the best approach is to keep everything the same as it is, understand the success, ensure the team members have the same understanding and if not then let them educate you to align to the real vision. It is also important as a leader to help people see how the success would look to them, and their stake in the game, if it is closely aligned to the team you have an automatic winner in your hands.

Based on my experience, navigating challenges in a new leadership role involves clear communication, strategic planning, and fostering a collaborative environment. Initially, I would meet with team members individually and collectively to understand their perspectives, strengths, and challenges. Setting clear, achievable goals and aligning them with the project’s objectives is crucial. I would establish regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and address any issues promptly. Encouraging open communication and recognizing contributions builds trust and morale. By staying adaptable, leveraging team strengths, and maintaining a solutions-focused mindset, I can effectively steer the project through any challenges that arise.

Clear scope that is known, Communication, ethical behaviour, tactical empathy, seek out feedback, (good or bad) set an example to follow.

Clear objectives provide direction and purpose to the whole team. Hold a collaborative goal-setting session with the team. Use the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to define clear and actionable objectives where everybody is encouraged to provide feedback, clear their concerns or doubts. As clear objectives keep everyone focused on what matters most and provide a benchmark for measuring progress.

Stakeholder engagement is vital for project success. Develop a deliberate stakeholder engagement plan. Identify key stakeholders, their interests and preferred communication methods. Schedule regular meetings to update them and address concerns. Proactive stakeholder engagement fosters buy-in, reduces roadblocks, and ensures the project aligns with their needs.

Asumir un rol de liderazgo en un proyecto requiere enfrentar desafíos inevitables. Una gestión de riesgos efectiva es crucial para mitigar estos desafíos. Primero, fomente una cultura de comunicación abierta para identificar riesgos tempranos y abordarlos a tiempo. Utilice herramientas como análisis FODA y matrices de probabilidad e impacto para evaluar riesgos. Estas herramientas permiten priorizar riesgos y planificar respuestas adecuada.