I've talked in previous articles about aspects of being a great project manager, including what I view as business-oriented leadership: driving forward and leading the team to ensure that a project is launched, planned, and executed with alignment to business goals and customer needs.

I haven't yet touched much on a different aspect of leadership, which I refer to the "leadership persona"—not just what you do as a leader, but also how you come across to others as you lead the team. Along the line I have heard particular managers labeled as strong leaders based (apparently) on their extroverted motivational styles. Did this mean that "rah rah motivational leadership," being good at making speeches to keep the team jazzed, was a must? That's how it came across to me at the time.

Over time I have concluded personally that successful team leadership does not depend on the "rah rah" version of extroverted leadership as a foundational requirement. But I do believe that how you come across to people as you fulfill the project manager role can significantly add to or subtract from your effectiveness and the team's energy, morale, and success. Read More »