Keys for Successful Project Leadership

Today I read a blog by Mike Figliuolo of ThoughtLeaders. I really liked how he suggested that project management is really not the matter at hand, rather project leadership. It made me wonder if I had been giving the leadership demanded for the TQP project. Sometimes it is good to touch base on progress.
He shared four key ideas for successful project management.

• Define Success
• leaders set the direction and set the bar as well as determine the metrics for success
• Procure Resources
• listen to what the team needs
• negotiate to get everything they need to be successful
• Dress like a Fire Fighter
• leaders manage change
• leaders advocate
• leaders fight fires should to shoulder with team members
• Sing Their Praises
• be there when team members are successful and make sure people know about it
• team members see their hard work is recognized, valued and rewarded

From these four points I can see that I have growth to attain in my leadership of the UNI TQP project. My strengths are not goal setting and measuring success but I will work to change this. The other three areas I feel I do quite well. Fortunately, as a grant project we have many of the resources necessary already. Listening and advocating come naturally to me as does encouraging and celebrating successes.

A new development created by team members is that of a recruitment video. This piece was created to get the message out about student perspective about our experiences of Level 3 students including reflective conversations with cooperating teachers & immersive field experience that may include community home stays. If you have 5 minutes, please take a look at the video. You will learn quite a bit about our approach this Fall 2011 semester.   TQP Promo Video