There are as many types of PMs as there are people and each project has different conditions and different requirements for the right approach with regard to project management. Some project managers are inspired by the scale of the project, while others can feel overwhelmed with it. Some love the thrill of the unexpected, while others prefer to stick to the well-known.
As you read on, you will have the opportunity to discover the type of project manager you are and elevate your effectiveness in the world of project leadership.
What type of Project Manager are you?
Complete a short test aimed at identifying the type of Project Manager that best suits your daily activities and character traits.
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The quiz is not a diagnostic tool and its results do not constitute
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Personality traits for a Project Manager
A good PM delivers projects within the set timeframe and budget, meeting stakeholder expectations and achieving project goals. It is a minimum. The below-listed qualities are a ‘must-have’ to become a successful project manager.
Leadership and guidance
It goes without saying that successful project management requires strong leadership skills. A great project manager provides the team with a vision of the project’s objectives and takes care that this vision is not blurred or forgotten as the project progresses. Assessing the project team’s strengths and deciding how to utilize them throughout the project completion process is undoubtedly an important part of being a good leader. However, equally relevant is recognizing the team’s weaknesses and supporting them with guidance so that each team member is motivated to perform at their best. A great project manager ensures that all team members have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and leads their team with enthusiasm and passion. A good project manager has confidence in their team’s ability to complete the project.
Communication
All project-related information and communication needs to be approved and coordinated by the PMs. Only through effective communication with the team, clients, users, and management will the PM be able to ensure that everyone understands the expectations of the team and the objectives of the project. Effective communication regarding the expectations, goals, and responsibilities supports the project team in completing tasks and meeting deadlines. However, effective communication is not only about communicating one's visions to the team and about specific instructions but also about giving constructive feedback and active listening. That is why both verbal and written communication skills are a must-have for this role.
Task delegation and organization
The work of the project team is driven by the project manager’s decisions. The project team relies on the PM to plan and lead the whole project work. However, the project manager’s role does not mean that one is expected to complete each and every project task on their own. Being able to assign tasks to other team members is a fundamental component of successful project management. A great project manager is able to judge what skills do the team members have and assign roles and responsibilities according to their strengths. Undoubtedly, effective task delegation requires trusting the team to fulfill their duties. That is where good organization steps in. It is a key factor for creating a productive work environment as being well-organized helps to stay focused on the big picture, prioritize your tasks and responsibilities, and solve issues under pressure.
Integrity
Integrity can be also referred to as loyalty and honesty. By being loyal and honest to the project team the PM can gain their trust, and this in turn strongly influences the team’s performance and consequently the project completion. Integrity can also boost the team's overall confidence and create a healthy and responsible working environment. A PM who acts with integrity is a role model for the team. The project manager has to make sure that all team members follow the same clearly stated rules during the whole duration of the project.
Integrity shows the project team that the PM is honestly committed to the project and eager to support the team on their way to the project completion.
Competence
The ability to competently lead a team is key to the overall success of a project. Being an effective project manager requires a wide range of expertise and considerable experience. A project manager must be perceived by their team as a capable person – otherwise, this could affect the team’s effectiveness and project goals.
With the right combination of skills and knowledge, project managers can confidently navigate projects to attain their objectives and deliver value to stakeholders.
Problem-solving
An effective project manager should be able to find the right solution for any problem that arises during the project. These problems may involve team members as well as clients or other stakeholders, and sometimes they may require the PM to seek help or to escalate them to a higher instance. The ability to resolve disputes and find solutions quickly and effectively is key to ensuring that the project is completed in an efficient and timely manner. Since having the awareness that one cannot be an expert in every area is an important competence, it is crucial to remember that even though the project manager is the team leader, problem-solving is the responsibility of the whole team. After all, the right solution could be found not only by the team (who are specialists in various areas) but can be provided by other experts, consultants, and even stakeholders. Doing so builds a sense of trust and authority within the team.
Collaboration and team building
Every great project manager realizes that it is impossible to achieve project goals without the support and commitment of the team. Understanding team dynamics, maintaining enthusiasm and motivation throughout the project, and creating a sense of unity are essential if the project team is to be effective. The PM should also show respect for the work that the team members do by contributing to the project, and they should appreciate their strengths. This requires building relationships, and celebrating mutual successes but also showing that the PM can be trusted even in the face of difficulties. This way, the confidence will be gained that all team members will work together towards the same goal.
Let us look at some common types of project managers:
The Mentor
Mentors or supportive project managers believe in motivation and task delegation and never let their team lose enthusiasm. Supportive project managers are good listeners, but they also excel at giving sound advice. Their motto is seamless communication and smooth collaboration. They are true masters in the art of boosting team members' morale in the face of setbacks. Their bond with team members is based on trust.
The Visionary
As project managers, those with a visionary mindset will find growth opportunities based on research and observation of market performance rather than internal business strategies. They will need to convince the entire project team of their vision, therefore their team must include numbers-driven people to help them develop a data-driven project strategy. Visionaries will work best in managing projects that focus on experimental and innovative solutions.
The Gambler
Gamblers or adventurous project managers are not afraid to take risks. They are relentless in their pursuit of business opportunities. Even failures do not discourage them from taking risks because they serve to achieve strategic goals in the long run. They like to lead projects that deal with new ideas, trying to align the project's purpose with business objectives and bring new, sometimes unproven solutions to an existing strategy.
The Expert
Even experts sometimes cross strategic boundaries in their search for business opportunities, but unlike Gamblers their decisions are based on reliable and proven data. Because they can rely on their own experience and knowledge, they are able to determine which business opportunities are worth pursuing and which ones to abandon. They are adept at using various project management methodologies to turn business opportunities into financial benefits.
The Perfectionist
Perfectionists have total control over a project. They will not back down even one step when it comes to key milestones and performance metrics. Their attention to detail is almost legendary. They can combine analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills with critical thinking and decision-making skills. At any time, they can count on their in-depth analysis of the current situation and projections for the future.
Combinations of different types of Project Managers – how to recognize and use them?
This list is of course not exhaustive because there are as many management types as there are people and personalities. All in all, each type of project manager has its strengths. Identifying and understanding one's own project management style is crucial for defining potential difficulties and weaknesses so that the right projects can be matched to your specific management style. This will certainly make it much easier for you and your team to achieve the desired project objectives.
These are just a few of the personality types of project managers that can be found in most organizations. The list can go on and on depending on the tasks and responsibilities of the specific project managers and the requirements of the project they are in charge of. What is more, in the real world it is more common to find a mixture of two or sometimes even three types of project managers than the ‘pure’ types described above. Therefore, being a mentor type does not preclude you from being a perfectionist, and in certain situations, you can tend to be a visionary or even a gambler.
One of the typical characteristics of project managers is that their job requires a wide range of skills. If you can combine them with your own distinctive personal approach, you will increase your chances of success as a project manager. And remember - the biggest obstacle to becoming a successful project manager is not wanting to do it!
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