MANAGING INDIVIDUALS

As a project manager, it is important that self-awareness exists as this is the first step to knowing the team. Hence, the section below focusses on some techniques that help in self awareness. Also focus is laid on understanding individuals and their personalities.

Peter Drucker (1999) in his article has argues that there are a few questions that need to be answered in order to be self aware.

“What are my strengths?”
“How do I perform?”
“How do I learn?”
“Am I a good reader/listener?”
“What are my values?”
"Where do I belong?”
“What should I contribute?”

One of the biggest lessons is that it is imporatnt to highlight the strenghts one has. Working continuously on strenghths rather than listing weaknesses is key to success.

This focuses on four variables that critcally affect individual behaviour :

Motivation- Force within a person taht affects direction.
Ability- Natural abilities and learned capabilities
Role perceptions - The extent to which individual duties are understood
Situational factors- the external conditions.

MARS Model of Individual Behavior and Performance

(McShane and Glinow, 2013)

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This is an essential requiremnt in a project manager. It not only helps to manage onself effectively but others too. There are four dimensions to EI which mainly deal with recognition and regulation of emotions.

SELF AWARENESS- This helps in being more conscious about response to situations.
SELF MANAGEMENT- After being aware it is important to regulate and keep disruptive impulses in check.
SOCIAL AWARENESS- This deals with ability to perceive other's emotions i.e. empathy.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT- This is at the top most level of EI. One needs to be able to manage oneself before managing people around. Understanding and regulating emotions.

Research suggests that people with high EI are able to lead teams effectively( McShane and Glinow, 2013).

UNDERSTANDING PERSONALITIES

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an instrument that helps understand people. It was developed by Carl Jung. MBTI analysis has proven to minimize misunderstandings and frustration.

The various choices one makes to getthe MBTI type are:

Although personality is a weak indicator of one's performance, it definitely helps to understand people around which is a powerful tool for Project Managers. specially when they delegate work.

PROJECT MANAGER ESSENTIALS