Chapter 17.1: Leadership in project management Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is leadership in project management?
The ability to influence the behaviour of others to accomplish something desired.
What is leadership style?
The way a leader achieves influence.
What are the two extremes of leadership style?
Task- or goal-oriented and relations-oriented.
Describe task-oriented leadership.
Focuses on goals and work, often top-down, directive, and bureaucratic (vertical leadership).
Describe relations-oriented leadership.
Focuses on people, encourages collaboration, and is more democratic.
What is shared or distributed leadership?
When team members participate in decision-making, accountability, and responsibilities typically handled by the project manager.
What is situational leadership?
Apply style that best fits situation and not use same style for all employees and situations.
What are Fiedler’s 3 variables that affect a leader’s influence?
Group acceptance of the leader
Task complexity (routine vs. complex)
Formal authority level (high vs. low)
Under Fiedler’s model, what style works best when authority is low, tasks are complex, and leader-follower relations are good?
Relations-oriented style.
What are the 3 variables in Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership model?
(a) Task behaviour (amount of direction given)
(b) Relations behaviour (socio-emotional support)
(c) Follower maturity (skill and motivation)
How is “maturity” defined in Hersey and Blanchard’s model?
A combination of the followers’ ability and willingness to do the job.
What leadership style is suited for followers who are able but unwilling (Group 1)?
Participative leadership style
- leader facilitates / supports / communicates with followers; shares decision-making.
What leadership style is suited for followers who are able and willing (Group 2)?
Delegating leadership style
- leader identifies problem / goal, then delegates to followers responsibility to solve problem and implement.
What leadership style is suited for followers who are willing but lack ability (Group 3)?
Directive style—leader provides instruction and close supervision.
What does research suggest is the most effective leadership style in engineering and technical projects?
Relations-oriented or participative management.
Why does participative management work well in technical projects?
Engineers are often not subordinates and respond poorly to orders; they value being consulted and involved in decision-making.
Do participative project managers relinquish responsibility?
No, they still decide who is most qualified and how to assign responsibilities.
What does the project manager need to determine in a participative setting?
Who to involve, what level of participation is needed, and how much control to retain or delegate.
How must project managers behave in fast-paced or high-pressure projects?
Be more directive, assertive, and adapt their leadership style quickly.
What does “adaptive leadership” mean in project management?
The ability to wear different leadership-style hats and change them quickly depending on project needs.
What is project management authority? And what are the two types of PM authority?
It refers to a manager’s power to command.
1) Legal authority - given by the organisation and linked to the job and role.
2) Charismatic authority - linked to personal characteristics (as a leader, you rely on your team; thus need good personal relationships)
