All language subtitles for KU PMGT 840 Session 2 (Part A)- Essential Leadership Skills

Hi everyone and welcome to session 2 of
Developing as a Project Leader.

In this part of the course, we will
focus on a critical leadership concept

is power.

Especially, we will explore positional
and personal power and how each can

your ability to lead effectively in a
project environment.

Let's get started.

begin Part A of Module 2, where we will
focus on essential leadership skills.

In this session, we will explore how
these core skills help project leaders

guide their team, influence outcomes,
and build strong relationships.

Whether you are managing a small team or
leading a complex project, these

leadership foundations are key to your
success.

So let's dive in and see what leadership
really looks like in action.

Leadership in project settings goes far
beyond just having formal authority.

It is about inspiring your team, guiding
them through challenges, and uniting

everyone around a common goal.

Effective leaders know how to motivate,
communicate clearly, and think

critically. These skills help project
teams handle complexity and change, stay

focused, and make better decisions, even
under pressure.

One of the first and most important
responsibilities of a project leader is

define and maintain a clear vision.

A compelling vision provides direction,
inspires the team, and helps everyone

stay focused on the bigger picture.

It should be built collaboratively with
team members and stakeholders.

And this will happen by answering key
questions like what the project's core

purpose is and how we define success.

Strong vision doesn't just motivate, it
also helps guide daily decisions and

keeps the project aligned with the
strategic goals.

Critical thinking is one of the most
important leadership skills in project

environments. It helps us make sound
decisions, especially when things are

complex, unclear, or fast -moving.

Good leaders use critical thinking to
challenge assumptions, explore different

options, and guide their team with
confidence.

This skill involves analyzing data,
spotting hidden assumptions, and

different types of reasonings.

It also means knowing when to pause,
reflect, and question before taking any

action.

As project leaders, understanding what
motivates our team members is essential

to keeping them committed and
productive.

Motivation can come from within, like a
sense of purpose or challenge, or from

external rewards like bonuses.

But in most project environments,
intrinsic motivation tends to be more

powerful.

Things like achievement, autonomy, and a
sense of belonging often matter more

than money.

Great leaders learn what drives each
individual and use that insight to help

team perform at its best.

Emotional intelligence, that often
called EQ, is the ability to understand

manage your own emotions as well as the
emotions of others.

It is a core leadership skill that helps
project leaders handle interpersonal

dynamics, build trust, and live more
authentically.

EQ includes self -awareness, which helps
you reflect on your own strengths and

triggers. It also includes self
-management, that means staying calm and

thoughtful under pressure.

Social awareness, that is the higher
element, allows leaders to read the room

and empathize with their team. And
finally, strong social skills help build

relationships and move everyone towards
shared goals.

Project leaders make many types of
decisions, from small daily ones to big

important ones.

Sometimes they decide alone, which is
faster but might ignore the team's idea.

Other times, they decide at a group
which brings different opinions and

everyone feel involved.

One use approach is the diverge
-converge model.

Start by generating ideas independently,
then narrow them down together.

We have also tools like Roman Voting,
Wideband Delphi, and Fist of Five Voting

that can help teams make better
decisions while avoiding groupthink.

The next skill is conflict management.

Conflict is a normal part of project
life, especially when teams are

scope, cost, and schedule pressures.

The key isn't to avoid conflict, but to
manage it constructively and as soon as

possible.

As a leader, your role is to maintain
respectful communication, focus on the

issue, not the person, and guide the
team toward future focused solutions.

Good conflict management protects team
morale and builds trust.

When handled well, conflict can actually
lead to stronger collaboration and

better results.

Now let's look at some of the key traits
that define effective project leaders.

First, they carry themselves with
integrity.

That means staying respectful, honest,
and courageous in the face of challenge.

Second, they build strong relationships
by earning trust and resolving conflicts

constructively. And third, they master
communication.

That means listening actively, setting
clear expectations, and giving

feedbacks. And they also think
strategically.

That means prioritizing tasks, spotting
key success factors, and staying focused

even in complex environments.

Great project leaders think
systemically.

They see the big picture and understand
how different project elements are

connected.

They also bring the strong critical
thinking skills and lead change, helping

their team adapt and improve.

And finally, they know how to build
great teams. They encourage

create positive team spirit, and make
the work environment more enjoyable for

everyone.

Let's bring these leadership traits to
life with an example.

Imagine Sora is a project manager
leading the implementation of a new

service system.

Even when faced with some software
delivery delays, she stays positive and

her team calm and focused.

When conflicts arise between
departments, she brings people together

and find balanced solutions.

Sara also ensures strong communication
with regular updates and feedback loops.

And as pressure builds during the
testing phase, she prioritizes wisely,

non -essential tasks to keep the team
focused.

She also views the project as an
interconnected system.

So when changes happen in one area, she
considers how they affect other areas

such as customer support or training.

When customer feedback reveals issues,
she leads the discussion and isn't

to revise plans to add more values. And
beyond the technical side, Sara

celebrates progress.

Whether it is a light joke or a virtual
tea break, she knows that small moments

can strengthen team connection and
morale.

And that brings us to the end of Part A.
We have explored essential leadership

skills and what make project leaders
truly effective.

In Part B, we will take a closer look at
two powerful leadership tools that are

positional and personal power.

Thank you very much for watching this
video, and I'll see you there.