Running head: Communication and Leadership 1

Assessment 3-Communication and Leadership in Project Management BUS/518 Project Management Leadership February 22, 2011

Communication and Leadership Communication and Influence Introduction

Communication and Influence are two important factors of leadership. In order for leadership to have a positive impact and not have negative repercussions adversely affect the overall outcome of the project or future projects, skills in communication is required. A leader that has advance communication skills will more often than not win over project members and be in a position to influence. Situation 1: Assistant Project Manager not Really a Project Manager? GM was undergoing a corporate restructuring and a division was actively employed in a project. The set up included two project managers: the project manager and assistant to the project manager. The so-called second project manager was hired with the idea in mind that he/she would not direct but be a resource for the initial project manager. The team members have not worked together previously and will need to learn about each other through this process. They have 6 months to complete this project. This situation brings up a few issues that are discussed in book by James P. Lewis titled Project Leadership. One communication of relationship, definition as the source of conflict, as well as, how the team members will process this information.

Communication and Leadership

I believe that in this relationship, equal status will not be shared. I am not sure why the need for two managers exists; however, if I was number one I would feel like my company didnt have a lot of faith in me. There could have been that two lower level individuals were not only ready but not completely qualified in what was needed to complete the project and in this case they promoted both individuals. This could create unnecessary competition if the company, GM, higher level managers didnt explain why this was the case. The definition of project manager doesnt allow for two individuals and therefore when people in this group discuss things concerning the project it would be odd. If there is a technical expert and the job requires a sufficient amount of expertise then I do the leadership role as well as the influence and power tiling towards the second manager. No matter, how the company names the individuals the group will define who the manager and assistant manager is; and this could cause a lot of conflict. Furthermore, being that the group hasnt worked together before would make this situation uncomfortable. There are several methodologies that prescribe a communications plan and in this instance I would defer to such a plan. According to Kay Roman, PMP with Collegiate Project Service there is a need to have two communication plans.

Communication and Leadership

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identify the communication issues contributing to the problem and recommend actions to correct these. Develop a communication plan for the project team to help prevent these issues from reoccurring. Explain why your immediate actions and the communication plan would improve communications. Leadership situation 2. Given a project management situation, provided by the instructor, where the project manager has to influence the actions of others. Explain how the project manager could apply any 3 of the influence methods and what bases of power he would likely use with those methods. Explain the pros and cons of using each of these methods/power sources. Of the 3 methods you suggested, explain which one you think would be the most effective.
References

Kloppenborg, T., Shriberg, A., & Venkatraman, J. (2003). Project leadership. Vienna, VA: Management Concepts, Inc. Lewis, J. (2003). Project leadership. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Roman, Kay. (2007). Developing Your Project Communication Plan . Retrieved February 22, 2011 http://www.collegiateproject.com/articles/Developing %20Your%20Project%20Communication%20Plan.pdf