You're struggling to assert your leadership as a project manager. How can you develop a more assertive style?

To develop a more assertive leadership style as a project manager, I'll start by clearly communicating expectations and deadlines to my team, ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. I'll practice making decisions more quickly and confidently, even in uncertain situations, while still considering input from team members. Additionally, I'll work on providing direct, constructive feedback and addressing conflicts promptly, rather than avoiding difficult conversations.

You can focus on this points: Understand your role Build confidence Communicate clearly Set boundaries Be decisive Seek feedback Manage conflicts Delegate effectively Enhance negotiation skills Learn to say no

Managing a diverse group can always be a challenge, but there are ways to ensure you are recognized as the project leader. Setting clear expectations for each role and team member and explaining why it is important helps provide everyone with a sense of purpose purpose. Delegate both tasks and problems; don't feel obligated to own every issue that comes up. Feel comfortable leaning on the content area owner to resolve. Push back when necessary. Always keep the timeline and end goal in mind; look at each option presented to you critically and how it might affect the ultimate outcome. If an option or decision increases the risk to the project outcome, feel empowered to say no.

An assertive style isn't always an asset. It all depends on the project. The first place to start is to understand your "social style." If you have a truly amiable personality (social style), becoming assertive is stressful and not a good fit (ulcers, anyone?). No amount of left-brain suggestions will change who you are, and you shouldn't feel the need to change. Project management is NOT for everyone. With that said, the appropriate place for assertiveness is when you absolutely know you are right and someone around you is about to do something dumb. If you can't bring yourself to speak up in those circumstances get another job.

While it is important to assert your position as a project manager; it is also imp to make your team valued at the same time. There is a thin line between assertiveness & rudeness. Try below tips: - Never bully your team of your position. There is nothing worse than an unhappy team while legend says happy team is a myth ;) - Communication is a strong medium to strike a balance. Keep your tongue under control as it may hurt others the most - Get your team together, identify resources as per their skillset & assign them the ownership of the project. Empower them to come up with ideas & suggestions, however good, bad, ugly it may sound - Time mgmt is vital. Review the work, plan & execute it as per the timelines committed to your clients.

To become a more assertive leader, start by setting clear goals for your team. Make sure everyone knows what’s expected and what the project aims to achieve. Set specific deadlines and explain each person’s role so that everyone understands their tasks. Follow up regularly to check progress and address any issues. When you communicate, be clear and direct, but also respectful. Stand by your decisions and hold people accountable for their work. By setting clear goals and leading with confidence, you’ll strengthen your leadership and help your team succeed.

🎯 Clear goals provide a roadmap for both you and your team. By defining what success looks like, you not only guide the team effectively but also assert your vision with confidence. Make sure your objectives are specific, measurable, and aligned with the bigger picture. This clarity ensures everyone knows the direction and their role in achieving it.

Clearly communicate what is expected from the team, outlining goals and responsibilities. This sets a standard and helps ensure everyone understands their role and what is required to succeed.

When you establish specific, measurable objectives for your team, you naturally position yourself as the guide who knows where the project needs to go. This clarity not only helps the team stay on track but also reinforces your role as the leader. Clear goals give you a foundation to make decisions confidently and hold team members accountable. Plus, when everyone understands the expectations, it’s easier to steer the project with authority and gain the respect that comes with effective leadership.

Pour fixer des objectifs clairs, je commence par définir ce que je veux accomplir de manière précise et mesurable. Je décompose chaque objectif en étapes réalisables, établis des échéances concrètes, et je crée un plan d'action détaillé pour suivre mes progrès.

In my experience as a project manager, I’ve learned that communication is more than just exchanging information—it's about connecting with your team and stakeholders in a way that drives the project forward. One thing I've found essential is tailoring how I communicate based on who I’m talking to. For example, when discussing project goals with executives, I focus on the big picture, while with my team, I dive into the details. Regular check-ins have been a lifesaver for keeping everyone aligned and catching potential issues early. I also make it a point to create a space where team members feel comfortable sharing their feedback—it’s amazing how much you can learn and improve just by listening.

Your communication style is crucial when managing your team. There are two key scenarios a PM might face: 1. Exercising Authority and Making Decisions: When you need to make decisions, communicate them calmly and respectfully, ensuring your tone is not domineering or dismissive. Be open to feedback and value the input of your team members. 2. Allowing the Team to Decide: When the team is making decisions, listen carefully to their perspectives and work together to reach a collaborative conclusion.

Express your ideas, expectations, and decisions confidently and ensure your message is understood by all. Effective communication not only clarifies your leadership but also builds respect and trust, making it easier to assert your role

🗣️ Assertive communication is key to leadership. It’s about being clear, concise, and respectful. Ensure your messages are understood by all, and don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Active listening is just as important—show that you value others' input while firmly stating your own views. This balance strengthens your leadership presence.

Use direct and clear language when interacting with the team. Being open to feedback while maintaining clear communication helps establish your authority and improve team dynamics.

Empowering your team isn’t just about delegation—it’s about trust and giving people the space to shine. I remember one project where I delegated a key task to a team member who was new to the role. By giving them the responsibility and support they needed, not only did they rise to the occasion, but they also brought fresh ideas that improved our process. Encouraging continuous learning is another way I like to empower my team. When people feel they have the freedom to grow and make decisions, it’s incredible how much more motivated and innovative they become. And, of course, recognizing their contributions isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a powerful way to reinforce a culture of excellence.

The development of your team members into self-driven leaders fosters trust and collaboration, culminating in a more assertive style of leadership. Engaged and motivated employees result when decision-making power is given to individual employees as well as the responsibility for a particular job or task. By empowering them, this can help reduce micromanagement that decreases focus on higher level tasks or strategic planning. Moreover, it aids in enhancing their competence and confidence so that they are able to tackle challenges without your involvement thus making you achieve higher level of credibility as their leader.

Pour responsabiliser mes équipes, je leur attribue des tâches claires et adaptées à leurs compétences. Je leur fais confiance, en leur donnant l'autonomie nécessaire pour prendre des décisions. Je fournis des feedbacks réguliers et je reconnais leurs réussites pour encourager leur engagement.

Empowering individuals with ownership over parts of the process is a great way to distinguish yourself as a leader from a manager. While you’re title may be project manager, leadership can be accomplished by establishing a vision with an actionable strategy that is clearly communicated to the team. My experience has been that people greatly outperform when they feel trusted, and that their ideas are valued. However, it’s critical to know your team, their passions, and capabilities or this can go south quickly.

Great tactics from West Point Academy. When a toung leader is asked about thr job he can provide onlu ine of four answers - yes, sir - no, sir - i don’t understand - no excuse. I like it a lot since it give the power to the person responsible for the task to really accept being truly responsoble.

Pour gérer les conflits, j’écoute attentivement toutes les parties impliquées, j’identifie les causes sous-jacentes du conflit et je facilite une discussion ouverte pour trouver des solutions. Je cherche un compromis acceptable, en restant neutre et en promouvant le respect mutuel.

You need to set boundaries. A lot of people who want to be liked by everybody have problems confronting others. You may use 4 levels of escalation. eg. someone call you „honey” and you don’t like it. 1. Ask politely not to do this 2. If it persists you ask again - „I’ve alereafy asked you not to call me like that” 3. Call consequences - „If you do i again, i will…” 4. Execution of … consequences, Just do what you promised. It works.

Conflict is inevitable in projects, but how you handle it determines your leadership strength. Be assertive by addressing conflicts directly and impartially. In a recent project, two teams disagreed over resource allocation. I stepped in to mediate, asserting control by facilitating a constructive dialogue, and in the end, reached a compromise that satisfied both sides. Demonstrating fairness and resolution-oriented leadership in such situations will enhance your credibility as an assertive project manager.

⚖️ Conflict is inevitable, but how you manage it defines your leadership. Approach conflicts with a calm and assertive mindset. Address issues directly but with empathy, aiming for resolutions that respect all parties involved. By maintaining composure and fairness, you reinforce your authority and gain the trust of your team.

Conflicts are inevitable in any project, but how you address them can set the tone for your leadership. Being calm, direct, and fair when resolving disagreements shows your team that you’re in control and that you’re committed to keeping the project on track. Handling conflicts head-on, rather than avoiding them, also reinforces your authority and helps build respect among your team. It’s not always easy, but facing issues with confidence and clear communication is key to establishing yourself as a strong leader.

Prenez des décisions. C’est un point important des keaders: ils décident. Pour cela prenez conseil auprès de l’équipe et à la fin, tranchez, même si c’est pour décider ce que le collectif à conclu, dites « je décide… »

Reflecting and adjusting to a changing environment is key. Not every project is going to be the same. A project that began well could move into a jeopardy down the road. Being flexible, taking a break, re-grouping with your team, and coming up with multiple solutions can help change a situation around. Experiences we face can help improve project management overtime.

Assess what’s working and what isn’t, and be willing to adjust your strategies. Continuous self-improvement and adaptability will help you refine your leadership style and assert yourself more effectively in various situations.

Continuous self-reflection and adaptability are essential for growth. Seek feedback from peers and mentors on your leadership style and adjust strategies as necessary. Utilize retrospectives to assess what worked and what didn’t in your project management approach. For example, if you notice recurring delays in deliverables, revisit your project planning and resource management tactics, refining them for future phases.

🔄 Continuous improvement is key to effective leadership. Regularly reflect on your experiences, assess what worked and what didn’t, and be willing to adjust your approach. Flexibility doesn’t mean compromising your assertiveness—it means being open to growth. This adaptability helps you evolve as a leader and better support your team.