Soft Skills and Technical Expertise of Effective Project Managers

Abstract

As the field of research surrounding project management continues to grow, it is becoming more evident that success in the role of project manager cannot be attained with a technical skill set only. Project managers functioning within a matrix organizational structure and championing large-scale initiatives are in a communication paradigm unparalleled by any other management position. Excellent interpersonal, or soft skills, are necessary requisites for success. Additionally, research is revealing that leading is preferable to managing a project team, and that the leadership style of the project manager directly impacts the outcome of the project. The article presents an overview of these tenets drawn from opinion positions, practical experiences, and empirical research studies. There is clear evidence that additional empirical research would be bene-fic ial.