Types of Leadership and Authority in Project Management

In the dynamic landscape of project management, effective leadership and authority play pivotal roles in driving success. Different projects and situations demand different leadership styles and forms of authority to navigate challenges and foster collaboration. Understanding the spectrum of leadership and authority in project management is essential for project managers to adapt to diverse situations and lead their teams toward achievement. While this post does not include every leadership style, let’s delve into the most frequently used types of leadership and authority prevalent in project management. It is important to note here, that while the focus of this post may be on the project manager, it is possible to lead from any position on the team.

Situational Leadership

Situational leadership acknowledges that different situations require different leadership approaches and sometimes a different leader. I have personally ended up in the captain’s chair many times because of this leadership style. Others just recognized it was a job more suited to me and I was anointed.

At the same time, some team members don’t respond to certain styles of leadership and project managers must assess the readiness and capabilities of their team members and adapt their leadership style accordingly. Situational leaders emphasize coaching, mentoring, and providing the necessary resources for team members to succeed. By aligning leadership behavior with the specific needs of each situation, project managers can enhance team performance and maximize outcomes.

Charismatic Leadership

Charismatic leadership centers around the personality and charisma of the leader, who inspires followers through their compelling vision and magnetic personality. If you ever wondered how some of those stupid people got to be president, this it. Project managers exhibiting charismatic leadership exude confidence, enthusiasm, and passion for their goals. They possess strong communication skills and the ability to rally support and create a sense of belonging among team members. Charismatic leaders often emerge during times of crisis or change, leveraging their charisma to inspire confidence and mobilize teams toward ambitious objectives. While effective in energizing teams and generating enthusiasm, charismatic leadership may rely heavily on the personality of the leader rather than sustainable systems and processes.

Laissez-Faire Leadership

Laissez-faire leadership entails minimal interference from the leader, granting team members autonomy and freedom to make decisions. In short, this is the style you use for a seasoned team that has their shit together. Project managers adopting this style delegate authority and responsibilities to team members, allowing them to exercise creativity and self-direction. Laissez-faire leaders provide guidance when necessary but otherwise trust their team members to manage tasks independently. This approach fosters innovation, ownership, and a sense of empowerment among team members. However, it requires a high degree of competence and self-motivation within the team to thrive and may falter in situations where clear direction and oversight are essential.

Purse String Authority

Purse string authority refers to the control or oversight a project manager has over the project budget. In short, never give your woman your credit card. Project managers with purse string authority are responsible for allocating funds, managing expenses, and ensuring that financial resources are utilized effectively. This authority allows project managers to make decisions regarding resource allocation, procurement, and investment in project activities. Effective management of purse string authority is crucial for project success, as it ensures that financial resources are aligned with project objectives and used efficiently to deliver value.

Technical Expertise

Technical expertise encompasses the knowledge, skills, and experience required to understand and effectively manage the technical aspects of a project. Many project managers get in trouble here because some engineer puts himself in the captain’s chair and says that if they change a few things the project will be of higher quality. Instead, the green project manager becomes guilty of gold plating and ends up with cost and schedule overruns.

A project manager with technical expertise can keep this bullshit from happening and keep the project on track while effectively communicating with team members, stakeholders, and subject matter experts, facilitating collaboration and problem-solving. It also enhances credibility and trust among team members, who rely on the project manager’s expertise to guide them toward successful project outcomes.

Autocratic Leadership

Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making and control, where the project manager exerts authority and imposes their will on the team without seeking input or collaboration. While we would often like to involve the whole team when we can, sometimes the building is on fire and there is no time for a vote or discussion. Autocratic leadership can expedite decision-making and ensure adherence to deadlines. However, it may stifle creativity, innovation, and employee morale.

Conclusion

In the multifaceted realm of project management, leaders must adeptly navigate various leadership styles and forms of authority such as purse string authority, technical expertise, and autocratic tendencies, to drive project success. Learning different styles is essential because if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Let’s Git-R-Done this week!