Chapter Meeting - March 2019: Be a Project Motivator: Social Intelligence for Project Managers

Sheraton Imperial RTP

Abstract:

Ask a group of project managers what they think about Social Intelligence and they will roll their eyes and laugh. The combination of social awareness and social facility is something that many project managers consider both important and rare. And survey data backs up that impression. Social Intelligence improves communication and rapport - two important tools in a project manager's toolbox. Yet project managers as a group tend to have lower social intelligence than those around them. They also seem to have lower perspective – at the same time the good news is that we are high in prudence! And we tend to have a healthy dose of hope. 

Character strength can change with deliberate practice and we can boost our social intelligence and improve perspective and in turn boost our effectiveness as project managers to help our organizations be more successful. Another route is to focus on our natural strengths to bridge the gap. Either way, adopting the principle of playing to strengths is a big first step. 

This session introduces the concept of Strengths-Based Project Management (SBPM) and incorporates learning and practice throughout. Attendees will leave with practical readily applicable practices to help them engage with their teams and stakeholders.