Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers: The People Skills You Need to Achieve Outstanding Results

by Anthony C. Mersino

Research indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) accounts for an astonishing 70-80 percent of management success. Technical expertise just isn’t enough anymore: project managers need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to recognize emotional cues in order to lead their teams to success. Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers introduces readers to all facets of EI and shows how emotions can be leveraged to meet project goals. They’ll learn how to: • Set the tone and direction for the project• Communicate effectively• Motivate, inspire, and engage their team• Encourage flexibility and collaboration• Deal productively with stress, criticism, and change• Establish the kind of high morale that attracts top performers• And more. The second edition includes several expanded sections on self-awareness and self-management, as well as a new chapter on using EI to lead Agile Teams and a close look at Servant Leadership. Without the people skills necessary to lead effectively, even the most care fully orchestrated project can fall apart. This indispensable guide gives project managers the tools they need to create winning teams and get the job done right and on time.

Genres: Management, Nonfiction, Psychology, Business, Leadership

264 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the foundation stones of good project management (or any management) is awareness of and effective leveraging of EQ concepts. This book does a good job of cluing in the clueless and reminding the forgetful of useful techniques and strategies in this this space.

[JD Veer · Rating 2 out of 5]

For anyone, this is most likely a 4/5, but it's all something that I put into practice. It's a good reminder, but I only learn a new vocabulary, no new ideas.

[Philip Simonsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although many points are rather clear and obvious for many, especially experienced professionals, the book is very clear and precise in what and how to approach being a project manager.

Decent overviews and practical examples in:
- How to build team and stakeholder relationships
- How to identify and work on leadership style
-Techniques for truth telling and earning the respect of people around you in business
- how to improve meetings
- team leadership responsibilities
Etc.

[Bilal Arif · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was searching for the books relevant to Emotional Intelligence specifically for project managers. Such type of books plays a vital role for project managers like how to counter the difficult situation or what should be the next move when you are stuck in a critical stage.

[Audrey Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book an easy and relevant read. I do resonate with multiple points in the book, also gained new perspectives / inspiration on framing the “people” / relationship aspects in managing projects.

[Michelle Lyons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very useful.

[German Tebiev]

Практическая книга об эмоциональном интеллекте и его применении в организациях. Содержит в себе практические упражнения и даже немного рекламы.

[Pratik Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to understand and manage emotions of people

[Ajay Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for entry and mid level project managers

[Mrs.Poutyface · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't bad just very, very obvious. If you've ever read a psychology article or taken a communication class of any type then this book won't provide any new insights.

[Sergey Dudko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emotional intelligence includes 1: Self awareness 2: Self management 3: Social awareness 4: Relationships 5: leadership

Recognition is one of the most powerful motivation tools

A good feedback is factual, positive, clear, accurate, objective, focused on development rather than on criticising

It's very important to have individual feedback sessions or conversations with team members

Conflict resolution approaches: 1. Compromise 2. Smoothe differences 3. Enforce to avoid conflict 4. Withdraw 5. Confront

Common motivators: 1. Recognition 2. Importance 3. Productivity improvement 4. Career progression 5. Community inclusion 6. Money 7. Self expression 8. Admiration

Team members selection factors: 1. Strengths and weaknesses 2. Expertience 3. Fit with the team 4. Emotional intelligence

Listening skills: 1. Let others speak 2. Establish eye contact 3. Fully engage in conversation 4. Summarize, reiterate 5. Focus on emotions 6. Imagine yourself in the same situation 7. Avoid judgement

Learn to use different leadership styles depending on the situation: 1. Visionary 2. Coach 3. Affiliative 4. Democratic

Manager skills types: 1. People skills 2. Specific functional knowledge 3. General management skills 4. Project environment knowledge

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding the way we say things as even more important than what we say is a key point in effective communication. He explains how listening with empathy and sharing your own emotions (when appropriate) propels communication in a forward direction.

When speaking, two viewpoints need to be considered; your personal competence and what society anticipates as acceptable competence, through recognition and regulation. Having self-awareness and self-management in check compared to social awareness and relationship management.

Truly a great book for stepping back to take yourself more seriously so that others can too.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed this one from the Express shelf at the library on a whim, hoping for some tips for a volunteer project I'm coordinating. It didn't really have a whole lot of new information in it for me now, but I wish I had read it before I was thrown into my first management position in my twenties!

[Idha Kristiana]

Great Book....High Recommended

Emotional Intelligence: “the ability to monitor one’s own and other s’
feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use
this information to guide one’s thinking and action.”
—Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer2

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Had great ideas and thoughtful questions to help get more value. Will definitely use ideas from the book and continue to learn about improving EI. Gave it four stars because some sections didn’t apply to me.

[Reinaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new approach on the project management field, really helpful to solve the MANAGER dilemma - to deliver results and being a true leader at the same time.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class, many of this information seemed like common sense to me.

[Mohanad Alsikhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for project managers that are not well-versed at dealing with people with different personalities. I learned a lot from this book.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a course I took: Managing Information and Learning Technology Programs. Let's just say it's good fodder for Dilbert comics.

[Jefferson]

Required reading for everybody.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful book with some interesting, helpful examples.