I have been a bit frustrated lately by the number of events highlighting soft skills in project management. I have been a bit frustrated lately by the number of events highlighting soft skills in project management. After all, isn’t it the hard skills that make us successful?There is no doubt in my mind that project managers must be trained and well versed in the hard skills of project management to be successful. Following the project management methodologies of breaking down a project into manageable and easy to estimate pieces is the key to success. These practices ensure that the project will be completely defined, flow properly and provide the much needed detail required to track the project along the way.Anyone that calls themselves a project manager must be trained in these foundational hard skills of project management. If they do not understand these tools, techniques and processes they have no opportunity to be a successful project manager. In my circle of acquaintances Those people who claim to be project managers generally have a good understanding of these techniques. The problems I hear most have to do with the project teams. While it is sometimes noted that there is conflict within the project team, it is more common to find problems between the project team and the project managers. That statement alone points to a systemic issue that the project manager is not considered a part of the project team. The PMs are more often considered outsiders that are trying to inject project management techniques into the project design team. This is where the competition begins. The nature of the behavioral style of project managers makes them fairly competitive and controlling by nature. They are people that strive for success which they define as “getting their own way.” As a result PMs tend to create a competitive environment when met with resistance. This creates the “us-them” relationship between the team and themselves and perhaps project management in general.It is for this reason that there is so much focus on the soft skills for project managers. Project managers need to become less competitive and learn to integrate themselves into the project team to create a “we” relationship with the team. The hard skills might be the easier piece of the puzzle. So I guess this is why there may be more being said about the soft skills these days. Related content opinion The Importance of Identity Management in Security By Charles Pelton Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence Data Management brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software Why data virtualization is critical for business success Data is your most valuable resource—but only if you can access it fast enough to address present challenges. Data virtualization is the key. By Milan Shetti, CEO of Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rocket Software The hybrid approach: Get the best of both mainframe and cloud Cloud computing and modernization often go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean the mainframe should be left behind. A hybrid approach offers the most value, enabling businesses to get the best of both worlds. By Milan Shetti, CEO Rocket Software Nov 28, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Rimini Street Dear Oracle Cloud…I need my own space Access results from a recent Rimini Street survey about why enterprises are rethinking their Oracle relationship and cloud strategy. By Tanya O'Hara Nov 28, 2023 5 mins Cloud Computing Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe