Nowadays, project success goes far beyond Gantt charts and task tracking. In addition to project management expertise, project managers are expected to be skilled at reading human dynamics and navigating them effectively. Charisma has become a must-have quality for ensuring the right level of motivation and influence over team members.
Charisma in Project Management
When discussing charisma in the context of project management, it is important to first clarify how the term is understood within a business-specific framework. According to Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones, charisma is defined as the ‘ability to inspire, influence, and energize people by tapping into their emotions’ (Goffee & Jones, 2000).
In today’s professional environment, project managers have access to a vast array of tools and techniques, including project portfolio management software, automated Gantt charts, and sophisticated status report templates. They can further enhance their competencies through widely available trainings and certifications in hard skills. However, project management has never been purely about methods and tools. It fundamentally relies on a unique combination of soft skills alongside technical expertise and project management knowledge.
Underrated Charisma
Distinguishing between two project managers with similar qualifications and experience it often comes down to their interpersonal qualities and how they are perceived by stakeholders. In many cases, these soft aspects become the decisive factor in evaluating who is more effective or better – even if such judgments are not always aligned with objective measures of competence. Meaning, stakeholders are more likely to rate a charismatic leader higher despite hard project management skills deficiencies and overlook their shortcomings, compared to a certified and Gantt chart-focused project manager who fails to create a sense of shared mission to deliver on time. Therefore, it is worth considering investing in boosting soft skills competencies to be able to deliver ‘full package’ experience to your project team.
How Charisma Helps?
Project management is about working with people on a daily basis. For a project to succeed, certain activities must be completed in a timely manner – but this cannot be ensured solely by setting up clear governance or creating accurate timelines.
Eventually, it’s all about motivation. Project team members are very often allocated to multiple projects, so they need to strongly prioritize and manage their time wisely. To make sure they are focused on this sole project, it’s a charismatic project manager’s job not only to assign tasks to them, but inspire, maintain their interest and overcome resistance in a constantly evolving project environment.
Cross-functional collaboration requires the right level of the stakeholders buy-in referred to as ‘influence without authority’ (Cohen&Bradford, 2005). This is an area where the project manager must connect emotionally with the team and through effective communication build alliances to set the project up for success.
To achieve this, the project manager must be perceived as a leader who is respected by stakeholders and followed during challenging moments – such as periods of scope creep or fast tracking. Maintaining morale and keeping the team focused on the goal is critical.
And although Cabane emphasizes that charisma is ‘not innate, but a set of learned behaviors’ (Cabane 2005), developing it is not an easy task—and there is always a significant risk of overdoing it – so authenticity here is of the essence.
Lost Cause without Charisma
With over 8 billion people in the world and a wide range of personality types, not everyone is naturally charismatic. However, if you weren’t lucky enough to be born with it, Olivia Fox Cabane provides a practical framework for developing charisma. Presence, Power and Warmth are three key elements that, when wisely adopted, can significantly enhance a project manager’s effectiveness and success rate. For project managers, being fully engaged in conversations and interactions is crucial – presence ensures stakeholders feel heard and valued (and multitasking becomes the enemy here). Demonstrating confidence and decisiveness signals power, which helps others perceive the PM as a capable leader who drives project success. Finally, showing empathy and genuine concern – warmth – builds trust and emotional connection within the team.
These elements may sound broad, but they form the foundation of charismatic leadership. To apply them effectively, it’s important to explore the different types of charisma and how they align with individual leadership styles.
– Focus Charisma – combination of deep Presence and Attentiveness
This is where the project manager stops multitasking to become fully focused on a team member’s challenges, offering guidance and coaching in a personalized way – rather than simply checking status updates and following up on delayed tasks. Non-verbal cues such as maintaining eye contact, listening without interruption, and offering non-judgmental support are what build the strongest connections.
– Kindness Charisma – Empathy & Warmth
Celebrating successes as a project team plays an important role in boosting team morale. Showing appreciation for the team’s contributions encourages members to go above and beyond (emotional connection to project is formed).
– Authority Charisma – Confidence & Competence
Demonstrating consistent professionalism, especially in high-stress or challenging situations, is vital. When difficult meetings take place—such as those involving delays or setbacks – the project manager maintains composure and calmly guides the discussion. By presenting clear, well-reasoned explanations and walking stakeholders through the causes of the delay, they help reduce tension and restore focus. This thoughtful and composed approach allows team members and stakeholders to observe how the project manager performs under pressure, reinforcing their trust in the project manager’s ability to lead effectively and make sound decisions in complex situations.
– Visionary Charisma – Inspiration & Big Picture Thinking
Securing stakeholders’ buy-in at the very early stage of a project is critical, and it is the project manager’s responsibility to ‘infect’ others with the vision and to maintain that enthusiasm at the right level throughout the project lifecycle.
Jacob Lund – stock.adobe.comInfluence without authority
Project managers are expected to achieve great outcomes by collaborating with individuals over whom they have no formal authority. Unlike line managers, they do not control SMEs’ workloads or determine task prioritization across projects. Navigating this dynamic – while keeping team members motivated and focused on timely, high-quality delivery – is highly complex.In Change Management it is often said that for change to be impactful and long-lasting, strong sponsorship is required – typically from the top levels of the organization – where actions are driven by hierarchical strategies. As project managers do not hold executive titles, they must rely on influencing rather than controlling (Cohen & Bradford, 2005). In this context, charisma becomes a vital asset, enabling them to gain buy-in, build trust, and lead effectively without formal power.
Bibliografia
- Cabane, Olivia Fox. The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism. Portfolio, 2012.
- Cohen, Allan R., David L. Brandford. Influence Without Authority, 2005.
- Sinek, Simon. Leaders Eat Last. Penguin, 2014.
- Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People. 1936.
Experienced Project, Program, and Portfolio Manager with a strong background in organizational transformation, change management, and digital solutions. She has successfully led complex cross-functional initiatives in multinational environments. With a strong focus on people-centered leadership and strategic execution, Ewa is passionate about bridging the gap between technical expertise and human dynamics in project delivery. Her project management skills are also used by her in her second profession that is interior design. Outside of work, she’s a proud new mum to a baby girl and the owner of a Dalmatian. She’s also a massive fan of thriller books and true crime podcasts.