Project Management or Project Leadership, by Corinne Maddox, CCM, CFM

Project leadership is a subtle but powerful element of project success. The Project Manager title does not make one a leader, but only grants authority by the organization. Leadership is the ability to affect change, persuade and influence, and communicate with confidence to show competence and create trust. Gifted leaders have the ability to motivate teams to produce good work because they WANT to, not because they are TOLD to. People are motivated by emotions rather than logic. Commands generate superficial obedience and often resentment and minimum quality results. A leader focuses his/her efforts not as much on planning and tracking schedules, budgets, quality, etc., but on generating excitement and vision, and motivating the team to do their individual and collective best.