To lead the team, a project manager must first act like a leader. Think of any of your favorite leaders from politics, sports, or history. What are some of the attributes they possessed to lead and inspire? Chances are, all of the leaders will have one common trait: an ability to motivate people to achieve and aspire. Now this is not to say you have to be the next motivational circuit speaker, but it does mean you’ll need to develop a method to connect with your team members to inspire them to work toward the vision of your project.

The easiest and most direct path to making others develop a passion for your project is for you yourself to develop a passion for the project. Passion for the deliverable, excitement and zeal for the success of the project is contagious. A project manager who wants to lead the project team has to care not only for the success of the project, but also for the success of the individuals on the team. Take time to get to know the team members, learn what their passions are, and develop a relationship with them to work with them, not over or around them