Analysis Essay: Comparing Team Leadership and Project Manager Skills

This essay undertakes a comparative analysis of leadership styles, focusing on team leadership and project management. The essay begins by establishing the evolution of leadership theories, from trait-based approaches to contingency and situational models. It then profiles two prominent leaders: Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, and Mahatma Gandhi, the historical figure known for leading India's independence movement. The core of the essay contrasts their leadership approaches, examining Merkel's use of contingency theory and Gandhi's trait-based leadership. The analysis assesses their suitability as project managers, considering qualities such as communication, decision-making, and adaptability. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of clear vision and understanding in effective leadership, while suggesting that Merkel's pragmatic and open approach aligns more closely with the demands of modern project management. The essay uses references to support arguments and provides a comprehensive overview of leadership styles in project management, while following the assignment brief and rubric.

Analysis essay 1
Comparison of leaders: team leadership and project manager
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Analysis essay 2
Introduction
Leadership in early studies were linked with inherent abilities that individuals naturally were
born with but this has changed over the years. Several theories have been advanced to explain
the different types of leader competencies and abilities that is reflected in their leadership styles.
‘Some of the known theories include: the great man theory, trait, contingency, situational, and
behavioral theories’ (Pinto, 2014 p.278). Studies have shown that success of projects is highly
depended on project manager leadership skills. A leader is required to provide a visionary
direction to influence others to desired outcomes. Vision among leaders is one of the basic
universal requirement of being a leaders then other criteria’s would follow. But studies have
further found despite other criteria’s it difficult to standardized leadership style in projects
because it varies with individuals or persons. To better understand the divergent view of
leadership among individuals the study will be making a comparison between two types of
leaders (Burke, 2013 p.45). One will be representing the contemporary society while the other
will be a historic leader in which contextual differences and their suitability will be done.
Leader’s profiles
Leader’s abilities, achievements and competencies can be obtained from their reported profiles.
According to the fortune magazine of 2014 one of the contemporary leader found in recent times
is known as Angela Merkel who is the Chancellor of Germany. She is famously known to be the
leader of the European Union for a period more than 9 years. During her period, she was able to
manage the Europe crisis and stabilizing the world largest economy. Merkel is reported to one of
those leaders that were good in co-ordination and engaging others to participate. The magazine
further outlines Mahatma Gandhi has among the greatest historic leaders ever lived. He was well
known to be a non-violent person in leading India to freedom from colonialism in 1947. The
leader established himself after leading peaceful demonstration across India. Over the years
Mahatma Gandhi is still remembered not only in his native country India but across the globe. In
this study in order to contrast leadership and project manager the two leaders will form our basis
of comparisons through evaluation of different their profiles achievements and approaches.
Team leadership and project managers

Analysis essay 3
‘Leadership in team management is viewed as the process of inspiring or motivating others to
achieve the desired results’ (Bryde, Broquetas & Volm, 2013 p.977. According to project
management institute some pf the leadership skills expected include: technical ability, conflict
management, negotiator, decision maker and good communicator. These qualities can form
benchmarks in making assessment of project leaders in projects. Mahatma Gandhi is known to
have employed a trait based leadership approach to influence his followers. He was reported to
possess traits like resilience, humility, and knowledge which were critical in leadership during
that period. Mahatma Gandhi though the traits was able to lead by example and influence others
to follow suit. Angel Merkel in contrast did use a different approach from Gandhi’s. She used
contingency leadership theory which uses flexible sharing of ideas and participative approach to
decision making. Merkel was totally pragmatic and non-ideological person she would accept any
challenge or doable solutions even though they were against her personal view. The difference in
team leadership between the two leaders was in the use of trait and contingency theory to
leadership. ‘Both theories were result oriented approaches but depending on changes in the
environment and project team characteristics they might differ in applicability’ (Hedman, 2013
p,34).
‘Project manager is tasked with the role of organizing resources to accomplish set goals within a
predetermined period’ (Bourne, 2015 p.34. Every project manager is expected to possess
leadership qualities or abilities that would propel them in management. Proper leadership in
project is seen in the ability of a project manager to share ideas, allow participation and being
knowledgeable. The qualities were missing in Mahatma Gandhi who was seen lacking co-
ordination skills thus purporting him not a good leader. Qualities in Angela Merkel of
pragmatism, conservatism and openness are suitable ingredients in project management thus
makes her to be a good project manager, such qualities can be practiced in current implemented
projects.
Current project practice
On whether the two kind leaders if a live or otherwise can be engaged in current project
management as project managers. Studies have shown empirically that leaders are those that
have a divergent way of influencing and motivating others to achieve the desired results. If it was

Analysis essay 4
to choose the appropriate leader between the two to be engaged in my project the choice would
have been Angela Merkel. Qualities of being open, ability to share ideas, good communicator,
and being pragmatic is what Angela possess which are suitable qualities for a project manager.
As per the contingency theory to leadership employed by Angela it enables project teams to have
an open space that facilitate innovation, change and transformation in projects. The current
project practice requires a more divergent approach in management that entail using different
skills and competences. As well it requires project managers to be flexible to the project
environment in order to scan for opportunities and evaluate risks. ‘Contingency theory to
leadership is the most suitable to be used in management of teams and projects because of its
flexibility and applicability to the changing environment’ (Kendrick, 2013 p.45).
Conclusion
Good leadership in projects encompasses having a clear vision, understanding, and knowledge
that can inspire others towards desired results. The study denotes that project managers are
required to have leadership qualities and management abilities in order to motivate and influence
others toward desired outcomes. It is difficult to define a good leader this is because of different
theories used to explain leadership in organizations or projects. The study further summarizes
that it is important that whichever the way leaders should provide guideline and direction to their
followers or teams. This is by possessing the required competencies and abilities which if not
born with they can be acquired through normal learning process.

Analysis essay 5
Reference lists
Bourne, L 2015, Making projects work:effective stakeholder and communication management.
New Delhi: CRC press.
Bryde, Broquetas & Volm . 2013. The project benefits of building information modelling.
International Journal of project management, 31(7), 971-980.
Burke, R. 2013. Project management: planning and control tecniques. New Jersey: Wiley
publishers.
Hedman, K. 2013. Project management professional exam study guide. Indianapolis: Wiley.
Kendrick, T. 2013. The project management tool kit: 100 tips and techniques for getting the job
done right. . AMACOM Div: American management Assn.
Pinto, M. 2014, Project team communication and cross‐functional cooperation in new program
development. Journal of product innovation management, 7(3), 200-278.
PMI. 2013. A guide to project management body of knowledge . Newtown Square: PA: PMI.