Motivation in project management

The ability to influence and motivate others is a skill that is difficult to master. But for project managers, the choice of failing to develop this skill can result in project failure and professional catastrophe. This article examines a survey--involving 115 certified project managers--looking at how project managers perceive their ability to motivate project stakeholders and team members. In doing so, it overviews the field's literature on the definitions of project leadership, noting the core elements of project motivation; it identifies two styles of project leadership and two types of motivation. It looks at research on four techniques for motivating others, techniques that include optimizing human energy, enabling autonomy, providing feedback, and providing reward and recognition. It also describes the concept of motivation from the organizational perspective and the differences between the factors affecting a project team's motivation and an organization's motivation.