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Essential project management soft skills and how to develop them
While technical expertise and certifications certainly have their place, it’s the interpersonal, behavioural and leadership skills that truly elevate a project manager’s performance. Developing strong project management soft skills is therefore essential for any organisation looking to build high-performing teams, deliver successful projects and retain top talent.
Investing in these key soft skills for project managers are often what make the difference between a project that meets expectations and one that exceeds them. Understanding the importance of these skills, and which ones are most valuable in a leadership role can help Learning & Development professionals to embrace skills-based hiring, and build teams that are adaptable, collaborative, and equipped for long-term success.
In this article, we’ll explore what soft skills are, why they’re important in project-based roles, and which specific competencies are worth developing. We’ll also offer some practical strategies for embedding soft skills in project management training to encourage continuous growth across teams.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills refer to the personal attributes and social competencies that influence how people interact with others, manage their workload, and approach challenges. Unlike technical or ‘hard’ skills, which are measurable and teachable, soft skills are more subtle and harder to quantify. They often relate to emotional intelligence and human behaviour.
Whereas hard skills might include knowledge of project management software or budgeting tools, soft skills cover areas like empathy, resilience, communication and collaboration. For project managers, these skills help them to navigate people-based challenges, inspire teams, and create a productive working environment.
Why are soft skills in project management important?
While many soft skills are useful across various roles, their value in project-led environments is particularly high. Projects often involve collaboration across departments, shifting deadlines and evolving expectations, where technical knowledge alone won’t get the job done. In these situations, the ability to lead, listen and pivot is crucial to success.
When businesses prioritise training project manager soft skills, they not only boost success rates but also help to improve employee engagement, morale and retention. Developing these competencies supports upskilling initiatives, providing a clear path for team leaders and employees to grow into more strategic roles. From stakeholder communication to resolving team conflict, these skills strengthen internal relationships and support long-term business growth at every level.
15 essential project management soft skills
Cultivating a wide range of soft skills in project management roles allows businesses to foster confident leaders who know how to manage people as well as projects. Here are 15 critical skills every project manager – and those aspiring to become one – should develop.
1. Communication
Clear and consistent communication is the backbone of all successful projects. Project managers must be able to adapt their style to different people and their preferences, all while managing the additional complexity of remote or hybrid collaboration. Strong project management soft skills in this area help to prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned on goals, deadlines and deliverables.
2. Leadership
Effective project leadership requires more than assigning tasks. Great leaders inspire trust, offer direction and hold the team together through uncertainty. Project manager soft skills in leadership include being assertive without being overbearing, empowering team members, and setting a positive example that others are motivated to follow.
3. Organisation
Organisation plays a vital role in any successful project, making it one of the most important soft skills in project management. While good organisation skills may sound like being able to keep things neat and tidy, it’s also about being able to plan strategically, juggle competing priorities, and create systems that keep projects on track. Well-organised project managers help teams to stay focused and reduce the risk of delays or overspending.
4. Time management
Projects run on deadlines, and the ability to stay on schedule is essential for success. Time management includes not just punctuality, but also the ability to allocate time effectively across tasks, keep meetings efficient, and respect the working hours of others. Developing soft skills in project management around time management leads to better productivity and less burnout across the board.
5. Motivation
Motivated teams are productive teams. Motivation is an essential project management soft skill that enables leaders to identify what drives each team member and tailor their approach accordingly. These individuals are also self-motivated, able to push ahead through setbacks and keep their team inspired.
6. Teamwork
Collaboration is central to project delivery. Being a good team player involves active listening, empathy and conflict resolution. Promoting soft skills in project management like teamwork helps to ensure smoother collaboration, more creative problem solving, and a culture of mutual respect.
7. Delegation
One of the most underrated soft skills for project managers is the ability to delegate effectively. It requires trust in others’ abilities, clarity in task expectations, and confidence in letting go of control. Skilled delegation prevents bottlenecks and allows team members to grow within their roles.
8. Decision making
Making decisions is a daily task for project managers, and it’s rarely straightforward. They need to be able to weigh input from multiple sources, assess risks and make confident choices, even when information is incomplete. Decision-making soft skills for project management include balancing logic with intuition and knowing when to make the final call – even if it’s not the popular choice.
9. Conflict resolution
Project managers must be equipped to handle disagreements professionally and constructively. This means spotting the early signs of conflict, understanding the underlying issues, and taking action before problems escalate. With the right project manager soft skills, leaders can turn conflict into an opportunity for team growth.
10. Problem solving
No project runs perfectly. Issues will arise, and how they’re handled often determines the overall outcome. Effective problem solving involves identifying the root cause, exploring options, and finding a resolution that aligns with project goals. These soft skills in project management are essential for maintaining momentum under pressure.
11. Critical thinking
Being able to evaluate information objectively is key to successful project planning. Critical thinking soft skills for project managers help them to effectively sift through data, challenge assumptions, and make informed decisions without being swayed by bias or emotion.
12. Adaptability
From shifting client expectations and to unexpected staff changes, surprises are an unavoidable part of project-based work. Adaptable project managers are not only open to change, but also resilient in the face of setbacks and quick to recalibrate. Individuals who are able to pivot quickly help teams to thrive in fast-paced environments.
13. Positive attitude
A positive mindset can have a huge impact on team morale and project success. Leaders who are encouraging, optimistic and solution focused do great work but also inspire confidence in others. Project management soft skills like positivity are contagious and can help teams to stay committed even in tough situations.
14. Self awareness
Project managers who understand their own limitations, biases and behaviours are better equipped to lead others. Self-awareness fosters humility, openness to feedback and better emotional regulation. These soft skills for project managers support trust, collaboration and inclusive leadership.
15. Professionalism
Professionalism goes beyond how someone dresses or speaks; it’s about dependability, respect, and ethical conduct. Whether in a client meeting or a team stand-up, those with strong project manager soft skills model the behaviours they expect from others, setting a tone of accountability and respect.
How to develop soft skills for project managers
Developing soft skills in project management competencies requires a tailored, flexible approach. Every professional has a different learning style, schedule and level of experience, so a one-size-fits-all method won’t work. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that support development at every stage.
Here are several effective ways to build project manager soft skills:
- Reading books or articles from thought leaders project management and leadership
- Taking elearning courses that focus on specific soft skills for project management
- Exploring on-demand learning content that adapts to your availability
- Attending virtual or in-person workshops and seminars
- Engaging in coaching or mentoring
- Participating in team-based training exercises or simulations
- Practising reflective learning through journalling or feedback
Develop project management soft skills with Access Learning
Project management soft skills are essential to successful leadership, collaborative teamwork and sustainable business growth. For Learning and Development professionals, creating opportunities to strengthen these competencies supports career development, improves retention, and ensures that managers are equipped to lead with confidence. Whether it’s communication, motivation or critical thinking, investing in project manager soft skills is an investment in the future of your organisation.
Our on-demand learning content library Access Bookboon combines expert-led content with flexible learning formats, helping your team to grow their skills when and where it suits them. With this convenient solution, you can empower your employees to take charge of their professional development and lead their teams to greater success.