Common Characteristics Across Great Leaders After reviewing more than twenty historical and modern...
What does every great project manager need?
Every project manager knows that success is less about the technology implemented, or the new process that has been skilfully created, nor the training that will bring in new behaviours. When reviewing notable project managers from different contexts (engineering, technology, construction, exploration, military, and science), their top 3 characteristics, and common traits, show real success comes from managing stakeholder expectations. Every trait can be linked back to how project managers interact with their delivery experts, customers, users, line managers, sponsors, partners. Whether this is in how they establish expectations, manage concerns during progress meetings, escalating risks to sponsors - in other words managing the human side of tasks and timelines.
🔍 Comparing Their Characteristics — Common Traits
Across diverse successful project managers, five core traits consistently emerge:
| Common Trait | Description | Why It Matters for Project Success |
|---|---|---|
| Inspirational Thinking | They see possibilities beyond existing limits — envisioning outcomes others couldn’t yet imagine. | Guides alignment, inspires teams, and shapes innovation. |
| Systems Thinking | They understand the interdependencies between people, technology, and processes. | Enables complex problem-solving and integration. |
| Resilience & Tenacity | They persist through setbacks, political resistance, and uncertainty. | Sustains momentum when projects hit turbulence. |
| Collaborative Leadership | They mobilize diverse expertise and trusted others to lead sub-parts. | Builds high-performing, cross-functional teams. |
| Ethical and Purposeful Judgment | They thought deeply about why their projects mattered and their impact. | Ensures responsible, sustainable outcomes. |
🧭 Synthesis: The DNA of a Great Project Manager
If we distill this further, the "core DNA" of great project managers blends three pillars:
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Impact and Systems → Seeing the big picture and connecting the dots.
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Execution and Resilience → Turning vision into action despite uncertainty.
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Integrity and Empathy → Leading humans, not just tasks or timelines.
Or put concisely:
They create a vivid picture of the outcomes needed, organize precisely, and lead humanely.
Why is this important? Next time you manage a project, allocate time to consolidate and manage stakeholder expectations, and ideally be curious and review your findings with the stakeholder for their feedback and advice.