Project management coaching: Unlocking leadership potential and strategic success

Written By Richard Ogston

In today's fast-paced business world, project managers have a lot to consider.

Gone are the days when their primary focus was on formulating and monitoring project plans and risk registers. Now, they are equally expected to be strategic leaders who can inspire teams, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and ensure that projects are delivered in alignment with an organisation’s broader goals. That is a tall order, and it is why an increasing number of organisations are turning to coaching to help their project managers succeed.

Why project management coaching?

Project management coaching is not about brushing up on foundational hard skills or learning how to use new technical tools. It is about helping project managers grow as leaders. The coaching process hones one’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, foster strong working relationships and improve decision making, all while maintaining a strong focus on delivering value. This blend of interpersonal and cognitive development does not just improve individual performance; it also supports the organisation’s broader strategic goals.

Adapting to demands

Today’s project managers face a range of challenges. They need to be more than just task-oriented; they must demonstrate emotional intelligence (EQ), inspire their teams, and be adaptable. At the same time, technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping project management by easing the administrative burden, enabling more time to focus on higher-value strategic activities. Through coaching, project managers can develop the cognitive and interpersonal skills necessary to lead and succeed in evermore complex project environments.

Interpersonal skills: The key to stakeholder engagement

For project managers, one of the most demanding aspects of the role is balancing the expectations and priorities of diverse stakeholders. This challenge extends beyond just managing competing interests, it involves leading and inspiring teams, fostering collaboration, and building a shared vision. Coaching empowers project managers to strengthen their leadership abilities, enabling them to effectively engage with stakeholders and guide their teams toward success. By developing interpersonal skills, coaching helps project managers navigate complex dynamics with confidence, resolve conflicts constructively, and create an environment where collaboration thrives.

Cognitive flexibility and problem-solving

The business world is unpredictable, and project managers need to be ready to adapt at short notice. Cognitive flexibility, the ability to think on your feet and respond with the best outcome in mind, is essential in today’s volatile environment. Coaching encourages the development of mental resilience. It provides the ability to reflect, strategise, and find new approaches to solving problems. In practice, this means that when a project runs into a challenge, those with strong cognitive adaptability will be able to quickly assess the situation, generate solutions, and keep things moving forward. Coaching can help sharpen decision-making skills, empowering project managers to tackle unforeseen challenges with confidence and clarity. 

Driving projects towards strategic success

When project managers develop their leadership skills, the benefits go far beyond the individual. Strong project managers drive strong teams, which in turn, deliver projects that help the entire organisation meet its strategic goals. This is crucial for long-term success.

Coaching ensures that project managers are well-prepared to take on greater responsibilities. Allowing them to not only lead teams more effectively but also to contribute to shaping the future direction of the business. In many ways, investing in project management coaching is an investment in the organisation’s broader long-term leadership pipeline.

Conclusion: Why coaching matters

Project management coaching is about more than just improving how projects are run. It Is about unlocking the full potential of project managers. When project managers perform at their best, the whole organisation benefits. And that’s the real value of coaching, it drives both individual growth and strategic success.

Further reading

In their most recent ‘Pulse of the Profession’ report (2023), PMI highlight the top four power skills that every project manager should have to drive project success as:

And in their 2023 ‘Salary and Market Trends Survey 2023’, under ‘Project volatility’ (pg.37) the APM highlight the highest level of increased importance in the following skill areas:

All of these key skills and competencies can be developed and improved through 1-1 project management coaching.

Richard Ogston - 2024

1-on-1 Project Management Coaching

Available from February 2025 (advance bookings open now).

I provide tailored coaching for project managers to develop key interpersonal leadership skills, driving meaningful, long-term organisational and personal impact.

Richard Ogston
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