In the fast-paced and increasingly complex world of project management, technical skills alone are no longer sufficient for success. Today’s most effective project managers combine their technical expertise with essential power skills like leadership, adaptability, and communication.

Raquel Horta, Founder of Project & Program Managers Who Inspire, offers valuable insights on the growing importance of these skills. In this interview, she discusses how power skills distinguish great project managers, enhance team collaboration, and help navigate the uncertainties of modern projects. Raquel also provides practical advice for aspiring project managers on how to develop and integrate both technical and power skills for lasting success.

 

How would you define power skills in the context of project management, and why are they gaining more attention in today's fast-paced business environment?

That's a great question. I actually posed it to over 100 project and program managers, and the responses were quite revealing.

What stood out was the recurring mention of both technical and soft skills. However, the majority of challenges—and their solutions—seemed deeply tied to what we now call power skills. Among these, communication emerged as fundamental. In project and program management, nothing happens without effective communication. If we're not strong communicators, we can't solve problems, engage stakeholders, keep team morale high, or motivate others.

PMI (Project Management Institute) defines four key power skills: problem-solving, leadership, communication, and strategic thinking. To these, I would add a fifth: growth mindset. Without it, we can't truly evolve. A growth mindset encourages innovation, continuous improvement, and personal and team development—essential traits for any successful project or program manager.

Through my research and feedback, these five skills repeatedly came up as indispensable. For example, stakeholder engagement requires strong leadership to inspire others, clear communication to ensure understanding, and strategic thinking to align project and stakeholder goals. Without alignment, stakeholders disengage.

Additionally, a growth mindset supports adaptability and innovation. Without it, finding creative solutions and driving improvement becomes nearly impossible.

While PMI's 2023 report listed four power skills, recent reports on topics like AI transformation emphasize the importance of project managers developing these skills alongside technical expertise. This further highlights why growth mindset is so critical—it equips managers to navigate emerging trends like artificial intelligence effectively.

In summary, these five power skills—problem-solving, leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and growth mindset—are not just valuable but essential in today's fast-paced, complex business environment.

 

Can you share some examples of how power skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability have directly influenced the success or failure of projects?

Absolutely. While technical skills are vital for managing and monitoring project progress, soft skills—especially power skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are equally crucial. I've seen numerous examples where these skills made the difference between a project’s success or failure.

Take leadership, for instance. Without strong leadership, a project manager cannot motivate the team or align them with the project’s goals. As project managers, we don't execute projects alone; it's the team and stakeholders who drive the actual work. To inspire and align them requires effective communication, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence.

One example stands out from my experience in Portugal. Years ago, my company decided to purchase and implement an HR software product for a client—something we weren’t experienced in. The project was assigned to a senior colleague who, despite his technical expertise, struggled with the softer aspects of the role. He didn’t fully understand the product, the client's needs, or the local HR regulations, which were particularly complex in the public sector.

Instead of collaborating with the client's team, he worked in isolation, treating them as a separate entity. This lack of integration, coupled with poor communication and a failure to align goals, led to a rapidly deteriorating situation. The client was dissatisfied, progress stalled, and tensions grew.

When I stepped in to help, it became clear that the missing ingredient was power skills. I took on the client-facing role, ensuring open communication and transparency. I acknowledged our knowledge gaps and asked for their expertise in understanding the business rules, emphasizing that their input was critical for success. This simple act of honesty and collaboration transformed the dynamics. While the project didn't become a complete success—it was too late to fully recover—it avoided becoming a catastrophe.

This experience underscored how power skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability can rescue even the most challenging situations. Effective collaboration, honesty, and an adaptable approach can rebuild trust, improve relationships, and often turn a failing project around.

 

Many project managers excel in delivering projects on time, within scope, and on budget thanks to their strong technical skills. However, when they are promoted to leadership roles—such as managing larger project teams or forming their own teams—they often face significant challenges. Success in project management doesn't always translate to success in team leadership, and this can lead to difficulties that impact the project and the team dynamic. What advice would you give to project managers transitioning into these leadership roles? Specifically, where should they focus their efforts to succeed as leaders while continuing to manage projects effectively?

This is a common scenario not just in project management but across many industries. High-performing individuals are often promoted into leadership roles, but technical excellencedoesn’t automatically translate into effective leadership.

Leadership and management require different skill sets. For project managers, in particular, the role often leans more toward leadership since they typically don’t have direct authority over their teams. Instead, they must inspire, guide, and align the team toward project goals without relying on traditional managerial structures.

When transitioning into a leadership role, technical skills still play a role in understanding the team’s work, coaching, and mentoring. However, the real focus must shift to soft skills—or power skills. These include motivating the team, setting and communicating a clear vision, aligning goals with organizational objectives, and leading by example. Effective leaders don’t just create followers; they develop new leaders through mentorship, training, and coaching.

Early in a project manager’s career, technical skills are fundamental. But as you gain experience, soft skills become critical for continued success. For example, when I started as a project manager 20+ years ago, projects were simpler—gather requirements, execute, and deliver. Today, projects are far more complex. Requirements change rapidly, technology evolves, and stakeholders have diverse needs. Soft skills like adaptability, communication, and strategic thinking are now essential to navigate these challenges.

Unfortunately, many professionals and organizations undervalue the importance of developing soft skills. PMI’s 2023 report noted that while 46% of professional development hours spent on technical skills, only about 29% of professional development hours spent on power skills (soft skills). This gap is troubling, given that soft skills are vital for managing today’s dynamic environments.

Soft skills aren’t innate for everyone. Leadership, strategic thinking, and other power skills can and should be developed. I encourage new leaders to prioritize this area of growth, recognizing that technical proficiency alone isn’t enough in today’s complex project landscapes. Investing in soft skills is the key to transitioning successfully into leadership and driving project success.

 

What role do power skills play in team building and collaboration? How can project managers foster these skills within their teams?

Power skills play a crucial role in fostering a positive and productive work environment by helping project managers create cohesive teams, improve communication, and drive collective problem-solving. Effective communication ensures clarity, minimizes misunderstandings, facilitates idea sharing, and keeps everyone aligned and informed. Collaborative leadership engages team members, fosters a sense of ownership, and leverages diverse perspectives, while effective problem-solving relies on teamwork and collaboration to identify, analyze, and resolve issues efficiently, maintaining project momentum.

Strategic thinking supports long-term planning, task prioritization, and adaptability to changing project environments, with team building integrated into those plans. Additionally, a growth mindset encourages continuous learning and improvement, fostering resilience, adaptability, and innovation—key factors for sustained project success and development.

Fostering these power skills within teams requires deliberate efforts. Regular training sessions and workshops focused on developing power skills enhance collaboration and project outcomes. Encouraging open communication builds an environment of trust, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, feedback, and concerns, ensuring that issues are promptly addressed. Promoting collaborative leadership by allowing team members to take on leadership roles cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility while building leadership capabilities across the team. Finally, cultivating a growth mindset helps team members view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, strengthening their resilience and adaptability to navigate challenges effectively.

 

Project management often requires a balance between technical skills and power skills. How can project managers effectively develop and integrate both sets of skills to ensure project success?

To develop technical skills, formal education and certification provide a strong foundation in project management methodologies, tools, and techniques, with credentials such as PMP being highly valuable. Gaining hands-on experience through diverse projects enhances the practical application of these skills in real-world scenarios. Continuous learning, including webinars, workshops, and industry publications, ensures project managers stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies.

Developing power skills often requires self-reflection and cultivating habits. Courses in leadership and strategic thinking can be beneficial, but working with a coach or mentor is particularly effective in building these skills through personalized guidance and feedback.

To integrate technical and power skills, engaging in cross-functional projects provides opportunities to balance and apply both sets of skills. Regular feedback and reflection help identify areas for improvement and reinforce this integration. Utilizing collaborative tools and techniques, such as project management software and agile methodologies, enhances team collaboration and ensures the effective use of technical and power skills. Mentorship and coaching from experienced project managers offer valuable insights into combining these skills effectively.

Mastering power skills, particularly soft skills, takes time and practice. Failure and trial are often part of the learning process, but with persistence and effort, project managers can develop the balance needed for sustained success.

 

As we move further into the digital age, how do you see the importance of power skills evolving? Do you think they will become even more critical for project managers?

My expectation is that power skills will continue to evolve and become even more critical for project managers. The rapid pace of technological advancements and the growing complexity of projects demand a strong emphasis on these skills to navigate an ever-changing landscape effectively.

Adaptability and flexibility will be paramount as technology evolves. Project managers must respond to new tools, methodologies, and market demands, ensuring projects stay relevant and successful even amid change and uncertainty.

Enhanced communication will take on greater importance as remote and hybrid work models become the norm. Maintaining team cohesion and ensuring clear understanding across distributed teams will require strong communication skills to facilitate collaboration and prevent misunderstandings.

Collaborative leadership will also grow in significance, especially in a digital age that demands teamwork across diverse, global teams. Fostering a collaborative environment will enable project managers to leverage collective expertise, drive innovation, solve problems, and achieve goals in complex and interconnected settings.

Problem-solving and critical thinking will be indispensable for addressing unforeseen challenges and navigating increasingly intricate project environments. These skills will allow project managers to make informed decisions and resolve issues efficiently, ensuring project success.

A growth mindset will be vital for continuous learning and adaptation as technological advancements and industry changes accelerate. Embracing this mindset will empower project managers and their teams to remain competitive, innovate, and consistently improve over time.

 

What advice would you give to new or aspiring project managers looking to develop their power skills? Are there specific strategies or practices that have been particularly effective in your career?

For new or aspiring project managers looking to develop their power skills, here are some practical strategies and tips that have proven effective:

• Start by treating everyday tasks as projects. Use tools like workflows, work breakdown structures, responsibility matrices, scope statements, requirements lists, and risk logs. This approach helps you think and act like a project manager while gaining hands-on experience in task and responsibility management.
• Create your own opportunities by cultivating trust with your manager and proposing projects that can benefit your business or team. Demonstrating trustworthiness and initiative can lead to greater responsibilities and opportunities for skill development.
• Seek out mentors or coaches who can guide you, share their experiences, and help you avoid common pitfalls. Mentorship accelerates learning and provides valuable insights into effective project management practices.
• Engage in continuous learning by participating in workshops, training sessions, and courses focused on power skills. This ensures that you stay updated with best practices and develop a well-rounded skill set.
• Build a professional network by getting involved in your local project management community. Networking provides access to support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration, fostering your professional growth.

Effective strategies and practices include:

• Regularly seeking feedback and reflecting on your experiences. Establish feedback loops with your team and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and refine your skills.
• Embrace a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, and encourage your team to do the same. This mindset fosters resilience, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop emotional intelligence by working on understanding and managing emotions, practicing empathy, and active listening. High emotional intelligence enhances conflict resolution, strengthens relationships, and improves team dynamics.
• Enhance your communication skills by focusing on clarity and transparency. Use various tools and techniques to ensure everyone is aligned and informed, reducing misunderstandings and promoting collaboration.
• Foster collaborative leadership by engaging your team members, encouraging their input, and instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility. This approach builds team cohesion and drives effective problem-solving.

 

Raquel, thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It’s been great hearing your perspective, and we really appreciate you taking the time to chat!