Emotional Intelligence and The Project Manager

The field of project management has witnessed numerous advancements and continuous improvement efforts across various leadership applications and management domains. While past efforts primarily focused on structural and technical aspects, recent developments have embraced the integration of previously unrelated knowledge domains to enhance both the process and outcomes.

Traditionally, project management practices predominantly revolved around well-defined requirements and followed the Waterfall approach, with improvements centered around management control concepts. However, as project management methodologies expanded to encompass diverse project types, such as those demanding creativity, innovation, and unclear scopes, flexible approaches like Agile and Hybrid emerged. These new methodologies emphasized collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and incremental value delivery, highlighting the significance of behavioral and psychological factors in project management. 

Additionally, with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation in future organizational models, the relational side of project management gains enhanced value. Successful project managers and leaders must not only comprehend Emotional Intelligence (EQ) but actively demonstrate its application within their teams and in engaging stakeholders. As AI agents take over certain processes, forms, and checklists, the role of EQ in project management becomes even more critical.