Now more than ever, management practices and leadership styles are vital for overall team success.  In a report by Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), an engineering, sciences and project delivery firm, the effect of a downturn in activities and subsequent redundancies, role changes and skill gaps, on team morale and performance is outlined. It also discusses the ways in which leaders inspire staff in such an environment, which, in turn, has a significant impact on project success.

SKM: “The ageing population and the shrinking workforce add to the imperative to adopt effective management techniques to attract, retain and motivate your team.

“Management behaviour and leadership style are key factors for successful team performance. In the mining project environment, where multiple subcontractors from different corporate cultures, and with varying levels of commitment and behaviours come together to deliver a project, it is even more vital to ensure that teams are managed effectively for successful outcomes.”

SKM says that this report affects Project Managers concerned with attracting, motivating and retaining team members during a downturn in activities and subsequent redundancies and role changes. These Managers should address the effectiveness of their leadership style to minimise the adverse impacts of a weakened team and skill gaps, to improve overall project success.

The author of this report, Ed Northcote, is a Senior Project Manager with SKM, based in Brisbane, Australia. Northcote has over 20 years’ experience providing project management to the mining industry in the various stages of the project life cycle for engineering, procurement and construction management.  He is also qualified in engineering, business management and science.

To read the whole report go to: www.skmconsulting.com/knowledge_insights/Publications/Articles/2009/building-high-performance-teams.htm