What Makes a Successful Project Manager? A Fresh Perspective from Košice

What Research Says About Success

In the second part, we dove into the data – specifically, PMI's recent research like Pulse of the Profession 2023 and Maximizing Project Success 2024. The findings were clear:

• Success is not binary. Project outcomes cannot be reduced to "success" or "failure." PMI's Net Project Success Score (NPSS) framework shows that value delivery happens on a continuum. A project that misses a deadline may still deliver exceptional value to the organization. Conversely, a project completed “on time and budget” might fail to meet stakeholder needs or strategic goals.
• Great PMs focus on outcomes, not just execution. The most successful project managers don’t just follow processes — they drive impact. According to PMI’s performance themes, what matters most is what the project achieves:
  • Sustainability and social impact
  • Level of quality
  • Clearly defined outcomes
  • Customer and employee satisfaction

PMs who prioritize outcomes over ticking boxes deliver lasting value.

As one of our key workshop takeaways stated: "A successful PM stays calm in chaos, filters out noise, and brings focus when others panic."

Applying the Kano Model: What Every PM Needs – and What Makes Them Great

To structure our thinking, we used the Kano model, which classifies PM attributes into:

• Must-Haves – Without these, a PM fails (e.g., reliability, structure, ethical behavior).
• Performance Drivers – The better they are, the more value they deliver (e.g., risk management, stakeholder communication).
• Excitement Attributes – These are inspiring and create loyalty (e.g., humor, team-building, turning crisis into opportunity).

Workshop participants defined and voted on real-life attributes and discussed the “missing puzzle piece” – that one thing they wish more PMs had, or that they want to develop themselves.

Must-Have Attributes of Every Project Manager

What surprised me most during the "Must Have" discussion was how strongly participants focused on human-centered and emotionally intelligent qualities. Rather than emphasizing technical tools or hard skills, the group consistently highlighted the importance of personal values, emotional resilience, and cultural sensitivity as core to successful project management.

The traits they emphasized reflect a shift: today’s project manager is expected not only to deliver outcomes but to create trust, foster belonging, and guide teams through uncertainty with integrity and empathy.

Among the attributes identified as most critical were (in the order of the most preferred):

• Effective communication — the ability to clearly convey information, expectations, and feedback, ensuring alignment and trust across all project stakeholders.
• Follows and lives by ethics — acting with integrity and making principled decisions, even when faced with pressure or complexity.
• Goal keeper — maintaining ownership and accountability, keeping the team focused on shared objectives, and stepping up to protect project goals.
• Cultural awareness — understanding and respecting cultural differences, creating inclusive environments where diverse teams can thrive.
• Effective governance model and communication — establishing clear structures and communication channels that support decision-making and keep projects running smoothly.
• Identifies issues and resolves them — proactively spotting problems and driving timely solutions before they escalate.
• Stress filter — the resilience to absorb and manage stress, helping the team stay focused and positive even under pressure.

What Makes a Project Manager Truly Stand Out - excitement attributes:

While must-haves lay the foundation, excitement attributes are what make project managers truly memorable and inspiring. They don't just deliver projects; they ignite energy, foster belonging, and help teams believe in the mission they're building together.

Top Excitement Attributes (in the order of the most preferred):

• Team glue: The capacity to hold the team together, create a sense of belonging, and nurture strong interpersonal bonds.
• Innovative thinking: Introducing fresh ideas, encouraging creativity, and inspiring the team to think beyond conventional approaches.
• Can make people laugh & set the mood: Using humor and emotional intelligence to create a positive, motivating atmosphere where people feel energized.
• Creates a contagious vision: Inspiring the team with a compelling vision that drives passion and commitment toward a common goal.
• Understands end-to-end business (customer → delivery): Seeing the full picture from customer needs to delivery ensures that work remains connected to real value.

What Drives Project Management Excellence – performance attributes

Execution excellence is anchored in specific performance traits that ensure precision, resilience, and sustained delivery quality.

Top Performance Attributes (in the order of the most preferred):

• Detailed oriented: Maintaining meticulous attention to detail throughout project planning and execution to avoid errors and ensure quality.
• Able to manage crises calmly: Remaining composed and strategic when facing unexpected challenges, setting the tone for the team's response.
• Maintain focus in crisis and change: Keeping priorities clear and maintaining momentum even when circumstances shift.
• Mentor to PM team: Sharing knowledge, coaching others, and investing in the professional growth of fellow project managers.
• Subject matter expert: Possessing deep expertise in a specific domain, which enhances decision-making, planning, and stakeholder confidence.

In Košice, we didn’t just talk about project managers — we reimagined them.
And maybe, that’s the most powerful outcome of all.

Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, challenged assumptions, and co-created a new map of success criteria. Let’s keep this discussion alive – because project management is about more than just delivering. It’s about leading people through uncertainty.

I left Košice with the strong belief that a successful PM is not just a task executor – he/she is a leader, a connector, an emotional anchor for the team.

Petr Janíš, Projectman.cz