Today I want to share five practical techniques to help you build a strong relationship with your project team.
Why? Because a high-performing team is one of the most powerful assets a project manager can have. If your team is engaged, motivated, and working toward a shared goal, you’re far more likely to deliver your project on time and within budget.
Strong relationships aren’t about having a natural gift for leadership—they’re about taking small, intentional actions every day. Here are five techniques that will help you establish trust, encourage collaboration, and set your team up for success.
1. Listen and Take Action
One of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do as a project manager is to listen to your team—and act on their requests.
If a team member needs your help to get approval, clear a roadblock, or coordinate with another department, don’t delay. These small actions build trust and demonstrate that you’re a leader they can rely on.
The worst thing you can do is ignore their requests. If you consistently fail to follow through, your team will lose confidence in you, and your leadership credibility will suffer.
By taking action, you show that you’re invested in their success, which ultimately leads to a stronger, more engaged team.
2. Pay Attention to Your Team’s Well-Being
Project work can be brutal—tight deadlines, high pressure, and long hours can take a toll on your team. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to look out for their well-being.
- Check in with your team regularly—whether it’s a five-minute chat or a one-on-one call every couple of weeks.
- Pay attention to signs of stress or burnout.
- If someone is struggling, help them find a solution before the situation escalates.
A little empathy goes a long way. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also helps retain key team members and prevents unexpected gaps in your project.
3. Create Space for Casual Conversations (Campfire Chats)
When your team is under pressure, it’s easy to become all business, all the time. But taking a moment to relax and chat can actually boost productivity.
Even in high-stress environments (think ancient warriors facing battle), people have always gathered around the “campfire” to share stories and jokes. You can do the same in your project team.
- Start meetings with a quick, casual check-in.
- Ask people about their weekend or hobbies.
- Allow a little space for humor and conversation.
You don’t have to be a comedian—just open the floor for natural, lighthearted moments. It helps build camaraderie, which makes people more likely to work together effectively.
4. Lead by Example
If you want your team to be dedicated and hardworking, you need to set the standard.
If they’re working late to meet a deadline, you should be right there with them. Even if you can’t contribute directly to their tasks (like fixing defects in an IT project), your presence shows solidarity.
That said, you don’t need to overdo it—this isn’t about burning yourself out. It’s about showing that you’re in it together and that you respect the effort they’re putting in.
5. Be Honest About What You Know (and What You Don’t)
As a project manager, you don’t need to be an expert in every subject. Your role is to coordinate, drive progress, and remove obstacles—not to be the technical guru.
So, if you’re leading a finance project but don’t have a deep background in finance, be upfront about it.
- Let your team know your level of knowledge.
- Ask questions when you need clarification.
- Don’t pretend to understand things you don’t—your team will respect your honesty.
Being open from the start makes it easier to collaborate. If you wait too long, it’ll be much harder to admit later that you’ve been lost in discussions all along.
Final Thoughts
Building strong relationships with your team isn’t about being a natural-born leader—it’s about showing up, supporting your team, and creating an environment where people feel motivated to do their best work.
By following these five techniques, you’ll foster trust, improve team morale, and increase your chances of project success.
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Project Manaverse 