Part 2: The SMART Habits of the Resilient Project Manager

Improve Emotional Intelligence

Resilient project managers respond to high-pressure situations mindfully. Adopting a growth mindset enables them to maintain an open mind and a generally positive outlook. They recognize that improving their emotional intelligence helps them effectively navigate workplace complexities while leading and motivating their teams.

An example…every two weeks, a new face steps up to lead the project meeting…a practice that has transformed how teams for another Adaptogeniq client collaborate and grow together. By rotating leadership among project team members, everyone gets the opportunity to guide discussions, tackle challenges, and shape the direction of the project.

This dynamic approach not only sharpens leadership skills but also builds empathy and adaptability, as team members experience firsthand the responsibilities of steering the group. Each new leader brings fresh perspectives and energy, fostering innovation and inclusivity.

Over time, this practice has strengthened emotional resilience within the team. Project team leaders learn to stay calm under pressure and guide with confidence, while team members become more engaged and supportive of one another. By empowering everyone to lead, AdaptogeniQ ensured its client project teams were not just managing projects…they’re growing together, one meeting at a time.

SMART advice: Lead your team with empathy. Be an active listener who engages others in meaningful dialogue and resolves conflict in a constructive manner

Have a Strong Support System

Resilient project managers don’t claim to know it all. Hence, they do not hesitate to lean on their support system, both professional and personal, for guidance when needed.

In practice, as a project manager consultant, I introduced a new mindset to my team: “This is for my bestie.” The idea was simple…every piece of work you complete should be prepared with the same care and thoughtfulness as if you’re handing it off to your best friend. But we took it one step further: before any task moved forward, the bestie (the next person in the process) reviewed it with you. Together, you discussed the work, shared feedback, and agreed it was ready for the next stage.

What started as a workflow quickly became a cultural shift. It was so cool to hear team members organically calling each other “besties,” not just privately but in public meetings and conversations. Phrases like, “I’m handing this to my bestie next!” or “Let’s make this bestie-ready!” created a sense of camaraderie and fun that energized our projects.

This collaborative peer-review process didn’t just enhance the quality of our work…it transformed how we worked together. By refining tasks as a pair, team members built trust, grew professionally, and celebrated their shared accomplishments. At AdaptogeniQ, we champion approaches like this that strengthen team bonds and amplify success. After all, when your besties are with you, great things happe…together.

SMART advice: Authentic bonds are not easy to come by. Appreciate and cultivate those that you already have by ensuring healthy, two-way communication. When seeking advice, receive feedback with grace and act on them with intention.

Embrace Change and Adapt

For resilient project managers, change is constant. Thus, they readily pivot their strategies as the situation calls for, and are able to respond to sudden shifts without sacrificing momentum.

As an Executive Project Manager Consultant, I knew my engineering design team was stuck. We were facing challenges with a new product design, and frustration was starting to creep in. To shake things up, I decided to try an unorthodox strategy. I brought an everyday item…a humble paperclip…to our next workshop and asked the team to dive deep into its history, function, and design.

At first, there were some puzzled looks, but as we dissected the paperclip’s evolution, the room came alive. We discussed its origins, the simplicity of its design, and the way it solves a common problem so effectively. This exercise opened up a fresh perspective for the team, highlighting how even the most basic tools are products of thoughtful, collaborative design.

Inspired by this exercise, we applied the same principles to our product. The team embraced a more collaborative approach, simplifying complex aspects and focusing on creating meaningful outcomes for the end user. By stepping away from the problem and examining something familiar in a new light, we were able to break through our roadblocks and make real progress.

At AdaptogeniQ, we value adaptability and creative problem-solving. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to step back, rethink the challenge, and look at it from a completely different angle. It’s these moments that lead to innovation and success.

SMART advice: Optimize risk reduction and management, yet remain flexible and agile when things don’t go as planned.

Project outcomes are contingent upon the teams that build and implement them. By being a resilient leader, you create an environment that is conducive to growth and innovation. At AdaptogeniQ, we partner with businesses and organizations in fine-tuning their project management strategies and systems to bring about true transformation. Need change? We make it smart.Let’s talk about how we could transform your business together.