The SMART Habits of the Resilient Project Manager

Every project manager knows that there is no such thing as a foolproof project. While an exhaustive list of anticipatory and protective measures are set in place, an effective project manager understands the inevitable existence of a margin of error. Consequently, successful project management requires leaders who are not only smart, but who are also resilient.

Some people may view resilience as a euphemistic response to mask the occurrence of failure. However, in the realm of project management, resilience is indispensable. In the most critical moments, teams look to their leaders for inspiration, direction, and stability. Resilience is what enables project managers to command the chaos and lead their teams through uncertainty. It spells the difference between getting completely ravaged by the storm, and withstanding its wrath and seeing the rainbow once the worst is over.

The beauty in resilience is that it is a characteristic that could be developed. At AdaptogeniQ, we have advised countless project managers on these resilience-building habits that consistently yield winning results:

Prioritize Health

Resilient project managers take care of their physical, mental, and emotional health to ensure that they capably lead their teams in all situations. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, they manage their teams efficiently to avoid burnout.

AdaptogeniQ’s success on large scale projects underscores the importance of holistic health in high-pressure environments. Like AdaptogeniQ’s focus on individual project manager’s wellness through tailored recovery plans and data, project managers benefit from integrating strategies that support their overall well-being. To help project managers lead from a place of strength and balance, we encouraged them to track how they spent their time…personally and professionally…over a month using a tracking app on their phones. The insights they gained allowed them to create personalized project plans for themselves, designed to enhance their ability to balance stress and restore equilibrium.

For some, this meant scheduling dedicated focus time on their calendars. Others prioritized consistent sleep by going to bed at the same time each night. A few incorporated ashwagandha into one of their daily meals, leveraging its natural ability to support stress management. One team adopted a 15-minute morning walk around the building at 10 a.m., combining movement with project discussions to foster clarity and collaboration.

These small, intentional changes ensured that project managers not only built resilience but also led their teams from a foundation of strength and daily vitality.

SMART advice: Incorporate a culture of health and wellness within your team. Know the difference between being overloaded versus feeling overwhelmed and establish suitable coping mechanisms for each scenario.

Adopt a Growth Mindset

Resilient project managers view challenges as invaluable mentors, not as reflections of personal failings. Continuously operating within established comfort zones may seem appealing, given the false sense of security and confidence. Through time, however, the lack of stimuli and motivation only results in stagnancy, which has absolutely no place in today’s dynamic business landscape.

To foster a culture of resilience and innovation to project managers in another organization, AdaptogeniQ introduced a fast-paced, 10-minute huddle twice a week called “Puddles.” (positive huddles).  These dynamic sessions focused on what each team member had done to overcome a challenge that day. The rapid pace and concise format pushed everyone out of their comfort zones, encouraging quick thinking and positive problem-solving.

The Puddles became a platform for celebrating wins…big and small…while reframing obstacles as opportunities for growth. Project managers found that this approach not only fostered mental agility and clarity but also strengthened team morale and collaboration. For some, the sessions became a mental reset; for others, a chance to draw inspiration from their peers' creative solutions. These short, energizing huddles ensured the team stayed focused, flexible, and ready to tackle whatever came next, transforming challenges into stepping stones for success.

SMART advice: Debrief with your team at the end of each project. Together, identify key takeaways, pain points, as well improvement areas that could be applied in future projects. Or if you want to do something unorthodox implement the “puddle”.

Stay tuned this week for Part 2!