The impact of project managers’ competencies, emotional intelligence and transformational leadership on project success in the information technology sector

The study aims to examine the impact of project managers’ competencies (PMC), emotional intelligence (EQ) and transformational leadership (TL) on project success (PS). Data were collected from 250 respondents including project managers, project leaders, project directors, functional managers, and project sponsor board members working in the information technology (IT) sector. The results of the analysis revealed that the project manager’s prominent characteristics influence the success of the project positively. The study proposes the hiring of project managers, project leaders, and project directors who have competencies like communication, teamwork, attentiveness and conflict management along with expertise in managerial skills in the IT sector. Moreover, resources must be made available to train the existing workforce and enhance their competencies, emotional intelligence and transformational leadership styles through professional courses, workshops and seminars. This study supports the theoretical argument that a project manager with a transformational leadership style has a positive impact on the project’s success. IT project managers ranked transformational leadership as an important aspect for project success. Transformational leaders are inspiring and encouraging, stick to their teams, motivate employees, show them a correct path, and boost employees’ confidence. As a result, a responsive and pleasant environment will be created in which the whole team works together under a trustworthy project manager and attain the project goals. The research provides a unique set of lessons that organizations can use to design or re-design their activities in order to improve the efficiency of their employees.