Fidelity Bank Ghana’s Head of Transformation Programmes, Edna Engmann, recently delivered a thought-provoking keynote at the Project Management Institute (PMI) Ghana Chapter Meeting.
Held at the Alisa Hotel in North Ridge, the event focused on the importance of emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
During her presentation titled “Emotional Leadership,” Ms. Engmann emphasized the significance of emotional intelligence for project managers. She highlighted how this skill enables leaders to go beyond just managing people and instead lead teams towards a common goal. By actively listening to customer feedback and empowering teams through trust and guidance, project managers can foster a collaborative environment for success.
Ms. Engmann shared a compelling case study from Fidelity Bank, showcasing the success of their 24/7 WhatsApp banking assistant, Kukua. By utilizing Scrum and Agile methodologies and empowering cross-functional teams, the project was completed in just eight weeks, a significantly shorter timeline than traditional approaches.
Furthermore, Ms. Engmann stressed the importance of customer-centricity in project management. By understanding customer needs and emotions, project leaders can ensure their projects deliver real value. She also highlighted the significance of self-awareness and social awareness in effective leadership, encouraging leaders to be mindful of their environment and goals.
In addressing the evolving workplace demographic, Ms. Engmann emphasized the need for project managers to adapt their leadership styles to engage younger generations who value participation and entrepreneurial thinking. By striking a balance between autonomy and direction, leaders can foster a sense of belonging and ownership within their teams.
Ms. Engmann concluded her presentation by encouraging leaders to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. By developing emotional intelligence and learning from past errors, project managers can ultimately lead their teams to success.
The PMI Ghana Chapter Meeting provided project management professionals with valuable insights into effective leadership practices and opportunities to exchange best practices for project success.
