Leadership in Agile Cells: Keys to Success in Technological Projects

The objective of this post is to highlight the most common characteristics that we observe in those project leaders of our clients who make projects successful and thus stimulate this way of working and, on the other hand, to detect early those that jeopardize success and take preventive and corrective actions.

Customer cell leaders are the members of the clients we work with on a daily basis, from Project Managers, Product Owners and Scrum Masters to business experts, area managers, or specialists with specific knowledge.

After more than 10 years of interacting with these leaders, we asked the Kranio cells what are the personal, technical and leadership characteristics of our counterparts in those projects that flow optimally and also when they are not. The results may surprise you. Keep reading.

Characteristics of Leaders in Successful Projects

1. Open and transparent communication: Successful leaders always maintain open and transparent communication with the Tech Lead and the team, making it easier to coordinate and solve problems.

2. Planning and Flexibility: Successful leaders plan ahead, but they also show flexibility when projects undergo planning changes. They understand that these changes may require changes in deadlines.

3. Open to Suggestions and Collaboration: Successful leaders are open to suggestions and collaborations from experts, accepting ideas and comments in good faith.

4. Active Involvement: Successful leaders are actively involved in the entire development process. They are interested in understanding the business and how the service we are providing can have a positive impact on it.

5. Proactivity: They are proactive in obtaining the necessary elements for a good development of the project, such as credentials, information, data, definitions and business requirements.

6. Willingness to Teach: These leaders not only share their technical and business knowledge, but they also make it available to the development team.

7. Assertive and Adaptive Attitude: Faced with problems, they show an assertive attitude, seeking solutions instead of focusing on the problem itself.

Features that Put Projects at Risk

On the contrary, there are certain characteristics that can jeopardize the successful completion of projects or at least slow them down. Some of them are:

1. Demand Unrealistic Deadlines: Leaders who demand unreasonable deadlines can put unnecessary pressure on the team and jeopardize the quality of the project.

2. Lack of Clarity in Requirements: When leaders don't provide a clear and defined vision of requirements, it can lead to misunderstanding and rework.

3. Disunderstanding Possible Risks: If leaders don't see elements that may be potential risks to the project, these risks can turn into problems midway.

4. Dogmatism and Stubbornness: Leaders who aren't open to new ideas or ways of doing things can hinder innovation and efficiency.

5. Aggressivity/Intolerance: A leader who treats the team poorly can damage communication and negatively affect team motivation and productivity.

In short, effective leadership is at the heart of every successful project. Through open communication, flexibility, proactivity, and a willingness to teach and learn, customer cell leaders can guide their teams to excellence. By fostering an environment of respect and collaboration, leaders can inspire their teams to reach new heights, overcome challenges, and ultimately deliver results that exceed expectations. Every project is an opportunity to grow, innovate and succeed, and with the right characteristics, customer cell leaders are perfectly equipped to face challenges and achieve successful projects.

Ready to strengthen leadership in your agile teams?

At Kranio, we have experts in training and accompanying agile cell leaders, helping you implement effective practices that improve collaboration and the performance of your technological projects. Contact us and discover how we can boost the success of your initiatives.