TOPIC: Free CAPM® Exam Sample Question

As a senior project manager, you are mentoring a project team member who aspires to become a project manager. When asked whether leadership skills or management skills are more important for a project manager, how might you respond?

A. Project managers must rely on leadership while operations managers rely on management skills
B. Project managers are change agents and must use leadership skills rather than management skills
C. Project managers need to employ both leadership and management skills to be successful
D. Leadership and management are often used interchangeably because they are synonymous

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HINT: Management is more closely associated with directing another person to get from one point to another. In contrast, leadership involves working with others to guide them from one point to another.

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Answer and Explanation:
The correct answer is C

The words 'leadership' and 'management' are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Management is more closely associated with directing another person to get from one point to another. In contrast, leadership involves working with others through discussion or debate to guide them from one point to another. Project managers need to employ both leadership and management to be successful. The skill is in finding the right balance for each situation.

Details for each option:

A. Project managers must rely on leadership while operations managers rely on management skills
Incorrect. Project managers may utilize leadership skills more than operations managers, but a successful project manager needs to employ both leadership and management skills to be successful.

B. Project managers are change agents and must use leadership skills rather than management skills
Incorrect. While leadership skills are crucial, project managers must also utilize management skills to be successful. The skill is finding the right balance for each situation.

C. Project managers need to employ both leadership and management skills to be successful
Correct. Both leadership and management skills are required for a project manager to be successful. Project managers must determine the right balance based on what is required in each situation.

D. Leadership and management are often used interchangeably because they are synonymous
Incorrect. The words 'leadership' and 'management' are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Management is more closely associated with directing another person to get from one point to another. In contrast, leadership involves working with others through discussion or debate to guide them from one point to another.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK^® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 64