Essential Skills for First-Time Project Leaders Revealed by GLOBIS Survey

Introduction

The role of a project leader is both exciting and challenging, especially for those embarking on this journey for the first time. A recent study conducted by GLOBIS (a Tokyo-based company) surveyed employees in their 20s and 30s who have previously served as project leaders. The findings provide deep insights into the struggles they faced and the skills they deemed necessary for success.

Survey Overview

GLOBIS launched this survey to understand the complexities and difficulties experienced by first-time project leaders in the corporate world. The study shed light not only on the common challenges they encounter but also on the essential skills they believe are crucial for efficient project management.

Survey Details

- Conducted by: GLOBIS
- Duration: May 23-26, 2025
- Participants: 330 employees aged 20-30 who have held project leader roles
- Method: Online survey

Key Findings

Experience Level

The survey results reveal that over 60% of individuals had their first experience as a project leader by their sixth year in the workforce. When asked about the timeline of their initial leadership experience:
1. 44% reported they became project leaders in their fourth to sixth year.
2. 20.3% transitioned into leadership roles in their seventh to ninth year.
3. 19.7% had their first leadership exposure within the first three years.

This indicates that many young professionals ascend to leadership roles relatively early in their careers.

How Leadership Roles are Assigned

Participants were asked how they first became project leaders. The leading reason, accounting for 52.1%, was that they were appointed by their superiors. Other common reasons included recommendations from peers or team members (30.6%) or self-nomination (16.4%). This highlights the prevalent influence of supervisors in initiating leadership opportunities for their employees.

Challenges Faced

The survey also explored the specific challenges encountered upon assuming a leadership role for the first time. Respondents identified several key areas:
1. Task Design and Schedule Management: 40.3% felt overwhelmed by the need to effectively plan and manage timelines.
2. Role Distribution and Task Delegation: 37.9% struggled with allocating responsibilities among team members.
3. Stakeholder Coordination: 36.7% found it challenging to align various stakeholders towards common goals.

A notable aspect was that respondents expressed a sense of being under pressure to deliver results, which made these challenges even more daunting.

Seeking Solutions

When faced with their leadership challenges, many participants reported their actions:

- 49.7% consulted their supervisors for guidance.
- 41.5% increased their communication frequency with both superiors and team members.
- 39.4% reached out to team members to seek input and advice.
- Communication was a critical strategy employed by first-time leaders to overcome their initial difficulties.

Essential Skills for Success

The skills and knowledge deemed beneficial were particularly revealing. Respondents highlighted the following essential skills:
1. Leadership: 34.2% felt this was crucial.
2. Negotiation and Coordination: 30.6% reported this skill as vital.
3. Logical Thinking: 30.3% affirmed its importance.

Moreover, when asked what skills they wished they had acquired beforehand, the same competencies consistently ranked high, emphasizing their importance in leadership roles.

Conclusion

The findings from GLOBIS's survey underline a significant trend: many individuals find themselves in leadership positions earlier than expected and face multiple hurdles along the way. Common difficulties like task management, role distribution, and stakeholder communication are prevalent as new leaders navigate their responsibilities. The skills identified—leadership, negotiation, and logical thinking—are crucial for anyone stepping into a project leadership role.

GLOBIS 学び放題 continues to support busy professionals with educational resources to help them develop these essential skills. For those looking to enhance their capabilities further, GLOBIS offers a plethora of content designed for the development of leadership and management skills, available through its learning platform.