Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleMedium
During a critical phase of a project, a key team member consistently delivers high-quality work but frequently struggles with self-doubt and expresses anxiety about meeting expectations, despite positive feedback. This impacts their efficiency and the team's overall confidence. What is the MOST effective approach for the project manager to support this team member?
- AReduce their workload to alleviate stress and prevent burnout.
- BSuggest professional counseling for anxiety management outside of the project context.
- CAssign a mentor to the team member to guide them through challenging tasks.
- DProvide clear, consistent, and specific positive reinforcement, highlighting their contributions and capabilities.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Provide clear, consistent, and specific positive reinforcement, highlighting their contributions and capabilities.
The team member already receives positive feedback but struggles with self-doubt. Specific positive reinforcement, highlighting their capabilities and contributions, can directly address self-doubt and build confidence, which is a key aspect of supporting team performance and emotional intelligence.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Reducing workload might offer temporary relief but doesn't address the underlying self-doubt and might make them feel less capable.
- B. Suggesting professional counseling is outside the project manager's role and can be seen as overly intrusive or dismissive of the project-related context of their anxiety.
- C. While mentoring is generally good, the issue isn't a lack of technical guidance but rather self-doubt despite good performance. Mentoring might not directly address the emotional aspect.
Promote Team Performance through Emotional Intelligence
Applying emotional intelligence principles (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills) to understand and manage team dynamics, foster a positive environment, and optimize collective output.
- Involves recognizing and addressing emotional states within the team.
- Builds trust, psychological safety, and resilience.
- Enhances communication and conflict resolution.
Memory trick: To build a doubting spirit, specific praise is the key.