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Why should Project Managers Earn a Leadership Certification?


What does it take to be a great project manager?

Managing projects is one of the most challenging jobs in any organization. Project managers ensure that their projects are aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, and values and that they meet the expectations and needs of stakeholders. Project managers are vital in steering a project from inception to completion. Initially, they define the project’s scope and objectives, followed by meticulous planning and scheduling. Resource management is key, involving careful allocation of personnel, budget, and materials.

Risk management and quality assurance are crucial, requiring the identification of potential risks and the maintenance of quality standards. Managing the budget and engaging with stakeholders, including clients and team members, are also integral parts of their role. Finally, they oversee project closure, including finalizing all aspects, conducting evaluations, and documenting lessons learned. Their role is central to ensuring project success within the constraints of time, budget, and quality.

But, let’s face it. Being a great project manager has a lot more to do with leading than managing.

The correlation between effective leadership and project success is undeniable. In a dynamic environment, where adaptability and quick decision-making are crucial, project managers must be able to lead teams through the adversity of constant change. The best project managers can think strategically, align project goals with organizational vision and strategy, foresee challenges, and plan accordingly. Leadership training and certification equip project managers with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of their roles.

Why should Project Managers Earn a Leadership Certification?

Project managers need to build resilient teams.

In any organization, getting the work done can be hard. Resilient teams thrive in challenging environments because they can overcome adversity, and then adapt and grow together. Leaders build resilient teams by creating a positive climate, developing cohesion, and providing purpose. Building resilient teams makes team learning possible. Team learning is the foundation of organizational learning and change.

Project teams need to be resilient to adapt to change, tackle unforeseen challenges, and maintain high performance even under pressure. Changes and setbacks are common in project management. Resilient teams adeptly handle these, making necessary adjustments to their plans and strategies. This adaptability is crucial for problem-solving and sustaining project momentum.

Resilience also plays a key role in learning from failures. Project teams that can analyze and grow from past mistakes continually improve and avoid similar pitfalls in the future. Teams that bounce back from adversity sustain a positive and collaborative work environment, which is essential for productivity. Effective communication is another benefit, as resilient teams tend to communicate more clearly and efficiently, especially in challenging situations. Resilience enhances a project team’s ability to manage risks, as their experience with overcoming challenges equips them to better anticipate and mitigate potential issues.

Project managers get a discount on RBLP-C and RBLP-T leader certification.

Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP®) is the credentialing body for the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional® certifications.

Our certification exams assess factual (what), conceptual (why), and procedural knowledge (how) in the Create a Positive Climate, Develop Cohesion, Provide Purpose, Facilitate Team Learning, and Support Organizational Learning competency domains.

People who have earned a project management certification are eligible for a $250 discount on the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional® Coach (RBLP-C) certification exam and a $400 discount on the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional® Trainer (RBLP-T) certification exam.

This is a limited-time offer. Request your discount coupon code in the Additional Information section of the application for certification. You must include a LinkedIn profile URL to be considered.

We authorize colleges, universities, and training companies to teach our Building and Leading Resilient Teams course curriculum. The courses offered by our Education Partners and Training Partners prepare people to sit for our leader certification exams.

What are the benefits of earning a leadership certification?

Earning a leadership certification can provide project managers with a competitive edge in their careers. As RBLP® certified leaders in our Community of Practice, project managers have opportunities to network, share best practices, find mentors, and discover new career opportunities.

Here are some of the specific benefits of earning a leadership certification.  

Better Compensation and Career Longevity. Earning a leader certification can make you more attractive to current and potential employers. This can lead to a higher salary because certified leaders are considered more skilled and capable. Moreover, the knowledge and skills that you gain from earning a leader certification can contribute to a longer, more stable career.

Greater Confidence in Professional Abilities. Getting certified is a structured learning and assessment experience that improves your leadership abilities. Earning a leader certification is likely to introduce you to new ideas and concepts. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of leader tasks will instill a greater sense of confidence in yourself.

Increased Autonomy in the Workplace. With the knowledge and skills gained from earning a leadership certification, you can expect more autonomy at work. Current and future employers will be more likely to give you additional responsibilities and decision-making authority.

Increased Professional Trust from Employers and the Public. Earning a leadership certification demonstrates your commitment to professionalism. Current and potential employers will place more trust in you because you are a certified leader. Getting certified will also help you earn the trust of your organization’s customers, clients, and the public.

Improved Opportunities for Employability and Advancement. Earning a leadership certification will help you stand out in the job market. Leader certification demonstrates your understanding of how to improve motivation and commitment, boost teamwork, and raise morale in the workplace. This will make you a strong candidate for job opportunities, promotions, and assignments.

Increased Recognition by Peers and Respect of Colleagues. Earning a leadership certification not only brings formal recognition but can also lead to increased respect from your peers and colleagues. Being seen as a credible and effective leader will benefit your professional reputation.


RBLP® Leadership Certifications


If you haven’t earned one of our leader certifications yet, you can learn more below!

Get RBLP Certification

RBLP is our core leader certification for supervisors and people seeking a supervisory position.

Self-paced exam prep option!

Course modules 1-3 only.

1.5-hour oral exam.

Get RBLP-C Certification

RBLP-C is our leader certification for managers and people seeking a management position.

Instructor-led exam prep required.

Course modules 1-7.

2.5-hour oral exam.

Get RBLP-T Certification

RBLP-T is our leader certification for senior managers and people seeking a senior management position.

Instructor-led exam prep required.

Course modules 1-7.

3.5-hour oral exam.