Diary of a Leader: How Leadership in Project Management Drives Collaboration & Success
- Lindsay Sheldrake
- Feb 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Welcome to "Diary of a Leader" - Real Stories, Leadership Lessons, and Personal Growth
Ah, leadership! The thrilling, heart-racing journey of ups, downs, and all the delightful chaos in between.
Welcome to "Diary of a Leader," where I peel back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the downright awkward moments of being a leader.
Leadership is more than a role; it’s a responsibility to grow, inspire, and help others reach their potential. So, as I reflect on my lessons learned, my goal is to equip you with the insights and tools to lead with clarity, authenticity, and impact.
And Today, I’m Serving Up a Leadership Lesson About Collaboration in Project Delivery.
Let’s start with this: when managing multiple projects, success isn’t about following a rigid process—it’s about adapting as a team. Some projects fit neatly into established systems, while others require a more dynamic approach. Collaboration isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
I learned this lesson firsthand.
The "Oh No" Moment: When Your Process No Longer Fits
At one point in my career, I was accountable for delivering every project in the company—from design through custom fabrication and final installation. The workload was massive, and the only way to manage it effectively was to create a predictable system that kept timelines, quality control, and capacity in check.
Most of our projects followed a structured process, one that myself and the other leaders worked hard to refine. We built an operational framework that brought 80% predictability to our work, giving us room to adapt for the unpredictable 20%.
Then came the challenge.
The company had historically taken on massive, high-risk exterior projects, but as we refined our processes, those types of projects no longer fit seamlessly into our systems. So when one of these large-scale, complex projects landed on our desk, we had to ask ourselves: How do we adapt, and do we have the right team to deliver this successfully?
I knew that simply relying on our usual way of working wouldn’t be enough. Collaboration—not just delegation—was the only way forward.
The Power of Trusting Your Team
I’ve always believed in the power of well-designed systems. But what happens when a project doesn’t fit neatly into those systems? That’s when you have to rely on something even more important—your team.
With this high-risk project, I knew that no single person, including me, had all the answers. Instead of trying to force our existing framework to work, I brought the team together and asked: “What’s the best way to tackle this?”
We leaned into collaboration. Everyone had a voice, which meant different perspectives helped shape the strategy.
We adapted together. Our usual systems weren’t enough, so we built a customized approach that made sense for this project.
We reinforced shared ownership. Because the team had a hand in shaping the plan, they were fully invested in delivering a successful outcome.
By trusting the expertise within our team, we turned what could have been an overwhelming challenge into a project that strengthened us as a unit. We weren’t just following a process—we were creating one together.
How to Lead a Team Through an Unpredictable Project
Collaboration, adaptability, and shared ownership don’t just happen—they have to be intentionally led. Here’s how you can guide your team through complex projects that don’t fit into a standard framework:
Set the Vision Early - Before jumping into execution, ensure everyone understands the project’s goals and why it matters. When the team is aligned on the bigger picture, decision-making becomes more strategic.
Define Roles and Responsibilities - Collaboration doesn’t mean chaos. Clearly outline who owns what to avoid miscommunication and duplication of effort.
Encourage Open Communication - Create an environment where team members feel comfortable voicing concerns, sharing ideas, and flagging potential issues before they escalate.
Empower Problem-Solving - Instead of dictating solutions, guide your team toward figuring out the best approach together. This builds confidence and accountability.
Stay Adaptable - No project goes exactly as planned. Be open to shifting strategies as new challenges arise, and encourage your team to do the same.
Foster Shared Ownership - When people are involved in shaping the strategy, they feel invested in the outcome. Give your team the autonomy to make decisions and take responsibility for results.
Celebrate Small Wins - Recognizing progress, even in incremental steps, keeps morale high and reinforces the value of collaboration, adaptability, and shared accountability.
When led effectively, teams don’t just complete projects—they own them. And that ownership is what leads to real success.
Collaboration Creates Resilience
The biggest lesson? A strong team isn’t just built for predictable success—it’s built to handle the unexpected.
That project was a turning point for me as a leader. It reinforced that even the best systems can only take you so far. What truly sets high-performing teams apart is their ability to collaborate, adapt, and own challenges together.
Here’s what I know now:
Collaboration fuels innovation - When teams solve problems together, they come up with better solutions than any one person could alone.
Shared ownership drives accountability - People don’t just execute a plan—they take responsibility for its success.
Adaptability builds long-term success - The best teams don’t just follow processes—they evolve them.
Confidence grows through collaboration - When teams work together to solve complex challenges, they develop trust in their own abilities and each other.
And perhaps most importantly—when you trust your team, they trust themselves.
Wrapping Up (Because Time is Precious)
Here’s the takeaway: You can’t plan for every challenge, but you can build a team that’s ready to face them.
When projects don’t fit neatly into your systems, resist the urge to go it alone. Instead, bring your team into the conversation, create solutions together, and trust that collaboration will lead to success.
Because at the end of the day, a project’s success isn’t just about having the right process—it’s about having the right people, working together in the right way.
Catch you next time, fellow leaders-in-training—and remember, the strongest teams aren’t the ones that avoid challenges, but the ones that tackle them together.
Stay tuned for more reflections and lessons from the trenches of leadership in the next installment of
"Diary of a Leader"
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