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People Leaders vs Project Leaders
November 17th, 2011
by Bill Boyajian

“People leaders” enjoy working around others, and in turn, they create a following:

• They invest time and energy in people and inspire them with their insight and abilities.

• They are motivated to help others achieve and relate well to many different kinds of people.

• They understand that true leadership is a product of quality relationships.

“Project leaders” know how to implement the consensus plans of people leaders, and possess the following qualities:

• They are bright and analytical.

• They are capable of working alone or with a team they facilitate.

• They get great joy out of accomplishing major tasks.

When we created the vision to build a new world headquarters campus for the Gemological Institute of America, I had a trustworthy project leader to get the job done. He conducted exhaustive research studies with our staff. He assembled a great team of architects, space planners, and contractors, and he committed a decade of his life to the project, even moving his family years before ground breaking.

Of course, a lot more than just one person’s dedication went into a project of this magnitude: support from our Board of Governors, the belief of our staff, and a quality implementation plan, to name a few. But without a dedicated project leader, it would have never happened.

Smart people leaders know they need great project leaders because without them, they’re on their own to implement major tasks.



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Managing Partner,
Levy’s Fine Jewelry
Birmingham, AL

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Leitzel Fine Jewelry
Hershey & Myerstown, PA

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Kizer-Cummings Jewelers
Lawrence, KS