Working with Toxic Project Team Members
By Harold Kerzner, Ph.D.
Abstract
Often, project managers find themselves without the option to select their collaboration partners during project execution. In due course, all project managers encounter individuals who lack engagement and exhibit harmful behaviors. These individuals openly critique the company, their teammates, and the projects, all the while showing no inclination to amend their conduct. Project managers hold the expectation that these individuals, who manifest such toxic behaviors, are not included in their teams due to the potential adverse outcomes, particularly the possibility of their negative influence spreading to others. Coping mechanisms for handling stress can vary widely among individuals. When most people encounter these adverse emotions and lack confidence in effectively navigating their circumstances, they might begin to exhibit toxic conduct towards their colleagues.
About the Author
Harold Kerzner, Ph.D
Dr. Harold Kerzner is a globally recognized expert in project, program, and portfolio management, innovation, and strategic planning, and Senior Executive Director at International Institute for Learning (IIL). For over 50 years, Dr. Kerzner has shared vital guidance for making project management a strategic tool for competitive advantage and helping companies around the world build a powerful foundation for company improvement and excellence.
He has authored or co-authored more than 60 textbooks/workbooks on project management, including multiple editions of his seminal works. His books include Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling; Project Management Metrics, KPIs and Dashboards; Project Management Case Studies; Project Management Best Practices: Achieving Global Excellence; The Future of Project Management; Using the Project Management Maturity Model; and Innovation Project Management.
Dr. Kerzner holds an MS and Ph.D. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Utah State University. He taught engineering at the University of Illinois and business administration at Utah State University, and for 38 years taught project management at Baldwin-Wallace University. A testament to Dr. Kerzner’s profound influence on the field is the establishment of the Kerzner International Project Manager of the Year Award. This prestigious award, presented annually by the Project Management Institute (PMI) which recognizes outstanding project managers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to the project management profession.
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