Leadership is not one-size-fits-all… and neither are project managers. Some charge ahead like lions, some guide with the wisdom of owls, whilst others adapt like chameleons in the ever-changing project jungle.
In the high-stakes world of project delivery, the style you lead with can be the difference between chaos and control, or failure and excellence.
To help decode this, we have matched ten (10) distinct project management leadership styles with their ‘Soul Animals’, which are powerful, symbolic creatures that represent the essence of how each style operates, inspires, and delivers.
Which animal are you, really?
Which ones are on your team?
Directive (The Taskmaster)
“Here’s the plan. Stick to it.”
Soul Animal: The Lion 🦁
Dominates with authority, leads the pride, expects obedience
Best For: Tight timelines, complex schedules
Strength: Clarity and control
Watch Out: Can stifle initiative, seen as micro-managing
Participative (The Facilitator)
“What do you think is the best way forward?”
Soul Animal: Dolphin 🐬
Smart, social, works in pods, values teamwork and harmony
Best For: Engaging experienced team members
Strength: Team buy-in and better ideas
Watch Out: Slower decision-making
Transformational (The Change Agent)
“Let’s redefine what success looks like.”
Soul Animal: Eagle 🦅
Soars above to see the big picture, visionary and inspiring
Best For: Innovation, major shifts, Agile projects
Strength: Inspires vision and ownership
Watch Out: Might overlook mundane but crucial tasks
Transactional (The Results-Driven PM)
“Do the work, meet the milestone, get the reward.”
Soul Animal: Horse 🐎
Steady, disciplined, goal-oriented, gets the job done
Best For: Waterfall projects, performance tracking
Strength: Keeps team accountable
Watch Out: Limited creativity and flexibility
Servant Leadership (The People-First PM)
“How can I help you deliver your best?”
Soul Animal: Elephant 🐘
Gentle giant, deeply empathetic, leads through care and connection
Best For: Matrix teams, collaborative environments
Strength: Builds trust and loyalty
Watch Out: May be too soft on underperformance
Laissez-Faire (The Empowerer)
“I trust you — run with it.”
Soul Animal: Cat 🐈⬛
Independent, self-directed, does best when left alone – but don’t underestimate it
Best For: Highly skilled, self-managing teams
Strength: Encourages autonomy
Watch Out: Danger of misalignment or drift
Coaching (The Mentor)
“Let’s develop you while we deliver.”
Soul Animal: Owl 🦉
Wise, nurturing, sees potential others miss, guides quietly but powerfully
Best For: Talent development within projects
Strength: Builds capabilities and long-term value
Watch Out: Time-consuming during crunch periods
Authoritative (The Vision Setter)
“We’re going this direction — follow me.”
Soul Animal: Alpha Wolf 🐕
Sets direction, leads with strength and confidence, the pack follows
Best For: Crisis mode, big-picture alignment
Strength: Clear direction, decisive
Watch Out: Risk of alienating the team if vision isn’t shared
Bureaucratic (The Process Enforcer)
“Follow the SOP. Deviations are risks.”
Soul Animal: German Shepherd 🐕🦺
Loyal to rules, protective, thrives with structure and routine, commands respect
Best For: Regulatory, oil & gas, high-risk projects
Strength: Consistency, risk management
Watch Out: May kill agility and responsiveness
Situational (The Adaptive PM)
“Different projects, different strokes.”
Soul Animal: Chameleon 🦎
Master of adapting to environments and reading the room instantly
Best For: All types — this is the ninja style
Strength: Flexibility, emotional intelligence
Watch Out: Requires deep awareness and judgment
The Conclusion
In the wild world of projects, survival is not just about skill. It is about style.
Whether you snarl like an alpha wolf or inspire like an eagle, the key to project success lies in knowing your natural strengths, recognizing others’, and adapting when it counts. Every project needs a balance of instincts, which include strategy, empathy, precision, courage, and flexibility.
So… the next time you step into the project arena, ask yourself:
What animal spirit are you channelling today…
and is it the right one for the moment?