Coaching Skills Every Project Manager Needs — PMI London Talk - 16th September 2026
On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of speaking with the PMI London community about a topic that sits at the heart of my work: quiet leadership in project management.
Over a 60‑minute session, we explored the reality many project managers face; accountable for delivery yet often without formal authority, navigating constant context‑switching, and dealing with human challenges that frequently outweigh the technical ones. These are the moments where coaching skills become essential rather than optional.
How Coaching Accelerates Delivery
The session focused on how coaching strengthens delivery through better conversations, not more process. We explored five core skills:
Curiosity as a PM’s superpower Preventing premature problem‑solving and opening up clearer thinking.
Open, non‑leading questions Helping teams uncover their own solutions rather than being directed toward one.
Active listening under pressure Staying present through frustration, defensiveness, politics and ambiguity.
Constructive feedback as a partnership Naming behaviour, describing impact, and inviting reflection.
Asking a question before you answer Pause → Ask → Reflect → Respond — a simple tool that shifts conversations from reactive to intentional.
Human‑Centred Project Management
One attendee shared that the session inspired them to rethink the human side of project management; a reminder that leadership is rooted in presence and the quality of our conversations.
PMI UK Recap
PMI UK have written up a detailed summary of the session, including the tools and examples we explored. You can read their full recap here: https://pmi.org.uk/coaching-skills-every-project-manager-needs/
