Project spirit-a strategic concept

Summary form only given as follows. The classic approach to explain project success has reached its limits. By introducing a new framework, which is called "Strategic Project Leadership," Shenhar (2000), questions these limits and extends the borders to a modern approach of project management in the new economy. One major dimension of strategic project leadership is "project spirit". Project spirit refers to excitement, passion and enthusiasm, as a driving force, which energizes teams, unleashes talent, and enhances project performance Our objectives are to define the concept of project spirit and to provide project managers with guidelines for managing project spirit. The definition of project spirit consists of the following facets: project culture, commitment, citizenship behavior, and satisfaction. We focus on the role of these variables at the project team level of analysis. In projects high in spirit, the existence of constructive project cultures encourages members to pursue goals enthusiastically, to gain enjoyment from their work, to be supportive of other members, to be sensitive to the satisfaction of their group, and meet their higher order satisfaction needs. Members of project teams that are high in spirit, are highly involved in the project, demonstrate project commitment, feel gratified and fulfilled in performing project tasks, exhibit project satisfaction, demonstrate project citizenship and exceed the call of duty. This paper points out the importance of cultivating a project that is high in spirit. The role played by projects high in spirit in energizing project members, encouraging them to pursue project goals enthusiastically, unleashing their talent, and in enhancing project performance is emphasized