Evaluating The Development of Leadership Competencies of Telecommunication Project Managers : A Scenario Planning Approach
Abstract
The future of project management in the telecommunications industry is not just a distant possibility but a rapidly approaching reality. Driven by unprecedented technological advancements and a complex project environment, this transformation is imminent. This paper explores the development of leadership competencies among project managers in this volatile landscape through a combination of transactional and transformational leadership styles in facing future challenges. Using a scenario planning methodology, the author identifies critical drivers through a PESTLE analysis. The author then employs a 2x2 matrix to categorize environments based on two key uncertainties in the telecommunications industry: project complexity and technological uncertainty. This results in a Telecommunications Project Scenario Matrix, consisting of four future scenarios, namely Stability, Complexity, Innovation, and Disruption Quadrants. These scenarios present distinct challenges and opportunities for project managers, ultimately shaping the leadership competencies required for success in combining transactional and transformational styles. The analysis suggests five leadership development actions. This insight will be valuable for academics and project management practitioners in the telecommunications industry.
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References
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Wasono, L. W., & Furinto, A. (2018). The effect of digital leadership and innovation management for incumbent telecommunication company in the digital disruptive era. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7(2.29), 125-130.
Yin, Z., Caldas, C., de Oliveira, D., Kermanshachi, S., & Pamidimukkala, A. (2023). Cross-functional collaboration in the early phases of capital projects: Barriers and contributing factors. Project Leadership and Society, 4, 100092.
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Zidane, Y. J. T., & Olsson, N. O. (2017). Defining project efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 10(3), 621-641.
Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1996). "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire." Published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research, 18(2), 1996, pages 112-121.
Bass, B. M. (1999). "Two Decades of Research and Development in Transformational Leadership." Published in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 8(1), 1999, pages 9-32.
Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row, 1978.
Bycio, P., Hackett, R. D., & Allen, J. S. (1995). "Further Assessments of Bass's (1985) Conceptualization of Transactional and Transformational Leadership." Published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, 80(4), 1995, pages 468-478.
Cave, M. (2018). "How Disruptive is 5G?" Published in Telecommunications Policy, 42(8), 2018, pages 653-658.
Caressa, M., & Pirozzi, M. (2022). "An Innovative Integrated Approach to Manage Effectively the Complex Projects, Programs, and Portfolios." Published in the PM World Journal, 11(1), January 2022.
Craddock, W. T. (2009). "What Are the Roles of Scenario Planning in Project Management?" Presented at PMI® Global Congress 2009—EMEA, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands.
Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2018.
Errida, A., & Lotfi, B. (2021). "The Determinants of Organizational Change Management Success: Literature Review and Case Study." Published in the International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 13, 2021.
Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam, 2020.
Gupta, A., & Jha, R. K. (2015). "A Survey of 5G Network: Architecture and Emerging Technologies." Published in IEEE Access, 3, 2015, pages 1206-1232.
Hadjinicolaou, N., Yannakou, K., & Kader, M. (2022). "Using Strategic Foresight to Improve Future Readiness of Project Management." Published in the International Journal of Smart Business and Technology, 10(2), 2022, pages 1-12.
Hiatt, J. M. (2020). ADKAR: A Model for Change in Business, Government, and Our Community. Loveland, CO: Prosci, 2020.
Holzmann, V., & Mazzini, L. (2020). "Applying Project Management to Creative Industries: The Relationship Between Leadership Style and Project Success." Published in the Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications and Conflict, 24(1), 2020, pages 1-17.
Ikhsan, I., Enas, E., & Kusniawati, A. (2023). "Kompetensi Sumber Daya Manusia di Era Transformasi Industri 4.0 dan Digital 5.0 untuk Meningkatkan Produktivitas Kerja Karyawan." Published in Maeswara: Jurnal Riset Ilmu Manajemen dan Kewirausahaan, 1(5), 2023, pages 60-72.
Khan, A. A., Rehmani, M. H., & Rachedi, A. (2017). "Cognitive-Radio-Based Internet of Things: Applications, Architectures, Spectrum Related Functionalities, and Future Research Directions." Published in IEEE Wireless Communications, 24(3), 2017, pages 17-25.
Kadhum, A. H., Muttar, L. A., & Khait, A. A. (2023). "The Role of Visionary Leadership in Achieving Strategic Change Through Strategic Improvisation." Published in the South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(4), 2023, pages 12-50.
Kelley, T., & Clark, K. (2021). The New Innovation Playbook: Strategies for Disruptive Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press, 2021.
Kelly, M. L. (2003). "Academic Advisers as Transformational Leaders." Published in The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal, 5(3), 2003.
Kerzner, H. (2020). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Control (12th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2020.
Kirkpatrick, S. A., & Locke, E. A. (1991). Leadership: Do traits matter? The Academy of Management Executive, Volume 5, Issue 2, pages 48–60.
Kotter, J. P. (2021). Leading Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press, 2021.
Kumar, V. (2021). The Role of Project Managers in Change Management Initiatives. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 11(2), 694-719.
Kurniawana, R., & Hamsalb, I. M. (2019). Achieving decision-making quality and organisational agility in innovation portfolio management in Telecommunication 4.0. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 8(6), 332-356.
Lussier, R., & Achua, C. (2003). Leadership: Theory, Application, Skill Development. Thomson South Western.
McMillan, L., & Varga, L. (2022). A review of the use of artificial intelligence methods in infrastructure systems. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 116, 105472.
Morcov, S., Pintelon, L., & Kusters, R. J. (2020). Definitions, characteristics and measures of IT project complexity-a systematic literature review. International journal of information systems and project management, 8(2), 5-21.
Misbahuddin, M., Maarif, M., Suroso, A.I., & Triyonggo, Y. (2024). The linkage between leadership style of project manager and project performance: Evidence from the telecommunication industry. Journal of Project Management, 9(3), 163-182.
Misbahuddin, M., Maarif, M., Suroso, A.I., & Triyonggo, Y. (2025). Selecting a priority strategy to enhance the ambidextrous leadership competence of project managers in the telecommunication industries. Journal of Project Management, 2025, 10(2), 383-392
MIT Sloan Management Review. (2021). The Next Age of Disruption Cambridge, MA MIT Press..
Mungkasa, O. (2022). Optimalisasi Peran dan Fungsi Forum Penataan Ruang sebagai Wadah Kolaborasi Pemangku Kepentingan. Researchgate. Net.
Njeri, N., & Ngufi, P. (2021). Role of Conflict Resolution on the Performance of a Project Team in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Pachura, A. (2018). What matters in project team management?. Polish Journal of management studies, 17.
Pillkahn, U. (2008). Using trends and scenarios as tools for strategy development: shaping the future of your enterprise. John Wiley & Sons.
PMI. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.
Rajhans, K. (2018). Effective communication management: A key to stakeholder relationship management in project-based organizations. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 12(4), 47-66.
Ramadhani, S. N. (2023). Pengaruh Kompetensi Kepemimpinan Manajer Proyek terhadap Kinerja Organisasi Berbasis Proyek di Indonesia dengan Kompleksitas Proyek sebagai Variabel Moderator (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Ringland, G. (1998). Scenario Planning: Managing for the future. England: West Sussex.
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2018). Essentials of organizational behavior. Pearson.
Schwartz, P. (1997). Art of the long view: planning for the future in an uncertain world. John Wiley & Sons.
Samimi, A. (2020). Risk management in information technology. Progress in Chemical and Biochemical Research, 3(2), 130-134.
Saragih, L. R., Dachyar, M., & Zagloel, T. Y. M. (2021). Implementation of telecommunications cross-industry collaboration through agile project management. Heliyon, 7(5).
Schoemaker, P. J. (1995). Scenario planning: a tool for strategic thinking. MIT Sloan Management Review.
Sparks, B., & McCann, J. (2021). Scenario Planning for a Post-Pandemic Workplace. International Management Review, 17(2), 23.
Tang, K. N. (2019). Leadership and Change Management. Springer.
Vargas, P., & Tien, I. (2022). Methodology to quantitatively assess impacts of 5G telecommunications cybersecurity risk scenarios on dependent connected urban transportation systems. ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, 8(2), 04022004.
Vierimaa, J. C. (2013). Emotional Intelligence and Project Leadership. An Explorative Study.
Wasono, L. W., & Furinto, A. (2018). The effect of digital leadership and innovation management for incumbent telecommunication company in the digital disruptive era. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7(2.29), 125-130.
Yin, Z., Caldas, C., de Oliveira, D., Kermanshachi, S., & Pamidimukkala, A. (2023). Cross-functional collaboration in the early phases of capital projects: Barriers and contributing factors. Project Leadership and Society, 4, 100092.
Yukl, G. (2006). Leadership in Organizations, 9/e. Pearson Education India.
Zaman, U., Khan, M. N., Raza, S. H., & Farías, P. (2022, May 17). Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Linking Project Management Innovation, Project Governance, and High-Performance Work Practices to Project Success. Frontiers Media, 13.
Zidane, Y. J. T., & Olsson, N. O. (2017). Defining project efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 10(3), 621-641.
Authors
Misbahuddin, Mohammad Syamsul Maarif, Arif Imam Suroso, & Yunus Triyonggo. (2025). Evaluating The Development of Leadership Competencies of Telecommunication Project Managers : A Scenario Planning Approach. Agregat: Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 9(1), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.22236/agregat_vol9.i1/17864
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