In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Jessica Caresse White, founder of J Caresse Consulting. Jessica shares her unexpected journey into project management, moving from studying pre-med to a career in consulting and project management. She discusses her experiences at McKinsey and Hitachi Solutions, highlighting key projects, challenges, and her eventual decision to start her own consulting firm. Jessica emphasizes the importance of curiosity, empathy, and maintaining authority in the field. The episode concludes with advice for new project managers and a discussion on the ideal project management tools and methodologies.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:25 Journey into Project Management

01:39 Early Career and Education

04:12 Jessica's Project Zero

13:13 Key Skill for Project Managers

13:43 Defining Project Success

14:40 Empathy and Vulnerability in Leadership

16:08 Career Journey from McKinsey to Consulting Firm

19:00 Speed Round: Project Management Preferences

21:08 Advice for Early Career PMs

21:51 Dream Project with Unlimited Funding

24:05 Conclusion and Contact Information

www.tuckconsultinggroup.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuckconsultinggroup/

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Brutus Segun, the founder of Innovation SGP and a seasoned project manager. Brutus shares his journey from working with technical ecosystems to formally entering the project management field as a titleholder in 2018 with the state of Kansas. He discusses how his background in engineering, software development, and political science has informed his project management approach, particularly in handling complex state government projects like HCBS compliance in Kansas. Brutus emphasizes the importance of humility, technical skills, and delivering sustainable value in project management. He also provides advice for new project managers and highlights the significance of understanding domain-specific knowledge. The episode concludes with a speed round and Brutus sharing his vision of fixing world hunger if given unlimited resources.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:23 Journey into Project Management

01:54 Transition from Engineering to Project Management

05:43 Brutus' Project Zero

13:18 Lessons Learned and Career Growth

19:24 Advice for Aspiring Project Managers

22:08 Speed Round and Final Reflections

26:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

www.tuckconsultinggroup.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuckconsultinggroup/

Project Zero, hosted by Alex Tuck, Founder and Principal of Tuck Consulting Group, delves into the real-life experiences of project managers as they navigate their first significant projects. In this episode, Alex shares insights from his own initial endeavor working on Obamacare in Vermont, emphasizing the challenges and hard-earned lessons that shaped his career. The podcast will focus on real talk from seasoned project leaders, offering practical advice and honest insights for both novice and experienced project managers. With new episodes each week, listeners can expect to gain confidence and knowledge to enhance their project management skills.

www.tuckconsultinggroup.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuckconsultinggroup/