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Earn PDUs for This Episode: Visit https://www.pm-podcast.com/earn-pdus to see how many PDUs you can claim for your PMI certification renewal.

Constant change, evolving stakeholder needs, and dispersed teams can twist even the best-planned projects into knots. Leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry (Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group and author of Flexible Leadership) joins Cornelius Fichtner to unpack a practical roadmap for staying effective when everything around you shifts. Drawing on three decades of coaching leaders in more than 50 countries, Kevin explains why rigid command-and-control approaches snap under real-world pressure, how “flexors” help you bend without breaking, and where to start if your calendar already looks like a game of Tetris.

Key takeaways you can apply immediately:

• Several leadership flexors that let you pivot style without losing consistency.
• Real stories of project managers who used flexibility to rescue schedules, calm chaos, and keep sponsors smiling.
• Why remote and hybrid environments amplify the need for agility, and how to meet that challenge head-on.

If the word “flex” conjures images of gym selfies, don’t worry because this episode sticks to mindset over muscle. Eikenberry walks through some of his nineteen “flexors”, which are behaviours like curiosity, humility, and decisiveness, which let leaders stay consistent while still adjusting to the moment. He explains how to read the room, choose the flexor that best fits the situation, and communicate that choice so the team sees a clear through-line rather than mood swings. Real examples from his consulting work show how applying the humility flexor turned a tense status meeting into a collaborative problem-solving session, while a quick shift to the decisiveness flexor kept a software rollout from stalling when scope turbulence hit.

By the end, you’ll have a clear action list for assessing your current flexibility, choosing one flexor to practice this week, and measuring the payoff in team engagement and on-time delivery. Grab your earbuds, a notepad, and maybe a stress ball, because leading change just became a little easier.

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The Project Management Institute (PMI) has introduced a new validation rule in the Continuing Certification Requirements System (CCRS) self-reporting form that automatically treats any number in the activity title as a PDU claim code. When the rule is triggered, for example by “Episode 525 - The Unofficial Project Manager” or “PMO Symposium 2025,” the form displays an error and blocks submission until the title is edited. This affects all self-reported learning activities whose names contain digits.

Follow these steps to submit your Project Management Podcast PDUs without triggering the error:

• Log in to your PMI CCRS account.
• Select Report PDUs › Online or Digital Media.
• Type “Project Management Podcast” as the provider and click outside the dropdown.
• Paste or type the episode title, then delete any numbers (for example, change “Episode 525 - The Unofficial Project Manager” to “The Unofficial Project Manager”).
• Enter the remaining details (dates, PDU totals, description) and submit the form.

Although not mentioned in the video, we understand PMI’s intent: some practitioners mistakenly use the self-report form when they actually have a PDU claim code. A targeted validation that flags strings resembling real claim codes, usually a fixed eight-digit sequence, would address that issue without blocking every title that contains a simple number. We hope PMI refines the rule so customers can record PDUs quickly and accurately.

https://www.pm-podcast.com/526

Earn PDUs for This Episode: Visit https://www.pm-podcast.com/Earn-PDUs to see how many PDUs you can claim for your PMI certification renewal.

Project environments rarely slow down, yet outstanding leaders keep schedules intact, teams motivated, and stakeholders confident even when interruptions pile up. Leadership strategist Robert Heath Sr. joins the show to explain how he transforms shifting priorities into opportunities for greater impact. A former Marine officer and combat-tested communications expert, Robert now advises Fortune 500 firms on building cultures that thrive under pressure. He shares field-tested techniques that help project managers cut through noise, protect focus, and make decisions at speed while maintaining team morale.

Listeners hear why chaos-proof project leadership starts with defining success, how clear intent stabilizes priorities, and which daily habits train teams to execute without drama. Robert illustrates every principle with vivid stories—from landing critical infrastructure projects during geopolitical turbulence to guiding remote software teams through relentless change cycles. He stresses practical actions: shorten feedback loops, frame risk as data, and rehearse recovery scenarios, so teams treat disruption as routine rather than a threat. By the end you will hold a solid understanding for steering any project through uncertainty and still hit your milestones.

https://www.pm-podcast.com/525

Many professionals manage projects every day without holding an official project manager title. This conversation highlights why so many individuals lead crucial initiatives by accident and how they can succeed even without formal authority. Guest expert Kory Kogon brings extensive experience in helping people adopt practical leadership approaches, emphasizing the idea that a project’s success hinges on building trust, clarifying expectations, and fostering genuine engagement among team members.

During this discussion, host Cornelius Fichtner and Kory address the 65% project failure rate, revealing how it often stems from unclear goals, weak communication, and a lack of shared vision. They introduce actionable strategies to ensure that projects deliver real value, whether working in a traditional environment or using agile-inspired methods. Listeners learn the importance of combining solid processes with thoughtful leadership, from setting clear success measures to guiding a team’s enthusiasm. By focusing on people over process and recognizing that most of today’s workforce serves as “knowledge workers,” this episode shows how everyone can volunteer their best efforts when they feel heard, respected, and trusted.

Kory’s insights offer fresh ways to communicate with stakeholders who may be combative or simply overloaded by competing projects. Through a blend of self-awareness, active listening, and structured project planning, leaders can transform each challenge into a chance to strengthen relationships and motivate their teams. This discussion underscores that adopting a balanced approach—combining personal leadership with solid project management techniques—positions any unofficial project manager to reach successful outcomes. By centering on value, process, and people, large-scale and smaller projects can overcome the usual hurdles and drive positive organizational change.

https://www.pm-podcast.com/524

Agile project management emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and continuous feedback, allowing teams to produce high-value increments quickly and adjust as requirements evolve. This approach is brought to life by speaker and project management expert Cornelius Fichtner, who shares how focusing on key agile values helps deliver outcomes that genuinely match customer needs. Drawing on years of experience, he explains how frameworks like Scrum and others drive collaboration, transparency, and open communication, empowering teams to respond rapidly when priorities shift. He provides insights into managing uncertainty by breaking large initiatives into smaller deliverables, collecting constant customer input, and prioritizing real results over excessive documentation.

Listeners learn about comparing agile with traditional waterfall methods, ensuring they choose the approach that best suits their project's complexity, scope certainty, and culture. Fichtner outlines the core values behind the agile manifesto, emphasizing that processes, documentation, and contracts still matter—but in agile, the people, collaboration, and working outcomes take center stage. He illustrates why Scrum remains the dominant agile framework, spotlighting how short sprints and focused increments help teams steadily refine and improve their output. He also demonstrates how to visualize whether a project might be a good candidate for agile by using clear evaluation criteria and radar-style diagrams. By the end, you will be equipped with practical ways to apply agile in your organization to deliver value and maintain flexibility at every step.

This is a preview of our premium episode. Full access is available only to premium subscribers: https://www.pm-podcast.com/premium

Leadership in complex environments requires a clear focus on practical methods, teamwork, and risk mitigation. Retired General Stan McChrystal joins the discussion to share proven approaches for navigating high-stakes situations. He draws on his experience as a former commander who led large-scale military operations around the globe. His insights emphasize that genuine leadership combines strategic planning with a profound understanding of your team’s capabilities, motivations, and communication needs.

This conversation spotlights risk as a factor that cannot be entirely predicted or avoided, but it can be managed through intentional action. McChrystal explains how organizations function much like a risk immune system, where ten crucial factors—ranging from technology and diversity to structure and bias—work together to keep threats in check. By recognizing vulnerabilities early, leaders mobilize teams to adapt and respond effectively. Clear messaging, a consistent sense of mission, and an environment of mutual trust emerge as central themes. These elements unify teams, promote accountability, and ensure that everyone remains aligned on project goals. McChrystal’s practical examples illustrate how leaders break down silos, create open channels of communication, and empower people at every level to act on risk. His perspective offers project managers and business professionals tactical steps for transforming teams into cohesive units ready to handle fast-changing circumstances.

https://www.pm-podcast.com/522

Leadership is more than just managing tasks—it’s about inspiring teams, fostering collaboration, and guiding change. In this episode, we break down what true leadership means in a project management context and beyond. Whether you're leading a small initiative or a large-scale transformation, understanding leadership principles can significantly impact your success.

We discuss the key differences between management and leadership, the essential leadership skills every project manager should develop, and the various leadership theories that shape effective decision-making. You'll learn how strong leadership drives progress, clarifies direction, and resolves conflicts to keep teams motivated and projects on track. Tune in to gain actionable insights that will help you lead with confidence and deliver results.

https://www.pm-podcast.com/521

Preparing for the PMP exam can feel overwhelming, but the right strategy and mindset make all the difference. In this episode, recent test-taker and now PMP-certified professional Rich Rushlow shares his journey to certification, offering firsthand insights into the study materials, resources, and techniques that worked best for him.

Rich discusses how he structured his study schedule, what tools he found most useful, and how he approached the PMI exam simulator compared to other preparation resources. He also highlights the importance of understanding the PMI mindset, handling exam-day stress, and managing time effectively during the test. Whether you're just starting your PMP prep or refining your study plan, this episode provides practical guidance to help you succeed.