This is a preview of our premium episode. Full access is available only to premium subscribers.

Click here and learn about the Premium Podcast to access this interview and transcript...

Project leadership is more than delivering on time and budget. It is about leading people with honesty, awareness, and courage. In this episode, leadership coach and author Susanne Madsen joins Cornelius Fichtner to discuss how project managers can transform their project outcomes by developing authentic leadership. Drawing from her acclaimed book, *The Power of Project Leadership*, Susanne explains the Project Leadership Matrix, how to assess whether we are proactive or reactive, and how self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership. She also unpacks how leaders can balance people and task focus while recognizing that reactivity often stems from corporate culture rather than personality.

Cornelius will be at the PMI Global Summit in Phoenix from November 12–15! If you’re attending, let’s connect. Write to [email protected] and we’ll set up a time to meet.

🎓 Apply for a PBP Scholarship Worth $1,000+

Here's your last chance for one of 7 full scholarships for the upcoming Project Business Professional (PBP) seminar, taking place November 4–7. This live, interactive training is for project managers working on client-facing, outsourced, profit-driven projects.

To apply, visit pm-podcast.com/scholarship and complete the short form by October 25. Tell us why you want to become a PBP, and you could be one of the seven randomly selected.

Premium subscribers: you must opt in too!

👉 Apply here before September 23.

When stakeholders doubt the schedule, they doubt the leader behind it. Project schedules are more than a collection of dates... they are instruments of leadership that can either inspire confidence or create skepticism. In this conversation, Michael Pink, CEO of SmartPM Technologies, joins Cornelius Fichtner to explain how schedule visibility enables project leaders to see risks early, prevent overruns, and lead with credibility. Drawing from his experience in analyzing thousands of construction projects, Michael explains how transparent and data-driven schedules elevate leadership trust, keep teams aligned, and ensure projects stay on course.

This is a preview of our premium episode. Full access is available only to premium subscribers.

Click here and learn about the Premium Podcast to access this interview and transcript...

Managing more than one project at a time can feel like a constant balancing act, and for many project managers it is part of everyday life. In this conversation, Elizabeth Harrin joins Cornelius Fichtner to discuss the updated second edition of Managing Multiple Projects and the changes it brings. The discussion highlights how Chapter 7 has been reframed as "Practices," offering practical approaches for building sustainable success. Listeners will gain clear advice on where to start, how to set boundaries, and which methods can lighten the workload without sacrificing quality.

The most dangerous issue facing a Project Management Office (PMO) is not sudden collapse but a gradual decline in relevance and impact. In this conversation, Mel Bost, author of Understanding Project Practices and Processes, shares his insights from Chapter Four of the book, which focuses on PMOs and project performance. He explains why PMOs often fail to deliver consistent value, even when they are not technically “broken.” He highlights overlooked factors, from alignment with organizational strategy to a lack of meaningful performance measures, that contribute to slow underperformance. The discussion underscores that without proactive adjustments, a PMO can continue to operate while its value to the business quietly diminishes.

🎓 Apply for a PBP Scholarship Worth $1,000+

We're once again offering 7 full scholarships for the upcoming Project Business Professional (PBP) seminar, taking place October 7–10. This live, interactive training is for project managers working on client-facing, outsourced, profit-driven projects.

To apply, visit pm-podcast.com/scholarship and complete the short form by August 18. Tell us why you want to become a PBP—and you could be one of the seven randomly selected.

Premium subscribers: you must opt in too!

👉 Apply here before September 23.

Project managers know that skill building requires consistency, but finding the right structure can be a challenge. Olivia Pekny introduces PM Master Quest, a program built around 30 days of practical, daily challenges that strengthen core project management capabilities. Instead of long theory-based courses, participants apply short, focused tasks directly to a project storyline, turning everyday actions into learning opportunities. The design is simple yet powerful: take one challenge per day, reflect on the experience, and gradually develop the mindset and behaviors that effective project managers demonstrate. Olivia explains how the program helps professionals at all levels gain traction in areas such as stakeholder communication, decision-making, and team leadership while creating momentum through daily practice.

Project managers often excel at delivering on scope, schedule, and budget, but struggle when asked to prove the value of their work to senior leadership. Barbara Kephart brings her extensive experience in project, program, and portfolio management to address this common challenge. She outlines a clear approach to bridging the gap between technical project reporting and leadership’s focus on business outcomes. Drawing from her career in both public and private sectors, Barbara explains how understanding the language of leadership and linking project metrics to strategic objectives can transform how executives perceive your contributions.