PMO Strategies

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenIndustry benchmarking has become one of the most sophisticated ways leaders justify decisions they already want to make.  “Top-performing organizations are doing this.”  “Best-in-class companies operate at this maturity level.”  Suddenly the direction feels obvious. Except it isn’t. In this episode, I examine how benchmarking quietly derails performance when context is mistaken for strategy. Maturity chasing feels disciplined. Governance expansion feels responsible. But when structure outpaces capability, execution slows instead of accelerates. You’ll hear why benchmarking is politically powerful, how maturity models create false signals of advancement, and where complexity without capability creates fragility inside your governance systems. What You’ll Learn 1️⃣Why benchmarking reduces accountability instead of strengthening it 2️⃣How maturity scores improve while performance stays flat 3️⃣The structural law that complexity must match capability 4️⃣The disciplined test leaders should apply before adopting any benchmark ▶️Press play to learn how to design governance systems for measurable IMPACT instead of optics. P.S. Stop doing everything yourself and start driving transformation. The IMPACT Engine System™ is our self-paced, implementation framework designed for strategy delivery leaders. Show up with the clarity and confidence your organization needs. Learn more and get started today! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsIf spreadsheets were the secret to PMO credibility, you’d already have a seat at the executive table. Instead, many PMO leaders are buried in trackers, refining templates, and chasing status updates… still not being seen as strategic partners. In this episode, I’m reflecting on why tools feel productive but often keep you stuck. I share how over-processing slows you down, how documentation gets mistaken for delivery, and what to focus on instead if you actually want traction and trust. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why tools feel safe but don’t build credibility ✅ How over-governance turns you into the bottleneck ✅ Why documentation is not the same as delivery ✅ What happens when you stay buried in templates ✅ How to pivot from tracking activity to driving real business value Spreadsheets are useful. Templates are helpful. But they are not the secret to successful leadership. 👉 Press play and learn how to stop hiding in tools and start leading with strategy.   P.S. If you’re tired of polishing dashboards and ready to build a true strategic operating system, the IMPACT Engine System™ gives you the framework to shift from tracking work to driving measurable IMPACT. Learn more and register today! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsIf someone looked at your calendar for the last two weeks, would they see a business leader or a high-priced administrative assistant? You tell everyone you’re strategic. You say you’re focused on value. But if your day is packed wall to wall with status updates, meeting invites, and data chasing, your calendar is telling a different story. It’s telling your organization that you are in the weeds, you’re overwhelmed, and you aren’t available for the strategic conversations that actually move the needle. In this episode, we talk about the "Time Audit." I share a story about a colleague who mastered the "Power Hour" and why most PMO leaders are doing $15 an hour work while receiving a $50 an hour paycheck. It is time to stop proving you can do everything and start showing you know what to prioritize. What You’ll Learn: How to conduct a real time audit to identify your leadership leaks The math behind why "comfort work" is threatening your strategic value perception Why no one ever got promoted for being excellent at Excel How to reclaim your "Power Hour" to focus on strategy before execution ▶ Press ️play to learn how to audit your time and shift your focus back to where it belongs: on strategy, alignment, and driving business IMPACT. P.S. Looking for more guidance on how to build your strategic value as a PMO, transformation, or strategy delivery leader? The IMPACT Engine System helps leadership teams shift from reactive oversight to outcome ownership with the strategic alignment and clarity they need. Learn more and get started today!   Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of WorkingIs your PMO measured by how tightly it controls process and compliance, or by how much it actually contributes to the bottom line? Old school PMOs were built for predictability, documentation, and control. In a business landscape that moves this fast, that model has a shelf life. The real divide today is control versus contribution. The PMOs that adapt faster deliver outcomes sooner, earn stakeholder trust, and prove their value with data. In this episode, I have an incredible conversation with Youssef Mouzahem, Senior Associate Director of Commercial and Contracts at Jacobs. We dig into how you can evolve your PMO from enforcing processes to driving real business value.What You’ll Learn: Why traditional PMOs are losing relevance and exactly what is replacing them How to balance structure with speed through adaptive governance The critical role of predictive analytics in proving business value to executives How to move your PMO from compliance driven to results driven The first steps to diagnose your PMO’s maturity and start building your roadmap ▶ Press ️play to learn how to shift your PMO from process-heavy control to an agile, data-driven engine of measurable business value. Connect with Youssef Mouzahem: Follow Youssef on LinkedIn Learn More About JacobsP.S. The IMPACT Engine System helps leadership teams shift from reactive oversight to outcome ownership with the strategic alignment and clarity they need. Learn more and get started today!  Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills85% of managers are accidental managers; promoted without preparation. So how do you uncover blind spots, strengthen psychological safety, and lead with clarity? Ben Perreau, CEO of Parafoil, combines AI and behavioral science to help managers become stronger leaders. Discover why traditional leadership development fails PMO leaders and how leadership intelligence offers a practical approach to continuous growth through real-time feedback. What You’ll Learn: Why 85% of managers feel unprepared for leadership Blind spots AI helps you spot in real time How AI-powered feedback differs from traditional coaching The single most important feedback ritual every leader needs to put in place Why your superpower isn't in fixing weaknesses; it's in building on your strengths Press ▶️ play above to discover how leadership intelligence can transform the way you lead your team. Connect with Ben Email the Parafoil team Connect on LinkedIn P.S. Want to move from accidental manager to strategic leader? The IMPACT Engine System gives you the framework to uncover your blind spots, build team trust, and lead with confidence. Learn more and register here. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsYou know that feeling when you're working incredibly hard, but executives still ask, "What is the PMO actually doing?" It's frustrating. You're drowning in meetings, status reports, dashboards, and escalations. So much motion, yet stakeholders still don't see your value. The problem isn't your effort. It's clarity. In this episode, I'm sharing three deceptively simple questions that change everything about how you're perceived as a PMO or transformation leader. These questions are the difference between being seen as someone who tracks work and being seen as someone who drives business outcomes. When you consistently ask these questions, you stop sounding like an order taker and start sounding like a strategist. You move from execution to intent. From activity to IMPACT. What you'll learn: How to reframe your work in business terms that resonate with executives  Why "because leadership asked for it" is a red flag for misalignment The fastest way to build credibility by reporting IMPACT instead of progress  How these three questions anchor directly into the IMPACT Engine System  How to transform your PMO from a reporting function to a support partner 👉 Press play to discover how three simple questions can elevate your entire approach to PMO leadership. P.S. If you're ready to become the strategy navigator your business needs, the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification gives you the coaching, tools, and step-by-step framework to make it happen. This live online workshop runs for four half-day sessions: February 11-12 and 18-19, 2026. Learn more and register now! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsThere’s a moment I see over and over again with PMO leaders. You’re working hard. You’re doing what you were taught. You’re tracking delivery, building governance, reporting status, and trying to “earn” credibility. And yet…you’re still stuck. Still being pulled into admin work. Still left out of strategy conversations. Still wondering why leadership doesn’t see you as a true partner. In this episode of the PMO Strategies podcast, I’m sharing 10 things PMO leaders need to know, but probably don’t. Not because you’re not capable. Not because you’re doing it wrong. But because most PMO leaders were never taught what actually builds credibility, trust, and influence at the leadership level. What you’ll learn: Why being busy doesn’t equal being strategic The difference between project delivery and strategy delivery Why confidence comes from structure, not having all the answers How reporting activity erodes credibility while outcomes build trust What PMO leaders must stop doing if they want a seat at the table 🎧 Click play now to rethink what it really means to lead a PMO. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenHave you ever spent weeks crafting the "perfect" PMO charter, got executive sign-off, and then watched it collect dust while stakeholders still questioned your value? Here's what nobody tells you: You don't need a charter. Not first. Not yet. And maybe not at all. In this episode, I'm calling out the biggest myth in PMO establishment—that you need a formal charter to be legitimate. Spoiler alert: Projects need charters. But if you're building a strategic function? You need something completely different. Here's what you'll discover: Why charters are strategy in a vacuum (and how that backfires) The six stages of the IMPACT Engine System™ that successful PMOs follow How to build trust and credibility BEFORE you define your structure Why you need a business plan, not a charter The exact process for co-creating services that stakeholders actually want Bottom line: Does the sales department have a charter? Does IT? Does Finance? No. They have business plans. Because they're built to deliver ongoing value, not temporary results. Your PMO is no different. Ready to stop defending promises you made too early and start building a PMO the business actually wants? Click play to listen now and learn why the traditional charter approach sets you up for failure (it's basically strategy in a vacuum), and what successful PMOs do instead. P.S. If you're ready to become the strategy navigator your business needs, the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification gives you the coaching, tools, and step-by-step framework to make it happen. This live online workshop runs for four half-day sessions: February 11-12 and 18-19, 2026. Learn more and register now! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsConfidence as a PMO leader doesn’t come from having the loudest voice in the room, the most templates, or the perfect dashboard. Real confidence comes from clarity—knowing what matters, why it matters, and how the work you’re leading actually creates impact. In this episode of the PMO Strategies podcast, I describe what confidence really looks like for PMO leaders, why so many capable leaders struggle with self-doubt, and how a trusted framework changes everything. We talk about the hidden cost of operating in reactive mode and how clarity—not hustle—is what builds confidence that lasts. Through real-world examples and a powerful leadership story, I share how PMO leaders can stop second-guessing themselves and start leading with intention, credibility, and IMPACT. What you’ll learn Why confidence is rooted in clarity, not charisma How operating without structure erodes leadership confidence Where confident PMO leaders actually get their confidence How a trusted framework eliminates second-guessing Why clarity fuels credibility and influence 🎧 Listen now to learn how to become a confident PMO leader with a roadmap you can trust. 🎯 Learn more: If you’re ready to stop winging it and start leading with confidence, the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification gives you a proven framework to design, deliver, and communicate PMO value with clarity. This live online workshop runs for four half-day sessions February 11-12 and 18-19. Learn more and register today! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsHello January! New year, new PMO goals!  By now, I’m guessing you’re already dealing with a full inbox and back-to-back meetings. And just like that...the excitement you had about improving your PMO is starting to fade as the noise takes over again.  This is the point where most PMO leaders start losing the year. Not in March. Not in Q2. Right here, when urgency returns faster than intention does. In this episode, I’m not talking about resolutions. I’m talking about structure. The kind that changes what you say yes to, what you say no to, and how you set focus before the calendar fills up. You’ll learn: ✅ Why resolutions fail leaders and what strategic leaders do instead. ✅ How to define one leadership decision that changes how you show up. ✅ How to choose a 30-day outcome that creates visible momentum. ✅ How to align with executives and stakeholders before you deliver. ✅ A practical weekly playbook to protect focus and show progress fast. 👉 Press play to avoid starting January on autopilot. And don’t forget to download the Start Stronger worksheet so you can lock your leadership decision, set your January outcome, and build a 30-day plan that holds once the pressure ramps up. P.S. If you missed the first session, this is your opportunity to catch it live. I’m hosting another FREE live workshop, Building a Case for a Strategy-Driven PMO, on January 15 from 11:00–12:30 pm Eastern. We’ll focus on how to diagnose what’s getting in the way, align stakeholders, and build delivery plans that create visible results. This is your chance to work through it with me in real time. 👉 Learn more and register today! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsAs the year comes to a close, most PMO and transformation leaders are scrambling to finish projects, finalize reports, or jump straight into planning for next year. But here’s the question I want you to stop and ask yourself: are you reviewing what you did this year, or the IMPACT you already created? That difference lies between ending the year exhausted and starting the next one positioned as a strategic leader.In this episode, I walk you through a different way to close the year. Instead of treating your year-end review as a status report, I show you how to turn it into a strategy conversation. Focus instead on reflecting with purpose, eliminating work that drains your credibility, and clearly articulating the business value you created, so leaders actually pay attention.You’ll learn:✅ How to reframe your year-end review around outcomes, not activity.✅ What to stop doing so you can focus on higher-IMPACT work.✅ How to position elimination as strategic leadership, not laziness.✅ How to turn your year-end review into a forward-looking strategy conversation.👉 Press play to close the year strong, reclaim your focus, and position yourself as a leader who drives real IMPACT. And don’t forget to download your Year-End Leadership Reset workbook to ensure you’re all set for what’s to come in 2026.P.S. If you're ready to move beyond task tracking and prove your PMO's strategic value, it’s time to claim your seat in the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification program. This isn't about collecting another credential for your resume; it's about mastering a proven system that gets you a seat at the leadership table.👉 Learn more and register today!Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsHow many certifications do you need before you’re “ready”? One more? Two?Here’s the truth: you’ll never feel ready by studying more. Because credibility doesn’t come from the letters after your name. It comes from the battles you’ve won, the chaos you’ve managed, and the decisions you’ve made when there was no textbook answer.In this episode, I am sharing the credential trap I hear constantly from PMO leaders and project professionals: “I’m not ready yet.” “I need to know more.” “Once I have my [insert acronym], then I’ll be taken seriously.”This mindset isn’t protecting you; it’s paralyzing you. Chasing certifications can feel like progress while keeping you stuck in “polished procrastination,” especially when it’s the typical cram, exam, and forget cycle.You’ll learn:✅ Why certifications can give you frameworks and language, but not credibility.✅ How “one more certification” often becomes polished procrastination.✅ Why executives don’t care what you know, but what you can do with that knowledge.✅ How your real-world experience becomes proof that earns a seat at the table.✅ What to look for in a certification if you want real application, not memorization.👉 Press play to stop waiting to feel “qualified enough,” own the credibility you’ve already earned, and lead with the confidence that comes from doing the work and delivering IMPACT.P.S. If you're ready to move beyond task tracking and prove your PMO's strategic value, it’s time to claim your seat in the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Certification program. This isn't about collecting another credential for your resume; it's about mastering a proven system that gets you a seat at the leadership table. Learn more and register today!Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenIf you’ve spent any time in project delivery, you’ve probably heard the phrase “delivering value” more times than you can count. Leaders talk about driving outcomes, creating value streams, and measuring benefits. Yet right when you think everyone’s aligned on what that means, it becomes clear that no one’s talking about the same thing. In this episode, I’m joined by Trevor Nelson, a seasoned project leader who’s helped organizations across industries redefine how they see and deliver value. Together, we explore what value truly is, where it lives across the project lifecycle, and the critical role the PMO plays in protecting that intent from idea to outcome. You’ll Learn: ✅ Why “value” isn’t a fixed metric and changes based on intent and perception. ✅ How to identify where value really lives across the project continuum. ✅ The difference between producing deliverables and delivering outcomes. ✅ Why PMOs must be involved early to guide alignment and sustain intent. ✅ How focusing on intent turns the PMO into a trusted business partner. 👉 Press play to learn how redefining value can transform your PMO from a process office into a true strategic navigator that protects intent, accelerates outcomes, and drives measurable IMPACT. Connect with Trevor: Follow him on LinkedIn Visit NelsonProject.com  P.S. Ready to transform your PMO into a strategic powerhouse? Our IMPACT Engine System can help you elevate your PMO’s role and drive organizational success. Register today to explore how we can support your journey towards strategic alignment and influence. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsEvery great project tells a story, and the best ones play out like blockbuster movies. In this episode, I'm joined by Dawn Mahan, co-editor of Projectland Goes to the Movies and author of Meet the Players in Projectland. We're talking about how more than 20 experts used their favorite films to share timeless lessons on vision, leadership, and collaboration. If you've ever wished project management felt more like directing a hit film and less like fighting through endless plot twists, this one's for you. I'll show you how the same principles that drive movie success—clarity of vision, confident direction, and authentic teamwork—also define the projects that deliver real IMPACT. Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at my own chapter inspired by Moneyball and Dawn's by The Italian Job. What You'll Learn: How movie storytelling mirrors every stage of project success The leadership lessons hidden in popular films Why every PMO leader needs to think like a director How to turn chaos, change, and conflict into collaboration that wins 👉 Press play to discover how the art of great filmmaking can help you set the vision, direct the action, and create your own story of IMPACT in Projectland. Connect with Dawn: Follow Dawn on LinkedIn Visit PMOtraining.com Access Meet the Players in Projectland 🎧 Companion Episode: Don't miss Episode 250—How to Build a PMO That Drives Results for deeper insights on this topic. Receive a confidential sample of Meet the Players in Projectland: Decide the Right Project Roles & Get People on Board P.S. Ready to lead where strategy happens? The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the coaching, tools, and community you need to stop operating like a support function and start driving the business outcomes your executives are counting on. Click here to learn more! 🚀Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsYour words either build trust or break it. And when you talk like you're overwhelmed, you train your leaders to doubt your capacity—even if you're actually capable of more. In this episode, I'm sharing the unintended cost of sounding stressed and how high-performing leaders can protect their credibility by changing how they communicate under pressure. I walk you through how language shapes perception, why leaders often send the wrong signals without realizing it, and how to shift from overwhelm to ownership without pretending everything's fine. If you've ever said "I'm slammed" or "We're swamped" in a status meeting, when what you meant was "We've got it under control," this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: Why saying "we're overwhelmed" chips away at leadership trust How to frame pressure with structure instead of stress What executives actually hear when you vent Real-world leadership language that builds confidence How to communicate risk and ask for support without spiraling 👉 Press play to learn how to lead through pressure and talk like the leader they trust with more. P.S. Ready to transform your PMO into a strategic powerhouse? Our IMPACT Engine System can help you elevate your PMO’s role and drive organizational success. Register today to explore how we can support your journey towards strategic alignment and influence. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsPMO leaders are great at execution. They know how to plan, deliver, and measure. But when change accelerates, those same strengths can become constraints. What’s missing isn’t discipline or process—it’s imagination. A failure of imagination is what causes teams to drift, leaders to burn out, and organizations to lose alignment. We picture success differently, chase separate goals, and end up working harder without getting closer to what really matters. Imagination isn’t fluff—it’s a serious strategic tool that helps you see around corners, prepare for what’s next, and create shared clarity before execution begins. In this episode, you’ll learn how to use imagination as a competitive advantage. Dr. Rebecca Sutherns shares how PMO and transformation leaders can stretch their thinking with her ELASTIC leadership framework—and how imagination, when practiced collectively, can align stakeholders, energize teams, and turn your PMO into a true strategic IMPACT engine. You'll Learn:  Why a failure of imagination leads to misalignment and drift. How to build a shared, vivid vision that aligns people. How to use imagination to strengthen strategy, not replace it. What the ELASTIC leadership framework teaches about leadership. A simple way to bring imagination into your next planning conversation. 👉 Press play to see how imagination can move your PMO from order-taker to strategy-shaper—and help you lead the future, not just respond to it.  P.S. Ready to lead where strategy happens? The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the coaching, tools, and community you need to stop operating like a support function and start driving the business outcomes your executives are counting on. Click here to learn more! 🚀Connect with Dr. Rebecca Sutherns: Follow her on LinkedIn Listen to her podcast interviewsThanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsBeing useful is fine. But being indispensable? That’s a whole other level. This is what it means to be the ride-or-die right hand. The person leaders don’t have to chase, double-check, or worry about. The one who delivers relief and results when the pressure is on. So if leaders are looking for someone they can truly count on, how do you make sure that’s you? In this week’s episode of the PMO Strategies podcast, I share why being the “I’ve got your back” leader changes everything, how to shift from optional to essential, and what it takes to earn the kind of loyalty that executives reward with trust, opportunity, and investment. What You'll Learn:  Why executives don’t need more reports. How to become the “ride-or-die” right hand to your leaders. Why being indispensable goes beyond doing your job well. How to anticipate problems and protect your leader’s credibility. What loyalty looks like when you show up as the calm in the storm. How to ask the right questions to shift from staff to essential. 👉 Press play to learn how to become the one your leaders can’t lead without, and build the trust, loyalty, and presence that drive IMPACT.  P.S. The IMPACT Insiders Book Club is so much more than reading a book—it's a movement. Join us for live calls, deep conversations, and a behind-the-scenes look at how to create real change with The IMPACT Engine. It’s completely free—grab your seat now and don’t miss what’s next. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsDo you ever feel like your week is one long emergency response drill? Most PMO and transformation leaders have spent their careers being rewarded for saving the day. But what if the very skills that got you here are now the reason you’re stuck in firefighting mode? In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Burroughes, high-performance leadership expert, host of The High Performance Leader Podcast, and author of Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance and Escape the Multitasking Trap. Together, we explore how to break free from reactive leadership and shift into the kind of strategic confidence that creates measurable IMPACT. Jimmy’s “village fisherman” and “icebreaker leader” analogy reveals the real mindset shift that separates busy managers from true leaders. He explains how those leaders create space, clarity, and trust so their teams can deliver results without constant oversight. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right yet still burning out, this episode will show you how to reclaim time, empower your team, and build a sustainable rhythm of leadership that doesn’t depend on chaos to prove your value. What You'll Learn: The biggest trap keeping leaders stuck in firefighting mode and how to escape it. How to reclaim 6+ hours weekly to focus on what drives business value. The “village fisherman vs. icebreaker leader” framework to change how you lead. Why confidence, clarity, and coaching are the secret to self-sufficient teams. How managing energy helps you lead with clarity and long-term IMPACT. 👉 Press play to learn how to stop saving the day and start leading it by building the systems, confidence, and capacity that turn firefighting into focused, strategic leadership. Connect with Jimmy: Follow Jimmy on LinkedIn Access The High Performance Leader Podcast  P.S. Ready to lead where strategy happens? The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the coaching, tools, and community you need to stop operating like a support function and start driving the business outcomes your executives are counting on. Click here to learn more! 🚀Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of WorkingWe glorify being busy. The meetings, the projects, the dashboards, the endless updates. It feels like progress, but it’s not. What it really shows is how easily complexity takes over and steals focus. When that happens, teams stall, stakeholders disengage, and leaders confuse activity with real momentum. The result is frustration on every side. In this episode, I share how to recognize the complexity that slows you down, how to shift your perspective so simplicity becomes a leadership decision, and why the ability to say “no” is what creates clarity, trust, and measurable IMPACT. What You’ll Learn: Why complexity becomes the default in most organizations How simplicity creates clarity, momentum, and stakeholder confidence What changed when I simplified my own business The false belief that doing more proves leadership value How PMO leaders can build trust for stakeholders 👉 Press play to learn why simplicity is not about doing less. It is about doing the right things, really well. P.S. Ready to transform your PMO into a strategic powerhouse? Our IMPACT Engine System can help you elevate your PMO’s role and drive organizational success. Register today to explore how we can support your journey towards strategic alignment and influence. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsEvery organization talks about leadership and agility, but few know how to make them real when disruption hits. When the pace of change never slows, how do you lead with clarity instead of reacting in chaos? In this episode, I’m joined by Ken Banta, founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network and author of Seeing Around Corners: Leadership in an Era of Disruption. Together, we explore what it really takes to lead with clarity and confidence when the pace of change never slows down. Ken and I discuss how self-awareness, adaptability, and influence are redefining leadership for the next decade— and how PMO and transformation leaders can move from simply managing change to anticipating it. You’ll learn how to shift from task-focused management to outcome-driven leadership that builds executive trust and drives measurable business value. The best leaders aren’t just delivering projects. They’re strategy navigators who connect the C-suite vision with on-the-ground execution. When PMO and transformation leaders build that bridge, they become the early-warning system executives rely on to see around corners and deliver lasting IMPACT.  What You'll Learn:  ✅ What “seeing around corners” really means in practice ✅ How to use self-awareness to lead with credibility and purpose ✅ The difference between management and adaptive leadership ✅ Why PMO leaders are the translation link between the C-suite and delivery teams ✅ How adaptability and agility turn disruption into measurable IMPACT  It’s time to get clear on what true leadership looks like in an era of disruption and how to evolve fast enough to stay ahead of it. 👉 Press play to discover how leadership built on awareness, agility, and trust helps PMO and transformation leaders turn uncertainty into IMPACT. Connect with Ken: Follow him on LinkedIn Visit www.thevanguardnetwork.com P.S. Ready to lead where strategy happens? The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the coaching, tools, and community you need to stop operating like a support function and start driving the business outcomes your executives are counting on. Click here to learn more! 🚀Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS