Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!

PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills

How 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 Barnard

GET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Mentioned in this episode:

339: You Are Not Your Certifications

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!

PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

If 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. Featured Resource: If you’re focused on building a PMO that actually moves the business forward, download The Case for a Strategy-Driven PMO. It’s a quick, practical guide to help you build an executive-ready business case and define the outcomes your leaders care about most. And, when you download the resource, you’ll be on the list for an invitation for a FREE one-hour live session where I will walk you through the Strategy-Driven PMO Canvas. Download the guide.

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 Barnard

GET 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 Skills

Every 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. Featured Resource: If you’re focused on building a PMO that actually moves the business forward, download The Case for a Strategy-Driven PMO. It’s a quick, practical guide to help you build an executive-ready business case and define the outcomes your leaders care about most. And, when you download the resource, you’ll be on the list for an invitation for a one hour live session where I will walk you through the Strategy-Driven PMO Canvas. Download the guide.

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 Barnard