Certification Insider

Episode Summary

Genocide survivor, educator, and leadership consultant Dr. Emad Rahim joins host Cornelius Fichtner to share the S.A.L.T. model—Survive, Adaptation, Love, Transformation—a framework he forged while rebuilding his life from the Khmer Rouge killing fields to the executive boardroom. Rahim explains why acknowledging a “survival state” is the first step toward meaningful change and how project managers can move beyond firefighting into strategic growth by embracing adaptation through value-based decisions. He highlights the critical role of supportive networks (“love”) in sustaining momentum and shows how transformation becomes attainable when leaders combine clear goals with short- and long-term wins.

The discussion offers practical coaching advice and ethical insights that translate directly to project environments. Listeners learn to reframe risk, communicate with empathy, and cultivate resilience to navigate scope shifts, stakeholder conflict, and fast-changing markets. Rahim’s personal journey illustrates how empathy, integrity, and a focus on people drive high-performing teams, while his anecdotes—from coaching reluctant experts to managing virtual communication breakdowns—provide actionable techniques you can apply immediately. Whether you need fresh ideas for earning PDUs or a roadmap for turning adversity into project success, these lessons will strengthen your leadership toolkit.

(This interview was originally published on The Project Management Podcast.)

Episode Summary

Project managers know that clear schedules and smart strategies cannot guarantee success. Jackie Barretta, award-winning CIO and author of Primal Teams, shows how emotion sits at the heart of team performance and why leaders who understand this outpace those who ignore it. Drawing on twenty-five years in Fortune 500 IT leadership and consulting, Jackie explains how authentic emotional awareness activates sharper thinking, faster creativity, and stronger collaboration, turning ordinary groups into high-performance engines.

Host Cornelius Fichtner guides a practical conversation that ranges from the “Stop, Breathe, Activate” technique for managing stress in real time to using spontaneous play to ignite innovation. Jackie shares ways to reduce fear, handle chronic negativity, and cultivate coherence—an energy state that boosts cognitive power for everyone in the room. You will hear stories of transforming “permanent complainers” into productive contributors, learn how mirror neurons help you sense hidden tension, and see why small changes in emotional habits ripple outward to clients and stakeholders. If you want to earn PDUs while gaining actionable insight on emotionally intelligent leadership, this interview delivers fresh tools you can apply on your next project.

(This interview was originally published on The Project Management Podcast.)

Episode Summary

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.

(This interview was originally published on The Project Management Podcast.)

Episode Summary

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.

(This interview was originally published on The Project Management Podcast.)

Episode Summary

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.

(This interview was originally published on The Project Management Podcast.)