Project Management & Leadership - Life After the PMP Exam

Hosted by Phill Akinwale, PMP, OPM3

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Project Leadership Institute Podcast is a podcast led by Phill Akinwale that explores how to effectively lead as a project leader and what happens next after PMP and other PM Certifications. In each episode, Phill interviews experienced project leaders and experts to share their insights on topics such as: The skills and qualities of an effective project leader How to overcome common project challenges What to do after you've earned your PMP or other PM Certification Join the PLI at http://projectleadershipinstitute.com

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60 recent

June 1, 202630 min

🔥 PMP Alone Is NOT Enough Anymore - 🚀 The Six-Figure Project Manager Blueprint

May 31, 202613 min

Program Leadership Cert (JAN 2027) - Program Management Standard Explained in MINUTES!

May 30, 202614 min

How People Break Into Project Management Without University #capm #pmp

A recurring question many people ask is simple: Do I really need a college degree to become a successful project manager?The answer may surprise many people.In this episode, Phill explains why a degree is not the only path into project management and why many successful professionals build strong careers through learning fast, applying knowledge wisely, and developing leadership in the real world. This discussion breaks project management down in practical language:• what project management really means • how projects move from beginning to completion • why leadership matters more than many people think • the difference between managing project stages and technical phases • CAPM, PMP, and leadership-based certification pathways • what employers often value beyond formal education If you have wondered whether you can enter project management without a traditional degree, this gives you a realistic view of what matters most in today’s environment.Certification can help. Experience matters. But the strongest edge often comes from learning quickly and applying what you know with confidence.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:Would you choose degree first, certification first, or skill first?#ProjectManagement #CAPM #PMP #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Praizion #PhillAkinwale #ProjectManager #CollegeVsSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment________________________________________Chapters0:00 Introduction: Do you really need a degree?0:42 Learn fast and apply fast1:04 What project management really means2:17 Knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques2:56 What project managers actually do daily4:07 The five project management stages5:06 Planning scope, schedule, cost, risk, and stakeholders5:43 Executing the work6:18 Monitoring and controlling6:52 Closing projects and phases7:35 Project life cycle vs project management life cycle9:33 Why college is not mandatory10:06 CAPM explained12:14 PMP pathway explained13:27 Leadership certification and influence14:10 Final advice for future project managers

May 29, 20265 min

🚨 PMBOK® 8 Just Killed These Knowledge Areas! 😳

Quick update on the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition and what has changed.

April 28, 202614 min

College Is Not a Guarantee Anymore — What School Gives You… and What It Never Promised #job #pmp

For years, people were told:Go to school. Get a degree. Get a great job.But the world has changed.In this episode, we take an honest look at the current educational system, what college truly offers, and why a degree alone no longer guarantees top-level success.We examine:✅ Why college was built for a different economic era✅ Why employers increasingly hire capability over credentials✅ Why networking often matters more than coursework✅ Why soft skills now determine promotion✅ Why student debt changes the equation✅ Why many successful people built careers outside traditional paths✅ What college still gives you that remains valuableThis is not anti-college.This is about seeing college clearly:as one tool—not the full answer.Whether you are a student, graduate, parent, professional, or someone questioning your next move, this conversation matters now more than ever.👇 Drop your thoughts below:Do you believe college still gives the strongest advantage today?#College #Education #CareerSuccess #Jobs #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Skills #ArtificialIntelligence #SuccessMindsetChapters ⏱️0:00 Why education exists in the first place1:05 Why college was designed for a different era1:35 Why degrees are no longer rare signals2:00 Famous success stories outside the traditional path3:00 Why employers now hire capability first3:30 Why college often misses economic navigation4:10 Student debt and the hidden cost of degrees4:40 Careers that no longer require traditional degrees5:05 Networking as a major force multiplier6:05 Soft skills versus academic brilliance6:30 College gives structure, life requires direction7:05 Solving life like a sequence of problems8:00 Why early work experience changes perspective9:00 Degrees with weak direct market alignment9:35 Why practical experience often beats grades10:20 Intellectual discipline: what college still builds10:50 Diverse thinking and exposure11:05 Why interviews reward communicated value11:30 Financial intelligence college rarely teaches12:10 The hidden curriculum: responsibility13:05 Why success today comes from combination, not one credentialOther courses: http://praizion.comPodcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/46uJBmlSRnQzzrkKpNyZ9ZOnline Agile Training for PMP Exam: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/agilepmpMAIN SITE: www.praizion.comPraizion Media specializes in project management education and professional development. Please visit: www.praizion.com for project management and PMP Exam training materials.

April 7, 202618 min

RESCUED FROM IRAN: The 36-Hour Mission Nobody Thought Was Possible (A Lesson in Leadership)

On a Friday afternoon in April 2026, a US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad mountains of southern Iran. Two crew members ejected. One was rescued within hours. The other — a highly respected Colonel and weapons systems officer — disappeared into enemy territory, hunted by hundreds of IRGC soldiers, armed locals, and the weight of an entire regime desperate for a propaganda victory.What happened over the next 36 hours was not just a military operation. It was a masterclass in leadership.This is that story — told through the lens of the principles that separate ordinary command from extraordinary leadership.

January 31, 202627 min

How to SET Your 2026 Goals - (John Maxwell PLAN AHEAD Method)

2026 will not reward hope. It will reward intention.In this video, I walk you through a bold, practical framework for goalsetting in 2026—not wishful thinking, not hype, but deliberate planning backed by action. If you want 2026 to be your strongest year yet, it starts with deciding in advance what success looks like and building the discipline to pursue it relentlessly.I break down the PLAN AHEAD framework step by step, showing you how to:• Set macro goals aligned to each quarter• Define non-negotiable outcomes instead of vague intentions• Build flexibility without losing momentum• Communicate your vision so others can support it• Take action even when conditions aren’t perfect• Anticipate problems instead of being surprised by them• Maintain a strong mental posture when pressure shows up• Review, reprioritize, and protect what truly mattersThis isn’t about doing more.It’s about doing what matters.If you’ve ever felt busy but not moving forward…If your goals keep slipping into “next year”…If you’re ready to stop negotiating with your future—This message is for you.Your 2026 is waiting.Plan ahead.Be bold.And take it head on.2026 BOLD GOALSETTING0:00 – Welcome to 2026 & why this year must be intentional0:45 – Hope vs action: why planning separates winners1:38 – Macro goals & the quarterly mindset (Q1–Q4)2:13 – PLAN AHEAD framework overview2:19 – P: Predetermine your course of action2:52 – Deciding success in advance (vision before movement)3:29 – Quarterly goals & highest return / reward thinking4:08 – Real story: climbing out of major debt through planning4:44 – Mapping major moves & eliminating hesitation5:16 – Defining non-negotiable goals & outcomes6:06 – L: Lay out your goals6:14 – Why vague goals produce vague results6:20 – SMART goals explained (specific, measurable, time-bound)6:50 – Macro goals vs micro goals7:07 – Breaking annual goals into quarterly, monthly, weekly wins7:31 – Visibility, accountability & goal tracking8:02 – A: Allow time for adjustments8:08 – Why plans break and flexibility wins8:44 – COVID lesson: pivoting when reality shifts9:16 – Buffer time, reviews, and contingency planning9:42 – AI, market shifts & knowing when to pivot10:32 – N: Notify key personnel10:38 – You cannot win alone10:55 – Alignment, trust, and momentum11:14 – Communicating vision to family, teams, stakeholders11:32 – A: Allow time for acceptance11:39 – Why big change needs time to land11:47 – Kayaku: bad change vs meaningful change12:25 – Leading people at their pace13:01 – Family, teams & avoiding shock change13:16 – Patience now prevents resistance later14:10 – H: Head into action14:21 – Planning without execution is paralysis14:35 – “Do it ugly” & imperfect action15:02 – First 48 hours: momentum rules15:25 – Public accountability & bias toward action15:53 – E: Expect problems15:58 – Obstacles are inevitable, not anomalies16:12 – BEHAG mindset: big, bold, uncomfortable goals16:46 – Risk thinking & if-then scenarios17:23 – Reframing problems as puzzles17:39 – A: Always point to the positive17:46 – Narrative, mindset & strategic optimism17:53 – Zig Ziglar: attitude vs aptitude18:31 – Cutting negativity & complaint cycles19:10 – Wins reviews & gratitude practices19:45 – D: Daily review & reprioritize19:54 – Aggressive prioritization (Jack Welch example)20:49 – Killing noise & focusing on the vital few21:48 – Time as your most valuable asset22:09 – Daily recalibration habit23:26 – Reward, risk & value prioritization filter24:12 – BHAG decisions & early execution24:37 – Be bold, aggressive, and decisive with goals26:39 – Final charge: Your 2026 awaits27:04 – Closing message: plan ahead and take no prisoners

September 14, 20251 hr 1 min

📢 The Current State of Project Management 2025 - 2026

Project management is changing faster than ever — and everyprofessional needs to keep pace. In this special State of the Union–styleaddress, we’ll take a hard look at the trends, challenges, and opportunitiesshaping the profession right now. From AI as a co-pilot to the rise of hybrid methodologies,from the demand for power skills and leadership to the growing focus on valuedelivery and sustainability, this session will cut through the noise and giveyou clarity on where the field truly stands in Q3. Expect bold insights, real-world examples, and a roadmap forhow you, your team, and your organization can thrive in the shifting landscapeof project management. ✅ Key themes we’ll cover: - AI and automation — what’s hype vs. what’s here to stay - Hybrid approaches and value-driven delivery - Leadership, power skills, and managing hybrid teams - ESG, sustainability, and projects with purpose - The evolving role of the PM and the PMO Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting yourPM journey, this is your chance to get grounded in the current state of ourprofession and prepare for what’s next.

August 5, 20257 min

A.I - Why Replacing Humans Fails (Revisiting Diary of a CEO)

Is AI really the answer to corrupt leadership? Or are we just dressing up old power with new tools?In this critical conversation, we unpack the seductive but flawed narrative that AI should replace human leaders. It may sound futuristic — even logical — but it’s riddled with misconceptions. The truth is: AI doesn’t choose its own values. Humans do. And when the wrong hands program the system, it doesn't fix the problem — it amplifies it.We explore why AI isn’t inherently fair or wise, why removing humans from governance is dangerous, and how real ethical progress depends not on replacing people — but on holding them accountable, with transparent systems that AI can support, not control.In this episode:The illusion of AI neutralityWhy “fair” AI is a myth without diverse designThe real danger: evil leaders with smarter toolsWhat responsible, human-led AI governance could look likeHow global collaboration—not replacement—is the path forwardIf you’re serious about the future of leadership, technology, and ethics — this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.CHAPTERS:00:00 - AI Leadership Risks01:58 - Myth of Unbiased AI03:38 - Ethical Governance in AI

July 29, 20251 hr 10 min

Generative AI: 5 Uses

🎬 Ready to See How I Created This Video from Nothing? Welcome to the World of Generative AI! 🌟Ever wondered how you can go beyond typical AI search engines and actually create something new? Welcome to the incredible power of Generative AI—the game-changer in content creation! 🚀 In this exciting demo, I’ll show you five unique pieces of content you can generate from scratch using the magic of AI. Think you know AI? Let me blow your mind! 🤯📊 1. Spreadsheets with Dummy DataNeed a spreadsheet for your next project but don’t want to build it from scratch? With AI, you can generate a fully functional Excel file tailored to your needs! Imagine asking AI to create a detailed project charter with just one prompt. It’s that simple—no more manual data entry! 💻✨🖼️ 2. PowerPoint PresentationsPresentations made easy—just provide the topic, and AI generates a sleek, ready-to-use PowerPoint in seconds. Whether it's for a solar system webinar or your next big pitch, AI can give you a polished slide deck with minimal effort. Want it? You got it! 🎨📈📷 3. Images That Speak to YouHow about an image of your project team posing in front of the Statue of Liberty? With AI, you can turn this vision into reality in seconds. Whether it’s for business or fun, generative AI can craft eye-popping visuals with just a few words. 🗽🤩🎥 4. Turning Images Into VideosEver thought you could turn a still image into a dynamic video? With generative AI, it’s possible! You’ll see how to upload an image, describe a scene, and watch AI create an engaging video in moments. This tech opens up a whole new level of creativity and storytelling! 🎞️🎬🎶 5. Creating Audio from a Simple CommandAnd my favorite part—music! 🎹 Want an F major 7th chord? AI can generate the exact sound you're looking for, from WAV to MIDI files. It doesn’t just replay old tracks—it creates entirely new sounds based on your input. How cool is that? 🎧🎶Generative AI goes far beyond answering questions—it brings your ideas to life. From spreadsheets to presentations, from images to videos and audio, it’s an endless well of creativity just waiting to be tapped into. 🌐💡Ready to harness the true power of AI? Join me, and I’ll show you how to make the impossible, possible. 💪👨‍💻 Let’s explore together—sign up today for more insights and a deep dive into the world of Generative AI.📢 Don’t miss out on the future—It’s happening NOW!