Leadership in Project Management (Life After the PMP‪)‬ Phill Akinwale, PMP, OPM3

Today, we are reminded about the power of small steps!

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📢 Exciting News! 🚀 Join us for a transformative Agile training event! 📅

👥 Trainers: Roy Schilling, CSP, ACP, and Phill Akinwale, PMP, ACP

📚 Learn to:
🔹 Implement Agile Practices
🔹 Build Agile Teams
🔹 Manage Projects from Inception to Completion

🕒 4-Hour Interactive Simulation
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In a world that often pushes us to conform, dare to be different. 'To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.' - Ralph Waldo Emerson. Your uniqueness is your strength. Embrace it, express it, and let it shine. Authenticity breeds confidence and attracts genuine connections. Don’t waste time trying to fit into someone else’s mold. Instead, celebrate your quirks and talents. Remember, the world needs your unique perspective and gifts. When you’re true to yourself, you inspire others to do the same. 'Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.' - Oscar Wilde. Embrace your individuality and let it guide you to your true path.

Gaining Confidence:


Self-awareness: Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Recognize your achievements and acknowledge your abilities.


Preparation: Confidence often comes from being well-prepared. Whether it's a presentation, meeting, or project, thorough preparation boosts your confidence in your knowledge and abilities.


Setting realistic goals: Break down larger objectives into smaller, achievable goals. Each accomplishment builds confidence for tackling more significant challenges.


Positive self-talk: Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Encourage yourself and focus on past successes rather than dwelling on failures.


Embrace failure: See failures as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Learning from mistakes enhances resilience and confidence.


Practice assertiveness: Express your opinions, needs, and boundaries clearly and respectfully. Standing up for yourself in appropriate situations reinforces confidence.


Body language: Adopting confident body language—such as maintaining eye contact, standing tall, and speaking clearly—can actually boost your internal confidence.






Building Gravitas:


Authenticity: Be true to yourself and your values. Authenticity breeds respect and credibility.


Expertise: Continuously improve your skills and knowledge in your field. Becoming an expert in your domain enhances your credibility and authority.


Strong communication: Develop clear and concise communication skills. Speak with conviction, listen actively, and articulate your ideas effectively.


Emotional intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions, as well as those of others. Being empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of others adds depth to your gravitas.


Executive presence: Project confidence, poise, and professionalism in your demeanor and appearance. Dress appropriately for your role and cultivate a commanding presence.


Decision-making: Demonstrate sound judgment and decisiveness in your actions. Being able to make tough decisions when necessary adds weight to your leadership.


Integrity: Uphold ethical principles and demonstrate integrity in all your interactions. Trust is a cornerstone of gravitas, and integrity is essential for building and maintaining trust.


Networking: Build relationships with influential individuals in your industry. Networking not only expands your opportunities but also enhances your reputation and gravitas.








Both confidence and gravitas are developed over time through deliberate practice, experience, and self-reflection. By focusing on personal growth in these areas, you can significantly enhance your professional presence and effectiveness.

Being a vocal Project Management Professional (PMP) even when you feel like you have nothing to say can be important for maintaining visibility, building relationships, and ensuring smooth project progress. Here are some strategies to help you stay engaged and vocal in such situations:

1. Ask Questions

Clarification Questions: Ask for clarification on points that aren't fully clear. This shows you are attentive and engaged.

Progress Updates: Inquire about the progress of different tasks and milestones.

Feedback: Ask for feedback on completed tasks or ongoing processes.

2. Summarize and Reflect

Summarize Discussions: After someone presents an idea or update, summarize what they said to ensure understanding and reinforce the key points.

Reflect on Contributions: Reflect on the contributions of team members, highlighting their efforts and recognizing their input.

3. Provide Encouragement and Support

Encourage Team Members: Offer words of encouragement or appreciation for the hard work and achievements of the team.

Offer Support: Indicate your willingness to help and support team members in their tasks.

4. Share Insights and Observations

Market or Industry Trends: Share relevant industry trends or market insights that could impact the project.

Process Improvements: Suggest potential improvements to current processes or workflows based on observations or previous experiences.

5. Facilitate Discussions

Invite Contributions: Encourage quieter team members to share their thoughts and ideas.

Moderate Conversations: Help keep discussions on track and ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak.

6. Highlight Successes and Lessons Learned

Celebrate Wins: Regularly highlight the project's successes and milestones.

Discuss Lessons Learned: Bring up lessons learned from past projects or recent tasks to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

7. Stay Informed and Prepared

Stay Updated: Keep yourself informed about all aspects of the project so you can contribute meaningfully.

Prepare in Advance: Prepare for meetings by reviewing agendas and thinking of questions or comments in advance.

8. Use Active Listening Techniques

Paraphrasing: Repeat back what someone has said in your own words to demonstrate understanding.

Body Language: Use affirmative body language such as nodding and maintaining eye contact to show engagement.

9. Engage in Small Talk

Build Rapport: Engage in small talk before or after meetings to build rapport with team members.

Show Interest: Ask about team members’ weekends, hobbies, or non-work-related topics to strengthen relationships.

10. Facilitate Team Building Activities

Organize Activities: Suggest or organize team-building activities or ice-breakers.

Encourage Participation: Promote participation in these activities to enhance team cohesion.

By employing these strategies, you can ensure that you remain an active and vocal PMP, contributing to the team and project even when you might feel like you have nothing specific to say.

Join our next seminar on LIFE AFTER THE PMP at ⁠⁠http://leadershipavenue.com⁠⁠
PMP GRADUATES: Building Confidence & Job Searching

Congratulations! You've earned your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, a prestigious credential that validates your skills and knowledge. Now it's time to leverage your newfound expertise and land your dream project management role. But transitioning from a recent graduate to a confident job seeker can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you build your confidence and ace the job search