Episode 525: The Unofficial Project Manager (Free)

Play video episode | Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube

Click above to play either the audio-only episode or video episode in a new window.

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.

Kory’s insights offer fresh ways to communicate with stakeholders who may be combative or simply overloaded by competing projects. Through a blend of self-awareness, active listening, and structured project planning, leaders can transform each challenge into a chance to strengthen relationships and motivate their teams. This discussion underscores that adopting a balanced approach—combining personal leadership with solid project management techniques—positions any unofficial project manager to reach successful outcomes. By centering on value, process, and people, large-scale and smaller projects can overcome the usual hurdles and drive positive organizational change.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How to keep projects on track by clarifying goals and success measures.
• Why emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical for any leader.
• Integrating agile ideas into a traditional approach for better results.

Resources Mentioned

• Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager – Learn practical steps and leadership principles to excel without a formal title.
• Unofficial Project Manager Workshop – A structured training program that provides hands-on practice and deeper insights for leading successful projects.

Connect with Kory Kogon

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kory-kogon/
• Website: https://www.franklincovey.com

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00] – Introduction: Why so many people manage projects without a formal title
• [01:26] – Welcoming the guest: Real-world impact of the “unofficial” trend
• [08:52] – Addressing the 65% project fail rate and how to overcome it
• [14:01] – Focusing on people over process to build strong project foundations
• [21:00] – Balancing agile ideas with traditional methods for better outcomes
• [34:06] – Handling combative stakeholders and encouraging meaningful dialogue
• [46:46] – Final thoughts: Embracing self-awareness and key leadership behaviors

Artificial Intelligence for Project Managers Course: