Episode 25: Does anyone really care about project management? With Colin D Ellis Artwork

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"In all the eternity of time, in this infinitely expanding universe, you have for a fact, this one moment. Why then would you want to blow it? Why would you not want to believe in yourself? Why would you want to go through your job, your life, being too soft and fearing failure, afraid to assert yourself, running from conflict, taking abuse from others, playing the victim, not pursuing your dreams, not believing in yourself, not demonstrating the courage to make things happen? Why would you want to operate under the shadow of others instead of creating your own shadow? This is your moment. Life is an adventure. It’s yours to seize. Your career clock is ticking. Now go make a bigger difference." Neal Whitten from the Neal Whitten Group, as spoken in PMI Webinar 'The Wonderful World of Power Skills: Achieving Exceptional Performance.'

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Powering ProjeX: From Vision to Victory

Episode 25: Does anyone really care about project management? With Colin D Ellis

November 17, 2025 • DK • Season 1 • Episode 25

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In this insightful episode of the Powering ProjeX, host DK engages in a candid conversation with globally renowned culture consultant, speaker, and five-time bestselling author Colin D. Ellis.

So, does anyone really care about project management? DK and Colin explore the pervasive challenges faced by project managers (PMs), including feelings of undervaluation, burnout from unrealistic expectations, and the perception of PM roles as mere administrative overhead and the burden of being labelled strategic leaders.

Key topics covered include:

• The Undervaluation of Project Managers: Drawing from social media commentary and real-world experiences, the episode highlights why PMs often feel scapegoated for project failures while receiving minimal credit for successes, and how seamless execution can mask their critical contributions.

• Burnout and Industry Pressures: Insights into rampant burnout in project management, described as a "24/7 email job" with constant stress and lack of resources, alongside strategies to combat it through better support and realistic goal-setting.

• Certification vs. Practical Skills: A critical examination of project management certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2), emphasizing their pros (such as foundational knowledge) and cons, like overemphasis on accreditation at the expense of essential people skills, team building, and emotional intelligence.

• Team Building and Cultural Evolution: Colin shares proven approaches to fostering high-performance teams, including dedicated team-building sessions, clear communication, and creating psychological safety, with examples of organizations achieving up to 35% improvement in delivery rates.

• The Role of PMOs and Strategic Leadership: Debunking myths around PMs as strategic leaders, the conversation stresses the need for PMOs to prioritize facilitation over bureaucracy.

Colin D. Ellis, author of acclaimed books like The Project Book and Detox Your Culture (shortlisted for Business Book of the Year), brings his expertise in workplace culture transformation across sectors such as government, pharmaceuticals, and start-ups. His practical advice empowers PMs to lead with distinction, enhance

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