logo
episode-header-image
Oct 7
33m 29s

378: How to Lead Projects and People wit...

MAMIE KANFER STEWART
About this episode

Why do so many projects spiral into stress, shifting priorities, and endless risks while others seem to flow smoothly toward success? What if the difference isn’t just about tools or methods, but about how you lead?


Thankfully, today’s guest brings a fresh, human-centered approach to project management. 


James Louttit is the author of Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low Stress Success in Project Management, a leadership coach, and a former CIO who now trains managers and business leaders around the world. His work blends real-world experience with practical tools to help managers lead projects with clarity, sustainability, and impact.


In this episode, James introduces his “eight lenses of project management” and reveals why prioritization is often the missing key to project success. He shares powerful ways to engage stakeholders, identify and manage risks, and avoid common mistakes in estimating time and effort. 


Along the way, James offers stories and frameworks that any manager, whether formally a project manager or not, can use to keep work on track and teams energized.


In the extended members-only conversation, James explains how to properly scope your projects and define quality, two notoriously tricky areas that can make or break your results.


Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.


Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

  • (00:00) Introduction to Project Management
  • (01:44) The Eight Lenses of Project Management
  • (03:13) The Importance of Prioritization
  • (07:54) Agile vs. Waterfall Project Management Approaches
  • (10:23) Engaging Stakeholders Effectively
  • (17:20) Managing Risks in Projects
  • (24:09) Time Management and Estimating Effort
  • (30:40) Keep Up with James
  • (31:30) [Extended Episode Only] How To Properly Scope Your Projects
  • (33:10) [Extended Episode Only] Defining Quality In Project Management


Additional Resources:


- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month


- Read the full transcript here


- Follow me on Instagram here 


- Visit my website for more here


- Upskill your team here


- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


 Keep up with James Louttit

- Follow James on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here

- Join the IPM Community with a free 7-day trial here


Guest Bonus: Free Audio Book: Leading Impactful Teams and 3 FREE 1-Year Membership to IMP Community


Leading Impactful Teams is a lively exploration of the "lenses" of project management – Scope, Prioritisation, Time, Cost, Quality, Risks, Team and Stakeholders – that will enable the reader to develop a "sixth sense" for potential issues that could derail their project. It provides a practical toolkit to help you and your team deliver great project outcomes with minimum stress and maximum fun.

 
The IPM Community helps you deliver projects on time, on budget, and without burnout through bite-sized lessons, tactical tools and weekly peer support. Created by James Louttit, author of Leading Impactful Teams, it’s a no-jargon, no-exam space where professionals learn fast, share real challenges, and lead with confidence.  

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------


The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.


Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!


#ProjectManagement #Leadership #TeamManagement #TeamSuccess #ProjectPlanning #AgileLeadership #RiskManagement #ProjectManagementTips #LeadershipSkills #TeamPerformance


Up next
Sep 30
377: Unlock 24 Hidden Strengths to Transform Your Leadership & Work with Natalya Pestalozzi
What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re ... Show More
33m 2s
Sep 23
376: How To Delegate And Unlock Growth With Chris Ronzio
Why do so many managers struggle to let go of tasks, even when they know that holding onto everything stifles their ability to scale? The secret is to document things so clearly that others can succeed without you.Fortunately, today’s guest is an expert at helping leaders let go. ... Show More
30m 49s
Sep 16
375: The Hidden Power of Groups That Makes Teams Succeed with Colin Fisher
Groups are the foundation of everything we accomplish in work and life. Yet, as every manager knows, collaborating with others can be both the greatest strength and one of the hardest challenges. What makes some teams thrive while others struggle with friction and disengagement?F ... Show More
32m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 17
Organize Your Digital Clutter with Tracy Hoth
Send us a textYou know that sinking feeling when a client asks for "that document we worked on last month" and you have absolutely no idea where you saved it? Or when you're paying your team to sit idle while you frantically search through folders trying to find the resources the ... Show More
28m 38s
Jun 2024
5 Biggest Team Building Mistakes w/ Netflix Legend Patty McCord
How do the best founders build exceptional teams? Learn how a practical approach to HR can transform the culture at your startup. In this episode, Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and author of 'Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,&# ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 2024
274: Navigating the PMO Journey: Insights from an Experienced CEO
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Hi, IMPACT Driver!   If you’ve ever wondered how executives really think about project management and strategy, you’re in for a treat.   🎙️In this special ... Show More
48m 16s
Mar 2025
I Run a 6-Figure Agency with ZERO Employees (AI Only) | Barbara Jovanovic
Ep. 307 Are we on the brink of a future where founders operate successful agencies with no human employees? Get Barbera's Prompts https://offers.hubspot.com/full-stack-ai-marketing Kipp and Kieran dive into the innovative world of Barbara Jovanovic (Startup Cookie) and her AI-pow ... Show More
40m 3s
May 2025
363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro
What separates elite leaders from those who never break through? It’s not motivation or even talent — it’s the discipline to stay focused, make decisions when it’s uncomfortable, and build habits that align with who you want to become. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorne ... Show More
27m 10s
Nov 2024
282: Leading from the Middle with Scott Mautz
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills No one is more crucial to an organization’s success than middle managers. They hold the unique position of needing to lead up, down, and across their organizat ... Show More
33m 52s
Sep 17
Podcast Playbook (Part 11): Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive
In Episode 273, we bring the Podcast Playbook to a close with Part 11: Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive. This final chapter shifts the focus from tools and strategies to the mental game required to keep your podcast alive long term. We explore why ... Show More
35m 28s
Dec 2024
Documenting Failure
Do you document and analyse failure? In this episode, Squirrel and Jeffrey draw inspiration from Donald Knuth's detailed study of his own software mistakes to give you the lowdown on learning from past mistakes, including meaningful postmortems and retrospectives. LINKS: - Knuth' ... Show More
7m 33s
Feb 2019
Episode 132: Feature Audit with Brian Rhea
How do you know what features in your product bring the most value? How can you "make your strengths stronger" and gracefully remove unpopular features? Today our guest is Brian Rhea, product strategist and the founder of Feature Audit. You'll learn the story behind his analytics ... Show More
38m 22s
Feb 2025
Why That Worked #5: Stories—The Survival Tool Hardwired into Every Human
Exciting news, Hero Makers! We’re sharing a new episode of Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, with Donald Miller back in the host seat. This new show uncovers why certain ideas, brands, and strategies succeed—so you can think differently and apply those insights to you ... Show More
40m 1s