Title: What Leaders Want from Project Managers

Speech Abstract

Have you ever wondered what most leaders really want from Project Managers? After spending nearly 25 years working with leaders across all kinds of organizations and industries (and working with dozens of Project Managers myself), I've learned a few things about what the most successful Project Managers do (and don't do), and how they quickly build trust, exceed expectations, and even have a little fun along the way. I've also learned that most leaders, despite their positions of supposed authority, often need help identifying and sharing what they really want from their teams. You can make this easier for them by taking some basic initiative and anticipating some common goals and motivations. 

I'll share some of my thoughts and observations along these lines and tell a few stories to illustrate these core ideas. Hopefully, we can learn together how to make our leaders, our teams, and our projects perform at a higher level and maybe unlock some new ways of thinking, too. 

Learning Objectives

• Gain insights into the highest-value behaviors that leaders want from their teams
• Discover (or reinforce) the best ways to build trust with senior leaders
• Shape thinking around what "good" project management looks like
• Enjoy the time together

Speaker: Justin Carlson

Speaker Biography

Justin Carlson has spent nearly 25 years in the field of leadership development, providing strategy, design, and delivery solutions for a wide range of Fortune 500 clients and nonprofits.

He has designed and delivered numerous executive and high-potential programs—often for companies and industries undergoing significant transformation—and frequently creates innovative custom scenarios and learning experiences targeting specific business outcomes.

Recently, he designed and delivered a senior-level program for one of the world’s largest companies. The four-phase program incorporated experiential learning, immersion visits, executive coaching, and high-impact business projects.

He is an accomplished facilitator and keynote speaker, interacting with thousands of leaders across numerous global clients every year. He also advises senior leaders on many facets of human resource management, often focused on the topics of leadership, succession, transformation, and overall talent strategy.

Justin thrives in diverse and dynamic environments; as such, his client work has spanned a broad array of industries, including technology, life sciences, oil and gas, retail, manufacturing, financial services, consulting, agribusiness, and automotive. He has designed and delivered leadership programs for dozens of Fortune 100 companies and has consulted with hundreds of other companies throughout his career.

Previously, he was a senior engagement manager at Harvard Business Publishing, where he managed a portfolio of corporate and non-profit clients, designing and delivering blended learning programs to meet specific development outcomes and business needs. He also was a founding member of Duke Corporate Education, where he held roles ranging from account and project management to faculty relationship building to technology-mediated program delivery.

Justin earned his undergraduate degree in humanities (with emphases in philosophy and vocal performance) from Kansas State University and his master’s degree in liberal studies from Duke University.

Join us for our upcoming Study Group! This is a collaborative space where members can review key concepts, share resources, and support each other in reaching their academic and professional goals. All skill levels are welcome.

Title of Speech: Mastering Communication with Complicated People

Speech Abstract:

Drawing from Ryan Leak’s How to Work with Complicated People and John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. This keynote explores why people on the same project can interpret the same information in completely different ways. Attendees will learn how internal biases, unspoken expectations, and differing perspectives make people seem “complicated,” and why reacting instead of connecting often slows projects down.

By the end of this session, project managers will gain practical strategies to enhance collaboration, reduce conflict, and foster clarity and trust, even when communication feels most challenging.

Learning Objectives (3 bullets)

Explain why everyone communicates, but few connect—especially under project pressure.

Distinguish between difficult behavior and complicated dynamics in project environments.

Apply practical strategies, including curiosity and driven questions, to improve clarity and collaboration with complicated team members.

Speaker:  Mary D. McKenzie, Ph.D.

Speaker Bio:

Mary D. McKenzie, Ph.D., is a certified coach, trainer, speaker, and the founder of Mary Universal LLC. She is the author of The Transformational Power of Forgiveness and a passionate Biblical scholar. With over 23 years of experience in public accounting firms, Mary combines deep expertise in technology and leadership to help organizations optimize systems, drive operational excellence, and achieve sustainable growth. Today, she brings the same strategic mindset to coaching, mentoring, and training, guiding individuals and teams through transitions, uncovering purpose, and unlocking their highest potential.

Join us for our upcoming Study Group! This is a collaborative space where members can review key concepts, share resources, and support each other in reaching their academic and professional goals. All skill levels are welcome.