Hopefully you've enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed writing and reading the book. Let's connect on LinkedIn and continue the journey - there's loads more free content, and who knows maybe one day me and my team will be able to work with you and your team directly.
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0:47
Chapter 12: Conclusion – Projects can be better
Projects can be better. 3 Key Takeaways:
- Be transparent (share your plans and invite feedback),
- Be ruthless about priorities (focus on the “bare necessities”)
- and above all, put people first.
Even in an AI-driven age, human empathy and connection set great project leaders apart. You should feel inspired to lead your next project not just to deliver results, but to do it in a way that keeps you and your team happy and sane. Projects will always be challenging, but with a bit of humor and heart, it can also be deeply rewarding. Let’s make it better, together.
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10:58
Chapter 11: Cost – How to think about it, how to discuss it, and how to keep a lid on it
Money matters, and a great PM can save a fortune for the organisation. Sometimes that means bravely canceling a doomed project before it burns more cash. Usually, it’s about smaller wins: trimming waste by streamlining work and preventing expensive scope creep. you can cut costs in any scenario if you are skilled at talking about budget openly with the right people. Cost control is not boring bean-counting, it is a key way to deliver value and keep your project healthy.
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45:12
Chapter 10 Bonus - Training for your team and Stakeholders
If you like this stuff so far, you can run the book club for your stakeholders too. And get in touch with me and my team if you would like to learn more about it.
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0:20
Chapter 10: Stakeholders – Who they are and how to make sure they are on your side
Projects live or die by relationships, so you need to get stakeholders on your side. There are no “A***holes” in business, only people with different experiences, capabilities, stresses and styles than me (some of whom may appear to be a bit A***holish, even quite a lot of the time) — everyone has their reasons. Assume good intent and see the world from each stakeholder’s perspective (even the frustrating ones). Figure out who really has a stake in your project and then think about different ways to communicate, handle conflict, and turn difficult people into collaborators. Mastering this human element transforms stakeholder management from a headache into the heart of project leadership—because when people are with you, even big challenges get easier.
Ever felt overwhelmed juggling project deadlines, stakeholder demands, and life’s curveballs? Leading Impactful Teams is a personal guide to achieving big project results without burning out. Since writing the book, it has resonated with thousands of people all over the worls so I’ve decided to give it away for free in podcast format (you can still buy the physical copy if you want to support me)
I share candid stories (like how a broken toilet seat and a stubborn headache led to my wake-up call) to illustrate that success shouldn’t come at the cost of your sanity. This book mixes humor, hard-earned lessons, and practical tips to help you lead projects in a human-centered way. Whether you’re a seasoned PM or accidentally in charge, you’ll learn to deliver value, build a thriving team, and actually enjoy the journey—no “crunch time” heroics required.
We’ve won some awards, and now work with big companies to help them acheive better outcomes with less stress on their teams - it’s good I promise!
Ireland