Secrets of the Career Game 69. From Math Teacher to CEO: Adam Boddison's Unconventional Leadership Playbook
Jan 6, 2025
In this engaging talk, Adam Boddison, a former math teacher turned CEO of the Association for Project Management, shares his unique journey to leadership. He emphasizes the power of admitting mistakes as a strength in building trust. Adam discusses how Gen Z is redefining workplace culture, prioritizing flexibility and authenticity in hiring. His innovative problem-solving framework, 'convince yourself, convince a friend, convince an enemy,' offers new insights into tackling complex challenges. He highlights the importance of chemistry in team dynamics over mere technical skills.
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From Classroom To CEO
- Adam Boddison describes his path from high-school maths teacher to CEO, noting transferable skills like critical path analysis.
- He explains early roles in teacher training and charities shaped his leadership by exposing him to culturally diverse contexts and hard lessons.
Mistakes Are Leadership Currency
- Adam argues true leaders must take organizations into uncharted territory and will inevitably make mistakes.
- Admitting mistakes humanizes leaders and creates connections that encourage candid feedback from staff.
Projectified Careers With Gen Z
- Gen Z reverses the traditional interview power dynamic by asking what value organizations will give them for their next step.
- Adam labels this shift as a 'projectification' of work: fixed-term, outcome-focused roles resembling projects.