PMO Strategies 337: Blockbuster Lessons for PMO Leaders with Dawn Mahan
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Every great project tells a story, and the best ones play out like blockbuster movies.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dawn Mahan, co-editor of Projectland Goes to the Movies and author of Meet the Players in Projectland. We're talking about how more than 20 experts used their favorite films to share timeless lessons on vision, leadership, and collaboration.
If you've ever wished project management felt more like directing a hit film and less like fighting through endless plot twists, this one's for you.
I'll show you how the same principles that drive movie success—clarity of vision, confident direction, and authentic teamwork—also define the projects that deliver real IMPACT. Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at my own chapter inspired by Moneyball and Dawn's by The Italian Job.
What You'll Learn:
- How movie storytelling mirrors every stage of project success
- The leadership lessons hidden in popular films
- Why every PMO leader needs to think like a director
- How to turn chaos, change, and conflict into collaboration that wins
👉 Press play to discover how the art of great filmmaking can help you set the vision, direct the action, and create your own story of IMPACT in Projectland.
Connect with Dawn:
Access Meet the Players in Projectland
🎧 Companion Episode: Don't miss Episode 250—How to Build a PMO That Drives Results for deeper insights on this topic.
Receive a confidential sample of Meet the Players in Projectland: Decide the Right Project Roles & Get People on Board
P.S. Featured Resource: If you’re focused on building a PMO that actually moves the business forward, download The Case for a Strategy-Driven PMO. It’s a quick, practical guide to help you build an executive-ready business case and define the outcomes your leaders care about most. And, when you download the resource, you’ll be on the list for an invitation for a one hour live session where I will walk you through the Strategy-Driven PMO Canvas. Download the guide.
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Warmly,
Laura Barnard
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