Project Management Happy Hour

?? Join Us for the PM Happy Hour 100th Episode LIVE! ?? We’re hitting a major milestone—100 episodes of PM Happy Hour! ?? Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or are just discovering the community, this is an event you won’t want to miss. In this special LinkedIn Live, we’ll: ? Reflect on our journey from the first episode to now. ??? Share behind-the-scenes stories and highlights. ??? Discuss the top lessons learned over 100 episodes of project management insights. ?? Host a live Q&A where YOU can ask us anything! ?? When: Friday, Jan 17 at 12pm PST ?? Where: Right here on LinkedIn Live Let’s raise a glass to 100 episodes, celebrate the incredible PMHH community, and gear up for the next 100! ?? RSVP now and join the fun!

Escalation: Friend or Foe? ???? We’ve all been there—an issue gets escalated, and suddenly, it feels like the project is on fire. But what if we’ve been thinking about escalations all wrong? Escalation isn’t a failure—it’s a strategy. Used correctly, it keeps your project (and your sanity) on track. The trick? Do it right. ?? Escalate strategically – It’s not a last resort; it’s a management tool. Use it wisely. ?? Bring solutions, not just problems – If you’re escalating without options, you’re just complaining upward. ?? Stay cool, communicate clearly – “Yellow trending green” sounds a lot better than “EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE.” ?? Use “Yes, And” thinking – When execs push back, collaborate instead of clashing. ?? Don’t overdo it – If everything’s an emergency, nothing is. Know when to escalate and when to handle it yourself. Escalations don’t have to be scary—they can be power moves when handled correctly. What’s your worst escalation experience—how did you handle it? We’re all ears! ?? ???https://lnkd.in/gHWV8Ejf #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #riskmanagement #podcast

You can beg, you can plead, you can even put a calendar invite on their boss’s boss’s calendar… but if your project isn’t a priority for leadership, it won’t be a priority for your team. ?? Kim Essendrup has seen it all—big projects, high-stakes rollouts, and enough ignored action items to fill a landfill. And after years in the trenches, he’s learned one key truth: if you want people to take action, start at the top. ?? Because no amount of beautifully crafted project plans or “gentle reminders” will make someone care about your project if their boss doesn’t. At Project Management Happy Hour, we help our community tackle the tough stuff—like how to actually get people to do what you need them to do. PMHH members get access to quizzes for PDUs, downloadable templates & tools, a private community with Kate, Kim, and PMs like you, plus exclusive monthly virtual happy hours —because that’s our priority. Want Kim’s best strategies? Check out Episode 090 ?? https://lnkd.in/dHyY6ZHV and sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new episodes drop. What’s the most creative (or desperate) thing you’ve done to get someone to take action on your project? #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #riskmanagement #podcast

Three years of listening to PMHH? That’s some serious commitment—we’re blushing over here! ???? Project managers juggle a lot of information and keeping it all straight can feel like herding cats. ???? That’s why we love a good project diary! Logging your thoughts isn’t just about documentation—it’s about survival. What’s your go-to method for keeping project chaos in check? Share your best tips below! ?? ???https://lnkd.in/ghrsGjQv #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #riskmanagement #podcast

Some meetings spark innovation. Others make you question your life choices. Kate Anderson believes meetings are where work happens—or where it goes to die. And let’s be honest, we’ve all attended meetings that should’ve been an email, a Slack message, or just a quiet moment of self-reflection. Kate’s secret to running a killer meeting? ?? Have a purpose – If there’s no clear goal, cancel it.?? Keep it tight – The clock is ticking, and so is everyone’s patience.?? Drive decisions – A meeting without action items is just a social gathering with a sad agenda. Want more hard-hitting, zero-fluff tips? Check out Episode 024 ?? https://lnkd.in/dHyY6ZHV and sign up for our Newsletter to be notified when new episodes drop. At Project Management Happy Hour, Kate and Kim share their 50 years of experience with a community of PMs like you. PMHH members get access to quizzes for PDUs, downloadable templates & tools —(because why reinvent the wheel?), a private community with Kate, Kim, and PMs like you, plus exclusive monthly virtual happy hours. What’s the most ridiculous meeting you’ve ever been in? ????? #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #podcast #riskmanagement

Think You’re Not Qualified? Teach It! ?? Imposter Syndrome loves to whisper, "You're not good enough." But you know what shuts it up? Teaching. ???????? Seriously—if you feel like you don’t know enough, try explaining it to someone else. You’ll quickly realize, you know way more than you think. Plus, mentoring others forces you to articulate your knowledge, boosting both confidence and credibility. So next time that little voice says, “You’re in over your head,” grab a mentee, a colleague, or even an unsuspecting houseplant, and start explaining. ?? You might just surprise yourself. What’s something you’ve learned more deeply because you had to teach it? ?? ??https://lnkd.in/gTkBk_gd #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #podcast #riskmanagement

Project Logs: Your Secret Weapon Against “Wait… What Happened?” Moments ???? Ever found yourself in a meeting where someone asks, "Why did we make that decision?"—and suddenly, nobody remembers? (Cue nervous glances and awkward silence.) This is where a Project Log saves your bacon. ?? Keeping a running record of key decisions, risks, and updates helps you stay aligned, transparent, and in control—especially in long projects or when juggling multiple initiatives. ?? Pro tip: Set aside 15 minutes at the end of each day to update your log. It keeps you organized, minimizes surprises, and ensures that what you're doing is actually what you said you’d do. (A novel concept, right?) What’s your favorite way to keep track of project decisions—classic notebooks, Notion, OneNote, or something else? Let’s hear it! ?? ???https://lnkd.in/ghrsGjQv #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #podcast #riskmanagement

??Ever had an executive request that made you pause and think, “Wait…what?” ?? Kate Anderson gets it. They’ve spent years translating big, vague executive asks into actionable plans—without rolling their eyes (too much). Because here’s the deal: executives aren’t clueless, they’re just far removed from the details. That’s where great PMs come in. ?? Instead of groaning about another impossible deadline or baffling request, Kate knows the trick is to decode what leaders actually need—and then deliver. It’s not about saying “yes” to everything; it’s about guiding the conversation so the right things get done. Want to hear how Kate handles those moments? Check out Episode 007?? https://lnkd.in/dHyY6ZHV and sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new episodes drop. At Project Management Happy Hour, Kate and Kim help you bridge the gap between big-picture executive vision and real-world project execution. PMHH members get access to quizzes for PDUs, downloadable templates & tools, a private community with Kate, Kim, and PMs like you, plus exclusive monthly virtual happy hours—because decoding executive requests is easier when you’ve got the right support (and maybe a drink in hand). ?? What’s the wildest executive request you’ve ever had to make sense of? #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #podcast #riskmanagement

Mentorship: Your Secret Weapon in Project Management? ???? Think you have to figure it all out alone? Think again. The best project managers don’t just manage—they learn, adapt, and grow with the help of great mentors. But here’s the twist: your best mentor might not even be in project management. ?? ?? Look beyond your industry – A fresh perspective can solve problems you didn’t even see coming. ?? Soft skills > technical skills – Communication, leadership, and influence make a PM truly stand out. ?? Mentees, take the lead – A great mentor won’t do the work for you. Show up prepared, ask good questions, and drive the conversation. ?? Know when to walk away – Not every mentorship is a perfect fit, and that’s okay! Part ways gracefully and find the right match. Joe Pusz - PMO Joe dropped some serious wisdom in this episode, and one thing is clear: mentorship isn’t just about career moves—it’s about lifelong relationships that can change your trajectory. So, let’s talk: What’s the most useful project management advice you’ve ever received from a mentor? Drop your insights below! ?? ???https://lnkd.in/gEFd5fJF #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #riskmanagement #podcast

Boardroom meetings can feel like a gladiator arena—especially if you walk in unprepared. ??? Kim Essendrup learned the hard way that if you don’t align your stakeholders before the big meeting, they will align themselves… against you. And let’s be honest, nobody enjoys that “ambushed in a meeting” feeling. The solution? Stage direction. ?? Before stepping into the boardroom, Kim makes sure every key player knows what’s coming, what’s expected, and—most importantly—what’s NOT up for debate. No surprises, no drama, just solid decision-making. At Project Management Happy Hour, Kate and Kim know that leading with both strength and vulnerability is what builds truly effective teams. We’ll help you navigate tough conversations—whether it's aligning stakeholders before a big meeting (so they don’t align against you) or handling the emotional weight of leadership. Want to hear Kim’s best tactics for controlling the room? Check out Episode 019 ?? https://lnkd.in/dHyY6ZHV and sign up for our newsletter to be notified when new episodes drop. What’s the worst stakeholder curveball you’ve ever faced in a meeting? #projectmanagement #pmhappyhour #projectmanagers #riskmanagement #podcast