What do Eagle Scouts, expat childhoods, and global boardrooms have in common?
In this episode of Project Management Matters, I sat down with Mark Engelhardt, host of the PM Cowboy Podcast and longtime project management advocate, to explore the surprising threads that shape great leaders and what it really means to lead projects across borders, disciplines, and decades.
Here’s a taste of what we covered:
* Why Mark believes project management is the secret discipline that connects vision to impact
* How growing up across 11 countries shaped his leadership instincts
* What he learned about decision-making and facilitation from his father (a corporate exec who didn’t wait for MBAs to teach him)
* Why he started PMI Austria and what volunteerism taught him about influence
* The difference between knowing the PMBOK and living it on the ground
Mark doesn’t sugarcoat. He’s sharp, global, deeply grounded in the profession. He is not afraid to call out both the hype and the heroes.
💡 One of my favorite moments?Mark’s take on the true job of a PM or consultant:
“Your job isn’t to impress. It’s to ask the dumb questions no one else dares to. That’s where real clarity starts.”
🎙️ Watch the full episode here🗨️ Your Turn: What “dumb” question unlocked clarity on your last project?
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