In his Season 1 interview, Geronimo Colon is introduced as an Audit Program Manager for a financial technology company within the cybersecurity function. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, he leverages his “soft skills” to be a successful project manager, emphasizing that while technical tasks are essential, the human element and building partnerships are what drive projects to completion.
Geronimo’s approach to project management is like navigating a ship through a fog bank; he relies on the “radar” of strict governance and documentation to avoid hidden risks, but uses the “rudder” of diplomacy to steer his crew calmly through “red” alerts until they reach clear waters.
Core Philosophy and Getting Stuff Done
• Diplomatic and Tactful: Geronimo describes his approach to productivity using these two words, focusing on accountability through trust. He treats project management as a partnership, offering updates and assistance with roadblocks rather than being a “professional nag”.
• The Early Bird Method: He is a self-described early bird who gets his best work done at the start of the day, typically arriving at the office by 7:15 or 7:30 AM after a rapid 20-minute morning routine.
• Governance as a Necessity: While acknowledging that many technical teams view documentation as “red tape,” Geronimo argues that in cybersecurity, documentation is vital for minimizing risk. He explains that external auditors and clients need documented proof of disaster recovery procedures and system testing to ensure business continuity.
Agile Insights and Project Recovery
• “Red” is a Trigger, Not a Crisis: Geronimo and Coach Reggie discussed the use of color-coded project statuses. Geronimo believes a “red” status should not cause panic; instead, it should trigger an intensified focus on a “path to green,” typically aiming to resolve roadblocks within a one-to-two-week window.
• Incremental Delivery: To minimize the risk of projects failing, Geronimo plans to break large 9-month initiatives into smaller three-month phases for 2026. This allows stakeholders to see a “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP) and progress in shorter cycles.
• Agile without the Labels: The interview explored the strategy of implementing Agile principles—such as feedback loops and incremental value—without using “Agile” terminology, which can sometimes cause senior leadership to push back. Geronimo emphasizes that “incremental delivery is the currency of trust”.
Problem Solving
When stuck, Geronimo seeks guidance from trusted colleagues and external mentors to find clarity. He aligns with the concept of “rinse and repeat” for testing, utilizing regular penetration and stress testing to ensure systems can handle real-world threats before they occur.
Watch the full episode here:
