If AI can plan your day, write your reports, and automate the busy work, what's really left for you? Are we all project managers now? Or is the bigger shift that entire organizations have to become project driven just to stay relevant?
In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard reunites with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, the world champion of modern project management and author of the new Harvard Business Review book Powered by Projects. This time, they go deep into the core ideas of his book and what they mean for the future of work.
Antonio breaks down why organizations must become project driven if they want to survive and grow. Despite decades of refined methodologies, 70 to 80 percent of projects still fail. The problem is not a lack of tools. It is outdated structures, weak governance, and leadership that has not adapted to change.
As artificial intelligence and automation take over routine tasks, Antonio explains that innovation, transformation, and strategic initiatives will define human contribution. That shift requires building what he calls a transformation muscle at both the organizational and individual level.
Gerald and Antonio unpack the three dimensions outlined in the book, why leaders must spend more time outside their comfort zones, and why killing the wrong projects can be just as important as launching the right ones.
Whether you're a CEO looking to transform your company, a team leader managing initiatives, or an individual navigating your career path, this episode provides a blueprint for thriving in the project economy.
What We Discuss
[00:00] Podcast introduction
[02:01] Guest introduction: Antonio Nieto Rodriguez
[04:13] Antonio's success and goal setting
[06:01] Keeping goals front and center
[08:58] The project economy and project driven organizations
[11:36] Adapting to change and building transformation muscle
[15:01] Project driven organizations key concepts
[15:39] Blueprint for project driven organizations
[17:27] Leadership's role in projects
[18:36] Finishing and sunsetting projects
[20:50] Working on vs in the business
[22:19] Advice for project driven organizations/Three big bets
[23:53] Laser focus vs multitasking in projects
[24:25] Embracing failure and stopping projects
[28:30] Harvesting value from failed projects
[29:44] Final advice for job seekers
[30:42] Where to find Antonio and his books
[31:08] Podcast closing
Notable Quotes
[10:16] "Robots and AI and automation, they will take over the whole operations that you don't need people to run any parts of the operations." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[10:33] " I see the future of work is project based work and you need to put projects at the center." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[11:42] " If you currently work always in the same place with the same people doing the same thing every day of the week, then your job was, will disappear for sure in six to 12 months. You have a problem." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[13:05] "As human beings, we crave normal. At the same time, we crave novelty." – Gerald
[11:23] " AI's not gonna take your job, but a person who really knows how to use AI will." – Gerald
[16:12] " We have organizations built to be successful for the 19th century." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[16:50] " If you launch more projects than you finished, you're a bad leader. You're creating an overflow of projects. " – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[19:49] " Most leaders don't feel like spending time in projects and transformation because they're uncomfortable." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[23:19] " How can a company with 50,000 people have people working of on a project of 20 people have everyone part-time. It's the worst you can do." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[25:51] " You should not see failure as failure. It's not failure. I think you're experimenting."– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
[30:07] "If there's something that is going to set us apart is that entrepreneurship mindset."– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Resource and Links
Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
Website: https://antonionietorodriguez.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonionietorodriguez/
Book: Powered by Projects (Harvard Business Review)
Productivity Smarts Podcast
Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com
Gerald J. Leonard
Website - geraldjleonard.com
Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com
Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard
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