Description:
Higher education is a world of committees, governance, and constant change. How can project management thrive in this environment? In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, hosts Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam sit down with Bridget Davis, PMP, CSM, DASM, to explore how both Agile and predictive project management frameworks can help leaders succeed in academic settings.

Bridget brings a unique background—religion, Viking Studies, and a passion for music—that shaped her approach to leading projects. She shares lessons on trust, planning, and accountability, along with candid stories of pitfalls and wins from her career.

Whether you’re a leader in higher ed, a project manager in another sector, or simply someone who wants to see teams work better together, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice in this episode.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why higher education requires blending Agile and predictive project management.

• How to create flexible frameworks tailored to specific projects and teams.

• The importance of planning, documenting, and clarifying roles early.

• How Scrum builds trust and consistency through small, iterative cycles.

• Why CliftonStrengths is a valuable tool for building stronger, more collaborative teams.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• MACRO Leadership book: https://amzn.to/3IAp2VG

• The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey: https://amzn.to/3KkvUHh

• CliftonStrengths® assessments & coaching: Engage with us for your personal and professional leadership growth

• The American College of Financial Services: The American College of Financial Services

• Scrum framework overview: Scrum.org

Reflection Question:
How might you bring more predictable structure—or more agility—into your current projects?

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🌐 Learn more about MACRO Leadership coaching and workshops at https://engagedbydesign.com .
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