Justin Bateh, PhD, PMP

I write about project management, leadership, and AI | Follow to develop skills for faster, smarter, and more efficient project management and to build winning teams | Boost your career with my actionable insights

Hi, I’m Justin 👋 I’ve spent my career running projects where decisions mattered, and failure wasn’t an option. I didn’t study project management, operations, and strategy just to talk about it. I used it to make decisions, fix broken execution, and get results when the stakes were high. To prove it wasn’t luck, I built repeatable systems I teach through real projects and that are now used and proven by thousands of leaders. Here, I share my experience in project management, AI, leadership, and decision-making. Not as theory, but as leverage for modern leaders.I hate fluff. I hate busywork. Everything here is real, tested, and battle-proven...from someone who’s still doing the work today. I also teach the top-rated AI-Powered Project Management cohort on Maven, where I help task-buried professionals become confident, AI-powered project leaders who operate closer to decisions and far from busywork. *All views and opinions shared across my content are solely my own.

Founder

I teach Project & Operations professionals the skills to drive sustainable growth, change, and profitability using data-driven decision making, lean tools, six sigma methodologies, agile projects, and data analytics. I have worked with executives and managers from numerous organizations, including Walmart, Verizon, Amazon, Pearson, UPS, Wiley, Cengage, Medtronic, US Department of Health, CSX, USPS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Crowley Maritime, US Air Force, US Navy, Novartis, FedEx, McKesson, and many others.

Justin Bateh, PhD

9 Simple Ways To Recognize Your Team

(The stuff that’s not in any handbook)

1/ Stop Micromanaging Them
→ Trust is the ultimate recognition.
→ Hire smart people—then let them work.
→ Oversight kills ownership.

2/ Promote the Competent, Not the Loud
→ Results speak louder than self-promotion.
→ Reward outcomes, not volume.
→ Quiet excellence deserves the spotlight.

3/ Give Them True Autonomy
→ Treat them like adults.
→ Let them decide how they work best.
→ Freedom fuels performance.

4/ Pay Them What They’re Worth
→ Money talks louder than pizza parties.
→ Certificates don’t pay bills.
→ Fair pay is real appreciation.

5/ Fire the Toxic Performers
→ One bad attitude drains ten good ones.
→ Protect the culture, not the culprit.
→ Removing them lifts everyone else.

6/ Don’t Be a Jerk
→ Decency is rare leadership currency.
→ Respect costs nothing.
→ Kindness compounds influence.

7/ Give Them Time Off (and Mean It)
→ Burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
→ Disconnect means no Slack, no guilt.
→ Rested teams outperform exhausted ones.

8/ Listen to Their Ideas
→ Ask, pause, and really hear them.
→ Implementation proves respect.
→ Listening drives innovation.

9/ Publicly Give Credit (and Take None)
→ Celebrate their wins loudly.
→ Success is theirs—failure is yours.
→ That’s real leadership.

Recognition isn’t a bonus. It’s a culture.
And culture decides who stays.

♻️ Repost and follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

Expert in AI-Driven Project Management, Strategy, & Operations | Ex-COO Turned Award-Winning Professor, LinkedIn Instructor & Corporate Trainer

8 Ways You're Signaling You're Not Ready for Promotion

(Most people miss these completely)

You're not getting passed over for lack of skills.

You're getting passed over for lack of signals.

Senior leaders watch how you operate when you think no one's looking.

Here's what they see:

1/ Waiting to Be Told What to Do
→ You ask "What should I work on next?"
→ Instead of "Here's what I think we should prioritize."
→ Initiative beats instruction.
→ Leaders create direction.

2/ Bringing Problems Without Solutions
→ You surface issues perfectly.
→ But offer no path forward.
→ Problem identification is junior level.
→ Solution ownership is promotion level.

3/ Only Speaking When Spoken To
→ Especially in leadership meetings.
→ Silence gets interpreted as disengagement.
→ Or lack of strategic thinking.
→ Presence requires participation.

4/ Managing Tasks, Not Outcomes
→ You report on what you did.
→ Not what changed because of it.
→ Activity feels productive.
→ Impact drives promotion.

5/ Asking Permission for Everything
→ "Can I email the client about this?"
→ "Should I schedule that meeting?"
→ Risk aversion signals junior mindset.
→ Ownership signals readiness.

6/ Avoiding Difficult Conversations
→ You hope problems resolve themselves.
→ Or wait for someone else to address them.
→ Conflict avoidance stalls advancement.
→ Leaders lean into discomfort.

7/ Not Managing Up Effectively
→ You assume your boss knows your impact.
→ They don't.
→ Visibility requires intentionality.
→ Good work without communication is invisible work.

8/ Thinking Only About Your Work
→ You optimize for your team's success.
→ Not the organization's goals.
→ Tunnel vision limits scope.
→ Strategic thinking expands it.

Most people think promotions are about performance.

They're actually about perception.

And perception is shaped by signals you send every day.

♻️ Repost and follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

Don't waste your energy on the wrong people in 2026.

Choose wisely using the Skill/Will Matrix:

1/ Top Performers (High Skill + High Will)
→ Don't micromanage them
→ Give them ownership
→ Recognize them publicly
→ Build your future around them
→ They're your A-players

2/ High Potentials (Low Skill + High Will)
→ Coach them actively
→ Set them up for wins
→ Develop, don't smother
→ Motivation drives results
→ They want to succeed

3/ Disengaged Experts (High Skill + Low Will)
→ Ask questions and listen
→ Could be burnt out or bored
→ Small shifts can reignite them
→ Sometimes it doesn't work
→ They deliver but disconnected

4/ Low Performers (Low Skill + Low Will)
→ This is where time dies
→ Give one clear chance
→ Exit quickly if no change
→ Keeping them drains A-players
→ They won't improve or try

♻️ Repost and follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

Andy Kaufman

𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥-𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘒𝘦𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 & 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘰, 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢, & 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼! Most people know me as a keynote speaker, podcast host, and author focused on project management and leadership practices that actually work in the real world.

As President of the Institute for Leadership Excellence & Development Inc., I lead a team that equips professionals at every level with the practical tools to lead people and deliver projects with confidence. From new managers to seasoned executives, we work with organizations around the world to help their people grow, not just in knowledge, but in influence and impact.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of delivering keynotes and workshops to hundreds of thousands of people across six continents. Whether it's a corporate training initiative, an association meeting, or a leadership retreat, our focus is consistent: helping people develop the skills to successfully manage projects and lead teams with confidence.

Along the way, I’ve written three books:
📘 Navigating the Winds of Change: Staying on Course in Business & in Life
📘 Shining the Light on The Secret
📘 How to Organize Your Inbox & Get Rid of E-Mail Clutter

All published by Zurich Press, these resources reflect our belief that practical insights, grounded in values, can lead to lasting change.

I have PMP® and PMI-ACP® certifications, and am a long-time member of the Project Management Institute. I’ve helped thousands earn their certifications, and many more learn how to lead projects, regardless of their title.

One of the great joys of my work is hosting the People and Projects Podcast (🎙️ PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com), a Top 50 All-Time Management Podcast. In each episode, I interview leading voices in business and leadership to bring fresh insights to our global audience. 

👉 Meeting planners, if you're looking for an engaging speaker who brings both insight and energy, visit i-leadonline.com/meeting-planners to start a conversation.

Specialties: KEYWORDS: Project management, keynote speaker, leadership, leadership keynotes, project management training in Chicago and around the world, international keynote speaker, conflict management, risk management, team-building, meeting facilitation, Christian, retrospectives (Post-Mortems, Lessons Learned, Key Learnings)

Host

Succeeding in business often comes down to your ability to lead people and deliver results. Anyone can talk a good game. But at the end of the day you have to deliver. Rarely can you do that on your own, which is why we must excel at leading people.

Welcome to the People and Projects Podcast where we provide interviews and insights to help you lead people and deliver projects. This podcast focuses on the intersection of People and Projects--where work gets done in the real world. 

I have the privilege of helping organizations around the world who want to improve their ability to deliver projects and lead teams. I have worked with people from organizations across industries and cultures, helping them deliver their projects, become more confident leaders, take focused action, and achieve results. 

Join me as I interview leading thinkers and practitioners from around the world on subjects related to project management and leadership. You'll hear from experts such as Adam Grant, Robert Cialdini, Dan Pink, Roger L. Martin, Amy Cuddy, Daniel Shapiro, John Kotter, Jim Kouzes, Michael Bungay Stanier, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Morten T. Hansen, and more.

Podcasts are a great resource to pour into your personal development (and earning PDUs if you hold a project management certification from PMI). And you can't beat the price (free!). You are invited to listen to each episode on your favorite app or on the web (https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com). 

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments!

Me, when I was thinking about going on a walk in Chicago this morning . 🤣🥶❄️

(Video from Nature Is Amazing, on X)

Project Management & Leadership Keynote Speaker | Host of the People and Projects Podcast 🎙️ | Helping you lead & deliver projects with confidence | #ProjectManagement #Leadership #PMP

A good leader should be a lighthouse, not a disco ball.

That's a metaphor shared during my interview with Joel Hilchey in episode 488.

Teams do not need constant novelty or shifting priorities. They need clarity, consistency, and a steady signal about what matters most.

Leadership does require adaptability.
But too much inconsistency creates anxiety and wasted effort.

Ever worked for a disco ball? :)  What was it like?

No alternative text description for this image

I've heard so many capable PM's quietly tell me they are “bad test takers.” It's what keeps them away from pursuing things like advanced degrees and certifications.

Here's what my team and I have found after years of helping people earn their PMP and CAPM:

When prep focuses on memorizing a book instead of learning how to read scenarios, confidence collapses.

When prep focuses on helping you how to think, confidence builds.

I can't tell you how many "bad test takers" have told us they passed. And more importantly, learning how to think matters far beyond exam day.

One of my favorite pieces of feedback sounds like this:

“I signed up to prepare for and pass the exam. I did not expect to feel this much more confident at work.”

That is not unusual.

When people stop treating project management cert prep as theory and start applying it to real situations, everything changes.

"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." Theodore Roosevelt

Here are some things I've learned about getting along with people:

✔️ Put far more focus on being interested instead of interesting. Learning to be curious about people, ask them questions, and stay present are all examples of abilities that are rare and powerful.

✔️ You don't have to agree with them. In fact, learning to get along with people you DON'T agree with is especially valuable these days!

✔️ Everyone's behavior is rational to them. Stay open-minded to the fact that there's more going on in a situation than we realize. Avoid the BSL narrative (they're Bad, Stupid, or Lazy)!

✔️ Respect is the universal currency. It's OK to have vigorous disagreement, but never go over the line of respect. Pro tip: you can communicate disrespect more easily with body language and vocal tone that we might realize.

👉👉 What's one bit of advice you'd share with someone new in their career about how to get along with people (even those they don't agree with)?

👇👇 Share your insights in the comments below. Thanks!

My friend and colleague Lee Lambert is a glowing example of someone who has lived out this principle for decades. Lee joined the People and Projects Podcast to talk about his insights for leading and delivering. Queue up episode 253 for an entertaining discussion with a pro who is a walking billboard for Teddy's quote.

Wisdom from rugby star Jonny Wilkinson: "If I need things to be a certain way, I'm held hostage by them."

How would you explain this idea to someone? What examples come to mind?

Leave a comment below. Thanks!

-------

In my discussion with Mary Abbajay about her book Managing Up, we talk about the difference between micromanaging and nitpicking. I don't think I'm the former, but I'm often the latter. 

And that nickpicky tendency could be an example of requiring people to go about things in my certain way--my preferred way. I'm reflecting on this quote!

Catch the full discussion with Mary in episode 317. She's an insightful person and her book is a great read!

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