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.

Lara Acosta

Entrepreneur and investor building businesses online | Featured on Forbes, Kajabi + Semrush | Helped 3,000+ people build their personal brand.

Everyone wants to build a personal brand, and I figured out how.

With over 20M+ impressions, 300,000 followers across socials, and multiple 6 figures made, I can show you how you can build one too (without spending years figuring out how)

In 2022: I was unemployed and trying to get into a master's degree - downloaded LinkedIn
In 2023: I became #1 female creator on LinkedIn by building my personal brand and agency
In 2024: I'm building the best education platform to teach people exactly how to do it

Helped, coached and worked with 500+ build contents systems, increase engagement, improve their writing and beyond using proven strategies that worked for me. 

Here's how I can help you:

1. Subscribe to my YouTube (It's free, and better than people's paid courses!)
2. Join 15,100+ amazing people and subscribe to my newsletter. 
3. Join 500+ members inside Literallyacademy.com

And if you're not ready for either! Welcome to my profile anyway, I talk about writing, storytelling,  personal branding and tell a lot of stories.

See you on the feed 💖

Sponsorships + booking : mary@ladigitalmx.com

pov: you woke up on january 1st and decided to change

this photo is a daily reminder of what is possible.

look, today at any point, you can change who you are.

you can become more productive.
you can change your appearance.
you can become sucessful.

who you are is not set in stone.

i lost 20kg, built a $2M business and found my purpose.

all because i decided to rewire my brain and grow faster.

you don't need a vision board.
you need to break old habits and patterns.

you're not broken.
you just need to change how you think. 

believe in yourself enough, i believe in you.

this 2026 give yourself the chance to go all in. 

you'd be surprised how much you can change in 1 year.

ps: drop your goals in the comments, i'll tell you how to actually achieve them

repost ♻️ this to motivate others!

Last year, I made the most revenue in my life. 

But the biggest payout wasn't money. 
It was the connections I built along the way.

I went from zoom calls from my small room in Mexico
To standing on stage next fo top 1% entrepreneurs.

And every week I see at least one of them in London.

Oh and I still do small zoom calls even after having 300k!

Last year alone, I met:

Iman Gadhzi
Shan Hanif
Simon Squibb
Dan Priestley

People who had changed my life online, I got to thank them offline and even get to be part of their world.

Your network IS your net worth.

And you can build both, on LinkedIn. (I did).

They say “Your network is your net worth”. 100% true.

(Repost this if you’d like to meet me in 2026)

PS: Who is 1 person you want to meet in 2026? (Don't say Jasmin Alic please! I KNOW).

Btw, I'm hosting a free LIVE LinkedIn Class on the 22nd! (for free!) Join here: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

Entrepreneur and investor building businesses online | Featured on Forbes, Kajabi + Semrush | Helped 3,000+ people grow their personal brand and scale their businesses.

This is a very special moment for me.

To my female and immigrant followers, this is for you too.

I just spoke at one of the biggest events in the UK.
Next to legendary and legacy names, everyone knows.

And for some reason, I made it into the list too.

Even with a stutter and an accent.
Even with crazy imposter syndrome.
Even without being a Forbes 30u30...

When I started this journey, I felt like all odds were stacked against me. 

I got rejected 100s of times because of my grades.
I didn't get taken seriously enough because I was a girl.
I had to work twice as hard to get seen and heard too.

But I never let that stop me. I ignored it instead.

This moment right here is proof that ANYONE can win. 

All you need to do is to stop waiting to be chosen.

Choose yourself. The right people will choose you too.

And open doors you never thought you'd get to open.

Repost ♻️ this to inspire others so we can win together!

Catch the LIVE replay here: https://lnkd.in/eGBM3Puw

PS: This was all because I built a personal brand, and I just put together the exact blueprint I followed.

Grab it for free here: https://lnkd.in/eKqAcXZB

I spent the last 90 days testing every LinkedIn hack. 

Here's what actually works in 2026 (for any niche):

Everyone is talking about the "new" LinkedIn algorithm.
But I just see it as more of the same, but 10x more specific.

I've grown brands from 0-100,000 followers here.
Grown my own to 300,000+ in the same time.

Mastered every format here, and helped others too.

And there are 3 core elements you need to implement:

1. Hyper-specific content (3x a week)

• Solve one exact problem per post
• Use industry language your clients use
• Speak directly to one person

Jake Ward mastered this for "boring" SEO.
Built kleo.so to $60kmrr  as a result of exactly that 

Alex Vacca mastered this for GTM.
Scaled his business to $6M ARR too

Their content is hyper-specific but simple.

Clients want to work with them because they get it.
Users want to engage with them because they simplify it.

2. Proof-First Content

80% tactical step-by-step frameworks and screenshots.
20% stories on how you're doing it (use stories)

The 80% builds trust, the 20% engages them more. 

Educate and storytell. Always both. 

3. LinkedIn Video (let me explain...)

Video reach might be down right now.
But it's the fastest way to prove authority. 

LinkedIn video is ok.
Linkedin Lives? They're a goldmine.

We had a LinkedIn live with 200 people.
Made $10,000 from it. 

People buy from people they trust. Video accelerates this! 

I'd limit these to 2 a month, though, no pressure. 

I left a checklist for you in the image below for you to script your first Linkedin video too btw.

This is the no-bs blueprint for entrepreneurs. 

It's not about more volume, it's about more insights.

Dominating LinkedIn isn't just about virality right now.
It's about building a brand that earns trust.

Keep your focus on your 1 thing. 

The rest will follow.

PS: Who is your favorite "expert-led" creator right now? I want to follow more people! Tag them below! 

PPS: Jan 22nd, I'm walking you through the best way to master these 3 elements in 2026!

join us for free LIVE on the 22nd of January here: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

We're already at 4,000 sign ups! Come join us! 

See you thursday, love - Lara x

You don't need algorithm hacks to grow on LinkedIn.

I spent the last 90 days testing every growth hack I could find. Here's what actually works:

(Based on analyzing content in different niches)

1. Hyper-specific content (3x a week)

• Solve one exact problem per post
• Use industry language your clients use
• Speak directly to one person

Adam Robinson has mastered this for B2B. 
Nausheen I. Chen is killing it for B2C. 

Address their problems directly. 

i.e "Stop losing credibility with your body language."

2. Proof-First Content

80% tactical step-by-step frameworks and screenshots.
20% stories on how you're doing it (use stories)

The 80% builds trust, the 20% engages them more. 

Educate and storytell. Always both. 

3. LinkedIn Video (let me explain...)

Video reach might be down right now.
But it's the fastest way to prove authority. 

LinkedIn video is ok.
Linkedin Lives? They're a goldmine.

We had a LinkedIn live with 200 people.
Made $10,000 from it. 

People buy from people they trust. Video accelerates this! 

I'd limit these to 2 a month, though, no pressure. 

I left a checklist for you in the image below for you to script your first Linkedin video too btw.

This is the no-bs blueprint for entrepreneurs. 

It's not about more volume, it's about more insights.

Dominating LinkedIn isn't just about virality right now.
It's about building a brand that earns trust.

Keep your focus on your 1 thing. 

The rest will follow.

I've just recorded a private video on how to dominate "storytelling" on LinkedIn like an expert. 

If you want it ♻️ repost this post and I'll send it to you (20 people max). 

PS: Which step do you struggle with the most? 

--
PS: Got a surprise for you today, get 50% off my programmes until the end of November here: https://lnkd.in/e4RKsGx9

In November, my small business hit 200k/mo. 
If I had to start all over again from 0, here's what I'd do:

For content I'd focus on:

1. Educational content that is highly applicable 
2. Storytelling content that is highly relatable 

Too many people here just do one, but it isn't enough. 

You need to get attention by storytelling.
You need to get trust via specific breakdowns. 

Two hooks you can steal for each.

"9-Step SEO Content Strategy (Steal my 1M strategy)"
"pov: i just quit my 9-5 tech job to build a business"

For conversion, i'd focus on:

1. Building an email list as fast as possible
2. Sending weekly emails to my readers. 

Having attention is not enough if you don't convert it.

Post 4x a week. 1 lead magnet to move people to email.

This simple strategy is worth $1M. But no one does it.
It's boring, I know... but it works. 

Look, my friends... 

"Giving value" is no longer enough to grow your business or personal brand. 

The millionaires on this platform are shifting to email.
But getting traffic from LinkedIn. 

Build your brand, sell out your business.

Masterclass, over 🫳🏼🎤... wait not really. 

Jan 22nd, we're revealing exactly how you can do it too.

From content to lead magnets to conversion, I'll show you everything I've ever done live so you can use it this year.

join us for free LIVE on the 22nd of January here: https://lnkd.in/eNRvSRR7

the first 1,000 people get 4 playbooks to use for content and business!

pov: you're about to launch a tech startup in London with friends in your 20s (bts of a $1M biz).

there's something so surreal about this business. 

it wouldn't even be a reality without linkedin.

jake and i met on linkedin.
broke into the top 0.1% in less than a year.

we built businesses all through organic content.
made millions of dollars along the way. 

today we're running the same playbook for our startup. 

getting leads without spending a single dollar on ads. 
converting customers through our personal brands.
getting insane opportunities because we do it publicly. 

most people overcomplicate growth - we didn’t.

to build a profitable business you need 3 things:

1. a single platform (linkedin)
2. a skill you're good at
3. writing outstanding content daily (with kleo).

we're revealing exactly how we do it step by step in 2 weeks. 

the entire content to lead gen strategy we've used for our 3 businesses over the last 2 years to hit $1M+.

join us for free LIVE on the 22nd of January here: https://lnkd.in/eNRvSRR7

the first 1,000 people get 4 playbooks to use for content and business!

This is my no.1 tip to fix your low engagement (fast)

I've been using it for 3 years now!

Around 40% of LinkedIn posts fail to gain traction and engagement not because they're bad or poorly written.

They're missing a visual hook. Let me explain:

A text-hook is necessary. 8 words. Specific. Direct.

But a hack for it to work every time? A good visual.

• Your audience doesn't "read" they "scan". 
• Your visual increases the likelihood of them staying.

This is the psychological reason why infographics work.

It has nothing to do with "the algorithm" and everything to do with people and how our brains work today. 

So in reality, this would look like:

1. Hook→ "We just closed our biggest client yet"
2. Visual → A photo of you outside their offices

Instant context = better reach (+ more engagement)

I'll drop some good/bad examples in the comments!

PS: Do you think this visual hook was good? ;) 

Repost ♻️ so everyone posts better content! 

I'm running a small private call on the 31st on exactly this (for free), sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ePwVNTJk

3 lessons you need to hear to win this year.

1. If you never quit, you'll never fail (keep going)
2. Nothing happens, then everything happens 
3. You already have what it takes (so start)

Stop doubting yourself.

Don't spend 2026 doing the same things.

pov: you're in your 20s, building a business people love

(people traveled across the world to tell us this!)

today, Kleo has helped people gain over 1,233,394 views. 

• landed our exec clients 5/6 fig deals through linkedin. 
• helped many get new sponsors for their businesses.
• got them dms filled with speaking opps! 

i've always said that linkedin changed my life.
but it feels 10x better seeing it happen for others. 

this is your reminder that perfection is overrated. 

messy, consistent and public action is better.

and honestly you never know... your next post could change your entire career. it happens every day here. 

we're in the golden era of linkedin.

who's in? 

to celebrate, come to my free live class on the 22nd: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

we're giving away FREE access to Literally Academy to people who join kleo during launch week too...

(don't tell my team please)

PS: repost ♻️ this to get a FREE gift from me, with love.

I went on my dream podcast, but nearly canceled it.

Felt like an imposter the entire day; I was nervous.
Self-doubt was loud in my head, and I was scared. 

Almost as though I hadn't built anything ever. 

But going on a podcast with 754k subscribers is something I've never done before. What if I failed?

Imposter syndrome doesn't pick favorites, I guess.
But you can always decide how much it affects you.

And I didn't let it. I showed up (nervous, but showed up).

No matter how many followers I have or businesses I build, sometimes all I see are failures and rejections. 

If you relate, let me leave you with my favorite lesson:

You're not bad at things, just new at them. 

From LinkedIn, to work, to a stage... keep going. 

Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/e_Er4XCq

PS: What podcast would YOU love to be on?

I'm putting together a FREE class showing you exactly how we built an organic content engine that brings us opportunities like these! 

If you're ready to make 2026 your best year ever...

RSVP your spot on January 22nd at 7PM GMT. 

Comment "CLASS" and we'll send you the link. 

or just click here: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

This is the exact lead gen strategy I'm using in 2026.

It made me over $1M in 2025, so I'm using it again:

Ready? (Like + repost ♻️ to help others)

The 10-Step Strategy (copy me):

 1. Storytelling content to reach new audiences fast
 2. Highly tactical content to nurture them weekly
 3. Using tactical CTA's at the end of EVERY post
 4. Posting 1-2 lead magnets weekly to grow email
 5. Sending 1 weekly email to that same list to nurture
 6. Launching 1 NEW offer every quarter to my audience
 7. Selling it primarily via daily emails for around 10 days
 8. Funnel warm buyers to a webinar to 3x conversions
 9. Build a 10/10 product/offer and overdeliver for them
10. Use steps 1-9 to create new offer and more content

The entire lead generation playbook is right there. 

Want me to implement it with you? Let's do it.

On January 22nd I'll be going LIVE for 2 hours breaking down exactly how you can use this for your business. 

Grab your spot here: https://lnkd.in/eC5sm4cP

I'll be covering every step in excruciating detail. 
My team and I have been working on this for 1 month.

No old stuff, no old tactics, no algo hacks.

Actual real strategies that are proven to work even if your business is "boring". 

PS: Which 1 out the 10 is the HARDEST for you?

I just built my co-founder's LinkedIn Strategy LIVE.

Results so far? 213,833 impressions in 30 days.
392 sign-ups for our software in under 10 days.

This is the copy-paste strategy every founder can use. 

I included 3 key elements no one talks about. 

1. How to stand out from day 1
2. The 4-3-2-1 Content Framework I built
3. How to use AI to write better content, faster 
4. Turning ideas into highly educational content
5. Turning stories into engaging viral pieces 

If you've been looking for a high-level strategy. This is it. 

Most people pay me $2k/hr for this.
Today you get it for FREE. 

Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eTX2Qtrk

But whatever you do, don't share this.
I might get in trouble for giving so much away for free..

Shoutout Cam Trew for locking in so hard... 

PS: I want to do more of these LIVE, if you're a founder/creator in London, comment below and maybe you can be next! Repost ♻️ so we find you faster:)

The best entrepreneurs I know don't believe in work-life balance. This advice is flawed in many ways. 

Most spent YEARS in seasons of imbalance.

Which is what helps them have balance today. 

Personally, I don't have work-life balance. 
It's not that I don't believe in balance. It’s just unrealistic.

What I DO believe in is knowing that it is a privilege to be tired in the pursuit of challenge of your own choosing.

Pressure is a privilege, which I remind myself of daily.

Shoutout to the tired entrepreneurs building right now, I see you and root for you ♥️.

If I had to build my personal brand from 0 in 2026... 

I'd follow this exact playbook (It's FREE)

This is exclusive content I give my clients only.
So I'm deleting it in 42hrs, forever. 

See, content creation is a non-negotiable right now.

Business owners are making millions because of it. 
And honestly, I'm tired of seeing people sleep on this. 

I filmed a 30min breaking how to create content.

Even if you're a founder or CEO THIS is for you.

I covered:

1. The 3 Strategies you need to position yourself FAST.
2. How to build a brand without having anything to sell
3. How to build a brand while you have a service to sell
4. How to create content that ACTUALLY works in 2026 
5. 3 Examples of content that gets LEADS everytime
6. How to build a cult-like audience not just followers

And honestly, a behind-the-scenes look at how I view content in 2026 (after maintaining growth for 3 years).

So my friend, if you want 2026 to be THE year...

Let's get started, shall we?

Repost ♻️ this so it reaches EVERYONE. 

PPS: What is everyone doing for NYE???!!!

taplio

The Battle

Justin Bateh, PhD

Lara Acosta

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreJustin Bateh, PhD's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLara Acosta's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Justin Bateh, PhD

Lara Acosta

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Justin Bateh, PhD's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLara Acosta's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreJustin Bateh, PhD's LinkedIn Performance