Episode 312

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Published on:

15th Jun 2025

312: Your Next Leader Is Already in the Room with Dawn Mahan

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!

PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Everyone says PMOs manage projects. We say they build leaders. 


If you’re only focused on timelines and templates, you're missing your biggest opportunity: using real work to grow real leadership. 


In this episode, I’m joined by Dawn Mahan, founder of PMOtraining.com, international speaker, and creator of the award-winning ProjectFlo® Process Learning System. Dawn coined the term Projectland® and is the bestselling author of Meet the Players in Projectland, a game-changing guide to aligning roles and driving project success. 


Together, we show exactly how your PMO can become a leadership engine by turning everyday project roles into development opportunities. This isn’t about adding more to your plate — it’s about seeing the work already in motion as a platform for growth. 


Whether you're leading a small team or managing a full portfolio, you’ll walk away with clear strategies to build talent while delivering results. 


What You'll Learn: 

  • Why every role in “Projectland” is a chance to lead 
  • How to spot and support hidden talent across your organization 
  • Creative ways to build leadership skills in fast-paced environments 
  • How to frame the PMO as a leadership development partner for executives 
  • Why rotational roles, peer learning, and project-based growth can outperform traditional training 


👉 Press play to discover how your PMO can shape the leaders your organization needs most. 


Connect with Dawn: 

Follow Dawn on LinkedIn 

Visit PMOtraining.com 

Access Meet the Players in Projectland


🎧 Companion Episode: Don't miss Episode 250 – How to Build a PMO That Drives Results for deeper insights on this topic. 


Receive a confidential sample of Meet the Players in Projectland:  Decide the Right Project Roles & Get People on Board 


P.S. The IMPACT Insiders Book Club is so much more than reading a book — it's a movement. Join us for live calls, deep conversations, and a behind-the-scenes look at how to create real change with The IMPACT Engine. It’s completely free — grab your seat now and don’t miss what’s next. 


Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!

I welcome your feedback and insights! 

I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!

Warmly,

Laura Barnard

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About the Podcast

PMO Strategies
with Laura Barnard
In this podcast, PMO leaders and those wanting to capitalize on the best of project management to deliver the organization’s strategy will uncover the hidden secrets of the best PMOs, learn the game-changing techniques that transform any PMO into a value-driven IMPACT Engine, and explore the best ways for the PMO to become an integral part of the fabric and future of an organization. After spending two and a half decades helping organizations deliver change, with 15 of those years in the shoes of PMO leader inside organizations, Laura strongly believes that there is more to making an IMPACT than templates, tools, and process. She’ll show you how to make the shifts necessary to become a business-focused PMO that will become an invaluable organizational asset. With her guests and insights, we explore the sticky situations and tough challenges PMO leaders face, from sorting through all of the “noise” about what the PMO “should” do to finding the best ways for your PMO to make an IMPACT. Listen in, and you can discover how to shift your focus from outputs to outcomes, fundamentally changing the game for your PMO and personal success.

About your host

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Laura Barnard