Episode 316

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Published on:

13th Jul 2025

316: What's Behind the Resistance

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

PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Resistance gets blamed on people. But in reality, it’s almost always the process. 

If your team stalls, misses deadlines, or avoids your intake forms, it's not because they don't care. It's because they’re stuck in a system full of blockers. The approvals, the checklists, the uncertainty, the silence. That’s the friction. And friction kills flow. 

In this episode, I’ll show you how to spot the systems that create resistance, how to reduce the barriers that get in your team's way, and what it really means to design for performance. 

What You’ll Learn: 

  • Why resistance is usually created by the process, not the people 
  • What quiet resistance actually looks like in high-performing teams 
  • How to remove blockers without sacrificing accountability 
  • The difference between flow and pressure 
  • Why "good enough" beats perfect when you’re building momentum 

👉 Press play to find out what’s driving resistance and what to do when your system is the problem.  


P.S. Looking to shift your PMO from execution to true strategic influence? The IMPACT Engine System gives you a clear, step-by-step path to deliver measurable outcomes, build executive trust, and elevate your role across the organization—without the chaos and overwhelm.   


P.P.S. If you’ve already bought any version of The IMPACT Engine book previously, don’t forget to sign up for our Book Club. 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! 

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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