What if the qualities you once thought were holding you back were actually your greatest leadership strengths?

In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, we sit down with Jorge Alzate, a former analytical chemist turned Digital Program Manager, who discovered that introversion is not a limitation. It is a leadership superpower.

From leading complex data separation during a major corporate divestiture to founding ForwardQuest Coaching, Jorge shares how self-awareness, thoughtful communication, and relationship-building transformed his career. If you have ever wondered how to thrive in an extroverted world without changing who you are, this conversation is for you.

Episode Breakdown
00:00–03:50 | From Analytical Chemist to Project Leader
03:50–05:00 | The Introvert’s Eye
05:00–06:00 | Going Beyond the PMP
06:00–07:30 | Finding the Dream Role
07:30–09:40 | From Individual Contributor to Leader
09:40–10:20 | Self-Analysis as a Leadership Tool
10:20–14:00 | The Tropicana Divestiture Challenge
14:53–16:00 | Agile Under Constraint
16:00–18:34 | Recruiting Volunteers
18:34–22:00 | The Introvert Super Skill
22:00–23:00 | Leading From Your Strengths
26:00 | The Thoughtful Speaker Superpower
27:00–29:00 | Coaching & What He Loves Most
29:00–34:00 | ForwardQuest Coaching
34:00 | Eliminating Limiting Beliefs

Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgealzate/
Connect with ForwardQuest Coaching: https://forwardquestcoaching.com/
Jorge's Successful Introvert Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-quest-powering-introverts-success/id1857112685

Project Insight Website

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This episode is about the leadership superpowers required to run the biggest projects in the world. We’re joined by Tim McManus, a global expert in mega- and giga-project delivery who has led massive construction and infrastructure programs across continents. With experience across energy, transportation, and sports, Tim shares what changes at mega scale and why it demands a different kind of leader. Hear the stories and ask yourself if you have what it takes.

1. 00:00–03:41 | Introduction & Background
Tim’s path into mega- and giga-projects and his global career.

2. 03:41–05:00 | Early Leadership Lessons
The shift from managing projects to leading people.

3. 05:34–07:00 | Learning From Mentors
Why great leaders learn from those around them.

4. 07:12–07:39 | What Are Mega & Gigaprojects?
A clear definition across asset classes.

5. 07:52–08:22 | Global Scale & Impact
Why these projects exceed expectations worldwide.

6. 09:30 | A Light Moment
A humorous take on “mega projects.”

7. 09:50–11:00 | Beyond the Budget
Complexity, risk, and long-term impact.

8. 11:58–13:18 | Crossrail Case Study
Workforce challenges and strategic vision.

9. 13:23–14:50 | Strategic Project Approach
Why planning sets the foundation.

10. 14:57–18:15 | Defining Success
Legacy, people, and professional growth.

11. 18:15–19:22 | Industry Outlook
Why now is a compelling time in construction.

12. 19:58–22:23 | Favorite Megaproject
What made it stand out.

13. 23:36–24:30 | Common Challenges
Where mega- and giga-projects struggle.

14. 24:33–25:12 | The Planning Gap
Why planning is rushed at great risk.

15. 25:45–26:45 | Lessons Learned
The value of experience and insight.

16. 26:46–30:26 | Olympic-Scale Lessons
Leadership insights at extreme scale.

17. 30:49–31:00 | Legacy Benefits
Delivering lasting value.

18. 31:17–34:00 | Leadership Mindsets
Why many large projects lack leadership.

19. 35:00–35:40 | Choosing the Right Leader
How leaders are selected.

20. 35:40–37:00 | Leadership Traits
Communication, credibility, vision, and risk.

21. 37:23–End | Developing Your Skills
Continuing growth through learning and education.

Additional Resources

PMI Managing Mega-projects: https://bit.ly/4reLYdX

PMI Managing Giga-projects: https://bit.ly/4a9IFPr

The Art of Project Leadership (McKinsey): https://bit.ly/3ZiTw3z

Managing Big Projects – Tim McManus: https://bit.ly/3LSzv0k

Columbia Global Leaders in Construction Management: https://www.glcm.info/

Bent Flyvbjerg, How Big Things Get Done: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flyvbjerg/

Project Insight Website

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In this special wrap-up episode, Trina and Mathew look back on the standout moments and superpowers from Season 2 of Wear Your Cape to Work.

Together they revisit the insights, stories, and lessons that made this season unforgettable and share what they learned from each inspiring guest.

• Precision under constraint.
  The season opened with Jeff Conner, program manager from NASA, who described project management before online tools existed. Paper files, couriers, and in-person signoffs still led to flawless execution. His story showed how precision and accountability were the original super tools.
• Courage in leadership
  David Doty’s episode, It Takes Courage, stood out for his transparency and strength. Building a district from scratch under scrutiny, he modeled brave leadership and reminded us to celebrate real wins.
• Admirable endeavors: global aid when everything changes
  Lucas King explained how policy shifts or crises can reshape USAID projects overnight, proving adaptability across governments and cultures.
• Empowering people’s strengths
  Project Insight customer Linda Goodrich of CureIS showed how aligning people’s passions with their work improves results through forecasting and a balanced pace.
• Finding calm thru clarity
  Lisa Haymes of Rimkus showed how organization creates calm and confidence.
• Curiosity as a catalyst
  Renee Clayton of Byte Strategies urged PMs to stay curious, experiment, and use AI thoughtfully to stay adaptable.
• Grit with generosity
  Charlene Reynolds, Director at John Wayne Airport, advanced by taking tough projects and shared guidance on leadership, motivation, and mentoring.
• Reliability that builds trust
  Fisayo Folarin rebuilt her project management career after moving from Nigeria to Canada, showing how reliability and honesty build trust.
• Comfortable in conflict
  Agatha Agbanobi’s passion for HR and DEIB work showed how empathy and courage turn conflict into progress and reminded us to see what teams carry beyond work.
• Decisive steadiness
  Sanjiv Bhagat from Amazon explained how a bias for action drives innovation, pairing decisiveness with humility in global logistics.
• Innovation with integrity
  Steve West reflected on the shift from faxed spreadsheets to real-time dashboards and the vision for one connected command center giving leaders a complete picture of work.

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Today on Wear Your Cape to Work, we’re joined by Sanjiv Bhagat, Manager of Program Management at Amazon. Sanjiv shares his journey from technical roles in the public sector to leading global logistics initiatives, how his love of puzzles shapes his prioritization skills, and why every project must start with the problem—not the tool. He also explains Amazon’s leadership principles, including Jeff Bezos’s “two-way vs. one-way door” decision framework, the bias toward action, and the minimum regret lens. Along the way, Sanjiv highlights how leaders can cut through tunnel vision, view their portfolios as a whole, and connect spend to true value delivered.

What you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why projects must begin with the problem before jumping to solutions or tools
• How puzzles and prioritization sharpen decision-making in complex environments
• Jeff Bezos’s decision framework: one-way vs. two-way doors
• Bias toward action and the minimum regret lens as antidotes to analysis paralysis
• Customer obsession as the north star for projects at every level
• Building a PMO that partners with the business, measures value, and stays simple
• Helping leaders see the full picture: portfolio alignment, spend vs. outcomes, and strategic value
• Humility and continuous learning as hallmarks of strong leadership

Project Insight Website

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We’re excited to welcome Agatha Agbanobi, founder and principal consultant of ResonantHR to the WYCTW podcast. With more than 15 years in project and program management and six years in HR leadership, she shares what it’s like to lead initiatives in employee relations, conflict resolution, workforce development, and DEIB.

Agatha — unlike most of us — is comfortable being close to the fire. She uses her superpowers of values-based leadership, empathy, and people skills to help resolve conflict, build stronger company cultures, and connect HR initiatives directly to business goals. In this conversation, she talks about the evolving role of HR leaders, why proving ROI matters, and what inspired her upcoming Values-Driven Leadership Podcast.

Episode Highlights

• Starting in education and international development, but always leading projects
• Finding her way into HR through DEIB work and expanding into HR leadership
• Why she pursued her PMP and how it strengthens her HR practice
• What makes HR and DEIB project work unique
• Tying HR projects to organization-wide initiatives and eliminating silos
• Why today’s CHRO must evolve into a strategic business partner
• Her commitment to DEIB and standing up for what she believes in
• How empathy, people skills, and hope for resolution guide her leadership
• Her “superpower” of being comfortable in high-conflict situations
• A preview of her upcoming podcast on values-based leadership

🔗 Connect with Agatha: LinkedIn

ResonantHR Website

Project Insight Website

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Fisayo Folarin has built a reputation for being someone you can count on. Whether leading digital banking projects in Nigeria or driving SaaS implementations in Canada, her superpower is reliability combined with a deep commitment to transparency, communication, and continuous & curious learning.

In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina and Mathew talk with Fisayo about what it takes to restart your career in a new country, why project managers must be both curious and courageous, and how she helps teams achieve “100% efficiency” by asking the right questions and translating priorities between stakeholders.

Fisayo’s story is one of transformation from starting out in customer service to becoming a trusted coach and delivery expert in tech, fintech, and SaaS.

Episode Highlights

• How she went from customer service to project analyst before she even knew how to use Excel
• What it was like to restart her project management career after moving from Nigeria to Canada
• The four skills she believes every project manager must develop:
  • Curiosity to ask why
  • Transparency about what you know (and what you don’t)
  • Communication that truly lands and is understood
  • A willingness to keep growing and scale up your skills
• Key differences between project work in credit unions and commercial banks
• What “100% efficiency” really looks like in project delivery and how she helps teams get there
• How she explains scope, priorities, and customizations clearly to clients
• Why emotional intelligence is an essential but often overlooked part of project success
• Her tips for knowing when to keep what’s working and when to adjust what’s not
• How she coaches others to define their own ways of working
• Her personal superpowers: reliability, transparency, and helping teams get aligned and deliver

🔗 Connect with Fisayo: LinkedIn

Project Insight Website

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Today we’re joined by René Clayton, an AI strategist, PMP, author, & transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, IT, & emerging tech.

As founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Byte Strategy, René helps small businesses & fintechs bridge the gap between project management and AI. With MIT training and deep experience in automation and AI strategy, she shares how project managers can embrace technology with confidence & lead in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, René takes us from her early career in project management to her current role shaping AI strategy, offering practical advice on how PMs can stay relevant, resilient, & future ready. 🚀

Episode Highlights

1:42 – How René got started in PM
2:40 – Earning her PMP & senior PM role at a credit union
3:20 – Early planner: bridal event coordinator at 18
4:30 – Taking on roles she didn’t yet know: “Commit and figure it out”
5:30 – Why you should glue yourself to subject matter experts
5:50 – Converting 800 credit unions & the camaraderie of success
6:45 – Project health colors: don’t fear “red” projects
8:12 – Ethically bound to tell the truth at all times
10:18 – Leading an online credit card platform change with many stakeholders
11:44 – Awakening to AI a decade ago, calling it “Augmented Intelligence”
13:23 – Diving into RPA, NLP, ML, chatbots, IoT, & AI strategy
16:04 – Generative AI & staying in touch with the niche
17:00 – René’s vision: how AI can assist PMs & why you must get comfortable with tools
18:42 – AI changes daily, so yesterday’s knowledge isn’t enough
22:00 – Talking about HeyGen for Agentic Clones
24:00 – Future-proofing your PM career by playing with AI today
25:00 – René’s favorite AI models & how she uses them
27:00 – Using AI to consolidate artifacts & interact with docs
29:00 – Security around GPTs
32:00 – Hallucinations, GPT drift, & when you might not need AI at all
33:00 – Consulting with Byte Strategy to help companies discern the right path
35:00 – Why EI (emotional intelligence) & AI go hand in hand
36:00 – Relational prompting & strategies to talk with AI
37:00 – Ethics, compliance, & why a PM must stay in the loop
38:00 – Core competency: conversing with AI
39:00 – Be curious, play, have fun, & keep learning

Referenced Book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollack

Books by René Clayton

How to Talk to Anyone with Ease: 21 Actionable Skills for Young Adults

Women’s Success in Corporate Leadership

Cómo Hablar Con Cualquier Persona Con Facilidad (Spanish Ed.)

Generative AI: For Women Who Mean Business, A Workbook

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In this episode, we talk with David Doty, an education leader who’s taken on some of the toughest assignments in the field.

From launching a brand-new school district in a divided Utah community to transforming educational access for incarcerated adults, David has led complex, high-stakes projects under intense public scrutiny.

We explore what it takes to lead systems change, build trust in fractured environments, and stay grounded in purpose when the pressure is on. This one’s about courage, collaboration, and the kind of steady leadership that actually gets it done.

2:00 – From Spanish Teacher to Education Leader
David shares his journey through teaching, law, administration, and consulting.

3:40 – Launching Canyon School District
Superintendent of Utah’s first new district in 100 years: 34K students, $200M budget.

4:12 – A Referendum and a Split
The district formed by splitting from Jordan SD—one of the largest in the U.S.

5:30 – Starting From Scratch
Tasked with opening an entire school district in just 12 months.

6:00 – Kitchen Table Planning
Mapped out operations, staffing, and logistics at home—45 buildings, full IT, HR, and transport systems.

7:45 – Legal Mindset in Action
His law background helped navigate voting rights, benefits transfers, and property issues.

9:00 – PM Insight: Getting People Behind You
Trina highlights the core PM skill of rallying support for massive initiatives.

10:45 – Incompatible Expectations
Managing conflicting demands from parents, employees, and politics.

11:34 – Stabilizing the Workforce
Visited 45 schools for face-to-face staff meetings to calm fears and build trust.

12:15 – Annual 1:1s With Staff
Held personal meetings with each staff member every year.

13:05 – “We All Have to Work Together”
A reminder that students are coming—ready or not.

14:08 – The Power of Vision
Great leaders define and communicate a compelling vision.

15:19 – Giving Every Student Our Best
Basic literacy and high-quality instruction are non-negotiable.

16:16 – Brown v. Board of Education
Equity in education is still a personal and professional calling.

17:31 – Passion Powers the Team
David’s focus on disadvantaged students sets the tone.

19:00 – Correctional Education Coding Program
Launched tech training for incarcerated women—"making the world better is our work."

20:00 – Academic Program Management at WGU
Aligning stakeholders and launching impactful Master’s programs.

21:00 – Data-Driven Success
Uses data to ensure educational projects achieve their goals.

22:00 – “The Projects Are the People”
Education projects are always about the humans they serve.

23:00 – Who’s the Customer?
Balancing student and employer needs in curriculum design.

25:00 – Breaking the Status Quo
Innovation is hard in institutions built to resist risk.

27:00 – Politics in Public Education
Navigating legislation, parental input, business pressures, and teacher advocacy.

28:00 – Social Media & Stakeholder Division
Everyone’s an expert when it comes to their kids—p

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