🎙️ The Executive Edge – Episode 210
Guest: Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management
Host: Sue Firth

Released: May 15, 2025

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Sue Firth is joined by Professor Adam Boddison to unpack the underestimated power of project management in modern business. As the CEO of the Association for Project Management, Adam shares his unconventional career journey — from teaching secondary school math to leading a major charity through a financial turnaround, and now championing strategic delivery at the helm of a major professional body.

Together, they explore the real role of project management: not just Gantt charts and spreadsheets, but as a critical tool for strategy execution, culture change, and business transformation.

What You'll Learn:

• Why project management is often misunderstood — and how it's really about executing strategy, not just ticking boxes.

• The shift in C-suite roles from traditional operations to Chief Transformation Officers.

• How digital transformation and AI adoption demand cultural, not just technical, change.

• The concept of "projectification" of the workforce and why it's the future.

• The difference between everyone doing project management vs. being a project professional.

• How to future-proof your business with better planning, people capability, and data.

• Why data needs to be forward-looking ("windscreen") instead of backward-looking ("rearview").

• How post-COVID workplace changes and generational shifts are reshaping business expectations.

Key Quotes:

🗣️ “Everybody can dance, but not everybody is a dancer. Same goes for project management.” – Adam Boddison

🗣️ “Project management isn’t just a function. It’s the mechanism for strategy execution.”

🗣️ “Never before has the pace of change been so fast—and never again will it be this slow.”

Resources Mentioned:

• 🌐 Association for Project Management

• 📘 APM’s Chartered Standard – Competencies framework to benchmark project management capability

• 🔗 Connect with Adam Boddison on LinkedIn

Connect with Us:

• 📣 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

• 🌐 Learn more at Sue Firth’s Website

• 💬 Follow Sue on LinkedIn

Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re a business leader, manager, or entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen if you’re serious about navigating rapid change with clarity. It's time to stop improvising and start executing with intent — project management is the edge you've been looking for.

Episode 209

Released May 1, 2025

In this compelling episode, Jeff Bogensberger, a former corporate executive turned purpose-driven entrepreneur, shares his candid story of transformation after hitting a life crossroads at age 50.

Jeff opens up about the personal losses, disillusionment with corporate life, and global events that pushed him to radically change direction. Fueled by a desire to make people happier and life more fun, Jeff founded **The Laughing Otter**, a multimedia and events company designed to spread positivity, support social causes, and make a genuine impact—especially for children and underserved communities.

In This Episode:
- The pivotal life events that led Jeff to walk away from a successful executive career.
- How burnout, misaligned values, and witnessing personal tragedies pushed him to reassess everything.
- Why **purpose-driven business** can be both profitable and socially impactful.
- The Laughing Otter’s mission: spreading joy through events, positive news, children’s books, and global initiatives.
- How Jeff’s agile, partnership-focused business model enables fast, joyful, and meaningful growth.
- The role of optimism, humor, and community in healing from a divisive, negative media landscape.
- Jeff’s views on the societal effects of the dot-com boom and how capitalism has shifted away from value creation.

Plus:
- Learn how small acts—like funding a party for an orphanage in Uganda—can create huge emotional returns.
- Discover how to get involved, whether you’re an event partner, donor, or just someone with a crazy, fun idea.

📣 Connect with Jeff:
- Website: [https://laughingotter.com](https://laughingotter.com)
- LinkedIn: [Jeff Bogensberger](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbogensberger)

💡 *This episode is a heartfelt reminder that it’s never too late to redefine your path and that business success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values—or your happiness.*

Listen now and get inspired to create your own ripple of positive change.

Episode 208

Released April 17, 2025

Millennials aren’t broken — the leadership model is.

In this week’s podcast, bestselling author & exec coach Susan Inouye joins Sue Firth to unpack how a gift-centered leadership approach is the future of work.

Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more.

Also, connect with Sue on:
LinkedIn
YouTube