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A risk register doesn’t save a project. Leadership does. Russ Parker joins me to get brutally practical about what “risk management” looks like when it’s more than a checkbox: leaders defining risk appetite, teams building the habit of talking about threats and opportunities, and project managers turning uncertainty into decisions executives can actually approve.

We dig into how to start risk identification with evidence instead of a blank page. Russ shares why people and lessons learned are the best data sources, how the military’s lessons learned culture creates repeatable planning advantages, and how any organization can build a searchable lessons learned repository. We also talk about where AI for project managers fits right now: speeding up risk lists, meeting minutes, and research while still requiring human review to catch hallucinations and context gaps.

If you’re thinking about the PMI-RMP certification, we cover when it’s a logical next step after the PMP, why it feels harder, and the mistakes candidates make when they assume it’s “just projects” or “just a risk register.” You’ll also hear actionable tools like the risk breakdown structure, how to prioritize with proximity, not only probability and impact, and how to handle stakeholders who resist risk planning by showing measurable value in cost, schedule, and waste avoided.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a PM who’s tired of fire drills, and leave a quick review so more project managers can find the show.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Russell on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/russ-parker
• Russell's Website: https://44riskpm.com
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@44riskpm

PM-Mastery Links:

• For a full podcast episode list, visit here: PM-Mastery Podcast Episodes.
• For a full list of blog posts, go here: PM-Mastery Blog Posts
• Become a PURE PM: https://pm-mastery.com/pure
• Check out Instructing.com for all your PM course needs: https://www.instructing.com/?ref=bd5e5c
• Get your free PDU Tracker here: https://pm-mastery.com/resource_links/

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In this episode:

Lee Lambert, the self-described "grandfather of the PMP" and last living founder of the certification from 1984, brings his wealth of experience and trademark humor to this enlightening conversation about project management's past, present, and future.

From humble beginnings with just 39 certified professionals in its first year to today's 1.7 million PMPs worldwide, Lee traces the remarkable evolution of project management certification. His own journey proves there's no single path to success in this field - starting in drafting and engineering before volunteering to train 300 engineers on earned value management, which launched his career in project management.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Lee recounts leading a $300-400 million annual project to determine nuclear waste storage locations in the 1980s. This massive undertaking required navigating complex technical, environmental, and political landscapes - providing him with invaluable real-world experience that shaped his understanding of effective project management.

Today, Lee channels his passion into promoting the Pure Project Manager credential, which he sees as the perfect practical complement to the theory-based PMP. With 29 diverse courses covering everything from communication to creativity to risk management, the credential helps project managers translate book knowledge into actionable skills. As Lee puts it, "How does all that stuff I learned, the jargon, translate into better project management?"

Throughout our conversation, Lee emphasizes the critical importance of risk management - especially with today's AI tools that can dramatically improve risk identification and mitigation. His insights on networking, professional growth, and finding your path in project management are invaluable for practitioners at any stage of their career. When asked how someone can know if project management is right for them, Lee offers straightforward wisdom: "Until you do it, you won't know."

Episode Links:

• Connect with Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lelambert/
• Take your next step with the PURE Project Management Credential: https://www.puremanagementalliance.com/#675860292cf36

PM-Mastery Links:

• For a full podcast episode list, visit here: PM-Mastery Podcast Episodes.
• For a full list of blog posts, go here: PM-Mastery Blog Posts
• Become a PURE PM: https://pm-mastery.com/pure
• Check out Instructing.com for all your PM course needs: https://www.instructing.com/?ref=bd5e5c
• Get your free PDU Tracker here: https://pm-mastery.com/resource_links/

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wonder how someone becomes a successful project manager? Walt Sparling's remarkable journey from an accidental drafting student to a cross-industry PM expert reveals the unexpected path many professionals take into this dynamic field.

This is a unique episode where Walt, the host of the PM-Mastery podcast, let a former guest and friend interview him. During this interview, we discussed future goals of meeting each other in person, but due to the delayed posting of this episode, it actually happened, and Tanya was a guest at a milestone birthday party of mine this past summer. It was awesome to meet in person and finally create that personal bond that we had been building over the last couple of years.

Walt's story begins with childhood dreams of architecture that took a detour when an eye injury ended his military aspirations. From there, his career winds through mechanical engineering firms, an IT startup, and eventually into architectural project management. What makes his perspective so valuable is how each role built upon the last, creating a uniquely qualified professional who understands the complex connections that link different technical disciplines.

Throughout the conversation with host Tanya Boyd, Walt emphasizes how communication became his superpower. "If your attention to detail is good, you manage time well, and you're a great communicator—you can work in multiple industries," he explains. This insight reveals that successful project managers don't necessarily possess deep technical expertise in one area, but rather possess the ability to facilitate understanding among specialists and guide teams towards shared goals through influence rather than authority.

The discussion takes fascinating turns through Walt's PM Mastery podcast creation during COVID, his involvement with a men's mastermind group, and his role as an instructor for the Pure Project Manager credential. This innovative program brings together over 20 industry experts, each teaching their specialty rather than having "one person talk about 15 different topics." The result is practical, specialized knowledge from professionals passionate about their focus areas.

Whether you're an aspiring project manager curious about the field, a seasoned PM looking to broaden your perspective, or someone considering a career pivot, Walt's story demonstrates how adaptability, communication skills, and a willingness to learn can create opportunities across industries. Ready to take your project management skills to the next level? This episode provides both inspiration and practical insights to help you on your journey.

PM-Mastery Links:

• For a full podcast episode list, visit here: PM-Mastery Podcast Episodes.
• For a full list of blog posts, go here: PM-Mastery Blog Posts
• Become a PURE PM: https://pm-mastery.com/pure
• Check out Instructing.com for all your PM course needs: https://www.instructing.com/?ref=bd5e5c
• Get your free PDU Tracker here: https://pm-mastery.com/resource_links/