Practical Project Management Communication Strategies You Can Use Today – Ep 069

April 28, 2025

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In this episode, I talk with Clint Padgett, president & CEO of Project Success, Inc., about how it’s still real conversation that moves projects forward, more than any software or report ever could. Learn why the most successful project managers prioritize project management communication strategies to drive clarity, accountability, and results.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Clint:

What makes real-time conversations more helpful than emails or digital tools, and how can project managers use them to get better results?
How can project managers encourage more face-to-face or real-time conversations on their projects?
How should project managers approach tough conversations with clients, contractors, or team members while keeping the project on track?
What can a project manager do to fix things when communication breaks down during a project?
What’s one common mistake project managers make, and how can they avoid or reduce its impact?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Practical Project Management Communication Strategies You Can Use Today:

Real-time conversations help teams clear up confusion immediately and keep the message consistent as it moves between people. Project managers who prioritize live discussions reduce miscommunication and keep projects moving in the right direction. These are foundational project management communication strategies that enhance both clarity and efficiency.
Project managers create stronger alignment when they step away from email and talk directly with their teams. Choosing quick calls or in-person check-ins saves time and strengthens understanding across the project. This form of real-time project collaboration is key to avoiding miscommunication and building team unity.
Clear, fact-based discussions allow project managers to handle difficult topics without derailing progress. When they explain trade-offs and involve others in solutions, they gain cooperation while protecting deadlines and budgets. Handling difficult conversations in project management becomes easier with communication rooted in transparency and shared understanding.
Project managers take control by gathering the team, reviewing what went wrong, and deciding together how to move forward. Open dialogue paired with a clear recovery plan brings clarity and keeps the project on course. These effective communication techniques in project management can prevent major setbacks.
One common mistake is building a plan alone and expecting others to follow it. When project teams help create the plan, they understand it better and take more responsibility for delivering results. Team involvement in project planning is a powerful way to improve commitment and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

More Details in This Episode…

About Clint Padgett

Clinton M. Padgett is the president and CEO of Project Success. With over 30 years of project management experience, he has built his career helping Fortune 100 companies optimize their businesses. Clint is a graduate of The Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s of electrical engineering and an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He is a member of the Project Management Institute, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Project Development & Management Association, and is a Forbes speaker charter member and Forbes thought leader. He has been featured in media, including Forbes, MSN, Yahoo Finance, and Entrepreneur Weekly.

Clint is a best-selling author of two books, including: The Project Success Method: A Proven Approach for Achieving Superior Project Performance, which is designed to make planning and controlling projects simple and successful. For over 40 years, this proven methodology has been used successfully by a diverse group of companies in more than 25 countries on six continents. His second book, How Teams Triumph: Managing by Commitment, is an Amazon #1 Bestseller in business teams and business project management. This book helps people maximize performance by enhancing communication, breaking down silos, and providing a proven, customizable framework to complete projects with all stakeholders pulling in the same direction. He also hosts a podcast, The Conversation with Clinton M. Padgett, with over 100 episodes in which he interviews leaders who encourage their teams to learn, challenge, and grow. https://books.forbes.com/author-podcasts/the-conversation-with-clinton-m-padgett/.

His specialties include team-building, training, and employee development; project management; project portfolio / PMO audit; MS Project; consulting; operations improvement; large-scale implementation; consulting organization; project management methodology; and consulting engagements.