About Podcast
In the fast-paced world of technology and corporate leadership, few journeys are as expansive and transformative as that of Dr. Frank Harper Jr. From a budding software coder in 1980s Connecticut to a globally recognized corporate educator, author, and transformation architect, Dr. Harper has shaped leaders and executives across more than 65 countries. His unique blend of hands-on project management experience, C-suite leadership, and academic rigor makes him an authority on guiding organizations and individuals toward operational excellence.
Dr. Harper shares how early experiences at CAT Incorporated and Pitney Bowes set the foundation for a career dedicated to education, training, and project leadership. From implementing earned value management on a $2.2 billion modernization project in Nigeria to establishing his own company and achieving his first million-dollar sale, he has continually combined technical expertise with the art of leadership. His post-doctoral research and collaborations with institutions like the Project Management Institute and Swiss corporate universities shaped his philosophy of the “Strategic Hustler,” a multidimensional innovation futurist capable of leading transformation in today’s VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world.
Key Takeaways:
- Discover the power of experience-driven teaching and storytelling in corporate education.
- Learn the principles of earned value management and how breaking down projects into $25,000 work packages dramatically increases success rates.
- Understand the concept of the “Strategic Hustler” and why project managers must evolve into multidimensional leaders.
- Explore the eight essential disciplines for successful business transformation, from strategy and risk management to organizational change and competency management.
- Gain insights on bridging theory and practice to lead projects globally, across industries, and in the age of AI and digital transformation.
Join us with Dr. Frank Harper Jr. as he shares a blueprint for transforming project managers into strategic leaders capable of navigating complexity, driving innovation, and achieving operational excellence worldwide.
- Embrace Project Leadership : Shift from managing tasks to leading people and transformation initiatives.
- Apply Earned Value Management : Use EVM to improve project success and financial performance.
- Adopt the Strategic Hustler Mindset : Integrate mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets for agile leadership.
- Lead Transformation Projects : Master eight disciplines needed for successful enterprise transformation.
- Position PMs as Executives : Elevate project managers into strategic enablers and senior leaders.
Special Guest: Dr. Frank Lee Harper Jr. – Intelligent Systems Services, LLC
Location: United States
Air Date: August 20 ,2025
Websites:
- Cambridge Corporate University: CCU to move its operational management HQ to USA and UK Cambridge Corporate School of Business (CCS) to offer online and on campus program and degrees in Switzerland.
- Project Management Institute: Huge online community of Project Managers offering over 12000 how-to articles, templates, project plans, and checklists to help you do your job.
- CIO Magazine: Find the peer insights and expert advice IT leaders need to create business value with technology, drive innovation and develop their careers.
- S.K. Lilly School of Management: Completing our certificate shows you’ve made a personal commitment to continuing your fundraising education. You bring additional value to your organization.
- Swiss UMEF University of Applied Science Institute : SWISS UMEF is a private higher education institution, accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council. It serves the community through quality education.
Book :
Video:
Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
Producer & Voiceover Artist: Clarence Levy III
Audio Editors: Olanrewaju Adeyemo and Sabor! Music Enterprises
Sound Design: Sabor! Music Enterprises
Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
Show Notes: Hashim Tale
Sponsor: Equilibria, Inc.More About Guest, Dr. Frank Lee Harper Jr.
Dr. Frank Harper Jr. is a globally recognized corporate educator, transformation architect, and thought leader, celebrated for his ability to turn project managers into senior executives and drive transformative growth across organizations worldwide. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Harper brings over 40 years of experience spanning technology leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate education, and strategic consulting.
From his early days as a software coder and project manager to leading billion-dollar modernization projects in Nigeria and founding his own technology firm, Dr. Harper’s journey embodies the fusion of innovation, leadership, and execution. He has trained professionals and executives in over 65 countries, leveraging his unique framework that combines advanced project management, digital business leadership, AI, and corporate responsibility.
Dr. Harper’s proprietary Strategic Hustler™ framework equips leaders with multidimensional skills to navigate VUCA environments, drive transformation, and achieve measurable results. His research, endorsed by the Project Management Institute and CIO Magazine, has shaped global practices in enterprise project leadership, bridging theory with actionable strategies.
A prolific author, he penned A.G.I.L.E. L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. with a G.R.I.P., where he translates complex leadership principles into practical mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets for today’s project leaders. Beyond teaching, Dr. Harper serves on international university boards, chairs dissertation committees, and mentors executives to break traditional boundaries and innovate relentlessly.
Recognized for his visionary approach, Dr. Harper inspires leaders to embrace complexity, lead strategically, and transform organizations for lasting impact, making him a sought-after authority in global corporate education and project leadership.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. Her career in operations began over 25 years ago while working in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. She is the producer of Scale Tales podcast and the weekly top 2% Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 70+ countries.More About Sponsor, Equilibria:
Equilibria, Inc. is a 20-year-old boutique operations management firm. We build the business infrastructure necessary for fast-growing businesses to scale with less pain. With a range of services and products, entrepreneurs can get the operational support and resources they need on demand. 
