About Podcast
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, project management is no longer just about hitting deadlines—it’s about enabling strategy, transformation, and leadership. Few people understand this better than Dr. Frank L. Harper, a world-renowned corporate educator, project management professional, and author who has trained leaders in over 65 countries. With decades of C-suite experience and a Ph.D. to his name, Dr. Harper brings a rare blend of technical mastery, executive insight, and academic rigor to the conversation.
In this second part of his interview, Dr. Harper confronts the startling reality that only 35% of projects worldwide succeed and explains why rigid methodologies often fail organizations. Instead, he advocates for frameworks—flexible, customizable structures that leaders can adapt to their unique environments. Drawing from his work building more than 20 global PMOs and Centers of Excellence, Dr. Harper outlines the growing importance of soft skills, business acumen, and emotional intelligence in leadership. He also shares insights from his book A.G.I.L.E. L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. with a G.R.I.P., revealing the mindsets and frameworks leaders need to transform projects into strategic successes.
Key Takeaways:
- Why the global project success rate remains stuck at 35% and how leaders can break the cycle.
- The critical difference between methodologies and frameworks, and why frameworks drive adaptability.
- How to balance technical expertise with soft skills and business acumen to lead effectively.
- The role of emotional intelligence has proven to be 400% more predictive of success than IQ in scaling leadership impact.
- A breakdown of the A.G.I.L.E. leadership mindsets (Adaptive, Growth, Intelligent, Learning, Ethical/Effective) and how to apply them.
Join us with Dr. Frank Harper as he equips you with the frameworks, mindsets, and leadership strategies to transform projects into engines of sustainable business growth.
- Frame Strategic Projects : Translate growth goals into prioritized, measurable projects aligned to business strategy.
- Design Integrated Project Plans : Create project plans combining schedules, risk responses, and stakeholder commitments.
- Assign Accountability (RACI) : Build RACI charts to clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision authority across teams.
- Tailor Frameworks Pragmatically : Select and adapt hybrid frameworks (Agile/Waterfall) to fit project context and constraints.
- Lead with EQ and Influence : Apply emotional intelligence to engage stakeholders, resolve conflict, and sustain transformational change.
Special Guest: Dr. Frank Lee Harper Jr. – Intelligent Systems Services, LLC
Location: United States
Air Date: September 14 ,2025
Websites:
- 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.
- SBS: SBS Swiss Business School is a management institution dedicated to preparing students for the careers of the global economy.
- Cambridge Corporate University: Cambridge Corporate University (CCU) is an international, scholarly teaching & research University.
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. 
