The Fundamentals of Great Project Management

Today we are in conversation with Clint Padgett, CEO / President at Project Success, Inc. From managing Olympic-scale projects for Coca-Cola to coaching project managers around the world, Clint dives deep into what makes planning work — and why most teams don’t worry soon enough. We cover why bad bids ruin trust, how to lead without authority, and the mindset shift young PMs need most.Chapters:From the Navy to Global Projects (00:00)Our guest shares how his time as a Navy electrician led to a career managing Olympic activations — starting with a leap of faith during the 1996 Games.How You Plan a World Cup (04:04)Planning a FIFA event is surprisingly similar to planning a giant party. It’s all about logistics, timing, and making sure the Coke is cold.Rookie Mistakes in Project Management (08:10)New PMs often rush to execution without planning. But skipping those first few days of structure creates weeks of rework.Leading Without Power (10:43)When you don’t have authority, you lead through planning and trust. Without buy-in, you’re just another task competing for attention.Planning Across Projects (14:08)When team members are split across five jobs, smart scheduling avoids overload. It all comes down to float, flexibility, and clarity.What People Get Wrong About Planning (17:02)Overly optimistic timelines and ignoring outsourced work are two of the biggest killers in project schedules. Time elapsed is what matters.Ask Dumb Questions, Early (20:10)Even “stupid” questions can catch unrealistic expectations. Collaborative planning gives teams space to challenge assumptions safely.People Over Process (24:13)Project success depends on human connection — not just task dependencies. Why real conversations still matter more than Slack threads.Plans Must Adapt (34:07)When the situation changes, great teams pivot. Don’t let emotional attachment to a project cost another 6 months of effort.Sales Promises vs. Reality (40:01)When bids are made without planners, projects start on the wrong foot. Being the honest vendor might cost more — but builds lasting trust.Reliability Wins Over Price (46:11)The 2% more expensive team that delivers on time is always worth it. Clients don’t just want cheap — they want confidence.The Worry Curve (48:58)His favorite concept: teams usually worry too late. Good planning moves the worry to the start — where it can still change outcomes.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!