330: Does Experience Always Mean a Better Hire?

October 19, 2025·20 min·1 clip

Debbie couldn't find experienced project managers who were also adaptable, sparking a debate on hiring for today's dynamic environments.

Host Laura Bernard, a PMO leadership coach with 30 years of experience, examines whether experienced hires are always the best choice for project delivery teams. She frames the episode around a hiring dilemma faced by a client named Debbie, who leads a PMO. The central question is whether to prioritize seniority or adaptability when building a team capable of thriving in modern, dynamic environments. Debbie initially sought senior project managers with extensive experience and credentials for her growing team. She encountered candidates who were deeply attached to traditional methodologies and rigid documentation gates. These experienced professionals showed resistance to adopting more modern, collaborative, and iterative delivery approaches like the Impact Engine system. One such hire proved combative, insisting on predefined templates and processes, which clashed with the need for stakeholder-focused, outcome-based solutions. Debbie ultimately replaced that individual with mid-level professionals who demonstrated learning agility and strong communication skills. Laura notes that the rigid hire's career track record was output-focused, not outcome-focused, and they had not achieved expected promotions. A key insight is that experience without curiosity becomes a liability in today's fast-paced, hybrid work environments. Laura argues that the most valuable team members are adaptable individuals who prioritize understanding the "why" before the "how." She suggests using scenario-based interview questions to assess a candidate's mindset, such as asking how they would handle a major mid-project budget cut. The episode promotes hiring for an "impact driver mindset," characterized by the ability to adapt, communicate purposefully, and focus on delivering business value over following rigid processes. The tone is conversational and advisory, blending personal coaching with practical frameworks drawn from Laura's Impact Engine system. Laura speaks directly to listeners as peers, using Debbie's story as a teaching case to illustrate broader hiring principles. This episode is ideal for PMO leaders, transformation leads, and hiring managers in project delivery who are frustrated with inflexible team members and seek strategies to build adaptable teams. Listeners solely interested in technical project management methodologies or those who believe seniority is the sole indicator of competence might find less value here.

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