When you say 'this is a lot of work,' your leader hears 'I'm overwhelmed'—and it chips away at your credibility.
This episode examines how project and PMO leaders inadvertently undermine their credibility by verbally emphasizing their heavy workload. Host Laura Bernard draws on three decades of experience in organizational change to explore the perception gap between intent and leadership interpretation. She argues that common phrases like "this is a lot of work" signal overwhelm rather than dedication, which can stall a leader's career progression.
Bernard recounts coaching a PMO leader, pseudonymously called Jennifer, who consistently told executives her team was stretched and struggling to keep up. Over time, Jennifer's sponsor began questioning if she was the right person for the role, ultimately moving her team under a different office into a less senior position. Bernard contrasts this with a client named Sarah, who led a high-visibility transformation by framing updates around prioritization, sequencing, and risk management instead of stress. Bernard explains that leaders often interpret complaints about workload as signals of impending burnout, an inability to prioritize, or a lack of control. She stresses that a role exists precisely because the work is complex and outcomes are critical, making the volume of work a sign of job security, not a flaw.
A key insight is that executives actively avoid promoting someone into a role where they might become incompetent, a concept known as the Peter Principle. Bernard notes that smart leaders look for signals that a person can handle the next level before offering a promotion. She challenges listeners to lead as if they are already in the desired next role by demonstrating strategic thinking under pressure. The episode reframes heavy workloads as leadership opportunities, where showing ownership of outcomes builds trust and influence faster than demonstrating technical skill alone.
Bernard advises replacing emotional venting with structured communication, such as recommending specific deprioritization, outlining trade-offs, or presenting options with a clear recommendation. She emphasizes that words project either fragility or capability, and that calm, clarity during intense periods defines executive presence. The host shares that she coaches members of her Impact Accelerator Mastermind on this specific skill, often taking a firmer stance with senior leaders in the "mastery" track who must master these signals.
The tone is direct, instructional, and motivational, blending personal anecdotes with actionable coaching advice. Bernard speaks conversationally but with the authority of an experienced executive coach, frequently addressing the listener as "my friend." This episode is ideal for project managers, PMO leaders, and anyone in a delivery role seeking to enhance their executive presence and career trajectory. Listeners who prefer purely tactical project management content over leadership and communication strategy might find it less applicable.
