Cohort 3

Kathryn Kolaczek

Build the skills to apply AI to your real projects starting this week.

CEO @ Projects Right

Microsoft

Amazon

Chevron

McKesson

Medtronic

Justin Bateh, PhD

Top Recognized Maven Instructor |  200+ alumni | 8x Teaching Awards 

AI-Powered Project Management

<h3>Why I enrolled</h3>
<p class="p2-tall">In the past, I have struggled with defining my expectations for a completed project with my team. As my projects become more complex, I want to improve my PM definition skills at the beginning of a project to maintain project excellence, communication and team collaboration. </p>
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    <h3>A breakthrough moment</h3><p class="p2-tall">This week’s example, when Justin said he started his career leading with power, force, and intimidation, struck a chord with me. I realized how much I could relate. I was raised to believe that when the boss spoke, you did what you were told — no questions asked. Owning my own company since the age of 17, I never really learned another way to lead. My default became pushing hard, expecting compliance, and putting results above everything else.</p><p class="p2-tall"></p><p class="p2-tall">That style came with a cost. Over the years, I had staff who quit, (one who sued me), resented me, or mocked me. It was painful, but it taught me that my leadership wasn’t failing for lack of authority — it was because I relied too much on it. Even now, I know I haven’t fully unlearned those habits.</p><p class="p2-tall"></p><p class="p2-tall">Working in high-conflict and crisis situations only reinforced my belief that there was no time to check in on people — or even on myself. I focused on making the client happy at all costs, regardless of the toll it took on the team. This week’s lesson, combined with the video on <em>Conversational Intelligence</em>, opened my eyes to a different approach. Influence doesn’t always have to come through pressure. It can come through connection, curiosity, and shared wins.</p><p class="p2-tall"></p><p class="p2-tall">I know one week isn’t enough to undo years of ingrained behavior, but the material resonated strongly. It gave me a glimpse of what’s possible — leadership that creates results <em>and</em> preserves trust and energy in the process.</p>

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<h3>What I’ll apply</h3>
<p class="p2-tall">Better AI usage in project builds </p>
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