From Messy Change to Meaningful Progress: Navigating Words and Setbacks
Dude, Don’t Say That!! Three Inadvertently Inflammatory Things We Say in Times of Change…and What to Say Instead
Sinikka Waugh
We don’t mean to make a mess. But change is messy. Our changes are intended to be beneficial for the organization – we’re responding to global trends, market demands, economic and environmental pressures, or workforce challenges – but sometimes the people we’re trying to bring through change don’t participate in the dialog the way we imagined they would. A big part of the reason for that is because we accidentally say things that others hear in a way that causes more pain and chaos than we meant. Join change management expert Sinikka Waugh in this engaging and thought-provoking look at three things we might be saying with good intentions that might be heard in ways we don’t expect. From real-life lessons learned the hard way, drawn from project examples just like yours, and framed in stories that will resonate with those leading small or major initiatives in their organizations, gain three simple turns of phrase that can help you lead change better.
Learning How to Succeed After Failure Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones for Growth, Confidence, and Success
Darren Mann
In this engaging and practical session, Darren Mann—PMP, Prosci, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB), Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer—shares a powerful personal story of professional failure and the lessons that transformed one of the most difficult seasons of his career into one of his greatest successes. Through authentic storytelling and practical strategies, participants will discover how to overcome fear, build resilience, and use setbacks as catalysts for personal and professional growth.
Sinikka Waugh
Sinikka Waugh is the President and Founder of Your Clear Next Step. For 17 years, people from all industries at all levels of all different size organizations reach out to Your Clear Next Step when they need to grow in their leadership skills, when they need help maturing their project management practices, or when they’re facing change and need a compassionate coach in their corner. 58,000 people and counting are having better workdays because they did.
Darren Mann
Darren Mann, PMP, Prosci, and Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Speaker & Trainer, has over 15 years of experience leading high-risk projects in higher education, healthcare IT, and insurance. He has managed budgets over $15 million and project contracts exceeding $120 million, consistently delivering results through effective leadership and strategic vision. Darren built a 150-member Project Management Community of Practice that earned an institutional impact award and now equips professionals to lead with courage, consistency, and clarity. His approach blends project management expertise, change-management strategy, and Maxwell Leadership principles to help individuals and teams unlock their potential. As a speaker, Darren delivers engaging, story-driven sessions such as Rise Above Routine: Embrace Life Beyond Your Comfort Zone, empowering project professionals to reframe failure as growth, communicate with confidence, and build resilience. He brings warmth, practicality, and actionable insight to every audience.
Registration closes: 6:45 AM Sept 10th
PDU Reporting: Complimentary PDU reporting provided to PMI Nashville Members (with an active credential) with live attendance, who registered directly with the chapter, within seven days post program. Please note, PDUs do not universally apply to all credentials. Post program, please confirm the reported PDU is both approved and applied to your specific credential. Those unable to attend live, or who register directly through ProjectBites self-report PDUs.
Tickets
$0.00 PMI Nashville Member Ticket
