Essential Christmas reading (and listening) for project professionals

The festive break is the perfect time to catch up on reading and podcast listening, so I’ve gift-wrapped a selection that you might enjoy, with recommendations from the project community

In conversation with APM Podcast

If you don’t already listen to APM Podcast, then you’re missing a trick. Let me flag up some memorable episodes of APM Podcast that stand out from the past year.

Our three most popular podcasts so far in 2024 include the series we produced on the National Trust. For the first time, I took our roving mic out for this three-part documentary, visiting Dyrham Park near Bath, as well as a community garden in East London, to uncover the surprisingly varied projects the charity runs.

We celebrated our 100^th episode of APM Podcast with an in-depth conversation with BBC News Analysis Editor Ros Atkins on how to be a better communicator. Atkins gave away his secrets to clear communication, as told in his book The Art of Explanation.

You can find all episodes of APM Podcast here.

From goals to a good life

The first book APM Vice-President Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez recommends is The Goal by Eliyahu M Goldratt. “This is a must-read for anyone looking to understand how to identify and solve process bottlenecks. Its narrative style makes complex operational concepts accessible and memorable, which is why I recommend it to all my students,” he tells me.

He also suggests Same as Ever: Timeless lessons on risk, opportunities, and living a good life by Morgan Housel. “It provides a fresh perspective on navigating uncertainty and making better decisions by focusing on enduring principles rather than fleeting trends. Its relevance to both personal and professional contexts makes it invaluable,” he explains.

His favourite podcast is Acquired: Every Company Has a Story. This dives into the histories of successful companies, unravelling the strategies and pivotal moments that shaped their journeys. “It’s a masterclass in business lessons wrapped in engaging storytelling,” he says.

Don’t forget to listen to my conversation with Nieto-Rodriguez on APM Podcast: ‘How to Bring Strategy and Projects Closer Together’.

Spotlight on diversity

Meanwhile, Martina Blake, a UK Government Advisor at the European Space Agency and founder of APM’s International Space Sector Interest Network, is on a mission to increase diversity and inclusion across the international space sector.

While not space related, she recommends Helena Morrissey’s books, Style and Substance: A guide for women who want to win at work and A Good Time to Be a Girl: Don’t lean in, change the system. “Both provide some great advice, whether in professional or social settings,” she tells us.

She was also recently introduced to author Matt Haig and is reading The Comfort Book. “There are many aspects of this book I can relate to,” she says, quoting a part of the text about the ability to say ‘no’: “No is a good word. It keeps you sane. In an age of overload, no is really yes. It’s yes to having the space you need to live.” Blake tells me that 2024 was the year she decided to say no to some opportunities: “I decided to give time back to myself.”

And if you want a film to watch over the holidays, she recommends Hidden Figures, based on three female African-Americans who worked at NASA during the space race. “This is one of my favourite films, and a great example of women working in the space sector, encountering and overcoming the challenges they faced,” says Blake.

AI one-stop shop

If you’re looking for a regular podcast to keep you up-to-date on all things AI when it comes to project delivery, I’d recommend Project Flux by James Garner and Yoshi Soornak, two project professionals with a ceaseless curiosity about tech and the people working it.

As Nermeen Latif, a Technical Director for Transport and Infrastructure at WSP, puts it: “I really like Project Flux, as it features news updates and tech leaders who share their experiences. This is so helpful, as there’s almost too much information online at times, so having it all in one place is brilliant. It also has tips, tricks and hacks for us to use in our work, and shares how we can upskill ourselves.”

Another recommendation from Project’s community was for Simon Sinek’s book Leaders Eat Last: Why some teams pull together and others don’t. Aaron Devalda, a Project Support Manager at Proseal, values Sinek’s take on leadership.

Devalda also recommends the universally praised Diary of a CEO podcast by entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, which covers self-development topics, although he singles out the interview with Dr Cheri Mah about the one thing you should never do before bed…