23. International Project Management Day-Innovation is Not Conformity

In this special International Project Management Day 2025 episode, host Brittany Wilkins dives into the theme “The Power Trio: Project, Leadership, and Agile” — revealing why innovation is never born from conformity.

Standing at her microwave one ordinary day, Brittany had a thought that sparked this entire conversation: “Innovation is not conformity.” In this episode, she explores what that means for today’s project professionals and how true innovation happens when we lead with courage, disrupt with purpose, and adapt with agility.

You’ll discover:

• Why conformity preserves the past while innovation builds the future
• How great project leaders challenge norms instead of maintaining them
• The role of agile thinking in expanding creativity and adaptability
• Three simple calls to action every project manager can apply today

Whether you’re managing your first project or leading complex transformations, this episode will challenge your mindset — reminding you that project management isn’t just about structure, it’s about shaping transformation.

🎙️ Because the future doesn’t belong to those who conform. It belongs to those who innovate.

Transcript

"Here’s a thought for International Project Management Day: Innovation is not conformity. If all we do is repeat yesterday’s processes, can we truly claim to be shaping tomorrow? The truth is, conformity preserves what is. Innovation creates what could be. And the only way to move from conformity to innovation is through project leadership and agility."

Intro

"Welcome to this special International Project Management Day edition of Project Management Masterclass. Today, we celebrate the professionals driving progress across industries — project professionals. Today is a reminder that your role as project leader is not a thankless job.  this year’s theme for international project management day , The Power Trio: Project, Leadership, and Agile, is more than a slogan. It’s a roadmap for the future of our profession. Because in a world that’s constantly evolving, innovation won’t come from playing it safe. It will come from the bold — those who lead projects with vision, who adapt with agility, and who refuse to conform.

You ever get ideas in the most random places? I was standing at the microwave one day, waiting for that one minute and thirty seconds to pass, when the thought “Innovation is not conformity” just hit me — out of nowhere. As I walked back to my desk, I couldn’t shake it. So I asked myself, why? Why isn’t innovation conformity? What makes them so opposite? As I thought on it, three clear reasons came to mind..."

Reason 1: Conformity Preserves; Innovation Disrupts (The Project)

"Every project begins with one goal — to bring about change. Conformity resists that change. It keeps things predictable, safe, and familiar. But innovation requires disruption. It challenges old processes and replaces them with better ones. The best project managers don’t just manage timelines — they manage transformation. They dare to disrupt for the sake of progress."

Call to Action:

"So here’s your challenge — take a look at one process, one report, or one meeting in your current project that feels routine. Ask yourself: Is it adding value, or just maintaining comfort? If it’s the latter, it’s time to innovate."

Reason 2: Conformity Follows; Innovation Leads (The Leadership)

"Conformity waits for permission. Leadership acts with conviction. Innovation is fueled by leaders who see what others don’t and move teams toward what others think can’t be done. A true project leader doesn’t just deliver tasks — they deliver possibilities. They set the tone, spark creativity, and inspire courage in others to think differently."

Call to Action:

"Think about your next team meeting — how can you lead with innovation instead of instruction? Ask better questions. Invite new voices to the table. And remember — you don’t need a title to lead; you need courage to go first."

Reason 3: Conformity Limits; Innovation Expands (The Agile)

"Conformity thrives in rigidity. Agile thrives in evolution. Conformity says, ‘Stay in your lane.’ Agile asks, ‘What if we build a new road?’ Agile thinking gives teams permission to adapt, experiment, and grow — turning failure into feedback and complexity into clarity. That’s what innovation demands — continuous learning, not rigid perfection."

Call to Action:

"Take one project this quarter and run a small experiment. Shorten a sprint. Try a new tool. Reframe a problem from your user’s point of view. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress through adaptation."

Closing

"So on this International Project Management Day, remember: Innovation is not conformity. It’s the balance of structure and courage — the heartbeat of Project, Leadership, and Agile.

The future belongs to the innovators who disrupt, who lead, and who adapt. Be that leader. Be that voice. Be that catalyst who shows the world that project management isn’t just about managing tasks — it’s about shaping transformation.

Because when you lead with vision, agility, and courage — you don’t just manage projects. You move the world forward."