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Event Recap: Skilling up human side to navigate complexity

Alpha Ziman

Author: Alpha Ziman, PMP, PMI-PBA

Event Recap: Skilling up human side to navigate complexity


On April 9, PMI Switzerland hosted an evening of insight and inspiration at the isolutions office in Zurich.

This wasn’t just another talk about project tools or timelines—instead, we explored something deeper: how to lead with more humanity in today’s complex project environments.

Picture No.1 Alpha Ziman
In a world where uncertainty is the new normal, the event challenged attendees to rethink leadership—not as a checklist of tasks, but as a personal practice rooted in self-awareness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

 

From Breath-Hold to Breakthrough: A Leadership Metaphor in Action

Facilitated by Camille Caclin, this segment guided participants through a unique breath-hold exercise designed to simulate pressure scenarios in project settings. From this experience, three distinctive mindset profiles emerged:

  • The Challenger – Confident and driven, but may over-control when stressed.
  • The Self-Doubter – Risk-averse and hesitant, sometimes missing key opportunities.
  • The Explorer – Grounded, curious, and adaptive, even in the face of stress.


The key insight? Our mindset under stress impacts how we lead. Recognizing these patterns can help project managers shift from reactive habits to more adaptive, effective leadership.

Picture No.2 Alpha Ziman

 

Resilience Over Reaction

Many project challenges stem not from poor planning, but from how people respond under pressure. This session encouraged a new approach to setbacks—one focused on:

  • Equalization – Making intuitive adjustments to restore balance.
  • Mutation – Embracing deep, strategic change in response to high-pressure or systemic issues.

By reframing setbacks as moments for growth rather than obstacles, project professionals can build true resilience and deliver more sustainable outcomes.

 

Redefining Success in Project Leadership

As expectations for project managers continue to grow, the pressure to be expert, manager, and leader all at once can feel overwhelming. The session highlighted a more realistic and effective model: one that centers on:

  • Leading yourself first
  • Thinking systemically
  • Building relational strength with teams and stakeholders

These competencies equip leaders to meet today’s challenges with clarity, empathy, and adaptability.

 

Soft Skills as Strategic Strengths

Picture No.3 Alpha Ziman


This insightful segment was led by Jan A. Eckert, PhD, who emphasized that what we learned in school won't sustain us throughout our careers. Drawing on insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, he explored soft skills such as:

  • Emotional awareness
  • Assertiveness
  • Cognitive dissonance management
  • Relational agility


These are the skills that foster psychological safety, build trust, and enable meaningful collaboration—skills that, increasingly, define successful project leadership in complex settings.

A Night of Insight and Connection

The evening concluded with a relaxed apéro and networking session, where attendees had the chance to share reflections, connect with peers, and exchange ideas sparked by the session.
“I never realized how much my own stress response shapes the way I lead. This session was a real eye- opener” – Event participant

Picture No.4 Alpha Ziman


We extend our heartfelt thanks to isolutions Zurich for generously hosting this event and supporting our shared commitment to meaningful professional development.


Stay Connected

Explore what's next! Don’t miss out—check out our upcoming events on the PMI Switzerland Events Calendar and continue your professional growth journey with us.
Let’s keep learning—and leading—with heart and intention.

PM Master Class Unlock your Memory Power!

Author: Oliver Höhn, PMP

Oliver Hoehn

On a rainy Saturday end of March, 15 enthusiastic project managers swapped their spreadsheets for brain training at the PMI Master Class in Zurich.

Led by the lively Petra Oggenfuss, brain trainer, we discovered memory techniques that made remembering 15 new people/names at once possible.

Master Class 3 Fredy Wehrli

The day was filled with laughter, interactive exercises, and practical tips, proving that cognitive fitness can be both fun and effective – and it can be trained!

Master Class 1 Fredy Wehrli

Master Class 2 Fredy Wehrli

Who knew that boosting brain power could be the highlight of the weekend?

Master Class 0 Fredy Wehrli

Editorial - PMI Switzerland Newsletter, May 2025

Philip Springuel NEW 100x100

Author: Philip SPRINGUEL, PMP

Dear members and colleagues,

This month’s newsletter features exciting news from your Swiss chapter VP Sponsors & Partners, Mafalda Amaro, who reports on PMI Switzerland receiving a well deserved honour at the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting last month in Barcelona.

To understand why PMI Switzerland continues to lead among chapters worldwide, sign up for more innovative events that develop your skills and networks. This month, read from Alpha Zima about an upcoming interactive leadership workshop focused on team dynamics, to be held on May 15th at the SIX Convention Point, Zurich. Read also from Oxana Hezog who invites you to the 25th SPM Frühjahrstagung, at the Careum Auditorium in Zürich on May 20th, in German.

As always, your monthly newsletter introduces you to new members who’ve joined our ever growing community. Connect with them, visit our website and engage with your peers on our social media channels.

Philip SPRINGUEL, Newsletter Copy Editor

PMI Switzerland Recognized for Driving Social Impact Through Project Managers Without Borders

1733413820631 Mafalda Amaro

Author: Mafalda Amaro, VP Sponsors & Partners

PMI Switzerland Recognized for Driving Social Impact Through Project Managers Without Borders

It is with great pride—and even greater gratitude—that we share some news from LIM - PMI Leadership Institute Meeting last month in Barcelona. 

PMI Switzerland has been honored with a recognition award for our commitment to Project Managers Without Borders (PMWB) pilot. This milestone celebrates not just an initiative, but the heart and spirit of our chapter—our people, our community.

Certificate of recognition picture

PMWB is a global initiative that channels the power of project management into solving some of the world’s most urgent social challenges. From access to clean water and education to public health and sustainability, PMWB creates a bridge between skilled project professionals and organizations working at the front lines of impact. Our profession, when guided by purpose, becomes a powerful engine for change.

At PMI Switzerland, we didn’t hesitate to embrace this vision. Over the past year, our team in Sponsors & Partners has embedded Social Impact Initiatives into our strategic goals—not as an extracurricular activity, but as a defining pillar of who we are. We've cultivated partnerships that matter, grounded in trust, alignment, and impact.

Today, embracing the PMWB challenge, we are already supporting three organizations, providing them with project management expertise to sharpen their delivery, scale their efforts, and sustain their missions. These collaborations are being led by dedicated volunteers from our community—professionals who understand that the value of our skills multiplies when used in service of others. These initiatives also foster further partnerships between our organisations, such as Engineers Without Borders, Bevel ON and Homeless Entrepreneur.

This award is a testament to their dedication, and to the curiosity that drives our community forward. One of PMI’s core culture values is “Embrace Curiosity”—a call to be inquisitive, open-minded, and eager to explore new ideas and opportunities. Our engagement with PMWB is a direct reflection of that mindset. We asked ourselves, “How can project management and its community create more value? Who else can benefit from our expertise?” That curiosity opened doors to new collaborations and meaningful impact.

This recognition is not the finish line—it’s a launchpad. So stay tuned!

We believe every project manager, every chapter, and every organization has something to contribute. We invite nonprofits in need of project support, corporate partners seeking purpose-driven engagement, and professionals ready to lead beyond the office to join us. Together, we can transform ideas into outcomes, and intention into lasting change.

Visit Project Managers Without Borders to learn more. If you're ready to get involved, reach out—we're just one conversation away from your next meaningful project.

With gratitude and purpose,

Mafalda Amaro
Vice President of Sponsors & Partners and Social Impact