S2 Episode 12: Project Management Practice on the Line to the Lead with Tyler Norman

Host Alex Tuck introduces Tyler Norman, Director of Strategic Programs at Scholastic and a frequent PMI speaker, who shares his 17-year PM journey from construction and energy into supply-chain transformation programs like warehouse robotics and tech-stack upgrades. Norman’s “Project Zero” comes from working as a teenager in a small-town bar and grill, where he identified a fryer bottleneck, quantified lost revenue, built a rough business case for a second fryer, coordinated installation, and validated benefits, later recognizing it as early project management. He discusses limited formal PM education in undergrad, multiple PMI certifications, and current work toward CPM AI. Norman highlights practical AI value in automating admin work (emails, Excel, decks, meeting summaries) to free time for stakeholder engagement, argues layoffs are often broader business context, and emphasizes empathy, stakeholder management, and business value as key PM skills.  00:00 Season Two Kickoff  00:25 Meet Tyler Norman  02:18 From Construction to Books  04:24 Transferable PM Skills  06:16 Defining Project Zero 07:00 Fryer Bottleneck Story  11:01 PM Education Path  12:53 Certifications and CPM AI  14:36 AI for PM Workflows  21:50 AI Job Impact and Upskilling 25:02 Most Important PM Skill  27:40 Career Advice and Wrap Up  Connect with Tyler Norman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-norman/ Website: navigatewithpurpose.com  Connect with Alex Tuck Personal LinkedIn: Alex Tuck Website: www.tuckconsultinggroup.com Company LinkedIn: Tuck Consulting Group Email: [email protected]