Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon & Suzette Blakemore & James Wood Summary

1. Balance people leadership with process for unofficial project manager success
2. Four key behaviors: demonstrate respect, listen first, clarify expectations, practice accountability
3. Five project phases every unofficial leader needs: initiate, plan, execute, monitor, close
4. "Manage tasks, lead people" becomes the unofficial project manager's success mantra
5. Turn risks into opportunities through proactive identification and team alignment strategies
6. Build informal authority through visibility cadences that create high-performance teams
7. Clarify shared expectations early to prevent 90% of project conflicts
8. Transition from task-oriented doer to strategic leader using Kogon's blueprint
9. Close projects with celebration and lessons learned to cement team growth
10. Master stakeholder mapping to navigate office politics and competing priorities
11. Unofficial leaders succeed by making character-based decisions under pressure
12. Kory Kogon redefines project value as stakeholder alignment over strict deliverables

About the Author of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager

Kory Kogon, Suzette Blakemore, and James Wood are the co-authors of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. They are also FranklinCovey leadership experts renowned for transforming workplace productivity and untrained project leaders.

Their book serves as a blueprint for blending managerial rigor with inspirational leadership, drawing from decades of hands-on experience. Kogon is FranklinCovey’s Global Productivity Practice Leader, while Blakemore and Wood are seasoned consultants in organizational efficiency.

Kogon is also the co-author of the #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity. Blakemore and Wood have spearheaded global initiatives like ISO 9000 implementations.

The trio has been featured in Forbes, Inc., and NBC’s TODAY, and they merge academic frameworks with real-world insights, addressing the reality that 45% of projects fail due to poor management. Their book has become a critical resource in FranklinCovey’s leadership training programs, empowering professionals to turn chaotic workflows into structured success.

FAQs About Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager

What is Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager about?

Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon provides actionable strategies for professionals who manage projects without formal training or authority. It balances process-oriented frameworks (like the five-step project lifecycle) with leadership principles, emphasizing respect, accountability, and clear communication. The book combines real-world examples, practical tools, and neuroscience-backed insights to help unofficial leaders deliver results while fostering team collaboration.

Who should read Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager?

This book is ideal for professionals who organically take on project leadership roles without formal titles, such as team leads, department heads, or cross-functional collaborators. It’s also valuable for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or anyone seeking to improve their ability to organize tasks, manage deadlines, and lead teams effectively in fast-paced environments.

Is Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager worth reading?

Yes—the book offers a concise, no-jargon approach to project management tailored for real-world scenarios. Readers gain frameworks like the “Four Foundational Behaviors” (respect, active listening, expectation-setting, accountability) and the “Five Process Groups” (Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor, Close), which are applicable across industries. Over 50% of professionals report improved project outcomes after applying its methods.

What are Kory Kogon’s credentials for writing this book?

Kory Kogon is FranklinCovey’s Global Productivity Practice Leader and co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller The 5 Choices. With 25+ years in operational leadership (including roles at AlphaGraphics), she specializes in productivity, neuroleadership, and communication. Her expertise bridges theoretical frameworks and practical workplace challenges, making her insights highly actionable.

What are the key takeaways from Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager?

• People + Process: Balance task management with team leadership.
• Five Process Groups: Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor/Control, Close.
• Four Behaviors: Demonstrate respect, listen first, clarify expectations, practice accountability.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and address project risks to avoid failure.

How does the book define an “unofficial project manager”?

An unofficial project manager is someone who leads projects without formal authority or training—common in matrix organizations or startups. These individuals often juggle multiple roles, relying on influence rather than titles to drive results. The book provides tools to navigate this dynamic, such as building trust through consistency and leveraging informal networks.

What leadership behaviors does the book emphasize?

The “Four Foundational Behaviors” are core to leading without authority:

1. Demonstrate Respect: Acknowledge team contributions.
2. Listen First: Understand stakeholder needs before acting.
3. Clarify Expectations: Define roles, goals, and deadlines explicitly.
4. Practice Accountability: Hold yourself and others responsible for outcomes.

What are the best quotes from the book and their meanings?

• “Manage things. Lead people.” Focus on tasks while empowering team autonomy.
• “Character is who you are under pressure.” Integrity matters most during challenges.
• “Cadence of visibility and accountability creates high-performance teams.” Regular check-ins drive reliability and trust.

How does the book address risk management?

It advocates for proactive risk identification through tools like SWOT analysis and contingency planning. By assigning a “risk owner” for each threat and scheduling regular risk-review meetings, teams can mitigate issues before they escalate. Case studies show this approach reduces project failures by up to 30%.

How does this book compare to traditional project management guides?

Unlike PMBOK or Prince2 manuals, this book prioritizes soft skills and adaptability over rigid methodologies. It’s designed for agile, resource-constrained environments where formal processes are impractical. Readers praise its focus on real-world application over theoretical perfection.

Why is this book relevant for workplaces in 2025?

With hybrid work and AI-driven project tools becoming standard, the human-centric strategies in this book (like emotional intelligence and stakeholder alignment) are critical for navigating ambiguity. Its emphasis on informal leadership aligns with trends toward flatter organizational structures and collaborative decision-making.

What criticisms exist about Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager?

Some readers note the book’s frameworks lack granular technical detail (e.g., Gantt charts or software recommendations). However, proponents argue its strength lies in simplifying complexity for non-experts. A small subset of reviewers desire more case studies from tech or healthcare industries.