TeeLeads

🚀 Applications Are OPEN! 🚀

Cohort 2 of the NCPMI Next Gen Mentorship Program launches mid-September, and this is your chance to be part of something truly transformative.

📅 Key Dates

•Apply by: 09/01/25
•Pairing Announcements by: 09/08/15
•Virtual Kickoff Call: 09/09/05
•8-Week Cycle Launch: Mid-September

Whether you join as a or a , you’re signing up for more than just conversations—you’re stepping into a space where are accelerated, perspectives are broadened, and professional connections turn into lifelong allies.

💡 For mentees, this is your moment to get clarity, set two key goals, and receive personalized guidance from someone who’s walked the road ahead.

🌟 For mentors, it’s your chance to give back, shape future leaders, and gain fresh perspectives that will sharpen your own leadership edge.

This work is so close to my heart. I believe in building bridges between and , and being the connector that helps turn potential into reality.

🔥 Don’t miss this opportunity—spaces are limited, and the connections you’ll make could change your career trajectory forever.

Applicants waitlisted from Cohort #1 do not need to reapply.

Application links conveniently captured in my bio for both mentees and mentors!

So I’ll ask you—what’s stopping you from saying yes to your next big leap?
___________

is an affiliate regional chapter of

———————

🖊️ Hi, I’m Tiara—and I’m a chronic meeting doodler.

Not because I’m bored. Not because I’m disengaged.

But because… it helps me focus and retain more.

The more high-stakes the convo, the more squiggles, trees, or random shapes appear in my margins—and funny enough, I remember those convos best. 🤪

💡 Here’s why doodling works (especially for project leaders):

1️⃣ It boosts memory.
📚 Doodlers retain up to 30% more info. It’s not zoning out—it’s zoning in.

2️⃣ It prevents brain drift.
🧠 Light engagement (like doodling) keeps your mind alert during long meetings.

3️⃣ It mirrors how we think.
📈 PMs are visual organizers—we turn abstract chaos into plans. Sometimes it starts with a doodle.

4️⃣ It sparks creativity.
💥 Doodling taps into the brain’s idea-generating zone. Yes, it’s science.

🧠 What it really says about us?
We’re connectors. Translators of complexity. Quietly mapping out the next big idea… in the margins.

So before you judge the squiggler in the corner; consider they might be the most tuned-in person in the room.

👀 Try this: Next time you’re in a meeting, doodle freely. Then check what you remember. You just might surprise yourself.

✍️ Fellow doodlers—what’s your go-to sketch? I’m all about funky flowers, odd trees, and the occasional “You got this!” bubble. 😅

———————-

🚀 Ever wonder how project leadership shows up in the life of a MarTech developer? Join us, Next Gen, for a candid convo with Architect Surya Arvan as we unpack the blend of tech + strategy in real time.

🎤 I’ll be, once again, channeling my inner Oprah—asking the good questions, keeping it real, and maybe even handing out virtual ah-ha moments. 👏🏽💻

📅 August 20 | ⏰ 6–7 PM ET
🎓 Earn 1 PMI PDU ( )
💻 Free virtual event – register via link in bio or at NCPMI.org (Events Calendar)

————

came across a powerful idea today: our work benefits when we embrace the idea that the “self” is on a daily pilgrimage. It reminded me that we’re not static beings… we’re constantly evolving. Every decision, every setback, every breakthrough shapes us. We’re not just doing the work; we’re being shaped by the work.

There are pivotal seasons in life where we shift—subtly or radically—and it’s important to pause and reflect on our “former selves.” Not to judge them, but to honor them for what they carried and what they taught us. That kind of self-reflection isn’t indulgent; it’s necessary.

When we create, lead, and solve problems, we shouldn’t only ask “what needs to be done?” We should also be asking: “who am I right now?” and “who am I becoming through this?”

Because the truth is, our best work doesn’t just come from skill or strategy. It comes from alignment with who we are and who we’re growing into. When we approach our work as part of a daily pilgrimage of becoming, it keeps us grounded, curious, and open. And that mindset? It transforms not just how we lead, but why we lead.

——————

POV: You’re faced with a big decision or tangled set of choices and feel completely paralyzed by it!

We’ve all been there and can relate. Maybe it was a career crossroads. You had to choose between multiple opportunities. Too many variables and no clear answer. It’s a lot!

Mental chaos is real, and one tool I keep returning to when things feel messy is Mind Mapping.

🧠 What’s a mind map?
It’s a visual way of untangling your thoughts. It allows you to get everything out of your head, connect the dots, and see fresh ideas emerge… often times ideas you didn’t even know you had!

⸻

💡 Here’s how to do it:

1. Start with a blank page or whiteboard.

2. Write your main question or challenge in the center. (Example: “Which career opportunity should I pursue?”)

3. Draw lines radiating out with related topics: values, compensation, growth, alignment with goals, lifestyle, etc.

4. From each of those, branch out even more: What are your non-negotiables? What excites you? What scares you?

5. Keep going until you feel you’ve unpacked every layer. Step back. Patterns will emerge.

⸻

🎯 The goal: Get unstuck. Make your complex, swirling thoughts visible and structured.

✅ The outcome: You’ll leave with more clarity, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of what matters most.

⸻

🛠️ Other use cases:
• Planning a new project
• Exploring a new business idea
• Writing content
• Working through conflict
• Brainstorming with your team

Whether you’re a project manager, student, creative, or simply navigating life, this tool is for you.

⸻

🚨 Call to Action
Give it a try today. One question. One page. One brave beginning.
👇
Then tell me, what did you discover?

❣️ Share your experience in the comments. Or tag someone who could use this tool right now.

⸻

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” – Plutarch

Let’s light some fires. 🔥

Most of us shoot off DMs at light speed, but put a letter in front of us, and suddenly it hits different.

That’s the magic of epistolization: the intentional act of letter writing. It sharpens your leadership voice.

Here’s how 🧠💥:

1️⃣ Emotional clarity

Writing helps you feel and process. It’s a safe space to unpack complex emotions without pressure.

2️⃣ Storytelling strength

Letters are mini-stories. And stories? They stick. A fact wrapped in story is 22x more memorable.

3️⃣ Empathy boost

Thinking through someone else’s lens makes you a more inclusive, emotionally intelligent leader.

Bonus: When you stop trying to be “perfect,” you sound more like you. That’s where trust lives. And trust is where leadership grows.

📌 Challenge:
Write a letter you’ll never send. Address it at someone. Unload a secret, a hurt, a longing, or frustration. Don’t edit—just let it pour.

📝 Drop a “done” if you took the challenge.
💬 Feel free to share what surfaced.
📣 Tag a fellow leader or storyteller.

Let’s train our leadership voices—one unsent letter at a time!

——————

When was the last time you sat with your own thoughts… on purpose?

Not while scrolling. Not while half-listening to a podcast. I mean really sat still. Quiet. Just you and your thoughts for a few minutes.

It’s easy to fill every moment with noise, especially when we’re under pressure.

Maybe you’re trying to make a big decision at work.

Maybe there’s a personal situation weighing heavy on you.

Or maybe your mind just feels full… but you’re not sure with what.

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way:
Sometimes the clarity we’re looking for doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from stepping away.

Just 15 minutes of intentional solitude… a short walk, a quiet corner, sitting in your car before going inside, can make a huge difference.

Here’s why it matters:

🤎 It clears mental clutter. You get to hear your own voice, not everyone else’s.

🤎 It fuels creativity. Ever noticed how your best ideas hit when you’re in the shower or on a solo drive? That’s no accident.

🤎 It helps you reset emotionally. Time alone lets you process what you’re really feeling instead of powering through on autopilot.

🤎 It sharpens decision-making. A quiet mind makes better choices. Period. 👏🏾

This isn’t about isolating yourself. It’s about creating space to check in—with you.

🚨CTA: 🧘🏾‍♂️ Take 15 minutes today.

No phone 📱 . No music 🎶 . No one else.
Just stillness. And see what comes up.

And if this is something you already do—
✨ I’d love to hear how it’s helped you.
✨ Or what shifts you’ve noticed over time.

❣️Drop a comment or share this with someone who might need the reminder.

Let’s normalize slowing down… not as a luxury, but as a strategy for growth. Purposeful solitude promotes greater self awareness, emotional regulation, and focus! Solitude is power! 💥
—————-

🔥 Hot take: You don’t need to be a technical expert to lead a technical project!

Yes! I’ve been that person, as many of us have, that felt as if we didn’t ‘belong’ in the room because we couldn’t speak Java or configure a server.

There’s a common misconception in the project management world that unless you can code, configure, or troubleshoot like your engineers, you can’t truly lead a technical project.

I’m sure some will debate this, but here’s what I’ve learned…

📌 Fact 1: Project success is rooted in communication, not code.

The Standish Group’s CHAOS Report has shown for years that the top reasons projects fail are poor communication, unrealistic expectations, and lack of user involvement… NOT lack of technical knowledge.

Skilled project leaders bridge the gap between business needs and tech delivery.

📌 Fact 2: Project Leaders bring structure to chaos.

From my observations, technical teams often need support prioritizing, aligning with business goals, and managing cross-functional dependencies.

Project leaders step in to provide the roadmap, remove blockers, and ensure accountability so the tech experts can stay focused on building.

📌 Fact 3: Emotional intelligence outperforms technical know-how in leadership.

A 2020 study from TalentSmart found that 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence. That includes listening, influence, and building trust… ALL qualities essential to leading any team, especially cross-functional technical ones.

Yes, having a grasp of technical concepts can be helpful, BUT it’s not a requirement for success. That’s why you build a team with the right technical expertise. As the project leader, your role is to guide, align, and drive outcomes, NOT to be the subject matter expert!

✨ The Benefit:

When a project management professional leads with clarity, curiosity, and collaboration, they become the glue that holds the vision and ex*****on together, even if they don’t write a single line of code.

Your strength is in leadership. And YESSSS! You most certainly can lead that tech program! You’ve got this!

——————

I didn’t expect Broken Clocks by Danielle Allen—a romance novel!—to hand me the life clarity I didn’t know I needed.

But y’all… whew. The lessons? Right. On. Time.

This wasn’t your typical self-help book. It was messy, emotional, and full of moments that felt a little too real. But somewhere between the heartbreak and healing, I stumbled across a theme that stopped me in my tracks:

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day!”

‼️Read that again.

This line shook me because it reminded me of something we all forget:

👉 Just because something isn’t happening in the timing we expected doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

👉 Even if you feel “stuck” or off track… there are still moments that align. That click. That count.

So here are 3 unexpected life & goal lessons from this unconventional read that you can take with you this week:

⸻

🕰️ 1. Perfect timing is a myth. Just start.
Waiting for the right moment? Don’t. Life rarely hands us a “perfect now.”

🎯 Try this: Set a 15-minute timer today and move on that thing you’ve been hesitating on. Doesn’t have to be perfect—just has to begin.

⸻

🛤️ 2. The journey is the destination.
Layla and Will didn’t take a straight path—and neither do we. Growth happens in the detours.

🎯 Try this: Look back on the last 30 days. What hard moment taught you something valuable? That was growth. That was alignment. You didn’t miss it.

⸻

🌱 3. You’re allowed to start over. Again.
The clock may look stuck, but it still hits the mark—twice a day. That means you can, too.

🎯 Try this: What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding because you think “too much time has passed”? Revisit it. Reignite it. You’re still on time.

⸻

✨Moral of the story?

Don’t underestimate where your next breakthrough might come from.

Sometimes it’s not a TED Talk or a leadership book—it’s a love story with soul.

⸻

📣 YOUR TURN:
What’s something you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to do?

Tell me below or drop a ⏳ if this hit home.

——-
.

Just placed this in my library and cannot wait to check it out!

I’m searching for a book to use for our Next Gen book club… could this be the one?! 🤔 😊
——-

A photograph is the pause button on life’s most beautiful moments. And this one? Whew… it’s still surreal.

Two weekends ago, my husband and I watched our baby girl start a new life and create her own little family, and it was such a humbling honor.

Baby girl, Mommy and Daddy will always be here, cheering you on, praying for you, and showing up with love (and snacks 😄). Keep God at the center and you’ll be just fine. Again, congratulations to the beautiful couple: Michael (.al )& Talya ( ) — The Alexanders 💍✨

you did an amazing job on the Bride & Groom table floral arrangement! Thank you!

Reception Location: Tucker House Raleigh

Photographer:

Thanks to all the family and friends that helped make this intimate day special; we love you!!!

For anyone feeling the love and wanting to shower the newlyweds, here’s the Cash App 🎁

$Tallllyyy

———-