Antonio Nieto -Rodriguez – Author of “Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook: How to Launch, Lead, and Sponsor Successful Projects”

Mastering Project Management: Trusting Your Gut and Leading with Confidence – Insights from Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

Mike interviews Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.

In this conversation with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, the man behind Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook: How to Launch, Lead, and Sponsor Successful Projects, we dug deep into project management. Antonio is a master of his craft, and this book is a game-changer for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of leading successful projects. Our discussion covered everything from trusting your gut to becoming a better communicator and leader while keeping an eye on the evolving landscape of tools and technologies that make or break project success.

SUMMARY

One of our chat’s biggest takeaways was the all-important question: When do you kill a project? Every entrepreneur, CEO, and project manager faces this at some point. You’ve put in the time, energy, and resources, but it’s just not clicking how you expected. Now you’re asking yourself: Is it time to pull the plug?

Antonio’s perspective was clear: It often comes down to gut feeling. Sure, you can look at the market, technology, and business case—run all the data you want—but your gut instinct is usually the most reliable indicator. It’s the same feeling you get in relationships that aren’t working, no matter how hard you try. If your gut is telling you something’s off, it probably is.

That said, walking away is tough. We’re emotionally and financially invested, and letting go can feel like a failure. But recognizing when to cut your losses can save you years of wasted effort. There’s no precise formula for this—it’s not as simple as crunching numbers and deciding to quit. It’s an instinct you develop over time, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find yourself making faster, better decisions that push you toward success.

Antonio emphasized that a great project manager isn’t just detail-oriented—they’re a master communicator. And this is where so many people screw up. You can have the technical know-how, the perfect strategy, and the most detailed plan, but your project is dead on arrival if you can’t articulate the vision to your team and clients.

Being a great communicator starts with listening. You must understand what the other person truly needs—not just what you promised in the proposal, but their natural, day-to-day needs. This means stepping into their shoes. For instance, if you’re working with someone in finance, they’ll want to know the return on investment. If you’re dealing with someone in publishing, like an author or a book marketer, they’ll need a solution that cuts through the clutter and helps them promote their work more effectively.

When you can speak the language of the people you’re working with and focus on what matters to them, you generate real engagement. Most project managers make the mistake of discussing timelines and technical details that nobody cares about. But when you focus on the value you’re delivering, people get excited. That’s how you rally the troops and motivate everyone to hit the finish line.

Let’s talk tools. Everyone loves to geek out over the latest project management software, but as Antonio pointed out, it’s not about the tools but the process. Tools like Asana, monday.com, and Excel are great, but they’re just the means to an end. What really matters is having a solid process that keeps you organized, accountable, and focused on the right things.

One tool that stood out in our conversation was ChatGPT and its variations. Antonio uses AI tools as a knowledge base, researching similar projects, learning from past mistakes, and getting real-time insights. That’s where the value is—using technology to augment your decision-making and planning, not replace it. Microsoft Copilot is another tool Antonio is testing, and it’s clear that staying curious about new technologies is essential. The tools change fast, so don’t get too attached to one platform. Instead, remain adaptable and keep your process strong.

One of our discussion’s most straightforward but powerful takeaways was scheduling. Time is your most valuable asset, and how you manage it can make or break your project. Antonio suggests setting clear blocks of time for specific tasks and sticking to them. For example, he only holds project meetings on Thursdays and Fridays, leaving the rest of the week open for focused work. By controlling your schedule, you set the rules and ensure your time is spent on the most important things.

Mike Fallat and Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez talk about the book Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook: How to Launch, Lead, and Sponsor Successful Projects.

Technology can help here, too. Tools like Google Calendar and Calendly make it easy to manage meetings and schedules, especially when juggling multiple projects and teams. But again, the key is discipline. It’s about setting the framework and making sure your team follows it. When everyone knows the rules, productivity skyrockets.

Project management is more than just hitting deadlines and sticking to a budget. It’s about trusting your gut, becoming a master communicator, and staying disciplined in your approach. Antonio’s book, Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook, is a must-read for anyone looking to take their project management skills to the next level. It’s packed with insights that go beyond the technical aspects and dive into the real-world skills you need to succeed.

Whether you’re leading a small team or overseeing a massive enterprise project, the principles we discussed—gut instinct, clear communication, and disciplined execution—will keep you on the right track. Successful projects don’t just happen—they’re led by people who understand how to adapt, communicate, and trust their instincts when it matters most.

Get his book here:

About Mike Fallat

Mike Fallat, aka The BookMan, is the owner of Dreamstarters Publishing and the Million Dollar Book Agency. They have helped 300+ entrepreneurs become bestselling authors. His goal is to help 1,000 entrepreneurs publish books and teach them how to use their books as a gateway to generating 7-figures.

Visit website for more information: https://www.milliondollarbookagency.com/

About Dreamstarters Publishing


Dreamstarters Publishing offers ghostwriting, cover design, and everything that is required to take an idea to a finished book (kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook).


The Million Dollar Book Agency is the ultimate marketing CRM system for author-preneurs. Services include automated funnels, lead generation campaigns, book fulfillment, podcast management, press releases, virtual assistants, course development, and more.

Mike also hosts a podcast known as Million Dollar Stories and runs a membership-based site known as Million Dollar Circle. In addition to owning the book business, he invests in self storage real estate.

https://dreamstarterspublishing.com/

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