In this episode of Apogy’s Change Leader Insights podcast, host Jessica Crow speaks with Richard Pharro, founder and CEO of APMG International, about how he started his career as a civil engineer and served on the board of the Association of Project Management before starting APMG International, how he’s used transparent communication to lead through change and Richard’s passion for professional certifications and development. Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies.  Started in 1993, APMG has expanded its portfolio to nearly 100 schemes across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organizations and has representation in 14 countries. During the conversation, Jessica asked Richard to share advice for change or project professionals who aren’t new to the field but want to develop in their profession. Richard explains that, ultimately, it’s all about the people. Says Richard, “Someone [once] said, ‘You manage the process but lead people.’ If you can’t take the people with you, whether it’s a change program or a project, it’s not going to happen.” Highlights from the conversation include: ☑️ Hearing how Richard and APMG International navigated the changes that resulted from the pandemic ☑️ Strategies for motivating people when they’re experiencing disruptions and fear, including sharing the pain and providing transparent communication throughout the process ☑️ The value of continuous learning and accredited training services in understanding and developing new skills If you want to learn more about being a vulnerable and transparent leader at the C-Suite level (or any high-level leadership role) and the power of training and professional development, be sure to tune in and hear what Richard has to say!