Episode 430: New Year. New Intent.

Episode 430: New Year. New Intent.

Author: Kevin Pannell July 13, 2026 Duration: 16:44

Welcome to Episode 430 of People, Process, Progress.

For many organizations, July marks the beginning of a new fiscal year. Budgets reset, priorities shift, and new initiatives begin. It's an exciting time, but it's also the perfect opportunity to pause before rushing into more work.

In this episode, Kevin Pannell shares why every successful year should begin with leadership intent rather than simply launching new projects. Drawing from more than three decades of experience in the military, emergency management, healthcare, public safety, information technology, and higher education, Kevin explores how clear intent helps leaders align teams, improve governance, prioritize meaningful work, and create better outcomes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why a new fiscal year should be part portfolio reset and part previous year re-evaluation
  • What leadership intent is, and what it isn't
  • Why people-centered problems require people-centered leadership
  • How listening during your first 90 days builds trust and improves decisions
  • Why governance should improve decision quality instead of creating bureaucracy
  • How portfolio management is really about investing in better human outcomes
  • Why lessons learned without improvement plans rarely lead to meaningful change

Whether you're leading a project, a PMO, a department, or an entire organization, this episode will help you begin the fiscal year with greater clarity, stronger alignment, and practical leadership principles you can put into practice immediately.

Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is committed to leading people, improving processes, and making meaningful progress.


Kevin Pannell has operated in environments where a single decision carries immense weight. As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman in critical care, a Firefighter/EMT, and now an Enterprise IT PMO leader, he’s learned that meticulous plans are only as good as the moment they fall apart. His People, Process, Progress podcast explores what happens next. This isn't theoretical management advice; it's a deep dive into the frameworks that actually function under pressure. Each episode draws direct lines between the sterile intensity of an ICU, the unpredictable chaos of a 911 call, and the complex political landscapes of modern corporate projects. You'll hear concrete stories and dissected strategies about guiding teams through uncertainty, adapting processes in real time, and finding a path forward when the expected one vanishes. The conversations are built on a simple, powerful premise: true progress isn't about avoiding failure, but about mastering your response to it. For anyone leading teams, managing careers, or simply interested in the mechanics of decisive action, this podcast offers a rare, grounded perspective. Tune in for honest discussions on resilience, leadership, and the practical tools that turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

People. Process. Progress.
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