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Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project Management
When was the last time you felt stressed and exhausted at work? Chances are your answer to that question is "not too long ago". As the author realized from first-hand experience, even well-prepared, hard-working, intelligent people can feel the strain of project management. This book presents a comprehensive set of approaches, tips and techniques that enable you to make projects more effective, successful and enjoyable. Leading Impactful Teams is a lively exploration of the "lenses" of project management - Time, Cost, Quality, Scope, People, Risk and Prioritisation - that will enable the reader to develop a "sixth sense" for potential issues that could derail their project. Replete with over 50 imaginative illustrations to explain the insights and practices that are packed into every page, the stories and ideas in this book go way past the theories and bring the reality of projects to life. It will help you understand how to make your project a success and avoid unnecessary complications. This is a unique, powerful book for anyone involved in project management, be it at work or outside of it. James Louttit shares his refreshing, engaging and human approach, to provide you with a powerful toolkit to help you and your team deliver great project outcomes with minimum stress and maximum fun.
213 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2024
8 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 7, 2025
I've been in project management for 15 years, have studied for the PMP and am a Certified Scrum Master. This is by far the best book I have read offering practical, meaningful and impactful ways to be a better project manager. Most literature does not get into what James rightly calls the "sixth sense" of Project Management, and as a PMO, I'll be making it suggested reading for all of my staff. Don't skip out on this one!
March 1, 2025
Okay, I might be a little too generous with 4 stars (more 3.75)
My biggest issue with this book was the title. It’s more about project management for non-tech people (and extremely well written), but not about impactful teams
My biggest issue with this book was the title. It’s more about project management for non-tech people (and extremely well written), but not about impactful teams
February 2, 2024
This book is “projects with personality”; it is a highly refreshing read through project theory and practice, against a backdrop of personal experiences and storytelling. The writing style is light-hearted, fun, and colloquial, which is a welcome digression from drier, fact based, textbook styles. Its greatest consistent feature is how it describes typical project challenges and then immediately provides practical tips to overcome them.
The quirky chapter headings are great, such as “Quality; not messing stuff up”. The content is quite authentic, as James is not afraid to talk about the controversial stuff such as sinking in “change request purgatory”, “taming the HiPPOs” (Highest-Paid Person’s Opinion) in meetings, how to spend your “urgency currency” wisely and the utter frustration that can be felt due to the endless paperwork required by some PMOs! My favorite section was his explanation of working environments as “caves, commons, collaboration and contemplation”, it is fantastic, and I could see myself in each scenario.
Following a lengthy (but engaging) personal introduction, it takes a while to get to ‘the project stuff’. I like how he introduces project context and soft skills before he gets to the practical stuff like risk, time, scope, and quality management. This correctly prioritizes the critical role of power skills ahead of theoretical practice. The explanations around context include the importance of building a strong project team to ‘do the work’, freeing the Project Manager to focus on stakeholder management and project politics to protect the team. The soft skills look at people behaviors, interactions, and organizational dynamics – as navigating this landscape often determines how effectively projects are realized.
He also captures the versatility of Project Managers, illustrating how they need a diverse range of skills to dig into all corners of a business and to pivot from high level to detailed conversations. A lot of project management is intuition which is not something you can learn from a book, but James successfully manages to convey intuitive behaviors through stories and examples.
The chapters also stand up on their own, which is important, as it supports readers who wish to zoom in on a topic, rather than read cover to cover. There is also good signposting to other chapters for deeper dives on topics which is useful, if a bit too frequent at times.
Lastly, he explains well how certifications give access to knowledge, processes, and toolboxes, but elements should be selected as needed, rather than rigidly applied.
Project management can be an unusual profession in that you benefit more from learning the theory once you have some experience under your belt, as you understand by then how important your people skills are. However, due to its practical nature, this book could be read by both new and seasoned Project Managers. It is open hearted, fun, and authentic and you will definitely laugh at some point!
The quirky chapter headings are great, such as “Quality; not messing stuff up”. The content is quite authentic, as James is not afraid to talk about the controversial stuff such as sinking in “change request purgatory”, “taming the HiPPOs” (Highest-Paid Person’s Opinion) in meetings, how to spend your “urgency currency” wisely and the utter frustration that can be felt due to the endless paperwork required by some PMOs! My favorite section was his explanation of working environments as “caves, commons, collaboration and contemplation”, it is fantastic, and I could see myself in each scenario.
Following a lengthy (but engaging) personal introduction, it takes a while to get to ‘the project stuff’. I like how he introduces project context and soft skills before he gets to the practical stuff like risk, time, scope, and quality management. This correctly prioritizes the critical role of power skills ahead of theoretical practice. The explanations around context include the importance of building a strong project team to ‘do the work’, freeing the Project Manager to focus on stakeholder management and project politics to protect the team. The soft skills look at people behaviors, interactions, and organizational dynamics – as navigating this landscape often determines how effectively projects are realized.
He also captures the versatility of Project Managers, illustrating how they need a diverse range of skills to dig into all corners of a business and to pivot from high level to detailed conversations. A lot of project management is intuition which is not something you can learn from a book, but James successfully manages to convey intuitive behaviors through stories and examples.
The chapters also stand up on their own, which is important, as it supports readers who wish to zoom in on a topic, rather than read cover to cover. There is also good signposting to other chapters for deeper dives on topics which is useful, if a bit too frequent at times.
Lastly, he explains well how certifications give access to knowledge, processes, and toolboxes, but elements should be selected as needed, rather than rigidly applied.
Project management can be an unusual profession in that you benefit more from learning the theory once you have some experience under your belt, as you understand by then how important your people skills are. However, due to its practical nature, this book could be read by both new and seasoned Project Managers. It is open hearted, fun, and authentic and you will definitely laugh at some point!
February 6, 2025
I recently finished listening to ‘Leading Impactful Teams’ audiobook by James Louttit, and I found it to be an incredible book with deep insights and practical guide for anyone in a project, leadership, management and even other diverse career roles. This book does a great job of breaking down what it takes to take up a project, build and lead a successful team while keeping stress levels low.
One of the major insight I took from the book is how it focuses on people-first leadership. James emphasized that being a great leader is not just about managing or delivering a task regardless of the situation, it’s about understanding and supporting your team. He talked about how various perspectives and ideas from colleagues can make a team stronger and how important it is to create an environment where people feel heard, motivated and valued. This really resonated with me because I am a firm believer that a strong team culture is essential for success.
Leading Impactful Teams also introduces a unique way of looking at project management through different lenses like stress less approach, time, cost, quality, team and the scope. This approach helped me see how all these elements connect and how a project manager needs to balance them to keep a project on track. The book also opened my eyes to tips on being a great leader in the workspace and how to relate with people. The relatable examples and storytelling made it easier to understand and apply.
What stood out the most to me was the focus on low-stress success. James’s emphasis on the importance of effective prioritization when carrying out a task really stuck with me. He gave a suggestion that by focusing on tasks that offer high value with less effort, teams can enhance productivity and reduce stress. This made me understand that by concentrating on these high-value, low-effort tasks, teams and individuals can achieve significant progress without overworking themselves. A lot of leadership books talk about efficiency and results, but this one really prioritizes the well-being of the team. James explains how reducing unnecessary stress leads to better decision-making and more productive, engaged employees. This is a perspective I think more workplaces should adopt.
Overall, Leading Impactful Teams is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their project management and leadership skills. Whether you're a new manager or an experienced leader looking for fresh insights, this book offers valuable strategies to help you build strong, effective teams.
One of the major insight I took from the book is how it focuses on people-first leadership. James emphasized that being a great leader is not just about managing or delivering a task regardless of the situation, it’s about understanding and supporting your team. He talked about how various perspectives and ideas from colleagues can make a team stronger and how important it is to create an environment where people feel heard, motivated and valued. This really resonated with me because I am a firm believer that a strong team culture is essential for success.
Leading Impactful Teams also introduces a unique way of looking at project management through different lenses like stress less approach, time, cost, quality, team and the scope. This approach helped me see how all these elements connect and how a project manager needs to balance them to keep a project on track. The book also opened my eyes to tips on being a great leader in the workspace and how to relate with people. The relatable examples and storytelling made it easier to understand and apply.
What stood out the most to me was the focus on low-stress success. James’s emphasis on the importance of effective prioritization when carrying out a task really stuck with me. He gave a suggestion that by focusing on tasks that offer high value with less effort, teams can enhance productivity and reduce stress. This made me understand that by concentrating on these high-value, low-effort tasks, teams and individuals can achieve significant progress without overworking themselves. A lot of leadership books talk about efficiency and results, but this one really prioritizes the well-being of the team. James explains how reducing unnecessary stress leads to better decision-making and more productive, engaged employees. This is a perspective I think more workplaces should adopt.
Overall, Leading Impactful Teams is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their project management and leadership skills. Whether you're a new manager or an experienced leader looking for fresh insights, this book offers valuable strategies to help you build strong, effective teams.
March 7, 2024
Having recently attended one of James Louttit's workshops, I was thrilled to delve into his book, Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project Management. The workshop itself was a testament to James's expertise, offering an engaging and highly interactive experience that resonated with my role as a change project manager. This book further cements his standing as a guiding light in the realm of project management.
James's approach to the subject is refreshingly practical and grounded in real-world applications. For someone in my position, navigating the complexities of change management, the strategies and insights presented in this book are not just useful; they are indispensable. The emphasis on low-stress techniques to lead teams effectively aligns perfectly with the high-pressure scenarios we often find ourselves in, making this book a valuable addition to my professional toolkit.
One of the most delightful aspects of Leading Impactful Teams is the integration of cartoons and stories throughout the chapters. These elements do more than just break up the text; they offer memorable, relatable scenarios that drive home the book's key points. This creative choice not only makes the material more accessible but also enhances the learning experience, allowing the lessons to stick long after you've turned the final page.
On a personal level, I found the book's insights into team dynamics and leadership particularly enlightening. The balance between theoretical frameworks and actionable advice is struck with finesse, ensuring that readers come away equipped to make tangible improvements in their project management practices.
In summary, Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project Management by James Louttit is a must-read for project managers seeking to elevate their leadership skills and achieve success with less stress. Its practical advice, enriched with engaging cartoons and stories, makes it a standout resource in the field of project management. I would confidently give this book a 5-star rating for its profound impact on my professional development and its immediate applicability to my role as a change project manager.
James's approach to the subject is refreshingly practical and grounded in real-world applications. For someone in my position, navigating the complexities of change management, the strategies and insights presented in this book are not just useful; they are indispensable. The emphasis on low-stress techniques to lead teams effectively aligns perfectly with the high-pressure scenarios we often find ourselves in, making this book a valuable addition to my professional toolkit.
One of the most delightful aspects of Leading Impactful Teams is the integration of cartoons and stories throughout the chapters. These elements do more than just break up the text; they offer memorable, relatable scenarios that drive home the book's key points. This creative choice not only makes the material more accessible but also enhances the learning experience, allowing the lessons to stick long after you've turned the final page.
On a personal level, I found the book's insights into team dynamics and leadership particularly enlightening. The balance between theoretical frameworks and actionable advice is struck with finesse, ensuring that readers come away equipped to make tangible improvements in their project management practices.
In summary, Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project Management by James Louttit is a must-read for project managers seeking to elevate their leadership skills and achieve success with less stress. Its practical advice, enriched with engaging cartoons and stories, makes it a standout resource in the field of project management. I would confidently give this book a 5-star rating for its profound impact on my professional development and its immediate applicability to my role as a change project manager.
February 25, 2024
A flexible and human-centric book that blends theory with proven and practical “lived expertise”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2024
James Louttit's personal story takes us from ambitious and dedicated to being too busy, having too many projects and perhaps even caring too much, to headaches and feelings of overwhelm, to a breakdown and a psychotic episode that landed him in hospital with a severe case of viral meningitis.
If any of this sounds familiar, grab a copy of this book right now.
On return to work, James became a Project Management Competence Lead and began building the experience and expertise he shares with us here.
There are so many ideas and practices to love and learn from in this book. For instance:
There are so many ideas and practices to love and learn from in this book. For instance:
• Be responsible for ensuring our work is sustainable, enjoyable and valuable
• Ask yourself whether you should be doing things differently. If the answer is yes, take action now!
• Put time into doing important, non-urgent tasks
• Prioritise delegation and coaching and delete things that are urgent yet unimportant
• Be flexible in how you apply rules and theories
• Learn from others and avoid reinventing the wheel
• And, very close to my heart, communicate (openly and transparently)
You can easily dip in and out of this book. The layout offers short sections, lists, bullet points and charts. All brilliantly visualised with cartoons and illustrations by Tais Krymova, which:
• Bear the key point in their title
• Create bite-sized and accessible information “chunks”
• Provide a sharp, and often humorous, visual summary
In spite of the power and value of automation and AI, James leaves us with a salutary reminder that ‘any way that you can ramp up the humanity in your team or with your stakeholders will be crucial for your success in the future.’
Whether you’re a project manager, team manager, team member or someone calling on the services of a team, this book has something for you. Enjoy!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2024
James Louttit's personal story takes us from ambitious and dedicated to being too busy, having too many projects and perhaps even caring too much, to headaches and feelings of overwhelm, to a breakdown and a psychotic episode that landed him in hospital with a severe case of viral meningitis.
If any of this sounds familiar, grab a copy of this book right now.
On return to work, James became a Project Management Competence Lead and began building the experience and expertise he shares with us here.
There are so many ideas and practices to love and learn from in this book. For instance:
There are so many ideas and practices to love and learn from in this book. For instance:
• Be responsible for ensuring our work is sustainable, enjoyable and valuable
• Ask yourself whether you should be doing things differently. If the answer is yes, take action now!
• Put time into doing important, non-urgent tasks
• Prioritise delegation and coaching and delete things that are urgent yet unimportant
• Be flexible in how you apply rules and theories
• Learn from others and avoid reinventing the wheel
• And, very close to my heart, communicate (openly and transparently)
You can easily dip in and out of this book. The layout offers short sections, lists, bullet points and charts. All brilliantly visualised with cartoons and illustrations by Tais Krymova, which:
• Bear the key point in their title
• Create bite-sized and accessible information “chunks”
• Provide a sharp, and often humorous, visual summary
In spite of the power and value of automation and AI, James leaves us with a salutary reminder that ‘any way that you can ramp up the humanity in your team or with your stakeholders will be crucial for your success in the future.’
Whether you’re a project manager, team manager, team member or someone calling on the services of a team, this book has something for you. Enjoy!
May 10, 2024
"Leading Impactful Teams" by James Louttit is a game-changer for project leaders. Through the lenses of Scope, Prioritization, Time, Cost, Quality, Risks, Team, and Stakeholders, Louttit provides practical strategies to anticipate and address potential project pitfalls.
This book is a concise and invaluable resource, offering actionable insights that every leader can benefit from.
I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their project management skills and lead their teams to success.
Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project ManagementJames Louttit
This book is a concise and invaluable resource, offering actionable insights that every leader can benefit from.
I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their project management skills and lead their teams to success.
Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project ManagementJames Louttit
July 24, 2024
This is an excellent book which contains invaluable information for all project managers and team leaders, regardless of their levels of experience. James has a wealth of experience in the areas of project delivery and project management competency training which he shares in this book. He writes openly and honestly of his learnings and the personal impacts of work-related stress and burnout. The book is rich in content and outlines the various 'lenses' of project management together with many techniques and tips on how to deliver successful projects and quality outcomes while maintaining a work-life balance, achieving low-stress success and building a high performing (happy) team. It is thought provoking, witty, written in simple terms with highly effective illustrations which keeps the reader engaged from the very start. I highly commend this book for anyone in a project management or team leading role.
April 21, 2025
As President of the European Organisation for Medical Physics (EFOMP), I have the privilege of representing a community of scientists dedicated to advancing healthcare through their work in hospitals, academia, and industry. In our field, leadership plays a crucial role—not just in managing teams, but in inspiring innovation and change, fostering collaboration, guiding and enabling the next generation of physicists. That’s why I found James Louttit’s techniques on how to lead impactful teams particularly excellent. His insights resonate deeply with the challenges and aspirations of our profession, offering practical tools to guide teams with clarity, empathy, honnesty and vision. I highly recommend his work to anyone committed to effective leadership in complex and evolving working places.
January 1, 2025
I thought this book was insightful and I learned some new concepts that I will be taking back to my job. I thought that James outlined his concepts in an easy to understand format. I loved the point he made about calculating work. If the task is going to take 8 hours to complete, don't say it will be completed in one day. You are setting your team and the project up for failure because you will likely get 4 hours of focused work on the project in a day because we are constantly interrupted by emails, questions, meetings, etc.
My current boss talks about burn down charts all the time and thanks to James, I finally understand what he is talking about! I didn't realize that he was taking this term from his engineering role and the numerous projects he had to lead.
My current boss talks about burn down charts all the time and thanks to James, I finally understand what he is talking about! I didn't realize that he was taking this term from his engineering role and the numerous projects he had to lead.
May 28, 2024
I think that this is a really excellent book for anyone that simply wants to get stuff done and avoid falling into the same problems time and time again.
The simplicity of the book is its superpower, I love the level at which James has pitched this.
He’s like the guy you go to have a coffee with after you’ve been chewed up by another bad work experience.
So many practical tools to help around effective meetings, prioritising tasks, dealing with hierarchies and managing risk.
If you truly want to break that cycle of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is the book for you!!
The simplicity of the book is its superpower, I love the level at which James has pitched this.
He’s like the guy you go to have a coffee with after you’ve been chewed up by another bad work experience.
So many practical tools to help around effective meetings, prioritising tasks, dealing with hierarchies and managing risk.
If you truly want to break that cycle of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This is the book for you!!
December 12, 2024
I'm a career project manager and I have to say - in reading this book, it's clear that the author has definitely "been there" and learned his lessons in the field.
To me, this book reads like having a coffee with an experienced mentor, who is sharing constructive lessons to help me be a better (and less stressed) leader.
I highly recommend, especially for new and intermediate PMs. Even as an experienced PM, I found some of his honest takes on tools like Eisenhower matrices and MoSCoW refreshing. I actually have several hand-written notes in my copy to the effect of, "YES! Someone else gets it!"
To me, this book reads like having a coffee with an experienced mentor, who is sharing constructive lessons to help me be a better (and less stressed) leader.
I highly recommend, especially for new and intermediate PMs. Even as an experienced PM, I found some of his honest takes on tools like Eisenhower matrices and MoSCoW refreshing. I actually have several hand-written notes in my copy to the effect of, "YES! Someone else gets it!"
February 1, 2025
I was quickly drawn to this book upon listening to the prologue as I could completely relate to the experience of having to do everything anything all at once and it seems that everybody is counting on you to get the task done. I was stressed I ended up saying things I shouldn't have.
I haven't finished the book, however, I learned that this book resonance with my vision of managing my team. Having an effective communication and leadership style, fostering a collaborative environment, and giving people a sense of ownership through regular feedback, but balancing with appropriate recognition for their achievements are some of the key points I learned from this book. I will finish it.
I haven't finished the book, however, I learned that this book resonance with my vision of managing my team. Having an effective communication and leadership style, fostering a collaborative environment, and giving people a sense of ownership through regular feedback, but balancing with appropriate recognition for their achievements are some of the key points I learned from this book. I will finish it.
March 27, 2025
I highly recommend all those in leadership positions to read this book. It's practical and gives insightful techniques in how to lead teams. The book is a must read for all. It offers a holistic view of team leadership, making it a useful tool for those aiming to improve team dynamics and achieve sustainable success. I know I will use this book as a resource in my day to day work and will refer back to it when attempting to achieve project success while maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.
March 4, 2024
I brought this book with a view to keeping up with current trends and methods in the PM world. I discovered a true gem, an easy read, yet providing comprehensive coverage of all things necessary in the PM world of today. The use of memorable graphics and humour have proven to be an unexpected tool , both as a memory trigger and also a huge aid in explaining concepts to stakeholders. I would have no issue recommending this book to new and experienced PMs alike.
May 6, 2024
I liked the practical approach to Project Management. It’s very useful if you are not a professional PM and would like some skillful guidance. The personal anectodes of the author increase the credibility. My only reservation is that it becomes a bit repetitive hard to follow towards the end, and some of the outlined techniques are just common sense. Still, a great book if you are not familiar with the inricacies of Project Management.
February 17, 2025
Just finished "Leading Impactful Team", it offers a real-world perspective on project management, delivered in an engaging and insightful way.
James Louttit shares practical strategies that resonate with any PM. The book is full of clear and actionable advice, meaning you can start applying it to your own projects today.
The audiobook version, narrated by James Louttit himself, brings even more personality to the material, making the listening experience truly enjoyable.
James Louttit shares practical strategies that resonate with any PM. The book is full of clear and actionable advice, meaning you can start applying it to your own projects today.
The audiobook version, narrated by James Louttit himself, brings even more personality to the material, making the listening experience truly enjoyable.
September 3, 2025
4.5
This was a *very* practical book for PMs (purposefully not theoretical) with lots of tips and tricks, as well as stories from 20 years of project leadership experience (which may have been the most valuable part for me). The author also emphasized a human way of working that was sustainable for both PM and team - and shared vulnerable his experience of true burnout during his career.
Well worth a read for any PM!
This was a *very* practical book for PMs (purposefully not theoretical) with lots of tips and tricks, as well as stories from 20 years of project leadership experience (which may have been the most valuable part for me). The author also emphasized a human way of working that was sustainable for both PM and team - and shared vulnerable his experience of true burnout during his career.
Well worth a read for any PM!
February 29, 2024
Highly recommend this book! An easy read, with practical real life insights that will be extremely valuable to anyone in a pm role and or leading a team. The cartoon's are a great visual element to the book making the tips and tricks memorable. A really great resource to have for anyone working in a team. Just finished it and have already recommended to colleagues.
January 1, 2025
I really appreciated how well thought out the 'Lens' were and the examples - albeit - not completely applicable to my work, were sufficient relatable to provide meaningful insights and lessons.
Intentionally implementing these lessons will be a different challenge, but I am glad to end 2024, learning something new for 2025.
Cheers!
Intentionally implementing these lessons will be a different challenge, but I am glad to end 2024, learning something new for 2025.
Cheers!
March 5, 2025
I’ve read the book and took the in-person course. Perfect for those new to project management as you get all the best existing techniques from different PjM frameworks and innovative techniques that James has developed! Also valuable for those who have tons of experience in project management as it gives you different ways to put those skills into more effective practice!
January 22, 2025
A great book for Project Management (or any business positions) to read. Many real-world applications that build on the growth mindset that many Project Manager's inherently have. Valuable tips and tricks and mindset shifts to apply immediately in your workplace. Thoroughly enjoyed.
February 27, 2024
Great tips in this even for those of us who aren’t project managers.
February 29, 2024
Excellent, practical guide to project managment for people of all experience levels. Lots of actionable tips to experiment with. Recommended.
April 4, 2024
Great Ideas! So much in a book! I have already implemented several of them. Thanks James.
July 1, 2024
Fantastic book easy to read and well explained/illustrated book.
James delves deep into techniques used for project management easily but thorough making it a pleasant reading experience.
James delves deep into techniques used for project management easily but thorough making it a pleasant reading experience.
July 1, 2024
It makes sense!
October 7, 2024
This is a really good book with some useful tips!
Definitely recommend reading it if you’re looking for some new ideas to help with leading a successful team!
Definitely recommend reading it if you’re looking for some new ideas to help with leading a successful team!
November 30, 2024
It is an amazing book. I am currently reading it as I am my master's has a project management course and the author of this book was a guest lecturer a few weeks ago. Both his lecture and his book are really interesting. While courses on project management will teach you theories and concepts, this book will explore areas that I have never seen being taught in courses. I could relate to it so much based on my own project management experience and loved every bit of it. Would definitely recommend this for anyone who is either a project manager or has to work with groups a lot.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews