We're picking up some threads from the first episode, looking in greater depth at the strangeness of a delivery leadership role.

In the first half we return to that uncomfortable location for the CDO — sitting between each customer's needs and the objectives of your own business — and we discuss how it's more complicated still, because you also need to serve the teams that actually deliver client outcomes. Experts need the right opportunity to exercise their expertise, and it's the CDO's duty to create that space and guard it. We've talk over an example or two for that.

Later on, we look specifically at the strange, sometimes contradictory combination of skills and capabilities that a high performing delivery director should have. We talk over some of the fundamentals at a high level, many of which we'll return to in future episodes:

• High EQ
• Strong communication skills
• Diplomacy
• Strong organisational skills
• Outcome oriented
• Process driven
• Forecasting and capacity management
• Knowledge and skills sharing
• Strong sense of team — we’re doing this together
• Set standards, and hold people accountable to them

The very first episode of the Deliver That! podcast — a show about delivery leadership for projects, teams, and programs — the big concepts, real-life stories from the front line, and everything involved in the role of a Chief Delivery Officer.

In episode 1 we introduce the podcast and ourselves:

• What’s the reason for the podcast and what are we aiming to do with it?
• Who are we, Steve Hunton and Joe Baker?
• And what's the plan?

We also give a thumbnail sketch of what a CDO does, the primary focus and orientation in the role. But it's only broad brushstrokes really, coz this is what the show is about.

Deliver That! is a new podcast about project delivery leadership.

The big concepts, real-life stories from the front line, and everything involved in the role of a Chief Delivery Officer.

No filters. No fluff.

Just honest conversations about what happens in project and delivery leadership, and how big things really get done.