About Brett Harned
Project management made human.
I’m a project management coach, operations consultant, speaker, and author with more than 20 years of experience helping teams work better by acting more like humans and less like robots.
I’ve led agency teams, worked with startups and nonprofits, and coached hundreds of project managers across industries. I’ve built systems, fixed broken ones, and helped people find their footing in the mess. And through it all, one thing has always been true: you can’t lead projects if you ignore the people doing the work.
That’s what makes my approach different. I bring a human-centered lens to everything I do. It’s practical, not precious. Personal, not prescriptive. Real talk, not rehearsed frameworks.
What I do now:
- 1:1 coaching for leaders and PMs who want to lead with confidence
- Consulting for teams who need better systems and communication
- Fractional leadership for organizations in transition
- Speaking and workshops on project management, team culture, and leadership
Everything I offer is grounded in actual experience—not theory—and tailored to fit your context, not someone else’s template.
Other things you might want to know:
- I’m the author of Project Management for Humans (Rosenfeld Media), which has helped thousands of people manage the work and the humans behind it.
- I’ve spoken at more than 100 conferences and events (and I still get nervous every time).
- I co-founded Same Team Partners, a content platform focused on honest leadership and the emotional reality of work.
- I host a podcast called The High Five where we talk about the weird, wonderful ways teams operate.
- I believe in trust over templates, clarity over chaos, and leading with empathy—even when it’s hard.
Let’s work together
If you’re looking for someone who can help your team move forward—with strategy, sanity, and just the right amount of snark—get in touch. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
On the side
I like to find fun in everything I do, whether that's digging into complex workflow and finding issues, exploring a National Park with my family, running a conference, or sweating my bodyweight on the Peloton bike. My life and work are balanced by experiences that bring me joy, both at home and at work...which also happens to be at home.
Before the iPhone, I considered myself an amateur photographer. I rarely get the DSLR out anymore, but I still love to take and share photos. Especially when exploring. Some of my favorites are below.
