Meet Dr. Arden Dudek

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Arden Dudek a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Arden, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

Risk is a relative concept—what feels risky to one person might seem like a natural step to another. My journey with risk-taking began early. From elementary school, I was confident in speaking publicly, teaching classes, and helping my peers solve their problems. This early exposure to leadership roles built a foundation of self-assurance.

My professional career started at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) headquartered in Plano, TX, where I not only honed my IT programming skills but also received extensive training in project management. Risk management became second nature to me, as it is a crucial component of delivering successful projects.

In contrast to my measured risk management processes in school and work, I wasn’t always so intentional in my personal life. While working at EDS, I quickly dated and married a coworker. We seemed very compatible, but I didn’t realize that his relationship with his ex-wife and his two kids would not be as smooth sailing as my parents’ relationship after their divorce.

It was during this marriage that I began practicing my Christian faith. Learning about God’s unconditional love and His desire to protect His followers brought much peace and comfort when life got rocky or when I needed to make difficult choices. One such time was the “risk” of living as a divorced woman in Scottsdale, AZ, after my husband left me for the “other woman.” I was living 1,000 miles from any family or close friends. Yet, I found peace after locating a local church community that adopted me and encouraged me. While it may have looked risky, it was a personally meaningful moment as I went skydiving with my new church family on what would have been my 16th wedding anniversary.

Six months later, I scheduled a two-week European vacation with only a few days’ notice to my employer and my family. There were risky moments, like realizing I didn’t speak Italian, getting lost with my suitcase in the rain in Rome, and suddenly understanding that previous international travel had always been in groups, not alone. But it was a pivotal moment when I explored Avignon, France, and realized I wanted to move there to study French in this historic city. I did just that six months later. Instead of staying in Europe for one year, I stayed for three, gaining experience travelling back to Rome, and then to Capri, Brighton, Warsaw, and even Tunis—mostly traveling by myself, even in places where I didn’t know the language.

Taking risks—like launching my own consulting business after a corporate layoff—requires assessment, calculation, planning, and courage. There may be bumpy places along the way. Imposter syndrome may try to come along on the journey. It is better to have at least one or two traveling companions, including my faith in the goodness of God. But the life experiences of taking a “risk” far outweigh the bigger risk of never truly living life.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At Planning Management Consulting LLC, we believe in the power of values-based leadership to transform organizations. Our mission is to guide organizations through change by clarifying their strategy, prioritizing their projects, and building teams of servant leaders. What excites me most about our work is the blend of analytical problem-solving and the art of flexible adaptation to new challenges. This dynamic approach allows us to empower leaders and teams to achieve their strategic objectives while strengthening their internal effectiveness.

Our consulting services are designed to help organizations navigate complex projects and changes with confidence. We guide organizations to achieve strategic alignment from the C-suite to project teams, ensuring effective stakeholder benefits. By integrating best practices in project management with innovative leadership strategies, we help our clients achieve sustainable success.

One of the most special aspects of our work is the emphasis on people. Project management is not just about processes and tools; it’s about aligning individuals and teams to be effective with incremental improvements. We ensure that those impacted by our projects feel valued and confident, which in turn drives organizational success.

We are finalizing the launch of our Leadership Agility™ workshops, even as I prepare to introduce the topics in upcoming speaking engagements. These workshops are designed to equip leaders and project managers with the skills and mindset needed to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment.

At Planning Management Consulting LLC, we are committed to inspiring others to maximize their impact on their organizations and communities while charting their paths to success. Whether you are looking to mature your PMO, enhance your leadership capabilities, or drive strategic change, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, I believe the most impactful qualities and skills can be encapsulated in the S.E.R.V.E. Framework, which stands for Solve, Evaluate, Respect, Value, and Execute. Here are three key components that have been particularly impactful:

1. Solve Problems: One of the most critical skills is the ability to solve problems while aligning individuals and organizations via values, objectives, priorities, and timelines. This involves not only analytical thinking but also a deep understanding of the organizational context. My advice is to practice problem-solving in various scenarios and seek opportunities to align team efforts with broader organizational goals.

2. Respect Different Voices and Perspectives: Respecting different voices, perspectives, and alternatives is crucial for fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. This quality has helped me build strong, diverse teams and make well-rounded decisions. To cultivate this, actively listen to others, seek out diverse viewpoints, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

3. Execute and Deliver Higher Value: Finally, executing and delivering higher value as fast as possible to benefit customers is key to achieving success. This involves effective planning, prioritization, and a focus on delivering tangible results. For those early in their journey, focus on honing your execution skills and always strive to deliver value to your stakeholders.

In addition to these three dimensions, the S.E.R.V.E. Framework also includes Evaluate Metrics, Finances, & Feedback and Value the Journey & the Learnings. These components emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and recognizing the growth that comes from every experience.

By integrating these components into your professional practice, you can navigate challenges more effectively and drive meaningful change within your organization. The S.E.R.V.E. Framework has been instrumental in my journey, and I believe it can provide a solid foundation for others as well.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Nearly 15 years ago, I was surprised to be gifted with John Maxwell’s book The 360° Leader from a CFO for whom I had developed financial reporting solutions that reduced her annual audit review by 30%. Despite some tense conversations and different priorities during the project, she honored me by recognizing me as already being a 360° leader. Those leadership traits she acknowledged were developed through my Christian faith and my initial introduction to values-based leadership from Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Covey’s focus on Personal Vision, Leadership, and Management has been particularly impactful. Recognizing that I can only truly influence myself, having a written life purpose, and continuously re-prioritizing my life activities (family, work, relaxation, faith, etc.) are key steps in living a fulfilled and vibrant life. These concepts have also benefited my organizational and project leadership outcomes by proactively envisioning the strategy, beginning with the end in mind, and putting first things first.

Covey’s Public Victory framework further informs the servant leadership approach I choose to demonstrate. His principles of Interpersonal Leadership and Empathetic Communication are best summarized by Thinking Win/Win and Seeking First to Understand, then be Understood as a team practices Creative Cooperation. These practices have been invaluable as I have led teams, mentored individuals, and managed effective projects for my organizations.

Your question has also uncovered how deeply Covey’s concepts have become ingrained in me. I have integrated his self-management methods—along with those of Maxwell and other mentors—into my leadership style. This integration has inspired me to develop the Agility Life Navigator Suite of Personal and Organizational tools, which I plan to release next year. These tools are designed to help individuals and organizations achieve strategic alignment and continuous improvement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-management-consulting-llc/?viewAsMember=true
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardendudek/

Image Credits

Carly Riehle, Monica Coney of Chief Executive Connections, Arden Dudek, and modified photos from shareware platforms used in accordance with licensing terms.