Presentation: Leading Change in a Hybrid World: Cultural Agility and Remote Leadership
Abstract: As hybrid and remote work become the new normal, project leaders face the complex challenge of driving change across distributed, culturally diverse teams. Success in this environment requires more than technical coordination—it demands cultural agility, emotional intelligence, and adaptive leadership. This presentation explores how project managers can lead effectively in a hybrid world through the lens of the IPMA Individual Competence Baseline (ICB4), integrating key elements from the People, Perspective, and Practice competence areas. The ICB4 is the global standard for project, program and portfolio management competence, developed by the International Project Management Association (IPMA). The ICB4 delivers 29 competences in three domains: People, Practice and Perspective.
From the People domain, the focus is on leadership, communication, and teamwork—how to inspire trust, foster collaboration, and maintain engagement across time zones and cultures. Attendees will learn techniques for promoting psychological safety, managing conflict in virtual spaces, and developing team identity without physical proximity.
The Perspective domain highlights how understanding organizational strategy, governance, and culture shapes change initiatives in hybrid contexts. Leaders must align diverse teams with shared purpose and values while remaining sensitive to local norms and individual needs.
From the Practice domain, participants will explore practical methods for planning, implementing, and sustaining change in hybrid environments, emphasizing digital fluency, structured communication, and feedback-driven adaptation.
This presentation explores project competency: the essential behaviors of a project manager, rather than a specific methodology or approach. By focusing on competence, project managers can apply a multitude of tools, methods, and approaches successfully. Drawing from research and real-world examples, the session will equip project managers with actionable strategies to lead transformation that transcends location and cultural boundaries—building connected, high-performing teams ready for the future of work.
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Biography: Tim Jaques is the current President of IPMA USA (the United States Member Association of the International Project Management Association), with a term running from February 2024 through January 2027. The International Project Management Association (IPMA) is a global federation of over 70 national member associations, dedicated to advancing project, program, and portfolio management competence worldwide.
Founded in 1965, IPMA promotes a competence-based approach to project leadership through its Individual Competence Baseline (ICB4), which integrates Perspective, People, and Practice domains. Its four-level certification system recognizes professional capability from project practitioners to senior executives. Through global research, education, and events such as the IPMA World Congress and Research Conference, IPMA fosters innovation and excellence, helping individuals and organizations deliver sustainable value through projects that transform society.
He brings more than two decades of professional experience in project, program, and change management – especially in large-scale, complex environments. His career has spanned private, public and non-profit sectors, including healthcare organizations, government agencies, and global enterprises.
Outside of his role with IPMA-USA, Tim is the COO of Capital Health Consulting, a healthcare consultancy in Albany New York dedicated to driving solutions that improve healthcare delivery for patients and providers in the United States. The firm focuses on changes lobbying, consulting and association management. His contributions to the project management profession are notable:
- He was part of the editorial team that developed the IPMA Individual Competence Baseline (ICB) 4.0, the global competence standard for project professionals.
- He is currently the Project Manager for the forthcoming edition, ICB5, advancing standards for the profession.
- He has authored/co-authored numerous books, book chapters and articles in the project management domain and speaks internationally.
Tim is known for blending project management with innovation, culture-change, and high-performance teams. He lives and works in upstate New York.
