From Instructional Design to Strategic Project Leadership with Tapan Borah- Episode 13

#CoffeeandProjectManagement

Meet Tapan Borah

Tapan Borah didn’t enter project management the traditional way—and that’s exactly why his perspective is so powerful.

With 15+ years of experience leading initiatives at Google, LinkedIn, Visa, and Cisco, Tapan has become a trusted project management coach, helping 30+ professionals transition into strategic roles. He’s not just a PMP® and PMI-ACP® holder—he’s a mentor who teaches you how to lead with influence, not just execution.

He’s built programs that reached 900K+ learners on Coursera, led transformation projects across global teams, and now runs his own coaching and consulting practice in California.

In our conversation, we explored mindset shifts, career pivots, and leadership philosophies that textbooks simply don’t teach.

🎯 The Curiosity That Sparked a Career

Tapan didn’t begin his career with a PM title. He started in instructional design, managing learning programs. But inefficiencies bothered him. That’s when curiosity kicked in.

“We were productive—but not efficient. That’s when I started mapping learning design models like ADDIE to project management frameworks. Suddenly, it all clicked.”

His pivot came not from certifications, but from observing problems, seeking business value, and thinking beyond tasks.

His advice to aspiring PMs?“Don’t chase certifications blindly. Be curious. Learn how your work ties into business impact.”

🔍 The Mistake New PMs Make

When asked about mistakes he sees in new project managers, Tapan was clear:

“They jump into projects without clarity. They assume instead of asking. But if you don’t understand the why, your plan doesn’t matter.”

He encourages early-career PMs to pause and ask tough questions—what’s the business goal? What’s broken? What does success look like?

🧠 Theory vs. Reality

One standout insight from Tapan:

“Books can teach frameworks—but not how to manage resistance.”

At LinkedIn, Tapan led a change management initiative where teams were skeptical of project management. He had to win them over—not with processes, but with empathy and influence.

Lesson: Real project management is 90% communication. Influence is a skill—not a title.

🤝 Planning as a Team Sport

Tapan doesn’t build project plans in isolation.

“Project management is a co-creation process. When the plan comes from the team, they own it. That’s how you build psychological safety and accountability.”

His leadership is grounded in collaboration, inclusivity, and giving teams space to contribute ideas—even if they’re not used. It’s the participation that builds commitment.

🚀 Tactical vs. Strategic PMs

So, what sets apart the tactical doer from the strategic influencer?

“Tactical PMs manage timelines. Strategic PMs influence outcomes—even when they have no authority.”

Tapan emphasizes trust, active listening, and empathy as cornerstones of real leadership.“It’s not about sending updates—it’s about inspiring people to act when it matters most.”

🔄 Leading Through Change

Working in dynamic companies like Google and Visa, Tapan learned that clarity, delegation, and assertive communication are key:

“Change is constant. You have to be proactive, assertive, and clear on expectations. Delegation isn’t about offloading—it’s about empowering.”

⚖️ Burnout and Boundaries

On burnout, Tapan was refreshingly honest:

“Burnout happens when boundaries blur. The solution? Be organized, set priorities, and learn to say no—with empathy.”

He shared a personal story of walking away from a role that conflicted with his responsibilities as a parent.

“Respecting your time is a form of leadership. If you don’t respect it, no one else will.”

🎁 Final Takeaway

From mapping learning models to project frameworks, to influencing seasoned teams and mentoring future PMs, Tapan’s journey is a blueprint for strategic growth.

“Your ability to lead doesn’t start with a title. It starts with curiosity, empathy, and courage to ask better questions.”

📌 Inspired by Tapan?Check out our 7 key takeaways and follow him on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tapan-borah and stay tuned for more insights at #CoffeeandProjectManagement