I had the honor of presenting the opening keynote at the 12th annual Digital PM Summit—and here’s the kicker: it was in the same city and on the exact same date that I opened the conference 10 years ago.
The day before that first keynote in 2014, my professional life changed as I knew it. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Greg decided to shut down Happy Cog Austin and left the company. After the conference wrapped, I stayed in Austin for a couple of days with Greg. It was a low point, eating Trader Joe’s frozen meals and drinking red wine while contemplating the future on Greg’s couch. What would come next?
I returned to Philly after a successful conference during an oddly traumatic time, not knowing what was next for my career or the company I loved so much. I realized it was time for me to leave, also. I had to take all the incredible lessons, experiences, and challenges from that chapter of my career and turn the page. I needed to do something new. Something for me.
While I was a PM at Happy Cog, I threw myself into working with various teams and clients across industries, which gave me more than just experience—it was like earning an education in how people and businesses work (and don’t work). After more than five years of growth in that role, I felt ready to take on the world. I wanted to write a book, work for myself, and help people find smarter, more intentional ways to work together.
Standing on that same stage a decade later, I had the privilege of sharing the culmination of that journey: the formation of Same Team Partners and the launch of the Teamangle. It felt right to introduce Teamangle at the Digital PM Summit. After all, this community understands the real challenges of keeping projects on track while also creating an environment where teams can thrive. At its core, Teamangle focuses on three essential pillars: Communication, Collaboration, and Culture. These are the foundational elements that, when nurtured intentionally, drive projects forward and create high-performing teams.
Communication: Beyond the Basics
We’ve all heard it before—communication is key. But in my keynote, I emphasized that good communication isn’t just about talking more. It’s about being clear, consistent, transparent, and repetitive when necessary. The truth is that people need to hear things multiple times in multiple ways for messages to stick. However, they also need those messages delivered in a way that reduces ambiguity. When teams align around the same shared language, they avoid unnecessary miscommunication that could otherwise derail progress.
Collaboration: structure with purpose
During the keynote, I discussed how collaboration isn’t just about putting people together and hoping for the best. Effective collaboration happens when roles are clearly defined, processes are in place, and everyone feels included. Without that clarity, collaboration can quickly feel like chaos. The Teamangle framework focuses on creating structure without stifling creativity—something that project managers know all too well is easier said than done.
Culture: the foundation for success
I’ve learned over the years that culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the glue that holds everything together. In the Teamangle framework, culture means creating an environment where people feel safe to take risks, be vulnerable, and support each other. It’s about setting shared values, fostering mutual respect, and continuously striving to improve.
A new way to conduct important conversations
At the Summit, I saw how hungry project managers are for tools that help manage projects and improve team morale and well-being. And that’s exactly what Teamangle is designed to do.
I had the opportunity to demo the Teamangle Conversation Cards with attendees, and the response was electric. PMs saw firsthand how these simple prompts can spark meaningful conversations that lead to better collaboration. When people are allowed to openly communicate their roles, expectations, and challenges, trust begins to build—and that’s where real collaboration thrives.
Looking Ahead
The energy at this year’s Digital PM Summit reminded me of why I love this work. Teams want to do better—and they can do better—with the right tools and conversations. Introducing Teamangle to this group was a perfect start, and the feedback I received confirmed what I already knew: People are ready to have conversations that matter.
You can check out my slides and resources here if you missed the keynote. And this is just the beginning—more workshops, diagnostics, and resources are coming your way soon.
Thank you to everyone at the Digital PM Summit for welcoming me back and engaging in these important conversations. Here’s to the next 10 years of better communication, stronger collaboration, and building cultures where teams thrive. Let’s make it happen. 🎉
