In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Edith Schatz, the Founder and Business Owner of Edith Schatz 3PMC, embarked on her path to success in the world of project and portfolio management consulting. Join us as Edith shares her experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided her along the way. Discover what sets 3PMC apart from other consulting services, how Edith navigated international transitions and the evolving landscape of business management, and her aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Edith’s journey as a business leader and her relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of organizational consulting.
The Beginning of a Remarkable Career
Edith Schatz’s professional journey began nearly 40 years ago. Reflecting on those early days, she recalls that her vision for the future was modest compared to the dynamic career she would go on to build. Starting as an accountant at a major international corporation in Southern Germany, she swiftly transitioned to a business controller role. In that position, Edith became a key user of IT applications within the organization and played an instrumental role in driving technical improvements for the user base.
This exposure to a wide array of business processes led her to the role of process consultant and demand manager for IT and telecommunications services. Naturally, this work evolved into project management, where Edith discovered her true passion. Over time, she managed multi-million-dollar IT projects and programs and led a team of 50 project managers as a PMO. Later, she assumed managerial responsibility for a team of 11 employees.
After over 25 years with the company, a dream came true for Edith: the opportunity to live and work abroad. In 2014, she and her husband relocated to Brussels, Belgium. There, she pursued language studies in French and Dutch and also launched a creative venture designing tablecloths—a reflection of her personal passion for sewing. By 2015, she had also founded her consultancy business, 3PMC, which focuses on project, program, and portfolio management. Her consulting work offered her the opportunity to engage with diverse cultures and help organizations improve their processes using her rich experience.
After eight years in Belgium and another three in Germany, Edith and her family made another major move—this time to Georgia, USA, in autumn 2024. Her consultancy journey continues as she builds connections and shares her knowledge in a new cultural and organizational context.
What Inspired Her to Become a Leader
For Edith Schatz, leadership is not confined to a specific role or title—it permeates every aspect of her career. True leadership, she believes, begins with the ability to lead oneself. The courage to seize opportunities and a charismatic presence naturally attract others who are willing to follow and collaborate. Her journey has been shaped by working under 18 different superiors, each providing a window into distinct leadership styles. She observed two main types: authoritarian leaders who lack trust and empowering coaches who support and delegate.
The experiences with less inspiring leaders were formative. Although some prompted her to change roles, these encounters taught her what kind of leader she did not want to be. Leadership, as Edith defines it, is fundamentally about caring for people, including oneself. She firmly believes that progress is driven by people, regardless of the project at hand. This philosophy is anchored in several key values: respect for others regardless of their position, belief in the unique competencies each individual brings, appreciation of others’ backgrounds and achievements, reliability, and transparency.
Redefining Success Beyond Financial Metrics
Edith emphasizes that while financial performance is necessary, it is not the sole measure of success. She likens it to a river flowing into the sea—numerous streams and efforts are required to reach the final goal. True leadership can emerge at any level of responsibility, whether one is an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, volunteer coach, or parent.
For her, success as a leader is about enabling others to reach their personal goals. This approach fosters motivation, self-confidence, and well-being among team members, ultimately leading to higher productivity and better organizational outcomes. When people feel well-led and appreciated, the ripple effects translate into long-term success.
Creating Lasting Impact Through Leadership
One of Edith’s most impactful leadership initiatives involved setting up a Project Management Office (PMO) for a major industrial company’s IT division. With 400 employees and an annual internal project budget of $100 million, the task required balancing project transparency with manageable workloads. Edith tackled resistance by engaging all project stakeholders in interviews to understand their needs and ideas.
Her leadership approach centered on inclusivity and collaboration. She formed a cross-functional team to design reporting processes and project guidelines, ensuring organizational buy-in from the outset. She also introduced a PM community focused on peer learning, networking, and career development, where monthly sessions helped build internal capacity. The result was not only a successful PMO implementation but also the adoption of the model across the wider organization.
Overcoming the Most Challenging Leadership Moment
One of Edith’s most difficult challenges came during her tenure as an interim manager. She inherited a situation where a long-term employee, despite being on extended sick leave, manipulated the system to maintain his salary benefits without contributing to the team. His absenteeism burdened other team members, causing resentment and eroding morale.
Edith addressed the issue transparently by explaining the legal limitations and the efforts she had already made with HR, legal counsel, and the workers’ council. While unable to remove the employee, she focused on supporting her team. She redistributed tasks, recognized the additional efforts through adjusted job profiles, and secured salary increases where possible. Her open communication and follow-through helped restore team cohesion and trust in leadership.
Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Setbacks are inevitable, but Edith embraces them with a mindset of resilience. Her personal mantra—“Success is getting up one more time than you fall”—speaks to her determined nature. She believes that every setback offers a learning opportunity, even if its value only becomes apparent in hindsight. Her approach is to remain open-minded, shake off discouragement, and seek opportunities within adversity.
What Sets Her Apart as a Leader in 2025
Edith distinguishes herself not by trying to appear as a leader, but by embodying the role with authenticity. She leads not to exercise authority but to empower others. Her leadership style is holistic, grounded in reliability, authenticity, and a keen sensitivity to her environment. She actively listens to the needs of individuals, teams, and organizations—even when it comes in the form of criticism. This builds trust, which she believes is the cornerstone of successful collaboration.
Fostering Innovation Within Her Organization
For Edith, innovation stems from people. She fosters it by encouraging employees to share ideas, appreciating their input, and creating a culture that values experimentation. She allocates dedicated time for innovation—whether through brainstorming, mock-ups, or self-organized discussion sessions. Results are shared, evaluated, and turned into actionable steps. This inclusive and empowering approach cultivates creativity and drives innovation from within.
Adapting to an Evolving Industry
The project management and consulting landscape has become increasingly fast-paced and complex. Edith identifies two main trends: the acceleration of innovation and the shortage of skilled professionals. She emphasizes the importance of agile methodologies to keep up with change. Agile working allows for quick iteration, transparency, and delegation of responsibility to those with the most expertise. At the same time, building a strong employer reputation is essential to attract and retain talent. This involves offering work-life balance, growth opportunities, and a strong organizational mission.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Project Management
Edith anticipates that artificial intelligence and sustainability will significantly impact the business world. Organizations will need to break down silos and foster collaboration across value chains to adapt. She believes in investing in people as the key to enduring success, echoing Richard Branson’s belief that putting employees first ensures client satisfaction and business continuity. Her focus remains on fostering people excellence—developing the skills, culture, and trust that enable long-term organizational growth.
Shaping the Future Through Current Projects
Currently, Edith is working with an organization transitioning to agile frameworks. Her initial role involved training two teams, but she quickly expanded her influence by guiding them into self-managed agile workflows. Her focus now lies in cultivating the agile mindset—the cultural and mental shift necessary for long-term agile success. After a year, productivity and customer satisfaction have increased significantly. As she continues to integrate into the U.S. professional landscape, her mission is to bring her experience to American organizations and contribute to building high-performing, people-centric environments.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
To those stepping into leadership roles, Edith offers practical and heartfelt advice. First, she urges leaders to master self-leadership and start with small responsibilities. Confidence and resilience are essential traits, as is authenticity. Leaders must lead by example, show empathy, and maintain reliability and transparency. Most importantly, they should listen deeply and be open to different perspectives and constructive criticism. This combination of emotional intelligence, integrity, and strategic thinking defines true leadership and drives meaningful impact.
Leadership Rooted in Purpose and Possibility
Edith Schatz is a testament to lifelong learning, resilience, and people-focused leadership. Her journey—from a young accountant in Germany to an international consultant in the United States—demonstrates the power of adaptability, purpose, and principled leadership. Her mission for 2025 and beyond is clear: to support organizations in achieving people excellence and to continue empowering others to unlock their full potential.
In conclusion, Edith Schatz’s journey is a compelling testament to resilience, vision, and purpose-driven leadership. From navigating personal challenges to pioneering transformative initiatives, her story illustrates the power of staying true to one’s values while embracing change. Her experiences serve as an inspiration for anyone striving to make a meaningful impact, reminding us that true success lies not just in milestones, but in the lives we touch along the way.
