On the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, PMI France hosted a special webinar titled “PM Fights Back: Resilience and Leadership Lessons from Ukraine – Four Years After.”

The event brought together members of the PMI Ukraine Chapter, who shared first-hand insights into how organizations and project teams have continued operating in an environment shaped by uncertainty, disruption, and the human impact of war.

We would like to warmly thank Viktoriia Honcharova, Oleksii Linnyk, and Kateryna Chaus for their powerful and inspiring contributions.

Throughout the webinar, the speakers highlighted several key lessons for project managers and organizations.

One of the most striking themes was the importance of business continuity planning. Some Ukrainian companies had already developed crisis response frameworks, including emergency communication protocols, employee relocation support, and clear escalation structures. These preparations enabled many organizations to restore operations rapidly despite the shock of the invasion, with a significant portion of project work resuming within days.

Another major challenge discussed was the impact of attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukrainian companies had to quickly adapt by implementing layered resilience strategies, such as generators, portable power stations, redundant internet connections, and remote-first working models to ensure uninterrupted project delivery.

Beyond operational resilience, the speakers emphasized the human dimension of leadership in times of crisis. Organizations introduced psychological support programs, financial assistance for mobilized employees, and reintegration initiatives for veterans returning to civilian life.

For project leaders, the crisis has reshaped the role of leadership itself. Managing projects in such conditions means not only delivering outcomes, but also protecting teams, maintaining trust, and ensuring that people remain connected and supported.

Ultimately, the webinar delivered a powerful message for the global project management community: resilience is not only about surviving disruption. It is about sustaining collaboration, maintaining purpose, and continuing to build the future even under the most difficult circumstances.