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People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast (Andy Kaufman)

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
13 Feb 2025PPP 447 | How to Speak So People Actually Listen, with Michael Chad Hoeppner00:53:07

Summary

In this conversation, Andy talks with Michael Chad Hoeppner to discuss his new book Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life. The book is packed with practical drills and insights to improve communication skills. Andy and Michael explore common misconceptions about public speaking, the importance of delivery over content, and practical exercises to enhance communication skills to help you become more confident and effective communicators at work and home.

Michael emphasizes that everyone is a public speaker in their daily lives and that good communication is fundamentally about being other-focused.

Want to speak in a way that people actually listen? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “You do make a living by speaking.”
  • "There’s no such thing as public speaking—there’s just speaking."
  • "If you ever get advice that features the words ‘don’t’ and ‘just’ in a single sentence, you should probably run away from it."
  • "Filler words aren’t the problem. They’re a symptom."
  • "AI is about to give us perfect content. The real skill? Delivering it well."
  • "If every time you speak, you’re trying to sound smart, you’re going to sound dumb."
  • "Every time you say 'um,' your brain is asking for time. Give it the time—without the 'um'."
  • "If you can tolerate silence, you’ll always sound smarter."
  • "The first rule of better posture? Stop thinking about posture."
  • "If you’re not getting better at speaking, you’re limiting your career without even realizing it."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:16 Start Of Interview
  • 03:52 Why Are We All Professional Speakers?
  • 07:34 What Is Some of the Worst Speaking Advice?
  • 11:09 What is Good Communication?
  • 14:29 Why is Delivery More Important Than Content?
  • 20:40 The GK Lego Drill
  • 26:52 About Filler Words Like Um
  • 31:32 What You Need to Know About Posture
  • 39:19 Advice for Parents
  • 44:08 End Of Interview
  • 44:39 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 47:50 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Michael and his work at GKTraining.com/Michael-Chad-Hoeppner.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 378 with Bill McGowan about his book Pitch Perfect.
  • Episode 98 with communications expert Nancy Duarte.
  • Episode 349 with Tina Kuhn about her book on communication scenarios.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Public Speaking, Communication Skills, Speaking Tips, Leadership, Filler Words, Posture, Parenting, Storytelling, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

13 Apr 2021PPP 319 | What You Need To Know About The PMP® Exam, With PMI's Sierra Hampton-Simmons00:18:58

The Head of Certification from PMI Joins Us

Sierra Hampton-Simmons joins us in this episode to talk about the recent changes to the PMP exam. In addition, she gives us a glimpse at what to expect with certifications in the future.

In the discussion, she mentions the following handbooks:

I would love to help you earn your PMP or CAPM certification exam! To learn more about our programs, click here.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Strategic Business Management

The Happiest Day of My Life by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6916-the-happiest-day-of-my-life
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

13 Jun 2020PPP 295 | Author Don Moore Says You Can Make Better Decisions. Wanna Bet?01:01:11

Author Don Moore joins Andy for episode 295 to talk about his new book Perfectly Confident: How to Calibrate Your Decisions Wisely.

Learn more about Don and his book at PerfectlyConfident.com. Earn a free leadership PDU while learning practical tips on making better decisions.

 

Join me for our Virtual Project Management Training Program!

Learn how to improve your ability to lead and deliver! Join us for the same project management program we deliver in-house at organizations around the world! Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/learning. Use a coupon code of VirtualPM20 to save $150 USD on the entire program!

This episode is sponsored by University of California Irvine Continuing Education, who has been developing adult learners for over half a century. UC Irvine has a Project Management Certification Program that is available to you, regardless of whether you’re in their neighborhood or around the world. Visit ce.uci.edu/PeopleAndProjects to learn more and reserve your seat. Thanks!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Concerned about travel with the coronavirus pandemic? We can help you invest in your team without requiring travel. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Pulse by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4250-pulse
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Notanico Merengue by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4145-notanico-merengue
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You Want something? Go get it scene, from The Pursuit of Happyness
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=MPnudujlBZI

24 Feb 2024PPP 406 | How to Successfully Lead Teams and Deliver Projects: Career Lessons from Tara Miller00:45:35

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Tara Miller, a successful project manager and the founder of Artemis, a management consulting business. Tara shares her journey into project management and highlights the misconceptions about the role. She also discusses important lessons she has learned about leading people and delivering projects.

Tara emphasizes the significance of building strong team dynamics and fostering individual connections. She provides practical management practices for leading and delivering projects, such as getting to know team members individually, creating team dynamics, and establishing a shared purpose. She also reflects on her personal journey to success, emphasizing the value of hard work and the support of others.

Lastly, Tara provides advice for working parents and highlights the benefits of embracing chaos and taking risks. In the outtakes, Andy and Tara discuss the role of AI in project management and the potential impact on the future of work.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:29 Start of Interview
  • 01:51 Tara's Journey to Project Management
  • 04:49 Misunderstandings about Project Management
  • 06:50 Lessons about Leading People and Delivering Projects
  • 09:27 The Project Schedule is the Schedule for How the Project Will Not Occur
  • 11:12 Practical Management Practices for Leading and Delivering Projects
  • 16:24 POP: Personal Operating Profile
  • 19:27 Corporate Mood Ring
  • 20:29 Some of the Biggest People-Related Challenges
  • 22:38 Navigating Change and Stakeholder Management
  • 25:31 Lessons About Being a Successful Woman in Project Management
  • 31:24 Thriving as a Working Parent
  • 38:02 Interview Wrap Up
  • 38:27 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 40:49 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Tara at ArtemisFactor.com. The Personal Operating Profile (POP) service that Tara mentions is available at HelloLLUNA.com/MakeAPOP.

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 Nov 2022PPP 370 | The Smartest, Clearest, And Funniest Book On The Brain, And Why It Matters, With Dr. Chantel Prat00:54:24

Hi! Meet Your Brain

Have you ever looked at how someone made a decision and wondered, “What were they thinking?” For me, it’s not just even watching other people. Sometimes I reflect on how I felt about something or a decision and wonder, “Huh… I wonder what was going on there?”

Chantel Prat is one of today’s most important researchers and voices in the field of neuroscience. And she’s the author of a fascinating and entertaining new book entitled The Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain Is Different and How to Understand Yours. It's not just a book about the brain. It's a book that introduces you to your brain.

If you’ve ever wondered how the brain works but instantly found your eyes rolling back because the material was too boring, you’ll want to get a copy of this book. Chantel is as funny as she is brilliant--I’m looking forward to sharing today’s discussion with you.

Learn more about Chantel and her book at ChantelPrat.com/.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

  • Episode 188 for my conversation with Dr. John Medina about his Brain Rulesbooks

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Crime Time by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

Music: Everybody Up by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9244-everybody-up
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.sascha-ende.de

Young Frankenstein Abby Normal available on YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=C9Pw0xX4DXI

23 Nov 2023PPP 397 | Keeping Your Poise When Emotions are Rising, with Neuropsychologist Dr. Julia DiGangi00:59:39

When Emotions Are Rising On Your Project

Let’s say you’re sitting in a meeting tomorrow for a project you are leading. You’re looking to get sign-off and, based on the pre-meetings you had with key stakeholders, the meeting should go smoothly.

But seemingly out of the blue, a key stakeholder speaks up and starts sharing objections. Right there in front of everyone, which includes your boss, by the way. Things are starting to derail and you can feel some anger starting to build up.

If we could see a thought bubble over you, you might be saying, “I can’t believe they’re sabotaging this! They didn’t bring any of this up when we talked about it before the meeting! They’re throwing me and my project under the bus!”

That’s a pivotal leadership moment right there.

Maybe for you, it’s a demanding boss. Or a deeply emotional situation outside of work. The critical issue is this: How do we respond? Does it help, or do we make it worse? How do we navigate the emotional rollercoaster of leading teams and projects—and families and friendships? Our ability to do that can make an enormous difference in our careers and life.

In this episode, we’re continuing a series of discussions on the topic of our emotions. And I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Julia Digangi. For many years, Julia has worked with individuals who have endured the worst traumas, from survivors of domestic abuse to combat veterans, and helped them transform their energy and rise to powerful new heights. Based on her experience, she has recently published a remarkably insightful new book Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power.

What I love about this book is that it gives a perspective on navigating the emotional challenges of our life in a way I’ve not seen in any other books. It’s deeply based in research and practice but it’s accessible to all of us, even if we don’t know our amygdala from our anterior cingulate cortex. Ha!

You can learn more about Julia and her work at DrJuliaDigangi.com/.

For more on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 394, with Joshua Freedman about his book on emotional intelligence.
  • Episode 395, with Josefine Campbell about her book on helping when you and your team are low on energy, and
  • Episode 396, with Thomas Curran about his book on perfectionism.

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/12024-underground-shadows
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

29 Aug 2024PPP 432 | Why Projects Fail: Ross Garland on Avoiding Common Pitfalls00:38:14

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with one of the gurus of governance, Ross Garland, co-author of the Project, Program, and Portfolio Governance Guide. They discuss the importance of governance in project management and how it differs from technical aspects like scope and risk management. Ross explains Cobb's paradox and why projects still fail despite knowing how to prevent their failure. They also delve into the principles of governance, such as treating change differently from business as usual and ensuring a single point of accountability for each project or program. The guide provides practical tools and templates for implementing effective governance.

Sound Bites

  • "Cobbs Paradox: We know why projects fail. We know how to prevent their failure. So why do they still fail?"
  • "Most projects muddle through, they get through one way or another, they produce an output, they produce assets. And particularly if they're government projects, ministers tend to be very happy because they get to cut the ribbon."
  • "One of the loneliest positions in the world you can have is to be a project manager who needs to get decisions made, and when they look up in the governance structure, all they see is blue sky."
  • "Some organizations still have the concept that the experts in project management should be the people leading projects. Now, if you do that, what you end up with is lovely assets, but not business outcomes."
  • "There tends to be in some organizations a very unfortunate tendency to think that accountability is about who to blame when things go wrong. And that is not the case. It's about empowerment."
  • "A single point of accountability is essential for the success of a project or program."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:09 Start Of Interview
  • 02:20 What Is Cobb's Paradox And Why Does It Persist?
  • 05:05 How Do You Describe Governance, And What Is It Not?
  • 07:02 How Do You Differentiate Projects, Programs, And Portfolios?
  • 10:05 How Does Your Guide Compare To PMI's Practice Guide On Governance?
  • 13:25 What Is The Importance Of Treating Change Differently From Business As Usual?
  • 15:32 Can You Explain The Single Point Of Accountability Principle?
  • 20:32 Real-World Example: Replacing A Payroll System
  • 25:41 What Feedback Have You Received From People Using The Guide?
  • 27:46 Where To Find The Guide
  • 28:46 End Of Interview
  • 29:07 Andy's Comments After The Interview
  • 33:30 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Ross and his guide at P3gqa.com/.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

  • Episode 387, with Atif Rafiq about his book on delivering projects

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: governance, project management, program management, portfolio management, decision-making, accountability, project sponsor

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

01 Dec 2023PPP 398 | The Burnout Wake-up Call, with Dr. Neha Sangwan00:55:30

Project Manager Burnout

There is so much focus these days on getting more done with less. Delivering faster. Increasing efficiency. Being excellent at work while rocking it all well at home too, right? And though I’m all for staying focused and productive, here’s something I’ve observed. One consequence of trying to stay hyper-productive and being everything you can possibly be--or feel like you should be--can be increased stress. Less downtime. More hours. More caffeine. Less sleep. And all of that can lead to burnout.

So what can we do about that? Today I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Neha Sangwan. She’s the author of a new book entitled  Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life.

In this episode, you’ll get a better idea of what leads to burnout, beyond just the typical drivers that come to mind, such as physical exhaustion. Neha provides practical ideas and techniques to help us catch when we’re starting to drift towards burnout. It's a discussion I've been looking forward to sharing with you!

You can learn more about Neha and her work at NehaSangwan.com.

For more on this topic, check out:

  • Episodes 106 and 132, with Tom Rath about his books on these themes.
  • Episode 395, with Josefine Campbell about her book on helping when you and your team are low on energy, and
  • Episode 397, with Dr. Julia DiGangi about her book on emotions.

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10912-summer-awakening
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

15 May 2020PPP 291 | It’s a Stressful Time. Here’s What You Can Do for You and Your Team, with author Carole Osterweil00:49:12

A Leader's Guide to Walking in Fog

Trying to lead and deliver in the midst of stress can feel like walking in the fog. Carole Osterweil joins us to talk about her book entitled Project Delivery, Uncertainty and Neuroscience.

Learn more about Carole and her book at visibledynamics.co.uk.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Concerned about travel with the coronavirus pandemic? We can help you invest in your team without requiring travel. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Magic Drops by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5685-magic-drops-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Tribal Joy by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4743-tribal-joy
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We walk in a fog by Lauluyhtye Rajaton
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQyhZUYuO2w

18 Aug 2023PPP 389 | Your Past As An Asset: How Experiential Intelligence Empowers Leaders And Teams, With Author Soren Kaplan00:45:03

Your Past as an Asset

Have you ever noticed how two people can go through something similar? For one person, it takes them under. And the other person? They seem to get past it—maybe even grow from it.

I ask because going through challenging—even traumatic—experiences is part of the human experience. I’m not saying it’s equally distributed. But clearly, life is not always up and to the right.

And as you grow as a leader, it’s only a matter of time before you’re put into situations that can cause you to question your abilities, wonder if you’re up to it, and maybe even back down from the challenge.

Or, interestingly, those situations may be what propel you forward in your ability to lead and deliver.

In this episode, we’re exploring the role of experience and how it shapes us. And I’m excited to introduce you to a new book entitled Experiential Intelligence: Harness the Power of Experience for Personal and Business Breakthroughs by Soren Kaplan.

In this discussion, you’ll learn about XQ--Experiential Intelligence--and how it compares to IQ, EQ, and other attempts to understand our intelligences. Soren will talk about self-limiting beliefs and how we can identify them and—more importantly—get beyond them. It’s a great discussion with a guy who has a passion for helping us turn our past experiences into assets for our good—as individuals and for teams. I can’t wait to share this with you.

Learn more about Soren and his book at SorenKaplan.com/ExperientialIntelligence.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 185, with Mitch Warner about the Arbinger Institute's book Leadership and Self-Deception

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6273-ignotus
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11066-chillhouse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

27 Aug 2020PPP 302 | Accelerate Your Career By Being a Better Problem-Finder, with author Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg00:44:40

Becoming an Expert Problem-Finder

Chances are, you have a reputation as a good problem-solver. That reputation very well could be one of the factors that has led to your success thus far.

But here’s the problem--and perhaps you’re already seeing it. The higher you get up in an organization, the larger the scale of your projects and responsibilities, the more difficult the problems you face.

I'm joined today by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, author of a new book entitled What's Your Problem?: To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve

Learn more about Thomas and his book at wedellsblog.com/.

 

Join Us for our Virtual Project Management Training Program!

Learn how to improve your ability to lead and deliver! Join us this fall for the same project management program we deliver in-house at organizations around the world! Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/learning. Use a coupon code of VirtualPM20 to save $150 USD on the entire program!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Whether you have a live or virtual event, we can help you invest in your team. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Georgia Overdrive and Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License

Sherlock Deduction-A Study in Pink scene, BBC
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=v0rC-twlrfg

05 Jun 2024PPP 415 | AI Tools in Project Management: Myths vs. Reality, with Keto Software00:48:12

Summary

In this episode, Andy is joined by Veijo Hytti and Timothy Bull from Keto Software. They explore the impact of AI on project management and the integration of AI into enterprise software. The discussion addresses the hype and misconceptions surrounding AI, as well as the practical applications and benefits of AI in project management. The discussion also delves into the capabilities of Keto Software and the ways in which AI is seamlessly integrates into their strategic portfolio management software. The conversation explores the challenges, benefits, and ethical considerations of AI integration, as well as the impact of AI on human behavior and decision-making. Wondering what the future implications are of AI in project management? You won't want to miss this discussion.

Sound Bites

  • "Nearly every software company feels compelled to mention how they had AI integrated into their tools."
  • "You just can't get away from the hype."
  • "We are still humans. Let's stay like that. If we keep it like that, if we treat each other like humans, I wouldn't be that worried."
  • "Be open-minded, be curious, and I would also say, I'd also encourage people to try out some of these systems themselves."
  • "You don't know that until you actually play with it."
  • "The internet democratized information. And now that's what AI is doing, I mean, without having your own kind of insights or data, it will do the same thing for all of us because it's great."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:20 Start of Interview
  • 08:00 Practical Applications of AI in Enterprise Software
  • 10:21 Seamless AI Integration in Project Management Software
  • 27:06 Challenges and Benefits of AI Integration
  • 31:46 Ethical Considerations and Human Impact of AI
  • 35:00 The Future Implications of AI in Project Management
  • 36:42 End of Interview
  • 37:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 40:46 Andy asks PMeLa about the Episode
  • 45:16 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Keto Software at KetoSoftware.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episodes 384 and 388, with PMeLa, our project management and leadership persona
  • Episode 386, with Andy Tryba about how he is leveraging AI in the companies he leads

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Lullaby of Light Feat by Cory Friesenhan
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Laughing Children Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

02 Aug 2022PPP 362 | Surprising Lessons From The Science Of Motivation00:36:07

Staying Motivated to Get Things Done

How do we stay motivated when we’re pursuing our goals? And what can we learn from motivational science to help us both at work and at home? We’re joined today by one of the most important voices in motivational science, Dr. Ayelet Fishbach. Ayelet is the author of a new book entitled Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation.

In this episode, Ayelet will talk about some of the biggest myths or misunderstandings about motivation--some that I think you’ll recognize. She’ll talk about the importance of how we frame goals and how putting a number to them makes a big difference. She’ll explain the planning fallacy and how that impacts us individually and with our projects. Ayelet will help us better understand if we should reflect on the progress we’ve made--or how far we have to go yet. And throughout the discussion, we’ll apply the learning to goals like project delivery, team motivation, earning a certification, exercising, losing weight, and even parenting! It’s a conversation I’m looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Ayelet and her book at https://AyeletFishbach.com/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

I Am Running with Temporary Success from a Monstrous Vacuum in Pursuit by Chris Zabriskie
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heo0oXDa8ck
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Early Riser by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2315niU5WBY
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

01 Sep 2022PPP 363 | Lessons From One Of The Top Management Thinkers, Roger L. Martin00:46:03

A New Way to Think

Over 300 episodes ago we were joined by Roger L. Martin to talk about ideas from his book The Opposable Mind. In the years since I have personally benefited from Roger’s insights in books such as The Design of Business and Creating Great Choices.

Roger joins us again in this episode to talk about his newest book entitled A New Way to Think: Your Guide to Superior Management Effectiveness. If you just glanced at the book, you might think it’s only relevant to CEOs and other top leaders. But there are ideas in this book that anyone leading projects and teams would benefit from.

In this episode, Roger discusses the value and pitfalls of following popular models. He shares insights on why we need to get closer to the customer and how one of his friends and co-authors did that as CEO of Proctor & Gamble. You’ll hear Roger explain why the familiar solution usually trumps the perfect one and why we just might make better decisions if we focus on what must be true instead of what is true. We talk about all that and more--it’s a conversation I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you for many weeks.

Learn more about Roger and his books at RogerLMartin.com.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

  • Episode 54 for my previous conversation with Roger about his book The Opposable Mind
  • Episode 47 for my conversation with Henry Mintzberg, the revered and curmudgeonly expert on management

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Hip Hop Flute Chill(loopable} by chilledmusic
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8531-hip-hop-flute-chillloopable
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6040-funky-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

30 Sep 2022PPP 366 | Want More Accountability With Your Teams? Here’s Where To Start, With Author Michael Timms00:44:43

Accountability on Project Teams

In this episode, we’re taking on the subject of accountability. And though fostering accountability among our team members is something we’ll talk about, you’re going to see that developing a culture of personal accountability might have a lot more to do with us than we realize.

My guest today is Michael Timms. He’s the author of a fantastic leadership book entitled How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability: Three Habits That Make or Break Leaders and Elevate Organizational Performance.

In this episode, Michael helps us get a better understanding of what accountability is--and isn’t. He explains how looking at accountability through the lens of systems thinking can help us better understand why we’re getting the behaviors we’re experiencing. Michael shares his litmus test of whether or not someone is a leader. And he introduces us to some habits that, when done well and consistently, can develop transforming levels of impact on you, your team, and your organization’s results.

Learn more about Michael and his book at MichaelTimms.com.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

  • Episode 213 for my conversation with Christopher Avery about his book The Accountability Process
  • Episode 20 for my conversation with John G. Miller, author of The QBQ

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Soft Interlude by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7766-soft-interlude
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/

Music: Road Trip by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9761-road-trip
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” Scene – Spider-Man (2002) Movie CLIP HD
On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y

12 Nov 2022PPP 369 | Is That Influence Or Manipulation? How To Know The Difference, With Andres Lares00:41:14

Influence and Manipulation

Where's the line between influence and manipulation? Well, I’ll save the answer for when you hear from today’s guest. Andres Lares is the Managing Partner at the Shapiro Negotiation Institute and author of a book entitled Persuade: The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions.

In this episode, Andres talks about the difference between influence and manipulation, and how to persuade in an ethical way. He explains why persuasion doesn’t just start with logic--or emotion. Rather, it’s with building credibility, and Andres shares some ideas on what that means and how to do it. Along the way, you’ll learn about Borrowed Credibility, Belief Biases, salary negotiating, and more. It’s a discussion that I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Andres and his book at ShapiroNegotiations.com/.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

  • Episode 157 for my conversation with Dr. Robert Cialdini about his books on influence
  • Episode 194 for my conversation with Tim David about his book on influence
  • Episode 347 for my conversation with Zoe Chance about her book Influence is Your Superpower

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Crime Time by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

Music: Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hop
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod

22 Feb 2025PPP 448 | Drifting Toward Burnout? How to Thrive When Demands Pile Up, with Marie-Helene Pelletier00:37:50

Summary

In this conversation, Andy and Marie-Helene Pelletier explore the concept of resilience, particularly in the context of workplace challenges and personal well-being. They discuss the importance of understanding resilience as a state that can fluctuate rather than a fixed personality trait. Marie shares insights from her book, The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health. She emphasizes the need for strategic planning to enhance resilience and manage burnout. The discussion also covers cognitive patterns that can hinder resilience, the balance of life's demands and supplies, and practical steps to create a personalized resilience plan. Additionally, they touch on the role of parents in fostering resilience in children.

This episode prepares you to handle the demands that come with leading teams and projects. Enjoy!

Sound Bites

  • “The class went great. I was a wreck.”
  • "We know from research that resilience is not a personality trait. It’s a state, which means it will fluctuate over time, which also means we can influence it."
  • "Resilience is our ability to go through adversity and come out even stronger."
  • "People will tend to minimize the demands they have, and then on the supply side, people will tend to overestimate the sources of energy they have."
  • "I think we too easily sacrifice our self-care. We wait for things to fall apart and then we’re like, ‘Oh, I hit burnout.’ What if we were able to put together a resilience plan?”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:02 Start of Interview
  • 02:14 What Got You Into Psychology?
  • 04:00 Understanding Resilience Misconceptions
  • 05:45 Is Resilience Just Genetics And Personality?
  • 08:01 The Role Of Context In Resilience
  • 10:43 BEAR Thinking
  • 14:25 Supply And Demands Inventory
  • 18:13 The Role Of Values
  • 26:02 Applying Resilience Strategies To Parenting
  • 28:42 End Of Interview
  • 29:07 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 32:17 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Marie-Helene and her work at DrMarie-Helene.com/.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 398 with Dr. Neha Sangwan about her book on burnout.
  • Episode 132 with StrengthsFinder author Tom Rath about energizing the burned out project manager.
  • Episode 106, also with Tom Rath, about his book Eat, Move, Sleep.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Resilience, Burnout, Mental Health, Self-Care, Leadership, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Wellness, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: ImageFilm34 by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

21 Oct 2023PPP 395 | Feeling Low on Energy? Ideas for You and Your Team, from Josefine Campbell00:35:54

Your Power Barometer

There is so much focus these days on optimizing our time, right? And though I’m all for staying focused and productive, here’s something I’ve observed: one consequence of trying to stay hyper-productive can be increased stress. Less downtime. More hours. More caffeine. Less sleep. And all of that can lead to burnout.

A lot of us are leading lives and teams with batteries that are low on power. And that’s a losing proposition for all of us.

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Josefine Campbell, who is taking this problem head on. She’s a top executive coach, former jujitsu champion, and now the author of a new book entitled Power Barometer: Manage Personal Energy for Business Success.

In this episode, you’ll learn about practical tools like the Energy Barometer and the Awareness Matrix. Josefine will explain how the opposite of professional is not personal—and why that matters. By the time we’re done, you’ll know how to detect if you’re starting to get hijacked and how to get out of it if you’re already there. And you’ll be in better shape to stay mentally agile, which is one of Josefine’s major messages in the book. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you.

NOTE: As of the time of this episode was published, Josefine's book was not available for sale. My understanding is there is a change in distribution partners. But you can learn more about Josefine and the book's resources at JosefineCampbell.com/.

For more on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 106, with Tom Rath about his book Eat Move Sleep. Just by the book name you can get a sense of what it's about. I highly recommend this episode!
  • Episode 132, also with Tom, this time about his book Are You Fully Charged? Both of these books provide helpful insights aligned with this episode.

BTW, we're thankful for being listed in the top 100 management podcasts on FeedSpot!

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because we’re rolling out a new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: E.C.H.O by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9762-echo
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funny by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11450-funny
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 May 2023PPP 380 | How To Navigate Stressful Conversations With That Friend (Or Stakeholder) You Don't Agree With, With Guest Mónica Guzmán00:56:31

Dangerously Divided Times

I'd like you to think of some examples of divides in your life.

It could be with a friend or relative that has radically different beliefs about politics or social causes. Or it could be someone at work that you just strongly disagree with. The differences have created a divide.

The reason I want you to think about them is because we’re having an important discussion today about how to have fearlessly curious conversations in dangerously divided times.

Mónica Guzmán joins us to talk about her deeply insightful book I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

If you feel the polarization in culture and in the workplace is just too daunting to do anything about, Mónica's book is packed with practical ideas that you can start implementing right away. This remarkable woman is on a mission to help us address the divides in our life--and she’s been making a difference. I consider this a must-read book and can’t wait to introduce some of the ideas in today’s discussion.

Learn more about Mónica and her work at BraverAngels.org/.

 

Project Management for Students

If you’ve listened for a while, you’ve heard me talk about our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. The feedback from the program has been fantastic but here’s what I want you to know. We radically reduced the price to just $49 US. We want to make it available to as many people as possible. If you have a high school or college-age student in your life and want to invest in their ability to lead and deliver, you can do that now for an even better price. Give them a head start to more confidently lead and deliver. Learn more and get a copy for them at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/GettingStuffDone. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

The Gigantic Epic Day After Tomorrow by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/413-the-gigantic-epic-day-after-tomorrow
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fantastic World by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7042-fantastic-world
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

29 Oct 2021PPP 341 | The Pushy Project Manager, With Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez00:38:43

Help For Leading and Delivering Projects

Part of leading and directing projects is influencing--ethically using the tools and techniques at our disposal to deliver the intended results. Could it be that, at times, we might even need to be a bit pushy? That's something that my guest mentions here in episode 341.

I’m excited to be joined by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez to talk about his new book, the Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook. In addition to being an author, Antonio is a practitioner and consultant with a heart for teaching and raising up a new generation of project leaders. He’s the former chairman of the Project Management Institute and is a highly respected researcher and management consultant.

Learn more about Antonio at AntonioNietoRodriguez.com/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Notanico Merengue by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4145-notanico-merengue
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

08 Sep 2021PPP 336 | Project Success Rates Suck. Here’s What To Do About It, With Clint Padgett00:40:49

How to Deliver Projects

Let’s say a boss comes up to you and says, “Hey, our senior leadership team just authorized this big new project. I’m assigning it to you and need it delivered in the next 14 weeks. We’re counting on you. Good luck!”

What’s going through your mind at this point? Maybe you’re excited about the opportunity, which is great. But a lot of times people are thinking, “How in the world am I supposed to deliver all of that, in that timeframe, when I’m already overbooked with other projects! And so is everyone else I’ll need!”

So what do you do?

Clint Padgett joins us again to talk about his new book entitled How Teams Triumph: Managing By Commitment. If you're looking for insights on how to deliver challenging projects, this is a book you'll want to read.

Learn more about Clint and his book at ProjectSuccess.com.

 

Additional Resources

You can find my previous discussion with Clint in episode 29.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

 

When I'm Gone by Ramol
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6794-when-i-m-gone
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Chilled Summer Piano by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8145-chilled-summer-piano-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

29 Mar 2022PPP 352 | How To Build Psychologically Safe Relationships With People Who Are Different From You00:41:44

Psychological Safety on Project Teams

It is likely not a new idea to you that there are so many benefits to our projects and our teams when we foster a culture of psychological safety. The idea of psychological safety is straightforward. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Because of that, I’m always on the lookout for resources that can help us make progress in developing trusting relationships with teams and organizations.

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to LaTonya Wilkins, author of a book entitled Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You.

In this episode, LaTonya will talk about her notion of a below-the-surface leader and how that’s different from being a surface leader. She’ll talk about the Terrible Three and how they can get in the way of us seeking to be a below-the-surface leader. Before we’re done today, you’ll understand how bridging and micro-habits can help us on this journey. And LaTonya will share some ideas about how to be a below-the-surface leader when you’re working in a culture that is far more comfortable at the surface level.

Learn more about LaTonya and her book at LaTonyaWilkins.com.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Urban Beauty by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8439-urban-beauty-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Another Good Day by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8397-another-good-day-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

21 Dec 2022PPP 372 | How To Quit Bad Decisions Faster: Knowing When To Walk Away, With Annie Duke00:55:51

Winners Never Quit?

It's an overused cliche that winners never quit, and quitters never win. The only problem with that, of course, is that it oversimplifies the reality of the world we live and lead in.

So much of what we do as leaders of projects and teams is to make decisions. And could it be our inability to quit a project, a vendor, a tool, or a team member--could it be that even our career is being hindered because we’re persisting instead of quitting?

In this episode, I'm joined by one of my favorite voices on decision-making. Annie Duke is the author of a new book entitled Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away. You may know of Annie because of her previous books on decision-making, such as Thinking In Bets. In this episode, we’re going to discuss something that wasn’t elaborated on in her earlier books. We’re going to talk about quitting--and, assuming you keep listening--you don’t quit--you’re going to walk away with some practical ideas that you can start using this week.

Learn more about Annie and her book at AnnieDuke.com/.

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Gigantic Epic Day After Tomorrow by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/413-the-gigantic-epic-day-after-tomorrow
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website:

Music: Road Trip by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9761-road-trip
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

“Rudy (4/8) Movie CLIP - Fortune's Truth (1993) HD”
On YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=Qoh3YkxuwVo

“Jerry Maguire (2/8) Movie CLIP - Who's Coming With Me? (1996) HD”
On YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=6ZZI6-zh0GM

23 Aug 2024PPP 431 | Leadership Secrets: From Self-Doubt to Confidence, with Dr. Sam Adeyemi00:39:02

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, an influential leader and author of Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership. They discuss the impact of personal backstories on leadership, the importance of principles and values, dealing with self-doubt, and managing multi-generational teams. Dr. Sam shares insights from his personal journey, providing practical advice on leading with empathy, authenticity, and intentional personal branding.

This is a great opportunity to be exposed to a globally influential voice on leadership who will inspire you to go from self-doubt to confidence.

Sound Bites

  • "Leadership is first about being before it is about doing."
  • "You reproduce who you are."
  • "We never act beyond the capacity of that person that we see inside."
  • "Building your personal brand is not about building your ego and trying to prove to people that you are what you are not."
  • "We all are way better than we think we are. We're more powerful than we think we are."
  • "We actually can't control most of the things that affect our lives, but we can affect the things that are inside of us."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:33 Start Of Interview
  • 07:33 Principles And Values In Leadership
  • 11:00 What Is Authenticity?
  • 12:46 Decision-Making Guided By Values
  • 15:33 The Role Of Identity In Leadership
  • 18:16 Overcoming Self-Doubt
  • 20:08 Overcoming Fear And Embracing Uncertainty
  • 21:18 The Power Of Self-Talk And Identity
  • 22:26 Generational Differences In The Workplace
  • 26:12 Building A Personal Brand Vs. Ego
  • 31:39 Applying Leadership Principles At Home
  • 35:26 End Of Interview
  • 35:48 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 37:53 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Dr. Sam and his books at SamAdeyemi.com/.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

  • Episodes 62, 153, and 416 with Jim Kouzes about his book The Leadership Challenge, and
  • Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about his book Nine Lies About Work.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

28 Oct 2022PPP 368 | Where Good Leaders Go Wrong, With Author Jim Wetrich00:32:08

Leadership Lessons

Over the years of hosting the People and Projects Podcast, we’ve heard from authors from all kinds of backgrounds. I enjoy bringing you insights from researchers and professors and authors from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. But I particularly enjoy talking with people who have been in the trenches--they’ve had to lead in daunting situations, and they have the stories--and the scars--that come from being in the arena.

In this episode, you’re going to hear from someone just like that. Jim Wetrich has led teams on three continents for more than 40 years. Jim, who also goes by the name Big Red, has put his top lessons about leading into a new book entitled Stifled: Where Good Leaders Go Wrong.

In this episode, Big Red talks about how failing fast is easy to say--and important--but can also be difficult emotionally. He talks about why self-awareness is critical for leaders--and why we probably struggle with it more than we realize. We talk about hypocritical leaders and what we can do to make sure we don’t come off that way to our teams. Big Red shares how he manages the tension between getting his hands dirty but not micromanaging. Before we’re done, we’ll talk about the importance of staying positive, office politics, and more. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you.

Learn more about Big Red and his book at JimWetrich.com/.

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Inspiring Advertising by Rafael Krux
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5515-inspiring-advertising
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

Music: Pop Cinematic Credits by Rafael Krux
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5586-pop-cinematic-credits
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

23 Jan 2025PPP 445 | Unlocking the Power of Productive Failure, with Manu Kapur00:40:29

Summary

In this conversation, Andy interviews Manu Kapur about his book Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing. They explore the concept of learning through failure and how it can be intentionally designed to enhance understanding and retention. They discuss the importance of context in learning and the science behind memory. Manu and Andy discuss practical strategies for effective learning, particularly in relation to project management and certification exams. Manu introduces the notion of productive failure and its significance in the learning process. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with challenges, understanding the four A's of learning, and applying these principles in real-world scenarios. Manu even shares some ideas for how parents can help their kids reframe how they look at failure.

Want to improve your memory? Learn faster? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “If you want to remember, try forgetting a little so that you can use forgetting to remember.”
  • “Why do we wait for failure to happen instead of designing for it deliberately and intentionally?”
  • “Learning doesn’t just happen when you succeed—it’s the failure signal that tells you you’re in the right place to grow.”
  • “Knowledge gets coupled with the context, the smells, and the sights in which you’re learning it.”
  • “If everything in your life has a success signal, don’t be too happy—chances are you’re playing it too safe.”
  • “We should totally change how we introduce ourselves at parties: guess each other’s names!”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:31 Start Of Interview
  • 03:55 Understanding Productive Failure
  • 05:22 The Problems of Learning: Remembering, Understanding, and Transfer
  • 08:58 The Theory of Disuse
  • 11:39 The Fascinating Concept of Situated Cognition
  • 16:00 Why Getting Questions Wrong Helps You Learn
  • 20:34 Understanding the Zone of Proximal Development
  • 23:06 Designing for Productive Failure
  • 28:33 Applying Failure Concepts in Parenting
  • 32:12 End Of Interview
  • 32:34 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 37:52 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Manu and his work at ManuKapur.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 15 with Ralph Heath about his book on celebrating failure.
  • Episode 432 with Ross Garland regarding why projects fail.
  • Episode 116 with Jim Johnson for another discussion about why projects fail.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Productive Failure, Learning, Memory, Project Management, Education, Teaching, Zone Of Proximal Development, Innovation

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

30 Aug 2024PPP 433 | The Power of Curiosity and Learning with Michelle LaBrosse00:51:37

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Michelle Labrosse, the founder and Chief Cheetah of Cheetah Learning. They discuss Michelle's career journey, the importance of learning and focus, and her approach to accelerated learning. Michelle shares insights on removing hurdles in learning, dealing with information overload and distractions, and achieving mastery. She emphasizes the importance of thorough project assessment and planning, as well as the need for continuous learning and curiosity. Throughout the discussion, she shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for effective project management.

Sound Bites

  • "I was thrown from the car. So I think that now they would label me Asperger's but I wasn't Asperger's. I had a brain injury."
  • "When you teach people how to be good at test taking, you open up a whole world for them."
  • "We do a lot with anxiety. We have a lot of people saying they cured my test anxiety."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:45 Start of Interview
  • 01:48 Michelle's Early Life and Family Influence
  • 03:03 Discovering and Overcoming a Brain Injury
  • 07:14 The Impact of 'Do What You Are'
  • 14:16 What Makes Learning Fast, Easy, and Fun?
  • 27:53 Project Management Tips for Beginners
  • 28:54 Understanding Project Risks
  • 29:07 The Importance of Stakeholders
  • 29:13 Resources and Self-Assessment
  • 30:50 Curiosity and Humility in Project Management
  • 33:10 Dealing with Project Challenges
  • 36:40 Parenting and Project Management
  • 41:54 Wrap Up
  • 42:19 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 44:36 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more and connect with Michelle on LinkedIn at LinkedIn/in/Best-PMP-Exam-Prep-Course.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: project management, career, accelerated learning, leadership, continuous learning, curiosity, parenting, identity capital

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

17 Oct 2024PPP 439 | The Win-Win of Volunteering: How Giving Back Benefits Your Career, with Yasmina Khelifi and Mayte Mata Sivera00:36:31

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Yasmina Khelifi and Mayte Mata Sivera, co-authors of The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership.. Ever feel like you don't have time to volunteer? Yasmina and Mayte share compelling reasons why giving back ends up being a win-win for you and those you are serving.

Through personal anecdotes, Yasmina and Mayte illustrate how volunteering can open doors and provide meaningful experiences, such as transitioning from managers to leaders and collaborating on impactful projects like their book. They also offer practical advice on starting small in volunteering, choosing opportunities that bring joy, and leveraging LinkedIn for networking.

Want to give back but feel like you don't have time or know where to start? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • "Volunteering benefits both you and those you serve."
  • "Start small and evaluate your expectations."
  • "Find something that brings you joy."
  • "There's a great need for the skill sets that project managers and frontline leaders have. We agree that it's important to do, yet in many ways, we're among the busiest of people."
  • "Having this opportunity to experiment with different people helped me to try different styles, to try to find myself as a leader."
  • "I had bad marks in school. I thought you had to be gifted. But thanks to volunteering, I gained confidence. And now I try different things."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:36 Start Of Interview
  • 01:49 Personal Journeys To Project Management
  • 04:28 The Power Of Volunteering: First Experiences
  • 06:10 Developing Leadership Skills Through Volunteering
  • 14:28 Building Relationships And Networking
  • 18:15 Learning Agility And Personal Development
  • 20:18 Overcoming Design Barriers Through Volunteering
  • 22:00 The Importance Of Starting Small In Volunteering
  • 23:08 Finding Joy In Volunteering
  • 24:13 Memorable Volunteering Experiences
  • 27:18 End Of Interview
  • 27:47 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 31:08 Outtakes

Learn More

You can listen to my previous discussion with Yasmina in episode 361.

You can connect with Yasmina on LinkedIn here. And connect with Mayte on LinkedIn here.

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Volunteering, Leadership, Project Management, Personal Growth, Networking, Community Service, Professional Development, Learning Agility, Relationships, Mentorship.

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by Winnie the Moog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

19 Apr 2024PPP 411 | Google’s Top Productivity Expert on Boosting Your Productivity and Well-Being, with Laura Mae Martin00:39:07

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Laura Mae Martin, Google's productivity expert and author of the book Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. They discuss the concept of productivity and how it is often misunderstood. Laura shares her perspective on productivity, emphasizing the importance of intention and execution. She introduces the five C's of productivity and explains the concept of the list funnel. They also discuss the challenges of procrastination and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say no. Throughout the conversation, Laura provides practical tips and strategies for improving personal productivity.

Sound Bites

  • "Sometimes I'll look at my calendar in a couple of weeks and be like, wow, Future Me is going to be very mad if I leave that there!"
  • "When intention matches action, it's productive."
  • "I was a recovering 'Say Yeser'."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:46 Start of Interview
  • 02:59 What Does Productivity NOT Mean?
  • 04:57 Intention and Action
  • 06:20 Introduction to the 5C's of Productivity
  • 09:10 Learning to Say No
  • 12:48 The List Funnel
  • 18:02 Dealing With Procrastination
  • 22:50 Tool Hacks for Productivity
  • 25:52 Tips for Parents to Help Their Kids With Productivity
  • 27:24 Thinking About Future You
  • 28:38 Interview Wrap Up
  • 29:08 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 34:03 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Laura and her book at LauraMaeMartin.com. Also, check out the Google Workspace YouTube channel that Laura mentions. You can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/@googleworkspace/playlists.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episode 376, with Nick Sonnenberg about his book Come Up for Air
  • Episode 385, with Vanessa Patrick about her book, The Power of Saying No

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10446-tropical-vibe
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

20 Jul 2021PPP 329 | Preparing Your Career And Your Team For The Future, With Deborah Westphal00:50:34

Preparing for the Convergence

It's hard to imagine that we can be effective at leading others if we’re not forward-thinking. But the future is so unsure--clouded at times by apocalyptic visions of machines taking over and life ruled by algorithms. So how do we prepare ourselves and our teams for the future despite the challenges of understanding it?

To help us on this journey, we're joined today by Deborah Westphal, author of a new book entitled Convergence: Technology, Business, and the Human-Centric Future. In this episode, Deborah will talk about what it means for us to be human-centric as we look to the future. She’ll challenge how we use the term stakeholder when we’re leading our teams and projects. She’ll expose some of the obsolete ideas and models that we too easily hold onto. And she’ll give us some perspectives to think differently about what it means to be a human-centric, future-focused leader.

Learn more about Deborah and her book at DeborahWestphal.com/convergence-book/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

History and Future by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/67-history-and-future
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Things by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4860-things
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Patch Adams Complete Speech from the movie Patch Adams, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=KDEjgOFOLho

27 May 2022PPP 358 | How Compassionate Leaders Deliver Results00:36:45

What Is Compassionate Leadership?

In this episode, we’re continuing a series about rehumanizing the workplace. From conversations with so many of you, I know that you desire to lead in a way that builds people up and delivers results. It’s not one or the other--it’s both.

Well, that idea of leading with empathy while delivering results is the premise of a new book by Donato Tramuto entitled The Double Bottom Line: How Compassionate Leaders Captivate Hearts and Deliver Results.

In this episode, Donato will talk about what compassionate leadership means--and what it doesn’t mean. He’ll talk about how empathy is part of the equation--but not enough. He’ll talk about the role trust has in compassionate leadership--and how we can take practical steps to increase trust with those we lead. Donato will talk about why he doesn’t particularly like the term feedback, but also how we can help someone improve their performance in a compassionate way. Throughout it all, you'll get to know a genuinely interesting person--someone who is making this world better through his focus on compassionate leadership.

Learn more about Donato and his book at DonatoTramuto.com.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Life of a Dog by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5130-life-of-a-dog
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Switch by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/489-switch
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Don Quixote - Act I finale (Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta, The Royal Ballet) on YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=5fKxzQ8ARTQ

04 Feb 2023PPP 375 | Navigating The Fear Of Offending: A Guide To Living (And Leading) Unafraid00:40:38

Permission to Offend

Is it possible to be too nice?

We have a vigorous discussion around this question in our Essentials of Project Management workshop. There’s almost always a resounding response of “Yes! It is possible to be too nice.”

That discussion is based on an idea we covered in episode 320 with Greg Githins. Greg says, "Leadership is a practice of kindness, but it’s not always a practice of niceness.” Hmmm...

We're going to build on that idea in this episode. I’m joined by Rachel Luna. She’s the author of a new book entitled Permission to Offend: The Compassionate Guide for Living Unfiltered and Unafraid.

Are there times when you feel like you should be speaking up but are afraid to do so? Or when you worry perhaps too much about what other people think? Have you found yourself confounded about why someone reacted the way they did? Stay with us because Rachel will share some insights that you can start putting to work immediately.

Learn more about Rachel and her work at RachelLuna.biz.

Also, for more on this topic, check out episode 371 with Amanda Ripley and her book High Conflict. It's a great follow-up to this discussion.

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tarantino 1 by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9573-tarantino-1
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Road Trip by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9761-road-trip
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

10 Feb 2023PPP 376 | How To Help Your Team Stop Drowning In Work, With Author Nick Sonnenberg00:36:01

Stop Drowning At Work

Have you ever heard someone say they are drowning at work? Maybe you feel like that even right now as you start this episode.

If a sink is broken and water is overflowing, there are at least two options: you can mop faster or you can fix the sink. Using that as a metaphor for work, many of us are trying to mop faster. Today, we’re going to talk about how to fix the sink.

I’m excited to introduce you to Nick Sonnenberg, author of a new book, Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work.

The single biggest benefit of Nick's book is he doesn’t just talk about the problem. Or provide vague generalities about how to address them. He gets into detailed recommendations with specific tools and loads of case studies and examples to help you and your team come up for air. He’s already helping me and my team and I can’t wait for you to be introduced to his ideas.

Learn more about Nick and his company at GetLeverage.com.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Cry by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10346-cry
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.sascha-ende.de

Music: Happy Summertime by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9096-happy-summertime
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

01 Apr 2021PPP 318 | How To Build New Connections, A Better Career, And A More Fulfilling Life, With John Stepper, Creator Of Working Out Loud00:43:52

You Can't Advance If They Don't Know About You

I'm joined by John Stepper to talk about his new book entitled Working Out Loud: A 12-Week Method to Build New Connections, a Better Career, and a More Fulfilling Life. It’s a great read and in today’s discussion, you’re going to learn specific strategies for developing relationships and future-prepping your career.

Learn more about John and the Working Out Loud movement at WorkingOutLoud.com/.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Golden Star by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5657-golden-star-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Pop Cinematic Credits by Rafael Crux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5586-pop-cinematic-credits-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Sale Anxiety scene from Tommy Boy, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=_FBsbZzxaG8

30 Dec 2023PPP 400 | Celebrating Episode 400 with Adam Grant00:22:44

Summary

In this episode, Andy Kaufman celebrates the 400th episode of the People in Projects Podcast with special guest Adam Grant. They discuss Adam's new book, Hidden Potential, and the importance of assessing and unlocking potential in individuals.

The conversation covers various topics, including keeping projects on track, the truth about hiring based on experience, a lesson Adam learned about feedback that he's a terrible writer, and overcoming criticism. Adam reflects on the past and future, including what he misses (and doesn't miss) about being Adam Grant in 2010 (when Andy and Adam first talked). 

Takeaways

  • Assessing and unlocking potential is crucial in various aspects of life, and the judgments people make of our potential can have a significant impact.
  • Perfectionism can hinder progress, and it is important to separate our identity from our work.
  • The value of experience in hiring is often overestimated, and potential should be prioritized over years of experience.
  • Saying no and setting boundaries is essential to avoid overcommitment and maintain focus on important projects.
  • Even if initially difficult, receiving feedback can lead to valuable insights and improvements.
  • A practical AI chatbot use case that Adam tries
  • Expressing appreciation to those who have seen and nurtured our potential is important, and we should also assess the potential of others and encourage their growth.

You can learn more about Adam and his book at AdamGrant.net.

For More on This Topic

To catch Andy's previous conversations with Adam, check out:

  • Episode 31, where we talk about leading teams with meaning, and
  • Episode 93, where we talk about his book Give and Take

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Celebration
02:50 Start of the Interview
03:12 What are You Glad is Getting Attention / Thought Would Get More Attention in Your Book
03:52 Lessons on Keeping Projects on Track
04:46 Something People Think Is True But Is Not Supported With Evidence
05:45 How Adam Decides on Saying Yes or No
06:16 How Does Adam Calm Nerves
07:27 You Suck at Writing, Adam! How to Receive Feedback and Overcome Criticism
08:37 What Adam Recently Used a Chatbot For
09:26 What Does Adam Miss About Being Him in 2010 / Not Miss
10:26 What Would You Ask Future Adam?
11:39 Adam Takes Over as the Host
12:50 Adam Asks About Podcasting
14:07 Adam Says Nice Things About Andy
16:04 Andy Comments after the Interview
20:19 Outtakes from Before We Started the Interview
21:32 Sample Intro from Episode 1 (Man, it was bad!)

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this anniversary episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Celebrate Your Wins [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10381-celebrate-your-wins-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6040-funky-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

01 Jul 2021PPP 326 | Kiron Bondale Shares Project Leadership Lessons00:34:21

Lessons in Project Leadership

One of my favorite voices on how to lead projects is Kiron Bondale. He joined us back in episode 92 for an In the Trenches episode, and I’ve been a fan of his writing ever since.

Kiron recently launched a new book entitled Easy in Theory, Difficult in Practice: 100 Lessons in Project Leadership. It's a book packed with insights to help you lead and deliver.

Learn more about Kiron and his work at https://kbondale.wordpress.com/.

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Tranceverse by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

12 Jul 2024PPP 424 | Project Management Trends You Can't Ignore, with Karla Eidem00:35:58

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Karla Eidem, the Managing Director of North America region at Project Management Institute (PMI). The discussion focuses on the latest trends and developments in project management. They explore the evolution of project managers from executing technical aspects to becoming strategic partners in organizations. They also discuss the shift towards hybrid and agile approaches in project management and the impact of different work arrangements on team collaboration and project performance. Finally, they also touch on the role of AI in project management and the resources offered by PMI to support project professionals.

If you're looking for insights on how to keep up with the latest trends in leading and delivering projects, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • "The role of the PMs has definitely shifted away from executing the technical aspects of a project to a strategic partner in the organization."
  • "Project managers must also be adaptable and resilient to the well ever-changing business environment and be very competent in risk management."
  • "A good project manager should know which tools to pull from their PM toolbox almost like a mechanic knowing what to do."
  • "Work location does not have a negative impact on project performance. In fact, project performance rates for in-person, hybrid, and remote work actually yield similar results."
  • "We need to be better storytellers. If we're not able to communicate effectively the value of what we do, then it'll be hard for the leaders of their organizations to even understand why they need to invest in project management."
  • "A hybrid approach is actually gaining ground as the fit-for-purpose approach."
  • "Performance levels are comparable for hybrid, agile, and predictive approaches."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:24 Start of Interview
  • 04:39 How to Decide Between Traditional and Hybrid Approaches
  • 11:15 Findings About Remote, Hybrid, and In-Person Work
  • 14:41 Karla's Personal Experience With Remote Work
  • 16:45 Mobile Devices and Productivity
  • 19:56 How AI is Transforming Project Management
  • 25:00 Strategies for Continuous Learning Despite Busy Schedules
  • 28:56 Communicating the Value of Investing in Project Management
  • 32:41 Wrap-Up
  • 33:01 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 34:35 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Pulse of the Profession® at pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/pulse.

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Quantum Sparks Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

16 May 2022PPP 357 | Loneliness On Your Team—And What You Can Do About It, With Author Steven Van Cohen00:44:42

The Crisis of Loneliness

One of my least favorite phrases over the last couple of years is the term Social distancing. I understand the idea and I worked to be diligent about keeping others safe. But that’s physical distancing--and that had its place. Social distancing, on the other hand, has been arguably devastating.

My guest today says that, without even realizing it, we are subtly turning our backs on humanity every day. Steven Van Cohen joins us today to talk about his new book entitled Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In.

It’s a book about the crisis of loneliness and in today’s discussion, Steven talks about the difference between loneliness and solitude. He shares some of the biggest contributors to modern-day loneliness and how we, as leaders, can strive to foster more belonging on our teams. Steven includes ways to help us more easily spot lonely workers and invest in connection. It's a conversation I can't wait to share with you.

Learn more about Steven, his co-author, and their book at LessLonely.com.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Helium Is In High Demand by Tim Kulig
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9168-helium-is-in-high-demand
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Way by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8245-long-way
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby (From “Yellow Submarine”) on YouTube at Youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y

15 Jun 2023PPP 382 | Balancing The Now And The Future: How To Make Tomorrow Better Today, With Author Hal Hershfield00:45:57

Balancing The Now and The Future

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with some amazing bosses. One was a woman named Cindy. What made her stand out? She constantly encouraged us to look beyond our day-to-day tasks. As a Vice President, I was under her guidance, and she, a Senior VP, was persistent in pushing us to plan for the future and break free from the firefighting of the present.

This isn't just an issue for me and my colleagues at that time; it's something many of us encounter. Of course, it's important to be present and appreciate the moment, but in various aspects of our lives—be it projects, careers, health, or more—we often fail to look far enough ahead. This preoccupation with the present can hold us back from a better future.

In this episode, I'm joined by Hal Hershfield, author of the insightful new book Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today.

We all want a brighter tomorrow, whether for our projects, careers, relationships, health, or more. But evidence suggests that our relationship with the future can be a bit tricky. Sometimes we need a "Cindy"--someone to help us learn to look further down the road. Hal is that person, and his book is a valuable resource I'm confident you'll benefit from. I'm excited to share our conversation with you!

Learn more about Hal and his book at HalHershfield.com/.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 313, with Brian David Johnson about his book The Future You
  • Episode 87, with Cecily Sommers about her book Think Like a Futurist

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Time Is Now by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/395-time-is-now
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Time Of Change by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8915-time-of-change
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

13 Aug 2020PPP 300 | Five Things I Want You To Know From The First 300 Episodes00:10:23

Thank You!

There are so many reasons why I want to say thanks to you. This is a special month for me and my team. We’re celebrating 19 years in business, for which we’re immensely thankful. And, with this, we’re celebrating episode 300 today! That's not something that could happen without your support!

In this episode, I share five things I've learned from the first 300 episodes.

 

Help Make The Next 300 Episodes Even Better

We’ve created a short survey--it will take just a few minutes.

And to add a little incentive, we’re doing a drawing for a $50 USD gift card to Starbucks or Amazon. Just go to PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/300 and share your insights.  The drawing is on 28 August 2020 so do it today!

Check out the instructions at the end of the survey to be entered into the drawing. Thank you so much!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and click "Follow".

Thank you for joining me for this 300th episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Camp Fermin, Floating Whist, and Great Great Lengths by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License

27 May 2025PPP 461 | Why Your Wellness Perks Aren't Working (And What Actually Does), with Dr. Patricia Grabarek00:39:25

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes Dr. Patricia Grabarek, co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Patricia is an industrial-organizational psychologist and co-founder of Workr Beeing. She brings her expertise in workplace wellness, leadership behavior, and employee engagement to this timely conversation about how leaders can improve not just productivity, but people’s lives.

They explore the surprising truth that employee wellness isn’t about perks like step challenges or mindfulness apps--it’s about leadership. Patricia shares the difference between Generator leaders and Extinguisher leaders, how “Struggle Statements” foster psychological safety, and the simple yet powerful behaviors that make a lasting impact on your team’s wellbeing. From practical strategies for setting boundaries to powerful recovery practices, this conversation offers a playbook for leaders who want to create sustainable performance through human-centered leadership.

If you’re looking for insights on how to lead with empathy while driving results, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “What we learned is that people think about wellness holistically. It's very individual.”
  • “You can’t yoga your way out of a toxic work environment.”
  • “Most leaders don’t wake up and think, 'I'm going to extinguish my team today.' It happens slowly and unconsciously.”
  • “I don't think anyone's waking up and being like, I wanna make work suck for everybody around me today!”
  • “Leaders are people. They fail at things. They're not always doing well. And when you have this ideal leader, that's the persona you're putting on, then your employees don't trust you.”
  • “Your behavior as a leader is the most powerful wellness intervention you can offer.”
  • “When leaders share their struggles, it creates a ripple effect of trust.”
  • “If you want your team to respect boundaries, you have to model them first.”
  • “Employees don’t leave jobs—they leave leaders who extinguish them.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:59 Start of Interview
  • 02:11 What is Wellness?
  • 04:05 Generators vs. Extinguishers
  • 07:30 When Someone is an Inconsistent Extinguisher
  • 08:57 What are Struggle Statements?
  • 12:50 Recognizing Burnout and Its Signs
  • 15:51 Strategies for Post-Work Recovery
  • 18:12 The Role of Control With Stress
  • 19:57 An Example of Someone Transforming How They Lead for Wellness
  • 22:11 Organizational Wellness: What's Not Working?
  • 23:53 Authenticity and Role Modeling in Leadership
  • 26:20 Balancing Work and Life: Integrators vs. Segmenters
  • 27:06 Fostering Wellness at Home
  • 27:51 End of Interview
  • 28:20 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 34:35 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Patricia and her work at WorkrBeeing.com/book.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 448 with Marie-Helene Pelletier about her book The Resilience Plan.
  • Episode 398 with Dr. Neha Sangwan about her book on burnout.
  • Episode 324 with Jim Harter from Gallup about building resilient cultures.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Employee Wellness, Psychological Safety, Burnout, Team Culture, Vulnerability, Work-Life Balance, Authenticity, Empathy, Boundaries, Recovery, Organizational Health

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 Jul 2024PPP 426 | Sal Khan on AI’s Role in Education and Project Management00:28:20

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, about his new book Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing). They discuss Sal's journey from tutoring his cousin to creating a global educational platform and the evolving role of AI in education. Sal emphasizes the importance of transparency and adaptability in using AI tools and shares his thoughts on productive strategies for teaching and learning in an AI-integrated world. The conversation also explores leadership lessons and efficient time management in both educational and professional settings.

If you're curious about how to think about learning in the age of AI, Sal is one of the best voices to listen to!

Sound Bites

  • "ChatGPT did not introduce cheating on essays. This happened well before. There are many ways to cheat that aren't plagiarism."
  • "I wasn't confrontational enough."
  • "I scrutinize every meeting, do I really need to be here? Do other people need to be here? Why are we meeting every week? Maybe we could do this three times a week or every second or third week."
  • "AI is an amplification of human intent. Bad actors are going to use it to amplify their bad intent. And no matter how many rules and laws and regulations we pass, they will ignore them and they will amplify their bad intent."
  • "People who work very long hours are the most unproductive people I know."
  • "Educated bravery is this idea of when something has potential risks, you shouldn't ignore those risks. That makes you complacent. That's irresponsible, but you should write those risks down and you shouldn't view those risks as reasons to run away or to not go in that direction, but you should manage those risks. You should be aware of them and maybe even turn them into features. Every problem is, you know, people famously say is an opportunity and that's the mindset that we've tried to take on."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:52 Start Of Interview
  • 02:01 How Is Education Currently Looking At AI?
  • 05:32 The Role Of AI Tutors And Khanmigo
  • 08:35 Educated Bravery
  • 10:20 What People Aren't Talking About Enough From The Book
  • 13:01 Sal's Project Management Lessons
  • 14:35 Advantage Of Looking At Things Through A Star Trek Lens
  • 16:58 Does More AI Lead To More Leisure?
  • 19:43 The Need To Be More Confrontational
  • 21:37 Wrap Up
  • 22:05 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 27:07 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Khanmigo at Khanmigo.ai.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

18 Jun 2024PPP 418 | How to Be Unoffendable, and Other Leadership Lessons About Excellence, with Randy Fox00:39:26

Summary

In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews his friend Randy Fox about his book The Call to Excellence: Influential Leadership for Impactful Results. Randy shares the backstory of his signature story, the Silver Platter Service, and how it can apply to leadership. They discuss the pursuit of excellence and the difference between being perfect and pursuing our highest and best. They also talk about the importance of being unoffendable and open to feedback, as well as the basics of leadership, such as kindness, communication, and consistency. Randy emphasizes the need for intentional self-improvement and even how these principles apply to parenting.

Sound Bites

  • "The art of listening is hearing what the person is not saying."
  • "When you watch yourself, the film doesn't lie."
  • "The silver platter isn't about how we collect the trash, it's how we serve someone else and how we lead them through those projects, through those outcomes, through life."
  • "There's a difference between being kind and nice."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:01 Start of Interview
  • 01:11 The Silver Platter story
  • 03:58 What does pursuing excellence NOT mean?
  • 06:32 The difference between surviving and thriving
  • 07:56 Being unoffendable
  • 14:34 Lessons from refs
  • 17:39 About sincerity and truth
  • 21:56 Be brilliant with the basics
  • 24:27 How to be a better communicator
  • 26:46 How to not get complacent with our learning
  • 31:17 Applying these lessons as parents
  • 33:08 Interview Wrap Up
  • 33:40 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 36:49 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Randy and his book at FoxPoint.net.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

  • Episode 301, with Peter Kozodoy about his book on honesty
  • Episode 345, with Darren Reinke about his book about being a savage leader

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

11 Mar 2022PPP 350 | How To Hire For The Anniversary Date, Not The Start Date, With Lou Adler00:47:36

Hiring: Your Most Important Responsibility

It could be argued that there is nothing more important than hiring outstanding people. But the sad fact is we generally stink at hiring people. For a host of reasons, we often end up hiring what our guest in this episode calls the 90-Day Wonder—someone who, after 90 days, makes us wonder, “Why in the world did we hire this person?”

How do we avoid that? Well, today I’m excited to introduce you to Lou Adler. Lou is the author of a book entitled Hire With Your Head: Using Performance-Based Hiring To Build Outstanding Diverse Teams. The 4th edition of this classic book has recently been published and it’s filled with ideas that have been perfected over the years.

In this episode, Lou shares some of the biggest myths and mistakes that we make in the hiring process. He explains what Win-Win Hiring is and why it’s critical to the hiring process. Lou explains the difference between a great candidate and a great hire—they’re not the same. And he explains what a performance profile is and why you need to have that before you write out a job description to fill.

And beyond all the advice about hiring, Lou shares insights to help you if YOU are looking for a job. It’s a conversation I’m looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Lou and his book at LouAdlerGroup.com. Also, if you're in the job market, consider checking out Lou's book The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired. His course Win-Win Hiring™ for Job Seekers – Getting Ready to Be Interviewed is available for $5 USD--highly recommended!

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Jazzi 3 by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8069-jazzi-3
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Way by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8245-long-way
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Internship: The Big Interview on YouTube at Youtube.com/watch?v=ewek-6TudOM

06 Jul 2020PPP 297 | Want to Grow As a Leader? How to Build a Peer Coaching Community, with author Glain Roberts-McCabe00:53:36

Glain Roberts-McCabe joins us for episode 297 to talk about her new book The Grassroots Leadership Revolution: Build a Peer Coaching Community and Own Your Career.

Learn more about Glain and her book at GoRoundTable.com.

 

Join me for our Virtual Project Management Training Program!

Learn how to improve your ability to lead and deliver! Join us for the same project management program we deliver in-house at organizations around the world! Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/learning. Use a coupon code of VirtualPM20 to save $150 USD on the entire program!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Whether you have a live or virtual event, we can help you invest in your team. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

15 Jul 2020PPP 298 | The Art of Being Indispensable at Work, with author Bruce Tulgan00:44:28

Becoming The Go-To Person

Being the go-to person has a lot of career value, and in times of uncertainty, being the go-to person can seem like it brings a lot of job security. But as our guest Bruce Tulgan says in the opening clip, the problem with becoming a go-to person is that you become the go-to person! It can turn into becoming a Yes person, which can lead to over-commitment, stress, and eventually dropping enough balls, so to speak, that we’re no longer the go-to person!

Bruce makes his third appearance with us here on episode 298 of the People and Projects Podcast. He joined us way back in episode 38 to talk about managing our bosses and even earlier in episode 10 to talk about managing Generation Y. 10 years later he joins us to talk about his new book The Art of Being Indispensable at Work.

Learn more about Bruce and his book at RainmakerThinking.com.

 

Increase Your Ability to Influence

We teach leaders at the UN and other global organizations how to increase their influence. I'd love to have you join our upcoming virtual Advanced Project Management Masterclass! Save your spot at courses.i-leadonline.com/courses/advanced-pm-masterclass. Thanks!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Whether you have a live or virtual event, we can help you invest in your team. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

The Lagoon by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4911-the-lagoon
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

Ambient Corporate by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6188-ambient-corporate
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

Loved Every Minute scene, from the movie Burnt
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=HIrIMwKkHKE

30 Jan 2025PPP 446 | Why Some Leaders Inspire--and Others Drain the Life Out of Their Teams, with Adam Galinsky00:46:37

Summary

In this conversation, Andy talks with Adam Galinsky about his new book Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others. Adam discusses the elements that make a leader truly inspiring, debunking the myth that inspirational qualities are innate rather than developed. The conversation covers Adam's Inspiring Trifecta (being visionary, an exemplar, and a mentor) along with the leader amplification effect. Additionally, they explore actionable strategies from Adam's research, including the importance of perspective-taking, the impact of the leader amplification commitment, and techniques for improving self-awareness and daily practices for sustained inspiration.

Looking for practical advice to inspire those around you? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “It’s not, ‘Are you inspiring or infuriating?’ It’s, ‘Are you currently inspiring or infuriating?”
  • “Your passion can become their passion. Your calmness in a crisis can become their calmness. But on the flip side, your anxiety can become their anxiety.”
  • “Never tell someone, ‘We need to talk,’ without telling them why.”
  • “What if every single morning, over a cup of coffee, you sent one email just thanking someone for something they did?”
  • “Shame turns us into ostriches. Guilt moves us toward action.”
  • “To be visionary, you don’t need to be loud—you need to be clear.”
  • “Your leadership isn’t just what you say—it’s what people see.”
  • “The question isn’t ‘Are you a great leader?’ The question is, ‘What are you doing right now that makes you one?”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:37 Start Of Interview
  • 01:45 What Inspired You To Get Into Psychology?
  • 02:51 What Are Some Common Myths About Inspiration?
  • 03:49 Do You Have to Be Extroverted to Be Inspiring?
  • 05:51 What's The Difference Between Inspiring and Infuriating Leaders?
  • 08:48 Why You Should Never Say "We Need to Talk"
  • 13:45 What Is the Leader Amplification Effect?
  • 19:07 How Can I Better Get Someone Else's Perspective?
  • 22:59 How Does Adam Overcome Feeling Insecure?
  • 25:21 What's The Role of Self-Talk In Helping Us Be Inspiring?
  • 29:15 How Does Ranking Our Values Help?
  • 30:56 How Does Adam Practice Being Inspiring (Introduction to REAP)
  • 32:43 Advice for Parents
  • 36:11 End Of Interview
  • 36:34 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 42:11 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Adam and his work at AdamGalinsky.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 362 with Ayelet Fishbach about her book on motivation.
  • Episode 94 with Heidi Grant and Torry Higgins about their work on motivation.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Inspiration, Leadership, Communication, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Parenting, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

03 Apr 2025PPP 452 | How to Build Bridges Across Divides at Work and Beyond, with Juliana Tafur00:41:34

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Juliana Tafur, the inaugural director of the Bridging Differences Program at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. The conversation explores practical strategies for bridging divides in a polarized world, both in personal and professional contexts.

Juliana shares insights from her experiences growing up in a divided Colombia, her work in the U.S. post-9/11, and research on bridging differences. The episode also covers the psychological roots of 'othering' and offers practical advice for fostering connections despite differences. Additionally, resources like the seven-day Campaign for Connection Challenge and the Bridging Differences Playbook are highlighted to help you apply these concepts in your daily life.

What if you could get better at bridging divides in these polarized times? This episode will help you do that!

Sound Bites

  • "Disconnection is one of the evils of our time."
  • "Our brains will always go to labeling. That is just how our brains function."
  • "No one is a single label… we are so multi-dimensional."
  • "Listening is truly like a hidden superpower."
  • "Just by us listening, we are perceived as more trustworthy."
  • "You can affirm their feelings while still disagreeing."
  • "The value of humility, openness, curiosity, empathy—are not really front and center in our society."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:11 Start of Interview
  • 02:24 Juliana's Background and Influences
  • 04:29 Understanding 'Othering' and Tribalism
  • 08:42 The Power of Listening with Compassion
  • 10:33 Practical Steps for Deep Listening
  • 16:40 Real-Life Examples of Bridging Divides
  • 24:54 The Problem with Labels
  • 27:10 The Seven Day Campaign for Connection Challenge
  • 29:54 Resources for Bridging Differences
  • 31:47 Teaching Kids to Bridge Differences
  • 35:29 End of Interview
  • 35:55 Andy's Comments After the Interview
  • 39:23 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Juliana and her Bridging Differences program at GGSC.Berkeley.edu/What_we_do/Major_Initiatives/Bridging_Differences. You can download the Bridging Differences Playbook and access the Bridging Differences Videos from that page.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 380 with Monica Guzman about her book on a similar topic.
  • Episode 371 with Amanda Ripley about her book High Conflict.
  • Episode 276 with Buster Benson about his book
  • Episode 284 with Peter Boghossian about having what seem like impossible conversations.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Listening, Empathy, Connection, Polarization, Leadership, Communication, Conflict, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

06 Jul 2021PPP 327 | What is Sustainable Project Management? A Conversation with Rich Maltzman00:32:02

Sustainable Project Management Insights

One of my favorite voices on how to lead projects is Rich Maltzman. Rich contributed to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) Seventh Edition in the areas of sustainability and value delivery. In this episode, Rich talks about what sustainable project management is (and isn't). Perhaps more importantly, he talks about what we can do at our level, especially when we feel we don’t have much influence to make a difference. And Rich shares some project and career lessons that he’s gleaned over the years. It’s a great discussion with a guy I consider a friend.

Here are some resources that Rich mentions during the interview:

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Strategic and Business Management

 

Corona [instrumental] (feat. Klangkommune) by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7102-corona-instrumental
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

03 May 2024PPP 412 | What A Hostage Negotiator Can Teach You About Influencing Stakeholders, with Scotland Yard detective Scott Walker00:43:53

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Scott Walker who spent 16 years as a Scotland Yard detective. Scott and Andy delve into lessons on emotional intelligence and negotiation skills gleaned from Scott's new book Order out of Chaos: Win Every Negotiation, Thrive in Adversity, and Become a World-Class Communicator.

Key takeaways include seeking to understand before being understood, managing emotional states, and using empathy to build trust. Walker also discusses the importance of buying time and, interestingly, feeding egos in negotiations. It's an engaging discussion with one of the world's most experienced kidnap-for-ransom negotiators.

Sound Bites

  • "Negotiation is simply a conversation with a purpose."
  • "Kidnappers are businessmen looking to get the right deal for them."
  • "Feeding their ego doesn't mean flattering them. It's about acknowledging their needs and concerns, making them feel heard."
  • "Success leaves clues."
  • "We need to get out of our own way, suspend our own ego, seek to understand before being understood."
  • "If you can visualize a negative outcome closely enough, you train your body and mind to get through it, reducing the power that fear can have over you."
  • "More Sherlock Holmes than Gordon Gecko."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:40 Start of Interview
  • 01:50 How is Hostage Negotiation Relevant To Business Leaders?
  • 03:33 In What Ways Are We Always Negotiating?/li>
  • 04:49 What Does It Mean to Harness Your Red Center?
  • 08:34 Accepting Where You're At
  • 11:04 Steps To Regulate Your Emotions
  • 15:29 Scenario: Nerves Before The Big Presentation
  • 21:21 When You Start to Doubt Yourself
  • 22:31 MOREPIES
  • 26:36 Feed Their Ego?
  • 30:12 Lessons for Parents
  • 33:21 Interview Wrap Up
  • 33:47 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 40:37 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Scott and his book at ScottWalkerCoaching.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episode 397, with Dr. Julia DiGangi about her book Energy Rising
  • Episode 394, with Joshua Freedman about his book on emotional intelligence
  • Episode 380, with Monica Guzman about her book on seeing problems from a different perspective, and
  • Episode 185, with Mitch Warner about their book Leadership and Self-Deception

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: The Chillhouse by Frank Schroter
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHu8e0nk_7g
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

25 Apr 2025PPP 457 | Virtual Communication Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making, with Andrew Brodsky00:44:11

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Andrew Brodsky about his new book, Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. The discussion covers key topics, such as the impact of typos, the use of emojis and exclamation points, and the importance of timely responses.

Andrew highlights the pros and cons of different communication mediums, offering evidence-based recommendations on when to use email versus meetings, and the benefits of cameras on or off during virtual meetings. Practical advice is given on mimicking language to build trust, improving small talk to enhance virtual hallway interactions, and preparing younger generations for successful virtual communication.

If you're looking for insights on how to lead and more effectively when you're not face-to-face, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “Regardless of whether you work from home, the office, hybrid, anywhere in between, we're now all virtual communicators.”
  • “When you're writing an email, try to read the message in the opposite tone you intended.”
  • “The shorter meetings are and the fewer participants there are, the more engaging they are.”
  • “If it's a new relationship and you're trying to build trust, you're probably going to want your camera on.”
  • “Sometimes a 30-second text can build more team cohesion than a full hour of meeting time."
  • “We assume the recipient wants a response a lot quicker than they do.”
  • “Typos in angry emails made the person seem angrier, and in happy emails made them seem happier.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:39 Start of Interview
  • 01:56 Andrew's Personal Story and Research
  • 03:16 Defining Virtual Communication
  • 04:53 The P of Ping: Perspective Taking
  • 08:15 In-Person vs. Virtual Communication
  • 11:14 Meeting Dynamics and Camera Use
  • 16:09 Email Urgency and Response Expectations
  • 21:34 Impact of Typos in Virtual Communication
  • 22:58 Understanding Typos and Ambiguity in Virtual Communication
  • 24:42 Using AI and Tools for Effective Communication
  • 25:47 The Rise of Voice Notes and Their Impact
  • 27:40 Emojis, Exclamation Points, and Language Mimicry
  • 30:04 Bringing Small Talk into Virtual Interactions
  • 32:48 Preparing Kids for Virtual Communication
  • 35:13 End of Interview
  • 35:40 Andy's Comments After the Interview
  • 41:42 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Andrew and his book at ABrodsky.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 407 with Ben Guttman about his book Simply Put. It's an intriguing book on how to design clear messages.
  • Episode 332 with Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel about their book on virtual teams.
  • Episode 237 with Nick Morgan about his book on virtual communication.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Virtual Communication, Email Etiquette, Remote Work, Leadership, Team Cohesion, Productivity, Small Talk, Emotional Intelligence, AI Tools, Generational Differences

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

25 Feb 2022PPP 348 | How To Work Less Hours And Get More Done, With Author Joe Sanok00:40:29

Thursday Is The New Friday

If you ask someone about how things are going at work, what’s a typical response? What I most often hear is “Busy! We are busy!” Ask someone how they’re feeling, and many people will say, “Fine.” But if they get more transparent, what they’ll often say is, “I’m tired.” Busy and exhausted. Can you relate to that?

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Joe Sanok. Joe is the author of a book entitled Thursday is the New Friday: How to Work Fewer Hours, Make More Money, and Spend Time Doing What You Want.

Does that subtitle sound like overselling? Or at least something that sounds nice but isn’t practical? Well, Joe is here to challenge that suspicion.

Learn more about Joe and his book at JoeSanok.com.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Strain by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9002-strain
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Positive Sentimental Uplifting Piano by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8764-positive-sentimental-uplifting-piano
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Just Chilling by Mikael Hellman
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6294-just-chilling
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

31 Aug 2023PPP 391 | How Ambitious Managers Make The Jump To Leadership, With Adam Bryant00:43:41

Do You Really Want to Lead?

Making the leap to leadership can be one of the most rewarding--and challenging--moves we can make. And I’m excited in this episode to bring you what I think is the best guide I’ve come across to date on how to make that jump. Adam Bryant joins us to talk about his new book The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership.

In this episode, you’ll learn the first question you should be asking about leadership--and why it’s important. Adam shares a practical tool he calls a Leadership User Manual--I’m telling you, you’re going to want to create one of these after listening to this. He discusses why a career pyramid might be a better metaphor than a ladder. Along the way you’ll hear why you should learn to merge into traffic and go play in the traffic! And why some of the most valuable leadership lessons are playing out before your eyes every day. It’s a conversation I can’t wait to share with you.

Learn more about Adam and his book at AdamBryantBooks.com/the-leap-to-leader/.

For more episodes related to this topic, check out:

  • Episode 360, with Janet Polach about her book The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make.
  • Episode 307, with Ron Carucci about his book Rising to Power, and
  • Episode 261, with David Epstein about his book Range.

 

No Freaking Idea!

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because we’re rolling out a new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertaity. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether it’s you who is wondering about next steps in your career or a son or daughter and you'd like to give them this as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2935-imagefilm-034
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Another Good Day by chilledmusic
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8397-another-good-day
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

08 Oct 2023PPP 394 | Practical Ways To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence, With EQ Expert Joshua Freedman00:48:13

What Is Emotional Intelligence, Really?

You’ve heard of emotional intelligence, right? You know it’s important. But a lot of us haven’t had formal training on the topic--or maybe it’s been a while.

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Joshua Freedman, author of the international best-selling book At the Heart of Leadership: How to Get Results with Emotional Intelligence. Plenty of books can give you an academic understanding of emotional intelligence. But Joshua’s book is immensely practical. It focuses on how to help us navigate situations, like that project meeting, because our lives are filled with situations where the stakes are high with our emotions. And Joshua is here to help us with that. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you!

Learn more about Joshua at JMFreedman.com/bio/.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 148, with Daniel Shapiro about his book Negotiating the Nonnegotiable. It's a deeply insightful book that will help you navigate the emotional side of conflicts. I highly recommend this episode!
  • Episode 108, with Doug Stone about his book Thanks for the Feedback, and
  • Episode 185, with Mitch Warner from the Arbinger Institute about their book Leadership and Self-Deception.

 

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because we’re rolling out a new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Colossus by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10494-colossus
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10446-tropical-vibe
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

15 Sep 2021PPP 337 | How Hands-On Should You Stay? Johanna Rothman on Management00:43:17

Managing Projects and Teams

One of my favorite voices in the world of leading and delivering is Johanna Rothman. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Johanna for a couple of decades now and throughout that time she’s been a clear voice in how I think about managing teams and projects. And her writing, coaching, and consulting have helped project teams around the world.

In this episode, she joins us to talk about her new book series entitled Modern Management Made Easy. It’s a series of 3 books that address some pervasive myths about management.

Learn more about Johanna and her book series at jrothman.com/modern-management-made-easy-a-three-volume-set/.

Additional Resources

In this episode, I refer to these other interviews that you might find helpful:

  • My discussion with Johanna in episode 207 about her book Create Your Successful Agile Journey
  • My discussion with Annie Murphy Paul in episode 335 about her book The Extended Mind

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Long Way by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8245-long-way
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

New Happy Day by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8161-new-happy-day
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 Sep 2021PPP 338 | The Difference Between Kindness and Niceness—and the ROI of Kindness00:33:57

The ROI of Kindness

Is it possible to be too nice? Is niceness the same as kindness? In today’s discussion, we’re going to drill in on that idea. I’m excited to introduce you to Brian Biro who wrote a book entitled The ROI of Kindness.

In today’s discussion, Brian will talk about the difference between being nice and being kind. He’ll explain what a Kindness Value Proposition is and why you might want to consider developing one. We have an extended conversation about one of the kindest things you can do, which is to be present with other people. And make sure you stay around for the outtakes because Brian was a friend with legendary basketball coach John Wooden. Outside the official interview, Brian shares some inspiring insights about who many consider to be the Greatest Basketball Coach of All Time.

Learn more about Brian at BrianBiro.com.

John Wooden TED Talk

In the outtakes of this episode, Brian and I talk about Coach John Wooden. Here's an insightful TED Talk that highlights some of Wooden's perspectives: youtube.com/watch?v=0MM-psvqiG8.

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Rocking Day (without Lead Guitar) by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7965-rocking-day-without-lead-guitar-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Love by Ketsa
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7581-love
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

04 Jun 2022PPP 359 | Improve Your Team Culture In 15 Minutes? Brad Federman Tells Us How00:38:51

Developing Culture Beyond the Theory

You know that the culture of your team and organization is critical to your ability to get work done. But here’s my observation: most books on culture stay too theoretical. They share models for understanding what culture is. They have high-level processes for transforming culture. And despite nodding my head while reading these books, I find they’re often not sufficiently practical. How do we, in practice, develop culture over time?

That’s the focus of Brad Federman’s new book entitled Cultivating Culture: 101 Ways to Foster Engagement in 15 Minutes or Less. Brad joined us way back in episode 36 to talk about engaging our team members and he’s back with a new book to help us develop our team culture.

Learn more about Brad and his book at BradFederman.com.

For more on this topic of culture, check out the following episodes:

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Funky Corporation by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8072-funky-corporation
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

We Have Fun by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9161-we-have-fun-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

12 Apr 2024PPP 410 | How to Grow Excellence In Yourself and Those You Lead, with Ryan Hawk00:48:49

Summary

In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Ryan Hawk, host of the Learning Leader podcast and author of the book The Score That Matters: Growing Excellence in Yourself and Those You Lead. They discuss the importance of valuing excellence and pursuing personal growth, as well as the dangers of comparing oneself to others and keeping score based on external metrics. They also explore the role of self-awareness and fear in leadership, and the importance of surrounding oneself with people who provide honest feedback. The conversation highlights the need for leaders to lead themselves first and develop transformational relationships.

Sound Bites

  • "The world isn't driven by jealousy, it's driven by envy."
  • "Leading yourself first is mandatory before you lead anybody else."
  • "Surround yourself with people who will give you honest feedback and be prepared to accept it."
  • "They don't care about your pants. They care about their pants."
  • "So if you're not ready to crush it, your business falls apart."
  • "The fear is fuel."
  • "How can I best serve these people? How can I give everything I got to help them to better their life?"

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:09 Start of Interview
  • 02:42 You Have To Value Excellence To Develop It
  • 03:42 How Ryan's Family Influenced His View of Leadership
  • 05:51 Where Scores Help Us (and Hurt Us)
  • 10:39 What Are Some 'Outer Scoreboards' We Can Be Tempted To Fall For?
  • 13:15 About Envy
  • 14:23 You Have to Start By Leading Yourself
  • 15:21 How to Be More Self-Aware
  • 18:35 Learning How To Listen To Contrarian Feedback
  • 21:15 What Holds Us Back?
  • 22:54 Fear as Fuel
  • 28:57 A Unique Way to Identify Your Core Values
  • 32:27 What's The Quick Hack to Grow As a Leader?
  • 35:41 Applying Leadership Ideas at Home
  • 39:49 Interview Wrap Up
  • 40:24 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 43:38 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Ryan, his book, and the Learning Leader podcast at LearningLeader.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episode 391, with Adam Bryan about making the leap to being a leader
  • Episode 242, with James Clear about his book on habits

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

27 Jun 2024PPP 420 | Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager, with FranklinCovey's Kory Kogon00:53:55

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Kory Kogon, FranklinCovey’s Vice President of Content Development, about her updated book, Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. They discuss the prevalence of unofficial project managers in various industries, especially post-pandemic, and the unique challenges they face. Kory shares insights on foundational behaviors, clarifying expectations, stakeholder management, and risk management.

The conversation also delves into the significance of accountability and performance discussions, particularly for those leading without formal authority.

If you lead projects, regardless of your title, this discussion is for you!

Sound Bites

  • "We often find that at least 80% of the participants in our project management workshops don't have the word project in their title. Yet you could argue that, in many ways, we're all project managers."
  • "The top reasons why projects fail are unclear scope, key stakeholders wanting different things, lack of communication, not knowing the roles, having the wrong people in roles, and scope creep."
  • "Accountability takes on a different lens. It's not punitive. It's mutual accountability."
  • "A cadence of accountability sets up a team that is inspired to want to do the work."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:23 Start of Interview
  • 02:41 In What Ways Are We All Project Managers?
  • 05:09 The Top Reasons Why Projects Struggle
  • 07:45 Clarifying Expectations in Projects
  • 14:06 Identifying and Managing Stakeholders
  • 18:40 Managing Risks in Projects
  • 24:20 The Importance of Accountability
  • 26:36 The Essence of Accountability in Leadership
  • 28:03 Creating a Cadence of Accountability
  • 31:54 Navigating Informal Authority and Performance Conversations
  • 37:26 Clarifying Project Scope and Managing Change
  • 43:36 Interview Wrap-Up
  • 44:25 Andy's Comments After the Interview
  • 47:44 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Kory and her book (and download a sample chapter) at FranklinCovey.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

  • Episode 405, with Gil Broza about scaling good project practices across the organization
  • Episode 376, with Nick Sonnenberg about his book Come Up for Air
  • Episode 129, with Kory about her book The Five Choices

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

17 Oct 2020PPP 305 | (Video) Do You Consider Yourself a Handy Person?00:01:51

We Too Often Self-Limit

It's been a jam-packed speaking season, but in this short video, I share a quick lesson we need to hear.

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Summer Ambient Piano by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5504-summer-ambient-piano-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

20 Nov 2020PPP 309 | Reclaiming Time From Your Crazy Schedule, with behavioral scientist Ashley Whillans00:40:49

Help for Busy Leaders

A common theme I hear from listeners is how overwhelmed many of us feel. Between the demands of your projects and stakeholders, demands at home, the stress of all that’s going on in culture, it’s just an overwhelming time for so many people. That's why I invited Harvard professor Ashley Whillans to join us in episode 309 to talk about her new book Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life. She shares some perspectives and tips that will help you reclaim some time from your crazy schedule.

 

Have Andy Speak at Your Company

Whether live in-person or virtually, contact us about having Andy speak at your company. Our project management and leadership related keynotes and workshops can help improve your teams' ability to lead and deliver. Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/workshops.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Time Is Now by Sascha Ende
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/395-time-is-now
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Time Travel by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6784-time-travel-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

George's Toast scene from Funny People available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=p8CPTHEAfJc

02 Aug 2024PPP 428 | How a Navy SEAL Commander Can Help You Unlock Optimal Team Performance, with Rich Diviney00:43:59

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Rich Diviney, a retired Navy SEAL commander, about his book, The Attributes: 25 Drivers of Optimal Performance. Rich shares his insights on the difference between attributes and skills, the concept of optimal performance, and how understanding these attributes can help build high-performing teams. They also talk about the importance of dynamic subordination, the relevance of attributes in hiring processes, and how parents can help their children develop these essential traits.

The conversation highlights the need to look beyond resumes and skills when evaluating team members and the value of understanding and developing attributes for individual and team success. If you're looking for an innovative way to better understand and develop yourself and your team, this is a must-listen episode.

Sound Bites

  • "In stress, challenge, and uncertainty, when things hit the fan, personality tends to go out the window. We're running on these very raw things called attributes."
  • "We train for certainty; we educate for uncertainty."
  • "Skills direct our behavior in known and specific environments, but attributes inform our behavior in unknown environments."
  • "A high-performing team is one that performs optimally even when things are not going great."
  • "Optimal performance means I'm going to do the very best in the moment, whatever the best looks like in that moment."
  • "Dynamic subordination means that problems and challenges can come from any angle at any moment. The person who's closest to the problem, the most capable, immediately steps up and takes lead."
  • "If someone is unwilling to take criticism, they are unwilling to understand what they're doing wrong. They're unwilling to step back and cede control. That is a dangerous place to be in."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:04 Start Of Interview
  • 04:02 Differentiating Skills From Attributes
  • 07:20 Developing Attributes In High-Stress Environments
  • 07:07 Story Of The Non-Swimmer At SEAL Training
  • 08:45 Attributes Vs Character
  • 09:33 The Role Of Context And Environment
  • 12:19 Senior Leaders Who Get Defensive
  • 16:15 The Role Of Narcissism And Optimal Performance
  • 19:39 Peak Performance Vs Optimal Performance
  • 31:26 Training For Certainty Vs. Educating For Uncertainty
  • 33:25 Attributes In Marriage And Parenting
  • 38:43 Wrap-Up Of Interview
  • 39:07 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 42:02 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Rich and the attributes at TheAttributes.com.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funny by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

08 May 2021PPP 321 | The Art of Asking Instead of Telling, with Ed and Peter Schein00:51:33

Asking Instead of Telling

Dr. Ed Schein returns back to the podcast, along with his son Peter, to talk about the recently released Second Edition of their book Humble Inquiry, Second Edition: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. It's a book about asking questions--for sure. But it's a remarkably good book about how to have conversations--real conversations--instead of two people talking at each other.

Learn more about Ed, Peter, and their Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute at https://www.scheinocli.org/.

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Inspiring Advertising by Rafeal Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5515-inspiring-advertising-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Inspiring Orchestra by Rafeal Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5671-inspiring-orchestra-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

18 Mar 2024PPP 408 | When You Have to Deliver Bad News, Fire Someone, or Deal With A Dysfunctional Boss, with author Paul Falcone00:46:51

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes Paul Falcone to discuss his book The First-Time Manager: Leading Through Crisis. The conversation dives into common challenges faced by managers such as performance conversations, dealing with dysfunctional teams or bosses, and navigating situations like having to fire an employee or dealing with a younger (or older) manager scenario. Whether you're a new manager or been around for a while, there's insight in this episode for you.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:38 Start of Interview
  • 03:02 Dealing with Performance Issues
  • 10:10 Terminating Employment
  • 13:54 Delivering Bad News
  • 19:02 When You Have a Dysfunctional Boss
  • 24:08 Empowering Leadership: Building a Creative and Innovative Team
  • 26:04 Turning Around a Dysfunctional Team
  • 28:15 The Fall Off the Planet Test
  • 30:14 Earning Respect as a Young Manager
  • 34:26 Addressing Profanity in the Workplace
  • 37:24 End Of Interview
  • 41:40 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Paul and his books at PaulFalconeHR.com/books.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episode 360, with Janet Polach, about her book for first time managers
  • Episode 368, with Jim Wetrich, on where good leaders go wrong
  • Episode 358, with Donato Tramuto, on compassionate leadership

Join us for LEAD52

I know you want to be a more confident leader--that’s why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It’s 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it’s all for free. Learn more and sign-up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 Jun 2023PPP 383 | Feeling Stuck? The Science Of Getting Unstuck, With Adam Alter00:38:03

Feeling Stuck

Can you think of situations when you felt stuck? I recently talked with someone who feels stuck in their career. Some of my MBA students feel stuck--unsure about what path to pursue in their career. I have dear friends walking through difficult medical issues and feeling stuck—unsure about what to do next.

Whether it is major situations like those or the smaller ones that confront us as part of life, feeling stuck is a common experience for us, and today I’m excited to introduce you to one of my favorite new books.

Adam Alter joined us back in episode 177 to discuss his book Irresistible. If you haven’t listened to that, I highly recommend you go back and check it out--the challenges and the ideas are just as relevant today as they were 5 years ago.

Adam returns in this episode to talk about his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most. this book is packed with practical ideas that can help you with your current challenges and those you’ll inevitably encounter in the years ahead.

Learn more about Adam and his book at AdamAlterAuthor.com.

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10446-tropical-vibe
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Interview with Giannis Antetokounmpo available on: SBNation.com

04 Jun 2020PPP 294 | The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You, with Harvard's Frances Frei00:48:36

Leadership Is Not About You

Harvard Professor Frances Frei joins us for episode 294 to talk about her new book Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You.

Learn more about Frances at https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6587/.

 

Join me for our Virtual Project Management Training Program!

Learn how to improve your ability to lead and deliver! Join us for the same project management program we deliver in-house at organizations around the world! Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/learning. Use a coupon code of VirtualPM20 to save $150 USD on the entire program!

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and send me an invite!

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Concerned about travel with the coronavirus pandemic? We can help you invest in your team without requiring travel. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Limit 70 by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5710-limit-70
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Power from the Ground Up scene, from Robin Hood
Link: youtube.com/watch?v=if34bKbBqXI

05 Mar 2024PPP 407 | How to Get Your Message Read, Understood, and Acted Upon, with author Ben Guttmann00:37:32

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Ben Guttmann about his book, Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win and How to Design Them. They discuss how to design and deliver messages that not only capture attention but also evoke meaningful responses. They delve into concepts like simplicity, fluency, and minimal messaging. Ben demonstrates how linguistic complexity can impact a message's success. Additionally, he shares practical examples, shedding light on how to make your communication more effective, regardless of your role in a project. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of clear and effective communication in all aspects of life and work.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:49 Start of Interview
  • 02:10 Defining the Book in Two Sentences
  • 03:53 What Does It Mean to Be Simple?
  • 04:30 How About Fluency?
  • 09:54 They Don't Want The Drill, They Want the Hole
  • 12:20 How Constraints Can Actually Help You
  • 18:11 The Biggest No-Brainer in the Book
  • 23:23 Removing Fluff
  • 27:27 About Using Big Words
  • 29:03 How AI Can Help
  • 32:00 Interview Wrap Up
  • 32:37 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 36:04 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Ben and his book at BenGuttmann.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

  • Episode 378, with Bill McGowan, about saying it right the first time
  • Episode 349, with Tina Kuhn, on how to communicate with different personalities
  • Episode 342, with Krister Ungerbock about his book TalkShifts--how simple changes to what we say can make a difference
  • Episode 195, with Celeste Headlee about her book We Need to Talk

Join us for LEAD52

I know you want to be a more confident leader--that’s why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you, who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It’s 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it’s all for free. Learn more and sign-up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

17 May 2025PPP 460 | AI, Data, and Decision-Making: What Every Project Manager Needs to Know, with Dr. Joe Sutherland00:47:44

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Joe Sutherland, co-author of the new book Analytics the Right Way: A Business Leader's Guide to Putting Data to Productive Use. Joe is a leader in AI policy and practice, serving as the founding director of the Emory Center for AI Learning and lead principal investigator for the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium.

Andy and Joe explore what it really takes to make better decisions in a world drowning in data and exploding with AI hype. They discuss the myths of data collection, how randomized controlled trials and causal inference impact decision quality, and Joe’s “two magic questions” that help project managers stay focused on outcomes. They also dive into recent AI breakthroughs like DeepSeek, and why executives may be paralyzed when it comes to implementing AI strategy.

If you're looking for insights on how to use data and AI more effectively to support leadership and project decision-making, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “What are we trying to achieve? And how would we know if we achieved it?”
  • “Sometimes we’re measuring success by handing out coupons to people who already had the product in their cart.”
  • “AI doesn’t replace decision-making—it demands better decisions from us.”
  • “Causality is important for really big decisions because you want to know with a level of certainty that if I make this choice, this outcome is going to happen.”
  • “Too often, we make decisions based on bad causal inference and wonder why the outcomes don’t match our expectations.”
  • “The ladder of evidence helps you decide how much certainty you need before making a decision—and how much it’ll cost to climb higher.”
  • “The truth is, we’re not ready for human-out-of-the-loop AI—we’re barely asking the right questions yet.”
  • “Leadership isn’t about replacing people with AI. It’s about using AI to make your people more productive and happier.”
  • “We're starting to see some evidence that when you use large language models in education, test scores go up in excess of 60%.”
  • “This may be the first time the kids feel more behind than the parents when it comes to a new technology.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:00 Start of Interview
  • 02:09 What Are Some Myths About Data?
  • 03:49 What Is the Potential Outcomes Framework?
  • 08:50 What Are Counterfactuals?
  • 13:00 How Do You Personally Evaluate Causality?
  • 18:22 What Are the Two Magic Questions for Projects?
  • 20:45 What's Getting Traction From the Book?
  • 24:26 What Can We Learn From DeepSeek's Disruption?
  • 27:30 Human In or Out of the AI Loop?
  • 30:41 How Joe Uses AI Personally and Professionally
  • 33:33 What Is the Future of Agentic AI?
  • 35:37 Will AI Replace Jobs?
  • 37:18 How Can Parents Prepare Kids for the AI Future?
  • 41:19 End of Interview
  • 41:46 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 45:07 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Joe and his book at AnalyticsTRW.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 381 with Jim Loehr about how to make wiser decisions.
  • Episode 372 with Annie Duke on knowing when to quit.
  • Episode 437 with Nada Sanders about future-prepping your career in the age of AI.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Decision Making, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Causal Inference, Agile, AI Ethics, AI in Education, Machine Learning, Career Development, Future of Work

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

02 Jul 2024PPP 421 | A Leader's Guide to More and Better Sleep, with sleep specialist Dr. Bijoy John00:37:48

Summary

In this episode, Andy dives deep into the world of sleep with Dr. Bijoy John, author of Nobody's Sleeping: Seven Proven Sleep Strategies for Better Health. Dr. John shares his personal journey with sleep issues, discusses the widespread impact of poor sleep on health and performance, and offers practical advice for improving sleep quality.

Do you have trouble getting to sleep? Or wake up in the night have trouble getting back to sleep? From the importance of naps to the dangers of screen time before bed, this episode covers a wide range of sleep-related topics relevant to professionals and parents alike.

Sound Bites

  • "Society as a whole is operating on sleep debt and the main culprit there is your phone."
  • "A workforce that is well rested performs better, makes less mistakes, tends to have better mental health so they're less anxious, and less defensive."
  • "So the key here is the nap should be only for 30, maximum 40 minutes because you're following your biorhythm. This is a bio hack."
  • "The bedroom is only for sex and sleeping, not for snoring or worrying."
  • "I believe by sleeping better, the world can be a better place."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:36 Start of interview
  • 02:49 Even NFL teams should know about naps
  • 03:50 How lack of sleep impacts areas of our life
  • 05:13 Cardiologists often don't realize sleep might be the problem
  • 06:21 Dr. John's struggles with sleep
  • 09:06 Ineffective Sleep Aids
  • 11:11 Power Naps and Sleep Debt
  • 12:32 Why a consistent sleep schedule is challenging
  • 14:13 Having a consistent shutdown routine
  • 19:37 What about when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep?
  • 22:38 Try Dr. John's Vivid Imagination technique
  • 24:07 Resources on Dr. John's website
  • 25:00 Tips for better sleep, for parents and kids
  • 30:39 Wrap-up
  • 31:58 Andy's comments after the interview
  • 35:24 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Dr. John and his Sleep Fix Academy at SleepFixAcademy.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out episodes 132 and 106 with Tom Rath. Tom is the author of Eat, Move, Sleep and other books with a similar theme.

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

10 Sep 2024PPP 435 | The Power of Gracious Assertiveness, with Yasmin Davidds00:42:13

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Yasmin Davidds about her book Graciously Assertive: How Becoming a Better Human Makes You a Better Leader. They discuss the importance of assertiveness in leadership, particularly in multicultural environments, and the need for leaders to benefit from diverse perspectives and promote a sense of belonging. Dr. Davidds shares insights on what she calls gracious assertiveness, including her personal journey and the pillars of gracious assertive leadership. She also addresses common themes in diversity and inclusion, the concept of holding space, and the impact of these ideas on both professional and personal relationships.

In a world where diversity and inclusion have been politicized and often seem primarily about the numbers, this discussion makes it all much more practical. You will learn practical strategies for becoming more assertive and creating inclusive environments.

Sound Bites

  • "Graciously assertive is the ability to self-advocate, to communicate in a way that holds space for the other side, that allows everyone in the conversation to feel heard."
  • "If we can be gracious and be more accepting and receptive to other people's messages without taking it personal, we would have a much better workplace."
  • "We just show up different. We don’t need our armor here."
  • "Establishing healthy boundaries is important for individuals to prioritize their energy and create a space where they can be their best selves."
  • "Self-judgment is a reflection of when you judge other people."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:26 Start Of Interview
  • 02:37 How A Crisis Counselor Saved Yasmin's Life
  • 04:54 Understanding Gracious Assertiveness
  • 08:20 The Pillars Of Gracious Assertive Leadership
  • 10:47 Self-Compassion And Overcoming Self-Judgment
  • 12:40 Overcoming Self-Doubt
  • 15:07 The Importance Of Healthy Boundaries
  • 18:22 Graciously Assertive Communication Model
  • 23:18 Negotiation Strategies With Difficult People
  • 24:03 DEI Mistakes
  • 29:33 Understanding And Implementing 'Holding Space'
  • 33:20 Developing Graciously Assertive Children At Home
  • 35:46 End Of Interview
  • 36:06 Andy's Comments After The Interview
  • 40:29 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Dr. Davidds and her book at DrYasminInstitute.com/dr-yasmin-davidds/.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Assertiveness, Diversity, Inclusion, Leadership, Self-awareness, Curiosity, Empathy, Project Management, Cross-Culture

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

01 Nov 2023PPP 396 | Do You Tend to Be a Perfectionist? Embracing the Power of Good Enough, with author Thomas Curran00:50:08

Stop Saying You're a Perfectionist

There’s a classic question that is often asked somewhere during a job interview: “So, what’s your biggest weakness?” Perhaps you’ve been asked that somewhere along your career journey.

My favorite answer to that is from Michael Scott in the television show The Office: "I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job." Perfect, right?

Oh wait. Did I say Perfect? I did. Because in a sense, the answer that Michael gave there is what a lot of us admit to being one of our biggest weaknesses: we struggle with being a perfectionist. It’s like one of those flaws that, when you admit it, people will knowingly tilt their head, nod, and say, “Yeah, I understand. Me too.” It’s a socially accepted flaw that we might even think has some hidden advantages in driving us to higher performance.

But if you think that, you would be wrong--at least about the higher performance part. I know that because I read Thomas Curran’s new book The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. It’s a book that will challenge your thinking about perfectionism and, if you let it, begin to free you from the ways that it might be hurting you, your mental health, your relationships, and your performance far more than you realize.

You can learn more about Thomas and his work at ThomCurran.com/.

For more on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 315, with Ethan Kross about his book Chatter.

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: On Point by Steven OBrien
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11694-on-point
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11809-synthiemania
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

16 Mar 2021PPP 317 | How To Manage Up And Succeed With Any Type Of Boss, With Author Mary Abbajay00:33:57

Managing Up is Not Sucking Up

I'm joined by Mary Abbajay to talk about her book entitled Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work, and Succeed With Any Type of Boss. It’s a great read and in today’s discussion, you’re going to learn specific strategies for dealing with different types of bosses.

Learn more about Mary and her company at ManagingUpTheBook.com/.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Funny Adventures by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6048-funny-adventures
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Final Battle of Superheroes by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7418-the-final-battle-of-superheroes
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The Company Way scene from How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying (1967), available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=SKC8iPeIvEA

15 Aug 2024PPP 430 | How to Talk With a Stakeholder (or That Relative) You Don't Agree With--Without Starting a Fight, with Steven T. Collis00:43:15

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Steven T. Collis, a law professor and author of Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues.' They discuss the increasing polarization in society, and challenges in having healthy dialogues at work and in personal life. Steven introduces ten habits from his book aimed at transforming potentially toxic conversations into healthy dialogues.

The conversation covers topics such as the importance of intellectual humility, seeking real learning, assuming the best about others, and practical strategies for engaging in productive discourse. Steven also shares personal stories and scenarios to illustrate how these habits can be applied, including dealing with difficult family members and controlling emotions.

With all of today's political polarization and conflicts at work, this book is a must-read for aspiring leaders to help them at work and beyond.

Sound Bites

  • "My brother could pick a fight with a wall when he was growing up."
  • "It's not enough to simply stop; you have to replace it with something else."
  • "Being a peacemaker means having productive dialogues about hard topics."
  • "We use a lot of slogans in our society and a lot of catchphrases, and chief among them is diversity, equity, and inclusion."
  • "Could there be something else that's motivating this person besides my assumption that they're acting out of bad motives?"
  • "If you're just an argumentative jerk, you're probably never going to persuade anybody."
  • "It's easy to be judgmental of other people, but we know so little about each other and about what's happening in our lives."
  • "We have to actually put in extra effort to free ourselves from these echo chambers."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:04 Start Of Interview
  • 02:22 Steven's Background And Family Influence
  • 05:34 Defining A Peacemaker
  • 06:54 Navigating Potentially Toxic Work Conversation About Dei
  • 10:14 Fights Into Treasure Hunts
  • 12:48 How Technology, Social Media, And Dopamine Impact Dialogue
  • 16:19 Seeking Real Learning And Avoiding Echo Chambers
  • 20:44 Assuming The Best In Difficult Conversations
  • 25:21 Handling Political Differences At Family Gatherings
  • 28:25 Understanding Gaslighting
  • 31:18 Applying Habits At Home
  • 34:05 Wrap Up
  • 34:27 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 38:32 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Steven and his books at StevenTCollis.com.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

09 May 2025PPP 459 | Redefining Success: Why IQ Might Not Matter as Much as You Think, with Adrian Kelly00:55:14

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Adrian Kelly, author of The Success Complex: Ancient wisdom, the building blocks of life and your path to sustained success. Drawing from history, behavioral science, and personal stories, Adrian offers a compelling redefinition of what it means to succeed. From his humble academic beginnings to building international ventures, Adrian brings a unique perspective on resilience, motivation, and identity.

They discuss why IQ may be overrated and how something Adrian calls the “Point Guard Quotient” might better predict success. The conversation dives into increasing your luck, avoiding de-motivation, managing identity through career changes, and maintaining balance in a high-achievement world. They also explore practical lessons from the Challenger disaster and how small changes in communication can shape results.

If you’re looking for insights on redefining success, building motivation, and leading with awareness and impact, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “We overestimate talent and underestimate persistence.”
  • “Opportunity doesn’t waste time with the unprepared.”
  • “People want to help people who help themselves.”
  • “You don’t fall off a cliff overnight—you drift one day at a time.”
  • “Avoiding de-motivation is often more important than sustaining motivation.”
  • “Sometimes the drawback isn’t a setback—it’s a setup for a better path.”
  • “Nobody traps us quite like we trap ourselves.”

 

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:07 Start of Interview
  • 01:18 What from your early life shaped your view of success?
  • 07:12 How much does IQ influence success and what’s the 'Point Guard Quotient'?
  • 11:52 What can we learn about success from the Challenger disaster?
  • 14:03 What do you mean by avoiding de-motivation to sustain motivation?
  • 18:57 What do you mean by a tangled identity and how has that affected you?
  • 27:05 Is it possible to increase your luck? If so, how?
  • 30:41 How do biases and communication styles affect our opportunities?
  • 33:48 How can we balance the drive to succeed with well-being?
  • 39:34 Why is autonomy and attention so important for success?
  • 43:39 As parents, how can we prepare our children for success?
  • 47:00 End of Interview
  • 47:30 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 53:49 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Adrian and his work at AskMore.ie.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 458 with Elizabeth Lotardo about finding joy and meaning in your current job.
  • Episode 402 with Eduardo Briceño about developing a growth mindset.
  • Episode 283 with Tom Rath about success, meaning, and legacy.
  • Episode 261 with David Epstein about his book Range and embracing diverse career paths.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Motivation, Identity, Career Transitions, Communication, Decision Making, Bias, Wellbeing, Autonomy, Attention, Personal Growth, Success

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

12 Oct 2022PPP 367 | What If They Don't Follow Your Advice? How To Amplify Your Influence, With Rene Rodriguez00:40:46

Influencing Skills for Project Managers

One of the constant challenges for those of us who lead teams and projects is influencing people around us. Whether it’s a boss, our team, clients, or other stakeholders, we’re often in situations where we’re trying to influence an outcome, yet running into a brick wall while doing so.

In this episode, we continue a series of discussions we’ve had over the years on the topic of influence. We’re joined by Rene Rodriguez, author of a new book entitled Amplify Your Influence: Transform How You Communicate and Lead.

In this episode, Rene discusses what we often don’t get right about influence. He shares a simple way to learn more about influence just by paying attention to the people around us. You'll get an understanding of how the brain can help us be more effective at persuading or others--and how ignoring it can get in the way. And relates ideas from his AMPLIFII process to give us a taste of how we can communicate more effectively while persuading those around us. I’m looking forward to sharing this discussion with you!

Learn more about Rene and his book at MeetRene.com/.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

  • Episode 157 for my conversation with Dr. Robert Cialdini about his books on influence
  • Episode 194 for my conversation with Tim David about his book on influence
  • Episode 347 for my conversation with Zoe Chance about her book Influence is Your Superpower

 

Do You Have a High School or College Age Student in Your Family?

If so, check out our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. It provides practical skills to reduce the stress of their school work and help jumpstart their career. Learn more and get access at https://i-leadonline.com/GettingStuffDone.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hop
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod

Music: Crime Time by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

18 Aug 2021PPP 333 | How To Boost Morale And Results By Making Work Fun, With Dr. Bob Nelson And Mario Tamayo00:52:57

How much fun would you say you and your team have as you go through your day-to-day work?

When you look back over the pandemic experience thus far, there are plenty of reasons for the word fun to not come to mind. There has been a great loss, much fear, and though working from home may have its advantages, it can definitely have an impact on how a group of people experiences the idea of being a team and having fun together.

In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo, authors of a new book entitled Work Made Fun Gets Done. It's an insightful book on trust that I look forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Dr. Bob and Mario and their book at DrBobNelson.com/.

If you found this episode helpful, here are some recommended follow-up episodes:

  • Episode 316 with the authors of the book Humor, Seriously
  • Episode 109 with Peter McGraw about his book The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Funny & Cheerful by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7124-funny-cheerful-play
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It's Funky by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-it-s-funky
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Jerry’s Gift to Elaine vs Kramer’s Gift | Seinfeld S02E09 available at youtube.com/watch?v=daMjZP1pjFc

22 May 2024PPP 414 | The 12 Biggest Presentation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, with Terri Sjodin00:41:15

Summary

In this episode, Andy is joined by Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready. They discuss strategies to improve presentation outcomes and avoid common mistakes. Terri shares her research, based on a multi-year study, identifying the 12 most common presentation errors. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the audience, and developing persuasive communication skills. Practical insights include the use of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and the effective phrase 'what this means to you.'

The episode also covers tips to handle nerves and the role of dressing for success in both virtual and in-person presentations. Additionally, the conversation underscores the value of teaching communication skills to the younger generation.

Sound Bites

  • "Avoid the 'We-We', 'Do-Do.'"
  • "There is a gap between how presenters see their presentations and how observers see them."
  • "Don't let the way I show up be a distraction from my competency."
  • "I want to encourage parents to engage their kids in a public speaking course, get them involved in speech and debate, or maybe even acting at a young age, teach them the art of the spoken word."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:35 Start of Interview
  • 04:42 Less Obvious Situations When We're Presenting
  • 06:34 Research on the 12 Most Common Mistakes
  • 09:00 Winging It
  • 15:09 Monroe's Motivated Sequence
  • 17:13 "What This Means To You Is"
  • 19:34 We're More Boring Than We Think
  • 23:35 How Much Does Appearance Matter?
  • 26:33 How To Tame The Nerves
  • 30:27 Advice for Parents
  • 32:40 Interview Wrap Up
  • 33:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 38:22 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Terri, her book, and her research at SjodinCommunications.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Underground Shadows by Musiclfiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

21 Jan 2021PPP 314 | How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace, with authors David Smith and Brad Johnson01:03:35

Being Allies for Women in Project Management

Project management is a fantastic career path for us all, and especially women. As much progress as women have made in the workplace, there remain many barriers that, quite frankly, many men are blind to.

In this episode, we’re going to focus on this in a way that I hope you will find empowering, encouraging, and actionable. It’s not a discussion that is blaming or shaming men. It’s about helping us see that there’s work to do, and I think both men and women are going to walk away from today’s discussion with ideas you can take action on right away.

My guests in this episode are David Smith and Brad Johnson, authors of the new book Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace. Learn more about Brian and David at wbradjohnson.com/books.

 

Have Andy Speak at Your Company

Whether live in-person or virtually, contact us about having Andy speak at your company. Our project management and leadership related keynotes and workshops can help improve your teams' ability to lead and deliver. Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/workshops.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Brothers Unite by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4864-brothers-unite
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Uplifting Ballad by Alexander Nakarada
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4725-uplifting-ballad
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

What Do You Ladies Do for NASA scene from Hidden Figures, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=HFNakraGHYk

06 Jul 2023PPP 384 | Andy Interviews An AI: Introducing PMeLa00:25:30

Introducing PMeLa

It’s impossible to avoid hearing about AI these days. From those who praise it to those who warn about an impending apocalypse because of it, there is no shortage of opinions or predictions about it. Instead of talking about the pros and cons or capabilities of AI, we’re going to try something different in this episode.

Today I’m going to interview an AI!

To my knowledge, this is the first time a podcast focused on project management and leadership has had an AI guest so thank you for joining me on this inaugural experience!

My guest today is PMeLa (PM for Project Management and L for Leadership). PMeLA is an AI persona that I’ve been developing for a while now. My goal has been to craft a persona with helpful insights into the world of leading and delivering and in this episode, we’ll find out how she does!

I think her best moments are actually in the outtakes so stay around until the very end!

What's a question you'd like to pass by PMeLa? Send them to show@peopleandprojectspodcast.com. I'd love to include your questions in a future episode! Thanks!

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Lullaby of Light (feat. Cory Friesenhan) by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11174-lullaby-of-light-feat-cory-friesenhan
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Laughing Children [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10498-laughing-children-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

04 Aug 2023PPP 387 | How To Face Project Uncertainty And Still Deliver, With Decision Sprint Author Atif Rafiq00:34:57

Progress Despite Uncertainty

One of our recurring themes on the podcast is decision-making. The reality is you are likely facing some decisions you need to make right now. But one of our biggest challenges when facing forks in the road is how to decide when there are so many unknowns--so much uncertainty.

Well, I have personally benefited from a new book that I wanted to introduce you to. The title is Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. This Wall Street Journal best-seller is packed with insights that have benefits for CEOs and senior leaders, for sure. But it’s also applicable to all of us who are responsible for leading teams and delivering projects.

Learn more about Atif and the Decision Sprint process at DecisionSprint.com/Book.

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Fromage by Steven OBrien
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10409-fromage
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Laughing Children [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10498-laughing-children-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

14 Sep 2023PPP 393 | Lessons On Leading And Delivering, With My Friend And Colleague Molly Beran00:33:55

Inspiring Women in Project Management

Most days, you can find me working with a group of people, helping them learn how to improve their ability to lead and deliver. If you’ve listened to this podcast for a while, you may recall hearing me saying this previously--in our project management courses, the majority of participants are women. It’s characteristic of a trend we see week in and week out—project management is a rewarding and accessible career path for women to pursue.

Because of that, I like to highlight women who are inspiring role models, particularly when it comes to leading teams and delivering projects. And in this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to my friend and colleague Molly Beran, who fits that description perfectly.

Molly has not only spent extended time in the trenches, learning how to lead and deliver. Over the last couple of years, she’s also been a valued member of my speaking team. And she has expertly taught some of our biggest clients how to improve their ability to lead and deliver.

This episode is a conversation between friends who equally geek out about project management and leadership. I look forward to you hearing some of the lessons that Molly has learned about these topics--I know you’re going to enjoy this.

Learn more about Molly at ProjectsByMolly.com. Also, get your copy of (or give it as a gift) From Vision to Vows: Project Management Strategies for Weddings here.

 

No Freaking Idea!

Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because we’re rolling out a new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertaity. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether it’s you who is wondering about next steps in your career or a son or daughter and you'd like to give them this as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

13 Mar 2023PPP 378 | How To Say It Right The First Time, With Pitch Perfect Author Bill McGowan00:48:23

Say It Right the First Time

So much of what we do when leading teams and projects comes down to communication. Whether it’s written or spoken, with a large audience or an informal conversation or email, much of our success comes down to how effectively we understand others and are understood by them.

I’m joined in this episode by one of the foremost communication coaches in the world. Bill McGowan is hired by corporate leaders, athletes, and other celebrities to prepare them for media interviews and significant presentations. And he’s the author of a book we’ll discuss in this episode entitled Pitch Perfect: How to Say It Right the First Time, Every Time.

Learn more about Bill and his company at ClarityMediaGroup.com/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: One Small Rover by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5107-one-small-rover
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday/a>
License (CC BY 4.0):
https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

14 Jun 2022PPP 360 | How Hands On Should You Stay? Mistakes That Managers Make, With Dr. Janet Polach00:29:33

Mistakes (New) Managers Make

If you are currently in a management role, do you remember what it was like when you first took on that new position? Do you remember what your struggles were?

Janet Polach joins us today to talk about her book The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make: How to Avoid Them and Thrive. Though it’s a book for new managers, my take is that we could all benefit from being reminded about the traps we can easily fall into as we seek to become more effective leaders.

Learn more about Janet and her book at InTheLead.co.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Crime Time by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It's Funky by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-it-s-funky
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

05 Sep 2024PPP 434 | The Surprising Benefits of Bad English in Leadership, with Valerie Fridland00:57:57

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes sociolinguist Valerie Fridland to discuss her new book Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. They explore the significance of language use in leadership, including the use of filler words, intensifiers, and vocal fry. She challenges the notion that filler words should be eliminated, highlighting their cognitive and communicative benefits. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities of language and its role in effective communication.

It's a fun discussion about language that will have you laughing, for sure, but also leaving the conversation with insights to help you lead more effectively at work (and at home).

Sound Bites

  • "Probably the best answer is I know enough about other languages to order a beer in those languages and that's pretty much probably all you need."
  • "But it's also on the other side that when we're letting ourselves get distracted by those speech features (filler words), and then we're dismissing what they have to say because of something we don't like, we're also doing something wrong."
  • "I said I study vowel movements. He heard bowel movements and thought I was a gastroenterologist."
  • "If parents are worried about the way their kids talk, just show really good interest in trying to copy it and they'll never say it in front of you again."

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:21 Start Of Interview
  • 03:34 Language And Social Identity
  • 06:56 The Evolution Of Language And Social Identity
  • 13:41 The Role Of Filler Words
  • 22:53 The History And Use Of 'Like'
  • 34:11 Pressures On Women In The Workplace
  • 34:58 Vocal Fry In Media And Public Perception
  • 35:23 Gender And Vocal Fry Criticism
  • 38:38 Understanding And Adapting Speech Features
  • 39:52 Effective Communication Strategies
  • 41:32 Judging Speech In Professional Contexts
  • 47:48 Advice For Parents On Communication
  • 50:18 Wrap-Up
  • 50:39 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 52:51 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Valerie and her book at ValerieFridland.com.

Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: project management, leadership, language, social identity, filler words, communication, vocal fry, gendered speech, linguistic diversity, parenting

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

02 Jun 2025PPP 462 | From Playing It Safe to Speaking Up, with author Dr. Margie Warrell00:54:37

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes Dr. Margie Warrell, bestselling author and global leadership expert, to talk about her latest book, The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action. Drawing from her deeply personal experiences and decades of coaching and research, Margie shares how courage isn't about eliminating fear—it's about regulating it and acting anyway.

Margie and Andy explore the hidden ways fear shapes our decisions at work and at home, how overachievers can unknowingly be held back by fear, and why rescripting the stories we tell ourselves is essential to growth. You'll learn about the “courage muscle,” the power of embodiment, and practical steps to face difficult conversations and bold decisions. Whether you're leading a team, managing a project, or navigating life transitions, Margie offers encouragement and tools to help you close your own courage gap.

If you're looking for insights on facing fears, speaking up, and leading with greater confidence, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s learning how to regulate it and act anyway.”
  • “The smarter we think we are, the more cunningly our fear hides in the background.”
  • “We reject ourselves before anyone else has the chance—because we don't ask.”
  • “What we focus on expands. Fear thrives when we focus on what we don’t want.”
  • “Stand guard at the doorway of your language—your stories shape your reality.”
  • “We need to parent—and lead—from purpose, not from fear.”
  • “Every conversation is improv—and that’s what makes it feel risky.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:55 Start of Interview
  • 02:06 How Did Your Upbringing Inspire Your Courage Work?
  • 05:12 Did You Write This Book Because It Was Easy for You?
  • 07:24 Should We Try to Get Rid of Fear?
  • 09:15 How Do Smart People Hide Their Fear?
  • 13:13 What Was That Story About the First Lady?
  • 16:00 What Does Courage Look Like in Daily Life?
  • 17:58 How Do You Focus on What You Want Instead of What You Fear?
  • 21:40 How Can a Manager Use This to Give Feedback?
  • 23:50 How Do You Apply These Ideas as a Parent?
  • 25:49 How Do You Stop Fear-Casting and Catastrophizing?
  • 28:20 What’s a Personal Story You Had to Rescript?
  • 32:40 What’s the Role of Language in Shaping Our Stories?
  • 35:00 How Do You Prepare to Speak with Confidence?
  • 39:16 What Reps Did You Put In to Build Courage?
  • 42:20 What Role Has Failure Played in Building Courage?
  • 44:34 How Do You Help Kids Build Courage?
  • 46:34 End of Interview
  • 47:09 Andy Comments After the Interview
  • 52:53 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Margie and her work at MargieWarrell.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 440 with Kelli Thompson about closing the confidence gap.
  • Episode 173 with Sarah Robb O’Hagan about why playing it safe is holding you back.
  • Episode 142 with Amy Cuddy about her book Presence—confidently rise to your most daunting tasks.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Courage, Fear, Confidence, Difficult Conversations, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Personal Growth, Parenting, Vulnerability, Risk Management, Decision Making, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

25 Oct 2024PPP 440 | Imposter Syndrome: Moving Beyond Self-Doubt, with Kelli Thompson00:43:33

Summary

In this discussion, Andy welcomes leadership coach and author Kelli Thompson to discuss her book Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck. The conversation explores topics such as the imposter syndrome, the importance of taking action despite self-doubt, and differentiating confidence from arrogance. Kelli shares practical strategies for building confidence by aligning decisions with personal values and eliminating elements that cause resentment. The discussion delves into the concept of 'expensive thoughts' and ways to transform them into freeing actions, with a focus on overcoming procrastination and self-doubt.

If you'd like some practical ways to overcome self-doubt, this is a discussion you don't want to miss!

Sound Bites

  • “The cost of doubting ourselves can be far more expensive than we realize.”
  • “What would you do if you had more confidence?”
  • "Confidence is a side effect of taking action.”
  • “The two most expensive words in our language are ‘but first.’”
  • “If you don’t know what you stand for, what will you fall for?”
  • “There’s a healthy level of doubt that is part of confidence—it keeps you from coming across as a cocky leader.”
  • “You can’t criticize yourself into more confidence.”
  • “Facts ease fear. Name the lie, insert the truth.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:33 Start Of Interview
  • 01:44 What Would You Do If You Had More Confidence?
  • 02:55 What Are Some Nuances That Can Make Confidence Tricky?
  • 06:13 It's Not 'When' You're Confident As Much As 'When' You Are (Or Are Not)
  • 07:09 Values And Confidence
  • 10:00 Values Are Not 'Shoulds'
  • 11:59 The 'But First' Syndrome
  • 14:25 Doubt Vs. Imposter Syndrome
  • 17:03 How Kelli Addresses Self-Doubt
  • 23:09 The Link Between Facts And Fear
  • 23:25 The Pedestal Syndrome
  • 26:37 How Men Can Empower Women In The Workplace
  • 29:18 Building Confidence In Children
  • 31:38 End Of Interview
  • 32:02 Andy's Comments After The Interview
  • 37:36 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Kelli and her book at KelliRaeThompson.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 431 with Dr. Sam Adeyemi. He's a top leadership voice in Africa and has helpful insights on moving from self-doubt to confidence.
  • Episode 295 with Don Moore about his book on more confident decision-making.
  • Episode 179 with Andy Molinsky about getting out of your comfort zone.

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Imposter Syndrome, Confidence, Leadership, Self-Doubt, Project Management, Values, Women Empowerment, Parenting, Fear, Pedestal Syndrome

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ended
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

03 Jun 2023PPP 381 | How To Make Wiser Decisions, With Human Performance Expert Dr. Jim Loehr00:53:35

Making Wise Decisions

Think about some past decisions. Can you recall one that turned out well and another that, in hindsight, didn't go as planned? It's important to analyze these instances - what factors influenced those outcomes?

We all make countless decisions in our daily lives, both personally and professionally. Recognizing the patterns behind our successful and unsuccessful decisions can be a powerful tool in enhancing our decision-making skills.

Jim Loehr joins us in this episode to discuss his new book Wise Decisions: A Science-Based Approach to Making Better Decisions.

It’s such a different book than I expected, and I mean that as a compliment. If you take even a couple of ideas from today’s discussion and Jim’s book, you will be a step ahead on your upcoming decisions. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you!

Learn more about Jim and his books at Jim-Loehr.com/books.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 372, with Annie Duke about her book Quit
  • Episode 295, with Don Moore about his book Perfectly Confident

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is specifically designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

18 Dec 2021PPP 344 | You CAN Change Other People. Here's How; With Peter Bregman And Howie Jacobson00:54:24

Can You Change Other People?

We’re continuing a series of episodes on the topic of change. Back in Episode 339, we talked with Katy Milkman about her book How to Change, which provided some helpful insights into the behavioral science of change. Then we talked with Gary Lloyd in Episode 343 about his book Gardeners Not Mechanics to get practical insights on how to lead change in organizations.

I wanted to add one more episode in the series to focus on a key aspect of what we need to do as leaders: help others to change.

Peter Bregman and Howie Jacobson have written a remarkable new book entitled You Can Change Other People: The Four Steps to Help Your Colleagues, Employees—Even Family—Up Their Game.

Did you catch that title? You can change other people. Isn’t there something about the phrasing that just seems wrong? Isn’t it true that you can’t change other people—you can only change yourself?

Peter and Howie are going to challenge that idea today. They’ll share why changing others might just be the most important capability a leader can develop. They’ll share some examples of how NOT to try to get someone to change. More importantly, they’ll give us a taste of what their four steps are and how to use them.

It’s a fun conversation with two people who are actively using these ideas every day to help people change. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you.

Learn more about Peter and Howie at BregmanPartners.com/change/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Workout by Brian Holtz Music
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8600-workout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Urban Music by chilledmusic
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8439-urban-beauty-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

20 Jan 2024PPP 403 | The Project Manager's Path to Freelancing Success, with Kayla McGuire00:33:40

Summary

In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Kayla McGuire, a seasoned project manager and coach who runs a boot camp to help people learn and prepare for becoming a freelancer. They discuss Kayla's journey to project management and freelancing, lessons in leading projects, practical tips for running projects, reasons for pursuing freelancing, common mistakes in freelancing, and the importance of mentors. Kayla also shares insights on using LinkedIn effectively and the value of continual learning and personal development. The episode concludes with information about Kayla's freelancer boot camp.

Takeaways

  • Consider the possibility of freelancing or becoming an entrepreneur to experience more fulfillment and freedom in your career.
  • Recognize patterns in team dynamics and use pattern recognition to lead teams through projects more effectively.
  • Empower your teams to get the job done by having conversations about their goals, providing resources for learning and development, and building strong relationships through one-on-one meetings.
  • When considering freelancing, focus your energy on building your network and finding clients rather than spending time on non-essential tasks like website design or office remodeling.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Andy's Introduction to the Episode
  • 01:57 Start of Interview
  • 02:09 Kayla's Path to Project Management and Freelancing
  • 06:00 Lessons in Leading Projects
  • 12:06 The Lure of Freelancing: Freedom and Autonomy
  • 15:03 Common Mistakes When Starting Freelancing
  • 17:07 Introducing the Freelancer Bootcamp
  • 19:10 The Importance of Finding Your Niche
  • 19:39 Leveraging LinkedIn for Success
  • 24:18 Continual Learning and Personal Development
  • 31:05 Balancing Work and Personal Life
  • 32:56 Final Thoughts

Learn More

You can learn more about Kayla and her boot camp at KaylaMcGuire.com. And connect with Kayla on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/KaylaMcGuire.

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone dealing with career uncertainty?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
Website: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
Website: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

08 Sep 2022PPP 364 | Helping Students Prepare For Their Future (And Pass Their Chem Exam Next Week)00:25:15

Your Kids Are Project Managers

As I’ve often joked on this podcast, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an 8-year-old child telling their parent, “Mommy, someday I want to be a project manager!” On the contrary, it’s something that they got into almost accidentally. They were good in their particular area of expertise and were given the opportunity to lead initiatives in that area.

But what if we learned about project management earlier? In fact, what if high school and college students developed expertise in leading and delivering projects? What difference could that make in their schooling and early careers?

That’s what we’re talking about in this episode. I’m joined by Grant Johnson, who also happens to be a team member at the company I run. Finding a way to help develop project management capabilities for high school and college-aged students is something he has been tasked with over the last year. And he’s learned a lot in the process.

In today’s discussion, Grant talks about why students in this age group should even care. He talks about examples of projects that students take on and how they can start those projects with momentum. Grant shares some tips he’s learned about project management as someone in his early 20s and how it has helped him personally. It’s a discussion I’m looking forward to sharing with you. And let me add that if you’re the parent of someone in this age group, you’re invited to have them listen along with you--or send them a link so they can benefit from this episode as well.

Learn more about Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/GettingStuffDone.

Podcast listeners can use a coupon code of gsd100 to save $100 USD.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Funky Upturn by chilledmusic
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7472-funky-upturn
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6040-funky-life
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

27 May 2020PPP 293 | How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving, with author Celeste Headlee00:45:24

The global pause created by COVID-19 will eventually be over, and it will be easy to go back to the same habits that were exhausting you before it. Celeste Headlee joins us to talk about her new book Do Nothing.

Special thanks to University of California Irvine (UCI) Continuing Education for sponsoring episode 293. Check out their Project Management Certificate Program at https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/uci

01 Apr 2022PPP 353 | The Not So Simple Art Of Doing Less00:37:33

Staying Focused

One of the biggest challenges we face in day-to-day living is staying focused. There are so many things vying for our attention. In fact, right now, even as you’re listening to this episode, you’re probably doing something else, right? Like driving, working out, going for a walk, maybe even going through email.

To help fight back against those challenges, I’m excited to introduce you to Erik Qualman, author of a book entitled The Focus Project: The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less.

Learn more about Erik and his book at Equalman.com/The-Focus-Project/.

For more content on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 242 with James Clear about his book Atomic Habits
  • Episode 309 with Ashley Whilans about her book Time Smart
  • Episode 140 with Cal Newport about his book Deep Work

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

We Have Fun by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9161-we-have-fun-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Energetic Upbeat by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

12 Jan 2024PPP 402 | Surprising Insights About the Growth Mindset that Project Managers Need to Know, with Eduardo Briceño00:41:31

Summary

In this in-depth discussion, Andy is joined by Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset Into Action, to delve into the concepts of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset. The conversation covers how these mindsets are not as binary or mutually exclusive as we may think, but rather can be found within us at different times and in different contexts. The theme of maintaining a balance between having a growth mindset, which holds the belief in the potential for change and improvement, and knowing when to lean into a fixed mindset, is explored. Eduardo advises on how to apply deliberate practice to improve performance and suggests viewing ourselves as evolving and changing.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:00 Start of Interview
  • 02:09 Eduardo's Personal Journey and the Performance Paradox
  • 04:29 Understanding the Performance Paradox
  • 04:33 The Difference Between Learning and Performing
  • 13:40 The Misconception of the 10,000 Hour Rule
  • 16:51 Understanding the Growth Mindset
  • 22:44 Applying Growth Mindset to Personal Goals
  • 24:25 The Role of Identity in Growth Mindset
  • 27:15 Creating a Learning Zone in Teams
  • 32:23 Implementing Growth Mindset in Parenting
  • 35:51 Andy's Comments About the Interview
  • 40:00 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Eduardo and his book at Briceno.com. And catch his TEDx Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/eduardo_briceno_how_to_get_better_at_the_things_you_care_about.

If you’d like more on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 202, Morten Hansen, Great at Work
  • Episode 236, Amy Edmondson about her book on Psychological Safety
  • Episode 240, Jim Detert, also about psychological safety

Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career

Do you know someone dealing with career uncertainty?

My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea!

I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course.

Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11262-summer-morning-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

03 Aug 2021PPP 331 | Should I Trust Them? Do They Trust Me? Harvard Professor Sandra Sucher On The Power Of Trust00:42:02

The Power of Trust

A key aspect for us to grow in our ability to lead and deliver comes down to trust. It’s difficult to follow someone we don’t trust, right?

Yet trust can be one of those topics that can be difficult to get our arms around. We know it when we see it and we know it’s important. And we certainly know when it’s lost. But how do we intentionally develop trust in an authentic and lasting way?

That’s what we’re talking about today. Harvard Management Professor Sandra Sucher joins us in this episode to talk about her new book The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It. It's an insightful book on trust that I look forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Sandra and her book at ThePowerOfTrustBook.com/.

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Warm Sunset by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8070-warm-sunset
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Tranceverse by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg Address is available at https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2019-04-04-Boeing-CEO-Dennis-Muilenburg-Addresses-the-Ethiopian-Airlines-Flight-302-Preliminary-Report#assets_20295_130416-115

BP CEO Tony Hayward clip available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=MTdKa9eWNFw

19 Feb 2021PPP 316 | Why Humor Is A Secret Weapon In Business And Life--And How Anyone Can Harness It, Even You00:51:52

The Power of Levity for Project Teams

We’re talking about humor today and I'm joined by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. They’re the authors of a new book entitled Humor, Seriously. It’s a great read and in today’s discussion, you’re going to learn how bringing more levity to your team pays back in a big way.

Learn more about Jennifer and Naomi at HumorSeriously.com/.

 

Accelerate Your Ability to Lead

We've opened up applications for this year's Leadership Fast Track Program. Join other listeners from around the world who are committed to accelerating their ability to lead and deliver. Learn more at LeadershipFastTrackProgram.com.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Puppet Dance by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7235-puppet-dance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Look Busy by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4000-look-busy
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Lost in Translation scene from Oceans 12, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=UUQd55xFbfw

I Love to Laugh scene from Mary Poppins, available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=yNHRXNvFmZ8

20 May 2020PPP 292 | How to Become the Leader You Would Follow, with FranklinCovey’s Scott Jeffrey Miller00:51:16

Check Out the Project Management Certificate Program at UC Irvine

This episode is sponsored by University of California Irvine Continuing Education, who has been developing adult learners for over half a century. UC Irvine has a Project Management Certificate Program that is available to you, regardless of whether you’re in their neighborhood or around the world. UC Irvine’s program aligns with standards set out by Project Management Institute and satisfies the education requirements for the Project Management Professional certification. Summer registration is now open! Visit https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/uci to learn more and reserve your seat. Thanks!

 

Become The Leader You Would Follow

FranklinCovey Executive Vice President Scott Jeffrey Miller joins us for episode 292 to talk about his book Management Mess to Leadership Success.

Learn more about Scott at https://ManagementMess.com.

24 Aug 2021PPP 334 | Beyond The Pandemic: Preparing For The Next Rogue Wave, With Futurist Jonathan Brill00:31:45

Preparing for the Next Rogue Wave

We’re continuing a series of episodes on the topic of the future. It’s hard to imagine that we can be effective at leading others if we’re not forward-thinking.

But after getting slammed by the COVID tsunami and subsequent recurring waves, the future can feel so unsure. So how do we prepare ourselves and our teams for the future despite the challenges of understanding it?

To help us with that, we’re joined in this episode by Jonathan Brill, author of a new book entitled Rogue Waves: Future-Proof Your Business to Survive and Profit from Radical Change. Jonathan is the former Global Futurist at HP and has led companies that have substantially improved the world in many domains. Not to mention he invented the machine that makes frozen coffee slurpees!

Learn more about Jonathan and his book at JonathanBrill.com.

 

Additional Resources

  • In the outtakes of the episode, Jonathan mentions an HBR article that he wrote with Dorie Clark about how to future-prep your career. You can find that article here.
  • My discussion with Brian David Johnson, former Chief Futurist at Intel, can be found in episode 313
  • My discussion with Deborah Westphal from Toffler Associates can be found in episode 329
  • My discussion with Michael Solomon about preparing your career for the future can be found in episode 304
  • My discussion with Cecily Sommers about how to think like a futurist can be found in episode 87

 

Join our Global LEAD52 Community

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Strategic and Business Management

 

Back To The Future by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6090-back-to-the-future
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It's Funky by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-it-s-funky
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

11 Apr 2025PPP 454 | How AI is Changing Leadership (And What You Must Do Now), with Dr. Christie Smith00:45:48

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Christie Smith, a visionary leader and author, about her new book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. They discuss the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence and automation on various industries and how leaders can prepare for these changes. Christie shares insights on the unique challenges of modern leadership, as well as the importance of human-powered approaches. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptability, especially in a world increasingly reliant on technology. The conversation also touches on the concept of the Power Paradox, safeguarding connection in distributed work environments, and practical advice for parents on preparing their children for future work challenges.

Wondering how to lead and deliver in this time of significant disruption? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

  • “Leadership isn’t always comfortable. In fact, it can be really hard… it does mean speaking out.”
  • “What’s unique about this time is the confluence of many things that leaders are having to face. It’s led to a war for skills instead of a war for talent.”
  • “This isn’t soft work... we’re going to be in an economic crisis because leaders are not in tune to the humans that are in their organizations.”
  • “100% of them said they knew they needed to do something... yet only 25% were even thinking of doing something about it.”
  • “The issue isn’t that AI is taking over. The issue is AI must, as a regulator, have human intelligence.”
  • “We need to move from emotional intelligence to emotional maturity.”

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:51 Start Of Interview
  • 02:00 Christie's Background And Early Influences
  • 04:45 The Unique Challenges Of Modern Leadership
  • 06:27 The Concept Of The Unicorn Job
  • 07:53 Defining Human Powered Leadership
  • 11:05 The Role Of AI In The Future Of Work
  • 15:50 The Importance Of Connection In The Workplace
  • 19:44 Adversity And Innovation: Lessons From History
  • 23:19 Strategies For Building Team Connection
  • 26:02 Building Engagement Through Simple Actions
  • 26:53 The Importance Of Personal Check-Ins
  • 27:12 Adapting Leadership Styles For Better Connection
  • 29:12 Understanding The Power Paradox
  • 31:44 Cultivating Insatiable Curiosity
  • 34:08 Preparing Kids For The Future Workplace
  • 37:17 End Of Interview
  • 37:39 Andy Comments After The Interview
  • 41:21 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Christie and her work at ChristieSmith.phd/.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

  • Episode 437 with Nada Sanders about her book The Humachine.
  • Episode 382 with Hal Hershfield about balancing the now and the future.
  • Episode 329 with Deborah Westphal about preparing your career and your team for the future.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: AI, Automation, Technology, Leadership, Organizational Culture, Engagement, Remote Teams, Future Of Work, Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Culture, Team Connection, Continuous Learning

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

23 Oct 2020PPP 306 | Sick of Bureaucracy? Here’s What To Do, with Thinkers50 author Gary Hamel00:57:24

Fighting Back Against Bureaucracy

So, what does it take to get ahead at work? If you’ve ever worked for a corporation of almost any size, you’ve had a front-row seat to the life-sucking waste that happens because of bureaucracy. It’s certainly an issue as organizations get larger, but I’ve seen it bog down small companies as well.

Gary Hamel joins us for episode 306 to talk about his new book Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them. Gary doesn't just talk about the problems--he also shares ideas that you and I can start using to start building our own humanocracies.

Learn more about Gary at garyhamel.com/.

 

Join Us for our Virtual Project Management Training Program!

Learn how to improve your ability to lead and deliver! Join us this fall for the same project management program we deliver in-house at organizations around the world! Learn more at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/learning.

 

Let's Stay In Touch!

I hear from listeners almost every day and I love it! How about you and I connect on LinkedIn? Go to https://PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/LinkedIn and Follow me (I've maxed out the connections but if you Follow me, I'll Follow you back!)

Also, all of our other workshops and keynotes are available in a virtual format. Whether you have a live or virtual event, we can help you invest in your team. Learn more at https://i-leadonline.com/keynotes. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Leadership

 

Can't Gallop Without You and The Sweet Potato Shuffle by The Polish Ambassador are licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Big Presentation Scene from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying available on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=1GbNS7IcCj0

 

08 Aug 2023PPP 388 | PMeLa Interviews Abraham Lincoln: A Lesson On AI Automation00:18:34

PMeLa Takes the Mic

Hi! You will recall back in episode 384 I introduced you to an AI persona I had developed named PMeLa. She's an AI designed to be an expert in project management and leadership. It's been fun to hear the feedback from listeners from around the world who found the discussion to be somewhere between intriguing, hilarious, and frightening.

I've been experimenting with automating AI processes and so I thought I would try another experiment with PMeLa. In today's episode, PMeLa is going to interview--wait for it--former US President Abraham Lincoln. As an AI, she comes up with the questions and an AI version of Lincoln responds.

Let me be clear--I'm not just doing this to be clever. What's unique about this episode is that it was completely done using automation tools. I had no hand in the questions or the responses. Once I defined the personas and set up the automation, the interview was completely in the hands of the AIs and the automation tool. What you hear from PMeLa and Lincoln has not been changed by me at all.

After the brief interview, I share some insights about what I've been learning through these experiments. And definitely listen to the end with a blooper from Lincoln!

Learn more about the automation tool I used for this episode: Make.com. Also, check out Lovo.ai and ElevenLabs.io.

What's a question you'd like to pass by PMeLa? Send them to show@peopleandprojectspodcast.com. I'd love to include your questions in a future episode! Thanks!

 

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

Take the next step to level up your AI skills. Check out our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

 

The following music was used for this episode:

Lullaby of Light (feat. Cory Friesenhan) by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11174-lullaby-of-light-feat-cory-friesenhan
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Laughing Children [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10498-laughing-children-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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