Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast People, Process, Progress with Kevin Pannell

Most meetings look right on the surface, but progress slows when the people who understand the work are not in the room. In this episode, How to Get the Right People in the Room so Progress Happens, I share how to identify the real business owner, balance the right voices, set expectations that matter, and protect the purpose of the meeting. You will also hear why strong leaders do not sit in every meeting, and how trust and presence shape better decisions and better outcomes.

What You Will Learn

• How to choose the right people for key conversations
• How to identify the real business owner
• How to balance technical, workflow, and business voices
• How leaders empower teams through trust
• How to create clarity, purpose, and real progress

Resources

People Process Progress: https://peopleprocessprogress.com

The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management: https://a.co/d/5MN3yEm

People first, Process aligned, Progress together.

In this first Faith in Action Friday episode, Lessons in Faith from Viktor Frankl, I share how Viktor Frankl’s experience in the worst human conditions helped me reconnect with my own faith. Not religion, not routine, but real faith in meaning, faith in people, and faith in myself. Frankl’s story reminds us that even when everything is taken from us, we still have the power to choose our response. In this short reflection, we explore people, process, and progress through the lens of faith and consider where a little trust could lighten the load we carry.

Key Points:

• Faith is not ceremony, it is connection and trust
• Many people have lost faith in something larger than themselves
• Frankl’s story shows the strength of choice in the middle of suffering
• Faith reconnects us to purpose, people, and ourselves
• Today’s consideration invites you to notice where faith could help you breathe easier

Listener consideration:

Where in your life have you been carrying the weight alone when a little faith could lighten the load?

Closing message:

• People first, process aligned, progress together.
• Own your mind, move your body, anchor your spirit.

When a project starts to slip, silence is the real risk. In this episode, Kevin Pannell shares how to escalate early, run real-time retros, and rebuild the plan using the KISS method, keeping it simple and strategic.

Learn how to make escalation collaborative, protect team trust, and turn failure into alignment.

Based on the Progress section of The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management.

In 1985, forty-six of the biggest names in music walked into a studio on Sunset Boulevard after the American Music Awards. No press, no leaks, just purpose.

We Are the World was not just a song, it was a project. A one-night mission to create something that would feed millions of people suffering from famine in Africa.

In this episode of People, Process, Progress, Kevin revisits the story he first explored in a March 2024 Hope is NOT a Plan episode, this time through the lens of leadership, culture, and the Seven Project Pillars.

Through the calm and clarity of Quincy Jones and the creativity of Lionel Richie, this team turned ego into empathy and chaos into collaboration.

You will learn how thought leadership, intentional communication, and structured coordination helped them pull off one of the greatest overnight projects in history, and how those same lessons apply to your projects and teams today.

Episode Quote:

“Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie did not lead through control, they led through trust, and they showed us that people will rise to the mission when the purpose is clear and the tone is right.”

In The Right People on the Bus, I share how a Nick Saban clip popped up in my algorithm this week, and it hit home. His message about getting the right people on the bus, and the wrong people off, speaks directly to project leadership. As project managers, we build our own teams every day, and success depends on who is on board, how we support them, and when we recognize it is time for someone to move on.

In this episode, I share what Saban’s philosophy means for project teams: how to foster high performers, coach those who need direction, and help those who are ready to get off at their own stop. Leadership is about alignment, accountability, and care, not control.

???? Takeaway: Make every effort to keep everyone on the bus, but recognize when it is time for someone to find a different route.

???? Learn more about my books and podcast at https://peopleprocessprogress.com

???? The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life

???? The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management

????️ Own your mind, move your body, anchor your spirit.

In Build the Sidewalk Where People Already Walk, we explore what happens when project teams design based on real behavior instead of assumptions. Drawing from a Lean Coffee discussion and PMI’s survey findings that the customer is the ultimate indicator of success, this episode challenges leaders to define “done” through the eyes of the end user. Kevin shares how observation, empathy, and feedback lead to better requirements, stronger outcomes, and lasting trust. Learn how to build projects that people actually use and appreciate.

We already know what to do and what not to do in our lives, but when our intent drifts, so does our progress. This Focus Friday builds on When Strategy Fails: Fix the Intent Gap by combining principles from The Stability Equation and The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management to help you reset your intent, align your people and process, and move forward with purpose.

Most failed strategies don’t collapse because of evil plans or poor execution. They fail because the intent behind them was never clear. In this episode of People, Process, Progress, I unpack what I call the Intent Gap: the disconnect between leadership vision and team understanding.

Drawing from The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management, I share how defining intent early gives teams direction, how to test for alignment, and how to fix the gap before it derails execution.

If your projects feel busy but not aligned, this episode will help you rebuild clarity and momentum from the top down.

Dive deeper in the book at https://a.co/d/eQKtRpI

One week ago I was crawling because I couldn’t walk. The pain reminded me of when a back injury led to discovering my kidney cancer. I panicked, then focused on my breath and what I could do with what I had. In Build Resilience Ahead of Time Not During the Emergency, I share how preparation, mindfulness, and PACE planning help us recover faster in life, leadership, and project management.

In this Focus Friday episode, Lead Early, Not Respond Later, I share a leadership lesson from the 2015 UCI Road World Cycling Championships, where I waited too long to give clear direction to the Resource Unit team checking in hundreds of first responders. By the time I acted, frustration had already built up, but once I owned it, spoke with the site lead, and led a layout change that separated check-in from briefings, we streamlined the process and made the operation safer. The experience taught me that leadership happens before the problem, not after. Lead early, not later.

In this episode, Program and Portfolio Leadership Under Pressure: Building Clarity and Confidence at Scale, Kevin Pannell shares how executive leaders can bring calm, clarity, and confidence to complex programs and portfolios. Learn how to think strategically, mentor effectively, and build operational excellence that drives lasting results.

Key takeaways:

• Clarity builds confidence and progress
• Strategic thinking connects every initiative to the mission
• Mentorship strengthens future leaders
• Operational rhythm turns chaos into consistency

Books and resources at peopleprocessprogress.com

These are my thoughts and experiences and do not represent any current or previous employers.

Own your mind, move your body, anchor your spirit, and keep making progress.

Grief shows up uninvited, and it doesn’t leave on our timeline. But we can own how we respond.

In this Reset Friday episode, Owning Your Response to Grief, of People, Process, Progress, I share tools that helped me face grief and keep moving forward: journaling, routines, connection, and honoring those we’ve lost.

In this Reset Friday road edition, Kevin reflects on the importance of sharing what we know instead of keeping it bottled up. Too often, knowledge, skills, and experience leave with us when we move on from a job, a team, or even life itself. Mentorship—formal or informal—is how we make sure others don’t have to start from scratch.

Kevin shares examples from the workplace, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and fitness to illustrate how anyone can be a mentor, whether by giving pointers, offering structure, or simply encouraging someone to start. Whether you’re brand new or seasoned, you have something to offer. The challenge is simple: How are YOU mentoring others today?

???? Learn more in Kevin’s books:

• The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life → https://a.co/d/fyLPR0Q
• The People, Process, & Progress of Project Management → https://a.co/d/bJTqTNG

???? Own your mind, move your body, anchor your spirit.

We live in a time where more information does not always mean more clarity. In this episode of People, Process, Progress, I share how leaders, project managers, and parents can filter the flood of information and focus on what matters. We will cover why people need direction not noise, how to set critical information requirements for work and home, and how progress is made by responding with purpose instead of reacting to every ping.

• The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life → https://a.co/d/fyLPR0Q
• The People, Process, and Progress of Project Management → https://a.co/d/bJTqTNG
• YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@peopleprocessprogress
• Blog and resources → https://peopleprocessprogress.com

In this Reset Friday, Kevin Pannell shares how one jack rabbit can spook a herd of sheep and how the same happens to us when fear, rumors, or groupthink take over. Drawing from Deuteronomy 32:30 and Joyce Meyer’s 15 Minutes in the Word, Kevin shows how this plays out at work, in politics, in church, and at home, then offers three ways to stay steady: mindfulness, ownership, and connection.

Season 7, Episode 5 of People, Process, Progress, Why People, Process, Progress Matters Now, looks at how this week’s tragedies, a young man’s murder, another school shooting, and police officers killed in the line of duty, mirror the same disconnect we see in our workplaces. I share how the 7 Project Pillars can guide us not just in projects, but in our lives and communities, helping us re-engage with each other and move progress forward together. These lessons are about more than management; they are about rebuilding trust where it matters most.

Saying yes to everything is one of the fastest ways to end up burned out and unfocused. In this short Reset Friday: Boundaries Before Burnout, I share a practical way to protect your energy and set boundaries that actually stick. Learn how to use one simple reset phrase to stay aligned with your priorities and show up better for the people who matter most.

Most team problems come from unclear direction, not a lack of effort. In this episode,Three Critical Elements to Align Any Team | S7 Ep3, I share three practical tools: Leader’s Intent, a clear Definition of Done, and SMART objectives that bring clarity and speed to any project. You will hear a real example of how alignment turned a drifting team into one that delivered with confidence.

For more tools and "How to" get The People, Process, & Progress of Project Management on Amazon at https://a.co/d/4zpt5pz and visit the peopleprocessprogress.com website.

I’m kicking off a new weekly series called Reset Friday. Each Friday, I’ll share a short, practical way to reset your mind, body, and spirit. These episodes aren’t long lectures. They’re tools you can put into practice right away.

For our first Reset Friday, I’m sharing what I call the Trifecta of Recovery: Wim Hof breathing, yoga, and the cold plunge. Breathing primes your nervous system, yoga centers your body, and cold exposure builds resilience and focus. Together, they form a reset you can feel.

Take a listen, and then try one of the three this weekend. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.

September is a natural time to reset. In this episode, I share how I slipped on my own pillar maintenance and used reflection, family time, and a simple framework of People, Process, and Progress to get back on track. You will learn how balance does not come from perfection, but from correction and intentional resets, and how you can apply this principle in your own life and work.

My new book, The People, Process, & Progress of Project Management, is now live on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover. This book has been years in the making, and it pulls together over two decades of lessons from healthcare IT, public safety, and emergency management into a practical field guide for project leaders.

Get your Kindle, hardcover, or paperback copy at https://a.co/d/dsEDG87

Kevin is taking a short break from the People, Process, Progress podcast until September. During this time, he's focused on publishing The Stability Equation audiobook, finishing his new project management book, and lining up future guests. Visit peopleprocessprogress.com for tools, resources, and ways to connect. Until then: own your mind, move your body, anchor your spirit.

Godspeed y’all

Kevin

When your plan falls apart, your recovery starts with the habits you've built before things went sideways. In this Foundations Friday episode, Build the Bounce, One Habit at a Time, we focus on simple actions that help you reset, refocus, and respond, rather than react when life punches first.

This week’s anchor point is mindfulness and movement. It’s not about being tough. It’s about being trained.

Topics Covered:

• Why daily habits matter more than perfect plans
• How to mentally prepare for the unexpected
• Simple resilience-building practices
• Personal reflections on bounce-back moments
• One actionable habit you can start today

Related Episode:

“When Your Plan Gets Punched in the Mouth” – Listen here: https://peopleprocessprogress.com/2025/07/14/when-your-plan-gets-punched-in-the-mouth/

For Stability: Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit.

For leading: Hold on to hope. Make a plan. Take action.

Godspeed, y’all.

What do you do when your perfect plan falls apart?

In this episode, How to Lead When Your Plan Falls Apart, I share how the concepts of tension and compression from Jiu-Jitsu can help you lead through pressure, adapt in real time, and still move forward.

Whether you’re leading a project, managing a team, or showing up at home, you’ll learn how to adjust without losing momentum.

Hope ignites. Plans guide. Action transforms.

In this Anchor Points episode, I reflect on what it really means to recognize when it’s time to step back and let someone else lead. Whether you’re a parent, a partner, or a project leader, there’s a moment when guidance turns into trust and support becomes space.

Inspired by the full episode released earlier this week, “The Day My Son Surpassed Me”, this short-form reflection focuses on the value of noticing and honoring transitions, especially when they catch you by surprise.

In this 5-minute listen, you’ll hear:

• What it means to see strength rise in someone else
• How giving space can be the most powerful form of support
• A simple action to help you pause before you react

Mentioned in this episode:

There comes a moment when we realize our kids are no longer just following us, they’re leading in their way. In this episode, "What I Learned the Day My Son Surpassed Me," I share the story of how my son surpassed me, not just in the gym, but also in emotional steadiness. I also share how that shifted my approach to parenting, leadership, and letting go.

• Inspired by a powerful quote from Ryan Holiday's The Daily Dad: “Your job isn’t to raise a good kid. It’s to raise a good adult.” - Read more at https://dailydad.com/

Since 2019, I’ve led major IT programs, including Workday ERP and the technology for a new children’s hospital, while mainly working remotely. In this episode, "Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office: What's the Right Fit?", I break down the pros and cons of remote, hybrid, and in-office work, drawing on real-world experience and leadership lessons.

Links:

Full article on LinkedIn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/remote-hybrid-in-office-whats-right-fit-your-work-life-kevin-pannell-kqvce

Related episode from 2020:

• https://blubrry.com/peopleprocessprogress/83155078/how-to-transition-to-effective-teleworking-in-2020-ppp-12/

When leaders try to manage too many people directly, clarity disappears and momentum suffers. In this episode, I break down the importance of span of control across public safety, healthcare IT, and project teams. Whether you're building a department, spinning up an incident team, or planning a go-live, the rule of 3 to 7 direct reports still holds. Five is the sweet spot—but there are exceptions.

We’ll walk through how ICS uses structure to maintain speed under pressure, how project teams should plan their structure during resource alignment, and why we must review roles and objectives regularly to stay on track. Whether you lead full-time staff or ad hoc teams, this episode is your blueprint for sustainable team design.

People first. Combined process. Progress together.

On this Foundations Friday, How to Align Risk Language Across Teams, we break down how project managers and emergency leaders can align around a shared risk language. Whether you're using a THIRA or a risk register, the goal is the same: identify what could go wrong, how bad it might be, and what to do about it. Real teamwork starts when everyone sees risk through the same lens.

Warren Buffett said it best: “Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.”

On today’s episode, How to Combine Project Risk Tools with Emergency Planning, we’re focusing on how project managers and public safety leaders can speak the same language when it comes to risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, created the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment—also known as THIRA—to help communities anticipate and plan for the unknown. In the same way, project risk registers help uncover obstacles before they become blockers. Today, we’ll connect the dots between THIRA, stakeholder maps, and integrated risk matrices—so your team can prepare, prioritize, and progress, no matter the scenario.

In this Foundations Friday, Why Structure Must Come Before Action, we explore the importance of applying project structure to any event or initiative. Whether you're planning a community gathering, a training workshop, or a major deployment, structure is your best friend. Learn two quick strategies to lead with clarity and avoid chaos.

What You'll Learn:

• Why structure should come before action
• How to define your event like a project charter
• Two simple ways to build a planning foundation
• A reminder that leadership starts with preparation

Paired Full Episode:

Planning a public event without structure is a risk you can’t afford. In this episode, How to Treat How to Run Your Event Like a Successful Project, Kevin Pannell shares how to apply project management principles and ICS tools, like RACI matrices, project phases, SMART goals, and SitReps, to plan safer, smoother public safety events. Whether you're leading a 5K, a drill, or a community gathering, treat the event like a project—and lead with purpose.

Topics Covered: event planning, project phases, stakeholder roles, ICS, SMART goals, emergency management, public safety leadership

This week, we apply an EMT’s trauma checklist to project leadership. Using the DCAP-BTLS framework, we explore how to scan your project for failure symptoms—before they spiral.

Key focus areas:

• Spotting early signs of project breakdown

• Clarifying roles and responsibilities

• Responding with intention, not reaction

Call to Action: Identify one “injury” in your project—like burnout, misalignment, or scope creep—and treat it today.

People first. Combined process. Progress together.

Welcome to the second full episode in our All-Hazards Project Management series, What Project Managers Can Learn from EMTs. In this episode, we apply a trauma checklist used in emergency medicine—DCAP-BTLS—to assess and stabilize failing projects.

Strategies shared include:

• Weekly workload balancing
• Stakeholder alignment checkpoints
• RACI ownership clarifications
• Real-world triage questions for team check-ins

People first. Combined process. Progress together.

This week’s Foundations Friday, How to Start Small with AI in Your Projects, is a bit of a reset and reminder. If you’re in public safety or project management, you don’t need to become a coder. But you do need to understand where AI can help you lead smarter and deliver faster.

In this episode, How AI is Transforming Public Safety and Project Management We explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we plan, respond, and lead in complex environments.

Key takeaways:

• How to get your PEOPLE ready with an AI readiness assessment
• Where to fit AI into your organization's PROCESS
• When to measure PROGRESS with an AI impact dashboard

People first. Process aligned. Progress together.

Welcome to the 20-episode run of the All-Hazards Project Management: Series Kickoff and What to Expect of the People, Process, Progress podcast.

Since I was seventeen, I’ve been involved in public safety, emergency medicine, and planning events or incident responses. Across all these roles, one truth has stood out: effective planning connects them all. In public safety, it’s about saving lives and protecting property—but that only works when teams share a process and operate efficiently. In emergency medicine, triage and crisis standards guide us to do the greatest good for the greatest number. And in project management, it’s about turning an idea into reality.

In every one of these fields, people are the constant. To stay safe, deliver care, and get results, those people must work a shared process. The progress we make depends on both.

That’s where this All-Hazards Project Management series comes in.

This series is built from the field and the front lines. I've used elements of what you’ll hear in these episodes to train fire department leaders in project management and to share public safety insights with members of the Project Management Institute (PMI). These are the practical lessons that bridge emergency response and organizational execution.

Each episode blends:

• People – who we lead and how we support them,
• Process – the systems and structures that keep us aligned,
• Progress – the measurable outcomes that prove we’re moving forward.

We’ll connect project management frameworks to the Incident Command System (ICS), highlight real-world parallels, and provide tools you can apply immediately. You'll also get a clear call to action in every episode to drive results, not just reflection.

If you’re ready to lead in uncertainty, plan with precision, and deliver under pressure—this series is for you.

Let’s lead with clarity, operate with purpose, and progress together. I’ll see you next week.

In this episode, How to Tackle Scope Creep with People, Process, and Courage we're diving into how to protect our projects, keep our sanity, and build stronger teams in the process.

Episode outline

• Intro
• Core concepts
• The People Side: Assertiveness and Stakeholder Boundaries 
• The Process Side: Change Control Systems (Hard Skills/PM Tools)
• The Progress Side: Leading with Clarity Under Pressure 
• Summary & Closing

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

This episode is an audiobook-like version of the The 7 Pillars Field Guide Audiobook, how to build a more balanced life distills the key, actionable tools and techniques from The Stability Equation into one-page summaries of each of the seven pillars: ownership, mindfulness, movement, boundaries, connection, sleep, and faith.

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

Welcome back to the People, Process, Progress podcast, the podcast dedicated to fostering pragmatic optimism in your professional world. Today, in Project handoffs that work, how to receive and deliver with clarity we're tackling a universal challenge: the art of the good project handoff.

Whether you're a healthcare professional transitioning patient care, a software developer handing off a project, or simply passing the baton in any collaborative effort, a smooth handoff is crucial for success. So, let's dive in and explore some key elements for both providing and receiving a stellar handoff.

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

In Portfolio management lessons from Skyrim for project leaders, I share how the choices made in the virtual fantasy world of Skyrim parallel the strategic decisions Portfolio Managers and leaders must make when planning, resourcing, and executing projects within their organizations' portfolios.

Episode focus areas:

• Effective resource allocation and prioritization
• Effective stakeholder management
• Effective risk management
• Effective progress tracking and benefit realization

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

Restarting the Fix It Friday series with the March 2024 episode from the Hope is NOT a Plan podcast. This episode delves into the crucial skill of asking objective questions to drive clarity and problem-solving. We explore how unbiased inquiries can empower teams and improve processes by drawing parallels to the host's diverse podcasting journey and the principles in his book The Stability Equation. Learn practical techniques to formulate effective objective questions and unlock better organizational outcomes.

How to ask:

• Focus on "who," "what," "when," "where," and "how" questions
• Avoid leading questions that suggest an answer
• Phrase questions neutrally, without judgment
• Encourage elaboration with open-ended questions

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

Hey everyone!

I'm excited to officially announce the launch of my book, The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life! This subreddit was created to discuss the principles and practices outlined in the book, and I'm so grateful to have you all here.

This book is deeply personal, born from my struggles with anxiety, trauma, and the journey to find lasting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It shares the roadmap I developed – the 7 Pillars – that helped me reclaim my balance.

This book can serve as a practical resource, and this subreddit can become a supportive community where we can explore these pillars together, share our experiences, and encourage each other on our paths to greater stability.

If you're interested in learning more, you can find the book on Amazon here:https://a.co/d/1V1tpGI

I look forward to engaging with you and building a supportive community around The Stability Equation. Let's work towards a more balanced life together.

Godspeed y'all,

Kevin

Today's episode, The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life, is all about building a balanced life, a life that honors the miracle you are while acknowledging the human imperfections that come along with the ride. We're talking about the seven pillars that, when stacked carefully, create a life that's not just planned – it's thriving.

Welcome back to People, Process, Progress podcast. Today, on Five Benefits of Family Time Off, I'm diving into something I believe is essential for well-being and something that often gets pushed down the priority list amidst our busy schedules: family vacations.

The benefits:

• Stress reduction
• Family bonding and connection
• Enhanced problem-solving skills
• Positive impact on physical health
• Creating memories together

Godspeed.

Episode Objectives:

• Historical overview of political manipulation tactics used throughout America’s history
• Five key examples of manipulation spanning different eras
• Six actionable strategies for navigating today's complex political landscape

Godspeed y'all.

In this episode, The People, Process, & Progress of Public Health, I talk about what public health is, why it matters, and why it's crucial to protect it from political whiplash, ensuring that the critical work of keeping communities healthy continues regardless of who's in office. 

Hello everyone and welcome back to The People, Process, & Progress Podcast, I’m your host Kevin Pannell. On today’s episode, How Technical Should Project Managers Really Be? | S4Ep17 I’m speaking to Project Managers, aspiring PMs, team leads, and anyone involved in software or technical projects. My goal is to talk through the optimal level of technical understanding for project managers, emphasizing the value of technical literacy without overstepping into solution design, and balancing tactical involvement with strategic oversight.

As a Project Manager I'm always seeking new knowledge, skills, and abilities to help me empower my team members and project partners. In Five Focus Areas for Project Managers in 2025, I'm sharing focus areas I will be diving deeper into and that I've gotten questions about from my teams and the internet.

On today’s episode, How we Should Reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency, I’ll examine the critical role of FEMA in disaster relief and explore strategies to improving its effectiveness

How we can improve FEMA:

• Thorough After-Action Report/Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs)
• Direct engagement with FEMA employees and the public
• Streamline Local and State assistance processes
• Enhance pre-disaster collaboration at all levels

Godspeed y'al