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).

• "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."

• 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

You can learn more about Valerie and her book at ValerieFridland.com.

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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

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!

• "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."

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Charlie Gilkey, author of Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results. They discuss how small, often overlooked habits shape team culture and performance. The conversation explores practical approaches for enhancing team dynamics, instilling a sense of belonging, improving decision-making, and addressing everyday 'broken printers' in both professional and familial settings.

Charlie shares personal insights from his military upbringing and passion for team-based success, emphasizing that effective change and leadership start at the local team level. This is a practical and engaging discussion that will help you lead your team to the next level of success.

• "Time in, erodes awareness of."
• "Be the teammate you want your teammates to be."
• "Belonging is a macro word that includes feeling appreciated at work, feeling like your contributions and perspective matter, that you have moral and functional trust."
• "We do it because it's the right thing and because this is how we want to be together and, oh by the way, it has these amazing other benefits."
• "I would rather over-index on caring."
• "So many families have a daily 'broken printer' that's called the 'getting to school runaround'."
• "None of us show up at work and opt-in to the CC thread from hell."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:44 Start of Interview
• 05:36 The Broken Printer Metaphor
• 08:43 How We Encourage the CC Thread from Hell
• 12:21 Team Dynamics
• 14:56 What If You're Not a Senior Leader?
• 19:27 Number One Rule of Being a Great Teammate
• 21:18 Building Belonging Habits
• 30:14 The Importance of Small Gestures
• 38:34 Applying Team Habits to Families
• 44:48 Wrap-up
• 45:24 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 50:17 Outtakes

You can learn more about Charlie and his books at ProductiveFlourishing.com. Contact Charlie to learn how to buy a box of books for you and your team.

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

• Episode 366 with Michael Timms about his book on accountability
• Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about the episode we discuss in this interview, and
• Episode 342 with Krister Ungerbock, who uses the term TalkSHIFTS instead of habits. Though the terminology is different, the ideas are complimentary.

I would love to help you and your team level up your ability to lead and deliver. Join us for an upcoming project management masterclass! They are instructor-led, super engaging, and fine-tuned to help you and your team more confidently lead and deliver. Learn more at courses.i-leadonline.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: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
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

In this episode, Andy interviews Nigel Creaser, an active project professional and author of the book Project Manager Productivity Hacks. Nigel shares insights from his career and discusses strategies for managing interruptions and improving productivity. They also touch on the use of mobile devices and AI tools in project management.

Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for project managers to go beyond technical skills and prioritize the human aspect of their work.

• "Productivity isn't about winning. It's not like a sport... It's more like yoga and that you can always be a bit more stretched."
• "Project management, I think, is messy, and we try to control the mess rather than go with the flow with the mess and kind of direct it."
• (Nigel, about being a podcaster) "I try to be that person who's being cheeky and getting free consultancy."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:23 Start of Interview
• 01:58 Nigel's Backstory
• 06:26 How Nigel Seeks to Minimize Interruptions
• 11:18 Nigel's Advice About Email
• 16:45 Mobile Devices and Productivity
• 21:38 How Nigel and Andy are Using AI
• 31:02 Project Management Lessons Nigel Has Learned
• 36:29 Career Advice from Nigel's Journey
• 45:31 About the Sunday Lunch Project Manager Podcast
• 49:15 Wrap-Up
• 49:34 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 51:55 Outtakes

You can learn more about Nigel, his books, and his Sunday Lunch Project Manager Podcast at NigelCreaser.com.

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

• Episode 346 with Donna Gregorio. It's another in the trenches episode, and
• Episode 169 with Emily Luijbregts. She is also a practicing project manager and we discuss challenges and lessons about leading virtual teams.

You know how valuable it is to know how to lead and deliver projects. But students often aren't taught these skills. We've taken some of our best content on project management and put into a course Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. The feedback has been so positive. Give the gift of a headstart to a student you know by going to PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/GettingStuffDone. 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
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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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.

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

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!

• "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."

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Molly McGrath, author of the book Fix My Boss: A Simple Plan to Cultivate Respect, Risk Courageous Conversations, and Increase The Bottom Line. They discuss practical ways to improve the relationship between bosses and employees, including having courageous conversations, setting clear expectations, and implementing accountability measures.

Molly emphasizes the importance of focus management and prioritization to combat the feeling of being busy. She also shares insights on empowering women in the workplace and applying project management principles to family life. Overall, the conversation provides actionable strategies for both managers and employees to cultivate respect and increase productivity.

• "Blaming your boss fixes nothing. And by the way, it's easy for bosses to do the same thing."
• "We don't speak up because we're afraid it'll create conflict. And by not doing it, it creates conflict."
• "Busy is usually a focus problem. It might be lack of clarity or an unrealistic amount of workload. But it's often a matter of focus."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:36 Start of Interview
• 02:09 Molly's Backstory and Influences
• 04:16 Understanding Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
• 06:25 The Power of the Pause for Managers and Employees
• 10:38 The Importance of Courageous Conversations
• 15:04 Daily Progress Reports: Not Micromanaging, But Empowering
• 22:11 Challenging the Concept of Being 'Busy'
• 25:11 Empowering Women in the Workplace
• 28:39 Applying Project Management at Home
• 30:30 Interview Wrap-Up
• 31:00 Andy comments after the interview
• 34:30 Outtakes

You can learn more about Molly and her book at FixMyBossBook.com.

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

• Episode 410, with Ryan Hawk about his insightful book on excellence (I consider it a must-read)
• Episode 366, with Michael Timms about his book on accountability, and
• Episode 209, with Ron Lovett about his book on empowering your teams

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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong to discuss their book, The Character Compass. They explore the concept of character and its importance in leadership. Mary and Bill debunk myths and misconceptions about character and highlight the interconnected nature of its dimensions.

The framework they introduce consists of 11 dimensions of character, including integrity, courage, humility, and temperance. They emphasize the importance of developing these dimensions to enhance leadership effectiveness and well-being. The conversation also touches on the role of character in decision-making and the need for character development in organizations. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how parents can cultivate a culture of character in their families.

Do you want a better understanding of what character actually is? And how to develop it for you and your team? This episode is for you!

• "Character is actually built in these tiny decisions that we make every single day. And then it's more revealed than it is built in those moments of challenge."
• "We need leaders of character, whether it's leaders of countries or organizations or project teams. Leaders of character stand out and make a difference."
• "People think character is the same as personality. Character is really around observable habits of behavior."
• "Anyone can learn this. Anyone can change those habits of behavior. You are not doomed to your circumstances and you are not doomed to your personality."
• "Who have I become while I've been busy doing? Who am I becoming while I'm busy doing? Who do I want to become while I'm busy doing?"
• "I have to find ways to be in a position where I can feel vulnerable and I can experience what it's like to make mistakes."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:28 Start of Interview
• 01:39 What are some ways you saw character demonstrated in your family?
• 05:25 Myths and misconceptions about character
• 10:35 What is leader character?
• 12:42 Could be when instead of if someone has character?
• 17:17 Introducing the character framework
• 23:07 Can you have too much of an element of character?
• 30:01 Is nervousness before a presentation a matter of courage?
• 33:25 Finding our own Achilles heel with character
• 38:52 The power of micro-moments
• 44:39 Developing character at home
• 36:28 Three questions to ask
• 49:45 Interview Wrap Up
• 50:26 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 53:38 Outtakes

You can learn more about Mary at Ivey.UWO.ca.

If you'd like more on this subject, check out Episode 139, with Fred Keil about his book on leadership and character.

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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Jim Kouzes about the Seventh Edition of the classic book The Leadership Challenge (7th Edition): How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. They discuss the fundamentals of leadership, the impact of the global pandemic on leadership, leading across generations, and more. Jim shares practical insights and emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice in leadership development. It's an insightful conversation about timeless leadership principles with one of the most respected voices in the leadership field over the decades.

• "Leadership is a relationship and listening is fundamental to building a positive relationship."
• (Regarding diversity and inclusion) "Let's assume for a moment, you have the right mix of people. That doesn't mean that any of those people feel included and feel valued. The key word is feel...."
• "I've often thought about leadership as a profession. If you're doing something eight hours a day or more, like leading others, then it's a profession. And if you look at professionals, like athletes, they all have coaches."
• "Our data shows that the pattern of behaviors of exemplary leaders is not generationally specific."
• "Generalizing about a generation is, in its own way, a form of discrimination."
• "One word: practice. Or maybe three words: practice, practice, practice."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:20 Start of Interview
• 02:34 How The Leadership Challenge classic came to be
• 07:24 What has changed about leadership over the years? Or not?
• 18:02 Leading in a virtual environment
• 21:38 Diversity and inclusion beyond the numbers
• 24:04 How to deal with divisiveness
• 30:06 Leading across generational divides
• 34:39 What's one thing aspiring leaders should focus on?
• 37:43 What retirement looks like for Jim
• 39:39 Interview Wrap Up
• 40:04 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 43:10 Outtakes

You can learn more about Jim and his book at LeadershipChallenge.com.

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

• Episodes 62, 63,, and 153, with Jim Kouzes
• Episode 391, with Adam Bryant about his book Leap to Leader

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: Summer Morning by MusicLFiles
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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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:

• Episode 378, with Bill McGowan
• Episode 246, with Steven Rogelberg
• Episode 189, with HBR Editor Dan McGinn

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Rich Maltzman and Jim Stewart about their book Great Meetings Build Great Teams: A Guide for Project Leaders and Agilists.

They discuss the common reasons why people dislike meetings, such as lack of purpose and poor facilitation. They introduce the concept of 'meeting goblins,' which are negative personalities that emerge during meetings, and provide strategies for dealing with them.

The conversation also covers the challenges and best practices of virtual meetings, as well as the benefits and potential pitfalls of agile ceremonies like daily standups. The conversation focuses on the importance of effective meetings in building great teams. Rich and Jim share their experiences and strategies for running successful meetings, including setting ground rules, timekeeping, and using technology like AI for meeting summaries.

They also discuss the impact of cultural differences on meetings and provide tips for managing diverse teams. The conversation concludes by emphasizing the link between great meetings and great teams, highlighting the role of meetings in fostering collaboration, building relationships, and achieving project goals.

• "Meetings are a fact of life, often complained about but also often tolerated."
• "Connection before context. Before you start right into the meeting, make sure you have a little bit of social interaction."
• "Goblins are personalities that come out during meetings, and it's up to the meeting facilitator to recognize and address them."
• "Great meetings aren't just about agendas and facilitation techniques; they're about showing that you care about the project and the team."
• "Rosie the Reticent is the quiet version of Nadia the Naysayer."
• "Decision latency is one of the biggest reasons for project failures, so it's crucial to have the right people at meetings."
• "Understanding national, regional, and organizational cultures is important for effective meetings."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:17 Start of Interview
• 02:28 Why Do People Hate Meetings
• 05:06 Meeting Goblins
• 16:03 Virtual Meetings
• 19:50 Connection Before Context
• 20:53 Advantages and Warnings: Agile Standups
• 27:29 How Culture Impacts Meetings
• 34:42 When Too Many People Are Invited
• 41:53 AI and Meetings
• 47:38 The Link Between Great Meetings and Great Teams
• 51:26 Interview Wrap Up
• 52:00 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 54:16 Outtakes

You can learn more about Rich, Jim, and their book here:

• Jim on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/jimstewartpmp/
• Rich on LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/exclaim/
• Their book on Amazon: click here

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

• Episodes 72 and 246, with meeting researcher Steven Rogelberg
• Episode 245, with meeting guru J. Elise Keith

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: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S30Oxdmi1dg
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

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.

• "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'."

• 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

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

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

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.

• "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?"

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with K. Scott Griffith about his new book, The Leader's Guide to Managing Risk. The book explores the importance of building resilience and reliability in projects, teams, and life.

The conversation delves into the social and technical aspects of producing results, the need for human-resilient systems, and the impact of at-risk choices and cutting corners. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing risks, as well as creating a culture of safety and employee engagement.

In this conversation, Scott discusses the importance of managing risks in projects and organizations. He emphasizes the need to create a culture of psychological safety where team members feel empowered to identify and report risks. Scott explains the process of managing risks, including balancing risk and reward, understanding and managing risks, and considering performance shaping factors. He also highlights the importance of building reliable systems and applies risk management principles to parenting.

Whether you're a project manager, a leader in your organization, or someone interested in the art and science of risk management, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights and strategies to help you lead with confidence and navigate uncertainties more effectively.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:52 Start of Interview
• 04:54 Why Tend to Focus on the People Instead of Systems When Things Fail
• 06:41 How Much Should You Invest in Mitigating Risks?
• 10:39 The Difference Between a One Off and a Pattern
• 13:36 We Often Learn the Wrong Lessons From When Things Go Right
• 16:27 Defining At-Risk Choices
• 21:42 How Can We Help Reduce At-Risk Choices?
• 27:40 How We Can Inadvertently Make It Worse as Leaders
• 29:42 The Process Doesn't Start With Firing the Manager!
• 41:04 How This Applies to Parenting
• 45:07 Interview Wrap Up
• 45:48 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 50:19 Outtakes

You can learn more about Scott and his books at LeadersGuideToManagingRisk.com.

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

• Episodes 49 and 50, with Dr. David Hillson, the "risk doctor"
• Episode 240, with Jim Detert about speaking up when it feels risky
• Episode 379, with Angie Morgan Witkowski about how to look at risk differently

In risk management, anticipating problems is half the battle. Now imagine a tool that brings this foresight into everyday project tracking, where goals are updated automatically, risks are forecasted early, and you're equipped to navigate setbacks before they arise. Beacon, a Jira App offered by our sponsor Anvilyard, gives you this power.

By integrating with your Jira instance, Beacon makes it seamless to track and forecast the health of your project goals. It flags any goals at risk, giving you the foresight to course correct before your team misses. With Beacon, your team stays aligned and on track, effortlessly navigating toward success. I've been impressed with the tool, so check it out. You can learn more and try it for free by going to PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/beacon. Thanks!

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: On Point by Steven O'Brien
Available at: https://www.steven-obrien.net/
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by TaigaSoundProd
Available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjeI1ViDB-c
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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.

• 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

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

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

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.

• 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

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

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

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.

• 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

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

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

In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Gil Broza about his new book, Deliver Better Results: How to Unlock Your Organization's Potential. They discuss the importance of systems thinking in value delivery and the six aspects of system fitness. Gil shares practical strategies for improving value delivery and emphasizes the significance of mindset over tactics. He also provides examples of successful transformations and offers resources available on the book's website.

• Value delivery should be viewed as a system, not a collection of practices.
• Systems thinking helps identify the cause and effect relationships within a value delivery system.
• Understanding the effects of choices and actions is crucial for making informed decisions.
• The Square model provides a framework for assessing system fitness and improving value delivery.
• Successful transformations require a sequential and incremental approach, focusing on mindset and values.
• Resources on the book's website offer additional support for implementing the strategies discussed.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:22 Start of Interview
• 03:18 Understanding the Value Delivery System
• 04:13 Key Ideas from Systems Thinking
• 07:05 Avoiding Oversimplification in Cause and Effect
• 08:03 Considering the Effects of Choices and Actions
• 10:30 Introducing the Square Model
• 11:55 The Six Aspects of System Fitness
• 13:50 The Backstory of the Square Model
• 19:04 Sequential and Incremental Strategies for Improvement
• 21:25 The Importance of Mindset in Change
• 22:52 Differentiating Values and Beliefs
• 25:16 The Significance of Mindset over Tactics
• 28:08 Helping People Navigate Change
• 29:47 The Role of Fear in Change
• 30:05 The Concept of 'Committed, but not Attached'
• 32:41 Case Study: Agile Transformation in a Startup
• 39:17 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 42:32 Outtakes

You can learn more about Gil and his book at DeliverBetterResultsBook.com. The free chapter that Gil mentioned is available at HeardOnPodcast.DeliverBetterResultsBook.com.

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 have a 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: 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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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.

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

In this episode, Andy interviews author Anne Morris about key concepts from her book Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and moving fast in change initiatives. Morris introduces the FIX Map, which illustrates the relationship between trust and speed. She also explores the significance of inclusion and the power of storytelling in driving successful change. Additionally, Morris addresses common misconceptions about speed and shares insights on applying Agile principles to change management.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:25 Start of Interview
• 02:44 Discussion on the Phrase 'Move Fast and Break Things'
• 04:18 Introduction to the FIX Map Model
• 12:30 The Trust Triangle
• 15:19 Looking at Change Through Different Eyes
• 21:10 The Role of Storytelling in Change Initiatives
• 26:10 Overcoming Skepticism and Maintaining Focus
• 27:26 The Dangers of Delay and the Need for Action
• 29:40 The Influence of Agile Principles in Leadership
• 34:04 The Intersection of Leadership and Parenting
• 35:57 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 39:26 Outtakes

You can learn more about Anne and her book at AnneAndFrances.com. And catch her TEDx Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/anne_morriss_5_steps_to_fix_any_problem_at_work.

If you'd like more on this topic, check out my discussion with Anne's co-author Frances Frei in episode 294 where we talk about their book Unleashed.

If you're not actively using AI on a daily basis, you might just be missing out. Join us for our course AI Made Simple. It's specifically tuned to everyday use cases for project managers and leaders. Join other colleagues from around the world who have found it immensely helpful! 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

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.

• 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.

• 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

You can learn more about Kayla and her boot camp at KaylaMcGuire.com. And connect with Kayla on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/KaylaMcGuire.

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

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.

• 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

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

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

In this conversation, Andy Kaufman interviews Micah Solomon, author of the book Can Your Customer Service Do This? Create an Anticipatory Customer Experience that Builds Loyalty Forever. They discuss the importance of customer service and how it applies to project managers and leaders, not just people in hospitality or retail. They explore examples of good and bad customer service experiences, debunk myths about customer service, and provide strategies for improving customer service. They also discuss the concept of gold touch customer service and how it can be applied to internal customer service. The conversation concludes with insights on effective communication and developing a customer service mindset.

• Customer service is important in all industries, not just hospitality or retail.
• Examples of good and bad customer service can provide valuable insights for improving customer service.
• There are common myths and misunderstandings about customer service that need to be debunked.
• Gold touch customer service involves going above and beyond to provide exceptional service.
• Effective communication and a customer service mindset are key to delivering great customer service.

• 00:00 Andy's Intro to the Episode
• 02:40 Introduction to Micah Solomon and his book
• 04:46 Myths and Misunderstandings about Customer Service
• 06:12 Improving Customer Service
• 09:28 Gold Touch Customer Service
• 10:51 Internal Customer Service
• 13:44 Difference between Function and Purpose
• 18:19 The Service Recovery Paradox
• 20:15 Dealing with Customer Service Failures
• 21:21 Phrasing and Language in Customer Service
• 25:02 Developing a Customer Service Mindset
• 27:00 Andy's Summary of Key Takeaways
• 32:03 Outtakes

You can learn more about Micah and his book at MicahSolomon.com.

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: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/12070-the-fantastical-ferret
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

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). 

• 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.

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

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!)

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

In this conversation, Andy interviews Doug Lennick and Chuck Wachendorfer about their book Don't Wait for Someone Else to Fix It! They discuss the importance of managing ourselves effectively, practicing self-awareness, and mastering our behavior. They also emphasize the significance of integrity and responsibility in leadership. The conversation explores barriers to better decision-making and the importance of continuous learning. The interview concludes with insights on how parents can apply leadership lessons in their role at home.

• Managing ourselves effectively is crucial for effective leadership.
• Practicing self-awareness and using tools like the freeze game can help us make better choices.
• Integrity and responsibility are essential for leadership success.
• Emotional reflexiveness and biases can hinder decision-making.
• Continuous learning and letting go of what we know are key to personal and professional growth.
• Leadership lessons can be applied in the home to foster better relationships and decision-making.

You can learn more about Doug and Chuck and their work at Think2Perform.com.

For more on this topic, check out:

• Episode 391, with Adam Bryant on his book about making the leap to leadership
• Episode 366, with Michael Timms on his book about accountability, and
• Episode 292, with Jeffrey Scott Miller about his book on leadership.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

• "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."

• 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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Not everyone aspires to be a VP or higher someday, nor should they. But could it be that some of us are held back because the deep expertise that got us to our current position isn't what is needed to get to additional levels of responsibility? Or, if that additional responsibility is given to us anyway, we struggle to thrive because the skills to succeed at that next level are different from what we're used to?

I think so, which is why I'm excited to introduce you to Wanda T. Wallace. Wanda is the author of an insightful book You Can't Know It All: Leading in the Age of Deep Expertise.

In this episode, you're going to hear Wanda describe the difference between being an expert leader vs a spanning leader. She'll explain how the way we add value is different when we're a spanning leader. Wanda will talk about how to deal with mistakes--both when others make them as well as when we do. She'll talk about how to better deal with ambiguity that comes along with greater responsibility as well as how to develop trust across a boarder base of people. Before we're done Wanda will talk about executive presence and share some advice specifically for women. It's an engaging discussion with someone who specializes in helping women and men get to the top, stick, and thrive.

Learn more about Wanda and her book at Leadership-Forum.com/wanda-wallace.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

• Episode 75 and 76, with Keith Murnighan about his book Do Nothing. It's about how to not over-manage.
• Episode 122, with Shane Snow who has some surprising ideas about accelerating your career, and
• Episode 125, with Liz Wiseman about her book Rookie Smarts.

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: Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 008 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7669-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-008
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

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.

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

In most of our episodes, I'm introducing you to an author of a new book, looking for ways to apply key ideas from what they've written.

But every once in a while, I come across someone who I just think is interesting--someone who brings a fresh perspective to the discussion that would help all of us who want to get better at leading teams and delivering projects.

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to Jen Dary. Jen is the founder of a company that champions the concept that all humans are creative, resourceful, and whole… but sometimes they have a hard time moving forward. Jen and her team help people move forward through coaching and manager training.

In this episode, Jen shares her insights on issues and situations that we often find ourselves in, like

• Struggles when moving into a management role
• Knowing what to hold onto and what to let go of
• Delivering bad news--as well as how to deal with it when bad news is delivered to us.

Jen shares lessons she's learned about balancing work and life and gives some coaching insights for anyone who's recently lost their job and wants to move forward. And how about this? We've got some ideas for those of you who are still in your job but questioning whether you should stay. Jen shares some perspective on that as well.

It's a fun discussion with an insightful human that I can't wait to share with you.

Learn more about Jen and her company at BePlucky.com/About.

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

Music: It's Funky by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-its-funky
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

When you think of artificial intelligence and tools like ChatGPT, what comes to mind?

Do you find it intriguing for how it can help us as people who are focused on leading teams and projects? Or maybe you think it's overly hyped—entertaining for writing haikus and silly stories but not even close to being at a place where it can help us with our jobs. Or, maybe you're concerned that it's a threat to our jobs someday.

I know people in each group, leading us to this episode. I'm joined by Andy Tryba who is the Co-Founder & CEO of Ionic Partners, and also CEO of Gigster. Andy is a nationally recognized Future of Work & Remote Work expert and his companies help some of the largest brands in the world integrate AI, ChatGPT, QA Automation and more.

I'm also discussing AI with my friend John Chmela. John and I met when we worked together years ago and to this day, he's a valued friend. Beyond loving him as a person, I've always admired how John is quick to adapt new technologies and leverage them for good. But beyond our friendship and his tech skills, John is a savvy business leader and investor.

In both discussions, you'll pick up on some ideas and perspectives that can guide your exploration of the tools.

Learn more about Andy Tryba and follow him on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/AndyTryba.

Learn more about John and his operation at Queenslake Farm at Queenslake.com.

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:

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

We've talked in past episodes about how, unless there's a compelling reason to say No, say Yes--that there are opportunities for growth and learning when we have a bias for Yes. Yet we've all ended up in a trap that was set by saying Yes when No would have been a better answer. So how do we navigate that?

Well, I'm excited to introduce you to a fantastic new book entitled The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life.

In this episode, you'll learn why we're tempted to say Yes when No would be a better answer. If you've ever told yourself you're a people pleaser, Vanessa will tell you why you need to stop saying that! By the time we're done, you'll know what a stadium proposal moment is, how the spotlight effect plays into this, and learn to recognize a pattern Vanessa calls "Hey, would you make your famous lasagna?" Even better, you're going to learn about a potentially life-transforming idea called an empowered refusal. I can't wait to share this discussion with you!

Learn more about Vanessa and her book at VanessaPatrick.net/.

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: Summer Morning [Full version] by MusicLFilesbr>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

In this episode, Andy talks with Bill Dow, the Director of Enterprise PMO at University of Washington Medicine and author of multiple project management books. Bill shares his extensive journey in project management, from starting as a data entry clerk in 1989 to leading PMOs in various organizations. The discussion covers the evolution of project management offices (PMOs), key lessons in leadership, and the significant impact of AI on project management.

Bill emphasizes the importance of executive support for PMOs' success and explores future trends like increased automation and the integration of AI into project management processes. Both Andy and Bill reflect on the critical skills needed for effective project management, beyond just technical knowledge, highlighting the art of managing people and building relationships.

• "Project management's often misunderstood what they actually do. We hear overhead, we hear administrative, book a meeting for us, just bug people to get things done, go get us coffee."
• "I thought I'd be a project manager so I could just boss people around. Like they'll do all the work. Little did I know how complicated this job is."
• "If you don't have executive support backing you, you're not going to survive. It just does not matter."
• "One of the key aspects of what I'm about is tenacity. I just keep trying and trying. If it doesn't work, I'll try again and try again."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:03 Start Of Interview
• 02:27 Bill's Career Journey In Project Management
• 04:18 Misconceptions About Project Management
• 07:57 Lessons In Leading People And Projects
• 12:52 The Evolution Of PMOs
• 18:42 Signs Of A PMO At Risk
• 28:26 Achieving Success As A PMO Influencer
• 34:32 Wrap-Up
• 34:50 Andy's Comments After The Interview
• 38:56 Outtakes

You can learn more about Bill at BillDowPMPTraining.com.

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: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende
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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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