In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication and author of Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work. Rather than encouraging digital detoxing or escaping technology, Craig offers a refreshing way to understand and navigate the pressures of modern work. He introduces the idea of digiwhelm, explains why so much of our stress comes from the communication modes we inhabit, and shows how leaders can respond with intention rather than overload.

You will hear Craig describe why email can be more than information transfer, how mode switching differs from context switching, and why one-way communication sometimes matters more than dialogue. Craig also shares why signals like silence, gestures, and tone often communicate more than words. Before closing, he draws connections to life at home, offering ideas for families that feel overwhelmed by devices and demands.

If you are looking for practical insights to reduce digital overwhelm, improve communication, and lead with greater clarity and calm, this episode is for you!

• "Instead of digital minimalism, I recommend something like digital flexibility."
• "Humans are essentially users and switchers of modes."
• "What is going to be the defining overwhelm of my life?"
• "You are always overwhelmed by something."
• "Flexibility is the wisdom that my book is urging."
• "Your words do things."
• "Think about the voice of the email."
• "A mode is an approach, it is a posture, it is a way of relating."
• "Is there a way in which this is actually good for me and actually good for other people?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life and Influences
• 02:57 Growing Up with Technology
• 04:11 What is Digiwhelm?
• 06:26 How Does It Compare to Overload?
• 08:35 The Impact of a David Ford Quote
• 10:34 Understanding Mode Switching
• 16:20 A Day in Communication Modes
• 22:04 Email as Conversation
• 24:29 Writing Email Like You Talk
• 27:24 Dissemination in Practice
• 32:00 Signals Leaders Should Notice
• 39:00 Coping with Digiwhelm at Home
• 43:04 End of Interview
• 43:44 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 48:14 Outtakes

You can learn more about Craig and his work at DigitalOverwhelm.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 144 with Cal Newport. Craig references Cal's book Deep Work in Digital Overwhelm, making this a great companion conversation.
• Episode 269 with Nir Eyal, about his book Indistractable. Nir shares insights about shaping your day to be less distracted.
• Episode 377 with Cassie Holmes, about her book Happier Hour. It is not only about managing your time but focusing on what really matters.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we have a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. It is free and a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I would love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader. That is 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 is 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it is 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

Topics: Digital Overwhelm, Leadership, Communication, Project Management, Email Effectiveness, Team Culture, Listening Skills, Collaboration, Productivity, Decision Making, Stakeholder Engagement, Psychological Safety

The following music was used for this episode:

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

Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Amireh Amirmazaheri, CEO of PMO Solutions and a leading voice in the global PMO community. From growing up in Iran during a time of war to building a respected consultancy in Australia, Amireh shares how resilience and curiosity shaped her approach to leadership and enabling project success. You'll hear how PMOs have evolved from administrative hubs to strategic influencers, what it means to truly "speak the language of executives," and how to recognize when a PMO is at risk of drifting into irrelevance. We also explore how AI is transforming the work of PMOs and what leaders can do to stay ahead of the curve. Plus, Amireh offers practical advice on leading as a woman in project management and applying PMO principles at home as a parent.

If you're looking for insights on elevating PMO impact, executive communication, and leading through change, this episode is for you!

• "Limitations aren't always bad. They push us into the creativity zone."
• "Executives don't want red or amber. They want to know where the ship is heading."
• "When PMOs chase BAU firefighting, they lose their strategic brain."
• "If PMOs stay educated and ahead of the game, they can influence the AI journey."
• "It's okay to cry. Then think, learn, and lead."
• "Um, should I tell you that my little one has a kanban board?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:31 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life in Iran and Resilience
• 12:56 Lessons About Enablement
• 15:02 How PMOs Have Changed
• 18:55 Speaking the Language of Executives
• 21:22 Failure Clues and PMO Drift
• 25:11 Sponsorship as a Risk Factor
• 26:08 Using AI and Its Near-Term Impact on PMOs
• 32:25 Leading as a Woman
• 37:44 Applying PM and PMO Ideas at Home
• 40:22 PMO Global Alliance Overview
• 42:15 End of Interview
• 42:50 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 46:22 Outtakes

You can learn more about Amireh and her work at PMOSol.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 436 with Laura Barnard, about the IMPACT Engine
• Episode 429 with Bill Dow, about PMO insights
• Episode 187 with Peter Taylor, Bill Dow, and others, about the State of PMOs

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP!

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: Ways of Working

Topics: PMOs, Executive Communication, Leadership, AI in Projects, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Women in Leadership, Organizational Influence, Resilience, Stakeholder Engagement, Career Growth, Continuous Improvement

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

In this candid live-stream conversation, Andy chats with content creator and project leader Stuart Taylor, the mind behind the Influential PMO platform and the Stuart Taylor Project YouTube channel. They dig into the difference between influencers and thought leaders, how to choose topics that genuinely help practitioners, and what to do when metrics don't match the effort. Stuart shares practical strategies for building professional visibility on LinkedIn and YouTube, including how to craft resonant messages, handle trolls, and focus on service over self-promotion.

The discussion also explores Stuart's experiment asking whether AI could manage a project. Spoiler: AI is a strong team member for first drafts and research, but a weak project manager. They wrap with career advice for today's shifting job market, including why to think like an internal consultant and how to future-proof your career by learning in public.

If you're looking for insights on personal branding, creator tactics, and AI's real role in project work, this episode is for you!

• Regarding AI: "It cannot be the project manager. It's spineless. It is a weakling leader."
• "There is no such thing as a permanent job anymore."
• "Share what you know and people will be drawn to you for what you are sharing."
• "Learn to make a resonating message. Learn how to share value."
• "I never did this to become internet famous… What problem do I want to solve? That's it."
• "Because you don't understand how the algorithm works. You think your whole network's ignoring you, and in fact, all that's happened is maybe less than 10% of your network has seen the message before the algorithm realized that your message wasn't resonating."
• "It will be the penny pinching execs who want to save a few dollars, who will take your job, and they'll replace it with a machine that can do 50% of your job for a fraction of your price, and they'll live with the 50% they can't do."

• 00:00 Start of Live Stream
• 02:13 Thoughts on Influencers and Thought Leaders
• 05:28 Deciding on Video Content
• 07:34 Views and Metrics
• 14:41 The Creative Process and Challenges
• 18:28 Sharing Knowledge and Building a Community
• 18:49 Navigating Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Trolls
• 19:18 Handling Criticism and Building Connections
• 24:37 The Role of AI in Project Management
• 29:10 The Future of Work: AI, Automation, and Adaptation
• 36:24 Staying Curious and Embracing Change

You can learn more about Stuart and his work here:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skt
• Website: InfluentialPMO.com
• YouTube: Stuart Taylor Project

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Content Strategy, Personal Branding, Career Development, LinkedIn, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Influence, Stakeholder Engagement, Future Of Work, Creator Economy

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

I asked this question to my LinkedIn network recently, and it led to a long thread of responses. The two most mentioned examples were job changes and moving to a new place to live. Maybe one of those might be your answer as well. An opportunity came up, you said Yes, and it turned out to be a great decision.

Yet changes like these are a risk. Even if you don't like your current job, you might land in a worse situation by leaping into a new role. The uncertainty associated with risk is why many people stay stuck in situations that are sucking the life out of them.

Chances are there is a risk you've been considering. Whether it's with risks on your projects at work, with your career, or with something at home, I'm excited to introduce you in this episode to Angie Morgan Witkowski. She's the author of a new book entitled Bet On You: How to Win with Risk. It's a great read that helps us reframe how we look at risk and give us the courage to move forward when faced with uncertainty.

Learn more about Angie and her work at AngieWitkowski/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Romantic Interlude [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10421-romantic-interlude-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Whiskey on the Mississippi by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4624-whiskey-on-the-mississippi
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

So much of what we do when leading teams and projects comes down to communication. Whether it's written or spoken, with a large audience or an informal conversation or email, much of our success comes down to how effectively we understand others and are understood by them.

I'm joined in this episode by one of the foremost communication coaches in the world. Bill McGowan is hired by corporate leaders, athletes, and other celebrities to prepare them for media interviews and significant presentations. And he's the author of a book we'll discuss in this episode entitled Pitch Perfect: How to Say It Right the First Time, Every Time.

Learn more about Bill and his company at ClarityMediaGroup.com/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: One Small Rover by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5107-one-small-rover
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

When you don't have enough time, what's the first thing that gets cut from your schedule?

Now, of course, the answer is "it depends." But I asked this question recently on LinkedIn and got a flood of responses. The most common category was self-care: exercising, sleeping, even eating. Two other big categories were time with others and time to think. Maybe you can relate to these. Left to my own devices, I sure can.

But when you think about it, you would never design your life that way, right? Each of those represents areas that are critical to our success. And I'm not just talking about success with our projects or at work. If we're not taking care of ourselves, taking time to think and reflect, and investing in others, it impacts nearly every dimension of life. And it can lead us to hitting a birthday and wondering, how did I get here?

If that sounds like a depressing start to this episode, I have good news. I'm joined today by the author of one of my favorite new books. Cassie Holmes joins us to discuss her book Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. What I expected to be just another time management guide turns out to be a book on happiness that I consider a must-read.

Learn more about Cassie and her book at CassieMHolmes.com/.

For more episodes related to focusing on what matters most, check out these episodes:

• Episode 174, with Amy Blankson about her book The Future of Happiness.
• Episode 136, with Michele Geilen about her book Broadcasting Happiness.
• Episode 309, with Ashley Whillans about her book Time Smart.

These authors are not just writers--they are researchers who make their work accessible and actionable to us all.

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: Emotionalism by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5867-emotionalism
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

Is it possible to be too nice?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy welcomes Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore, co-authors of The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact. Drawing from over 50 years of leadership research and tens of thousands of studies, Jeff and Meg offer an accessible roadmap for leaders who want to grow in meaningful, evidence-based ways. As coaches and leaders at the Institute of Coaching, they distill complex research into nine practical leadership capacities that help you expand your impact while staying grounded.

In this conversation, they unpack what it means to be a conscious leader and why self-awareness is essential. You'll hear how cultural context affects leadership perceptions, what it takes to be ready to grow, and how to quiet the "ego noise" that can derail your effectiveness. Whether you're managing a team across time zones or parenting in today's high-pressure environment, the insights from this episode are deeply practical and immediately usable.

If you're looking for insights on how to lead with more clarity, authenticity, and impact, this episode is for you!

• "Leadership isn't about you as much as it is about your impact on others."
• "Motivation and confidence are twin engines that power real growth."
• "Quieting your ego doesn't make you less effective. It gives you clarity."
• "Cultural norms can shape how leadership is perceived, but respect always translates."
• "Transformational leadership isn't about having a vision. It's about co-creating one."
• "Parenting is leadership. And it's one of the best places to practice these capacities."
• "The book is a self-coaching tool for everyday leaders who want to grow with intention."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:49 Start of Interview
• 02:00 What From Your Early Life Influenced How You Think About Leadership?
• 08:00 What Types of Leadership Books Make You Shake Your Head?
• 11:08 What Do You Mean by Leadership?
• 17:30 How Do We Know If We're Ready to Grow as Leaders?
• 21:00 How Do Cultural Norms Affect the Practice of These Capacities?
• 25:45 What Does It Mean to Be a Conscious Leader?
• 35:00 What Is a Quiet Ego, and How Do You Quiet Ego Noise?
• 38:30 What Does Transformational Leadership Look Like in Practice?
• 40:30 A Practical Way to Develop This Capacity
• 45:28 What Can Parents Learn From This Book to Lead Better at Home?
• 48:46 End of Interview
• 49:20 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 53:00 Outtakes

You can learn more about Jeff, Meg, and their work at ScienceOfLeadership.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 344 with Peter Bregman about how you can change other people by setting the conditions under which they're willing to change.
• Episode 416 with Jim Kouzes. He's been with us four times, each episode exploring research-driven insights on leadership.
• Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about the Nine Lies we believe about work and leadership, and what to do about them.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

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

Topics: Leadership, Self-Awareness, Coaching, Organizational Behavior, Servant Leadership, Team Culture, Feedback, Psychological Safety, Confidence, Change Readiness, Authenticity, Conscious Leadership, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

What comes to mind when you think of personal branding?

Some feel that personal branding is superficial. Or inauthentic. Instead of focusing on our brand, we should focus on developing expertise. Doing good work. And that good work will stand on its own.

In this episode, we're taking this topic of personal branding head-on, and I'm joined by one of the most influential voices on the subject. Catherine Kaputa is recognized as one of the top 30 Global Branding Gurus and the author of five books on the topic.

Today's discussion focuses on ideas in her new book, The New Brand You: How to Wow in the New World of Work. By the time we're done with this discussion, you'll see how personal branding applies to you, whether you're a student preparing for the workplace, someone trying to change industries, or someone feeling like you're just not getting the opportunities or promotions you deserve.

Learn more about Catherine and her work at SelfBrand.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Bouncy Gypsy Beats by John Bartmann
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3189-bouncy-gypsy-beats
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: End Titles (Romeos Erbe) by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3149-end-titles-romeos-erbe
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As a dad of 5 kids, I think back to when we had our first child. Those early days were a blur for both my wife and me. And as more kids came along, and then we adopted two more when our oldest three were teenagers, we have lived through the challenges and joys of the project known as parenting.

We're talking about parenting today because it brings some unique challenges to us as leaders. How can we navigate parenting in a way that aligns with who we are and what is meaningful to us? And how can we, as leaders, support parents on our teams in a way that reinforces that we value their commitments and responsibilities at work and home?

I'm excited to welcome a new friend to the podcast. Julie Foubert's life project is to support individuals, future and young parents, perinatal professionals, and organizations to evolve toward a more fulfilled and enlightened parenthood. And her passion for leadership and project management informs how she goes about this.

Learn more about Julie and her work at be-the-change.fr/. And contact Julie at julie@be-the-change.fr.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: A Picnic With My Family by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6644-a-picnic-with-my-family
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Love Beyond Gravity [Original] by German Tretyakov
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9803-love-beyond-gravity-original
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

When you think of the word conflict, what comes to mind? I ask because I've had the opportunity to pose that question to groups around the world. How would you respond? What I hear most often is words like Stress. Arguments. Tension. Avoid! Rarely do I hear Opportunity. Or disagreement.

I'm excited to welcome Amanda Ripley to the podcast. Amanda is the author of one of my favorite books from this last year. It's entitled High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out. It's not just a book about the brain. It's a book that introduces you to your brain.

For those of us responsible for leading teams and projects, learning how to avoid the traps of high conflict--and how to get out of them if we're there--is critical to our success. And in a world of increased political and social polarization, we have a real opportunity to be a force for good instead of just adding fuel to the fire.

I consider this book a must-read and I look forward to your feedback after you listen to the episode!

Learn more about Amanda and her book at AmandaRipley.com/.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

• Episode 284 for my conversation with Peter Boghossian about his book How Have Impossible Conversations
• Episode 276 for my conversation with Buster Benson about his book Why Are We Yelling?

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: The Inner Conflict by The New Geometry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoeccLie1DU
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWjCZ60gxfI
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Everybody Loves Raymond Uses Active Listening - from Parent Effectiveness Training available on YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=4VOubVB4CTU

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

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

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

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

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

One of the constant challenges for those of us who lead teams and projects is influencing people around us. Whether it's a boss, our team, clients, or other stakeholders, we're often in situations where we're trying to influence an outcome, yet running into a brick wall while doing so.

In this episode, we continue a series of discussions we've had over the years on the topic of influence. We're joined by Rene Rodriguez, author of a new book entitled Amplify Your Influence: Transform How You Communicate and Lead.

In this episode, Rene discusses what we often don't get right about influence. He shares a simple way to learn more about influence just by paying attention to the people around us. You'll get an understanding of how the brain can help us be more effective at persuading or others--and how ignoring it can get in the way. And relates ideas from his AMPLIFII process to give us a taste of how we can communicate more effectively while persuading those around us. I'm looking forward to sharing this discussion with you!

Learn more about Rene and his book at MeetRene.com/.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

Most days you can find me working with a group of leaders, helping them learn how to improve their ability to lead and deliver. This last Thursday I looked around the room that was filled with people in a project management exam prep program. Interestingly, all of the participants were women. That'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.

And though that is true, there are barriers that women encounter that can hinder their ability to maximize their career potential. I'm excited to introduce you to the work of Christie Hunter Arscott. Christie is the author of a new book entitled Begin Boldly: How Women Can Reimagine Risk, Embrace Uncertainty, and Launch a Brilliant Career.

In this episode, Christie talks about what she means when saying we should reimagine risk. She talks about her research-based, highly practical framework for navigating career risks in a balanced, even agile way. We discuss why the phrase "Good things come to those who wait" is a myth--and why a different way of looking at that phrase can make an enormous difference in your career. Christie talks about courage--being bold--including what it means to take micro-acts of courage. It's an engaging discussion that I've been so looking forward to sharing with you for many weeks.

Learn more about Christie and her book at ChristieHunterArscott.com.

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

• Episode 314 for my conversation with the authors of the book Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace
• Episode 347 for my conversation with Zoe Chance about her book on influence, which includes content for women

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

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Love by Ketsa
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7581-love
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://ketsa.uk/

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

In this episode, Andy welcomes Mark Reich, a former Toyota leader and current Chief Engineer for Strategy at the Lean Enterprise Institute. Mark is the author of Managing on Purpose. If you've ever tried to improve your team but felt like your strategy was stuck in a slide deck, this conversation is for you.

Mark introduces the idea of hoshin kanri, a lesser-known but critical pillar of Toyota's management system, and explains how lean thinking is more than just tools--it's a way of developing people and aligning purpose across an organization. You'll hear why metrics alone won't get you to strategic clarity, how to escape the trap of firefighting, and why engagement, not just direction, is the key to long-term improvement. He also shares how lean thinking can be applied at home, even with your kids!

If you're looking for insights on how to align teams, build capability, and lead with greater purpose, this episode is for you!

• "Don't focus on the tool. The tools have to serve a purpose."
• "Catchball is not just a handoff of plans. It's a conversation about what matters and how we'll learn together."
• "Direction without development is just pressure."
• They're not called punishment calls. They're called co-learning calls.
• "If strategy feels like something being done to people, you've already lost."
• "You don't learn PDCA by attending a training. You learn it by doing it, with guidance, reflection, and coaching."
• "It's not just about solving the problem. It's about who solves it and how they do it."
• "We had to change how we talked about strategy before we could change how we worked on strategy."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:49 Start of Interview
• 02:01 What early experiences shaped your views on leadership, strategy, or lean?
• 05:28 How do you explain TPS and hoshin kanri as two pillars of Toyota's system?
• 10:36 What are common mistakes leaders make when trying to improve the business?
• 15:23 Where do you coach people to start when they want better alignment?
• 17:40 What myths or misunderstandings do people have about lean?
• 18:12 Case study example: Turner Construction
• 25:45 What lean tools or concepts should project managers explore more deeply?
• 29:24 Where do you recommend someone begin learning about lean?
• 34:47 How has lean thinking helped at home—and with raising kids?
• 36:09 End of Interview
• 36:36 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:53 Outtakes

You can learn more about Mark Reich and his work at the Lean Enterprise Institute at Lean.org.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 438 with Jeff Gothelf. It's a book about OKRs, which is different from hoshin kanri, but the overall discussion is worth checking out.
• Episode 387 with Atif Rafiq. It's a book that has a strategic approach to dealing with uncertainty.
• Episode 320 with Greg Githins. It's more about how to think strategically.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

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: Business Acumen

Topics: Lean, Toyota Production System, Hoshin Kanri, Strategy, Organizational Alignment, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Team Engagement, Project Management, PDCA, Capability Building, Coaching

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

As I've often joked on this podcast, I don't think I've ever heard of an 8-year-old child telling their parent, "Mommy, someday I want to be a project manager!" On the contrary, it's something that they got into almost accidentally. They were good in their particular area of expertise and were given the opportunity to lead initiatives in that area.

But what if we learned about project management earlier? In fact, what if high school and college students developed expertise in leading and delivering projects? What difference could that make in their schooling and early careers?

That's what we're talking about in this episode. I'm joined by Grant Johnson, who also happens to be a team member at the company I run. Finding a way to help develop project management capabilities for high school and college-aged students is something he has been tasked with over the last year. And he's learned a lot in the process.

In today's discussion, Grant talks about why students in this age group should even care. He talks about examples of projects that students take on and how they can start those projects with momentum. Grant shares some tips he's learned about project management as someone in his early 20s and how it has helped him personally. It's a discussion I'm looking forward to sharing with you. And let me add that if you're the parent of someone in this age group, you're invited to have them listen along with you--or send them a link so they can benefit from this episode as well.

Learn more about Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/GettingStuffDone.

Podcast listeners can use a coupon code of gsd100 to save $100 USD.

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

Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Funky Upturn by chilledmusic
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7472-funky-upturn
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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

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

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

For more insights related to this episode, check out:

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

Every once in a while we have a type of episode that we call In the Trenches. It's an episode that interviews someone who is actively working in a project leadership role, allowing us to benefit from the lessons they have been learning over the years.

I'm glad to welcome our guest today, Yasmina Khelifi, from Paris, France. Yasmina has been a leader in the telecom industry for many years and is an active blogger on projectmanagement.com. She has extensive experience working with international teams, providing her unique insights into how culture factors into leading and communicating.

Learn more about Yasmina on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminakhelifi-pmp-telecom/ and on ProjectManagement.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Strategic and Business Management

Le Baguette by Alexander Naka
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4784-le-baguett
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Let Me Be Free by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/164-let-me-be-free
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

If you are currently in a management role, do you remember what it was like when you first took on that new position? Do you remember what your struggles were?

Janet Polach joins us today to talk about her book The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make: How to Avoid Them and Thrive. Though it's a book for new managers, my take is that we could all benefit from being reminded about the traps we can easily fall into as we seek to become more effective leaders.

Learn more about Janet and her book at InTheLead.co.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Crime Time by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It's Funky by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-it-s-funky
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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

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

• Episode 25 with MIT Fellow Ed Schein
• Episode 251 with former Facebook leader Mike Rognlien
• Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

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

For years I've been telling coaching clients that the dirty little secret of business is that everything comes down to relationships. I know: It's not dirty. It's certainly not little. And I suppose it's not a secret--you know relationships are important. But the statistics about relationships are not encouraging and it's not just because of social distancing during COVID.

Maybe it's just that we're busy. Or maybe it's that what we think we know about relationships is wrong.

Eric Barker joins us again, this time to talk about his new book entitled Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong.

In this episode, Eric talks about why the fundamental core of relationships is the stories we tell ourselves. He explains why we stink at reading people--despite thinking we're awesome at it. Before we're done with this episode, you'll know what costly signals are and why it's important to know about Negative Sentiment Override. Eric will even share some insights on conflict, that can be applied in love relationships as well as at work.

Learn more about Eric and his book at https://bakadesuyo.com/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

BusmansHoliday by Lilo Sound
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7398-busmansholiday
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

Friendship Scenes from Movies on YouTube at Youtube.com/watch?v=b4ld-p0jSvI

Fear is something that can impact us as individuals for sure, and it spreads to teams and organizations. In this episode, we're going to take this topic of fear head-on to help empower us as leaders to deal with it.

My guest today is Mark Minukas, co-author of a book entitled Unfear: Transform Your Organization to Create Breakthrough Performance and Employee Well-Being.

In this episode, Mark talks about what unfear means--and doesn't mean. He shares some of the less effective approaches we might be tempted to take when it comes to fear—and why they don't work. Mark explains why the story we create about fear matters more than the fear itself. And he gives us some ideas on how we can start dealing better with fear ourselves so we can start to help our team as well. It's a conversation I'm looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Mark and his book at UnfearBook.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Romantic Contemplative Nature by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8033-romantic-contemplative-nature
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Everybody Up by Sascha Ende®
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9244-everybody-up
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

FDR Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself 1933 Inaugural Address on YouTube at Youtube.com/watch?v=nHFTtz3uucY

When you hear the word negotiation, what comes to mind?

A boardroom showdown? A salary discussion?

In this episode, Andy welcomes back Dr. Mike Clayton, author of How to Negotiate: Practical and Proven Skills to Help You Strike Better Deals to unpack the truth about negotiating. Mike brings clarity, wisdom, and practicality to a skill that project managers and frontline leaders use more often than they might realize.

In this conversation, you'll learn why negotiation is not a talent you're born with. Rather, it's a skill you can build. Mike explains how to prepare effectively, how to open conversations the right way, and how to bargain in ways that foster agreement, not conflict. You'll discover surprising examples of everyday negotiations, phrases that help (and hurt) rapport, and even ideas to help your kids become more confident negotiators. If you're looking for insights on how to lead through conversations that matter, this episode is for you!

• "Negotiation is a process of searching for an agreement that satisfies both parties."
• "You can become a good negotiator the same way you become a good leader: by learning and practicing."
• "Building agreement on agreement is easier than building agreement on disagreement."
• "What will you get when you've got it? Because that's the motivator."
• "If we respect each other and follow a process, we can negotiate even in tough situations."
• "The phrases that are best for building rapport are questions."
• "Signposting the junction means alerting our counterparty that we think we're coming to the point where we need to stop."
• "Your credibility is currency. Character and trust are foundational in negotiation."
• "Almost every conversation where two people want different things is a negotiation."
• "It's okay to negotiate. It's okay to walk away. And it's okay to not always win."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:50 Start of Interview
• 01:04 Understanding Negotiation as a Skill
• 02:01 Common Myths About Negotiation
• 05:39 The Process of Negotiation
• 12:31 Preparing for a Negotiation
• 16:12 Opening a Negotiation
• 23:05 Introduction to Feedback and Negotiation
• 23:43 Breaking Down Feedback
• 24:42 The Yes Mindset in Negotiation
• 25:56 Building Rapport in Negotiation
• 27:40 The Light and Dark Sides of Language
• 29:08 Signposting the Junction in Negotiation
• 31:47 Establishing Character in Negotiation
• 34:21 Teaching Kids to Negotiate
• 38:34 End of Interview
• 39:01 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 42:09 Outtakes

You can find Mike's content and negotiation advice at his YouTube channel: OnlinePMCourses.

For more learning on negotiation, check out these episodes:

• Episode 444 with Rick Czaplewski, who provides negotiating secrets for project managers
• Episode 412 with Scott Walker, who provides insights from a former hostage negotiator
• Episode 148 with Dan Shapiro: High-stakes negotiation from a Harvard expert

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Negotiation, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Project Management, Influence, Rapport Building, Conflict Resolution, Trust, Team Collaboration, Process Thinking, Parenting

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter
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

A couple of years after COVID first hit, I can think of so many examples of how we're becoming less human at work. It's not just due to automation or outsourcing or remote work. Whether it's because of social media, political polarization, or a host of other factors, I feel like there's increasing pressure to not speak up. To not be yourself. To blend in. To not rock the boat. In a way, to be less human.

I'm excited to introduce you to Dr. Rosie Ward, co-author of a book entitled ReHumanizing the Workplace. In this episode, Rosie talks about how the disruptions we're experiencing today don't just go away once COVID is a distant memory. She talks about authenticity and why it's critically important to humanizing the workplace, yet why it's a struggle for us. It's a conversation I'm looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Dr. Rosie Ward and her book at DrRosieWard.com/About.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Boost My Business by Horst Hoffmann
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9170-boost-my-business
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crime Time by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/9136-crime-time
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

HAL 9000s interview on YouTube at Youtube.com/watch?v=BDha7nj4s10

One of the biggest challenges we face in day-to-day living is staying focused. There are so many things vying for our attention. In fact, right now, even as you're listening to this episode, you're probably doing something else, right? Like driving, working out, going for a walk, maybe even going through email.

To help fight back against those challenges, I'm excited to introduce you to Erik Qualman, author of a book entitled The Focus Project: The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less.

Learn more about Erik and his book at Equalman.com/The-Focus-Project/.

For more content on this topic, check out:

• Episode 242 with James Clear about his book Atomic Habits
• Episode 309 with Ashley Whilans about her book Time Smart
• Episode 140 with Cal Newport about his book Deep Work

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

Energetic Upbeat by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

Too much project management education--including what you find on bookshelves at stores--is dry. Seemingly impractical and irrelevant. I'm constantly on the lookout for people who are practical and inspiring voices in helping us get better at leading teams and delivering projects.

In this episode, I'm excited to introduce you to Kimberly Wiefling, author of Scrappy Project Management.

In today's discussion, Kimberly will help us understand what it means to be scrappy--and why it's important. We'll talk about some of the predictable and avoidable pitfalls that plague our projects. You'll learn what her Project Success Scorecard is and how it can help you and your team. Kimberly will share insights on dealing with risks and assumptions AND why she recommends you never say No, even to the most ridiculous demands.

Kimberly is as fun as she is brilliant. Learn more about her work at Wiefling.com.

For more content related to today's episodes, check out:

• Episode 274 with J. Scott about his book The Irreverent Guide to Project Management
• Episode 336 with Clint Padgett about his book How Teams Triumph

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

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

Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

Workout by Brian Holtz Music
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8600-workout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Disco of the '70s by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8298-disco-of-the-70-s
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

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

One of the biggest complaints people have when working on projects is related to communication. Often people feel out of the loop or they just don't understand what is being written or said. It's been suggested that up to 90% of what we do when we're leading projects is communicating. And I think it's fair to say, we all would benefit from leveling up our ability to clearly, and effectively communicate with our teams, colleagues, and management.

In this episode, I'm excited to introduce you to Tina Kuhn. Tina is the author of a book entitled The Manager's Communication Toolkit: Tools and Techniques for Leading Difficult Personalities.

In today's discussion, Tina will share why those of us who lead teams and projects are tempted to default to email or other less-rich mediums—and why that causes problems. Tina will share some insights on how to communicate more effectively in your next Zoom or Teams meeting. She'll help us see that effective communication is not just adjusting to the personality, but also to the situation and relationship. Tina will introduce a few of the difficult behavior types we face and share some advice on how to communicate with them. And we'll wrap up with some thoughts about dealing with conflict. It's a conversation I'm looking forward to sharing with you.

Learn more about Tina and her book at TinaKuhnCommunication.

For more episodes on communication, check out these two episodes with Dr. Nick Morgan:

• Episode 237 regarding his book Can You Hear Me? which offers helpful insights on communicating in virtual settings
• Episode 112 regarding his book Power Cues, which provides intriguing insights on how body language and voice impact communication

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Tutorial 2 by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8072-funky-corporation
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Endless Summer by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8933-endless-summer
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Cool Hand Luke - Failure to Communicate on YouTube at
YouTube.com/watch?v=V2f-MZ2HRHQ

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

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

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

One of the common concerns I hear from clients and podcast listeners is related to influence. How can I convince a boss or colleague or stakeholder or loved one to agree to something, especially when I don't have authority in the situation?

I can confidently tell you that my new favorite book on the topic of influence has just hit the shelves and I can't wait to introduce you to it. Zoe Chance is the author of Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen.

If you love behavioral economics, you're going to love Zoe's approach. But what causes this book to stand out is how she makes the science so practical and engaging. By the time we're done listening to this episode, you'll be using terms like the Gator and the Judge—and you'll know what the mother of all misunderstandings is. Zoe shares the bedrock principle of behavior and how you can use that to be more influential. You'll be more motivated than ever to just ask—but not just make an ask—she'll share some nuance that's often missed when we talk about asking. You'll learn about how to deal with resistance and so much more—it's a conversation that I've been looking forward to for weeks.

Learn more about Zoe and her book at ZoeChance.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

Workout by Brian Holtz Music
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8600-workout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

One of the joys of hosting this podcast is introducing you to a wide group of authors and practitioners. I'm constantly on the lookout for resources to help us on this mission and in this episode, I'm glad to introduce you to Donna Gregorio. Donna is a practicing PM and wrote an easy-to-read book entitled The Successful Project Manager: Practical Guidance from Lessons Learned.

In today's discussion, Donna will tell us how her background as a business analyst feeds her ability to be a better project manager. And vice versa. She'll talk about what it means to really lead a project—and to be a trusted advisor—not just a task tracker. Donna will share some lessons learned about work breakdown structures, change management, and agile. And she wraps up the conversation with some career advice that I think you'll find helpful. It's a fun, practical discussion that I look forward to sharing with you today.

Learn more about Donna at DonnaGregorio.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

Science for Hope by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8814-science-for-hope
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

We often joke in our project management workshops that participants have signed up for a leadership class cloaked as a project management class. So much of our ability to deliver projects comes down to our ability to lead people and teams—regardless of our title or whether team members report to us directly.

That's a core premise of the People and Projects Podcast--that we're all leaders—and I'm constantly on the lookout for resources to help you and me develop our ability to lead.

Darren Reinke reached out to me last year to talk about his book The Savage Leader: 13 Principles to Become a Better Leader from the Inside Out. After browsing a copy of the book, I knew this was a guy I wanted to talk with. His passion for leading is clear and his advice is practical.

Learn more about Darren at TheSavageLeader.com.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Workout by Brian Holtz Music
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8600-workout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

In this episode, Andy welcomes Jon Harper, author of Rebuild! Don't Repair: Why Fixing Things Doesn't Fix Things in Life. Jon shares from his personal and professional journey about the courage it takes to stop settling for temporary fixes and instead do the deeper, more intentional work of rebuilding. Drawing on lessons from his leadership experience and faith-based insights, Jon invites listeners to consider how our beliefs, habits, and leadership defaults often stem from foundations we didn't consciously choose.

The conversation covers when to rebuild rather than repair, how to evaluate the people around us during transformation, and why awkwardness is often a sign of real change. Jon shares stories about quitting alcohol as a coping mechanism and the daily habits that keep him focused and grounded. He also offers a practical approach to helping children process their day—something leaders can adapt for teams, too.

If you're leading a team, a project, or a personal transition and want to build something stronger and more lasting, this episode is for you!

• "We had duct tape where we should lay new concrete."
• "People who are part of the solution are those willing to say, 'I am the problem and I can be the solution.'"
• "None of us really experiences life. We experience the life we focus on."
• "Actions tell them who we are. Words tell them who we want to be."
• "If you are asking for big things in your life, a lot of success is being able to deal with bigger amounts of stress in a better way."
• "Our parents weren't making conscious, informed, well-rounded, intentional decisions to shape us the way we are. They just did the best with what they had."
• "My main goal in life is to be respected the most by those who know me the most."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:03 Start of Interview
• 02:12 Why Duct Tape Solutions are so Tempting
• 04:23 Rebuilding Is Messy
• 06:17 Are People the Problem or the Solution?
• 09:18 You Have to Own It
• 10:26 Foundations and Their Impact on Leadership
• 15:10 Personal Stories of Rebuilding
• 18:07 Daily Habits and Their Long-term Impact
• 20:35 The Importance of the Journey Over the Destination
• 22:44 The Illusion of the Finish Line
• 24:29 The Importance of Associations
• 27:54 Actions Speak Louder Than Words
• 31:30 Parenting Insights from the Book
• 36:54 End of Interview
• 37:28 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:08 Outtakes

You can learn more about Jon and his work at JonHarper.co.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Self-Development, Change Management, Team Dynamics, Habits, Identity, Ownership, Resilience, Personal Growth, Emotional Intelligence, Parenting, Workplace Culture

The following music was used for this episode:

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

Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

We're continuing a series of episodes on the topic of change. Back in Episode 339, we talked with Katy Milkman about her book How to Change, which provided some helpful insights into the behavioral science of change. Then we talked with Gary Lloyd in Episode 343 about his book Gardeners Not Mechanics to get practical insights on how to lead change in organizations.

I wanted to add one more episode in the series to focus on a key aspect of what we need to do as leaders: help others to change.

Peter Bregman and Howie Jacobson have written a remarkable new book entitled You Can Change Other People: The Four Steps to Help Your Colleagues, Employees—Even Family—Up Their Game.

Did you catch that title? You can change other people. Isn't there something about the phrasing that just seems wrong? Isn't it true that you can't change other people—you can only change yourself?

Peter and Howie are going to challenge that idea today. They'll share why changing others might just be the most important capability a leader can develop. They'll share some examples of how NOT to try to get someone to change. More importantly, they'll give us a taste of what their four steps are and how to use them.

It's a fun conversation with two people who are actively using these ideas every day to help people change. I can't wait to share this discussion with you.

Learn more about Peter and Howie at BregmanPartners.com/change/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Workout by Brian Holtz Music
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8600-workout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

We're continuing a series of episodes on the topic of change. Back in episode 339 we talked with Katy Milkman about her book How to Change, which provided some helpful insights into the behavioral science of change.

But what if you are planning to lead a change initiative. Beyond what Katy brought us from behavioral science, I wanted to bring you a process—something that is practical, memorable, and tested across industries. And I'm glad to say I found it!

In this episode I'm excited to introduce you to Gary Lloyd, author of Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work. I'm not a gardener but I find Gary's approach to be practical for changes you want to lead at work and in your personal life. I can't wait to share the discussion with you.

Learn more about Gary at GardenersNotMechanics.com/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

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

It's Funky by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8061-it-s-funky
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Googly Eyes Gardener by Saturday Night Live is available on YouTube at YouTube.com/watch?v=zc7qJE9Nzo8

It's interesting to me how little changes can have outsized benefits. For example, how something is said. There's a difference between a boss saying, "You can hit this date, right?" and "Here's what we need to get done. How much time do you think this would take? What do you need from me to make that happen?"

Sometimes it's just little shifts in what we say. How we make an ask. How we look at a situation. And with just a little shift, we can sometimes reap enormous benefits in our relationships at work and at home.

I'm excited to introduce you to Krister Ungerbock. Krister is the author of one of my most gifted books recently. It's entitled 22 Talk SHIFTs: Tools to Transform Leadership in Business, in Partnership, and in Life. It's a book I probably would have never picked up, but I'm so glad the publisher reached out to introduce me to it. I look forward to introducing you to Krister and his work!

Learn more about Krister at Krister.com/.

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

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

Talent Triangle: Leadership

Golden Age of Computers by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/8379-golden-age-of-computers
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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