People And Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes sociolinguist Valerie Fridland to discuss her new book Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. They explore the significance of language use in leadership, including the use of filler words, intensifiers, and vocal fry. She challenges the notion that filler words should be eliminated, highlighting their cognitive and communicative benefits. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities of language and its role in effective communication. It's a fun discussion about language that will have you laughing, for sure, but also leaving the conversation with insights to help you lead more effectively at work (and at home). Sound Bites "Probably the best answer is I know enough about other languages to order a beer in those languages and that's pretty much probably all you need." "But it's also on the other side that when we're letting ourselves get distracted by those speech features (filler words), and then we're dismissing what they hav

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Michelle Labrosse, the founder and Chief Cheetah of Cheetah Learning. They discuss Michelle's career journey, the importance of learning and focus, and her approach to accelerated learning. Michelle shares insights on removing hurdles in learning, dealing with information overload and distractions, and achieving mastery. She emphasizes the importance of thorough project assessment and planning, as well as the need for continuous learning and curiosity. Throughout the discussion, she shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for effective project management. Sound Bites "I was thrown from the car. So I think that now they would label me Asperger's but I wasn't Asperger's. I had a brain injury." "When you teach people how to be good at test taking, you open up a whole world for them." "We do a lot with anxiety. We have a lot of people saying they cured my test anxiety." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Start of Interview 01:48 Michelle's Early Life and Family Infl

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with one of the gurus of governance, Ross Garland, co-author of the Project, Program, and Portfolio Governance Guide. They discuss the importance of governance in project management and how it differs from technical aspects like scope and risk management. Ross explains Cobb's paradox and why projects still fail despite knowing how to prevent their failure. They also delve into the principles of governance, such as treating change differently from business as usual and ensuring a single point of accountability for each project or program. The guide provides practical tools and templates for implementing effective governance. Sound Bites "Cobbs Paradox: We know why projects fail. We know how to prevent their failure. So why do they still fail?" "Most projects muddle through, they get through one way or another, they produce an output, they produce assets. And particularly if they're government projects, ministers tend to be very happy because they get to cut the ribbon." "On

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, an influential leader and author of Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership. They discuss the impact of personal backstories on leadership, the importance of principles and values, dealing with self-doubt, and managing multi-generational teams. Dr. Sam shares insights from his personal journey, providing practical advice on leading with empathy, authenticity, and intentional personal branding. This is a great opportunity to be exposed to a globally influential voice on leadership who will inspire you to go from self-doubt to confidence. Sound Bites "Leadership is first about being before it is about doing." "You reproduce who you are." "We never act beyond the capacity of that person that we see inside." "Building your personal brand is not about building your ego and trying to prove to people that you are what you are not." "We all are way better than we think we are. We're more powerful than we think we are." "We actually can't con

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Steven T. Collis, a law professor and author of Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues.' They discuss the increasing polarization in society, and challenges in having healthy dialogues at work and in personal life. Steven introduces ten habits from his book aimed at transforming potentially toxic conversations into healthy dialogues. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of intellectual humility, seeking real learning, assuming the best about others, and practical strategies for engaging in productive discourse. Steven also shares personal stories and scenarios to illustrate how these habits can be applied, including dealing with difficult family members and controlling emotions. With all of today's political polarization and conflicts at work, this book is a must-read for aspiring leaders to help them at work and beyond. Sound Bites "My brother could pick a fight with a wall when he was g

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Bill Dow, the Director of Enterprise PMO at University of Washington Medicine and author of multiple project management books. Bill shares his extensive journey in project management, from starting as a data entry clerk in 1989 to leading PMOs in various organizations. The discussion covers the evolution of project management offices (PMOs), key lessons in leadership, and the significant impact of AI on project management. Bill emphasizes the importance of executive support for PMOs' success and explores future trends like increased automation and the integration of AI into project management processes. Both Andy and Bill reflect on the critical skills needed for effective project management, beyond just technical knowledge, highlighting the art of managing people and building relationships. Sound Bites "Project management's often misunderstood what they actually do. We hear overhead, we hear administrative, book a meeting for us, just bug people to get things done, g

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Rich Diviney, a retired Navy SEAL commander, about his book, The Attributes: 25 Drivers of Optimal Performance. Rich shares his insights on the difference between attributes and skills, the concept of optimal performance, and how understanding these attributes can help build high-performing teams. They also talk about the importance of dynamic subordination, the relevance of attributes in hiring processes, and how parents can help their children develop these essential traits. The conversation highlights the need to look beyond resumes and skills when evaluating team members and the value of understanding and developing attributes for individual and team success. If you're looking for an innovative way to better understand and develop yourself and your team, this is a must-listen episode. Sound Bites "In stress, challenge, and uncertainty, when things hit the fan, personality tends to go out the window. We're running on these very raw things called attributes." "We tr

Summary In this episode, Andy speaks with Dr. Judy Ho, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, about her new book, The New Rules of Attachment: How to Heal Your Relationships, Reparent Your Inner Child, and Secure Your Life Vision . Seriously? Attachment theory? Reparenting your inner child? What does this have to do with leading teams and projects? You'll find out in this episode! Andy and Judy delve into the importance of attachment in leadership and how understanding attachment styles can impact leadership and team dynamics. Dr. Ho discusses the different attachment styles: avoidant, anxious, and disorganized, and their influence on self-concept and behavior in professional settings. The conversation highlights key strategies for leaders to recognize and adjust to the attachment styles of their team members. Before you're done, you'll have a new appreciation for attachment theory and its practical applications for personal and team development. Sound Bites "It's really about learning these practical st

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, about his new book

Summary In this conversation, Andy interviews James Louttit about his book Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low-Stress Success in Project Management. They discuss the challenges of leading projects and teams and what it means to be an impactful project manager. James introduces the SAVE meeting facilitation technique and discusses prioritizing value and effort and the importance of transparency, prioritization, and humanity in project management. You'll also learn how Baloo the Bear from the Jungle Book movie was a project management philosopher! If you are responsible for leading teams and projects, this is the perfect episode for you! Sound Bites "Experience is worth what it costs you. Go out and have the experiences, and some of them are going to be painful, but the learning from them is going to be valuable." "What stakeholders want to see is how seriously you're taking the thing. If it's genuinely urgent and critical, you need to ramp up governance when there's a crisis." "If you're only focusing on h

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Karla Eidem, the Managing Director of North America region at Project Management Institute (PMI). The discussion focuses on the latest trends and developments in project management. They explore the evolution of project managers from executing technical aspects to becoming strategic partners in organizations. They also discuss the shift towards hybrid and agile approaches in project management and the impact of different work arrangements on team collaboration and project performance. Finally, they also touch on the role of AI in project management and the resources offered by PMI to support project professionals. If you're looking for insights on how to keep up with the latest trends in leading and delivering projects, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The role of the PMs has definitely shifted away from executing the technical aspects of a project to a strategic partner in the organization." "Project managers must also be adaptable and resilient to the well ever

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Charlie Gilkey, author of Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results. They discuss how small, often overlooked habits shape team culture and performance. The conversation explores practical approaches for enhancing team dynamics, instilling a sense of belonging, improving decision-making, and addressing everyday 'broken printers' in both professional and familial settings. Charlie shares personal insights from his military upbringing and passion for team-based success, emphasizing that effective change and leadership start at the local team level. This is a practical and engaging discussion that will help you lead your team to the next level of success. Sound Bites "Time in, erodes awareness of." "Be the teammate you want your teammates to be." "Belonging is a macro word that includes feeling appreciated at work, feeling like your contributions and perspective matter, that you have moral and functional trust." "We do it because it's the right thing

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Nigel Creaser, an active project professional and author of the book Project Manager Productivity Hacks. Nigel shares insights from his career and discusses strategies for managing interruptions and improving productivity. They also touch on the use of mobile devices and AI tools in project management. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for project managers to go beyond technical skills and prioritize the human aspect of their work. Sound Bites "Productivity isn't about winning. It's not like a sport... It's more like yoga and that you can always be a bit more stretched." "Project management, I think, is messy, and we try to control the mess rather than go with the flow with the mess and kind of direct it." (Nigel, about being a podcaster) "I try to be that person who's being cheeky and getting free consultancy." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Start of Interview 01:58 Nigel's Backstory 06:26 How Nigel Seeks to Minimize Interruptions 11:18 Nigel's Advi

Summary In this episode, Andy dives deep into the world of sleep with Dr. Bijoy John, author of Nobody's Sleeping: Seven Proven Sleep Strategies for Better Health. Dr. John shares his personal journey with sleep issues, discusses the widespread impact of poor sleep on health and performance, and offers practical advice for improving sleep quality. Do you have trouble getting to sleep? Or wake up in the night have trouble getting back to sleep? From the importance of naps to the dangers of screen time before bed, this episode covers a wide range of sleep-related topics relevant to professionals and parents alike. Sound Bites "Society as a whole is operating on sleep debt and the main culprit there is your phone." "A workforce that is well rested performs better, makes less mistakes, tends to have better mental health so they're less anxious, and less defensive." "So the key here is the nap should be only for 30, maximum 40 minutes because you're following your biorhythm. This is a bio hack." "The bedroom is o

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Kory Kogon, FranklinCovey’s Vice President of Content Development, about her updated book, Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. They discuss the prevalence of unofficial project managers in various industries, especially post-pandemic, and the unique challenges they face. Kory shares insights on foundational behaviors, clarifying expectations, stakeholder management, and risk management. The conversation also delves into the significance of accountability and performance discussions, particularly for those leading without formal authority. If you lead projects, regardless of your title, this discussion is for you! Sound Bites "We often find that at least 80% of the participants in our project management workshops don't have the word project in their title. Yet you could argue that, in many ways, we're all project managers." "The top reasons why projects fail are unclear scope, key stakeholders wanting different things, lack of communication, not know

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Molly McGrath, author of the book Fix My Boss: A Simple Plan to Cultivate Respect, Risk Courageous Conversations, and Increase The Bottom Line. They discuss practical ways to improve the relationship between bosses and employees, including having courageous conversations, setting clear expectations, and implementing accountability measures. Molly emphasizes the importance of focus management and prioritization to combat the feeling of being busy. She also shares insights on empowering women in the workplace and applying project management principles to family life. Overall, the conversation provides actionable strategies for both managers and employees to cultivate respect and increase productivity. Sound Bites "Blaming your boss fixes nothing. And by the way, it's easy for bosses to do the same thing." "We don't speak up because we're afraid it'll create conflict. And by not doing it, it creates conflict." "Busy is usually a focus problem. It might be lack of clarity

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews his friend Randy Fox about his book The Call to Excellence: Influential Leadership for Impactful Results. Randy shares the backstory of his signature story, the Silver Platter Service, and how it can apply to leadership. They discuss the pursuit of excellence and the difference between being perfect and pursuing our highest and best. They also talk about the importance of being unoffendable and open to feedback, as well as the basics of leadership, such as kindness, communication, and consistency. Randy emphasizes the need for intentional self-improvement and even how these principles apply to parenting. Sound Bites "The art of listening is hearing what the person is not saying." "When you watch yourself, the film doesn't lie." "The silver platter isn't about how we collect the trash, it's how we serve someone else and how we lead them through those projects, through those outcomes, through life." "There's a difference between being kind and nice." Chapters

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong to discuss their book, The Character Compass. They explore the concept of character and its importance in leadership. Mary and Bill debunk myths and misconceptions about character and highlight the interconnected nature of its dimensions. The framework they introduce consists of 11 dimensions of character, including integrity, courage, humility, and temperance. They emphasize the importance of developing these dimensions to enhance leadership effectiveness and well-being. The conversation also touches on the role of character in decision-making and the need for character development in organizations. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how parents can cultivate a culture of character in their families. Do you want a better understanding of what character actually is? And how to develop it for you and your team? This episode is for you! Sound Bites "Character is actually built in these tiny decisions that we make every sing

Summary In this episode, Andy is joined by Veijo Hitti and Timothy Bull from Keto Software. They explore the impact of AI on project management and the integration of AI into enterprise software. The discussion addresses the hype and misconceptions surrounding AI, as well as the practical applications and benefits of AI in project management. The discussion also delves into the capabilities of Keto Software and the ways in which AI is seamlessly integrates into their strategic portfolio management software. The conversation explores the challenges, benefits, and ethical considerations of AI integration, as well as the impact of AI on human behavior and decision-making. Wondering what the future implications are of AI in project management? You won't want to miss this discussion. Sound Bites "Nearly every software company feels compelled to mention how they had AI integrated into their tools." "You just can't get away from the hype." "We are still humans. Let's stay like that. If we keep it like that, if we t

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Jim Kouzes about the Seventh Edition of the classic book The Leadership Challenge (7th Edition): How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. They discuss the fundamentals of leadership, the impact of the global pandemic on leadership, leading across generations, and more. Jim shares practical insights and emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice in leadership development. It's an insightful conversation about timeless leadership principles with one of the most respected voices in the leadership field over the decades. Sound Bites "Leadership is a relationship and listening is fundamental to building a positive relationship." (Regarding diversity and inclusion) "Let's assume for a moment, you have the right mix of people. That doesn't mean that any of those people feel included and feel valued. The key word is feel...." "I've often thought about leadership as a profession. If you're doing something eight hours a day or more, like leading others, t