People And Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

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

Summary In this episode, Andy is joined by Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready. They discuss strategies to improve presentation outcomes and avoid common mistakes. Terri shares her research, based on a multi-year study, identifying the 12 most common presentation errors. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the audience, and developing persuasive communication skills. Practical insights include the use of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and the effective phrase 'what this means to you.' The episode also covers tips to handle nerves and the role of dressing for success in both virtual and in-person presentations. Additionally, the conversation underscores the value of teaching communication skills to the younger generation. Sound Bites "Avoid the 'We-We', 'Do-Do.'" "There is a gap between how presenters see their presentations and how observers see them." "Don't let the way I show up be a distraction from my competency." "I want to encourage parents to engage their kids in a public s

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Rich Maltzman and Jim Stewart about their book Great Meetings Build Great Teams: A Guide for Project Leaders and Agilists. They discuss the common reasons why people dislike meetings, such as lack of purpose and poor facilitation. They introduce the concept of 'meeting goblins,' which are negative personalities that emerge during meetings, and provide strategies for dealing with them. The conversation also covers the challenges and best practices of virtual meetings, as well as the benefits and potential pitfalls of agile ceremonies like daily standups. The conversation focuses on the importance of effective meetings in building great teams. Rich and Jim share their experiences and strategies for running successful meetings, including setting ground rules, timekeeping, and using technology like AI for meeting summaries. They also discuss the impact of cultural differences on meetings and provide tips for managing diverse teams. The conversation concludes by emphasizing

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Scott Walker who spent 16 years as a Scotland Yard detective. Scott and Andy delve into lessons on emotional intelligence and negotiation skills gleaned from Scott's new book Order out of Chaos: Win Every Negotiation, Thrive in Adversity, and Become a World-Class Communicator. Key takeaways include seeking to understand before being understood, managing emotional states, and using empathy to build trust. Walker also discusses the importance of buying time and, interestingly, feeding egos in negotiations. It's an engaging discussion with one of the world's most experienced kidnap-for-ransom negotiators. Sound Bites "Negotiation is simply a conversation with a purpose." "Kidnappers are businessmen looking to get the right deal for them." "Feeding their ego doesn't mean flattering them. It's about acknowledging their needs and concerns, making them feel heard." "Success leaves clues." "We need to get out of our own way, suspend our own ego, seek to understand before bein

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Laura Mae Martin, Google's productivity expert and author of the book Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. They discuss the concept of productivity and how it is often misunderstood. Laura shares her perspective on productivity, emphasizing the importance of intention and execution. She introduces the five C's of productivity and explains the concept of the list funnel. They also discuss the challenges of procrastination and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say no. Throughout the conversation, Laura provides practical tips and strategies for improving personal productivity. Sound Bites "Sometimes I'll look at my calendar in a couple of weeks and be like, wow, Future Me is going to be very mad if I leave that there!" "When intention matches action, it's productive." "I was a recovering 'Say Yeser'." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:46 Start of Interview 02:59 What Does Productivity NOT Mean? 04:57 Intention and Action 06

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Ryan Hawk, host of the Learning Leader podcast and author of the book The Score That Matters: Growing Excellence in Yourself and Those You Lead. They discuss the importance of valuing excellence and pursuing personal growth, as well as the dangers of comparing oneself to others and keeping score based on external metrics. They also explore the role of self-awareness and fear in leadership, and the importance of surrounding oneself with people who provide honest feedback. The conversation highlights the need for leaders to lead themselves first and develop transformational relationships. Sound Bites "The world isn't driven by jealousy, it's driven by envy." "Leading yourself first is mandatory before you lead anybody else." "Surround yourself with people who will give you honest feedback and be prepared to accept it." "They don't care about your pants. They care about their pants." "So if you're not ready to crush it, your business falls apart." "The fear is fu

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with K. Scott Griffith about his new book, The Leader's Guide to Managing Risk. The book explores the importance of building resilience and reliability in projects, teams, and life. The conversation delves into the social and technical aspects of producing results, the need for human-resilient systems, and the impact of at-risk choices and cutting corners. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing risks, as well as creating a culture of safety and employee engagement. In this conversation, Scott discusses the importance of managing risks in projects and organizations. He emphasizes the need to create a culture of psychological safety where team members feel empowered to identify and report risks. Scott explains the process of managing risks, including balancing risk and reward, understanding and managing risks, and considering performance shaping factors. He also highlights the importance of building reliable systems and applies risk management principles t

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Paul Falcone to discuss his book The First-Time Manager: Leading Through Crisis. The conversation dives into common challenges faced by managers such as performance conversations, dealing with dysfunctional teams or bosses, and navigating situations like having to fire an employee or dealing with a younger (or older) manager scenario. Whether you're a new manager or been around for a while, there's insight in this episode for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Start of Interview 03:02 Dealing with Performance Issues 10:10 Terminating Employment 13:54 Delivering Bad News 19:02 When You Have a Dysfunctional Boss 24:08 Empowering Leadership: Building a Creative and Innovative Team 26:04 Turning Around a Dysfunctional Team 28:15 The Fall Off the Planet Test 30:14 Earning Respect as a Young Manager 34:26 Addressing Profanity in the Workplace 37:24 End Of Interview 41:40 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Paul and his books at PaulFalconeHR.com/books. If you’d

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Ben Guttmann about his book, Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win and How to Design Them. They discuss how to design and deliver messages that not only capture attention but also evoke meaningful responses. They delve into concepts like simplicity, fluency, and minimal messaging. Ben demonstrates how linguistic complexity can impact a message's success. Additionally, he shares practical examples, shedding light on how to make your communication more effective, regardless of your role in a project. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of clear and effective communication in all aspects of life and work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:10 Defining the Book in Two Sentences 03:53 What Does It Mean to Be Simple? 04:30 How About Fluency? 09:54 They Don't Want The Drill, They Want the Hole 12:20 How Constraints Can Actually Help You 18:11 The Biggest No-Brainer in the Book 23:23 Removing Fluff 27:27 About Using Big Words 29:03 How AI Can

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Tara Miller, a successful project manager and the founder of Artemis, a management consulting business. Tara shares her journey into project management and highlights the misconceptions about the role. She also discusses important lessons she has learned about leading people and delivering projects. Tara emphasizes the significance of building strong team dynamics and fostering individual connections. She provides practical management practices for leading and delivering projects, such as getting to know team members individually, creating team dynamics, and establishing a shared purpose. She also reflects on her personal journey to success, emphasizing the value of hard work and the support of others. Lastly, Tara provides advice for working parents and highlights the benefits of embracing chaos and taking risks. In the outtakes, Andy and Tara discuss the role of AI in project management and the potential impact on the future of work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:2

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Gil Broza about his new book, Deliver Better Results: How to Unlock Your Organization's Potential. They discuss the importance of systems thinking in value delivery and the six aspects of system fitness. Gil shares practical strategies for improving value delivery and emphasizes the significance of mindset over tactics. He also provides examples of successful transformations and offers resources available on the book's website. Takeaways Value delivery should be viewed as a system, not a collection of practices. Systems thinking helps identify the cause and effect relationships within a value delivery system. Understanding the effects of choices and actions is crucial for making informed decisions. The Square model provides a framework for assessing system fitness and improving value delivery. Successful transformations require a sequential and incremental approach, focusing on mindset and values. Resources on the book's website offer additional support for im

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews author Anne Morris about key concepts from her book Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and moving fast in change initiatives. Morris introduces the FIX Map, which illustrates the relationship between trust and speed. She also explores the significance of inclusion and the power of storytelling in driving successful change. Additionally, Morris addresses common misconceptions about speed and shares insights on applying Agile principles to change management. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:25 Start of Interview 02:44 Discussion on the Phrase 'Move Fast and Break Things' 04:18 Introduction to the FIX Map Model 12:30 The Trust Triangle 15:19 Looking at Change Through Different Eyes 21:10 The Role of Storytelling in Change Initiatives 26:10 Overcoming Skepticism and Maintaining Focus 27:26 The Dangers of Delay and the Need for Action 29:40 The Influence of Agile Principles in Leaders

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Kayla McGuire, a seasoned project manager and coach who runs a boot camp to help people learn and prepare for becoming a freelancer. They discuss Kayla's journey to project management and freelancing, lessons in leading projects, practical tips for running projects, reasons for pursuing freelancing, common mistakes in freelancing, and the importance of mentors. Kayla also shares insights on using LinkedIn effectively and the value of continual learning and personal development. The episode concludes with information about Kayla's freelancer boot camp. Takeaways Consider the possibility of freelancing or becoming an entrepreneur to experience more fulfillment and freedom in your career. Recognize patterns in team dynamics and use pattern recognition to lead teams through projects more effectively. Empower your teams to get the job done by having conversations about their goals, providing resources for learning and development, and building strong relationships

Summary In this in-depth discussion, Andy is joined by Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset Into Action, to delve into the concepts of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset. The conversation covers how these mindsets are not as binary or mutually exclusive as we may think, but rather can be found within us at different times and in different contexts. The theme of maintaining a balance between having a growth mindset, which holds the belief in the potential for change and improvement, and knowing when to lean into a fixed mindset, is explored. Eduardo advises on how to apply deliberate practice to improve performance and suggests viewing ourselves as evolving and changing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Start of Interview 02:09 Eduardo's Personal Journey and the Performance Paradox 04:29 Understanding the Performance Paradox 04:33 The Difference Between Learning and Performing 13:40 The Misconception of the 10,000 Hour Rule 16:51 Understanding the Growth Minds

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

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman celebrates the 400th episode of the People in Projects Podcast with special guest Adam Grant. They discuss Adam's new book, Hidden Potential, and the importance of assessing and unlocking potential in individuals. The conversation covers various topics, including keeping projects on track, the truth about hiring based on experience, a lesson Adam learned about feedback that he's a terrible writer, and overcoming criticism. Adam reflects on the past and future, including what he misses (and doesn't miss) about being Adam Grant in 2010 (when Andy and Adam first talked).  Takeaways Assessing and unlocking potential is crucial in various aspects of life, and the judgments people make of our potential can have a significant impact. Perfectionism can hinder progress, and it is important to separate our identity from our work. The value of experience in hiring is often overestimated, and potential should be prioritized over years of experience. Saying no and setting boundaries