People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

In this discussion with Dr. Joe Sutherland, co-author of "Analytics the Right Way" and a leader in AI policy, listeners learn how to navigate the overwhelming world of data. Joe dispels common myths about data collection and emphasizes the importance of causal inference for sound decision-making. He introduces his "two magic questions" to help project managers focus on outcomes, and discusses the latest AI breakthroughs and their challenges in implementation. This conversation is essential for anyone looking to improve leadership through data and AI.

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Adrian Kelly, author of The Success Complex: Ancient wisdom, the building blocks of life and your path to sustained success. Drawing from history, behavioral science, and personal stories, Adrian offers a compelling redefinition of what it means to succeed. From his humble academic beginnings to building international ventures, Adrian brings a unique perspective on resilience, motivation, and identity. They discuss why IQ may be overrated and how something Adrian calls the “Point Guard Quotient” might better predict success. The conversation dives into increasing your luck, avoiding de-motivation, managing identity through career changes, and maintaining balance in a high-achievement world. They also explore practical lessons from the Challenger disaster and how small changes in communication can shape results. If you’re looking for insights on redefining success, building motivation, and leading with awareness and impact, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “We overestimate talent and underestimate persistence.” “Opportunity doesn’t waste time with the unprepared.” “People want to help people who help themselves.” “You don’t fall off a cliff overnight—you drift one day at a time.” “Avoiding de-motivation is often more important than sustaining motivation.” “Sometimes the drawback isn’t a setback—it’s a setup for a better path.” “Nobody traps us quite like we trap ourselves.”   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Start of Interview 01:18 What from your early life shaped your view of success? 07:12 How much does IQ influence success and what’s the 'Point Guard Quotient'? 11:52 What can we learn about success from the Challenger disaster? 14:03 What do you mean by avoiding de-motivation to sustain motivation? 18:57 What do you mean by a tangled identity and how has that affected you? 27:05 Is it possible to increase your luck? If so, how? 30:41 How do biases and communication styles affect our opportunities? 33:48 How can we balance the drive to succeed with well-being? 39:34 Why is autonomy and attention so important for success? 43:39 As parents, how can we prepare our children for success? 47:00 End of Interview 47:30 Andy Comments After the Interview 53:49 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Adrian and his work at AskMore.ie. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 458 with Elizabeth Lotardo about finding joy and meaning in your current job. Episode 402 with Eduardo Briceño about developing a growth mindset. Episode 283 with Tom Rath about success, meaning, and legacy. Episode 261 with David Epstein about his book Range and embracing diverse career paths. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Motivation, Identity, Career Transitions, Communication, Decision Making, Bias, Wellbeing, Autonomy, Attention, Personal Growth, Success 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

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Elizabeth Lotardo, author of Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have. Drawing on insights from her book, Elizabeth shares a practical and empowering framework for navigating the everyday challenges that can drain energy and joy from our work lives--things like imperfect bosses, lethargic coworkers, and overwhelming workloads. The conversation explores how we often start a role with excitement, only to find ourselves disengaged over time--and what we can do about it. You’ll learn the key differences between purpose and passion, how to counteract unhelpful workplace narratives, and what it looks like to reclaim agency in frustrating situations. Whether it’s dealing with difficult stakeholders, receiving feedback, or rethinking your career path, Elizabeth offers tangible strategies for finding value and fulfillment in the job you already have. If you're looking for ways to lead yourself better, rediscover meaning in your work, and take more ownership of your day-to-day experience, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “Purpose has a drastically more significant impact on how we feel about the work than passion does.” “If you're not waking up super hyped about something, that's OK!” “You're always in control of your own response--even in soul-sucking meetings.” “This is my chance. It's a mindset shift to reframe interruptions and annoyances into opportunities.” “Sometimes all you need is 15 seconds of insane courage.” “When we default to negative assumptions at work, we dig ourselves into ruts that are hard to escape.” “Just give your brain a moment to articulate: What if it went awesome?” “Being invaluable means having great value in a variety of situations--not being stuck as the only one who can do a specific task.” “You are never powerless. That's a sentiment I hope stays with my son.”   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:24 Start of Interview 02:34 What Sucks the Joy Out of Our Jobs? 03:49 The Difference Between Purpose and Passion 05:34 Coaching People to Understand Their Purpose 08:08 What Is a Ripple Effect or Impact Map? 09:23 Workplace Lies and Breaking Out of Mental Ruts 12:17 How Elizabeth Deals With Feeling Trapped in a Rut 13:26 Balancing Risk and Opportunity 15:43 The Power of 15 Seconds of Courage 16:47 Reframing Challenges with “This Is My Chance” 19:21 Handling Difficult Meetings and Draining People 22:59 The Indispensable vs. Invaluable Mindset 24:48 How Our Identity Gets Entangled With Our Job 25:58 What Feedback Taught Elizabeth About Growth 29:19 Lessons About Identity and Self-Worth at Work 30:39 Helping Kids Learn They’re Never Powerless 32:52 End of Interview 33:20 Andy Comments After the Interview 38:52 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Elizabeth and her work at ElizabethLotardo.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 437 with Nada Sanders about future prepping your career in the age of AI. Episode 318 with Jon Stepper about his book Working Out Loud. Episode 213 with Christopher Avery about his book The Responsibility Process. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Self-Leadership, Motivation, Purpose, Passion, Agency, Feedback, Mindset, Career Development, Meaning at Work, Workplace Culture, Decision-Making, Project Management 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: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Andrew Brodsky about his new book, Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. The discussion covers key topics, such as the impact of typos, the use of emojis and exclamation points, and the importance of timely responses. Andrew highlights the pros and cons of different communication mediums, offering evidence-based recommendations on when to use email versus meetings, and the benefits of cameras on or off during virtual meetings. Practical advice is given on mimicking language to build trust, improving small talk to enhance virtual hallway interactions, and preparing younger generations for successful virtual communication. If you're looking for insights on how to lead and more effectively when you're not face-to-face, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “Regardless of whether you work from home, the office, hybrid, anywhere in between, we're now all virtual communicators.” “When you're writing an email, try to read the message in the opposite tone you intended.” “The shorter meetings are and the fewer participants there are, the more engaging they are.” “If it's a new relationship and you're trying to build trust, you're probably going to want your camera on.” “Sometimes a 30-second text can build more team cohesion than a full hour of meeting time." “We assume the recipient wants a response a lot quicker than they do.” “Typos in angry emails made the person seem angrier, and in happy emails made them seem happier.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Start of Interview 01:56 Andrew's Personal Story and Research 03:16 Defining Virtual Communication 04:53 The P of Ping: Perspective Taking 08:15 In-Person vs. Virtual Communication 11:14 Meeting Dynamics and Camera Use 16:09 Email Urgency and Response Expectations 21:34 Impact of Typos in Virtual Communication 22:58 Understanding Typos and Ambiguity in Virtual Communication 24:42 Using AI and Tools for Effective Communication 25:47 The Rise of Voice Notes and Their Impact 27:40 Emojis, Exclamation Points, and Language Mimicry 30:04 Bringing Small Talk into Virtual Interactions 32:48 Preparing Kids for Virtual Communication 35:13 End of Interview 35:40 Andy's Comments After the Interview 41:42 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Andrew and his book at ABrodsky.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 407 with Ben Guttman about his book Simply Put. It's an intriguing book on how to design clear messages. Episode 332 with Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel about their book on virtual teams. Episode 237 with Nick Morgan about his book on virtual communication. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Virtual Communication, Email Etiquette, Remote Work, Leadership, Team Cohesion, Productivity, Small Talk, Emotional Intelligence, AI Tools, Generational Differences The following music was used for this episode: Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this discussion, Andy welcomes back Kevin Eikenberry to talk about his new book Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. They discuss how leadership complexity increases with career progression and how Kevin’s book offers practical guidance on managing ambiguity. The conversation delves into the concept of flexible leadership, the impact of uncertainty versus fear, the importance of context in decision-making, and why organizations should be seen as both machines and organisms. They also touch on the significance of rituals and handling paradoxes in leadership. If you're looking for insights on how to lead and deliver despite uncertainty and ambiguity, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “Leadership in many ways hasn't changed for centuries.” “Fear has an endpoint... Anxiety has no end. And that's such a bigger challenge for us.” “We should be thinking pilot, not policy.” “Are organizations more like machines or more like organisms? Well, both are true.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:54 Start of Interview 00:24 What HASN'T Changed With Leadership 04:00 What Does Kevin NOT Mean by 'Flexible' Leadership? 06:19 Understanding Uncertainty and Fear 08:25 The Sense-Making Framework 12:58 Organizations: Machines or Organisms? 15:50 System One vs. System Two Thinking 18:29 Autopilot vs. Deliberate Decision Making 18:51 Understanding Flexors: Compliance vs. Commitment 19:11 The Flexor Concept in Leadership 22:53 Habits vs. Rituals: Navigating Uncertainty 25:49 Parenting and Leadership: Building Confidence 28:20 End of Interview 28:39 Andy's Comments After the Interview 33:13 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Kevin and his book at KevinEikenberry.com/Flexible-Leadership. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 54 with Roger L. Martin about his book The Opposable Mind Episode 47 with Henry Mintzberg about his book on why management is what we think it is. Episodes 360 and 455 with Janet Polach about her books to help us avoid mistakes as we grow as leaders. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Uncertainty, Fear, Organizational Behavior, Leadership Styles, Habits, Rituals, Ambiguity The following music was used for this episode: Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada 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

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Janet Polach, author of The Strategic Leader's Mindset: Unlocking the Keys to Success They discuss the struggles that come with the journey of transitioning from tactical to strategic roles. Janet shares insights from her book on how to develop a strategic mindset, work through people, and stay authentic. The conversation covers key challenges in leadership, such as delegation, decision-making under ambiguity, and the importance of authentic communication. Janet highlights the benefits of structured thinking time and the potential pitfalls of empowerment. The episode provides practical advice for new and experienced leaders aiming to move from day-to-day management to higher-level strategic thinking. Whether you're already at a higher level of leadership or want to prepare so you're ready for it, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “What I've discovered in coaching executive leaders is that it's about how do you think about things differently? How do you think more broadly? How do you take more risks? How do you lean into ambiguity?” “Surround yourself with people who are more courageous, who are more comfortable in ambiguity. You, as a leader, don’t have to be the perfectly all-knowing, courageous, ambiguous kind of leader.” “Set a timeline for the decision... after all, especially at the executive level, we always want more information. But there’s a diminishing return because you’ll lose the opportunity of time. So maybe by Friday you have three options; by the following Friday, you decide.” “How would we make this worse? So together... everybody has fun with this.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Start of Interview 02:57 What Stays the Same As Your Grow in Leadership? What Changes? 05:54 What It Means To Think Strategically 11:08 The Value of International Exposure 13:47 Empowering Others and Delegation 17:31 Handling Difficult Team Members 21:38 Understanding Employee Termination Fears 22:39 Decision Making Amidst Ambiguity 24:36 Techniques for Facilitating Meetings 26:43 Strategic Leader Success Stories 28:27 End of Interview 28:54 Andy Comments After the Interview 32:48 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Janet, her work, and her coaching services at JanetPolach.com/coaching. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 360 for my first interview with Janet about mistakes new managers make. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about making the leap to a new level of leadership. Episode 320 with Greg Githins about how to think strategically. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Strategic Mindset, Management, Empowerment, Decision Making, Authenticity, Culture, Coaching, Trust, Ambiguity The following music was used for this episode: Music: On Point by Steven O'Brien License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Christie Smith, a visionary leader and author, about her new book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. They discuss the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence and automation on various industries and how leaders can prepare for these changes. Christie shares insights on the unique challenges of modern leadership, as well as the importance of human-powered approaches. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptability, especially in a world increasingly reliant on technology. The conversation also touches on the concept of the Power Paradox, safeguarding connection in distributed work environments, and practical advice for parents on preparing their children for future work challenges. Wondering how to lead and deliver in this time of significant disruption? This episode is for you! Sound Bites “Leadership isn’t always comfortable. In fact, it can be really hard… it does mean speaking out.” “What’s unique about this time is the confluence of many things that leaders are having to face. It’s led to a war for skills instead of a war for talent.” “This isn’t soft work... we’re going to be in an economic crisis because leaders are not in tune to the humans that are in their organizations.” “100% of them said they knew they needed to do something... yet only 25% were even thinking of doing something about it.” “The issue isn’t that AI is taking over. The issue is AI must, as a regulator, have human intelligence.” “We need to move from emotional intelligence to emotional maturity.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Start Of Interview 02:00 Christie's Background And Early Influences 04:45 The Unique Challenges Of Modern Leadership 06:27 The Concept Of The Unicorn Job 07:53 Defining Human Powered Leadership 11:05 The Role Of AI In The Future Of Work 15:50 The Importance Of Connection In The Workplace 19:44 Adversity And Innovation: Lessons From History 23:19 Strategies For Building Team Connection 26:02 Building Engagement Through Simple Actions 26:53 The Importance Of Personal Check-Ins 27:12 Adapting Leadership Styles For Better Connection 29:12 Understanding The Power Paradox 31:44 Cultivating Insatiable Curiosity 34:08 Preparing Kids For The Future Workplace 37:17 End Of Interview 37:39 Andy Comments After The Interview 41:21 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Christie and her work at ChristieSmith.phd/. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 437 with Nada Sanders about her book The Humachine. Episode 382 with Hal Hershfield about balancing the now and the future. Episode 329 with Deborah Westphal about preparing your career and your team for the future. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: AI, Automation, Technology, Leadership, Organizational Culture, Engagement, Remote Teams, Future Of Work, Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Culture, Team Connection, Continuous Learning 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

Corinna Freitag, a coach specializing in helping STEM professionals, shares her valuable insights on enhancing interpersonal skills in project management. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptability in leadership. Corinna delves into the significance of cultural sensitivity and how understanding others can improve collaboration. The conversation also tackles self-sabotage, offering strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs. With practical advice, she aims to help listeners rekindle their love for Mondays and thrive in their careers.

Juliana Tafur, inaugural director of the Bridging Differences Program at UC Berkeley, discusses practical strategies for overcoming polarization. Growing up in divided Colombia shaped her perspective on conflict and connection. She explores the psychological roots of 'othering' and emphasizes listening as a transformative superpower. Juliana also introduces resources like the Campaign for Connection Challenge to foster empathy and dialogue. Her insights encourage a move away from labeling and highlight the importance of humility and curiosity in bridging divides.

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener, authors of the book Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection. The discussion explores the concept of radical listening, distinguishing it from active listening and emphasizing the importance of creating genuine connections through intent, curiosity, and acknowledgment. Christian and Robert share personal anecdotes and practical applications of their listening framework, both in professional settings and personal relationships. They also address the impact of cultural differences on listening practices and provide tips for parents to improve communication with their children. The conversation culminates in an insightful look at the barriers to effective listening and strategies to overcome them. Whether to help you with your teams at work or loved ones at home, this is a must-listen! Sound Bites "Your intention will guide your attention." "I started questioning active listening when I started thinking about how much I summarize when I’m with my friends, which is to say I never do it!" "If I just go in thinking, ‘What can I learn from the conversation?’ that is going to completely direct what I’m paying attention to." "Acknowledgement can’t just be, ‘I have goodwill towards you.’ It actually has to be demonstrated." "So one day I thought, ‘Look, I’ve been shouting, I’ve grounded the kid, I’ve taken away his computer, I’ve done everything… maybe I just need to understand what’s going on.’" "Not a small portion of my friends, colleagues, and family members were surprised to hear that I was writing a book on listening" Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Start of Interview 02:17 What Does Radical Listening NOT Mean? 04:54 Distinguishing Radical Listening from Active Listening 07:14 When Were You Recently in Listening Mode? 11:30 Handling Difficult Conversations with a Team Member 16:12 Difficult Conversation with a Relative With Different Political Views 20:22 Acknowledging and Interjecting in Conversations 28:22 Cultural Considerations in Radical Listening 28:53 Understanding Cultural Scripts in Conversations 33:21 The Importance of Respectful Listening 35:51 Personal Challenges in Listening 37:31 Applying Listening Skills in Parenting 42:06 End Of Interview 42:30 Andy Comments After The Interview 47:42 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Christian at CoachOnAMotorcycle.com. Also, learn more about Robert at RobertDiener.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 371 with Amanda Ripley about her book High Conflict. Episode 195 with Celeste Headlee about her book on communication. Episode 108 with Doug Stone about his book on receiving feedback. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Listening, Communication, Active Listening, Leadership, Relationships, Engagement, Cultural Sensitivity, Communication Skills, Project Management 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: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license