People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

In this engaging conversation, James Turk, an executive coach and author of The Giving Game, shares his wisdom on navigating the leap from individual contributor to team leader. He emphasizes that expertise doesn’t guarantee effective leadership and outlines why the first 45 days are crucial. Listeners can expect practical tips on fostering team climate, the importance of clarity, and effective feedback. James also shares personal anecdotes on how emotional intelligence enhances leadership, making this a must-listen for new managers.

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Sabina Nawaz, global CEO coach and former Microsoft executive, about her new book You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. With authenticity and insight, Sabina shares what no one tells you about stepping into management, from the strange emptiness that can follow a promotion to how pressure can quietly bring out the worst in us. They discuss why even successful leaders can feel like imposters, how power and pressure distort our perceptions, and what it means to be an "innocent saboteur." Sabina also offers practical advice, such as developing your "shut up muscle," asking better questions, and making small habit changes that stick. The conversation covers everything from leadership in the workplace to parenting, making this one of those rare episodes with takeaways for every area of life. If you're looking for insights on how to grow as a leader without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "It's not power that corrupts. It's pressure that corrupts." "If nobody's giving you the full truth, what are the ways you might be going off track?" "When you're under pressure, do nothing. That's counterintuitive but that's where insight lives." "The more righteous you feel, the more you need to consider alternative stories." "Use 'Say more' when you're curious—and especially when you're judgmental." "The only way to overachieve is to underachieve—start with micro habits." "You're not the only one with imposter syndrome—CEOs have it too." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:15 Start of Interview 02:24 "Can you think of anything from your family culture or experiences growing up that may have influenced how you think about leadership?" 05:08 "You describe getting promoted as a strange emptiness—what were the signs it came with unexpected costs?" 07:17 "Do you see imposter syndrome even in top-level leaders you coach?" 08:21 "How does embracing the complexity of leadership change how we view our own leaders?" 10:04 "How do we unknowingly sabotage ourselves as leaders?" 12:09 "What are some of the signs that you're veering off track as a boss?" 13:10 "What specific things do you personally do to manage pressure situations so you don't become a monster?" 17:13 "You say, 'stay small longer than you think you need to.' What does that mean and how do you apply it?" 21:07 "What is a singular story and how do we rescue ourselves from believing them?" 26:20 "What's the 'shut up muscle' and how do you develop it?" 29:02 "Can you think of ideas from the book that apply to parenting as well?" 31:44 End of Interview 32:09 Andy Comments After the Interview 37:40 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Sabina and her work at SabinaNawaz.com/book. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 455 with Janet Polach. It's a great follow-on to what we talked with Sabina here today. Episode 456 with Kevin Eikenberry. Leading at the next level up comes with a lot of ambiguity that can shake our confidence. Kevin hits that topic head on—I think you'll get value out of it. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about his book The Leap to Leader. Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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, Management, Power Dynamics, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Communication, Organizational Culture, Habits, Imposter Syndrome, Pressure, Stress The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Josefine Campbell, a leadership coach and author of '12 Tools for Managing a Selfish Leader,' shares valuable insights on navigating toxic workplace dynamics. She offers practical tools like the 'Stress Staircase' for identifying stress in yourself and your team. Josefine emphasizes that while you can't change a selfish boss, you can transform your self-management approach. Learn to recognize manipulative behaviors and reclaim your well-being with techniques like breathing exercises and effective communication strategies.

Kari Mirabal, a networking expert and author of 'You Already Have the No', shares her dynamic strategies for building authentic relationships in challenging career moments. She emphasizes the importance of networking early and often, dispelling fears around asking for help. With practical tips for leveraging LinkedIn and navigating job interviews, Kari also discusses the balance between AI and human connection in job searching. Her expertise empowers listeners to strengthen their personal brands and cultivate confidence.

Dave Garrison, author of The Buy-In Advantage, delves into the roots of employee disengagement and offers strategies to inspire genuine commitment. He highlights the difference between mere engagement and true buy-in, stressing the importance of emotional investment. Garrison critiques traditional management tactics that often fail and underscores the need for leaders to embrace curiosity and clarity. He also discusses how personalized recognition and inclusive decision-making can significantly boost team morale and collaboration.

In this engaging discussion, Faisal Hoque—author of 'Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI'—shares his philosophical insights on the evolving human-AI relationship. He stresses that AI should be seen as a mirror reflecting our biases, challenging listeners to engage critically with technology. Faisal introduces the OPEN and CARE frameworks, offering actionable strategies for leaders to innovate responsibly. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal agency in decisions influenced by AI while navigating a tech-driven world.

Dr. Margie Warrell, bestselling author and global leadership expert, dives into the intricacies of courage and fear. She reveals that courage isn’t the absence of fear but the ability to act despite it. Margie discusses how personal stories shape our reality and the impact of overachieving on fear. She emphasizes communication's role in overcoming anxiety and practical steps to face difficult conversations. With insights from her book, she empowers listeners to close their 'courage gap' and lead with confidence.

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Dr. Patricia Grabarek, co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. Patricia is an industrial-organizational psychologist and co-founder of Workr Beeing. She brings her expertise in workplace wellness, leadership behavior, and employee engagement to this timely conversation about how leaders can improve not just productivity, but people's lives. They explore the surprising truth that employee wellness isn't about perks like step challenges or mindfulness apps--it's about leadership. Patricia shares the difference between Generator leaders and Extinguisher leaders, how "Struggle Statements" foster psychological safety, and the simple yet powerful behaviors that make a lasting impact on your team's wellbeing. From practical strategies for setting boundaries to powerful recovery practices, this conversation offers a playbook for leaders who want to create sustainable performance through human-centered leadership. If you're looking for insights on how to lead with empathy while driving results, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "What we learned is that people think about wellness holistically. It's very individual." "You can't yoga your way out of a toxic work environment." "Most leaders don't wake up and think, 'I'm going to extinguish my team today.' It happens slowly and unconsciously." "I don't think anyone's waking up and being like, I wanna make work suck for everybody around me today!" "Leaders are people. They fail at things. They're not always doing well. And when you have this ideal leader, that's the persona you're putting on, then your employees don't trust you." "Your behavior as a leader is the most powerful wellness intervention you can offer." "When leaders share their struggles, it creates a ripple effect of trust." "If you want your team to respect boundaries, you have to model them first." "Employees don't leave jobs—they leave leaders who extinguish them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Start of Interview 02:11 What is Wellness? 04:05 Generators vs. Extinguishers 07:30 When Someone is an Inconsistent Extinguisher 08:57 What are Struggle Statements? 12:50 Recognizing Burnout and Its Signs 15:51 Strategies for Post-Work Recovery 18:12 The Role of Control With Stress 19:57 An Example of Someone Transforming How They Lead for Wellness 22:11 Organizational Wellness: What's Not Working? 23:53 Authenticity and Role Modeling in Leadership 26:20 Balancing Work and Life: Integrators vs. Segmenters 27:06 Fostering Wellness at Home 27:51 End of Interview 28:20 Andy Comments After the Interview 34:35 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Patricia and her work at WorkrBeeing.com/book. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 448 with Marie-Helene Pelletier about her book The Resilience Plan. Episode 398 with Dr. Neha Sangwan about her book on burnout. Episode 324 with Jim Harter from Gallup about building resilient cultures. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Employee Wellness, Psychological Safety, Burnout, Team Culture, Vulnerability, Work-Life Balance, Authenticity, Empathy, Boundaries, Recovery, Organizational Health The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this 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