People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

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

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Mark Miller about his book Uncommon Greatness: Five Fundamentals to Transform Your Leadership. They discuss the importance of having leaders who believe in and invest in their teams, contrasting common leaders with those who strive for uncommon greatness. The conversation explores Mark’s journey from a vocational track student to a senior leader at Chick-fil-A, highlighting lessons from his childhood and career. Key topics include seeing the future, engaging and developing others, the power of community in teams, and the importance of lifelong learning. If you're looking to level up your ability to lead, this is a great episode for you! Sound Bites "When I walk in a room, I'm trying to figure out how I can add the most value. And sometimes that is to take charge, and sometimes it's to take out the trash." "The differentiator is the level of care and concern people have for each other." "Certainty is not ours to provide — but clarity is." "Lifelong learning is the only path to more influence, impact, and opportunity." "If you’re not pursuing something, you’re not leading." "You don’t want to call them out--you want to call them up." "It's not just about personal excellence--it's about making others better." "It’s not about grand gestures. Engagement is built over time through consistent, intentional actions." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Start of Interview 02:50 Mark's Backstory 06:08 A Latin Word to Lead By 07:45 It's More Than Personal Excellence 11:38 How To See the Future 16:45 Maintaining a Customer Bias 18:04 How to Engage and Develop Others 31:12 Advice for Parents 34:03 End Of Interview 34:21 Andy Comments After The Interview 37:16 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mark and his book at LeadEveryDay.com/Uncommon-Greatness. Also, reach out to Mark via his mobile phone at 678-612-8441. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 410 with Ryan Hawk about his book on excellence. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about his wonderfully engaging book on becoming a leader. Episode 252 with the Father of the Strengths Movement, Marcus Buckingham. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Team Development, Engagement, Personal Excellence, High-Performance Teams, Lifelong Learning, Influence 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

Summary In this conversation, Andy interviews Dave Garrett, a senior advisor to the CEO at Project Management Institute (PMI). They discuss the evolving definitions of project success, emphasizing the need to go beyond traditional metrics of scope, time, and cost to include value and customer-centric outcomes. Dave shares insights from his extensive experience and PMI's research, introducing the Net Project Success Score (NPSS) and strategies to enhance project success. Topics include the importance of managing perceptions, owning project success beyond metrics, relentlessly reassessing project parameters, and expanding perspectives. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on project management, practical applications of generative AI, and how project managers can leverage these tools to improve effectiveness. Wondering what the future of project management looks like? Join us for this discussion! Sound Bites "Value is a tricky thing to pin down." “The Sydney Opera House is a classic example of a project that was considered a failure for a very long time because of cost overruns. It overran from a time perspective, even to a point where the public was very upset about it… over time became known as one of the more successful projects ever." "Project success is not binary." Our research found that your project success score will double if you do three things: if you set goals up front, if you put in place a system of measurement that aligns and guides decision making, and if you track progress along the way." "Success can't be, 'I guess we didn't suck!'" Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Start of Interview 01:30 Dave's Backstory 03:22 What Dave Does at PMI 03:59 Defining Project Success Beyond Traditional Metrics 08:03 Perception and Success 14:50 Introducing the Net Project Success Score 19:11 MORE Framework for Project Success 23:13 The Value of Being Customer-Centric 24:28 AI's Role in Project Management 31:31 PMI Resources 34:21 End Of Interview 34:39 Andy Comments After The Interview 38:58 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Project Management Institute at pmi.org. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 424 with Karla Eidem, who joined us to talk about project management trends. Episode 319 with Sierra Hampton-Simmons from PMI about the PMP exam. Episode 253 with one of the most passionate advocates of PMI: Lee Lambert Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working Topics: Project Management, Value, Success Metrics, Stakeholder Engagement, AI, PMI, Research, Project Success

In this enlightening conversation, Marie-Helene Pelletier, a seasoned work psychologist and leader in workplace psychology, shares her insights on resilience and burnout. She underscores that resilience is a fluctuating state, not a fixed trait, emphasizing the need for strategic planning in enhancing it. Marie discusses identifying cognitive pitfalls and balancing life's demands to prevent burnout. She offers practical strategies for creating personalized resilience plans and highlights the role of parents in nurturing resilience in their children.

Michael Chad Hoeppner, author and communication coach, shares powerful insights on mastering effective speaking. He challenges the myth that public speaking is only for a few, emphasizing that everyone engages in daily communication. Hoeppner reveals how filler words like 'um' are just symptoms of anxiety. He promotes practical drills like the GK Lego exercise to enhance delivery and encourages embracing natural speech. Discussing AI's impact, he stresses that the real skill is in connecting authentically with listeners in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Summary In this conversation, Andy talks with Adam Galinsky about his new book Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others. Adam discusses the elements that make a leader truly inspiring, debunking the myth that inspirational qualities are innate rather than developed. The conversation covers Adam's Inspiring Trifecta (being visionary, an exemplar, and a mentor) along with the leader amplification effect. Additionally, they explore actionable strategies from Adam's research, including the importance of perspective-taking, the impact of the leader amplification commitment, and techniques for improving self-awareness and daily practices for sustained inspiration. Looking for practical advice to inspire those around you? This episode is for you! Sound Bites “It’s not, ‘Are you inspiring or infuriating?’ It’s, ‘Are you currently inspiring or infuriating?” “Your passion can become their passion. Your calmness in a crisis can become their calmness. But on the flip side, your anxiety can become their anxiety.” “Never tell someone, ‘We need to talk,’ without telling them why.” “What if every single morning, over a cup of coffee, you sent one email just thanking someone for something they did?” “Shame turns us into ostriches. Guilt moves us toward action.” “To be visionary, you don’t need to be loud—you need to be clear.” “Your leadership isn’t just what you say—it’s what people see.” “The question isn’t ‘Are you a great leader?’ The question is, ‘What are you doing right now that makes you one?” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:37 Start Of Interview 01:45 What Inspired You To Get Into Psychology? 02:51 What Are Some Common Myths About Inspiration? 03:49 Do You Have to Be Extroverted to Be Inspiring? 05:51 What's The Difference Between Inspiring and Infuriating Leaders? 08:48 Why You Should Never Say "We Need to Talk" 13:45 What Is the Leader Amplification Effect? 19:07 How Can I Better Get Someone Else's Perspective? 22:59 How Does Adam Overcome Feeling Insecure? 25:21 What's The Role of Self-Talk In Helping Us Be Inspiring? 29:15 How Does Ranking Our Values Help? 30:56 How Does Adam Practice Being Inspiring (Introduction to REAP) 32:43 Advice for Parents 36:11 End Of Interview 36:34 Andy Comments After The Interview 42:11 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Adam and his work at AdamGalinsky.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episodes 416 and 153 with Jim Kouzes about leadership. Episode 362 with Ayelet Fishbach about her book on motivation. Episode 94 with Heidi Grant and Torry Higgins about their work on motivation. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Inspiration, Leadership, Communication, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Parenting, 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: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this conversation, Andy interviews Manu Kapur about his book Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing. They explore the concept of learning through failure and how it can be intentionally designed to enhance understanding and retention. They discuss the importance of context in learning and the science behind memory. Manu and Andy discuss practical strategies for effective learning, particularly in relation to project management and certification exams. Manu introduces the notion of productive failure and its significance in the learning process. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with challenges, understanding the four A's of learning, and applying these principles in real-world scenarios. Manu even shares some ideas for how parents can help their kids reframe how they look at failure. Want to improve your memory? Learn faster? This episode is for you! Sound Bites “If you want to remember, try forgetting a little so that you can use forgetting to remember.” “Why do we wait for failure to happen instead of designing for it deliberately and intentionally?” “Learning doesn’t just happen when you succeed—it’s the failure signal that tells you you’re in the right place to grow.” “Knowledge gets coupled with the context, the smells, and the sights in which you’re learning it.” “If everything in your life has a success signal, don’t be too happy—chances are you’re playing it too safe.” “We should totally change how we introduce ourselves at parties: guess each other’s names!” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:31 Start Of Interview 03:55 Understanding Productive Failure 05:22 The Problems of Learning: Remembering, Understanding, and Transfer 08:58 The Theory of Disuse 11:39 The Fascinating Concept of Situated Cognition 16:00 Why Getting Questions Wrong Helps You Learn 20:34 Understanding the Zone of Proximal Development 23:06 Designing for Productive Failure 28:33 Applying Failure Concepts in Parenting 32:12 End Of Interview 32:34 Andy Comments After The Interview 37:52 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Manu and his work at ManuKapur.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 15 with Ralph Heath about his book on celebrating failure. Episode 432 with Ross Garland regarding why projects fail. Episode 116 with Jim Johnson for another discussion about why projects fail. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Productive Failure, Learning, Memory, Project Management, Education, Teaching, Zone Of Proximal Development, Innovation 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: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license