People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

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 single day. And then it's more revealed than it is built in those moments of challenge." "We need leaders of character, whether it's leaders of countries or organizations or project teams. Leaders of character stand out and make a difference." "People think character is the same as personality. Character is really around observable habits of behavior." "Anyone can learn this. Anyone can change those habits of behavior. You are not doomed to your circumstances and you are not doomed to your personality." "Who have I become while I've been busy doing? Who am I becoming while I'm busy doing? Who do I want to become while I'm busy doing?" "I have to find ways to be in a position where I can feel vulnerable and I can experience what it's like to make mistakes." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Start of Interview 01:39 What are some ways you saw character demonstrated in your family? 05:25 Myths and misconceptions about character 10:35 What is leader character? 12:42 Could be when instead of if someone has character? 17:17 Introducing the character framework 23:07 Can you have too much of an element of character? 30:01 Is nervousness before a presentation a matter of courage? 33:25 Finding our own Achilles heel with character 38:52 The power of micro-moments 44:39 Developing character at home 36:28 Three questions to ask 49:45 Interview Wrap Up 50:26 Andy Comments After the Interview 53:38 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mary at Ivey.UWO.ca. If you’d like more on this subject, check out Episode 139, with Fred Keil about his book on leadership and character. AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2935-imagefilm-034 License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy is joined by Veijo Hytti 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 treat each other like humans, I wouldn't be that worried." "Be open-minded, be curious, and I would also say, I'd also encourage people to try out some of these systems themselves." "You don't know that until you actually play with it." "The internet democratized information. And now that's what AI is doing, I mean, without having your own kind of insights or data, it will do the same thing for all of us because it's great." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:20 Start of Interview 08:00 Practical Applications of AI in Enterprise Software 10:21 Seamless AI Integration in Project Management Software 27:06 Challenges and Benefits of AI Integration 31:46 Ethical Considerations and Human Impact of AI 35:00 The Future Implications of AI in Project Management 36:42 End of Interview 37:12 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:46 Andy asks PMeLa about the Episode 45:16 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Keto Software at KetoSoftware.com. If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episodes 384 and 388, with PMeLa, our project management and leadership persona Episode 386, with Andy Tryba about how he is leveraging AI in the companies he leads AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Lullaby of Light Feat by Cory Friesenhan License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Laughing Children Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Jim Kouzes, an expert in leadership development, discusses timeless leadership principles in his book The Leadership Challenge. He emphasizes the importance of listening, inclusion, practicing leadership as a profession, and avoiding generational bias. Kouzes highlights the significance of deliberate practice and continuous improvement for effective leadership.

Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready, shares tips on improving presentations: avoid common mistakes, understand your audience, use Monroe's Motivated Sequence, handle nerves, and dress for success. She highlights teaching communication skills to youth and emphasizes the importance of preparation and persuasive communication.

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 the link between great meetings and great teams, highlighting the role of meetings in fostering collaboration, building relationships, and achieving project goals. Sound Bites "Meetings are a fact of life, often complained about but also often tolerated." "Connection before context. Before you start right into the meeting, make sure you have a little bit of social interaction." "Goblins are personalities that come out during meetings, and it's up to the meeting facilitator to recognize and address them." "Great meetings aren't just about agendas and facilitation techniques; they're about showing that you care about the project and the team." "Rosie the Reticent is the quiet version of Nadia the Naysayer." "Decision latency is one of the biggest reasons for project failures, so it's crucial to have the right people at meetings." "Understanding national, regional, and organizational cultures is important for effective meetings." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:17 Start of Interview 02:28 Why Do People Hate Meetings 05:06 Meeting Goblins 16:03 Virtual Meetings 19:50 Connection Before Context 20:53 Advantages and Warnings: Agile Standups 27:29 How Culture Impacts Meetings 34:42 When Too Many People Are Invited 41:53 AI and Meetings 47:38 The Link Between Great Meetings and Great Teams 51:26 Interview Wrap Up 52:00 Andy Comments After the Interview 54:16 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Rich, Jim, and their book here: Jim on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/jimstewartpmp/ Rich on LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/exclaim/ Their book on Amazon: click here If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episodes 72 and 246, with meeting researcher Steven Rogelberg Episode 245, with meeting guru J. Elise Keith AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   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: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S30Oxdmi1dg License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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 being understood." "If you can visualize a negative outcome closely enough, you train your body and mind to get through it, reducing the power that fear can have over you." "More Sherlock Holmes than Gordon Gecko." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Start of Interview 01:50 How is Hostage Negotiation Relevant To Business Leaders? 03:33 In What Ways Are We Always Negotiating?/li> 04:49 What Does It Mean to Harness Your Red Center? 08:34 Accepting Where You're At 11:04 Steps To Regulate Your Emotions 15:29 Scenario: Nerves Before The Big Presentation 21:21 When You Start to Doubt Yourself 22:31 MOREPIES 26:36 Feed Their Ego? 30:12 Lessons for Parents 33:21 Interview Wrap Up 33:47 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:37 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Scott and his book at ScottWalkerCoaching.com. If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episode 397, with Dr. Julia DiGangi about her book Energy Rising Episode 394, with Joshua Freedman about his book on emotional intelligence Episode 380, with Monica Guzman about her book on seeing problems from a different perspective, and Episode 185, with Mitch Warner about their book Leadership and Self-Deception AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: The Chillhouse by Frank Schroter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHu8e0nk_7g License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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 06:20 Introduction to the 5C's of Productivity 09:10 Learning to Say No 12:48 The List Funnel 18:02 Dealing With Procrastination 22:50 Tool Hacks for Productivity 25:52 Tips for Parents to Help Their Kids With Productivity 27:24 Thinking About Future You 28:38 Interview Wrap Up 29:08 Andy Comments After the Interview 34:03 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Laura and her book at LauraMaeMartin.com. Also, check out the Google Workspace YouTube channel that Laura mentions. You can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/@googleworkspace/playlists. If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episode 376, with Nick Sonnenberg about his book Come Up for Air Episode 385, with Vanessa Patrick about her book, The Power of Saying No AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10446-tropical-vibe License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Andy Kaufman interviews Ryan Hawk, host of the Learning Leader podcast and author of The Score That Matters. They discuss valuing excellence, self-awareness, and transformational relationships in leadership. Highlights include the dangers of comparison, the role of fear as fuel, and the importance of honest feedback.

Author K. Scott Griffith discusses the importance of managing risks in projects and organizations, emphasizing the need for creating a culture of safety and employee engagement. He highlights the process of managing risks, balancing risk and reward, and building reliable systems. The conversation provides thought-provoking insights and strategies for effective risk management in various contexts.

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 like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out: Episode 360, with Janet Polach, about her book for first time managers Episode 368, with Jim Wetrich, on where good leaders go wrong Episode 358, with Donato Tramuto, on compassionate leadership Join us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader--that’s why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It’s 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it’s all for free. Learn more and sign-up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license