Podcasts about PMP

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. Steve has been laid off four times over the course of his career, and those experiences shaped a thoughtful, practical framework for navigating the emotional and professional aftermath of job loss. Andy and Steve explore why layoffs feel so personal even when we are told they are not, how identity often gets tangled up with job titles, and why the emotional response to a layoff closely mirrors the stages of grief. Steve explains why those stages are not linear, what denial, pain, and negotiation really look like in practice, and why trying to rush straight to acceptance can backfire. You will also hear practical advice for leaders who must conduct layoffs, as well as guidance for professionals who worry they might be laid off in the future. From preserving dignity in difficult conversations to preparing financially, emotionally, and professionally before uncertainty hits, this discussion offers insight for both sides of the table. If you are navigating uncertainty, supporting others through change, or simply want to be better prepared for whatever comes next, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "I wanted to give people a roadmap to process their layoff and the grief of their layoff in months rather than years." "One of the things that makes losing a job difficult is we tie our identity up in what we do." "And then in that period, before you've landed your next job, you're in this messy middle of Who am I?" "Define yourself not by what you do, but by who you are and what you bring to the table." "I've seen people be named Employee of the Year in January, and by June they're getting laid off." "Layoffs don't measure your worth. They measure a company's priorities." "The stages of grief are not linear. You can feel all of them in one day." "Your job title is not who you are." "Acceptance can become a way to skip discomfort instead of dealing with loss." "If you don't process the grief, it shows up later as baggage." "Dignity matters in the first minutes of a layoff conversation." "You want to build your network before you need it." "The person you were before a layoff will not be the same person after." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Start of Interview 02:00 From First Layoff to Fourth: Taking It Personally 02:50 How the Layoff Process Has Changed Over Time 06:52 The Messy Middle Between Job Loss and What's Next 10:40 Why the Stages of Grief Apply to Layoffs 14:07 What Denial Looked Like in Steve's Experience 17:19 Balancing Emotional Honesty and Professional Reputation 22:08 The Quote That Opens the Book 23:00 Can You Jump to Acceptance Too Quickly? 24:58 When Past Layoffs Create Baggage at the Next Job 26:42 Advice for Leaders Who Have to Do Layoffs 28:55 Handling Performance-Based Separations with Integrity 30:40 How to Prepare Now If You Worry About Being Laid Off 32:46 End of Interview 33:33 Andy Comments After the Interview 37:37 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Steve and his work at TheSteveJaffe.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 163. A short three-minute video Andy put together about what to do before losing your job. Episode 310 with Jeff Gothelf, about how to let your next job find you. Episode 230 with Scott Belsky. Not specifically about layoffs, but full of insights on careers, growth, and the hiring process. Level Up Your AI Skills In the outtakes, Andy and Steve talk about how AI is changing the workplace. If you want to be better prepared for an AI-infused future, check out our AI Made Simple course. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam 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. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! 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 five 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: Business Acumen Topics: Leadership, Layoffs, Career Transitions, Organizational Change, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Identity at Work, Grief, Workforce Planning, Change Management, Professional Development 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

Premium This is a preview of our premium episode. Full access is available only to premium subscribers. Click here and learn about the Premium Podcast to access this interview and transcript... Play audio-only preview episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary Leadership is not defined by rank, title, or position, but by how well leaders take care of their people. In this conversation, Cornelius Fichtner speaks with Sergeant Major Jill E. Johnson about leadership grounded in service, trust, and responsibility. Drawing from more than two decades of military experience, including deployments and senior enlisted leadership roles, Jill explains how effective leaders build commitment by focusing on people before personal advancement. She shares how early career experiences, unexpected recommendations, and continuous preparation shaped her leadership path, even when she did not initially plan to pursue a long-term military career.

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Andrew Wittman, former Marine, police officer, federal agent, and leadership coach, about his new book Inner Armor: Perpetual Resilience. If you lead projects and teams, you already know pressure is coming. The real question is what you do when it arrives. Andrew explains why the brain can work against you under stress, and how the questions you ask yourself shape the options you can see. You'll learn the Two Minute Rule and how it can help you shift from "we can't" thinking into problem-solving mode. Andy and Andrew also explore how filters and assumptions influence what leaders notice, why limitation can be more dangerous than fear, and what it looks like to build a First Responder Mindset so you can hold your poise when stakeholders push back. They close with a powerful discussion on identity and a practical look at raising resilient kids. If you're looking for insights on leading with clarity and composure when the stakes are high, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The first thing you have to understand about the brain is that it is the original search engine. Like it has to answer a question." "The brain knows that you're a genius. Even if you don't consciously recognize that you're a genius, your brain knows it. It'll never go against your genius self. So if you say things like, I don't know how we could do this, your brain says, 'Oh, we don't know.' So it stops searching completely for any answer." "Just for two minutes, pretend that you could do it. It's amazing that your brain will just go to work and find like 15 ways you actually could do it, whereas seconds ago, we thought we couldn't." "When bad news happens, get happy. Whenever you hear bad news, you should get happy because this is your biggest opportunity to have the greatest comeback ever." "My question is, no matter what the bad news is, I'm going to ask myself this: how can I use this to my greatest possible advantage?" "I want to know what the holes in this project are. I don't want to hear rainbows and sunshine, right? Positive thinking will get you killed quicker than negative thinking." "We take in 11 million bits of information per second. Every second we see, hear, feel, touch, 11 million bits. Only 126 bits go to our conscious mind for action, which means we're filtering out 99.9% of all that information." "When you walk into a room, and you think no one supports you, you're going to see every cue that you could find to back that up. And you'll discard anything that would go against that." "The world is always ready to define you if you don't define yourself." "My identity: I'm a man of excellence who always keeps his word. I aspire to always keep my word. And so everything that I do is pre-decided by that identity." "Excellence is if I give my best effort, I could sleep tonight." "Welcome to Planet Earth, everybody has to deal with the externals. It's the great equalizer. We all have to deal with it. You're not special. I hate to tell you, CEO, you're not special." "Those pressure situations, they don't create your habits. They actually reveal them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Start of Interview 02:07 Andrew's Backstory and Early Influences 04:23 Unhelpful Questions Under Pressure and the Two Minute Rule 07:27 Applying the Two Minute Rule When a Key Dependency Slips 12:12 Training Practices to Make Resilience Automatic 16:49 Recognizing When Your Filter Is the Real Problem 18:33 Exposing Assumptions and Filters in Project Plans 22:21 A Personal Example of Misreading a Situation 25:10 How Beliefs Shape What You Notice in a Room 27:35 Why Limitation Is More Dangerous Than Fear 32:02 Building a First Responder Mindset and Holding Poise 36:07 Identity and Defining Yourself 40:37 Parenting Practices That Build Resilience in Kids 43:17 End of Interview 43:42 Andy Comments After the Interview 47:47 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Andrew and his work at GetWarriorTough.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 448 with Marie-Helene Pelletier. It's an insightful discussion on resilience and burnout, and I think it would be a great follow-up to this discussion with Andrew. Episode 477 with Jess Baker. She's a business psychologist and coach who offers a refreshing perspective on how to increase your resilience at work and in life. Episode 398 with Dr. Neha Sangwan. It's an episode that will give you another perspective on avoiding burnout for you and your teams. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! 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! 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 our 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 Topics: Leadership, Resilience, Stress Management, Decision Making, Mindset, Emotional Regulation, Stakeholder Management, Communication, Self-Leadership, Identity, Team Performance 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: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification can be a career game-changer. What's the best way to study for the exam? How do you stay motivated through months of preparation? What's the difference between taking the exam in-person or online? We discuss this with Kelly Heuer, PhD, CAPM, VP of learning at PMI in Brooklyn, New York, USA; Fernanda Sa, PMP, procurement coordinator at Meta Reality Labs via Mackin Talent in Bellevue, Washington, USA; and Prabhjeet Singh, PMP, project manager at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C. Key themes01:09 Why earn the PMP certification? 04:52 How to create a study plan for the PMP exam09:07 Ways to stay motivated while studying for the PMP12:01 How PMI can help you prepare for the PMP exam17:03 Taking the PMP exam online or in-person20:40 How the PMP certification affects project careers23:41 Advice for the PMP certification exam

Sheree Wolliston, PMP: Community Impact, Grief, Leadership, and Building Systems That Actually Work Recorded January 28, 2026Interview length: 60 minutesEpisode DescriptionIn this episode of Diversified Game, Kellen Coleman sits down with Sheree Wolliston, PMP, a community impact leader with nearly two decades of experience across government and nonprofit work. Sheree shares how life experience, faith, and leadership shaped her career, including her journey from the Housing Authority to major community health work, and her recent step into a national health leadership role.This conversation goes deeper than titles. Sheree opens up about grief, losing her husband to sudden cardiac arrest, the role of therapy and community, and what it means to advocate for your health before it becomes an emergency. Please visit my website to get more information: http://diversifiedgame.com/

Send us a textWe take a break this week and recover from BICSI and a cold.  Today we explore how BICSI's PM 102 and the RTPM credential give ICT project managers practical tools they can use right away. From project charters and stakeholder risk to network diagrams and earned value, we focus on what speeds delivery and keeps budgets on track.• PM 101 vs PM 102 and who each serves• Project charter, stakeholder mapping, and risk planning• Network diagrams and finding the true critical path• Earned value management tied to measurable outputs• Change control that protects margin and schedule• Why RTPM fits ICT better than a generalist PMP• Using PM 102 hours toward PMP requirements• Virtual and in-person training options and tools• RTPM exam process, Pearson VUE, and handbook• Career path choices between RCDD and PM tracks• Visual field communication and simple daily goals• Hybrid conferences, global access, and learning cultureIf you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced?If you're listening on one of the podcast platforms, would you mind giving us a five-star rating?Support the showKnowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH#CBRCDD #RCDD

In this episode, Ricardo analyzes the 21st edition of the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026, highlighting the end of predictability and the beginning of the so-called "era of competition." The report points to a more turbulent global scenario, with 50% of leaders predicting instability in the next two years, driven by geoeconomic confrontation that threatens global supply chains. Ricardo explains that in the economic field, high global debt and increased spending on defense, energy transition, and artificial intelligence make capital more expensive and scarcer, requiring extreme financial rigor in projects. Misinformation intensifies social polarization. As a strategic response, the report proposes a "coalition of the willing": moving forward with truly committed groups, without waiting for total consensus. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste episódio, Ricardo analisa a 21ª edição do Relatório de Riscos Globais 2026, do Fórum Econômico Mundial, destacando o fim da previsibilidade e o início da chamada “era da competição”. O relatório aponta um cenário global mais turbulento, com 50% dos líderes prevendo instabilidade nos próximos dois anos, impulsionada pela confrontação geoeconômica, que ameaça cadeias globais de suprimentos. Ricardo explica que no campo econômico, o elevado endividamento global e o aumento dos gastos com defesa, transição energética e inteligência artificial tornam o capital mais caro e escasso, exigindo rigor financeiro extremo nos projetos. A desinformação intensifica a polarização social. Como resposta estratégica, o relatório propõe a “coalizão dos dispostos”: avançar com grupos realmente comprometidos, sem esperar consenso total. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary Project requirements rarely change because teams lack discipline. More often, change starts long before a project manager ever joins the work. Early product decisions define priorities, assumptions, and constraints that quietly shape delivery outcomes. In this conversation, Cornelius Fichtner speaks with Lee Fischman about why project managers so often inherit projects that feel impossible and how product thinking influences what gets built, how success is defined, and how much flexibility exists when reality shifts. The discussion connects product management, project execution, and leadership behavior, showing how unclear intent, untested value assumptions, and early commitments lead to ongoing requirement changes later in delivery.

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Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Olivia Montgomery, Associate Principal Analyst at Capterra and a PMP. They discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping project management tools, skills, and expectations. Olivia brings a rare perspective, combining hands-on experience leading a PMO with years of research into how organizations evaluate, adopt, and struggle with project management software. Olivia and Andy explore why buying AI-powered tools is often easy, but realizing real value from them is much harder. Olivia explains the shift from buying software based on seat count to buying based on capability, why security is both the top source of satisfaction and frustration, and how unclear success metrics can quietly derail adoption. They also dig into the hidden risks of delegating too much to AI, including data governance blind spots and misplaced trust in tools that feel intuitive but have real limitations. You'll also hear why emotional intelligence is becoming more important as technology advances, how PMs can stress-test AI tools before committing, and which skills will separate the next generation of project leaders from the rest. If you're trying to prepare for the future of AI, tools, and skills in project management, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Buying tools is very easy. Realizing the value is extremely difficult." "Security is not IT's job. It's the whole company's job." "If your main metric is just 'use AI,' that's a red flag." "AI is very good at predicting what is most likely to happen next, and terrible at predicting black swan events." "Emotional intelligence is what helps you move forward when technology can't." "Use AI to generate a first draft. That's the safest place to start." "If you don't know the topic well yourself, you won't spot when AI gets it wrong." "Confidence in AI can grow faster than readiness, and that's where problems start." "AI can flag a risk, but it cannot tell you why people are stuck." "Data governance is going to set project managers apart in the future." "No matter what job you have in ten years, emotional intelligence will still matter." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Start of Interview 02:10 Olivia's Role and Career Path 06:53 Shifts in How Organizations Choose PM Software 08:23 The Security Satisfaction and Frustration Paradox 11:25 Why AI Tools Are Easy to Buy but Hard to Use Well 20:18 Warning Signs of Overconfidence in AI 24:03 How to Stress-Test AI Tools Before Buying 27:50 Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More with AI 34:28 The Future of Project Management Software 40:08 Skills That Will Define the Next Generation of PMs 45:20 Where to Follow Olivia's Work 46:20 End of Interview 46:40 Andy Comments After the Interview 49:15 Outtakes Learn More You can follow Olivia Montgomery and her research on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/olivia-montgomery. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 479 with Matt Mong, about the AI skills you need to stay relevant in the years ahead Episode 463 with Faisal Hoque, on how to transcend the fear and hype around AI Episode 384 with PMeLa, the first-ever interview with an AI on a leadership or project management podcast Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam 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! 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: Business Acumen Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Project Management Software, Project Management, Business Acumen, Data Governance, Security, Emotional Intelligence, AI Adoption, Future Of Work, Leadership Skills, Technology Strategy 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

In Episode 3 of Pharmacist-Prescribed, hosts Mary Kucek, PMP, Founder and CEO of OvaryIt, and Devin Bustin, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OvaryIt, explore how pharmacies can turn clinical services into sustainable, profitable offerings. The episode breaks down patient acquisition strategies, common billing and reimbursement challenges, staffing considerations, and how pharmacies can integrate clinical care without increasing overhead. Listeners will also learn how technology and policy changes, including the ECAPS Act, play a critical role in positioning pharmacists for long-term success as providers. Learn more about PRISM or request a demo at https://www.getprismrx.com

Margo M. McKenna Benoit, MD, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Chair of the AAO-HNSF Guidelines Task Force, joins Maria Michaels, MBA, PMP, Immediate Past Chair of the Guidelines International Network (GIN) North America, to explore the transformation of clinical practice guidelines from static PDFs into dynamic, real-time clinical tools. Together, they tackle a sobering reality: it takes an average of 17 years for scientific evidence to reach clinical practice. Learn how the Guidelines Task Force evaluates and prioritizes new guideline topics, what makes a guideline truly "digitized" versus a traditional document, and how embedding guideline logic directly into EMR workflows can support clinicians without disrupting practice autonomy. Dr. McKenna Benoit and Michaels discuss strategies for reducing development cycle times, the concept of "living guidelines" that evolve with emerging evidence, and the role of health IT standards and AI in scaling evidence-based recommendations across healthcare systems while maintaining the scientific rigor that makes AAO-HNSF guidelines among the most cited publications in the specialty.

In this episode, Ricardo warns against a common mistake in organizations: believing that more tools and software mean more maturity. Many companies invest in expensive platforms, dashboards, and impeccable reports, but continue to make poor decisions. Tools don't create maturity; they only highlight what already exists. If there is no prioritization, clear criteria, and decisions, technology only organizes the confusion. Teams end up spending more time feeding systems than thinking about projects. Abundant indicators do not compensate for the absence of priorities. Maturity is not about having the best software, but about knowing who decides, based on what criteria, and what changes when something deviates from the plan. Without this, any tool becomes just a digital ornament. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste episódio, Ricardo alerta para um erro comum nas organizações: acreditar que mais ferramentas e softwares significam mais maturidade. Muitas empresas investem em plataformas caras, dashboards e relatórios impecáveis, mas continuam tomando decisões ruins. Ferramentas não criam maturidade; elas apenas evidenciam o que já existe. Se não há priorização, critérios claros e decisões, a tecnologia só organiza a confusão. Times acabam gastando mais tempo alimentando sistemas do que pensando nos projetos. Indicadores abundantes não compensam a ausência de prioridades. Maturidade não é ter o melhor software, mas saber quem decide, com base em quais critérios e o que muda quando algo sai do plano. Sem isso, qualquer ferramenta vira apenas um enfeite digital. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh, co-authors of In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work. In a world still grappling with virtual work, Peter and Ranya challenge us to take a fresh look at the workplace. Not just where we do work, but how that space shapes learning, culture, visibility, and performance. In this conversation, you'll hear what gets lost when teams are always virtual, why hybrid work often underdelivers, and how proximity plays a surprising role in mentoring, innovation, and even career progression. Peter and Ranya explore how organizational culture shifts when people are rarely together, and what leaders can do to intentionally design experiences that rebuild connection—even across distance. You'll walk away with insights on how to lead hybrid teams more effectively, how to help team members think differently about in-person time, and why space is not just a backdrop to work—it's a contributor to how work gets done. If you're leading a team in today's hybrid landscape and wondering what really matters, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Remote work disembodies employees and limits their capacity to build relationships, learn informally, and get noticed." "The most frequent way people got promoted was by being visible to their managers." "Slack and Teams are a poor substitute for face-to-face interactions and a terrible way to learn culture or figure out who knows what." "Informal communication is essential to how work gets done, and it doesn't happen easily when everyone is remote." "Hybrid sounds great in theory, but it rarely delivers the benefits of in-person work unless it's intentionally designed." "People don't always know what they need to know, and much of what's important is learned indirectly." "We're not saying remote doesn't work. But we are saying there are trade-offs, and many companies haven't fully reckoned with them." "One big problem with hybrid is that it often ends up being asynchronous. No one's in at the same time." "The office was never perfect, but it enabled certain human processes that are hard to replicate at a distance." "If you're going to make remote or hybrid work well, it requires real investment in new systems and norms, not just wishful thinking." "We have to be honest about what we're losing, not just what we're gaining." "Serendipitous learning is one of the most underappreciated losses of remote work." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Start of Interview 01:45 What Is There to Praise About Remote Work? 04:34 Why Is the Push to Return Happening Now? 09:51 What Do We Lose with Remote Work? 13:18 What Problems Persist in Hybrid Models? 17:40 What Are Companies Doing to Make Hybrid Work? 20:20 Advice for Leading Hybrid Project Teams 25:42 Advice for Individual Contributors Navigating Hybrid Work 29:59 How Culture Shapes Remote and Office Decisions 33:14 Lessons from Co-Writing the Book 35:59 End of Interview 36:32 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:15 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Peter at mgmt.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/cappelli and about Ranya at RanyaNehmeh.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 457 with Andrew Brodsky. It's an insightful take on how we can avoid the mistakes that happen when teams are not collocated, with an author who I think is a future Adam Grant. Episode 361 with Yasmina Khelifi, who joined us to talk about leading virtual teams, specifically across cultures. Yasmina is a hands-on project manager so you can hear her take from that perspective. Episode 22 with Keith Ferrazzi. It's a discussion about his book Who's Got Your Back? and it contains ideas that I still use, over a decade after talking with Keith. 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! 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: Business Acumen Topics: Leadership, Hybrid Teams, Remote Work, Organizational Culture, Career Development, Team Collaboration, Psychological Safety, Communication, Mentorship, Project Management, Work Environment, Employee Engagement The following music was used for this episode: Music: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia 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

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Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Lynn Smith, former NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN Headline News anchor, executive communication coach, and author of Just Keep Going. Lynn is best known for helping Fortune 500 leaders turn pressure into presence, but her newest book takes an unexpected form: a children's story about fear, resilience, and perseverance. That surprising choice is exactly what makes this conversation so relevant for leaders. Andy and Lynn explore why the same fears that stop CEOs are often the ones that show up in kids, how our inner critic or "Brain Bully" shapes behavior under pressure, and why the goal is not to eliminate fear but to metabolize it. Lynn shares deeply personal stories about rejection, family influence, and the lessons she learned growing up that shaped her approach to leadership and communication. You'll also hear practical techniques leaders can use to calm their nervous systems, give feedback that actually helps instead of harms, and model resilience for their teams and families. If you lead people or projects and want practical insights on emotional intelligence, confidence, and navigating fear, this episode is for you. Sound Bites "The one trait and the one skill that separates us from success is resilience. If you can acquire that skill, you will be successful. Hard stop." "Your greatest failure can be in service of somebody else." "We are biologically wired for fear. Trying to delete it is a fool's journey." "Bravery is doing something even if you are afraid." "How you show up within one tenth of a second is defining you for your audience." "Feedback leads to growth. Criticism feeds the brain bully." "When we calm our nervous system, we can make better decisions." "There's a mouse in all of us that needs the reminder to just keep going." "Ending what doesn't serve you is not quitting." "Fear often shows up as stress, pressure, or imposter syndrome, but it's the same circuitry." "Resilience is the greatest gift we can give our kids and our teams." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Start of Interview 01:55 Family Influence and Early Experiences 06:45 Recognizing the Brain Bully 12:28 Learning Resilience Over Time 14:08 Giving Feedback That Helps Instead of Hurts 15:50 Metabolizing Fear Instead of Eliminating It 20:05 Rejection and the Origin of the Book 23:00 Strategies from the Book for Big Feelings 26:15 The Business Equivalent of Jumping Up and Down 28:50 When Just Keep Going Does Not Apply 31:50 How Lynn and Her Team Help Leaders 34:10 End of Interview 34:47 Andy Comments After the Interview 37:30 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Lynn and her work at LynnSmith.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 462 with Margie Warrell, about going from playing it safe to speaking up. Episode 397 with Dr. Julia DiGangi, a discussion Andy continues to revisit for practical insights. Episode 394 with Joshua Freedman, one of the leading voices on emotional intelligence. Level Up Your AI Skills During the episode, Andy mentions the importance of preparing for an AI-infused future. Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam 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 a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. 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 leaders committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than five minutes a week, and it's all free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Fear Management, Communication Skills, Executive Presence, Feedback, Confidence, Self Leadership, Team Culture, Project Leadership The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sasha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Ricardo reflects on his participation at CES 2026 through the lens of project management, highlighting a structural shift rather than new gadgets. Using LEGO's smart bricks as an analogy, he explains how projects today extend, not replace, traditional foundations by integrating data, AI, and digital capabilities. He highlights Project AVA, a holographic AI advisor, as an example of projects becoming complex ecosystems where hardware, software, data, governance, ethics, and security must work in harmony. From AI-powered consumer products to robotaxis like Zoox, projects now continue beyond delivery into ongoing operation. Ricardo concludes that project managers are evolving into value orchestrators who connect technological possibilities with meaningful, responsible value for organizations and society. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste episódio, Ricardo compartilha os principais aprendizados da sua participação na CES 2026, destacando que o mundo entrou definitivamente na era da Physical AI, a combinação entre inteligência artificial e o meio físico. Ele usa o exemplo do smart brick da LEGO para mostrar que nenhuma empresa está imune à tecnologia e que projetos de transformação digital passaram a ser uma questão de sobrevivência estratégica. Outro destaque é o Projeto AVA, um holograma com IA e presença física, que transforma projetos em sistemas vivos, exigindo integração de hardware, software, experiência do usuário, ética e governança. A CES também evidenciou a presença da IA em produtos cotidianos, robôs e robótaxis como o Zoox. Ricardo conclui que o gerente de projetos evolui de executor para orquestrador de valor, conectando tecnologia, estratégia e sociedade. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Barry Wolfe, author of It's All In Your Head: Why Psychology Doesn't Help Your Workforce Deliver Value - And What Can. Barry is a seasoned HR executive and business leader who has built a reputation as one of the rare "HR guys who actually has a head for business." In this frank and eye-opening conversation, Barry challenges many of the tools and ideas we've come to rely on in leadership and management. Andy and Barry discuss why frameworks like Maslow's hierarchy may be doing more harm than good, how personality assessments can become limiting narratives, and why our obsession with "fit" often backfires. But this isn't just a critique. Barry offers an alternative in the form of Value-Centric Leadership, a model that reframes how we think about work, leadership, and results. You'll learn about tools like The Same Page and the 4C's of leadership that can help you lead with more clarity and purpose. If you're ready to challenge what you think you know about managing people (and want practical tools to lead more effectively), this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Most of the hiring tools we use today are only marginally better than chance." "We act like we're selecting with science, but we're often just rationalizing our preferences." "Maslow never created a pyramid. That was a marketing add-on, not a scientific insight." "Psychology gave us language, but somewhere along the way, it became the product." "What do I want to pay people to do?" becomes "What results do I want to buy from them?" "We pay people to do activities, but it's because we want to buy results." "Nobody buys verbs. People buy nouns." "Maslow had no interest in actually validating his model. He just threw it out there." "If you get married and someone asks, what are you looking for in a spouse? Would you really say the upper left box?" "The guy who created the DISC assessment was also the creator of Wonder Woman." "Given the choice between thinking hard and spending money, most business leaders would rather spend money." "Part of the problem with these tools is you're learning about science through something called marketing." "We've got strategic plans, core values, mission statements. What's missing is being on the same page." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Start of Interview 02:00 Barry's Early Career Influences and Business Perspective 06:42 Why Leaders Rely So Heavily on Assessments 09:25 The "Yes, Buts" of Psychological Tools 15:20 What We Get Wrong About Maslow's Hierarchy 19:00 From Paying for Activities to Buying Results 23:30 Connecting Project Work to Real Value 24:00 Introducing The Same Page 28:47 The Most Overlooked Element of Leadership 33:47z Looking Ahead at AI, Automation, and the Future of Work 41:22 End of Interview 42:03 Andy Comments After the Interview 45:19 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Barry and his work at ArgosHR.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 473 with Jeffrey Hull & Margaret Moore. They have rigorously researched what it takes to lead, and I think you'll find their approach and findings to be a nice complement to today's episode. Episode 417 with Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong. They have deeply researched 11 dimensions of character, which has some nice alignment with the 4 C's that Barry talked about. Episode 47 with Henry Mintzberg. If you haven't been with us since the early days, it would be easy to have missed this episode with one of the foremost curmudgeons of management. I think you'll find his insights in episode 47 to be a helpful addition to what Barry talked about in this episode. Help Passing the PMP Exam 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! 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! Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, People Management, Business Psychology, Strategic HR, Hiring, Performance Management, Personality Assessments, Organizational Culture, Project Value, Team Development, Employee Experience, Decision Making 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: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Through OT Potential, we've released more than 124 podcast episodes exploring the research, ideas, and conversations shaping occupational therapy. Each year, we pause to step back and ask a foundational question:What is occupational therapy—and how is it evolving?In this special episode to kick off 2026, we expand the conversation beyond research alone to include advocacy, technology, and the forces shaping OT practice and public perception.Joining us for this milestone conversation are two of the profession's most influential leaders:Katie Jordan, CEO of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)Angela Macauley, PMP, CEO of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)Together, we explore:How occupational therapy practitioners can collaborate on advocacy efforts, particularly around reimbursement and sustainability of practiceHow the profession can more effectively communicate and market the value of OT to the public, referral partners, and policymakersHow emerging technologies—especially AI—are impacting the profession. This episode is an invitation to zoom out, reconnect with OT's core identity, and consider how we collectively shape the future of the profession.See full course details here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/what-is-ot-in-2026See all OT CEU courses here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-coursesSupport the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridgeTry 2 free OT Potential courses here:https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceusSupport the show

Find YouTube link to watch here:  https://youtu.be/uh99t38qgxw   Shownotes Welcome to the first Programmatic Digest episode of 2026 with Ellen Parker and Manuela Cortez. This is a quick check-in, plus a trader-friendly breakdown of the biggest 2025 shifts and what to watch in 2026. We cover five trends from 2025 (AI everywhere, privacy and cookieless reality, CTV growth, RMNs going more programmatic, and supply quality/transparency). Then we close with three 2026 predictions: curation becoming "default infrastructure," AI as a co-pilot (not autopilot), and multi-identity strategies becoming standard. This episode also includes the 2026 community focus: subscribe to YouTube + the newsletter, confirm your subscription, and reach out if you want to contribute (writing, audio, or guest spots).   Here's What You'll Learn What "AI everywhere" means for traders: less manual tuning, more strategy and interpretation Why privacy-first is still a day-to-day skill, even if cookies hang around longer than expected Why CTV is no longer "experimental" and how measurement expectations are changing Why more RMNs going programmatic changes how you think about signals and audiences What "supply quality + transparency" should actually include (fees, paths, reporting depth) 2026 prediction: curation becomes the baseline (SSP curation vs curation houses vs curation desks) 2026 prediction: AI moves from rules-based automation to agent-style workflows (co-pilot mindset) Why you still need foundations first (know how to do it manually before you let AI help) Subscribe to the Programmatic Digest Podcast on your favorite platform (including Spotify) https://www.heleneparker.com/programmatic-digest-podcast/  Subscribe to the Programmatic Digest YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest  Join the newsletter and confirm your subscription: https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/ Access the Programmatic Training here: https://www.heleneparker.com/library/ No String Attached - MediaMath DSP (including Agent AI Connector): helene.parker@infillion.com Timestamps • 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the first Programmatic Digest of 2026. • 01:15 – Channel Updates: YouTube growth and the importance of the weekly newsletter. • 03:30 – Hands-on Support: Tips, hacks, and activation-focused support in the newsletter. • 05:45 – Calling for Contributors: Opportunities to host, write, and build industry authority. • 08:20 – The Programmatic Training Library: Combining six years of workshops and courses. • 11:00 – Micro-Workshops: Real-world DSP setup support and "programmatic ninja" coaching. • 13:15 – 2025 Trend #1: AI Everywhere—Automated bidding, optimization, and predictive modeling. • 16:00 – AI for Productivity: Using tools like ChatGPT to simplify industry jargon and workflows. • 19:45 – 2025 Trend #2: Privacy-First & Cookieless—The multiple identity approach. • 22:10 – 2025 Trend #3: CTV and Audio—Moving from experimental to action-driven channels. • 25:30 – 2025 Trend #4: Retail Media Networks (RMN)—New players like Loves Media and Go Puff. • 28:45 – The Value of Diversification: How audience insights drive revenue for traders. • 31:15 – 2025 Trend #5: Supply Quality & Transparency—Demanding log-level data and fee clarity. • 34:00 – 2026 Prediction #1: Curation as Default—SSP curation, Curation Houses, and Desks. • 38:15 – 2026 Prediction #2: AI as Co-Pilot—Moving from "automated" to "agentic" intelligence. • 41:30 – Media Math Agent Connector: Managing campaigns via AI prompts without UI clicks. • 45:00 – The "Rice Cooker" Analogy: Why you must understand manual foundations before using AI. • 48:15 – Advanced Reporting: Tying campaign data to real-world consumer behavior and brand impact. • 51:45 – 2026 Prediction #3: Dual Identity Strategies—Using the Media Math X Graph. • 54:30 – Under the Hood: Investigating "proprietary" tech and demanding the "Carfax" for AdTech. • 57:00 – Final Takeaways: "Grace over Guilt" and putting your 2026 plans into action. • 1:00:15 – Closing Encouragement: Mental and spiritual health for the year ahead   Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-   Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/   Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBGMMRsZkw0IIUbQIJmMBxw Looking for programmatic training/coaching?  Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program   Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course   Sign up to this FREE workshop: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/sell-side-workshop    YouTube Keywords programmatic advertising, The Trade Desk, TTD update, OpenPath, SSP, reseller definition, IAB, transaction ID, TxnID, header bidding, prebid, SPO, DPO, supply path optimization, demand path optimization, PMP, curation, publisher ad stack, viewability, ad density, ad quality, InfoLinks, Magnite, AppNexus, Gamera, Programmatic Digest Podcast, Hélène Parker

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Martin Dubin, psychologist, former CEO, executive coach, and author of Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader. Marty brings a rare combination of clinical insight and real-world leadership experience to a topic that affects every project manager and frontline leader: the blindspots that quietly shape our behavior, decisions, and impact. Together, the discussion explores how motives often drive our actions without us realizing it, why strengths can become liabilities when overused, and how emotion acts as one of the most powerful and least discussed forces in leadership. Marty explains his layered model of blindspots, including identity, motive, traits, emotion, and behavior, and shows how leaders can build awareness without trying to "fix" who they are. You will also hear practical guidance on creating a simple change plan that actually sticks, using small behavioral tweaks, prompts, and accountability rather than dramatic personal transformation. The conversation closes with thoughtful examples of how blindspotting can improve not only leadership at work, but relationships at home as well. If you want practical insight into leading with greater self-awareness, emotional range, and intentional growth, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The hardest part of leadership is not managing others. It's managing ourselves." "Your strengths work for you most of the time, which is why it's so hard to see when they start working against you." "You know, whatever it is, it's usually invisible to us until someone or something forces it into view." "Now, if you put the modifier TOO in front of it, what happens when you're TOO confident? What happens when you're TOO organized? What happens when you're TOO creative?" "What do they tell you? You are too...." "Motives constrict under stress, and that's often when blindspots do the most damage." "Traits don't need to be changed. They need to be regulated." "Emotion is one of the most powerful tools leaders have, whether they use it intentionally or not." "Real change comes from small behavioral tweaks, not personality transformation." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:42 Start of Interview 02:00 Marty's Background and Family Influence 05:38 What Drives Marty Crazy About Leadership Books 08:20 Identity Blindspots and Leadership Roles 11:00 Why Motive Is So Hard to See 13:00 Using Emotion to Reveal Motives 14:00 When Strengths Become Weaknesses 17:50 Practical Ways to Spot Trait Blindspots 19:00 Emotional Awareness and Leadership Influence 21:10 Regulating Emotion Versus Repressing It 22:50 Building a Change Plan That Works 26:20 A Client Story That Shows Blindspotting in Action 28:20 Applying Blindspotting to Parenting (and Grandparenting) 30:14 End of Interview 30:45 Andy Comments After the Interview 35:42 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Marty and his work at MartinDubin.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 473 with Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore, who share rigorously researched insights on what it takes to lead. Episode 450 with Mark Miller, an engaging and empowering discussion about why leaders fail and how they grow. Episode 32 with Brad Kolar and Madeleine Van Hecke, exploring how the way our brains are wired influences how we lead. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! 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! 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 Topics: Leadership, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Motivation, Personality Traits, Behavior Change, Executive Coaching, Identity, Influence, Team Leadership, Blind Spots 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

In Episode 2 of Pharmacist-Prescribed, hosts Mary Kucek, PMP, Founder and CEO of OvaryIt, and Devin Bustin, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OvaryIt, dive into the practical realities of implementing pharmacist-led prescribing services in community pharmacy settings. The conversation explores how pharmacies can navigate state-specific prescribing authority, standing orders, collaborative practice agreements, staffing concerns, and day-to-day workflows without disrupting existing operations. Listeners will gain a clear picture of how the PRISM platform supports safe, compliant, and efficient clinical service delivery, from patient intake and documentation to e-prescribing and team-based care. Learn more about PRISM or request a demo at https://www.getprismrx.com  

Launching a career in project management can spark a flame. But how do you get that first job and keep the early fire burning? We talk about starter career goals, PMI certifications, mentorship and more with Albert Cayuela, CAPM, PMP, a technical project manager at Banco Sabadell in Madrid, and Krista McCalley, CAPM, PMP, a project coordinator at Insight Global in Des Moines, Iowa in the United States. Key themes01:04 How did you start your project management career? 02:55 Pursuing the CAPM certification and crafting a career plan 09:08 Overcoming imposter syndrome and leaning on mentors early in your career 14:55 Solidifying knowledge, developing skills and boosting confidence with PMI certifications17:57 Advice for project professionals starting their project careers

In the first episode of 2026, Ricardo warns about the biggest mistake that ruins projects early in the year: saying yes to everything. January brings optimism, pressure for fast results, and a belief that everything is possible, leading to overloaded portfolios and teams working far beyond capacity. Projects are planned under unrealistic assumptions, confusing hope with real capacity. Failures don't happen at the end of the year, but at the beginning, when wrong choices are made. Strong projects start with focus, tough decisions, and renunciation. The key question is not what to start, but what not to do. Saying no early is less painful than canceling projects later. Projects fail not due to a lack of ideas, but an excess of promises. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

No primeiro episódio de 2026, Ricardo alerta para o maior erro que arruína projetos no início do ano: dizer sim a tudo. Janeiro traz otimismo, pressão por resultados rápidos e a crença de que tudo é possível, levando a portfólios sobrecarregados e equipes trabalhando muito além da capacidade. Os projetos são planejados sob premissas irreais, confundindo esperança com capacidade real. Os fracassos não acontecem no final do ano, mas no início, quando escolhas erradas são feitas. Projetos sólidos começam com foco, decisões difíceis e renúncia. A questão fundamental não é o que começar, mas o que não fazer. Dizer não no início é menos doloroso do que cancelar projetos mais tarde. Os projetos fracassam não por falta de ideias, mas por excesso de promessas. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Play video episode This January only, secure a forever 30% discount on The PM Podcast Premium—just $4.19/month or $42/year. Gain unlimited access to over 500 episodes and effortlessly earn PDUs for your PMP recertification. Elevate your project leadership and kick off 2026 with confidence. Get Monthly at $4.19 Get Annual at $42

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Joel Hilchey, speaker, facilitator, and author of The 6½ Habits of Highly Defective Bosses. Joel brings humor, honesty, and a refreshing amount of grace to a topic many leaders quietly struggle with: becoming a boss without training, preparation, or a clear roadmap. Andy and Joel explore what it really means to be an "accidental boss" and why most bad bosses are not bad people. They unpack the four quadrants every leader must balance: tasks vs. people and short-term vs. long-term, and why focusing only on tasks can quietly erode trust and engagement. You'll hear practical ideas for avoiding mediocrity mongering, removing everyday hassles that drain teams, and providing clarity instead of whiplash leadership. The conversation also touches on why aiming to be "less terrible" is a surprisingly powerful leadership goal, how recognition can become a force multiplier, and why lessons from leadership often show up at home as well. If you're leading projects or people and want practical, human-centered ways to become a better boss one step at a time, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Most bad bosses are actually good people with bad ideas." "If you focus only on tasks, people will hate working for you." "People don't expect perfection from their boss, but they do expect effort." "Recognition is one of the highest leverage tools a leader has." "The essence of strategy is saying no." "Be a lighthouse for your team, not a disco ball." "If you notice yourself getting frustrated that people are doing stuff that's off task or that feels off task to you, like why is this person taking time to do that? That's on you as the leader to say, oh, I must not have made this strategy clear." "You can spend the money without asking, but you must tell me you spent it next time we meet." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:08 Start of Interview 02:20 Becoming an Accidental Boss 07:10 The Four Leadership Quadrants 12:10 Warning Signs You Are Neglecting People 15:15 When Task Focus Goes Too Far 21:24 Mediocrity Mongering and Good Enough Work 25:47 The Value of a Crappy First Draft 30:00 Removing Hassles from Team Work 35:30 Lighthouse vs. Disco Ball Leadership 39:40 Why Being 'Less Terrible' Matters 45:40 Applying Leadership Lessons at Home 48:31 End of Interview 49:15 Andy Comments After the Interview 52:38 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Joel and his work at JoelHilchey.com. Make sure to try the complimentary assessment Joel refers to in the interview. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 468 with James Turk. It's a practical discussion about what to do when you are suddenly in charge. Episode 467 with Sabina Nawaz, former executive coach to Bill Gates, sharing insights on what no one usually tells you about becoming the boss. Episode 419 with Molly McGrath. Her book focuses on fixing your boss, but it almost always inspires listeners to become better leaders themselves. Level Up Your AI Skills During the episode, Andy mentioned our AI Made Simple class. Join listeners from around the world who are learning how to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! 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! 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 Topics: Leadership, People Management, Accidental Managers, Team Culture, Recognition, Project Leadership, Manager Development, Communication, Prioritization, Continuous Improvement 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

The end of 2025 is here! Hard to believe as it may be, this is the last episode/discussion of the calendar, as we get ready to turn over, and dive head first into 2026. This past year been one of intense growth for me personally, and certainly for Prepared Mindset. The changes that came about this year in many cases were extremely challenging but in some ways very rewarding too. As with the other years gone by, I take this opportunity to walk through the highlights, and unfortunately some lowlights of this year, and talk about them. From the classes, to the range days, to some of the key developments that have contributed in shaping PMP into what it is today. I appreciate everyone who has contributed throughout the year and helped us find our successes, both large and small. I am eagerly looking forward to what's coming next!Visit our sponsors!Our Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHerrington Arms - www.herringtonarms.com

Premium This is a preview of our premium episode. Full access is available only to premium subscribers. Click here and learn about the Premium Podcast to access this interview and transcript... Play audio-only preview episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary AI is changing how projects operate, but speed and automation also introduce new risks that are easier to miss and harder to challenge. This conversation examines how artificial intelligence accelerates existing project warning signs and creates confidence without evidence. Cornelius Fichtner welcomes Matthew Oleniuk, author of The Seven Red Flags of Failing Projects, to revisit four critical red flags through an AI lens. Together, they discuss how AI-driven reporting, task automation, and decision support can intensify output-focused thinking, hide weak outcomes, and create polished narratives that mask real project health. The discussion emphasizes that AI does not introduce entirely new problems but magnifies behaviors that already exist in project environments, especially overconfidence, automation bias, and reduced human challenge.

In this final episode of 2025, Ricardo proposes a reflection on changes that will profoundly impact projects in 2026. He presents five central insights: the end of projects as isolated islands, which will operate as parts of a continuous value stream; the radical fragmentation of teams, marked by high fluidity between people, partners, and AI agents; the silent transfer of authority, with decisions distributed among boards, algorithms, and teams; the emergence of cognitive risk, caused by flawed mental models and excessive reliance on automated responses; and the silent obsolescence of the traditional project manager. For Ricardo, 2026 will be the year of repositioning, requiring the courage to unlearn, assume new responsibilities, and lead in ambiguous environments, focusing on real impact and conscious choices. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste último episódio de 2025, Ricardo propõe uma reflexão sobre mudanças que impactarão profundamente os projetos em 2026. Ele apresenta cinco insights centrais: o fim dos projetos como ilhas isoladas, que passam a operar como partes de um fluxo contínuo de valor; a fragmentação radical das equipes, marcadas por alta fluidez entre pessoas, parceiros e agentes de IA; a transferência silenciosa de autoridade, com decisões distribuídas entre conselhos, algoritmos e equipes; o surgimento do risco cognitivo, causado por modelos mentais equivocados e confiança excessiva em respostas automatizadas; e a obsolescência silenciosa do gerente de projetos tradicional. Para Ricardo, 2026 será o ano do reposicionamento, exigindo coragem para desaprender, assumir novas responsabilidades e liderar em ambientes ambíguos, com foco em impacto real e escolhas conscientes. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with comedian and corporate emcee Adam Christing, author of The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. If you have ever hesitated to use humor at work because you were unsure it would land, or worried it might backfire, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical path forward. Adam shares how his early influences shaped his approach to humor and why he believes every human is also a "humor being." You will hear why humor is more than chasing chuckles, including how it can build trust, improve learning, and strengthen relationships on teams. Adam introduces the concept of "laugh languages" and walks through examples such as Surprise and Poke, along with guidance on how to tease without crossing the line. They also discuss tailoring humor across cultures and how leaders can bring the laughter factor home with their families. If you are looking for practical insights on leading with humor, building trust, and bringing more humanity into your projects and teams, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "If you're a human being, you are also a humor being, and I would say not only do you have a sense of humor, but a sense of humor has you." "The audience is actually, whether it's three people or 300, they're actually rooting for you." "They don't want to be bored. They want to be entertained." "When we think back on the things that have made us laugh the most, it's often the flops that are the funniest." "They won't trust your humor until you do." "There's a saying in show business, 'funny is money'." "I really believe that humor is a bridge that helps you connect heart to heart with other people." "You're a leader. You need to be the one building trust." "Humor is a shortcut to trust." "Leaders help their people learn with laughter." "Increase your LPMs: laughs per meeting." "If in doubt, leave it out." "Every meeting really should be a party with a purpose." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Start of Interview 03:38 Adam's Backstory and Early Influences 05:23 "I'm Not Funny" and the Confidence Barrier 10:36 Why Humor Is More Than Just Chuckles 16:00 The Laughter Factor Explained 18:10 Laugh Languages and the Power of Surprise 21:09 Poke: Teasing Without Crossing the Line 24:42 Using Humor Across Cultures 30:14 How You Know the Laughter Factor Is Working 32:17 Developing a Laughter Factor at Home 34:25 End of Interview 34:55 Andy Comments After the Interview 38:02 Outtakes Learn More Get a copy of Adam's book The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. You can learn more about Adam and his work at TheLaughterFactor.com. While you are there, check out the short questionnaire to discover your laugh language. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. They are completely on this theme of humor being a strategic ability for leaders and teams. Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. Peter breaks down what makes something funny based on his book The Humor Code, an episode Andy still calls back to today. Episode 485 with John Krewson, a conversation about lessons from sketch comedy that nicely reinforce ideas from today's episode. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam 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! 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 Topics: Leadership, Humor At Work, Trust Building, Communication, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Meeting Facilitation, Emotional Intelligence, Influence, Learning And Development, People Management, Project Management 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: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Ricardo looks back at the year in projects with a mature and deeply reflective perspective, focusing on the lessons learned. He describes an intense year, marked by strong pressure for results, shorter deadlines, and increasingly tight budgets, where good planning ceased to be a differentiator and became a matter of survival. Execution took center stage, and mistakes became more costly. At the same time, artificial intelligence ceased to be a promise and became part of the daily routine of projects, bringing real productivity gains. AI did not replace the project manager; it replaced improvisation. Even so, the biggest challenge remained human: fatigue, overload, burnout, and failures caused by human exhaustion. The dispute between methods lost its meaning; those who knew how to adapt to the context won. Projects became more strategic, guided by value, purpose, and conscious choices for the future. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste episódio, Ricardo faz uma retrospectiva do ano em projetos com um olhar maduro e profundamente reflexivo, focando no aprendizado. Ele descreve um ano intenso, marcado por forte pressão por resultados, prazos mais curtos e orçamentos cada vez mais apertados, em que planejar bem deixou de ser diferencial e passou a ser questão de sobrevivência. A execução ganhou protagonismo e o erro ficou mais caro. Ao mesmo tempo, a inteligência artificial deixou de ser promessa e passou a fazer parte do dia a dia dos projetos, trazendo ganhos reais de produtividade. A IA não substituiu o gerente de projetos, substituiu o improviso. Ainda assim, o maior desafio seguiu sendo humano: cansaço, sobrecarga, burnout e falhas causadas pelo desgaste das pessoas. A disputa entre métodos perdeu sentido; venceu quem soube adaptar ao contexto. Os projetos ficaram mais estratégicos, guiados por valor, propósito e escolhas conscientes para o futuro. Escute o podcast para aprender mais!

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary Projects rarely fall apart because of tools or templates. They struggle because leaders lack clarity, adaptability, awareness, and strong communication habits. Author and coach Scott Barnard joins Cornelius Fichtner to share a practical leadership framework built on four pillars that help project managers guide their teams through turbulence. Drawing from more than three decades of recovering troubled initiatives, Scott explains how these pillars help teams anticipate disruption, reduce stress, and keep moving toward meaningful outcomes. His experience spans major global programs, complex software projects, and large organizational transformations, all of which reveal a consistent pattern: when leaders strengthen these four pillars, chaos loses its grip and teams deliver more confidently.

Meet Will Parker, author, leader, speaker, and host of the Principal Matters podcast & blog. He was the Teacher of the Year in OK, AP Teacher of the Year, and served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals for six years. Learn more at https://williamdparker.com/. and subscribe to the PMP & Monday Matters podcasts. His latest book was released in March 2025, Whose Permission are you Waiting For? with ConnectEDD: you can find it here: https://bit.ly/3Yty5vV. Join us LIVE on the #ELB Podcast today, Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at 4:30 EST. Keep surviving & thriving!This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/ELBIXL

In this episode, Ricardo highlights the importance of milestones, baselines, and control points in project management, using December 31st as a powerful example of a milestone, both personally and organizationally. Just as individuals reflect on decisions and plan the future at the end of the year, projects and organizations use milestones to review budgets, compare goals, and consolidate results. Although the calendar is a human convention, milestones provide essential reference points for comparison and control. Without a clear baseline, it is impossible to assess real progress. Projects without milestones rely on perception, while projects with milestones rely on facts. Milestones are not bureaucracy; they are moments of reflection, decision-making, and adjustment that help prevent gradual and unnoticed project deviation. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Neste episódio, Ricardo explica a importância dos marcos, das linhas de base e dos pontos de controle na gestão de projetos, usando o dia 31 de dezembro como exemplo de um marco poderoso, tanto pessoal quanto organizacional. Assim como as pessoas reavaliam decisões e planejam o futuro no fim do ano, projetos e empresas utilizam marcos para revisar orçamentos, metas e resultados. Embora o calendário seja uma convenção humana, os marcos são essenciais porque permitem comparação e controle. Sem uma linha de base clara, não é possível saber se há progresso real. Projetos sem marcos vivem de percepção; com marcos, vivem de fatos. Marcos não são burocracia, mas momentos de reflexão, decisão e ajuste, fundamentais para evitar desvios graduais e silenciosos nos projetos. Escute o podcast para saber mais!

Send us a textIn this episode, musical theatre playwright Isaac Laskin stopped by Playwright's Spotlight to talk about the the development and evolution of his hit L.A. musical Hey, Morgan. He dispels the rumor of being challenged to write a musical about a dear friend, how the origination started as individual standalone songs about his roommate and how it later evolved into a musical. We unpack its growth from a short-run, small-theater production into a bigger, longer running show which included a copy of the soundtrack for the audience to leave with. We discuss the logistics of the cast album, writing multilayered/tracked songs, comedy in the current climate, pushing the envelope and crossing the line, and putting it out into the public for outside production. It's an inspiring conversation, where even the most simple concepts and turn into much more ambitious projects. Enjoy!Isaac Laskin is a musical playwright, actor, director, musician, and screenwriter. His hit musical Hey Morgan ran the LA circuit at The Attic Theater in January 2011 and made a revival at the Black Dalia Theatre from 2011 through 2012. He is a former English Teacher at the prestigious Harvard-Westlake Upper School in Los Angeles.To watch the video format of this episode, visit - https://youtu.be/IqpqINTDCfYLinks to sites and resources mentioned in this episode -The Geffen - https://www.geffenplayhouse.orgHey, Morgan on iTunes - https://music.apple.com/us/album/hey-morgan-original-cast-recording/1532877933Hey, Morgan on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wHV2oNiYxDpAgt68w9IYV?si=YIsPEbaVQ5WvlkbHzpsyKQThe Lincoln Bedroom on iTunes - https://music.apple.com/us/album/broken-record/1493495387Websites and socials for James Elden, PMP, and Playwright's Spotlight -Punk Monkey Productions - www.punkmonkeyproductions.comPLAY Noir -www.playnoir.comPLAY Noir Anthology –www.punkmonkeyproductions.com/contact.htmlJames Elden -Twitter - @jameseldensauerIG - @alakardrakeFB - fb.com/jameseldensauerPunk Monkey Productions and PLAY Noir - Twitter - @punkmonkeyprods                  - @playnoirla IG - @punkmonkeyprods       - @playnoir_la FB - fb.com/playnoir        - fb.com/punkmonkeyproductionsPlaywright's Spotlight -Twitter - @wrightlightpod IG - @playwrights_spotlightPlaywriting services through Los Angeles Collegiate Playwrights Festivalwww.losangelescollegiateplaywrightsfestival.com/services.htmlSupport the show

In this episode, Ricardo wraps up the discussion on the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition by highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in project management. PMI included AI in Appendix X3, presenting three adoption strategies: automation (making tasks faster), assistance (AI as a partner helping with scheduling and resources), and augmentation (expanding managers' capabilities and decision-making). The appendix provides practical use cases for governance, risks, resources, scheduling, and other areas. Ricardo emphasizes that AI evolves rapidly, so some examples may soon become outdated, but project managers must understand and leverage AI to remain competitive. Recent research indicates that organizations are already saving significant money by utilizing AI. He encourages readers to study the appendix carefully and stay adaptable. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Play audio-only episode | Play video episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Click above to play either the audio-only episode or video episode in a new window. Episode Summary Subtle problems often start long before a project shows obvious signs of distress. Leaders feel the pressure to deliver momentum, teams shift toward activity over outcomes, and stakeholders slowly fade as competing priorities pull them away. In this conversation, Matthew Oleniuk brings his experience from overseeing large public sector projects and highlights seven early indicators that signal when a project is heading toward trouble. He explains why these issues are easy to ignore, how they quietly compound over time, and why strong leadership vigilance matters more than any dashboard color. He also describes how patterns like output beating outcome, performance theater, and risk box ticking show up in real projects and why they are so harmful when left unchallenged.

“You face conflict every single day of your life. There's conflict that you love and conflict that you're not so enamored of, and the conflict that you love, you have no problem with.” – Dana Lynn Bernstein Today's featured author is a mom, wife, black belt martial artist, ICF Certified Executive and Conflict Resolution Coach, and the founder of Dare to Live Brave, LLC, Dana Lynn Bernstein, PCC, MA, CMP, PMP, CPQC. Dana and I had a fun on a bun chat about her first book, “It's the Thought That Counts: Mastering the Art of YOU vs. you”, the importance of self-awareness, what helps you to manage conflict, and more!Key Things You'll Learn:What inspired Dana to become a published author, and her journey to getting it doneWhat she learned about herself through publishing her bookHow a chance encounter led her to study conflict resolutionHow smaller everyday choices can mirror larger conflictsSome tips for being more comfortable with conflictDana's Site: https://danalynnbernstein.com/Dana's Book: https://a.co/d/8Bnp04hThe opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…Ep. 899 – How to Turn Disputes into Growth Opportunities with Kat Newport: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-899-how-to-turn-disputes-into-growth-opportunities-with-kat-newport/Ep. 585 – “Ceasefire” with Chip Nightingale (@chipnightingale): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-585-ceasefire-with-chip-nightingale-chipnightingale/Ep. 428 – “Hard Conversations” with Dr. Brad Johnson (@bjcommunicates): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-428-hard-conversations-with-dr-brad-johnson-bjcommunicates/211 – “Tough Conversations” with David Wood (@_playforreal): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/211-tough-conversations-with-david-wood-_playforreal/Ep. 411 – “Name That Mouse” with David Wood (@_focusceo): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-411-name-that-mouse-with-david-wood-_focusceo/Ep. 1028 – The CEO's Compass with Deborah Coviello (@DropinCEO): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-1028-the-ceos-compass-with-deborah-coviello-dropinceo/Ep. 779 – Speaking to Influence with Dr. Laura Sicola (@LauraSicola): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-779-speaking-to-influence-with-dr-laura-sicola-laurasicola/Ep. 760 – From Bonham to Buddha and Back with Clementine Moss: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-760-from-bonham-to-buddha-and-back-with-clementine-moss/Ep. 679 – “Rock Gods & Messy Monsters” with Diane Hatz (@dianehatz): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-679-rock-gods-messy-monsters-with-diane-hatz-dianehatz/Ep. 360 – “Beyond Lovelyville” with Dr. Lin Morel (@drlinmorel): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-360-beyond-lovelyville-with-dr-lin-morel-drlinmorel/

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Katie Best, leadership coach and author of The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems and How to Solve Them. Drawing on years of coaching leaders across industries, Katie shares practical insights that help you tackle high-stakes leadership moments—especially when a coach isn't available. They explore Katie's SOLVE framework for problem-solving under pressure, the danger of performative busyness, and how to make better decisions when trade-offs and uncertainty rule the day. You'll also hear how to unlock authentic influence without manipulation, foster healthy debate on overly "nice" teams, and support psychological safety in leadership and parenting. Andy and Katie also dig into how to empower women in leadership and how small actions can create big shifts in workplace culture. If you've ever felt overwhelmed as a leader or wished for a coach in the moment, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and real tools you can start using today! Sound Bites "You only have power if someone believes that you do." "All interaction is manipulative, but that doesn't mean it's toxic." "Performative busyness is one of the biggest traps for high performers." "Draw the line, or others will draw it for you." "Influence is about being a decent human, not just using techniques." "If you've done the learning, don't let it go to waste." "The idea that people put on an act at work has always fascinated me." "We owe it to ourselves, and if we're leaders of other human beings, we owe it to them as well, to show that it's okay to switch off." "Performative busyness is that kind of, we're never allowed to stop, and if we continue to perform, we keep that idea going that everyone needs to be busy all the time." "We are so much better at learning from positivity than we are from negativity." "We have to recognize that lots of people don't like speaking up in meetings." "It's much easier to do a positive thing than to not do a negative thing." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Start of Interview 01:45 Early Influences on Leadership 04:33 The Coaching Gap and Why She Wrote the Book 05:47 What Is Performative Busyness? 09:32 How Katie Protects Her Own Focus and Energy 12:00 Introducing the SOLVE Framework 18:00 Making Decisions with Uncertainty 20:40 Power and Influence: What's the Difference? 25:42 Why Influence Techniques Sometimes Backfire 26:43 Encouraging Debate in "Too Nice" Cultures 28:40 Building Psychological Safety on Your Team 31:00 Advice for Women Leaders (and the Men Who Support Them) 34:00 Leadership Lessons as a Parent 35:55 End of Interview 36:25 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:19 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Katie and her work at KatieBest.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 442 with Dominic Ashley-Timms. Excellent ideas on how to coach the people around us—and ourselves. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant. Insightful and engaging stories about how people make the leap to being leaders. Episode 385 with Vanessa Patrick. She wrote a great book about How To Say No. Very empowering. Pass the PMP Exam 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! Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! 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 Topics: Leadership, Coaching, Decision Making, Influence, Communication, Psychological Safety, Conflict, Engagement, Organizational Culture, Team Development, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving 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: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Success is in the eyes of the beholder. For projects, that means winning over the top decision makers in the C-suite. How can project management office leaders best share project progress with executives? How can you better engage the C-suite to manage their POVs? We discuss this with Douglas Pulini, PMP, PMI-PMOCP, head of the strategic management office at SPC Brasil in São Paulo, and Stephan Wohlfahrt, PMI-ACP, DAVSC, PMP, head of the project management office at Bosch Mobility in Stuttgart, Germany. Key themes00:56 The C-suite's role in project success02:33 How PMO leaders decide what information to share with executives05:24 Ways to engage executives to benefit project success10:26 Choosing how to best present project updates to the C-suite14:28 Must-have skills for PMO leaders to effectively manage stakeholder perceptions

Join us for a timely and insightful live discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in governance, risk, and compliance. Host Dave Bittner from N2K | CyberWire is joined by Kayne McGladrey from Hyperproof, Matthew Cassidy, PMP, CISA from Grant Thornton (US), and Alam Ali from Hyperproof to explore the current state of artificial intelligence in governance, risk, and compliance. The panel will discuss what AI is truly doing well today, the risks and challenges organizations need to watch for, and how AI is poised to influence the future of GRC. They will also share practical insights and real-world guidance for teams looking to adopt AI responsibly and effectively. Don't miss this timely conversation as our experts break down what's real, what's risky, and what's next in AI for GRC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with John Krewson, co-author of Pitch, Sketch, Launch: A Sketch Comedy Approach to Product Development. John's journey spans software development, acting, and even a stint with Saturday Night Live. He now leads Sketch Development, where he helps teams build products people actually want, faster and with more joy. In this conversation, John explains why project teams should behave more like creative troupes than traditional org charts. You'll hear how laughter can be a feedback loop, why messy first drafts matter, and how simple tools like sticky notes, Elmo cards, and Lean Coffee can radically improve your team's collaboration. We also explore how sketch comedy's "test before polish" approach can transform how we ship ideas, and what that looks like on real-world teams. From unblocking meetings to unleashing creativity, this episode is packed with practical tools and paradigm shifts. If you're looking to bring more energy, experimentation, and feedback into your team's workflow, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The best ideas often start as bad ones. The magic is in iteration." "You're not building a product. You're testing a hypothesis in the real world." "Sketch comedy taught me this: if the audience isn't laughing, it doesn't work. Product teams need that same feedback mindset." "You can't argue with the emotion of a dead silent audience when you think you've got gold." "We often equate busy with productive. But they're not the same thing." "A meeting isn't productive just because everyone showed up. Did it move ideas forward?" "Troupes thrive on trust and feedback. Traditional teams often operate on fear and approval." "I was a mediocre software developer, which made me well-suited for management." "You are sucking the fun out of this. We are building software here. We get to play on computers. Let's make this fun." "There's this ruthless search for feedback that we learn how not to take things personally." "Nowhere in that iron triangle does anybody talk about whether or not the customer said, 'I needed that thing in the first place.'" "We're not just cross-functional. We're cross-committed. That's what makes a team operate like a troupe." "If you're building something new, you need a mechanism to decide if it's valuable. And if it isn't, you toss it." "The law of averages will tell you: 80% of the ideas need to be tossed." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:46 Start of Interview 01:57 Career Backstory 07:30 Acting Skills in Daily Work 12:00 Busy vs Productive 14:07 Project vs Product 17:20 Teams as Troupes 22:13 Meeting Tools and Techniques 27:37 Laugh Testability 33:35 Creative Mindsets at Work 35:21 Co-Authoring and Collaboration 38:00 Applying Ideas at Home 40:33 End of Interview 41:05 Andy Comments After the Interview 44:13 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about John and the book at SketchDev.io/pitch-sketch-launch. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. It's a conversation on humor as a secret weapon in business and life. Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. It's also about humor, a fun follow-up, even though John's book isn't just about comedy. Episode 469 with Phil Wilson. It's packed with great ideas for unleashing your team, which ties in beautifully with John's approach. 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! 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! Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Creativity, Feedback Loops, Team Collaboration, Agile Thinking, Innovation, Leadership, Project Management, Development, Meetings, Humor, Iteration, Trust, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Growth Mindset The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license