Podcasts about pmp exam

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary Artificial intelligence can now appear in PMP exam scenarios, but that does not mean candidates need to study AI technology. In Episode 557, Cornelius Fichtner starts with the PMP Exam Content Outline and separates what PMI actually says from what many candidates may assume. AI appears in the introduction as one of the trends PMI evaluates when researching changes in professional practice expectations, but it does not appear as a task or enabler in the People, Process, or Business Environment domains. That distinction matters because the PMP exam measures project management competencies, not technical mastery of the tools a project manager may use. AI can show up as a project risk, a deliverable, or a tool that a team wants to adopt, while the underlying exam question still asks whether you can manage risk, evaluate a tool, address a stakeholder concern, handle change, or make an accountable project decision. Cornelius also shows the kinds of questions candidates should not expect, including technical questions about generative versus predictive AI, prompt-writing techniques, and AI model selection.

https://hpmexam.comAUG 22ND 2026 - RAPID BOOTCAMP

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, founder and CEO of the decision sciences company Decisive and author of The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI. Cheryl has spent decades helping people make better decisions, and her message here is a simple one: AI can gather, summarize, and compare, but it can't know what matters most unless we do the thinking first. Andy and Cheryl talk about why "AI first" can quietly turn into AI only, and why a poor answer from AI is actually useful feedback about your own thinking. Cheryl explains why separating the what of a decision from the why can change the path forward, shares her vision of success question, and walks through how human bias and AI bias reinforce each other. You'll also hear a practical way to use AI personas to pressure test your thinking before a big stakeholder conversation, plus what parents can do to help kids strengthen their decision-making muscles instead of letting them atrophy. If you're looking for practical ways to make smarter decisions in the age of AI, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "AI is about patterns, but we're about purpose." "We need to be the chief deciders in our own life." "We need to make sure that we actually have a way to push back and check the veracity of what it's giving us because it's a known liar." "And so the authenticity of human interaction is what actually builds trust, strengthens relationships, and really gives us a lot of the connections that are important to us in our home life and our work life." "You don't need to have a perfect prompt for AI." "AI is going to give you other people's answers." "'Knowledge is power' isn't as true now. It's what you are able to do with the knowledge, and it's why you want to collect the knowledge in the first place." "I almost never would accept AI's first answer." "We tend to have evolving hypotheses unless we really build an audit trail of our thinking." "So in the world of medicine, a fever tells you something is wrong, but it tells you nothing about what is wrong or where to look." "So first we know AI's a sycophant, right?" "If it's 99% accurate in its conclusion, but its underlying data is the wrong data set, you've got the wrong answer." "I would say the more that I've studied these cognitive biases, these mental shortcuts, the more I realize that we see the world through a dirty windshield." "Our brains are muscles, and just like we exercise to strengthen our muscles, if we don't exercise, they atrophy." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Start of Interview 02:12 Growing Up Surrounded by Questions 04:30 What Leaders Should Watch Out for in "AI First" 07:07 When AI Confidently Makes Things Up 09:04 How AI First Turns into AI Only 09:20 Why Polished Doesn't Mean Authentic 11:59 A Prompting Problem or a Problem Definition Problem? 14:37 The Vision of Success Question 15:45 Why a Bad Answer Is Useful Feedback 19:06 Separating the What from the Why 20:32 Research: More Information Isn't Better Judgment 24:35 Progressive Prompting and Never Accepting the First Answer 25:18 Fabricated Quotes and the Trouble with Attribution 26:50 Documenting Assumptions and Building an Audit Trail 29:25 Committing to Your Own Thinking 32:29 How Human Bias and AI Bias Reinforce Each Other 34:55 Knowing About Biases Doesn't Make You Immune 36:51 Using AI Personas to Challenge Your Thinking 40:20 AI and Stakeholder Management 42:42 Helping Kids Become Better Decision-Makers 44:25 End of Interview 44:51 Andy Comments After the Interview 48:13 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Cheryl and her work at AREAMethod.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 460 with Joe Sutherland. It's an interesting look at the intersection of AI, data, and decision-making, and a great follow-up to this discussion. Episode 381 with Jim Loehr. One of Andy's favorite conversations about decision-making, from a remarkable figure in the human performance world. Episode 99 with Mike Roberto. A conversation about his book Why Great Leaders Don't Take Yes for an Answer, recorded long before ChatGPT showed up, and still insightful today. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa, the podcast's AI persona, to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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: Decision Making, Artificial Intelligence, Leadership, Project Management, Critical Thinking, Cognitive Bias, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Management, Judgment, Curiosity 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

PMBOK 8 Governance Explained — Why Governance is the NEW Integration Management!The PMP Exam is changing July 9th, 2026… and one of the BIGGEST shifts is the move from traditional Knowledge Areas into the new PMBOK 8 Performance Domains.In this video, we break down the Governance Performance Domain in plain English and show you how it connects back to classic PMP concepts like:✅ Integration Management✅ Change Control✅ Quality Assurance✅ Project Knowledge✅ Monitoring & Controlling✅ Project ClosureWe also explore:

Are you truly ready for the People Domain on the 2026 PMP Exam—or are you still relying on memorized definitions that collapse under pressure?In this intensive 2.5-hour PMP Mock Exam Masterclass, Phill Akinwale walks you through challenging, exam-style scenarios based on the 2026 PMP Exam Content Outline. You will answer each question, examine the mindset behind the best response, and learn why the other options fail.This is not a passive lecture. It is a complete question-and-answer workout designed to strengthen your judgment across the entire People Domain, including:✅ Developing a common vision✅ Managing conflict✅ Leading and empowering project teams✅ Engaging stakeholders✅ Aligning stakeholder expectations✅ Managing customer and stakeholder expectations✅ Ensuring effective knowledge transfer✅ Planning and managing communication✅ Predictive, agile, and hybrid scenarios✅ Single-answer and multiple-response questionsEvery question includes a detailed rationale so you can recognize PMI patterns, eliminate believable distractors, and choose the best next action—even when two answers appear correct.By the end of this session, you will have:Tested your readiness under realistic exam conditionsIdentified weak areas within the People DomainImproved your situational decision-makingStrengthened your PMP exam mindsetBuilt greater confidence for exam dayTake the questions seriously. Pause before each answer. Record your score. Study every explanation.Can you survive 2.5 hours of tough PMP People Domain questions? Press play and prove it.#PMP2026 #PMPExam #PMPMockExam #PeopleDomain #PMPMasterclass #ProjectManagement #PMPTraining #PMPCertification #PMI

40 Days to PMP Exam Success

40 Days to PMP Exam Success

40 Days to PMP Exam Success (2026) DAY 6_ Manage stakeholder expectations

40 Days to PMP Exam Success (2026) Day 5_ ALIGN STAKEHOLDER EXPECTATIONS

40 Days to PMP Exam Success (2026) Day 4_ Engage Stakeholders

40 Days to PMP Exam Success (2026) - PEOPLE TASK 3_ LEADERSHIP & PMP MINDSET

40 Days to PMP Exam Success Day 2_ Manage Conflicts

40 Days to PMP Exam SUCCESS (2026) PEOPLE Task 1_ QUIZ (Develop Vision)

40 Days to PMP Exam SUCCESS (JULY 2026) PEOPLE Task 1_ Develop a common vision

Day 4: Engage StakeholdersSuccessful project leadership depends on more than creating plans and tracking progress. Project managers must actively identify the people and groups who can influence the project, understand their interests, and build productive relationships throughout the project lifecycle.In this session, we examine how to identify and analyze stakeholders, assess their level of influence, interest, expectations, and potential impact, and tailor communication to meet their specific needs. We also explore how to execute the stakeholder engagement plan, address competing priorities, and maintain alignment between stakeholder expectations and project objectives.You will learn how to build trust, strengthen relationships, manage resistance, and influence stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority. The goal is to create meaningful engagement that supports collaboration, improves decision-making, reduces misunderstandings, and helps the project achieve its intended outcomes.Key areas covered:• Identify stakeholders• Analyze stakeholder influence, interests, and expectations• Tailor communication to stakeholder needs• Execute the stakeholder engagement plan• Align stakeholder needs, expectations, and project objectives• Build trust and influence stakeholders• Address resistance and competing priorities• Maintain stakeholder support throughout the projectJoin us for Day 4 of 40 Days to PMP Exam Success 2026 as we connect stakeholder engagement concepts to realistic PMP exam scenarios and practical project leadership.Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5688675175366656

DAY 3 of **40 Days to PMP Exam Success 2026** focuses on one of the most important responsibilities of a project professional: **leading the project team**.Everything rises and falls on leadership. In today's session, we examine what effective leadership looks like across predictive, Agile, and hybrid project environments—and how these concepts may appear on the 2026 PMP exam.Today's breakdown covers the seven key enablers of leading the project team:✅ Establish expectations at the team level✅ Empower the team✅ Solve problems collaboratively✅ Represent the voice of the team✅ Support varied experiences, skills, and perspectives✅ Determine the appropriate leadership style✅ Establish clear roles and responsibilitiesYou will also learn:• How team charters, social contracts, and ground rules establish the operating culture• How to use RACI to clarify ownership and decision-making authority• The difference between an issue, problem, impediment, obstacle, and blocker• How to apply the DIGIVE problem-solving framework• Why leadership is based on influence—not merely position or authority• How leadership differs across predictive, Agile, and hybrid environments• The role of the project manager as the organizational bridge in hybrid projectsWe also break down several major leadership and motivation models, including:

A webinar on PMP Exam next steps, looking at the BIG changes!

40 Days to PMP Exam SUCCESS 2026 PEOPLE Task 1: DEVELOP A COMMON VISION

40 Days to PMP Exam SUCCESS 2026 PEOPLE Task 1: QUIZ FOR DEVELOP A COMMON VISION

40 Days to PMP Exam SUCCESS 2026 (NEW EXAM) PEOPLE Task 2: MANAGE CONFLICT

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the new PMP certification exam. He explains that updating the exam is a natural progression, as project management has evolved with artificial intelligence, agile methods, distributed teams, and new challenges. He highlights that the PMP exam has always prioritized the ability to analyze situations, make decisions, lead teams, and deliver value, rather than simply memorizing concepts. Ricardo also emphasizes that previous versions of the PMBOK® remain relevant because project management fundamentals stay the same, while only the context and tools evolve. His recommendation is to stay up to date without believing that all prior knowledge has lost its value. Listen to the podcast to learn more about!

Tough 2026 GOVERNANCE PMP Exam Questions!

NEW PMP EXAM 2026 — Celebration or Confusion? Sense Making Session LIVE with Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMPThe PMP exam is changing, and July 9th is a major date for anyone preparing, teaching, coaching, or trying to understand what this means for project management certification.Is this new PMP Exam 2026 update something to celebrate, or is it creating more confusion for candidates? In this live sense-making session, Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMP breaks down what candidates, trainers, and project professionals need to understand about the new direction of the exam.We will look at what appears to be changing, what may stay familiar, and how the new exam outline could affect your study strategy. This session is designed to help you separate noise from useful information so you can prepare with confidence instead of panic.In this live session, we will discuss:What the PMP Exam 2026 update meansWhy July 9th mattersThe likely impact on PMP candidatesHow the new exam direction compares with the current examWhat trainers and study groups should pay attention toHow to avoid confusion and stay focusedPractical next steps for anyone preparing for PMPWhether you are just starting your PMP journey, already deep into your studies, or helping others prepare, this session will help you make sense of the transition.Join Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMP for a practical, no-fluff conversation about the new PMP Exam 2026.Live Date: July 9thHost: Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMPTopic: New PMP Exam 2026 — Celebration or Confusion?#PMP #PMPExam2026 #ProjectManagement #PMI #PMPExam #PMPCertification #Praizion #PhillAkinwale #PMBOK #ProjectManagerWant to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5688675175366656

NEW PMP EXAM 2026 — Celebration or Confusion? Sense Making Session LIVE with Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMPThe PMP exam is changing, and July 9th is a major date for anyone preparing, teaching, coaching, or trying to understand what this means for project management certification.Is this new PMP Exam 2026 update something to celebrate, or is it creating more confusion for candidates? In this live sense-making session, Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMP breaks down what candidates, trainers, and project professionals need to understand about the new direction of the exam.We will look at what appears to be changing, what may stay familiar, and how the new exam outline could affect your study strategy. This session is designed to help you separate noise from useful information so you can prepare with confidence instead of panic.In this live session, we will discuss:What the PMP Exam 2026 update meansWhy July 9th mattersThe likely impact on PMP candidatesHow the new exam direction compares with the current examWhat trainers and study groups should pay attention toHow to avoid confusion and stay focusedPractical next steps for anyone preparing for PMPWhether you are just starting your PMP journey, already deep into your studies, or helping others prepare, this session will help you make sense of the transition.Join Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMP for a practical, no-fluff conversation about the new PMP Exam 2026.Live Date: July 9thHost: Phill Akinwale, OPM3, PMPTopic: New PMP Exam 2026 — Celebration or Confusion?#PMP #PMPExam2026 #ProjectManagement #PMI #PMPExam #PMPCertification #Praizion #PhillAkinwale #PMBOK #ProjectManagerWant to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5688675175366656

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary The seven performance domains from the PMBOK Guide 8th edition form the backbone of how project work actually happens, and they are woven into nearly every situational question on the PMP exam. The catch is that the exam never labels them. Cornelius Fichtner, PMP, takes you through all seven domains: Governance, Scope, Schedule, Finance, Stakeholders, Resources, and Risk. For each domain, he presents a sample question from The PM Exam Simulator, works through the answer choices, and then hands you a structured takeaway built around three skills: how to recognize the domain in a scenario, how to evaluate your answer options, and how to eliminate the traps. Along the way you work through fourteen exam-style questions, including drag and drop matching, choose-multiple formats, and classic four-option scenarios covering everything from negative float and crashing to contingency reserves and psychological safety.

PMP Exam is CHANGING - We are Changing Gears from 6th & 7th to 8th Edition and 2026 PMP Outline

PMP Exam is CHANGING - We are Changing Gears

Summary In this episode, Andy sits down with Cornelia Choe, leadership advisor and founder of global CEO peer groups, author of The Panoramic Leader: How Great Leaders See Differently, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith. Cornelia's core idea is that the "mental maps" we form early in life quietly shape how we lead today, and that our decisions are only as good as the world we're actually able to see. Andy and Cornelia explore why so many new executives fail within their first 18 months, what she calls a visibility problem rather than an execution problem. They dig into practical tools: microtranslations for sharing ideas others can absorb, optimistic fear that lets us move forward without ignoring real risk, and the balcony-and-dance-floor balance of perspective and proximity. Cornelia also shares how getting up close to stakeholders, and even to her own kids, opens up options we couldn't see before. If you're looking for practical ways to see more clearly and make better decisions in an uncertain world, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "And the truth is, sometimes the problem is not that we lack data, it's that we're not seeing broadly enough." "And if you truly believe something, stick with it, keep it on your map, and have the courage to go through with it." "But the problem is it's no longer enough to be right in today's world, and having an incomplete picture is just as dangerous as getting it wrong." "Optimistic fear is the ability to keep the risks and the danger in mind, yet to still go forward and to use our fear to fuel our momentum going forward." "We don't need to have everything solved, but just getting up close can reward us with a lot of options." "I mean, in some ways you could argue that our brain's autopilot is not a bug, it's a feature." "You don't have to accept everything you hear or everything your stakeholders tell you, but we do need to think about it and, in a thoughtful way, choose to accept it or not." "And in a world that's constantly changing, this is going to be an even more crucial skill because your decisions are only as good as the world you see, and the most successful leaders learn to see more in today's world." "It's just a good reminder to me that a smart, well-intentioned person can see situations quite differently." "Our identity is created by the people around us, the people who share their perspectives with, and the perspectives that we allow to become part of our mental maps." "I heard someone once say that we're all driven by just a few lines of code that run in the background, and as a former software developer, I can relate to that." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Start of Interview 02:00 How Early Life Experiences Shape Our Maps 07:50 Why New Executives Fail in the First 18 Months 12:20 Microtranslations 16:01 Optimistic Fear vs. Pessimistic Fear 21:53 Keeping Curiosity Alive and Getting Off Autopilot 25:59 How We React When Our Map Is Challenged 29:25 The Balcony and the Dance Floor 34:41 How Our Circles Shape and Narrow Our Maps 38:33 Panoramic Leadership at Home 41:20 End of Interview 41:57 Andy Comments After the Interview 45:00 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Cornelia and her work at substack.com/@corneliachoe. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 489 with Marty Dubin. It's a book about blind spots and how they can easily derail us, an excellent complement to this discussion. Episode 318 with John Stepper. He's the author of Working Out Loud, and his approach to developing people has a lot of similarities to the leader circles that Cornelia runs. Episode 54 with Roger L. Martin. Roger is often in the top 10 of the Thinkers50, and we talk about how you can hold opposing ideas at the same time, very aligned with this book. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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, Decision-Making, Mental Models, Stakeholder Engagement, Perspective, Curiosity, Self-Awareness, Change, Psychological Safety, Executive Effectiveness, Project Management The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary Preparing for the PMP exam means developing the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, not simply recalling definitions from a textbook. In this lesson, drawn directly from the PM PrepCast PMP exam prep course and PrepCast PMP Exam Simulator, Cornelius Fichtner walks through all six project management principles from the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition and shows exactly how to recognize and apply them when facing the kind of ambiguous, scenario-based questions that appear on the actual exam. Each principle gets its own sample question from the PrepCast PMP Exam Simulator, a step-by-step walkthrough of why the wrong answers are wrong, and a second practice question so listeners can immediately test what they have learned. The episode covers all six principles in sequence: Adopt a Holistic View, Focus on Value, Embed Quality into Processes and Deliverables, Be an Accountable Leader, Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas, and Build an Empowered Culture. Each principle is taught not as a concept to memorize but as a mindset to recognize and apply, because the exam consistently rewards situational judgment over terminology.

For free PM training and coaching, visit: https://pmradio.org

PMP Exam Mindset - Business Domain Task 4_ Support Organizational Change

PMP Exam Mindset - Business Task 3_ Evaluate and Address External Business Environment Changes

PMP Exam Mindset - Business Domain Task 2_ Evaluate and Deliver Project Benefits and Value

PMP Exam Mindset - Business Domain Task 1_ Confirm Project Compliance Requirements

PMP Exam Mindset - Process Domain Task 17_ Plan and Manage Project_Phase Closure

PMP Exam Mindset - Process Domain Task 16_ Ensure Knowledge Transfer

PMP Exam Mindset - Process Domain Task 15_ Manage project issues

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes back Marcus Buckingham, bestselling author and researcher, to discuss his new book, Design Love In: How to Unleash the Most Powerful Force in Business. For 25 years, Marcus studied the most productive teams, loyal customers, and effective leaders in the world, and the word that kept appearing in his data was one he kept changing: love. Andy and Marcus explore what love actually means in a business context, including how leaders are really experience makers whether they know it or not. You will hear the remarkable story of Josh D'Amaro, the CEO of Disney, and what his leadership reveals about designing love into a team's daily experience. Marcus unpacks the five feelings that lead people to say they love working for a leader, starting with something counterintuitive: control. The conversation also covers tough love, AI's limits as an experience maker, and how these principles can transform how we lead our families too. If you're looking for a fresh, evidence-based look at what drives sustained high performance, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "I kept hearing that word (love) and shame on me, but I did keep changing it because I felt like it was a careless exaggeration of the word like or something." "Don't keep changing the word (love). The word's the word. The question really should be why and how do we replicate it?" "You're paid to change behavior. That's all you're paid to do. You're not paid to run a project. You're paid to change behavior as a leader." "When you send an email, it's not an email. It's an experience for the person on the other end. When you call that team meeting, it's not a team meeting. It's an experience." "You join a company and then you quit your boss." "Undesigned experiences lead to unpredictable outcomes." "It's cowardly, not loving. It's cowardly to leave them in that job." "I am for you. I am for you. That doesn't always mean that I am going to tell you what you wanna hear. It means I want you to flourish." "Loving's an ingredient, right? Loving isn't, 'Be nicer.' Loving's like, 'What are you trying to do for me?'" "The beginning of love is rules. The beginning of love is clarity." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Start of Interview 01:57 Why Marcus Spent Decades Avoiding the Word "Love" 05:47 Misconceptions About Love in Business 11:29 Inside the "Josh Effect" 18:02 What Great Leaders Don't Do 22:13 Local Leadership and Variation in Team Experience 27:54 When Senior Leaders Couldn't Say the Word 31:04 Applying the "Is This Loving or Unloving?" Lens 37:43 Tough Love and Difficult Performance Conversations 46:20 Practical Takeaways: The Five Feelings of Love 50:25 AI and the Role of Love in Leadership 56:34 Designing Love Into Parenting and Family 1:01:26 End of Interview 1:01:57 Andy Comments After the Interview 1:05:03 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Marcus and his work at BuckinghamInstitute.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 252, which is our earlier interview with Marcus Buckingham. That book still impacts how Andy leads years after having Marcus on the first time. Episode 332 with Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel. A discussion about keeping your teams engaged and connected, even if they're not co-located. Episode 324 with Jim Harter. Jim is the Chief Scientist at Gallup and they have an insightful discussion about building resilient and thriving teams. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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, Love in Business, Team Culture, Employee Engagement, Customer Experience, Project Management, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Parenting, Organizational Culture, Experience Design 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: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

PMP Exam Mindset - Process Domain Task 14_ Establish Project Governance Structures

Play audio-only episode | Play on YouTube | Play on Spotify Episode Summary The PMP Exam Content Outline, often called the ECO, drives everything about the PMP exam, yet many students still focus almost entirely on the PMBOK Guide. In this episode, Cornelius Fichtner explains why the PMP exam is not a test of the PMBOK Guide and why the ECO serves as the real syllabus behind the certification exam. He walks through how PMI develops exam questions, how volunteers create and review questions based on the ECO, and how reference materials such as the PMBOK Guide support the process without directly defining the exam itself. Along the way, Cornelius breaks down the structure of the ECO into domains, tasks, and enablers, helping PMP candidates understand what PMI expects modern project managers to know in predictive, adaptive, and hybrid environments. He also explains why concepts such as value delivery, sustainability, compliance, and artificial intelligence now appear in the latest version of the exam. The discussion includes a practical walkthrough of the People, Process, and Business Environment domains, how exam percentages are distributed, and why PMI periodically updates the exam based on real-world project management practices.

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes back Steve Kahle, entrepreneur, executive, and fractional CIO, author of Leadership Recall: Harness Insights. Accelerate Innovation. LEAD WITH AUTHORITY. Steve first joined the podcast in episode 184 to discuss email overload. This time, the conversation turns to a challenge every leader faces: the forgetting curve. Research suggests we forget up to 83% of what we learn within a week, and Steve argues this is not just a learning problem, it's a leadership problem. Steve shares his CCR framework (Capture, Catalog, and Recall), along with practical tools such as the Anki flashcard app and the Email Me voice-note app, to build what he calls a learning operating system. The discussion covers how to design a recall fitness practice in as little as three minutes a day and how removing friction at every step keeps the system sustainable. If you're looking for a practical system to stop letting great insights slip away and start leading with more authority, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "I think God put in my heart to be a relentless optimizer. I like to see things work and work well." "When you really zoom out in life, those who are really successful have figured out what are the frameworks, what are the methodologies that work, and they simply apply those." "Our subconscious mind can handle about 11 million bits of data per second, but about 40 bits conscious mind." "I went all in. Christ totally transformed my heart, and I'm realizing that scripture memory is a superpower." "Time swiftly washes away the obvious." "Learning really is a privilege, and we need to be able to find time that works with our daily rhythms." "Three minutes a day is really all you need to be able to see tremendous traction on being able to recall things that matter" "Instead of 'I'm bad at remembering names,' you could, do a reframe like, 'Hey, I'm getting better at remembering people's names.'" Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Start of Interview 02:06 Early Experiences and the Instinct to Remember 04:08 Is Memory a Natural Gift or a Trainable Skill? 05:19 Forgetting as a Feature, Not Just a Bug 07:10 The Leadership Cost of Forgetting 09:10 Shifting the Bottleneck from Input to Retention 12:02 The Five-Hour Rule and Three Learning Archetypes 14:19 The CCR Framework in Practice: Capture, Catalog, and Recall 19:50 Removing Friction from Your Learning System 23:23 Inside Anki: Cloze Deletions and Building Cards 26:10 Organizing Your Recall Decks 27:30 Real-World Results: When Readers Apply the System 28:56 Building Recall Habits in Your Kids 32:50 How to Get the Book 34:01 End of Interview 34:17 Andy Comments After the Interview 37:46 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Steve and his work at leadershiprecall.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 184 with Steve Kahle. It's our previous conversation about keeping your head above water when drowning in email and commitments. Definitely recommend checking it out. Episode 411 with Laura Mae Martin. She's the head of productivity at Google and shares ideas that I still use to this day. Episode 376 with Nick Sonnenberg. It's a book about helping you and your team stop drowning in all the information and commitments at work. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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, Memory, Learning, Productivity, Knowledge Management, Recall, Spaced Repetition, Personal Development, Continuous Learning, Networking, Project Management The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

PMP Exam Mindset - Process Domain Task 13_ Determine project methodology

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Dr. John La Puma, a board-certified internal medicine physician, professionally trained chef, regenerative organic farmer, and two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Indoor Epidemic. Did you know most of us spend about 93% of our lives indoors? Dr. John makes the case, backed by more than 2,200 studies, that where we spend our time may matter just as much as the soft skills and productivity systems we so often focus on. In this conversation, Andy and Dr. John dig into what he calls digital obesity and analog wellness, the science of morning sunlight and circadian rhythm, why looking at the horizon for just one minute per hour can improve focus and eye health, and what forest bathing actually does to your immune system. They also explore loneliness as a health crisis, the social dimension of outdoor time, and practical ways to build a 17-minute daily nature habit that doesn't require moving to Santa Barbara. If you're looking for science-backed ways to boost your energy, focus, and long-term wellbeing, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Digital obesity is when you consume more pixels than you can metabolize." "What people don't understand about this is that it's not a character flaw, that it's a biological mismatch." "People don't appreciate that nature is actually social, and that social part is good for you." "And loneliness is what? 15 cigarettes a day in mortality." "Nature works through your senses. You touch, you listen, you see, you smell, you taste." "You have a 56% higher function and number of natural killer cells because you are in the company of trees that are making these chemicals, alpha-pinene, D-limonene in citrus trees, many other trees, that improve your ability to kill tumor cells and kill virus infected cells." "But immersion in the forest means that you're immersing your senses in it, and the forest is, is the therapist, and the walk is the therapy." "Rest is actually self-preservation and capital investment." "Often you can upgrade the thinking in a room just by opening a window." "But you don't need a forest, and you don't need a park even. You just need a sky view." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Start of Interview 02:06 Background: Origins of the Indoor Epidemic 07:03 Digital Obesity and Analog Wellness 10:33 Dr. John's Morning Outdoor Routine 13:21 The Benefits of Looking at the Horizon 17:22 Experiencing Vastness and Awe 22:47 Forest Bathing: More Than Just a Walk 24:32 Walking Habits and Nature Recalibration 26:52 Loneliness and Outdoor Social Connection 30:04 Practical Tips for Parents 32:03 End of Interview 32:39 Andy Comments After the Interview 35:15 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Dr. John and his work at drjohnlapuma.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 461 with Dr. Patricia Grabarek. We talk about why our typical approaches to wellness are missing the mark. Episode 421 with Dr. Bijoy John. He's a practicing sleep doctor and I think you'll find some practical ideas from our discussion. Episode 200 with Jeffrey Pfeffer. He's the author of a book entitled Dying for a Paycheck and I think you'll find his insights challenging enough to look at work differently. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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: Nature, Digital Obesity, Analog Wellness, Productivity, Loneliness, Forest Bathing, Morning Sunlight, Wellbeing, Leadership, Sleep The following music was used for this episode: Music: On Point by Steven OBrien 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

The PMP® certification is evolving in 2026 with a major exam update. Bill Yates and Ren Love break down what these changes mean for project managers, from shifting success metrics toward value and outcomes to a stronger emphasis on strategy, AI, and sustainability. Hear about updated exam domains, new question formats, and practical exam tips.

For free PM training and coaching, visit: https://pmradio.org

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Rebecca Hinds, organizational behavior researcher and author of Your Best Meeting Ever. Rebecca brings a behavioral science lens to one of the most persistent pain points in modern work: meetings that multiply, linger, and drain rather than deliver. Andy and Rebecca explore the concept of meeting debt, and why reducing meeting volume often matters far more than optimizing agendas. They discuss why meetings have become status symbols and performance art, how a simple social contract makes it nearly impossible to decline an invite, and what meeting minimalism actually means (hint: it's not about ruthless efficiency). Rebecca shares practical ideas, like calendar cleanses, Return on Time Invested (ROTI) ratings, and unexpected guardrails, including the fascinating case of the 27-minute meeting. They also wrestle with AI's potential to either genuinely improve meeting culture or simply make expensive, inefficient meetings feel more productive. If you're looking for a research-backed, practical guide to finally taking back your calendar, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Why do we cling to this practice that has largely remained unchanged for decades and decades, and yet we know, we're highly aware that it's highly inefficient and dysfunctional." "It's ironic and unfortunate that we now consider so many of these dysfunctional practices, so many of these tactics as business as usual." "We tend to associate visibility with value and presence with productivity. A packed calendar is a very clear indication that you are busy, you're important, and you have high status within the organization." "Meetings are the most important product in our entire organization, and yet also the least optimized." "Meeting debt is so bad that it's not worth it to tinker at the edges and try to optimize the meetings that already exist because fundamentally, many of them should not exist in the first place." "Return on Time Invested (ROTI) is a concept I learned from my colleague Elise Keith. It asks people to rate the effectiveness of a meeting on a scale of zero to five based on whether this meeting was well worth it in terms of the time invested." "I don't mean efficiency for efficiency's sake, right? The goal isn't to make our meetings ruthlessly efficient at all costs." "He was tasked with running these 30-minute meetings. He was seeing them drag on and on rather than make the meeting longer, he made them exactly 27 minutes, and that jolted people out of autopilot." "What we're seeing in meetings overwhelmingly is people using AI to cognitively offload the work that they should be doing as humans." "I continue to believe there's nothing that communicates your leadership more clearly than being able to run a good meeting, but also being able to steer a bad meeting back on track because people very quickly make the cognitive jump that if you can lead a meeting, if you can lead a meeting back on track, you can probably lead a team, you can probably lead a project, you can maybe lead a function." "And the reverse is also true. If you can't lead a good meeting, it doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence in your ability to lead anything bigger." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:27 Start of Interview 01:36 Rebecca's Background and Journey 02:51 The Meeting Sabotage Manual 04:38 Meetings as Status Symbols and Performance Art 07:30 Meeting Debt: Why Reducing Volume Comes First 10:12 Calendar Cleanses: Wiping the Slate Clean 11:28 Guardrails Against Meeting Bloat 14:30 Better Meeting Metrics: Return on Time Invested 17:34 Meeting Minimalism: What It Really Means 18:43 Minimalism in Practice 21:30 AI and Meeting Culture 27:50 Changing Meeting Culture Without Full Authority 32:06 End of Interview 32:39 Andy Comments After the Interview 35:34 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Rebecca and her work at RebeccaHinds.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 503 with Evan Unger. Evan shares some helpful ideas on leading better decision-making meetings. Episode 246 with Steven Rogelberg. Steven is a leading meeting researcher whose work also appears in Rebecca's book. Episode 72 with Steven Rogelberg. An earlier conversation with this leading meeting researcher. Episode 245 with Elise Keith. Elise shares some practical insights on how to make meetings more effective. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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: Meeting Culture, Meeting Debt, Meeting Facilitation, Return on Time Invested, Organizational Behavior, Leadership, Project Management, Behavioral Science, Meeting Minimalism, AI and Meetings, Team Productivity 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: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Ashley Herd, HR and legal leader turned management coach, and author of The Manager Method. Ashley has led HR and legal teams at organizations like McKinsey and Yum Brands, and she brings a refreshingly real-talk approach to the challenges every manager faces, especially those quiet moments of self-doubt that come with growing responsibility. In this conversation, you'll hear Ashley's take on why imposter feelings are so common among thoughtful leaders, and how her concept of the "career quilt" reframes even the most uncomfortable professional experiences. She introduces her simple but powerful Pause, Consider, Act framework, which is a practical tool for navigating tough management moments without reacting on instinct. You'll also hear how the language we use about people shapes the way we lead them, why delegation is harder than it looks, and how accountability can be reframed as a positive force on your team. Ashley even shares how Pause, Consider, Act has made her a better parent. If you're looking for a grounded, practical guide to leading people well (without burning yourself out) this episode is for you! Sound Bites "We all have our career quilts. And sometimes those are different, like different jobs, actual different experiences like that." "I felt very much like the other at McKinsey." "When you open up and show that you are real, you tend to gain the trust and respect that you're so afraid you'll lose if you do that." "People don't care that you know the message. They want to hear the message for themselves." "What would I want to have happen to me if I were in the other person's shoes?" "A rolling stone gathers stress, not moss." "Just thinking about the people that are doing a lot of the work, how you treat them and talk with and about them? That can shape a lot of the outcomes." "Tasks can quietly become symbols of our value." "When you treat your people well, they are a better parent, friend, relative." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:17 Start of Interview 02:45 What's A Leadership Experience That Shaped You? 05:27 The Career Quilt Concept 07:47 Imposter Phenomenon in Leadership 11:45 Spotlight Effect and How We Worry About Being Watched 14:10 Introducing Pause, Consider, Act 15:05 What Pausing Actually Looks Like 21:30 Empathy Without Carrying Too Much 23:47 Rethinking Empathy 25:40 How Language Shapes How We Lead People 28:52 The Delegation Trap 30:33 What Ashley Still Struggles to Delegate 33:15 Reframing Accountability 38:10 Applying the Book Outside of Work 39:43 End of Interview 40:22 Andy Comments After the Interview 43:20 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Ashley and her work at ManagerMethod.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 468 with James Turk. It's a discussion about what to do during the first 45 days when you take on new responsibility. Episode 467 with Sabina Nawaz. She was a coach to Microsoft leaders, such as Bill Gates, and she shares insights that, according to her, no one tells you about becoming a boss. Episode 142 with Amy Cuddy. Amy is most famous for her TED Talk on power posing. But episode 142 is more about presence and how you can more confidently rise to the most daunting challenges. It's a nice follow-up to what Ashley talked about with the imposter phenomenon. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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, Management, Imposter Phenomenon, Delegation, Accountability, Empathy, Team Culture, Communication, Self-Awareness, New Managers, Personal Growth, Psychological Safety The following music was used for this episode: Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Amy Leneker, leadership coach, joy strategist, and author of Cheers to Monday. Amy's journey began with a burnout so severe that her doctor put her on medical leave. It took 10 words on a medical form to change everything: "What are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?" She couldn't answer it. That moment sent her on a mission to help leaders recognize stress earlier and respond to it far more intentionally. In this conversation, Amy shares the stress stories many leaders carry without ever questioning them, and why those stories get quietly rewarded in so many organizations. You'll hear how the body whispers warnings long before burnout hits, why most common stress-relief advice actually makes things worse, and how Amy's three-step Un-Stressing Method gives leaders a clear, practical framework to move forward. She also shares a powerful real-world example of a team carrying 73 stressors that simply didn't need to be there—and what happened when they finally saw that. If you're looking for a practical, empowering guide to break the cycle of stress and overwhelm in leadership, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The story that I inherited, either intentionally or unintentionally, was you just work hard because that's the only choice you have." "I think one of the biggest mistakes that I made was not recognizing how much choice I had." "I couldn't remember the last time that I had real fun." "Those unhealthy stress stories are rewarded." "The majority of ways that we try to manage stress at work actually increase our stress." "When I ignored the whispers, it got to the point where ignoring it was no longer an option.... If you ignore them long enough, then the body's going to scream." "Talking about stress is stressful, but we've got to be able to see it if we're going to be able to do anything about it." "Unclear expectations are resentments waiting to happen." "People pleasing—it's not a healthy dynamic. It's not something that serves you or the people around you." "Stress is contagious. There is no question about it." "Yes, stress is wildly contagious, but so is joy." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Start of Interview 01:52 Early Messages About Work and Stress 04:36 The 10 Words That Changed Everything 06:39 Postponing Joy 07:30 Stress Stories Leaders Believe 08:19 How the Body Signals Burnout Before the Brain Does 11:44 What's Broken About Typical Stress Advice 12:58 Walking Through the Un-Stressing Method 15:03 Why Sequence Matters: See, Sort, Solve 17:32 Solving Stress vs. Fixing It 18:44 The Un-Stressing Method in Action: A Team Story 21:58 The Danger of Unstated Priorities 22:42 People Pleasing as a Warning Sign 23:38 Breaking the Cycle of Stress as a Parent 24:41 End of Interview 25:11 Andy Comments After the Interview 28:16 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Amy and her work at AmyLeneker.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 448 with Marie-Helene Pelletier. It's a book on how to develop resilience when demands are piling up. It's a great follow-up to today's discussion. Episode 398 with Dr. Neha Sangwan, which is a book about learning to recognize wake up calls to help us avoid burnout. Episode 164 with stress researcher Derek Roger. Derek brings a unique perspective to the discussion about stress. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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: Stress Management, Leadership, Burnout Prevention, Wellbeing, Resilience, Team Culture, People Pleasing, Priority Setting, Workplace Conflict, Joy, Self-Awareness, Communication The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy sits down with Evan Unger, a consultant and trainer who has spent more than 30 years helping leaders facilitate collaborative decision making across projects, programs, and organizations around the world. Evan's work focuses on helping groups move forward when opinions differ, tension is present, and time is limited. This conversation is packed with immediately actionable ideas. Andy and Evan dig into why even experienced leaders struggle in high-stakes meetings, and how Evan's POPRA model (Purpose, Objectives, Process, Roles, Agreements) can transform the way you prepare and run them. They talk about how to manage the "HIPPO" (Highest Paid Person's Opinion) without suppressing the voices you most need to hear, a simple virtual technique called the simultaneous chat that can change the dynamic of any online meeting, and how to make sure your meetings actually land, with clear action items and time to close things out properly. Evan also shares his perspective on where AI fits in the future of facilitation, and some surprisingly personal advice about what he'd tell his younger self. If you're looking for practical, immediately usable tools to run better meetings and lead more collaborative decisions, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "On a scale of zero to a hundred percent, how effective are the meetings you attend? On average, and I can't tell you most of the time I get a number below 60% and often much lower." "My confusion as a leader, as a project manager, is immediately the confusion of the group because the group goes to where I'm at. And if I'm confused, welcome to what's about to happen in your meeting: Confusion, Chaos, Dysfunction." "The other extreme, and this is truly the art of leadership, is even though I have strong opinions as the project manager, I remain completely neutral, but I'm an expert in process, an expert in how I get other experts to come together, collaborate, make decisions, get 'em to buy in." "If I'm the HIPPO and I run the meeting as the expert, I will suppress conversation. People will not tell me what I need to know to make the decision, and I'm going to sub-optimize decisions, and I'm not going get people to buy in." "So the art of leadership is knowing how to start and work from the right side of the continuum where I'm an expert in the process of getting others to collaborate and asking questions to elicit their thinking." "If I'm not hearing from people as the facilitator of the collaborative conversation, that is a first sign that something's gone awry and I need to know how to hold space." "The meeting's purpose and objectives, that's the first tether, the first anchor. If that's not clear, there is no tool or technique that is going to save me." "Time is fuel. And we have limited fuel in the plane flight. When time is running out, we don't go knock on the cockpit and say to the pilot, fly faster." "People say to me, 'Evan, I've got Copilot now. I got these AIs doing all the monitoring and tracking'. It's like, yeah, great, but you can't trust what it said. You still have to come back and say, 'Do we all agree what we decided and where we go from here?'" "The five points were: 1, learn Spanish and become fluent in Spanish. 2, become fluent in Mandarin. 3, make sure you get a hard sciences or engineering degree when you go to school. Do it. Take all the liberal arts courses you want, but have something that people actually want. 4, go do a 10-day silent meditation as soon as you get out of school. And 5, take a backpack when you get out of school. Travel the world for a year.... That list is now down to two points." "The plan is now to find something that can't be AI'd out of existence." "But really, the art of being a good coach, a good consultant, a good parent, a good manager is querying the people to help them figure out their own answer." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:44 Start of Interview 02:00 Evan's Background and Work 03:13 Why Meetings Fail — The Plane Metaphor 05:07 Preparing for High-Stakes Meetings: The POPRA Model 07:48 Distinguishing Purpose from Objectives 08:39 Facilitating Without Formal Authority 11:43 Spotting Meeting Drift 12:58 Balancing Dominant and Quiet Voices 16:12 Face-to-Face Facilitation Techniques 17:22 Handling Challenging Participants 21:17 Ensuring Meetings Land: Follow-Up Habits 23:59 AI and the Future of Facilitation 32:25 Advice to Younger Self 34:37 How These Skills Apply to Life 36:03 End of Interview 36:29 Andy Comments After the Interview 41:22 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Evan and his work at terischwartzassociates.com. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 413 with Rich Malman and Jim Stewart. They talk about what they call meeting goblins and how to deal with them. It's a very project management-specific take on running better project meetings. Episode 246 with Steven Rogelberg. Steven is a meeting researcher, but a really practical guy, and he shares great ideas about running more effective meetings. Episode 72 with Steven Rogelberg. An earlier conversation with Steven that is still packed with practical ideas on making meetings work. Episode 245 with Elise Keith. Elise is a meeting researcher who shares so many practical ideas on how to make meetings more effective—ideas Andy still calls back to years later. Chat with PMeLa You can chat directly with PMeLa—the podcast's AI persona—to get episode recommendations and answers to your project management and leadership questions. Visit PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/PMeLa to chat with her. 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: Meeting Facilitation, Collaborative Leadership, Decision Making, HIPPO Effect, Virtual Meetings, Meeting Preparation, Time Management, AI, Project Management, Change Management, Communication, Facilitation Tools 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