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AI isn't creating high-performing teams—it's exposing the difference between teams that already know how to work well together and those that don't. In this episode, David Rice sits down with social psychologist and Superteams author Ron Friedman to unpack new research on what separates the top 8% of teams from everyone else. The conversation challenges the assumption that AI is a universal productivity boost, revealing instead how it can amplify poor habits, deepen burnout, and create false confidence when used without judgment.They also explore why the best teams protect focus over busyness, replace brainstorming with brainwriting, rethink meetings entirely, and create cultures where experimentation—not perfection—drives performance. If you're leading people through the AI era, this episode offers a practical blueprint for building stronger teams instead of simply working faster.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ron on LinkedInCheck out Ron's website and book “Superteams”Free masterclass and discussion guideSupport the show

Project management in construction is often dismissed as traditional, but when it comes to AI and data, the industry may be further ahead than many people realize. In this conversation, James Garner, Head of AI and Data at Gleeds and founder of Project Flux, shares why construction is becoming a proving ground for AI adoption—and what project professionals in every industry can learn from it.From overcoming resistance to new technology to navigating career shifts and building AI literacy, James offers a refreshingly balanced perspective on the future of project management. Whether you're leading digital initiatives or considering a career pivot, this episode explores why judgment, curiosity, and creativity will become even more valuable in the age of AI.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with James on LinkedInVisit Gleeds and Project Flux

Episode 376: Who Should Be Part of Your Strategic Planning Process? (Renee Rubin Ross)Episode SummaryToo many strategic plans end up gathering dust on a shelf, or worse, frustrating the very people who were left out of building them. In this episode, Renee Rubin Ross, Ph.D., Founder of The Ross Collective and author of the new book Inclusive Strategic Planning, makes the case that who you involve in planning matters just as much as the plan itself. Drawing on more than twenty planning processes, she walks through her five-step spiral, kickoff, discovery, prioritization, planning, and implementation, and introduces a simple framework for deciding who belongs in the room: deciders, builders, and sharers. Renee explains how to know whether your organization is even ready to plan, how to scale the work up or down when capacity and funding feel shaky, and how to keep a plan alive through consistent communication and disciplined implementation. Nonprofit leaders will come away with a practical, inclusive approach that turns planning into a source of energy, alignment, and focus rather than another document destined for the shelf.About ReneeDr. Renee Rubin Ross is a recognized leader in board and organizational development and strategy, and the founder of The Ross Collective, a consulting firm that designs and leads inclusive, participatory processes for social sector boards and staff. Committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector, she guides leaders and organizations through strategic plans and governance processes that deepen social change, racial justice, engagement, and community strength. Renee is the author of Inclusive Strategic Planning: A Five-Step Process to Expand Energy, Alignment, and Opportunity. She also directs the Nonprofit Management Certificate program at Cal State University East Bay, where she teaches strategic planning and board development. A past board member of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and a member of the Technology of Participation facilitators' network, she earned her doctorate in education and Jewish studies from New York University, where her research explored parent participation in schools. She lives in Northern California.ResourcesListen to the episode: www.armstrongmcguire.com/podcastsConnect with Renee on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reneerubinrossThe Ross Collective: therosscollective.comInclusive Strategic Planning: A Five-Step Process to Expand Energy, Alignment, and OpportunityBook recommendation: My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa MenakemCal State University East Bay Nonprofit Management Certificate programFollow Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and please leave a review! Learn more about the leadership resources at ArmstrongMcGuire.com

AI is starting to reshape project management—but its biggest impact isn't replacing project managers. It's removing the operational overhead that keeps them buried in admin so they can focus on the work that actually moves projects and client relationships forward.In this conversation, Tim Fisher sits down with Bernarda Vrbat from Productive to explore how AI is evolving beyond chatbots into skills and autonomous agents. They discuss where AI is already delivering practical value for professional services businesses, what teams are (and aren't) comfortable delegating to AI, and why the future of project management is less about doing repetitive work and more about making high-value decisions.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Bernarda on LinkedInVisit Productive

AI transformation doesn't fail because the technology isn't good enough. It fails because organizations try to layer it on top of cultures that were already struggling with trust, learning, experimentation, and leadership. In this conversation, David Rice sits down with Meagan Bond, Founder and CEO of The Human Method, to unpack why psychological readiness—not technical readiness—is the real foundation of successful AI adoption.Together they explore the hidden costs of dysfunctional culture, why managers play an outsized role in determining whether AI succeeds or fuels burnout, and why organizations chasing quick AI wins often undermine their long-term competitive advantage. If culture is treated as an afterthought instead of infrastructure, AI simply accelerates the problems that were already there.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Meagan on LinkedInVisit The Human MethodSupport the show

Some people see AI as a threat to creativity. Others see it as the next evolution of the creative toolkit. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Tom Brown and Eric Oldrin, co-founders of Original Model, an AI-native creative agency, to explore what happens when creative thinking—not AI—stays at the center of the process. Together, they unpack how agencies can embrace AI without sacrificing originality, storytelling, or quality.Broadcast live from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, this conversation explores why so much AI-generated work falls flat, how thoughtful agencies are integrating AI across strategy, ideation, and production, and why the future of creative work may depend less on mastering tools and more on strengthening human judgment.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Eric and Tom on LinkedInVisit Original Model Creative Agency

In today's episode, we welcome another ISF veteran: journalist Geoff White. The last time Geoff was a guest on the podcast, it was 2024 and he had just released a book about how the tech industry launders money for criminal organizations. Today, Geoff comes on to talk about the latest installment in his podcast series The Lazarus Heist – now known as Cyber Hack –  in which he dives deep into ransomware attacks. Steve and Geoff discuss the changing nature of ransomware attacks, how AI is used, crypto and ransomware laundering, and the importance of businesses having a plan to deal with an attack when it inevitably comes. Key Takeaways: Ransomware attacks remain similar in strategy, but have become more industrialized in recent years.  Crime groups utilizing ransomware view themselves as businesses. and view targets not as victims but as competitors.  An immediate, outright criminalization of paying ransoms is the wrong path forward, but if done in phases it can be the best way to solve the issue of ransomware attacks.  Tune in to hear more about: Geoff's investigation into Conti, one of the world's most notorious ransomware gangs (7:33) The impact of AI on ransomware attacks (13:52) How money laundering is changing (17:03) Standout Quotes: “I think for defenders, the listeners of your podcast, understanding [ransomware] is a business and understanding you're not being attacked by a crime gang, you're being challenged by a business competitor, is a really interesting way of thinking about this. This is like a hostile takeover. The crime gangs do not think of themselves as hackers. They think of themselves as a business. Your security was weak, that's bad news for you, buddy. Our security, our technology was better, so you now have to pay us. It's effectively like a corporate raider mentality.” - Geoff White “I think we're in a good place with cybersecurity, relatively speaking, where the defensive AI use is so strong and so well-funded and pumping so hard that make hay while the sun shines, get your AI defensive stuff in line, keep our advantage going, because I think the cybercrime gangs are a bit behind the curve there.” - Geoff White “Let's imagine as a thought experiment,, the UK government tomorrow introduces legislation that says no more ransoms, illegal, enforceable by criminal law, illegal, criminally illegal to pay a ransom. Immediately you'll just be set with problems. Hospitals, there's points where hospitals to get the patients to survive would need to pay a ransom. Are you prepared to let people die because you don't want to pay a ransom?” - Geoff White Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

In today's episode, we welcome another ISF veteran: journalist Geoff White. The last time Geoff was a guest on the podcast, it was 2024 and he had just released a book about how the tech industry launders money for criminal organizations. Today, Geoff comes on to talk about the latest installment in his podcast series The Lazarus Heist – now known as Cyber Hack –  in which he dives deep into ransomware attacks. Steve and Geoff discuss the changing nature of ransomware attacks, how AI is used, crypto and ransomware laundering, and the importance of businesses having a plan to deal with an attack when it inevitably comes. Key Takeaways: Ransomware attacks remain similar in strategy, but have become more industrialized in recent years.  Crime groups utilizing ransomware view themselves as businesses. and view targets not as victims but as competitors.  An immediate, outright criminalization of paying ransoms is the wrong path forward, but if done in phases it can be the best way to solve the issue of ransomware attacks.  Tune in to hear more about: Geoff's investigation into Conti, one of the world's most notorious ransomware gangs (7:33) The impact of AI on ransomware attacks (13:52) How money laundering is changing (17:03) Standout Quotes: “I think for defenders, the listeners of your podcast, understanding [ransomware] is a business and understanding you're not being attacked by a crime gang, you're being challenged by a business competitor, is a really interesting way of thinking about this. This is like a hostile takeover. The crime gangs do not think of themselves as hackers. They think of themselves as a business. Your security was weak, that's bad news for you, buddy. Our security, our technology was better, so you now have to pay us. It's effectively like a corporate raider mentality.” - Geoff White “I think we're in a good place with cybersecurity, relatively speaking, where the defensive AI use is so strong and so well-funded and pumping so hard that make hay while the sun shines, get your AI defensive stuff in line, keep our advantage going, because I think the cybercrime gangs are a bit behind the curve there.” - Geoff White “Let's imagine as a thought experiment,, the UK government tomorrow introduces legislation that says no more ransoms, illegal, enforceable by criminal law, illegal, criminally illegal to pay a ransom. Immediately you'll just be set with problems. Hospitals, there's points where hospitals to get the patients to survive would need to pay a ransom. Are you prepared to let people die because you don't want to pay a ransom?” - Geoff White Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Resumes still matter—but not for the reasons we think. In a world where AI can polish anyone's experience into a compelling narrative, the traditional hiring signals many organizations have relied on are losing their value. Heather Krueger, Chief People Officer at Engine, joins David Rice to explore what comes next when a polished resume becomes proof of tool usage rather than proof of talent.Their conversation challenges hiring leaders to rethink where and how they evaluate candidates, shifting from credentials and company logos toward judgment, learning velocity, resilience, and real-world decision-making. They also unpack why pedigree is often an expensive shortcut, how experimentation should influence both hiring and leadership, and what actually predicts success in an AI-driven workplace.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Heather on LinkedInVisit EngineSupport the show

Remote and hybrid work is no longer a temporary adjustment—it's how many project teams operate every day. But while we've become better at working asynchronously and using AI to boost productivity, it's worth asking whether we've unintentionally lost some of the human elements that make collaboration truly effective.In this conversation, Galen Low sits down with Karen Chong to explore what remote teams are missing, why intentional collaboration matters more than ever, and how project leaders can recreate the trust, creativity, and learning that once happened naturally in shared office spaces. They also dive into AI's growing role in team collaboration—and why efficiency alone isn't enough to build high-performing teams.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Karen on LinkedInVisit Abracademy & The Mind Blend podcast

In this episode, Steve speaks with Alex Bovee, co-founder and CEO of C1, a technology company focused on identity security online. Steve and Alex discuss why identity still often is an afterthought when businesses look at their risk profiles and how governance is changing as employees get access to more and more systems. Alex also shares his thoughts on how to translate identity management to board members and how to adapt technology so that it fits your team, not the other way around. Key Takeaways: Identity must be treated as a strategic risk.  When it comes to protecting your business against deepfakes, tried and true verification methods like MFA and multi-step approval processes remain best practice.  Choosing robust but user-friendly technology is important for attracting and retaining new talent.  Tune in to hear more about: The deepfake challenge (6:14) Automated identity governance (8:33) Empowering a culture of trust through identity strategy (12:20) Standout Quotes: “I would say that most forward-thinking CISOs 100% view identity as one of the most important pillars in their company that they need to protect and secure.” - Alex Bovee  “There's different, I would say, classes of deepfake-type attacks. There's more of your broad-based social engineering type attacks, and I think one of the impacts of AI on that is that AI is able to do that at scale and in a very targeted way. I think we're gonna see a lot of asymmetry happening in those types of attacks. And then the second category is much more of your targeted attack, where you're trying to deepfake the CEO calling the CFO, asking for an immediate wire transfer to pay for something.” - Alex Bovee “The best kind of security controls are the ones that are just in place that work, that are silent, and you don't know they're there, but they let you do your job.” - Alex Bovee Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

In this episode, Steve speaks with Alex Bovee, co-founder and CEO of C1, a technology company focused on identity security online. Steve and Alex discuss why identity still often is an afterthought when businesses look at their risk profiles and how governance is changing as employees get access to more and more systems. Alex also shares his thoughts on how to translate identity management to board members and how to adapt technology so that it fits your team, not the other way around. Key Takeaways: Identity must be treated as a strategic risk.  When it comes to protecting your business against deepfakes, tried and true verification methods like MFA and multi-step approval processes remain best practice.  Choosing robust but user-friendly technology is important for attracting and retaining new talent.  Tune in to hear more about: The deepfake challenge (6:14) Automated identity governance (8:33) Empowering a culture of trust through identity strategy (12:20) Standout Quotes: “I would say that most forward-thinking CISOs 100% view identity as one of the most important pillars in their company that they need to protect and secure.” - Alex Bovee  “There's different, I would say, classes of deepfake-type attacks. There's more of your broad-based social engineering type attacks, and I think one of the impacts of AI on that is that AI is able to do that at scale and in a very targeted way. I think we're gonna see a lot of asymmetry happening in those types of attacks. And then the second category is much more of your targeted attack, where you're trying to deepfake the CEO calling the CFO, asking for an immediate wire transfer to pay for something.” - Alex Bovee “The best kind of security controls are the ones that are just in place that work, that are silent, and you don't know they're there, but they let you do your job.” - Alex Bovee Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

AI isn't arriving as a gradual workplace evolution—it's arriving as a societal shift that many leaders are still struggling to describe honestly. In this conversation, David Rice sits down with Leap Academy founder and CEO Ilana Golan to explore what happens when skills expire in one to two years, organizations expect dramatically higher productivity, and career stability becomes the exception rather than the rule.Together, they unpack why adaptability is becoming the defining professional skill, how portfolio careers may become a necessity rather than a choice, and why the future belongs to people who can continuously reinvent themselves. From the “pattern interrupt” needed to escape career pigeonholes to the practical 5-5-5 framework for making faster decisions, this episode offers a candid look at what it will take to stay relevant in an era of relentless change.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ilana on LinkedInVisit Leap AcademySupport the show

Project management often gets framed as a career path, but increasingly it's becoming a skill that professionals across every function need to develop. As organizations navigate AI-driven transformation, cross-functional initiatives, and constant change, more people are finding themselves responsible for leading projects—whether or not "project manager" appears in their job title.Galen Low sits down with Stuart Taylor, founder of Influential PMO and author of Becoming The Project Manager, to explore what separates effective project leaders from accidental coordinators. They unpack common misconceptions about project management, the leadership and communication skills that matter most when plans don't go as expected, and why learning to lead projects may become a defining career milestone for professionals at every level.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Stuart on LinkedIn and YouTubeVisit Influential PMOCheck out Stuart's book: “Becoming The Project Manager”

Today, Steve speaks with James Wilkson, managing partner at AEC Global Search Consultants, an executive search and advisory firm. James and Steve discuss why today's leaders must be flexible and emotionally intelligent, who belongs in today's boardrooms, and how leaders can protect their personal brands online. Steve also asks James to look into the crystal ball.Key Takeaways: The most important trait for leaders today is flexibility. Today's leaders must understand the technology they're implementing in their organizations.  Almost everything you do is visible online today, so be careful and mind your behavior. Tune in to hear more about: Managing different generations in the workplace (4:18) How boards can upskill (12:31) What will surprise leaders a year from now (18:29) Standout Quotes: “I think AI, without a doubt is going to continue to accelerate and alter how we think, but just like anything else, it's just going to be an extremely robust tool down the line.” - James Wilkson “And leaders today, the leaders that are well-trained at being able to relate across generations and across technology are the ones that are going to continue being the leaders, and they're going to hone the next leadership team. The ones that are resistant and the ones that are frustrated, they're just not going to sustain leadership roles that much longer.” - James Wilkson “It's just a massive tsunami of discussion about AI and how it's going to change everything, and it is, but I think we're only going to briefly be led by this loss of work purpose, this loss of what... I think companies right now, the reason there's such a holdback on what do we do? We really slowed down hiring, are the entry level jobs all going to be gone? Yes, probably briefly because we're having a reaction, a knee-jerk reaction, but I think we're going to quickly find out that this is going to bring about a lot of different opportunity. So I think we'll plateau for a while, and then we'll begin utilizing humans in different roles that are still the same role that's just adapted itself to what technology has brought for us.” - James Wilkson Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Today, Steve speaks with James Wilkson, managing partner at AEC Global Search Consultants, an executive search and advisory firm. James and Steve discuss why today's leaders must be flexible and emotionally intelligent, who belongs in today's boardrooms, and how leaders can protect their personal brands online. Steve also asks James to look into the crystal ball.Key Takeaways: The most important trait for leaders today is flexibility. Today's leaders must understand the technology they're implementing in their organizations.  Almost everything you do is visible online today, so be careful and mind your behavior. Tune in to hear more about: Managing different generations in the workplace (4:18) How boards can upskill (12:31) What will surprise leaders a year from now (18:29) Standout Quotes: “I think AI, without a doubt is going to continue to accelerate and alter how we think, but just like anything else, it's just going to be an extremely robust tool down the line.” - James Wilkson “And leaders today, the leaders that are well-trained at being able to relate across generations and across technology are the ones that are going to continue being the leaders, and they're going to hone the next leadership team. The ones that are resistant and the ones that are frustrated, they're just not going to sustain leadership roles that much longer.” - James Wilkson “It's just a massive tsunami of discussion about AI and how it's going to change everything, and it is, but I think we're only going to briefly be led by this loss of work purpose, this loss of what... I think companies right now, the reason there's such a holdback on what do we do? We really slowed down hiring, are the entry level jobs all going to be gone? Yes, probably briefly because we're having a reaction, a knee-jerk reaction, but I think we're going to quickly find out that this is going to bring about a lot of different opportunity. So I think we'll plateau for a while, and then we'll begin utilizing humans in different roles that are still the same role that's just adapted itself to what technology has brought for us.” - James Wilkson Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

David Kolbe argues that most organizations are only measuring two-thirds of what drives performance. We assess what people know (skills) and how they tend to behave (personality), but often ignore how they instinctively take action. That missing piece—what Kolbe calls conation—shapes how people gather information, solve problems, make decisions, and navigate uncertainty.In this conversation, David Rice and David Kolbe explore why burnout is often a mismatch problem rather than a motivation problem, why high-performing employees can be the most at risk of quietly disengaging, and why leaders who want better results may need to stop trying to standardize how work gets done and focus more on creating environments where different working styles can thrive.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with David on LinkedInVisit Kolbe CorpCheck out David's book:  Do More, More NaturallySupport the show

AI is forcing every function to reevaluate what creates value—and project management is no exception. In this conversation, Alla Tarasenko, Principal Technical Program Manager at Gusto, shares why building AI agents isn't about replacing program managers. It's about reclaiming capacity for the work that matters most: coaching teams, improving processes, and driving cross-functional alignment.Alla walks through the practical realities of building an AI-powered intake and triage system that serves more than 1,000 internal stakeholders, the unexpected challenges that emerge after the first successful prompt, and why change management may become one of the most important leadership skills in the AI era. More importantly, she offers a thoughtful perspective on how AI could break down silos and create stronger collaboration across technical teams—if leaders are intentional about how they implement it.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Alla on LinkedInVisit Gusto

Today, Steve sits down with Stephanie Forbes, CEO of the Forbes Group. Stephanie is a supply chain expert who recently released Global Wealth, Local Impact: How Supply Chains Build Thriving Companies, Cultures, and Countries, a book about building supply chains using lessons from our past. She and Steve discuss what she learned in her research for the book and supply chain management principles leaders can rely on in these unsteady times. Stephanie also gives advice for small and medium-sized businesses, how to manage supply chain issues across departments, and digital risk management. Key Takeaways: Frequent reviews of internal systems and supplier compliance are key to supply chain management in uncertain times.  We innovate and solve problems better when we work in teams and across departments, and it's the leader's job to enable and encourage such collaboration. Boards have the responsibility to ask questions and investigate whether their organizations are managing their supply chains as well and securely as they could.  Tune in to hear more about: What history teaches us about how we manage societies (2:08) How supply chains will change over the next five to ten years (10:25) The three questions boards should ask to secure their supply chains (25:58) Standout Quotes: “If I'm only a couple of people, 10 people, then I'm probably not going to bring in a full-scale audit unless I'm importing a lot of goods, unless I have a really big tariff bill, and then it's probably worth it for me to take a look at that. So you're going to want to cherry pick the things that are really important.” - Stephanie Forbes “It's going to become very difficult, I think, in another five, 10 years to buy anything that doesn't have a full life -cycle knowledge, awareness or paper trail. And that's gonna be all the way down to the ink or the physical ore, all that kind of stuff.” - Stephanie Forbes “The more as a leader in your organization that you can really encourage and foster that cross-functional collaboration between your operations and whether it's procurement, supply chain, even finance, to really make sure everyone's talking the same language, it becomes a huge competitive advantage, especially when things are changing so rapidly.” - Stephanie Forbes Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Most reward systems were built for a world where speed, volume, and visible output were reliable signals of performance. But AI now produces all three at scale. That leaves organizations facing an uncomfortable question: if AI can generate more output than ever, what exactly are you rewarding?In this episode, David Rice sits down with Anju Choudhary, Chief People Officer at Xoxoday, to explore why recognition systems need a redesign for the AI era. They discuss the growing gap between productivity and impact, the importance of recognizing human-centered behaviors like judgment and collaboration, and why the most important question leaders can ask isn't "What do we want people to do?" but "What do we want people to feel?"Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Anju on LinkedInVisit XoxodaySupport the show

Public speaking is often framed as a stage skill—but for project leaders, it's really a leadership skill. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with fractional PM, consultant, and award-winning Toastmaster Megan Cotterman to explore how communication, audience awareness, active listening, and adaptability show up in the everyday realities of project work. From project kickoffs and stakeholder updates to difficult conversations and team alignment, they unpack why strong communication is becoming even more valuable in an AI-powered world.They also dive into practical ways introverted and ambiverted project managers can build confidence, develop resilience, and strengthen their ability to think on their feet—without becoming the loudest person in the room.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Megan on LinkedInVisit Managed By Megan

Today, Steve speaks with Dustin Dobbyn, an internationally recognized security expert, Marine Corps veteran, former SWAT operator, and the CEO of a fast-growing private security and executive protection firm. The two discuss management under pressure, the value of training and preparation, and awareness of supply chain risk. Dustin also makes the case for agility and flexibility in the workplace.  Key Takeaways: Physical security and cybersecurity are no longer separate arenas and organizations must realize all forms of security impact one another.  Intelligence is your greatest friend when building organizational resilience.  Work schedule flexibility can significantly improve productivity.  Tune in to hear more about: Securing all levels of your supply chain (8:15) A skill that veterans can bring to the cybersecurity industry (14:05) Dustin's resilience roadmap for the next five years (18:02) Standout Quotes: “If you think you know it all, it's time to get out of the business.” - Dustin Dobbyn “So we're seeing, especially in the corporate world for corporate security, a lot of people working remote on a flex schedule, and we're seeing a lot more productivity because of it. For leadership out there who's listening, absolutely just take that into consideration, as sometimes people work better at certain times of the day based on their schedule. And if you can get them in an environment where they're less stressed, you're going to get better work output out of them.” - Dustin Dobbyn “Knowledge is power. Intelligence is what's going to keep you safe because if you have the intelligence, you're aware of what's going on, and you can prepare for worst-case scenarios.” - Dustin Dobbyn Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

What if the leadership skills we've spent decades rewarding are no longer the ones that matter most?In this conversation, mediator, peacemaker, and author Douglas Noll argues that AI is making critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and human connection more valuable—not less. As technology takes over more analytical work, leaders who can regulate trust, create psychological safety, and keep people engaged will have a growing advantage.Doug challenges some of the deepest assumptions in modern management, including the idea that people are primarily rational actors. From emotional contagion in the workplace to the three questions every nervous system is constantly asking, this discussion explores why leadership in the AI era may be less about technical expertise and more about understanding human behavior.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Douglas on LinkedInCheck out Douglas' websiteVisit Noll AssociatesSupport the show

In a marketing landscape shaped by lean teams, rising expectations, and an ever-expanding stack of AI tools, many leaders are asking the same question: do agencies still have a role to play? In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Tammy Valentine, President of LuckyTamm Marketing Group, to explore how boutique agencies are evolving in the age of AI—and why human expertise, trust, and collaboration still matter.Together, they unpack where AI genuinely adds value, where it falls short, and how marketing leaders can build stronger agency partnerships that help them achieve more with less. Along the way, they share practical lessons on experimentation, brand trust, onboarding, and the fundamentals that continue to drive marketing success regardless of technology shifts.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Tammy on LinkedInVisit LuckyTamm

Today, one of our favorite guests returns: Peter Hinssen. A renowned keynote speaker, author and serial entrepreneur, Peter is one of the most sought-after thought leaders on radical innovation, leadership and the impact of all things digital on society and business. When Peter was last on the show, the world had just begun to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, and generative AI was still in its infancy. This time around, Steve and Peter talk about the advancements of AI and what they mean for the C-suite, whether the tech companies have become too powerful, AI regulation, and the future of leadership. Peter also answers how we will remember this AI boom in 10 years. Key Takeaways: This period of rapid change that we're currently going through won't pass, but rather become the new (never) normal. Regulators must rethink their approach to create frameworks for new technology that actually work. Headcount is no longer a key measure when it comes to a business' success. Tune in to hear more about: How to manage this era of volatility and constant change (3:30) How leadership is changing (14:30) Why small businesses might be better equipped to deal with the AI boom (21:06) Standout Quotes: “We're now in a world where the cycles move faster than ever before. The stakes are higher, and I think a lot of the instruments that we had from the past just don't work anymore.” - Peter Hinssen  “The larger the company is, the more difficult it is to get that change going, and that's why inherently smaller organizations have, I think, a competitive advantage because being agile, being nimble, and being resilient should be easier for a smaller company than a larger organization.” - Peter Hinssen “When you look at the printing press moment, we had the industrialization of knowledge, where we went from monks transcribing books into an abundance of information, and then we had the Industrial Revolution, where we went from muscle to machine. I think this is where the two of them are coming together.” - Peter Hinssen Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

AI promises efficiency, but the real question is what teams do with the time they get back. In this conversation from Transform in Las Vegas, Oyster's Erin Goodey joins David Rice to unpack how global HR teams are balancing automation with human connection—especially when managing distributed workforces across countries, compliance requirements, and sensitive employee situations.Erin shares how Oyster is using AI to eliminate repetitive administrative work, freeing HR teams to focus on the moments that actually require empathy, judgment, and strategic thinking. From global expansion challenges to the evolving role of HR business partners, this episode explores what “human-centric” HR really looks like in an AI-enabled workplace.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Erin on LinkedInVisit Oyster HRSupport the show

Most leaders think they're navigating another wave of disruption. Sara Loncka argues we're in something far more unsettling: discontinuity. The old assumptions don't just need tweaking—they've stopped working altogether. Past experience, the thing leaders have spent entire careers building confidence around, is suddenly less reliable as a guide for the future. And that's creating a strange kind of friction: teams keep pushing harder with familiar playbooks while the terrain underneath them quietly changes shape.In this conversation, David Rice and Sara unpack why experienced leaders are often the most vulnerable in moments like this, how organizations get trapped by expertise, and why the future of strategy looks less like certainty and more like continuous inquiry. They also explore collective intelligence, learning agility, and why redesigning work now requires leaders to think more like designers than operators.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Sara on LinkedInVisit Experience Institute and NYU SternSupport the show

What happens when AI stops being a tool you type into and starts becoming something you talk to? In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Oliver Shoulson, Agent Design and Engineering Lead at PolyAI, to unpack the surprisingly human problem at the heart of conversational AI: most AI conversations still feel weird.From clunky chatbot scripts to overly polite “LLM voice” personas that sound like they were trained by a committee of HR robots, Oliver explains why good conversational design is less about mimicking humans perfectly and more about removing friction. The conversation explores the psychology of trust, the mechanics of social presence, and why the future of AI interfaces may depend less on visual design and more on understanding how people naturally speak, interrupt, hesitate, clarify, and collaborate.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Oliver on LinkedInCheck out Oliver's websiteVisit PolyAI

Kyle Holm has spent 25 years advising companies on compensation, and right now he's watching the logic of corporate hierarchy break in real time. Not because executives suddenly discovered organizational theory, but because AI is collapsing the distance between capability and influence. The old model—slow progression through management layers, credential accumulation, carefully staged promotions—is running into a technology that rewards direct value creation instead. And executives are noticing.In this conversation from Transform Las Vegas, Kyle and David unpack what happens when AI-native companies stop hiring “mid-level” talent altogether, why compensation systems built on titles and tenure are struggling to keep up, and how the next generation of workers may leapfrog traditional career ladders entirely. It's a conversation about compensation on the surface, but underneath it's really about power: who gets heard, who creates leverage, and who gets left behind when organizations flatten faster than expected.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Kyle on LinkedInVisit Sequoia Consulting GroupSupport the show

Most companies say they're building community. What they often mean is: they launched a Slack channel no one reads, hosted an event with a neon sign and a DJ, watched people post about it on Instagram, and called the whole thing a success. Meanwhile, the people in the room never actually connected.In this episode, David sits down with Jessie Jacob, Culture First Community Manager at Culture Amp, to unpack why relational atrophy is becoming one of the defining workplace problems of the AI era. Jessie manages a global community of more than 100,000 people, and her argument is simple: if people don't feel safe, welcomed, or genuinely connected, no amount of “community strategy” will save you. In a world increasingly optimized for efficiency, automation, and performative engagement, human connection is quickly becoming the real competitive advantage.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Jessie on LinkedInVisit Culture AmpSupport the show

Slide decks aren't going away. Despite years of corporate eye-rolls, overloaded bullet points, and “this could've been an email” energy, presentations still sit at the center of how organizations align people around ideas. And now AI is crashing directly into that workflow.In this episode, Galen sits down with Morgan Cornelius, Chief of Staff at Decky and founder of mrcantile, to unpack why presentations still matter, where most AI-generated decks fall apart, and how teams can use AI as a collaborative thought partner instead of a slop machine. They dig into the real purpose of slides—not transferring information, but creating resonance—and explore what happens when AI removes the production bottleneck but leaves humans responsible for the thinking.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Morgan on LinkedInCheck out Decky and use promo code DeckyDPM for one month free of Decky ProVisit mrcantile

In this episode, Steve is in conversation with Betsy Cooper, director of the Aspen Policy Academy at the Aspen Institute. As an expert in cyber and tech policy, Betsy shares her thoughts on how policymakers can keep pace with the rapid developments in AI and quantum technology, building a futureproof compliance strategy, and AI risks. Steve and Betsy also discuss policymaking in a volatile world, how businesses can protect their image after a breach, and what can be done to get governments to care about online scams. Key Takeaways: Legislative experiments at the local and regional levels will be key for crafting strong, sensible, tech policy on the national level. Tabletop exercises are one of the best tools for preparing the C-suite for breaches and attacks. People must start to speak up against the growing prevalence of having to trade privacy for access to the most basic online tools and sites. Tune in to hear more about: Creating a “future-proof” compliance strategy (7:11) Protecting your brand following a breach, data theft, or disinformation campaigns (13:35) Trading access for personal information (22:31) Standout Quotes: “I do think that it would be preferable to have one coherent framework. I think industry would benefit from that if we did have that sort of framework. But also, I'm not sure that we're at the level of sophistication today that we'd be able to write the best framework because we haven't experimented enough. So I actually think that having the state and local sort of sandboxes leading to future federal policy is not a bad approach.” - Betsy Cooper “It's a very difficult thing to try to prove a negative, and that's why disinformation can be so powerful. But it's also a very fast-moving space, so the faster you can get in there with your counter-narrative, the more likely you are to be successful.” - Betsy Cooper “I'm the mother of a five-year-old, and in order to get my five-year-old's baseball schedule, I have to download an app on my phone. There is no web access for the app that has the baseball schedule. So in order to get that baseball schedule, I have to sign away a whole bunch of privacy just to get my kid to a sports game. I think that shouldn't be allowed.” - Betsy Cooper Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

AI is speeding up people decisions at exactly the moment those decisions require more care, more context, and frankly, more humility. In this episode, Matt Poepsel from The Predictive Index joins David Rice at Transform to unpack the growing gap between what AI can do and what organizations actually understand about the people data they're feeding into it. Because while everyone is obsessed with automation, agents, and productivity gains, most managers still don't know how to ask the most important question: “Do we actually have the right context for this decision?”The conversation digs into the uncomfortable reality underneath modern workplace AI adoption. Companies are compressing timelines because AI can generate outputs faster, but they're still operating from old assumptions about productivity, management, and collaboration. The result? Burnout, shallow decision-making, and what Matt calls “work slop” — endless AI-generated summaries, presentations, and outputs that create distance between people while pretending to improve teamwork. The deeper challenge isn't technological. It's behavioral. And most organizations still aren't equipped to deal with that.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Matt on LinkedInVisit The Predictive IndexSupport the show

Only 10% of senior leaders admit to using AI. Which raises an awkward question: if leadership isn't really using the tools, who exactly is teaching everyone else how to work with them? Increasingly, the answer is peers. In this conversation from Transform, David Rice sits down with returning guest Kamaria Scott to unpack why AI adoption is becoming less of a top-down transformation initiative and more of a global peer-learning experiment happening in real time.They explore the growing tension between organizational pressure to adopt AI and the complete lack of capacity many employees have to actually experiment with it. Along the way, they dig into manager enablement, skill atrophy, learning agility, performance management, and the uncomfortable possibility that companies are automating away the very expertise employees need to judge whether AI output is any good in the first place. The result is a candid discussion about why managers may become the bottleneck in AI adoption—and why organizations that failed to build real learning cultures before this moment are now paying for it.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Kamaria on LinkedInSupport the show

AI-powered PM tools promise everything from predictive risk alerts to automated status reports—but what happens when the tool you picked doesn't actually deliver on the features that sold you in the first place?In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Emmanuels Magaya, Director of Technology at Tech Legends and Founder & CEO of Project Managers Africa, to unpack what organizations should do when their AI-powered project management platform falls short. Drawing from his experience testing hundreds of AI tools, Emmanuels shares a practical framework for evaluating AI software, explains why organizations shouldn't rely on one tool to do everything, and walks through how AI agents and automation workflows can augment existing PM ecosystems.The conversation also dives into AI literacy, predictive PMOs, and why emerging markets have a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional delivery models—if they approach AI strategically instead of reactively.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Emmanuels on LinkedInVisit Project Managers Africa and Tech Legends

Today's guest is Dr. Keith Morneau, an experienced cybersecurity professional who currently serves as Dean of Computer and Information Science at ECPI University. Steve and Kieth discuss the future of the cyber workforce, cyber education, and if AI is taking our jobs. Steve also asks Keith to step into the shoes of a CEO…Key Takeaways: In today's cyber world, having an understanding of how systems interact is more important than ever. People with non-technical backgrounds are often quick learners when it comes to cyber, and bring in fresh perspectives.  In new hires, executives should look for people who understand how to work with AI.  Tune in to hear more about: How AI can help junior staff and those entering the cyber workforce (6:15) Dr. Morneau's ”prepare, practice, perform, assess” philosophy (13:23) One obsolete role chief executives should stop hiring for, and one emerging role they haven't even thought about yet (21:15)  Standout Quotes: “We're really still in the baby steps of AI, in the beginning stages of it. What I've noticed of a lot of folks, there's AI there, but they're not 100% understanding how it all works, how the AI actually has to be trained and all that. I think over time what we'll see is the increase in knowledge and skill set using AI for what they're doing in their jobs should help with the bottom line over time.” - Dr. Keith Morneau “The biggest issue in cybersecurity are the AI systems that are very vulnerable to attacks.” - Dr. Keith Morneau “The type of person you need to look at is the person who's able to use AI to do the job that you need them to be able to do better and faster, and be more efficient at it. What you have to be careful of is the people that are going to be obsolete are the ones that are basically fighting the AI and not using AI at all to help them, because that is pretty much they are going to be dinosaurs soon, if they're not already dinosaurs.” - Dr. Keith Morneau Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

The pace of change in today's workforce isn't just fast—it's compounding. In this episode, Galen sits down with higher education leaders Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich and Charlotte Bencaz to unpack what it actually takes to stay relevant when roles, tools, and expectations are shifting in real time. From the decline of entry-level roles to the rise of AI-augmented “power workers,” this conversation challenges the idea that learning is a one-time investment—and reframes it as a continuous, strategic habit.They also dig into what's broken (and fixable) in traditional education, how to build skills without taking on massive debt, and why the real risk isn't AI itself—but uneven access to it. If you're trying to pivot, level up, or just keep up, this episode offers a grounded look at what's actually working right now.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Sasha and Charlotte on LinkedInVisit Newstate University

In today's episode, Steve sits down with John “Jock" Brocas, a former military member who is now an executive mentor and strategic intuitive intelligence advisor to the C-suite. Jock is far from your typical cyber professional, but his experience working with executives gives him a compelling perspective on challenges faced in our industry. Steve and Jock discuss how we can train ourselves to block out the noise and become better at recognizing the real threats to our business, the value of mindfulness and managing stress, and why leaders must see the big picture. Jock also shares his thoughts on deepfakes, from the perspective of a medium. Key Takeaways: Adopting a warrior mindset means blending logic and intuition. Taking a break, even just for a few seconds, is crucial to managing stressful situations. Meditating can help you become better at discerning what matters and what doesn't.  Tune in to hear more about: Discerning the signal from the noise () How leaders can help their teams manage stress, both long-term and in acute situations () Jock's thoughts on deepfakes () Standout Quotes: “Logic and intuition are not separate. And this is the biggest mistake we make. We don't fail in making decisions, especially in the cyber world because of the amount of data we have. We fail at the discernment of maybe that data.” - Jock Brocas “I think it's important as well that looking at a more spiritual outlook to things, not religious in any way, a meditative or a contemplative side of things. And how many security professionals or cybersecurity professionals take time for themselves to actually even breathe in between doing something?” - Jock Brocas “Discernment, even as a cyber professional, is important. So discernment of the self, discernment of the mind, that's important.” - Jock Brocas Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Everything is urgent—until it isn't. When every ticket is a fire, teams don't move faster; they burn out. In this episode, Barbara Nicholas (CEO at Polly) borrows a lesson from search and rescue: urgency only matters when it actually changes outcomes. Most white-collar work isn't life or death, but we've built cultures that pretend it is—and people are paying for it in cognitive overload and constant distraction.Barbara walks through how she operationalizes a triage system across her company—embedding shared language into tools like Slack, Notion, and Jira, and empowering teams to challenge urgency instead of blindly accepting it. From AI experimentation to customer demands and internal comms, this is a conversation about cutting through noise, making better calls under pressure, and remembering what actually matters.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Barbara on LinkedInVisit PollySupport the show

Project management certifications have become the industry's favorite shorthand for competence—but what are they actually signaling? In this candid panel, Galen Low sits down with Crystal Richards, Dave Prior, and Karthick Nivas Ramdoss to unpack what certifications do (and just as importantly, what they don't). From PMP to CSM to emerging AI-focused credentials like CPMAI, the conversation cuts through the alphabet soup and gets to the real question: are we hiring for capability, or just filtering for compliance?What emerges is a more uncomfortable truth. Certifications can open doors, create shared language, and signal commitment—but they're also being misused as blunt instruments in hiring systems that are already overwhelmed. The result? Talented people get filtered out, hiring managers get false confidence, and organizations end up chasing “unicorn” candidates that don't exist. This episode is a reality check—and a practical guide—for anyone trying to make smarter decisions about project talent.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Crystal, Dave, and Karthick on LinkedInVisit MindsparQ, The Agile Network, and PMICheck out these books:PMP Exam Prep For Dummies (2nd Edition) By Crystal RichardsNo One Is Coming to Save You: The Power-Ups to Help Surf the Chaos By Dave Prior

Today's episode might sound a little bit different, but it's a really important conversation. Steve sits down with Emily Holyoake, co-founder of Not A Standard and the brain behind the FRAME Network, to talk about the human harm of cyber attacks, gender-based violence, tech-facilitated abuse, and diversity in the cybersecurity industry. Steve also asks Emily to envision the future of the cyber workforce, one that creates safety for society and people, not just machines and data. Key Takeaways: Every attack begins and ends with a human and a breach can have an existential impact on people's lives. Attribution too often is aimed at individual humans, when we should look at the systems that enabled the person to cause the harm. Diversity within your teams enables a richer environment for problem-solving. Tune in to hear more about: The SAFE Framework (1:57) Why Emily pen-tests her personal life – and why you should, too (18:44) Building a cyber workforce for a safer society (20:56) Standout Quotes: “A person clicks on a phishing link that results in a breach. So we blame the individual instead of thinking what did the system, literally or figuratively, allow to happen that meant that person clicked on that link? But we think we've got to find the root cause. So we pick a human rather than thinking about what the system enabled.” - Emily Holyoake “Every attack begins and ends with a human, fundamentally. In security, we talk so often about people being the weakest link. Fair enough, right? You can have all the technical controls in the world and it just takes one person to break that. But we wouldn't have this business, we wouldn't have this culture, we wouldn't have anything without these people. And so people are, if anything, our greatest asset.” - Emily Holyoake “When you have a diverse group of people thinking about the same problem in different ways from different backgrounds, different experiences, you're going to get an infinitely richer understanding or solution to a problem.” - Emily Holyoake Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

AI in HR is finally moving out of the pitch deck and into the messy reality of day-to-day operations. In this conversation, Tim Fisher sits down with Josh Rod from HiBob to unpack what's actually changing—and what's still just noise. The headline? Most organizations aren't chasing some agentic, fully automated future. They're trying to make today's workflows less painful, faster, and marginally more effective.But underneath that pragmatic adoption sits a deeper shift: the structure of work itself is being quietly rewritten. When every employee becomes a “manager” of AI, the old hierarchies start to wobble. HR isn't just implementing tools anymore—it's being asked to design the operating system for how humans and machines collaborate. And that's where things get interesting.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Josh on LinkedInVisit HiBobSupport the show

Most AI tools weren't designed with kids in mind—but kids are using them anyway. That tension sits at the heart of this conversation with Aderonke Akinbola, where the question isn't if we should build AI for children, but how we do it responsibly. From digital playgrounds that shape behavior to the long-term implications of data exposure, this episode explores why the stakes are fundamentally different for younger users—and why product teams can't afford to treat child safety as an afterthought.Galen and Ade dig into what it really means to design AI experiences that protect, educate, and develop young users. They unpack practical ways teams can introduce ethical friction, rethink data handling, and advocate for safer systems—while also looking ahead to a future where AI itself may act as a guardian for children navigating an increasingly intelligent digital world.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Aderonke on LinkedIn

Today we bring back one of our favorite guests: former US most-wanted cybercriminal Brett Johnson. It's been seven years since he was last on the show, and much has happened in the world of cyber. Brett shares how his perspective has changed in the past few years, and gives his thoughts on how new technologies impact cyber crime. Steve and Brett discuss compliance and what Brett's path from prison to helping law enforcement means for other cyber criminals. Brett also answers some rapid-fire questions.Key Takeaways:  Increased ease of access to cybercrime tools and services, along with manpower problems in law enforcement, are key reasons for why cyber crime is one of the world's largest economies today. Enterprises must shift focus from trying to block every attack to protecting their crown jewels for when an attack inevitably gets through.   Bad things happen because good people remain silent.  Tune in to hear more about: Why cybersecurity awareness training often fail (13:32) If Brett's path to redemption is still viable for today's cyber criminals (16:57) Some rapid-fire questions to Brett (21:35) Standout Quotes: “Cybersecurity and security overall is not a romantic thing. It's not an exotic thing. It's simply doing the nuts and bolts of what you need to do. And the problem is that largely that's not happening in the environment. If you've got management that's more interested in butter than they are in guns, you've got those types of issues.” - Brett Johnson “Cybersecurity awareness training or fraud prevention training, scam awareness, anything like that, we tend to educate at a very rational level. For scams and a lot of fraud and stuff like that, it doesn't happen at a rational level. If I'm trying to attack a person and compromise that person, I'm not doing it at a rational level. I'm doing it at an emotional level. I'm trying to get you to set reason and logic aside and to react emotionally. So all that training takes place at that rational level. You can understand it there. That doesn't mean that you understand it at the emotional level whatsoever.” - Brett Johnson “Is it harder? In one respect it is because we now have people that are aware of how money is moved, what criminals seek to do with it. Banks have become more aware of a lot of the new ways to launder and funnel funds. In many ways, it's much harder, but at the same time, criminal networks have adapted to that difficulty.” - Brett Johnson Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Soft skills are having a moment—but they're still widely misunderstood, undervalued, or dismissed as “nice to have.” In this episode, Galen sits down with Yadi Caro to unpack why that perception persists—and why it's costing teams more than they realize. Drawing from her experience working with elite technical teams in the defense sector, Yadi reframes soft skills as something far more rigorous: essential capabilities that enable collaboration, decision-making, and ultimately, results.Together, they explore what it actually looks like to apply these skills in high-pressure, highly technical environments—and why, in the age of AI, they're becoming even more critical. From onboarding new team members mid-project to navigating conflict and driving alignment, this conversation makes a strong case: soft skills aren't soft—they're the work.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Yadi on LinkedInCheck out SAICYadi's book: Hardcore Soft Skills and podcast

Today, Steve returns to Business Matters with Juliette Foster. The war continues to rage in Iran, and with it comes an increasing threat of cyber attacks. Steve shares his thoughts on what the conflict means for cyber investment in the private sector, British critical infrastructure, and the British government's approach to cyber resilience. Steve and Juliette also discuss the UK Financial Minister's Spring Statement, which didn't include any references to cybersecurity. What does this omission signal? How will multinational companies react? Is cyber a macro economic issue? This, and more, in Steve's latest appearance on Business Matters.Key Takeaways:  Cyber is a macroeconomic issue, not just a technical one.  AI has changed the way that the threat landscape is evolving, but it's also brought benefits for cyber defence.  Governments have limited abilities to support the cyber resilience of the private sector; cooperation between large enterprises supports the whole business landscape. Tune in to hear more about: If Steve thinks the UK Finance Minister's spring statement will impact cyber investments (8:57) The impact on UK businesses of slower economic growth in the UK (14:59) The state of government cyber resilience in the UK (22:39) Standout Quotes: “What you have to do is you have to look at your crown jewels and back to this minimum viable company notion that I mentioned right at the beginning of our chat. You have to understand what the most critical elements of your business are, and then you can track those through these complex supply chains. Those are the pieces you need to be protecting because that's what's gonna bring your business down or ensure that you can continue to operate.”  - Steve Durbin “The business climate in the UK at the moment is exceptionally tough, exceptionally demanding. I think if you look at some of the legislation that's recently come in particularly around hiring, retaining employees, the sheer cost of doing business has risen pretty much exponentially for most organizations, and that means that they have to make cuts somewhere. If they can't do it in terms of some of the core business, they will look to some of the fringe elements. So if you've got an organization that perhaps does not view cyber as being core to what they do, then that may well be somewhere where a cut is made.” - Steve Durbin “I think we'll certainly see a maturing of the industry. It's a very young industry still in terms of the way that it's evolving and changing, and I think that with the benefit of a couple of years under our belt, then most organizations will have moved to a stronger position from a maturity standpoint, and I would hope certainly that we're talking very much more about resilience rather than protection.” Read the transcript of this episodeSubscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcastsConnect with us on LinkedIn and TwitterFrom the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

AI is supposed to free people up for “higher-value work.” Fine. But what, exactly, is that work? In this episode, David Rice talks with cyberpsychology researcher and psychotherapist Dr. Rachel Wood about the part of AI adoption most organizations keep skimming past: the human cost of automating too much, too quickly, without a real philosophy for what should remain deeply, stubbornly human.Their conversation cuts through the usual AI optimism and gets to the more uncomfortable truth. Some friction should absolutely go away. Nobody needs to spend an hour copying and pasting spreadsheet data. But some friction is the job: disagreement, discernment, hard conversations, learning by getting things wrong, and figuring out who you are when your expertise is suddenly easier to imitate. This episode is really about that distinction, and why leaders need to stop treating AI as a software rollout and start treating it as a human development challenge.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Rachel:LinkedInAI Mental Health CollectiveRachel's websiteSupport the show

AI transformation isn't just a tech upgrade—it's a human one. In this episode, Eric Porres (Chief AI Officer at Logitech) pulls back the curtain on what year two of an enterprise-wide AI transformation actually looks like. From shifting mindsets to scaling real adoption, this conversation gets into the messy middle: where curiosity turns into capability, and experimentation starts becoming systems.What stands out is how much of this journey has nothing to do with picking the “right” model—and everything to do with behavior change. Eric shares how Logitech moved from AI curiosity to AI competency, what it takes to build a culture of creators (not just users), and why thinking of AI as a teammate—not a tool—changes everything.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Eric on LinkedIn and SubstackCheck out Logitech

Leaders love to frame AI transformation as a technology problem. It's cleaner that way—tools, roadmaps, implementation plans. But what Anouk Brack lays out here is less flattering and far more consequential: this is a biological stress test, and most leadership teams are quietly failing it.Under constant uncertainty and pressure, your nervous system defaults to survival mode. That means the very capabilities you're counting on—strategic thinking, self-reflection, sound judgment—start to degrade. Not dramatically. Subtly. You keep moving, keep deciding, keep “leading.” But you're doing it with a shrinking field of view and a growing pile of bad bets.Related Links:Join the People Managing People CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Anouk:LinkedInLeadership EmbodimentAnoukA TrainingSupport the show

AI is moving fast—but the underlying challenges aren't new. In this episode, Galen sits down with Eugina Jordan to unpack what today's AI boom can learn from past transformations like 5G. From tool overload to shaky business models, they explore why the winners of this wave won't just be the biggest players—but those who can turn AI into real, usable value for everyday people.They also dig into what AI actually unlocks for small and medium-sized businesses, why “ordinary people” may be the biggest beneficiaries, and how the next wave of innovation might already exist—just waiting for the tech to catch up.Resources from this episode:Join the Digital Project Manager CommunitySubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Eugina:LinkedInFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTubeYOUnifiedAI