Épisodes

  • PPP 493 | How to Future-Prep Your PM Career with AI Tools and Critical Skills, with Olivia Montgomery

    PPP 493 | How to Future-Prep Your PM Career with AI Tools and Critical Skills, with Olivia Montgomery
    Jan 22 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Olivia Montgomery, Associate Principal Analyst at Capterra and a PMP. They discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping project management tools, skills, and expectations. Olivia brings a rare perspective, combining hands-on experience leading a PMO with years of research into how organizations evaluate, adopt, and struggle with project management software. Olivia and Andy explore why buying AI-powered tools is often easy, but realizing real value from them is much harder. Olivia explains the shift from buying software based on seat count to buying based on capability, why security is both the top source of satisfaction and frustration, and how unclear success metrics can quietly derail adoption. They also dig into the hidden risks of delegating too much to AI, including data governance blind spots and misplaced trust in tools that feel intuitive but have real limitations. You'll also hear why emotional intelligence is becoming more important as technology advances, how PMs can stress-test AI tools before committing, and which skills will separate the next generation of project leaders from the rest. If you're trying to prepare for the future of AI, tools, and skills in project management, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Buying tools is very easy. Realizing the value is extremely difficult.""Security is not IT's job. It's the whole company's job.""If your main metric is just 'use AI,' that's a red flag.""AI is very good at predicting what is most likely to happen next, and terrible at predicting black swan events.""Emotional intelligence is what helps you move forward when technology can't.""Use AI to generate a first draft. That's the safest place to start.""If you don't know the topic well yourself, you won't spot when AI gets it wrong.""Confidence in AI can grow faster than readiness, and that's where problems start.""AI can flag a risk, but it cannot tell you why people are stuck.""Data governance is going to set project managers apart in the future.""No matter what job you have in ten years, emotional intelligence will still matter." Chapters 00:00 Introduction02:00 Start of Interview02:10 Olivia's Role and Career Path06:53 Shifts in How Organizations Choose PM Software08:23 The Security Satisfaction and Frustration Paradox11:25 Why AI Tools Are Easy to Buy but Hard to Use Well20:18 Warning Signs of Overconfidence in AI24:03 How to Stress-Test AI Tools Before Buying27:50 Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More with AI34:28 The Future of Project Management Software40:08 Skills That Will Define the Next Generation of PMs45:20 Where to Follow Olivia's Work46:20 End of Interview46:40 Andy Comments After the Interview49:15 Outtakes Learn More You can follow Olivia Montgomery and her research on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/olivia-montgomery. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 479 with Matt Mong, about the AI skills you need to stay relevant in the years aheadEpisode 463 with Faisal Hoque, on how to transcend the fear and hype around AIEpisode 384 with PMeLa, the first-ever interview with an AI on a leadership or project management podcast Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Project Management Software, Project Management, Business Acumen, Data Governance, Security, Emotional Intelligence, AI Adoption, Future Of Work, Leadership Skills, Technology Strategy The following music was used for this episode: Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    54 min
  • PPP 492 | The Hidden Costs of Hybrid Teams, with Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh

    PPP 492 | The Hidden Costs of Hybrid Teams, with Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh
    Jan 16 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh, co-authors of In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work. In a world still grappling with virtual work, Peter and Ranya challenge us to take a fresh look at the workplace. Not just where we do work, but how that space shapes learning, culture, visibility, and performance. In this conversation, you'll hear what gets lost when teams are always virtual, why hybrid work often underdelivers, and how proximity plays a surprising role in mentoring, innovation, and even career progression. Peter and Ranya explore how organizational culture shifts when people are rarely together, and what leaders can do to intentionally design experiences that rebuild connection—even across distance. You'll walk away with insights on how to lead hybrid teams more effectively, how to help team members think differently about in-person time, and why space is not just a backdrop to work—it's a contributor to how work gets done. If you're leading a team in today's hybrid landscape and wondering what really matters, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Remote work disembodies employees and limits their capacity to build relationships, learn informally, and get noticed.""The most frequent way people got promoted was by being visible to their managers.""Slack and Teams are a poor substitute for face-to-face interactions and a terrible way to learn culture or figure out who knows what.""Informal communication is essential to how work gets done, and it doesn't happen easily when everyone is remote.""Hybrid sounds great in theory, but it rarely delivers the benefits of in-person work unless it's intentionally designed.""People don't always know what they need to know, and much of what's important is learned indirectly.""We're not saying remote doesn't work. But we are saying there are trade-offs, and many companies haven't fully reckoned with them.""One big problem with hybrid is that it often ends up being asynchronous. No one's in at the same time.""The office was never perfect, but it enabled certain human processes that are hard to replicate at a distance.""If you're going to make remote or hybrid work well, it requires real investment in new systems and norms, not just wishful thinking.""We have to be honest about what we're losing, not just what we're gaining.""Serendipitous learning is one of the most underappreciated losses of remote work." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:38 Start of Interview01:45 What Is There to Praise About Remote Work?04:34 Why Is the Push to Return Happening Now?09:51 What Do We Lose with Remote Work?13:18 What Problems Persist in Hybrid Models?17:40 What Are Companies Doing to Make Hybrid Work?20:20 Advice for Leading Hybrid Project Teams25:42 Advice for Individual Contributors Navigating Hybrid Work29:59 How Culture Shapes Remote and Office Decisions33:14 Lessons from Co-Writing the Book35:59 End of Interview36:32 Andy Comments After the Interview40:15 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Peter at mgmt.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/cappelli and about Ranya at RanyaNehmeh.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 457 with Andrew Brodsky. It's an insightful take on how we can avoid the mistakes that happen when teams are not collocated, with an author who I think is a future Adam Grant.Episode 361 with Yasmina Khelifi, who joined us to talk about leading virtual teams, specifically across cultures. Yasmina is a hands-on project manager so you can hear her take from that perspective.Episode 22 with Keith Ferrazzi. It's a discussion about his book Who's Got Your Back? and it contains ideas that I still use, over a decade after talking with Keith. Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Topics: Leadership, Hybrid Teams, Remote Work, Organizational Culture, Career Development, Team Collaboration, Psychological Safety, Communication, Mentorship, Project Management, Work Environment, Employee Engagement The following music was used for this episode: Music: Ignotus by ...
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    43 min
  • PPP 491 | What a Children's Book Can Teach Leaders About Fear, with former news anchor Lynn Smith

    PPP 491 | What a Children's Book Can Teach Leaders About Fear, with former news anchor Lynn Smith
    Jan 13 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Lynn Smith, former NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN Headline News anchor, executive communication coach, and author of Just Keep Going. Lynn is best known for helping Fortune 500 leaders turn pressure into presence, but her newest book takes an unexpected form: a children's story about fear, resilience, and perseverance. That surprising choice is exactly what makes this conversation so relevant for leaders. Andy and Lynn explore why the same fears that stop CEOs are often the ones that show up in kids, how our inner critic or "Brain Bully" shapes behavior under pressure, and why the goal is not to eliminate fear but to metabolize it. Lynn shares deeply personal stories about rejection, family influence, and the lessons she learned growing up that shaped her approach to leadership and communication. You'll also hear practical techniques leaders can use to calm their nervous systems, give feedback that actually helps instead of harms, and model resilience for their teams and families. If you lead people or projects and want practical insights on emotional intelligence, confidence, and navigating fear, this episode is for you. Sound Bites "The one trait and the one skill that separates us from success is resilience. If you can acquire that skill, you will be successful. Hard stop.""Your greatest failure can be in service of somebody else.""We are biologically wired for fear. Trying to delete it is a fool's journey.""Bravery is doing something even if you are afraid.""How you show up within one tenth of a second is defining you for your audience.""Feedback leads to growth. Criticism feeds the brain bully.""When we calm our nervous system, we can make better decisions.""There's a mouse in all of us that needs the reminder to just keep going.""Ending what doesn't serve you is not quitting.""Fear often shows up as stress, pressure, or imposter syndrome, but it's the same circuitry.""Resilience is the greatest gift we can give our kids and our teams." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:45 Start of Interview01:55 Family Influence and Early Experiences06:45 Recognizing the Brain Bully12:28 Learning Resilience Over Time14:08 Giving Feedback That Helps Instead of Hurts15:50 Metabolizing Fear Instead of Eliminating It20:05 Rejection and the Origin of the Book23:00 Strategies from the Book for Big Feelings26:15 The Business Equivalent of Jumping Up and Down28:50 When Just Keep Going Does Not Apply31:50 How Lynn and Her Team Help Leaders34:10 End of Interview34:47 Andy Comments After the Interview37:30 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Lynn and her work at LynnSmith.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 462 with Margie Warrell, about going from playing it safe to speaking up.Episode 397 with Dr. Julia DiGangi, a discussion Andy continues to revisit for practical insights.Episode 394 with Joshua Freedman, one of the leading voices on emotional intelligence. Level Up Your AI Skills During the episode, Andy mentions the importance of preparing for an AI-infused future. Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free and a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader. That's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of leaders committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than five minutes a week, and it's all free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Fear Management, Communication Skills, Executive Presence, Feedback, Confidence, Self Leadership, Team Culture, Project Leadership The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sasha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    45 min
  • PPP 490 | Why Psychology Might Be Hurting Your Team, with Barry Wolfe

    PPP 490 | Why Psychology Might Be Hurting Your Team, with Barry Wolfe
    Jan 10 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Barry Wolfe, author of It's All In Your Head: Why Psychology Doesn't Help Your Workforce Deliver Value - And What Can. Barry is a seasoned HR executive and business leader who has built a reputation as one of the rare "HR guys who actually has a head for business." In this frank and eye-opening conversation, Barry challenges many of the tools and ideas we've come to rely on in leadership and management. Andy and Barry discuss why frameworks like Maslow's hierarchy may be doing more harm than good, how personality assessments can become limiting narratives, and why our obsession with "fit" often backfires. But this isn't just a critique. Barry offers an alternative in the form of Value-Centric Leadership, a model that reframes how we think about work, leadership, and results. You'll learn about tools like The Same Page and the 4C's of leadership that can help you lead with more clarity and purpose. If you're ready to challenge what you think you know about managing people (and want practical tools to lead more effectively), this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Most of the hiring tools we use today are only marginally better than chance.""We act like we're selecting with science, but we're often just rationalizing our preferences.""Maslow never created a pyramid. That was a marketing add-on, not a scientific insight.""Psychology gave us language, but somewhere along the way, it became the product.""What do I want to pay people to do?" becomes "What results do I want to buy from them?""We pay people to do activities, but it's because we want to buy results.""Nobody buys verbs. People buy nouns.""Maslow had no interest in actually validating his model. He just threw it out there.""If you get married and someone asks, what are you looking for in a spouse? Would you really say the upper left box?""The guy who created the DISC assessment was also the creator of Wonder Woman.""Given the choice between thinking hard and spending money, most business leaders would rather spend money.""Part of the problem with these tools is you're learning about science through something called marketing.""We've got strategic plans, core values, mission statements. What's missing is being on the same page." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:45 Start of Interview02:00 Barry's Early Career Influences and Business Perspective06:42 Why Leaders Rely So Heavily on Assessments09:25 The "Yes, Buts" of Psychological Tools15:20 What We Get Wrong About Maslow's Hierarchy19:00 From Paying for Activities to Buying Results23:30 Connecting Project Work to Real Value24:00 Introducing The Same Page28:47 The Most Overlooked Element of Leadership33:47z Looking Ahead at AI, Automation, and the Future of Work41:22 End of Interview42:03 Andy Comments After the Interview45:19 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Barry and his work at ArgosHR.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 473 with Jeffrey Hull & Margaret Moore. They have rigorously researched what it takes to lead, and I think you'll find their approach and findings to be a nice complement to today's episode.Episode 417 with Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong. They have deeply researched 11 dimensions of character, which has some nice alignment with the 4 C's that Barry talked about.Episode 47 with Henry Mintzberg. If you haven't been with us since the early days, it would be easy to have missed this episode with one of the foremost curmudgeons of management. I think you'll find his insights in episode 47 to be a helpful addition to what Barry talked about in this episode. Help Passing the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, People Management, Business Psychology, Strategic HR, Hiring, Performance Management, Personality Assessments, Organizational Culture, Project Value, Team Development, Employee Experience,...
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    48 min
  • PPP 489 | Blindspots That Derail Project Managers and How To See Them, with author Marty Dubin

    PPP 489 | Blindspots That Derail Project Managers and How To See Them, with author Marty Dubin
    Jan 7 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Martin Dubin, psychologist, former CEO, executive coach, and author of Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader. Marty brings a rare combination of clinical insight and real-world leadership experience to a topic that affects every project manager and frontline leader: the blindspots that quietly shape our behavior, decisions, and impact. Together, the discussion explores how motives often drive our actions without us realizing it, why strengths can become liabilities when overused, and how emotion acts as one of the most powerful and least discussed forces in leadership. Marty explains his layered model of blindspots, including identity, motive, traits, emotion, and behavior, and shows how leaders can build awareness without trying to "fix" who they are. You will also hear practical guidance on creating a simple change plan that actually sticks, using small behavioral tweaks, prompts, and accountability rather than dramatic personal transformation. The conversation closes with thoughtful examples of how blindspotting can improve not only leadership at work, but relationships at home as well. If you want practical insight into leading with greater self-awareness, emotional range, and intentional growth, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "The hardest part of leadership is not managing others. It's managing ourselves.""Your strengths work for you most of the time, which is why it's so hard to see when they start working against you.""You know, whatever it is, it's usually invisible to us until someone or something forces it into view.""Now, if you put the modifier TOO in front of it, what happens when you're TOO confident? What happens when you're TOO organized? What happens when you're TOO creative?""What do they tell you? You are too....""Motives constrict under stress, and that's often when blindspots do the most damage.""Traits don't need to be changed. They need to be regulated.""Emotion is one of the most powerful tools leaders have, whether they use it intentionally or not.""Real change comes from small behavioral tweaks, not personality transformation." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:42 Start of Interview02:00 Marty's Background and Family Influence05:38 What Drives Marty Crazy About Leadership Books08:20 Identity Blindspots and Leadership Roles11:00 Why Motive Is So Hard to See13:00 Using Emotion to Reveal Motives14:00 When Strengths Become Weaknesses17:50 Practical Ways to Spot Trait Blindspots19:00 Emotional Awareness and Leadership Influence21:10 Regulating Emotion Versus Repressing It22:50 Building a Change Plan That Works26:20 A Client Story That Shows Blindspotting in Action28:20 Applying Blindspotting to Parenting (and Grandparenting)30:14 End of Interview30:45 Andy Comments After the Interview35:42 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Marty and his work at MartinDubin.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 473 with Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore, who share rigorously researched insights on what it takes to lead.Episode 450 with Mark Miller, an engaging and empowering discussion about why leaders fail and how they grow.Episode 32 with Brad Kolar and Madeleine Van Hecke, exploring how the way our brains are wired influences how we lead. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Motivation, Personality Traits, Behavior Change, Executive Coaching, Identity, Influence, Team Leadership, Blind Spots The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    39 min
  • PPP 488 | How to Be a Less Terrible Boss, with Joel Hilchey

    PPP 488 | How to Be a Less Terrible Boss, with Joel Hilchey
    Jan 2 2026
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Joel Hilchey, speaker, facilitator, and author of The 6½ Habits of Highly Defective Bosses. Joel brings humor, honesty, and a refreshing amount of grace to a topic many leaders quietly struggle with: becoming a boss without training, preparation, or a clear roadmap. Andy and Joel explore what it really means to be an "accidental boss" and why most bad bosses are not bad people. They unpack the four quadrants every leader must balance: tasks vs. people and short-term vs. long-term, and why focusing only on tasks can quietly erode trust and engagement. You'll hear practical ideas for avoiding mediocrity mongering, removing everyday hassles that drain teams, and providing clarity instead of whiplash leadership. The conversation also touches on why aiming to be "less terrible" is a surprisingly powerful leadership goal, how recognition can become a force multiplier, and why lessons from leadership often show up at home as well. If you're leading projects or people and want practical, human-centered ways to become a better boss one step at a time, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Most bad bosses are actually good people with bad ideas.""If you focus only on tasks, people will hate working for you.""People don't expect perfection from their boss, but they do expect effort.""Recognition is one of the highest leverage tools a leader has.""The essence of strategy is saying no.""Be a lighthouse for your team, not a disco ball.""If you notice yourself getting frustrated that people are doing stuff that's off task or that feels off task to you, like why is this person taking time to do that? That's on you as the leader to say, oh, I must not have made this strategy clear.""You can spend the money without asking, but you must tell me you spent it next time we meet." Chapters 00:00 Introduction02:08 Start of Interview02:20 Becoming an Accidental Boss07:10 The Four Leadership Quadrants12:10 Warning Signs You Are Neglecting People15:15 When Task Focus Goes Too Far21:24 Mediocrity Mongering and Good Enough Work25:47 The Value of a Crappy First Draft30:00 Removing Hassles from Team Work35:30 Lighthouse vs. Disco Ball Leadership39:40 Why Being 'Less Terrible' Matters45:40 Applying Leadership Lessons at Home48:31 End of Interview49:15 Andy Comments After the Interview52:38 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Joel and his work at JoelHilchey.com. Make sure to try the complimentary assessment Joel refers to in the interview. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 468 with James Turk. It's a practical discussion about what to do when you are suddenly in charge.Episode 467 with Sabina Nawaz, former executive coach to Bill Gates, sharing insights on what no one usually tells you about becoming the boss.Episode 419 with Molly McGrath. Her book focuses on fixing your boss, but it almost always inspires listeners to become better leaders themselves. Level Up Your AI Skills During the episode, Andy mentioned our AI Made Simple class. Join listeners from around the world who are learning how to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, People Management, Accidental Managers, Team Culture, Recognition, Project Leadership, Manager Development, Communication, Prioritization, Continuous Improvement The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    56 min
  • PPP 487 | Why Humor Is a Serious Leadership Skill, with comedian Adam Christing

    PPP 487 | Why Humor Is a Serious Leadership Skill, with comedian Adam Christing
    Dec 26 2025
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with comedian and corporate emcee Adam Christing, author of The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. If you have ever hesitated to use humor at work because you were unsure it would land, or worried it might backfire, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical path forward. Adam shares how his early influences shaped his approach to humor and why he believes every human is also a "humor being." You will hear why humor is more than chasing chuckles, including how it can build trust, improve learning, and strengthen relationships on teams. Adam introduces the concept of "laugh languages" and walks through examples such as Surprise and Poke, along with guidance on how to tease without crossing the line. They also discuss tailoring humor across cultures and how leaders can bring the laughter factor home with their families. If you are looking for practical insights on leading with humor, building trust, and bringing more humanity into your projects and teams, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "If you're a human being, you are also a humor being, and I would say not only do you have a sense of humor, but a sense of humor has you.""The audience is actually, whether it's three people or 300, they're actually rooting for you.""They don't want to be bored. They want to be entertained.""When we think back on the things that have made us laugh the most, it's often the flops that are the funniest.""They won't trust your humor until you do.""There's a saying in show business, 'funny is money'.""I really believe that humor is a bridge that helps you connect heart to heart with other people.""You're a leader. You need to be the one building trust.""Humor is a shortcut to trust.""Leaders help their people learn with laughter.""Increase your LPMs: laughs per meeting.""If in doubt, leave it out.""Every meeting really should be a party with a purpose." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:43 Start of Interview03:38 Adam's Backstory and Early Influences05:23 "I'm Not Funny" and the Confidence Barrier10:36 Why Humor Is More Than Just Chuckles16:00 The Laughter Factor Explained18:10 Laugh Languages and the Power of Surprise21:09 Poke: Teasing Without Crossing the Line24:42 Using Humor Across Cultures30:14 How You Know the Laughter Factor Is Working32:17 Developing a Laughter Factor at Home34:25 End of Interview34:55 Andy Comments After the Interview38:02 Outtakes Learn More Get a copy of Adam's book The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. You can learn more about Adam and his work at TheLaughterFactor.com. While you are there, check out the short questionnaire to discover your laugh language. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. They are completely on this theme of humor being a strategic ability for leaders and teams.Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. Peter breaks down what makes something funny based on his book The Humor Code, an episode Andy still calls back to today.Episode 485 with John Krewson, a conversation about lessons from sketch comedy that nicely reinforce ideas from today's episode. Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Humor At Work, Trust Building, Communication, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Meeting Facilitation, Emotional Intelligence, Influence, Learning And Development, People Management, Project Management The following music was used for this episode: Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    43 min
  • PPP 486 | How to Solve Some of the Toughest Leadership Problems, with business coach Dr. Katie Best

    PPP 486 | How to Solve Some of the Toughest Leadership Problems, with business coach Dr. Katie Best
    Dec 5 2025
    Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Katie Best, leadership coach and author of The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems and How to Solve Them. Drawing on years of coaching leaders across industries, Katie shares practical insights that help you tackle high-stakes leadership moments—especially when a coach isn't available. They explore Katie's SOLVE framework for problem-solving under pressure, the danger of performative busyness, and how to make better decisions when trade-offs and uncertainty rule the day. You'll also hear how to unlock authentic influence without manipulation, foster healthy debate on overly "nice" teams, and support psychological safety in leadership and parenting. Andy and Katie also dig into how to empower women in leadership and how small actions can create big shifts in workplace culture. If you've ever felt overwhelmed as a leader or wished for a coach in the moment, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and real tools you can start using today! Sound Bites "You only have power if someone believes that you do.""All interaction is manipulative, but that doesn't mean it's toxic.""Performative busyness is one of the biggest traps for high performers.""Draw the line, or others will draw it for you.""Influence is about being a decent human, not just using techniques.""If you've done the learning, don't let it go to waste.""The idea that people put on an act at work has always fascinated me.""We owe it to ourselves, and if we're leaders of other human beings, we owe it to them as well, to show that it's okay to switch off.""Performative busyness is that kind of, we're never allowed to stop, and if we continue to perform, we keep that idea going that everyone needs to be busy all the time.""We are so much better at learning from positivity than we are from negativity.""We have to recognize that lots of people don't like speaking up in meetings.""It's much easier to do a positive thing than to not do a negative thing." Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:33 Start of Interview01:45 Early Influences on Leadership04:33 The Coaching Gap and Why She Wrote the Book05:47 What Is Performative Busyness?09:32 How Katie Protects Her Own Focus and Energy12:00 Introducing the SOLVE Framework18:00 Making Decisions with Uncertainty20:40 Power and Influence: What's the Difference?25:42 Why Influence Techniques Sometimes Backfire26:43 Encouraging Debate in "Too Nice" Cultures28:40 Building Psychological Safety on Your Team31:00 Advice for Women Leaders (and the Men Who Support Them)34:00 Leadership Lessons as a Parent35:55 End of Interview36:25 Andy Comments After the Interview40:19 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Katie and her work at KatieBest.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 442 with Dominic Ashley-Timms. Excellent ideas on how to coach the people around us—and ourselves.Episode 391 with Adam Bryant. Insightful and engaging stories about how people make the leap to being leaders.Episode 385 with Vanessa Patrick. She wrote a great book about How To Say No. Very empowering. Pass the PMP Exam If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP! Level Up Your AI Skills Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future. Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Coaching, Decision Making, Influence, Communication, Psychological Safety, Conflict, Engagement, Organizational Culture, Team Development, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving The following music was used for this episode: Music: On Point by Steven O'Brien License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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    42 min