Advertise on podcast: People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Tara Miller, a successful project manager and the founder of Artemis, a management consulting business. Tara shares her journey into project management and highlights the misconceptions about the role. She also discusses important lessons she has learned about leading people and delivering projects. Tara emphasizes the significance of building strong team dynamics and fostering individual connections. She provides practical management practices for leading and delivering projects, such as getting to know team members individually, creating team dynamics, and establishing a shared purpose. She also reflects on her personal journey to success, emphasizing the value of hard work and the support of others. Lastly, Tara provides advice for working parents and highlights the benefits of embracing chaos and taking risks. In the outtakes, Andy and Tara discuss the role of AI in project management and the potential impact on the future of work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Start of Interview 01:51 Tara's Journey to Project Management 04:49 Misunderstandings about Project Management 06:50 Lessons about Leading People and Delivering Projects 09:27 The Project Schedule is the Schedule for How the Project Will Not Occur 11:12 Practical Management Practices for Leading and Delivering Projects 16:24 POP: Personal Operating Profile 19:27 Corporate Mood Ring 20:29 Some of the Biggest People-Related Challenges 22:38 Navigating Change and Stakeholder Management 25:31 Lessons About Being a Successful Woman in Project Management 31:24 Thriving as a Working Parent 38:02 Interview Wrap Up 38:27 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:49 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Tara at ArtemisFactor.com. The Personal Operating Profile (POP) service that Tara mentions is available at HelloLLUNA.com/MakeAPOP. AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Gil Broza about his new book, Deliver Better Results: How to Unlock Your Organization's Potential. They discuss the importance of systems thinking in value delivery and the six aspects of system fitness. Gil shares practical strategies for improving value delivery and emphasizes the significance of mindset over tactics. He also provides examples of successful transformations and offers resources available on the book's website. Takeaways Value delivery should be viewed as a system, not a collection of practices. Systems thinking helps identify the cause and effect relationships within a value delivery system. Understanding the effects of choices and actions is crucial for making informed decisions. The Square model provides a framework for assessing system fitness and improving value delivery. Successful transformations require a sequential and incremental approach, focusing on mindset and values. Resources on the book's website offer additional support for implementing the strategies discussed. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:22 Start of Interview 03:18 Understanding the Value Delivery System 04:13 Key Ideas from Systems Thinking 07:05 Avoiding Oversimplification in Cause and Effect 08:03 Considering the Effects of Choices and Actions 10:30 Introducing the Square Model 11:55 The Six Aspects of System Fitness 13:50 The Backstory of the Square Model 19:04 Sequential and Incremental Strategies for Improvement 21:25 The Importance of Mindset in Change 22:52 Differentiating Values and Beliefs 25:16 The Significance of Mindset over Tactics 28:08 Helping People Navigate Change 29:47 The Role of Fear in Change 30:05 The Concept of 'Committed, but not Attached' 32:41 Case Study: Agile Transformation in a Startup 39:17 Andy Comments After the Interview 42:32 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Gil and his book at DeliverBetterResultsBook.com. The free chapter that Gil mentioned is available at HeardOnPodcast.DeliverBetterResultsBook.com. No Freaking Idea! Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because we have a course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertaity. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether it’s you who is wondering about next steps in your career or a son or daughter and you'd like to give them this as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11192-brooklyn-nights License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews author Anne Morris about key concepts from her book Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader's Guide to Solving Hard Problems. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and moving fast in change initiatives. Morris introduces the FIX Map, which illustrates the relationship between trust and speed. She also explores the significance of inclusion and the power of storytelling in driving successful change. Additionally, Morris addresses common misconceptions about speed and shares insights on applying Agile principles to change management. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:25 Start of Interview 02:44 Discussion on the Phrase 'Move Fast and Break Things' 04:18 Introduction to the FIX Map Model 12:30 The Trust Triangle 15:19 Looking at Change Through Different Eyes 21:10 The Role of Storytelling in Change Initiatives 26:10 Overcoming Skepticism and Maintaining Focus 27:26 The Dangers of Delay and the Need for Action 29:40 The Influence of Agile Principles in Leadership 34:04 The Intersection of Leadership and Parenting 35:57 Andy Comments After the Interview 39:26 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Anne and her book at AnneAndFrances.com. And catch her TEDx Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/anne_morriss_5_steps_to_fix_any_problem_at_work. If you’d like more on this topic, check out my discussion with Anne's co-author Frances Frei in episode 294 where we talk about their book Unleashed. AI for Project Managers and Leaders If you're not actively using AI on a daily basis, you might just be missing out. Join us for our course AI Made Simple. It's specifically tuned to everyday use cases for project managers and leaders. Join other colleagues from around the world who have found it immensely helpful! Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Morning [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11262-summer-morning-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews Kayla McGuire, a seasoned project manager and coach who runs a boot camp to help people learn and prepare for becoming a freelancer. They discuss Kayla's journey to project management and freelancing, lessons in leading projects, practical tips for running projects, reasons for pursuing freelancing, common mistakes in freelancing, and the importance of mentors. Kayla also shares insights on using LinkedIn effectively and the value of continual learning and personal development. The episode concludes with information about Kayla's freelancer boot camp. Takeaways Consider the possibility of freelancing or becoming an entrepreneur to experience more fulfillment and freedom in your career. Recognize patterns in team dynamics and use pattern recognition to lead teams through projects more effectively. Empower your teams to get the job done by having conversations about their goals, providing resources for learning and development, and building strong relationships through one-on-one meetings. When considering freelancing, focus your energy on building your network and finding clients rather than spending time on non-essential tasks like website design or office remodeling. Chapters 00:00 Andy's Introduction to the Episode 01:57 Start of Interview 02:09 Kayla's Path to Project Management and Freelancing 06:00 Lessons in Leading Projects 12:06 The Lure of Freelancing: Freedom and Autonomy 15:03 Common Mistakes When Starting Freelancing 17:07 Introducing the Freelancer Bootcamp 19:10 The Importance of Finding Your Niche 19:39 Leveraging LinkedIn for Success 24:18 Continual Learning and Personal Development 31:05 Balancing Work and Personal Life 32:56 Final Thoughts Learn More You can learn more about Kayla and her boot camp at KaylaMcGuire.com. And connect with Kayla on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/KaylaMcGuire. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone dealing with career uncertainty? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende Website: https://filmmusic.io/song/5223-tranceverse License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende Website: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this in-depth discussion, Andy is joined by Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset Into Action, to delve into the concepts of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset. The conversation covers how these mindsets are not as binary or mutually exclusive as we may think, but rather can be found within us at different times and in different contexts. The theme of maintaining a balance between having a growth mindset, which holds the belief in the potential for change and improvement, and knowing when to lean into a fixed mindset, is explored. Eduardo advises on how to apply deliberate practice to improve performance and suggests viewing ourselves as evolving and changing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Start of Interview 02:09 Eduardo's Personal Journey and the Performance Paradox 04:29 Understanding the Performance Paradox 04:33 The Difference Between Learning and Performing 13:40 The Misconception of the 10,000 Hour Rule 16:51 Understanding the Growth Mindset 22:44 Applying Growth Mindset to Personal Goals 24:25 The Role of Identity in Growth Mindset 27:15 Creating a Learning Zone in Teams 32:23 Implementing Growth Mindset in Parenting 35:51 Andy's Comments About the Interview 40:00 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Eduardo and his book at Briceno.com. And catch his TEDx Talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/eduardo_briceno_how_to_get_better_at_the_things_you_care_about. If you’d like more on this topic, check out: Episode 202, Morten Hansen, Great at Work Episode 236, Amy Edmondson about her book on Psychological Safety Episode 240, Jim Detert, also about psychological safety Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone dealing with career uncertainty? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Morning [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11262-summer-morning-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this conversation, Andy Kaufman interviews Micah Solomon, author of the book Can Your Customer Service Do This? Create an Anticipatory Customer Experience that Builds Loyalty Forever. They discuss the importance of customer service and how it applies to project managers and leaders, not just people in hospitality or retail. They explore examples of good and bad customer service experiences, debunk myths about customer service, and provide strategies for improving customer service. They also discuss the concept of gold touch customer service and how it can be applied to internal customer service. The conversation concludes with insights on effective communication and developing a customer service mindset. Takeaways Customer service is important in all industries, not just hospitality or retail. Examples of good and bad customer service can provide valuable insights for improving customer service. There are common myths and misunderstandings about customer service that need to be debunked. Gold touch customer service involves going above and beyond to provide exceptional service. Effective communication and a customer service mindset are key to delivering great customer service. Chapters 00:00 Andy's Intro to the Episode 02:40 Introduction to Micah Solomon and his book 04:46 Myths and Misunderstandings about Customer Service 06:12 Improving Customer Service 09:28 Gold Touch Customer Service 10:51 Internal Customer Service 13:44 Difference between Function and Purpose 18:19 The Service Recovery Paradox 20:15 Dealing with Customer Service Failures 21:21 Phrasing and Language in Customer Service 25:02 Developing a Customer Service Mindset 27:00 Andy's Summary of Key Takeaways 32:03 Outtakes You can learn more about Micah and his book at MicahSolomon.com. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: The Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/12070-the-fantastical-ferret License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this episode, Andy Kaufman celebrates the 400th episode of the People in Projects Podcast with special guest Adam Grant. They discuss Adam's new book, Hidden Potential, and the importance of assessing and unlocking potential in individuals. The conversation covers various topics, including keeping projects on track, the truth about hiring based on experience, a lesson Adam learned about feedback that he's a terrible writer, and overcoming criticism. Adam reflects on the past and future, including what he misses (and doesn't miss) about being Adam Grant in 2010 (when Andy and Adam first talked).  Takeaways Assessing and unlocking potential is crucial in various aspects of life, and the judgments people make of our potential can have a significant impact. Perfectionism can hinder progress, and it is important to separate our identity from our work. The value of experience in hiring is often overestimated, and potential should be prioritized over years of experience. Saying no and setting boundaries is essential to avoid overcommitment and maintain focus on important projects. Even if initially difficult, receiving feedback can lead to valuable insights and improvements. A practical AI chatbot use case that Adam tries Expressing appreciation to those who have seen and nurtured our potential is important, and we should also assess the potential of others and encourage their growth. You can learn more about Adam and his book at AdamGrant.net. For More on This Topic To catch Andy's previous conversations with Adam, check out: Episode 31, where we talk about leading teams with meaning, and Episode 93, where we talk about his book Give and Take Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Celebration 02:50 Start of the Interview 03:12 What are You Glad is Getting Attention / Thought Would Get More Attention in Your Book 03:52 Lessons on Keeping Projects on Track 04:46 Something People Think Is True But Is Not Supported With Evidence 05:45 How Adam Decides on Saying Yes or No 06:16 How Does Adam Calm Nerves 07:27 You Suck at Writing, Adam! How to Receive Feedback and Overcome Criticism 08:37 What Adam Recently Used a Chatbot For 09:26 What Does Adam Miss About Being Him in 2010 / Not Miss 10:26 What Would You Ask Future Adam? 11:39 Adam Takes Over as the Host 12:50 Adam Asks About Podcasting 14:07 Adam Says Nice Things About Andy 16:04 Andy Comments after the Interview 20:19 Outtakes from Before We Started the Interview 21:32 Sample Intro from Episode 1 (Man, it was bad!) Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this anniversary episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Celebrate Your Wins [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10381-celebrate-your-wins-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6040-funky-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Summary In this conversation, Andy interviews Doug Lennick and Chuck Wachendorfer about their book Don't Wait for Someone Else to Fix It! They discuss the importance of managing ourselves effectively, practicing self-awareness, and mastering our behavior. They also emphasize the significance of integrity and responsibility in leadership. The conversation explores barriers to better decision-making and the importance of continuous learning. The interview concludes with insights on how parents can apply leadership lessons in their role at home. Takeaways Managing ourselves effectively is crucial for effective leadership. Practicing self-awareness and using tools like the freeze game can help us make better choices. Integrity and responsibility are essential for leadership success. Emotional reflexiveness and biases can hinder decision-making. Continuous learning and letting go of what we know are key to personal and professional growth. Leadership lessons can be applied in the home to foster better relationships and decision-making. You can learn more about Doug and Chuck and their work at Think2Perform.com. For More on This Topic For more on this topic, check out: Episode 391, with Adam Bryant on his book about making the leap to leadership Episode 366, with Michael Timms on his book about accountability, and Episode 292, with Jeffrey Scott Miller about his book on leadership. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: On Point by Steven OBrien Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11694-on-point License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11809-synthiemania License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Project Manager Burnout There is so much focus these days on getting more done with less. Delivering faster. Increasing efficiency. Being excellent at work while rocking it all well at home too, right? And though I’m all for staying focused and productive, here’s something I’ve observed. One consequence of trying to stay hyper-productive and being everything you can possibly be--or feel like you should be--can be increased stress. Less downtime. More hours. More caffeine. Less sleep. And all of that can lead to burnout. So what can we do about that? Today I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Neha Sangwan. She’s the author of a new book entitled  Powered by Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged at Work and in Life. In this episode, you’ll get a better idea of what leads to burnout, beyond just the typical drivers that come to mind, such as physical exhaustion. Neha provides practical ideas and techniques to help us catch when we’re starting to drift towards burnout. It's a discussion I've been looking forward to sharing with you! You can learn more about Neha and her work at NehaSangwan.com. For more on this topic, check out: Episodes 106 and 132, with Tom Rath about his books on these themes. Episode 395, with Josefine Campbell about her book on helping when you and your team are low on energy, and Episode 397, with Dr. Julia DiGangi about her book on emotions. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10912-summer-awakening License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11233-fashion-corporate License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When Emotions Are Rising On Your Project Let’s say you’re sitting in a meeting tomorrow for a project you are leading. You’re looking to get sign-off and, based on the pre-meetings you had with key stakeholders, the meeting should go smoothly. But seemingly out of the blue, a key stakeholder speaks up and starts sharing objections. Right there in front of everyone, which includes your boss, by the way. Things are starting to derail and you can feel some anger starting to build up. If we could see a thought bubble over you, you might be saying, “I can’t believe they’re sabotaging this! They didn’t bring any of this up when we talked about it before the meeting! They’re throwing me and my project under the bus!” That’s a pivotal leadership moment right there. Maybe for you, it’s a demanding boss. Or a deeply emotional situation outside of work. The critical issue is this: How do we respond? Does it help, or do we make it worse? How do we navigate the emotional rollercoaster of leading teams and projects—and families and friendships? Our ability to do that can make an enormous difference in our careers and life. In this episode, we’re continuing a series of discussions on the topic of our emotions. And I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Julia Digangi. For many years, Julia has worked with individuals who have endured the worst traumas, from survivors of domestic abuse to combat veterans, and helped them transform their energy and rise to powerful new heights. Based on her experience, she has recently published a remarkably insightful new book Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power. What I love about this book is that it gives a perspective on navigating the emotional challenges of our life in a way I’ve not seen in any other books. It’s deeply based in research and practice but it’s accessible to all of us, even if we don’t know our amygdala from our anterior cingulate cortex. Ha! You can learn more about Julia and her work at DrJuliaDigangi.com/. For more on this topic, check out: Episode 394, with Joshua Freedman about his book on emotional intelligence. Episode 395, with Josefine Campbell about her book on helping when you and your team are low on energy, and Episode 396, with Thomas Curran about his book on perfectionism. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/12024-underground-shadows License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Stop Saying You're a Perfectionist There’s a classic question that is often asked somewhere during a job interview: “So, what’s your biggest weakness?” Perhaps you’ve been asked that somewhere along your career journey. My favorite answer to that is from Michael Scott in the television show The Office: "I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job." Perfect, right? Oh wait. Did I say Perfect? I did. Because in a sense, the answer that Michael gave there is what a lot of us admit to being one of our biggest weaknesses: we struggle with being a perfectionist. It’s like one of those flaws that, when you admit it, people will knowingly tilt their head, nod, and say, “Yeah, I understand. Me too.” It’s a socially accepted flaw that we might even think has some hidden advantages in driving us to higher performance. But if you think that, you would be wrong--at least about the higher performance part. I know that because I read Thomas Curran’s new book The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. It’s a book that will challenge your thinking about perfectionism and, if you let it, begin to free you from the ways that it might be hurting you, your mental health, your relationships, and your performance far more than you realize. You can learn more about Thomas and his work at ThomCurran.com/. For more on this topic, check out: Episode 315, with Ethan Kross about his book Chatter. Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because I want you to check out our new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: On Point by Steven OBrien Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11694-on-point License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11809-synthiemania License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Your Power Barometer There is so much focus these days on optimizing our time, right? And though I’m all for staying focused and productive, here’s something I’ve observed: one consequence of trying to stay hyper-productive can be increased stress. Less downtime. More hours. More caffeine. Less sleep. And all of that can lead to burnout. A lot of us are leading lives and teams with batteries that are low on power. And that’s a losing proposition for all of us. In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Josefine Campbell, who is taking this problem head on. She’s a top executive coach, former jujitsu champion, and now the author of a new book entitled Power Barometer: Manage Personal Energy for Business Success. In this episode, you’ll learn about practical tools like the Energy Barometer and the Awareness Matrix. Josefine will explain how the opposite of professional is not personal—and why that matters. By the time we’re done, you’ll know how to detect if you’re starting to get hijacked and how to get out of it if you’re already there. And you’ll be in better shape to stay mentally agile, which is one of Josefine’s major messages in the book. I can’t wait to share this discussion with you. NOTE: As of the time of this episode was published, Josefine's book was not available for sale. My understanding is there is a change in distribution partners. But you can learn more about Josefine and the book's resources at JosefineCampbell.com/. For more on this topic, check out: Episode 106, with Tom Rath about his book Eat Move Sleep. Just by the book name you can get a sense of what it's about. I highly recommend this episode! Episode 132, also with Tom, this time about his book Are You Fully Charged? Both of these books provide helpful insights aligned with this episode. BTW, we're thankful for being listed in the top 100 management podcasts on FeedSpot! Gift a Loved One a Head Start With Their Career Do you know someone who is in college or maybe recently graduated? My experience is there are a growing number of people who dread being asked the question, “So, what’s the plan?” When it comes to their career, they have no freaking idea! I bring this up because we’re rolling out a new course entitled just that: No Freaking Idea: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty. It’s a career guide for people who don’t know what they want to do, and it has been so fun to hear the feedback on the course. Whether you are wondering about the next steps in your career or it's a son or daughter and you'd like to give them a head start as a gift, learn more by going to NoFreakingIdea.courses. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills   The following music was used for this episode: Music: E.C.H.O by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9762-echo License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Funny by Frank Schroeter Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11450-funny License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license