In this discussion, Andy welcomes leadership coach and author Kelli Thompson to discuss her book Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck. The conversation explores topics such as the imposter syndrome, the importance of taking action despite self-doubt, and differentiating confidence from arrogance. Kelli shares practical strategies for building confidence by aligning decisions with personal values and eliminating elements that cause resentment. The discussion delves into the concept of 'expensive thoughts' and ways to transform them into freeing actions, with a focus on overcoming procrastination and self-doubt.

If you'd like some practical ways to overcome self-doubt, this is a discussion you don't want to miss!

• “The cost of doubting ourselves can be far more expensive than we realize.”
• “What would you do if you had more confidence?”
• "Confidence is a side effect of taking action.”
• “The two most expensive words in our language are ‘but first.’”
• “If you don’t know what you stand for, what will you fall for?”
• “There’s a healthy level of doubt that is part of confidence—it keeps you from coming across as a cocky leader.”
• “You can’t criticize yourself into more confidence.”
• “Facts ease fear. Name the lie, insert the truth.”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start Of Interview
• 01:44 What Would You Do If You Had More Confidence?
• 02:55 What Are Some Nuances That Can Make Confidence Tricky?
• 06:13 It's Not 'When' You're Confident As Much As 'When' You Are (Or Are Not)
• 07:09 Values And Confidence
• 10:00 Values Are Not 'Shoulds'
• 11:59 The 'But First' Syndrome
• 14:25 Doubt Vs. Imposter Syndrome
• 17:03 How Kelli Addresses Self-Doubt
• 23:09 The Link Between Facts And Fear
• 23:25 The Pedestal Syndrome
• 26:37 How Men Can Empower Women In The Workplace
• 29:18 Building Confidence In Children
• 31:38 End Of Interview
• 32:02 Andy's Comments After The Interview
• 37:36 Outtakes

You can learn more about Kelli and her book at KelliRaeThompson.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 431 with Dr. Sam Adeyemi. He's a top leadership voice in Africa and has helpful insights on moving from self-doubt to confidence.
• Episode 295 with Don Moore about his book on more confident decision-making.
• Episode 179 with Andy Molinsky about getting out of your comfort zone.

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: Power Skills

Topics: Imposter Syndrome, Confidence, Leadership, Self-Doubt, Project Management, Values, Women Empowerment, Parenting, Fear, Pedestal Syndrome

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ended License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Yasmina Khelifi and Mayte Mata Sivera, co-authors of The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership.. Ever feel like you don't have time to volunteer? Yasmina and Mayte share compelling reasons why giving back ends up being a win-win for you and those you are serving.

Through personal anecdotes, Yasmina and Mayte illustrate how volunteering can open doors and provide meaningful experiences, such as transitioning from managers to leaders and collaborating on impactful projects like their book. They also offer practical advice on starting small in volunteering, choosing opportunities that bring joy, and leveraging LinkedIn for networking.

Want to give back but feel like you don't have time or know where to start? This episode is for you!

• "Volunteering benefits both you and those you serve."
• "Start small and evaluate your expectations."
• "Find something that brings you joy."
• "There's a great need for the skill sets that project managers and frontline leaders have. We agree that it's important to do, yet in many ways, we're among the busiest of people."
• "Having this opportunity to experiment with different people helped me to try different styles, to try to find myself as a leader."
• "I had bad marks in school. I thought you had to be gifted. But thanks to volunteering, I gained confidence. And now I try different things."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:36 Start Of Interview
• 01:49 Personal Journeys To Project Management
• 04:28 The Power Of Volunteering: First Experiences
• 06:10 Developing Leadership Skills Through Volunteering
• 14:28 Building Relationships And Networking
• 18:15 Learning Agility And Personal Development
• 20:18 Overcoming Design Barriers Through Volunteering
• 22:00 The Importance Of Starting Small In Volunteering
• 23:08 Finding Joy In Volunteering
• 24:13 Memorable Volunteering Experiences
• 27:18 End Of Interview
• 27:47 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 31:08 Outtakes

You can listen to my previous discussion with Yasmina in episode 361.

You can connect with Yasmina on LinkedIn here. And connect with Mayte on LinkedIn here.

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: Power Skills

Topics: Volunteering, Leadership, Project Management, Personal Growth, Networking, Community Service, Professional Development, Learning Agility, Relationships, Mentorship.

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by Winnie the Moog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Jeff Gothelf about the importance of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a customer-centric goal-setting framework. Based on insights from Jeff's book Who Does What By How Much?: A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs, they explore the challenges leaders face in ensuring their teams work on the right priorities, the misconceptions surrounding OKRs, and the significance of measuring outcomes and value. Jeff emphasizes the need for organizations to focus on customer needs and behavior changes rather than just task completion. The discussion also covers how to implement OKRs effectively, starting small, and the potential for using OKRs in personal goal setting.

If you've ever wondered how you and your team could better drive real value for your organization and customers, this episode is for you!

• "The true measure of the value of the thing that you deliver to your customer is measuring outcomes—meaningful changes in their behavior."
• "The deliverable is variable. You've got some ideas, some hypotheses about what you might make, but the measure of success is not the development and deployment of that thing—it's the behavior change."
• "You know you've written a good key result when it literally spells out: 'who does what by how much,' which is the name of the book."
• "Everyone's got a customer. The true measure of value is measuring outcomes, meaningful changes in their behavior. And that's applicable in every scenario."
• "It's infinitely easier for someone to just tell you what to do. Honestly, it's easier for the person telling you what to do, and for a lot of folks, they're just like 'tell me what to do, and I'll do it.'"
• "By the time we decide what to work on to the time that it actually comes out in the market, a lot of that consumer demand has moved on or shifted."
• "One of the biggest challenges is getting folks to start questioning whether the work they're doing actually solves a real problem in a meaningful way."
• "The incentives for a lot of teams are to produce a thing, and then they get measured, rewarded, and promoted based on that. Rarely do we ask: did anyone need that thing?"
• "Make them successful, respect their time, solve real problems in meaningful ways, and make it a delight to use."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:39 Start Of Interview
• 01:49 Why Do People Work On The Wrong Stuff?
• 04:07 Why Is It Difficult To Get Alignment, Collaboration, And Strategy Focus?
• 05:10 How Do You Like To Introduce People To OKRs?
• 07:46 What Are Some Common Misconceptions About OKRs?
• 10:41 How Do You Define Value?
• 13:05 What Do You Mean By An Outcome?
• 17:36 How Do You Go About Starting An OKR System?
• 20:48 Can OKRs Work For Teams If The Overall Company Doesn't Use Them?
• 24:35 End Of Interview
• 24:55 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 28:07 Outtakes

To learn more about this topic, check out these episodes:

• Episode 328, with Terry Schmidt about LogFrames. It's different from OKRs, but it's another way to strategically think through the work we're doing.
• Episode 127, with Rob-Jan de Jong. It's a strategy book that can help with delivering a vision for an organization or team.

You can learn more about Jeff and his book at JeffGothelf.com.

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: Business Acumen

Topics: Project Management, OKRs, Leadership, Customer-Centric, Goal Setting, Business Strategy, Outcomes, Value Measurement, Implementation, Personal Growth

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by Winnie the Moog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Nada Sanders, co-author of The Humachine: AI, Human Virtues, and the Super Intelligent Enterprise. They delve into the current state and future of human-technology integration, discussing key concepts from the book, such as Kasparov's Law and Moravec's Paradox. Andy and Dr. Sanders explore practical implications for leaders, project managers, and parents in preparing for a future where AI and human skills are intertwined. The conversation touches on the importance of maintaining human skills, creativity, and adaptability in the age of AI.

If you want to stay relevant and prepared for an AI-driven future, this episode is for you!

• "We have to be humble enough to know that probably 90 percent of the time or 95 percent of the time the machines are going to be better."
• "The reality of it is machines are great at certain things, but guess what? So are we as humans. And I think that tends to be forgotten."
• "But we have to know when and how to interact with the machine, when to interrupt it, when to adjust it, when to augment the output."
• "The humachine is the enterprise of the future, the successful dominant form of enterprise that combines humans and technology."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:53 Start Of Interview
• 03:45 What's A Humachine
• 07:02 Kasparov's Law And Moravec's Paradox
• 14:20 Practical Examples Of Human Vs Machine Strengths
• 18:48 The Future Of AI And Human Integration
• 19:00 AI's Limitations In Replicating Human Nuance
• 24:25 Steps To Becoming A Humachinist
• 29:03 Future Of Super Intelligence And Its Implications
• 32:56 How Parents Can Prepare The Next Generation For The Future
• 34:31 End Of Interview
• 35:00 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 40:35 Outtakes

To learn more about this topic, check out these episodes:

• Episode 382, with Hal Hershfield regarding his book Your Future Self.
• Episode 329, with Deborah Westphal about her book on preparing for the future.
• Episode 313, with Brian David Johnson about his book The Future You.

You can learn more about Nada and her book at NadaSanders.com.

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: Business Acumen

Topics: Project Management, AI, Future of Work, Career, Leadership, Creativity, Superintelligence, Strategy

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy interviews Laura Barnard about her book, The Impact Engine: Accelerating Strategy Delivery for PMO and Transformation Leaders. They discuss Laura's journey in setting up PMOs, the common mistakes and resistance faced, and the importance of change management and mindset in driving success. Laura introduces the Impact Engine system, a framework she developed to help organizations deliver sustainable value. The conversation also covers how project managers can become strategy navigators and effectively communicate with stakeholders.

It's a fun, practical discussion that will help improve your ability to lead teams and deliver projects.

• "People are not actually resistant to change. They are resistant to having change done to them."
• "A lot of what we teach first is that you have to shift the way you think about the work you do... and really become what we call the strategy navigator for the organization."
• "Give them what they want before you give them what they need"
• "It’s not just about the templates, tools, and process that you’re creating. It’s about the business problems you’re solving."
• "I wish I had me when I was you. I wish I had somebody who would say don’t do this, do this instead... I needed to help them so that they can have an easier path than I had."
• "Knowledge alone is not power. It’s the application of that knowledge where you make a real impact. If you do the work, you will see the results."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:00 Start of Interview
• 02:27 Laura's Journey in Building Her First PMO
• 04:40 Common Mistakes in Setting Up a PMO
• 09:29 The Impact Engine System
• 15:21 Myths About Change Management
• 20:50 Give Them What They Want, Not What They Need
• 27:57 Understanding Transparency and Impact
• 29:34 Measuring Success and Stakeholder Engagement
• 34:46 How Laura Seeks Continual Learning and Personal Growth
• 39:44 End of Interview
• 40:15 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 46:47 Outtakes

You can learn more about Laura and her book at IMPACTEngineBook.com.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Project Management, PMO, Change Management, Leadership, Business Transformation, Strategy Delivery, Continuous Learning, Organizational Change

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: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Yasmin Davidds about her book Graciously Assertive: How Becoming a Better Human Makes You a Better Leader. They discuss the importance of assertiveness in leadership, particularly in multicultural environments, and the need for leaders to benefit from diverse perspectives and promote a sense of belonging. Dr. Davidds shares insights on what she calls gracious assertiveness, including her personal journey and the pillars of gracious assertive leadership. She also addresses common themes in diversity and inclusion, the concept of holding space, and the impact of these ideas on both professional and personal relationships.

In a world where diversity and inclusion have been politicized and often seem primarily about the numbers, this discussion makes it all much more practical. You will learn practical strategies for becoming more assertive and creating inclusive environments.

• "Graciously assertive is the ability to self-advocate, to communicate in a way that holds space for the other side, that allows everyone in the conversation to feel heard."
• "If we can be gracious and be more accepting and receptive to other people's messages without taking it personal, we would have a much better workplace."
• "We just show up different. We don’t need our armor here."
• "Establishing healthy boundaries is important for individuals to prioritize their energy and create a space where they can be their best selves."
• "Self-judgment is a reflection of when you judge other people."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:26 Start Of Interview
• 02:37 How A Crisis Counselor Saved Yasmin's Life
• 04:54 Understanding Gracious Assertiveness
• 08:20 The Pillars Of Gracious Assertive Leadership
• 10:47 Self-Compassion And Overcoming Self-Judgment
• 12:40 Overcoming Self-Doubt
• 15:07 The Importance Of Healthy Boundaries
• 18:22 Graciously Assertive Communication Model
• 23:18 Negotiation Strategies With Difficult People
• 24:03 DEI Mistakes
• 29:33 Understanding And Implementing 'Holding Space'
• 33:20 Developing Graciously Assertive Children At Home
• 35:46 End Of Interview
• 36:06 Andy's Comments After The Interview
• 40:29 Outtakes

You can learn more about Dr. Davidds and her book at DrYasminInstitute.com/dr-yasmin-davidds/.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Assertiveness, Diversity, Inclusion, Leadership, Self-awareness, Curiosity, Empathy, Project Management, Cross-Culture

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Summer Morning Full Version by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy welcomes sociolinguist Valerie Fridland to discuss her new book Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. They explore the significance of language use in leadership, including the use of filler words, intensifiers, and vocal fry. She challenges the notion that filler words should be eliminated, highlighting their cognitive and communicative benefits. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities of language and its role in effective communication.

It's a fun discussion about language that will have you laughing, for sure, but also leaving the conversation with insights to help you lead more effectively at work (and at home).

• "Probably the best answer is I know enough about other languages to order a beer in those languages and that's pretty much probably all you need."
• "But it's also on the other side that when we're letting ourselves get distracted by those speech features (filler words), and then we're dismissing what they have to say because of something we don't like, we're also doing something wrong."
• "I said I study vowel movements. He heard bowel movements and thought I was a gastroenterologist."
• "If parents are worried about the way their kids talk, just show really good interest in trying to copy it and they'll never say it in front of you again."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:21 Start Of Interview
• 03:34 Language And Social Identity
• 06:56 The Evolution Of Language And Social Identity
• 13:41 The Role Of Filler Words
• 22:53 The History And Use Of 'Like'
• 34:11 Pressures On Women In The Workplace
• 34:58 Vocal Fry In Media And Public Perception
• 35:23 Gender And Vocal Fry Criticism
• 38:38 Understanding And Adapting Speech Features
• 39:52 Effective Communication Strategies
• 41:32 Judging Speech In Professional Contexts
• 47:48 Advice For Parents On Communication
• 50:18 Wrap-Up
• 50:39 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 52:51 Outtakes

You can learn more about Valerie and her book at ValerieFridland.com.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: project management, leadership, language, social identity, filler words, communication, vocal fry, gendered speech, linguistic diversity, parenting

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Fantastical Ferret 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

In this episode, Andy interviews Michelle Labrosse, the founder and Chief Cheetah of Cheetah Learning. They discuss Michelle's career journey, the importance of learning and focus, and her approach to accelerated learning. Michelle shares insights on removing hurdles in learning, dealing with information overload and distractions, and achieving mastery. She emphasizes the importance of thorough project assessment and planning, as well as the need for continuous learning and curiosity. Throughout the discussion, she shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for effective project management.

• "I was thrown from the car. So I think that now they would label me Asperger's but I wasn't Asperger's. I had a brain injury."
• "When you teach people how to be good at test taking, you open up a whole world for them."
• "We do a lot with anxiety. We have a lot of people saying they cured my test anxiety."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:45 Start of Interview
• 01:48 Michelle's Early Life and Family Influence
• 03:03 Discovering and Overcoming a Brain Injury
• 07:14 The Impact of 'Do What You Are'
• 14:16 What Makes Learning Fast, Easy, and Fun?
• 27:53 Project Management Tips for Beginners
• 28:54 Understanding Project Risks
• 29:07 The Importance of Stakeholders
• 29:13 Resources and Self-Assessment
• 30:50 Curiosity and Humility in Project Management
• 33:10 Dealing with Project Challenges
• 36:40 Parenting and Project Management
• 41:54 Wrap Up
• 42:19 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 44:36 Outtakes

You can learn more and connect with Michelle on LinkedIn at LinkedIn/in/Best-PMP-Exam-Prep-Course.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: project management, career, accelerated learning, leadership, continuous learning, curiosity, parenting, identity capital

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Fantastical Ferret by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with one of the gurus of governance, Ross Garland, co-author of the Project, Program, and Portfolio Governance Guide. They discuss the importance of governance in project management and how it differs from technical aspects like scope and risk management. Ross explains Cobb's paradox and why projects still fail despite knowing how to prevent their failure. They also delve into the principles of governance, such as treating change differently from business as usual and ensuring a single point of accountability for each project or program. The guide provides practical tools and templates for implementing effective governance.

• "Cobbs Paradox: We know why projects fail. We know how to prevent their failure. So why do they still fail?"
• "Most projects muddle through, they get through one way or another, they produce an output, they produce assets. And particularly if they're government projects, ministers tend to be very happy because they get to cut the ribbon."
• "One of the loneliest positions in the world you can have is to be a project manager who needs to get decisions made, and when they look up in the governance structure, all they see is blue sky."
• "Some organizations still have the concept that the experts in project management should be the people leading projects. Now, if you do that, what you end up with is lovely assets, but not business outcomes."
• "There tends to be in some organizations a very unfortunate tendency to think that accountability is about who to blame when things go wrong. And that is not the case. It's about empowerment."
• "A single point of accountability is essential for the success of a project or program."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:09 Start Of Interview
• 02:20 What Is Cobb's Paradox And Why Does It Persist?
• 05:05 How Do You Describe Governance, And What Is It Not?
• 07:02 How Do You Differentiate Projects, Programs, And Portfolios?
• 10:05 How Does Your Guide Compare To PMI's Practice Guide On Governance?
• 13:25 What Is The Importance Of Treating Change Differently From Business As Usual?
• 15:32 Can You Explain The Single Point Of Accountability Principle?
• 20:32 Real-World Example: Replacing A Payroll System
• 25:41 What Feedback Have You Received From People Using The Guide?
• 27:46 Where To Find The Guide
• 28:46 End Of Interview
• 29:07 Andy's Comments After The Interview
• 33:30 Outtakes

You can learn more about Ross and his guide at P3gqa.com/.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

• Episode 387, with Atif Rafiq about his book on delivering projects

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: governance, project management, program management, portfolio management, decision-making, accountability, project sponsor

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Sam Adeyemi, an influential leader and author of Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership. They discuss the impact of personal backstories on leadership, the importance of principles and values, dealing with self-doubt, and managing multi-generational teams. Dr. Sam shares insights from his personal journey, providing practical advice on leading with empathy, authenticity, and intentional personal branding.

This is a great opportunity to be exposed to a globally influential voice on leadership who will inspire you to go from self-doubt to confidence.

• "Leadership is first about being before it is about doing."
• "You reproduce who you are."
• "We never act beyond the capacity of that person that we see inside."
• "Building your personal brand is not about building your ego and trying to prove to people that you are what you are not."
• "We all are way better than we think we are. We're more powerful than we think we are."
• "We actually can't control most of the things that affect our lives, but we can affect the things that are inside of us."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:33 Start Of Interview
• 07:33 Principles And Values In Leadership
• 11:00 What Is Authenticity?
• 12:46 Decision-Making Guided By Values
• 15:33 The Role Of Identity In Leadership
• 18:16 Overcoming Self-Doubt
• 20:08 Overcoming Fear And Embracing Uncertainty
• 21:18 The Power Of Self-Talk And Identity
• 22:26 Generational Differences In The Workplace
• 26:12 Building A Personal Brand Vs. Ego
• 31:39 Applying Leadership Principles At Home
• 35:26 End Of Interview
• 35:48 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 37:53 Outtakes

You can learn more about Dr. Sam and his books at SamAdeyemi.com/.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out:

• Episodes 62, 153, and 416 with Jim Kouzes about his book The Leadership Challenge, and
• Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about his book Nine Lies About Work.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

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: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Steven T. Collis, a law professor and author of Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues.' They discuss the increasing polarization in society, and challenges in having healthy dialogues at work and in personal life. Steven introduces ten habits from his book aimed at transforming potentially toxic conversations into healthy dialogues.

The conversation covers topics such as the importance of intellectual humility, seeking real learning, assuming the best about others, and practical strategies for engaging in productive discourse. Steven also shares personal stories and scenarios to illustrate how these habits can be applied, including dealing with difficult family members and controlling emotions.

With all of today's political polarization and conflicts at work, this book is a must-read for aspiring leaders to help them at work and beyond.

• "My brother could pick a fight with a wall when he was growing up."
• "It's not enough to simply stop; you have to replace it with something else."
• "Being a peacemaker means having productive dialogues about hard topics."
• "We use a lot of slogans in our society and a lot of catchphrases, and chief among them is diversity, equity, and inclusion."
• "Could there be something else that's motivating this person besides my assumption that they're acting out of bad motives?"
• "If you're just an argumentative jerk, you're probably never going to persuade anybody."
• "It's easy to be judgmental of other people, but we know so little about each other and about what's happening in our lives."
• "We have to actually put in extra effort to free ourselves from these echo chambers."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:04 Start Of Interview
• 02:22 Steven's Background And Family Influence
• 05:34 Defining A Peacemaker
• 06:54 Navigating Potentially Toxic Work Conversation About Dei
• 10:14 Fights Into Treasure Hunts
• 12:48 How Technology, Social Media, And Dopamine Impact Dialogue
• 16:19 Seeking Real Learning And Avoiding Echo Chambers
• 20:44 Assuming The Best In Difficult Conversations
• 25:21 Handling Political Differences At Family Gatherings
• 28:25 Understanding Gaslighting
• 31:18 Applying Habits At Home
• 34:05 Wrap Up
• 34:27 Andy Comments After The Interview
• 38:32 Outtakes

You can learn more about Steven and his books at StevenTCollis.com.

We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries.

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: Ignotus by Agnese Valmaggia 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