In this episode of the Reluctant Agilist, host Dave Prior welcomes Mark Kilby and Johanna Rothman to discuss their reflections and plans for the new year. The conversation begins with a candid admission from Dave about feeling lost in setting goals for 2026, prompting Johanna to suggest a shift in focus from preparing for risks to preparing for success. The trio explores the importance of collaboration and the need to let go of what hinders progress, particularly in the context of AI and its implications for project management. They emphasize the necessity of resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world, advocating for a more positive outlook on success rather than a fear-based approach to risk management.

As the discussion unfolds, they delve into the challenges posed by generative AI, the importance of trust in technology, and the need for personal and organizational resilience. The episode culminates in a reflection on the significance of collaboration and the value of learning from one another, highlighting the importance of community in navigating the complexities of modern work environments. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reminder to focus on personal growth, inclusivity, and the pursuit of meaningful connections in both professional and personal spheres.

Takeaways

"Preparing for success allows for managing risk."

"We need to focus more on the next place."

"Trust is the one thing we need even more of."

"You can't do all that with AI."

"Don't do it alone. Collaborate with others."

Chapters

00:00 New Year Reflections and Inspirations

03:27 Preparing for Success vs. Risk Management

06:18 AI in Project Management: Opportunities and Challenges

09:19 Trust and Technology: A Post-Trust World?

12:22 Betrayal of the Social Contract in Technology

15:22 Planning for Success: Onward and Inclusive

18:17 Finding Joy in Work Post-Pandemic

31:35 AI in Interviewing: A New Frontier

34:06 Rethinking Hiring Practices

35:39 Productivity: Beyond the Workplace

36:53 Learning and Adapting to AI

38:31 The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Relationships

41:54 Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership

43:19 Building Resilience in Teams

46:04 Personal Growth and Double Loop Learning

50:38 The Importance of Physical and Mental Health

54:32 Creating a Supportive Work Environment

Contact Info

Contacting Johanna Rothman

Web: https://www.jrothman.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johannarothman

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/vjbd4xmd

Contacting Mark Kilby

Web: https://www.markkilby.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mkilby

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/3sfud7sh

Contacting Dave Prior

Web: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mrsungo

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/4672s298

In this conversation, Dave Prior interviews Victor Njoroge about the intersection of AI and product management. Victor shares his background and role at Clarion, emphasizing the importance of optimizing workflows for sales development representatives. They discuss the concept of Sidebar, a platform for brainstorming and sharing ideas among professionals. Victor explains how he built a virtual board of directors using AI to gain diverse perspectives on product management challenges. The conversation highlights the significance of trust in AI tools, the need for continuous learning, and the enduring value of human skills in the age of AI.

Takeaways

- AI can optimize product management processes.

- Building a virtual board of directors enhances decision-making.

- Diverse perspectives are crucial for effective product management.

- Trust in AI tools is essential for their successful implementation.

- Understanding user pain points is key to product management.

- AI can help in brainstorming and generating ideas.

- Using personas can provide valuable insights in product development.

- AI tools can save time and improve efficiency in product management.

- Continuous learning about AI tools is necessary for staying competitive.

- Human skills remain invaluable despite advancements in AI.

Chapters

01:28 Introduction to AI in Product Management

04:15 Victor's Background and Role at Clarion

07:05 The Concept of Sidebar and Networking

09:53 The Genesis of AI in Product Management

12:24 Building a Virtual Board of Directors

15:21 Creating Personas for Product Management

18:10 Using AI to Challenge Bias in Decision Making

21:11 Practical Applications of AI in Product Management

24:49 Exploring Prioritization Techniques

30:39 The Role of AI in Product Management

36:36 Finding and Prioritizing AI Tools

41:47 The Human Element in AI and Product Management

Links from the podcast:

MITSloan Review Article "How I Built a Personal Board of Directors With GenAI"

https://tinyurl.com/m28e8h4k

Sidebar: https://www.sidebar.com

Contacting Victor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-njoroge/

Contacting Dave

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsungo/

Dave's classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623

Revolutionizing Recruitment with SuperHired featuring Josh Hill

In this conversation, Josh Hill discusses the innovative approach of SuperHired in transforming the recruitment process. He emphasizes the flaws of traditional hiring methods, the importance of understanding both candidate and company contexts, and the role of AI in recruitment. Josh advocates for a more human-centered approach to hiring, focusing on the 'job to be done' framework and the need for candidates to advocate for their own needs. He also provides insights on navigating the current job market and offers advice for both candidates and hiring managers.

Takeaways

- Recruitment should be viewed as a matchmaking process.

- Traditional resumes are outdated and do not represent candidates accurately.

- Work today is dynamic and requires a different approach to hiring.

- AI in recruitment often complicates rather than simplifies the process.

- Understanding the context of both candidates and companies is crucial.

- Companies need to be transparent about their culture and values.

- Candidates should advocate for their needs during the hiring process.

- Creativity in presenting oneself can help candidates stand out.

- The current recruitment system often leads to a lose-lose situation for both candidates and companies.

- I nvesting in the right hiring practices can lead to long-term success for companies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to SuperHired and Its Mission

05:52 The Flaws of Traditional Recruitment

08:38 The Role of AI in Recruitment

11:09 Understanding Candidate Context

13:51 The ATS Dilemma

16:16 Innovative Approaches to Hiring

19:08 Self-Discovery in Job Seeking

21:45 The Exchange of Value in Hiring

24:13 The Future of Recruitment

27:32 The Cost of Recruitment Mistakes

29:29 Transformational Hiring for Small Businesses

31:38 The Human Element in Business Success

33:54 Due Diligence in Recruitment

37:07 Advice for Job Seekers in a Tough Market

41:28 The Dark Side of Recruiting

44:36 Engaging with Hiring Managers

Contacting Josh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-hill-24b760a6/

SuperHired on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108121043/

Web: https://www.superhired.ai/

Dave's Links

Contacting Dave: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

Upcoming Classes on Katanu https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623

All Upcoming Katanu Classes https://katanu.com/

The Agile Network https://theagilenetwork.com/discover Use Expert Discount Code: DRUNKENPMCMC33 to get 33% OFF all memberships

In this engaging conversation, Dave Prior and Lonnie Weaver-Johnson delve into the complexities of giving and receiving feedback. They explore personal experiences, the emotional challenges associated with feedback, and practical strategies for improving feedback dynamics. Lonnie shares her insights on the importance of mindset, recognizing triggers, and the four Rs of feedback: recognize, receive, react, and respond. The discussion emphasizes the value of self-awareness and the need for constructive communication in both personal and professional settings.

Takeaways

- Feedback can be life-changing if handled positively.

- Many people struggle with receiving positive feedback.

- It's crucial to learn how to accept feedback in various settings.

- Feedback givers can help receivers by being mindful of their delivery.

- The receiver ultimately controls how they handle feedback.

- Compartmentalizing feedback can help in processing it effectively.

- Recognizing triggers can aid in managing emotional responses to feedback.

- Practicing self-talk can help combat negative internal feedback.

- It's okay to ask for time to process feedback before responding.

- Showing gratitude for feedback, even if it's hard to hear, can be beneficial.

Chapters

02:49 Introduction to Feedback Dynamics

05:35 The Importance of Receiving Feedback

8:26 Navigating Negative Feedback

11:40 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned

13:54 Triggers and Reactions to Feedback

16:38 The Four Rs of Feedback

19:42 Responding to Feedback Effectively

22:29 Self-Feedback and Positive Reinforcement

Links

Lonnie’s Session at 2025 PMI Global Summit

Beyond Going Through the Motions: Create Retrospectives That Lead To Change

https://pmiglobalsummit.gcs-web.com/program/agenda#sess61853976

Dave and Stuart’s Book

No One Is Coming to Save You: Power-ups to help surf the chaos

- Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2765ztum

- Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

Dave’s classes (CSM, CSPO, A-CSPO, PMP, PMI-ACP)

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623

Contacting Lonnie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonnieweaverjohnson/

Web: https://www.lonniewj.com/

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Hugo Bowne-Anderson discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data science, focusing on the role of AI agents in solving business problems. Hugo shares insights on how to effectively implement AI solutions, the importance of understanding the underlying data, and the need for continuous improvement in AI systems. They also touch on the skills necessary for navigating the AI landscape, the value of collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, and the importance of assessing the value of AI projects. Hugo concludes by offering a course on building AI applications, emphasizing the iterative nature of AI development.

Takeaways

- Hugo emphasizes the importance of data in AI applications.

- AI agents can automate tasks but require human oversight.

- Understanding the problem is crucial before implementing AI solutions.

- Prompt engineering remains a valuable skill alongside learning about agents.

- Consultants should educate clients on practical AI applications.

- AI systems should be built incrementally and iteratively.

- Value assessment in AI projects should focus on efficiency and cost savings.

- Continuous improvement is essential for AI systems to remain effective.

- Experimentation with AI tools can lead to innovative solutions.

- Collaboration between technical and non-technical teams is vital for successful AI implementation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Data and AI Literacy

06:14 Understanding AI Agents vs. LLMs

09:18 The Role of Agents in Business Solutions

12:21 Navigating the Future of AI and Agents

15:24 Consulting and Client Education in AI

18:37 Building Incremental AI Solutions

21:29 The Future of AI Coding and Debugging

24:32 Prototyping with AI: Challenges and Solutions

25:32 Leveraging AI for User Insights and Competitive Analysis

27:29 Understanding Value in AI Development

32:05 The Role of Product Managers in AI Integration

33:00 AI as an Instrument: The Human Element

35:33 Getting Started with AI: Practical Steps for Teams

38:51 Building AI Applications: Course Overview and Insights

Links from the Podcast:

Stop Building AI Agents - Here’s what you should build instead (Article) https://www.decodingai.com/p/stop-building-ai-agents

Anthropic https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/multi-agent-research-system

The Colgate Study https://www.pymc-labs.com/blog-posts/AI-based-Customer-Research

Hugo’s Course (Starts November 3, 2025)

Building AI Applications for Data Scientists and Software Engineers (with a 25% discount)

https://maven.com/hugo-stefan/building-ai-apps-ds-and-swe-from-first-principles?promoCode=drunkenpm

(You can use the discount code drunkenpm to get 25% off)

How To Be A Podcast Guest with Jay Hrcsko https://youtu.be/vkNbgwcolIM

Contacting Hugo

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-bowne-anderson-045939a5/

Substack https://hugobowne.substack.com/

Contacting Dave

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

Dave’s Classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623

This interview is also available via video form here: https://youtu.be/vkNbgwcolIM

If you’ve never been on a podcast before, the whole idea of it can be intimidating. What if you say the wrong thing? Or say “Um… to your point” too many times. EVERYONE will judge you. Your career will be over. It will be the end of days….

Except none of that will happen. But just to put your mind at ease, Jack Hrcsko and I have put together a podcast with tips to help you be an excellent podcast guest. Between the two of us we’ve done thousands of podcast interviews. As hosts, we want to help you shine, and we want to create compelling content that will be valuable to he listeners. Selfishly, we also want help you make our jobs as hosts and editors a little easier.

Whether you are about to do your very first interview or you just want to make sure you are set up for success, there are tips in here that will help you level up your podcast guestiness.

Jay’s Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhrcsko/

Agile Uprising: https://www.agileuprising.com

Agile Uprising Podcast: https://agileuprising.libsyn.com

Chapters

00:18 Introduction to Podcasting and Guest Preparation

03:17 Effective Interview Preparation Strategies

06:20 Creating a Comfortable Interview Environment

09:05 Technical Setup for Podcast Interviews

12:11 Speaking Naturally and Avoiding Overthinking

15:16 Navigating the Interview Dynamics

18:10 The Role of Alcohol and Comfort in Interviews

24:32 Crafting Engaging Interviews

27:22 Navigating Guest Comfort and Communication

29:16 Embarrassing Moments in Podcasting

32:07 Worst Interview Experiences

35:49 Memorable Guests and Conversations

38:31 Utilizing Technology for Better Interviews

39:26 Connecting with Jay Hrcsko

40:26 Exploring Management Concepts

43:37 The Future of Work and Podcasting

Dennis Stevens joins drunkenpm for a deep dive into the challenges faced by middle management in organizational change. Dennis argues that Agile and transformation efforts often fail because they treat middle managers as a roadblock, when in fact, these managers are simply victims of a badly designed system. The core idea is that companies shouldn't try to eliminate these roles but must instead design specific organizational "containers" and routines that force middle managers to leverage human nature (like self-interest and competition) to drive innovation. The goal is to shift strategy from a static plan to a dynamic process that lives in the interactions between people, ensuring all the work being done is strategically aligned, measurable, and ultimately successful.

Key Takeaways

Middle Management is the Constraint: Organizational change, adaptability, and innovation will either happen or stall at the middle management level.

Systemic Failure: Middle managers are often marginalized as the "stepchild" and are expected to manage tasks and activities instead of creating the conditions necessary for teams to achieve outcomes.

Strategy is Dynamic: Strategy doesn't happen when a leader speaks; it becomes real when people start talking to each other and applying it, which requires designing routines that create safety for delegation.

Embrace Human Nature: Successful organizational design must leverage human nature, where competitiveness is the fuel, rather than relying on idealistic notions of "no ego, total alignment".

Conditions Over Practices: The success of Agile is due to the environment and conditions created for the teams, not the specific practices (like stand-ups or language). A key function of management is to consciously create those conditions.

Constraints Drive Innovation: Setting clear goals and enforcing constraints and consequences within the designed container will drive innovation by forcing teams to be efficient and reinvent, as opposed to operating without pressure.

Key Moments

0:02:24 The Core Thesis: Stevens introduces the central argument: "If you're trying to change how an organization runs, middle management is where it will either happen or stall."

0:03:41 The Problem Defined: Stevens uses the "stepchild" analogy to describe the plight of middle managers: having "fake power," lacking strategy, and being blamed for a system that was not designed to support them.

0:08:50 The Root Cause: Stevens identifies the problem: it's not a failure of management but a failure of the organization to deeply understand the conditions necessary for teams to innovate coherently in a complex system.

0:15:26 The Anti-Commune Stance: Stevens argues against the idealistic view of self-organization, stating that to succeed at scale, a system must be built where competitiveness is the fuel, rather than expecting people "to not be people."

0:20:08 The Glue of Strategy: Stevens defines where strategy truly exists: "Strategy becomes real when people start talking to each other." He stresses the need to build routines that create safety for delegation.

0:30:46 Constraints & Innovation: Stevens explains that constraints drive innovation by forcing efficiency, while a lack of constraints leads to inefficiency and a lack of pressure to reinvent.

Dennis's Article: Innovation By Design https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/innovation-design-orgwright-qeipe/?trackingId=6eh7kgcyKabru1Cdv4%2BERg%3D%3D

Links from the Intro:

Productivity Survival: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/markkilby/1905697

No One is Coming to Save You

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yhdk785j

Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

Contacting Dennis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisstevens/

OrgWright: https://www.orgwright.com/

The Agile Network: https://tinyurl.com/2tywk29e

Contacting Dave

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsungo/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

The Agile Network: https://tinyurl.com/y3rhnnxp

In this conversation, Dave Prior speaks with Ashley Lucio about her extensive experience in communications, particularly focusing on the differences between internal communications and marketing. They discuss the challenges organizations face in deploying AI technologies and the importance of having communication professionals involved in these processes. Ashley emphasizes the need for effective communication strategies to manage organizational change and the potential pitfalls of neglecting this aspect. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in communications and the necessity for a balanced approach that leverages technology while maintaining human insight.

Sign up for my Newsletter http://eepurl.com/iB2jUI

Takeaways

• Ashley Lucio has a diverse background in communications, marketing, and internal communications.

• Internal communications focus on employee engagement and understanding sentiment, distinct from marketing and PR.

• Effective communication is crucial during organizational changes, especially with AI deployment.

• Leadership plays a significant role in shaping communication strategies within organizations.

• Cognitive dissonance can arise when company values do not align with employee experiences.

• AI deployment should involve communication professionals to foresee potential issues.

• Organizations often rush AI implementations without proper planning or communication.

• The role of communications in project management is often undervalued but essential for success.

• AI can enhance efficiency in communications but should not replace human insight.

• The future of communications will require a balance between technology and human creativity.

Chapters

03:11 Introduction and Background

05:40 The Role of Communications in Organizations

09:00 Internal vs External Communications

12:26 The Impact of AI on Organizational Messaging

17:36 The Need for Communication Professionals in Change Management

22:23 The Importance of Holistic Communication Strategies

24:02 The Role of Data in AI Development

24:45 Communication Strategies in AI Implementation

25:50 Damage Control in AI Adoption

26:35 Pilot Programs and Scaling AI Solutions

28:34 The Value of Project Management and Communication

29:44 Metrics of Success in Internal Communications

30:43 The Importance of Intentional Messaging

32:48 AI's Impact on Communication Roles

34:29 The Future of AI in Creative Fields

36:14 Using AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

Contacting Ashley

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/alucio

Other Links:

The Agile Network - Resilient: Adapt and Thrive (10/7- 10/8):

https://tinyurl.com/ynj5wjjm

Productivity Survival with Dave Prior and Mark Kilby

https://tinyurl.com/3zbdst52 (Use DavesDeep75 for a special discounted price)

DC Lean Agile Meetup - No One Is Coming to Save You with Dave Prior (10/8 12 PM Eastern):

https://www.meetup.com/dc-lean-agile/events/310850331/

(This podcast was originally recorded as a video episode. If you'd like to see that version: https://youtu.be/YSDNeAdyZiw)

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Johnu Marattil discuss the challenges of job applications, particularly the importance of tailoring resumes for each position. Johnu shares his personal journey of creating a tool, WahResume, to automate and enhance the job application process. They delve into the significance of understanding ATS filters, common mistakes applicants make, and strategies for effectively showcasing skills and experiences. The discussion also covers the role of AI in improving resumes and the necessity of preparing for interviews in today's competitive job market.

Takeaways

• Tailoring your resume for each job application is essential.

• Understanding ATS filters can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed.

• Automating the resume creation process can save time and effort.

• Highlighting skills and achievements is crucial for standing out.

• Using keywords from job descriptions in your cover letter can enhance your application.

• Applying for multiple roles increases your chances of getting shortlisted.

• A simple and lightweight resume format is often more effective.

• Practicing interviews can help build confidence and improve performance.

• The goal of job applications has shifted to getting interviews rather than just landing jobs.

• WahResume is a tool designed to streamline the job application process.

Links:

WahResume: https://www.wahresume.com/

(In the interview, Johnu shares a promo code that will give you a free month of full access - but you’ll need to listen to the recording to find out what it is.)

Johnu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnumarattil/

Chapters

00:20 Introduction to Job Application Challenges

03:19 The Importance of Tailoring Resumes

06:11 Automating the Job Application Process

09:15 Using AI to Enhance Resumes

11:42 Common Mistakes in Job Applications

14:28 Navigating the Job Market Today

17:23 Demonstrating the Resume Tool

20:14 Improving Resume Scores with Keywords

24:59 Navigating Job Descriptions and Resumes

27:13 Tailoring Resumes for Experience

28:55 The Importance of Relevant Skills

30:10 Optimizing Resume Formats for ATS

33:04 Understanding ATS Parsing Challenges

37:52 Simplifying Resume Formats

39:50 Job Application Strategies and Tips

43:48 Leveraging Tools for Job Seekers

In this engaging conversation, Johanna Rothman takes over Dave Prior's podcast to discuss the journey of writing their new book with Stu Young. They explore themes of self-responsibility, emotional intelligence, and the importance of visual thinking in navigating complexity. The authors share their personal experiences and insights on collaboration, the writing process, and the necessity of embracing change in both personal and professional lives. They emphasize the significance of authenticity and continuous improvement as key elements in achieving success and fulfillment.

Takeaways

• The book was inspired by a drunken conversation on a ship.

• Self-responsibility is crucial; no one will save you.

• Emotional intelligence is a key skill for success.

• Personal Kanban helps in organizing tasks effectively.

• PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Adjust) is essential for personal growth.

• Visual thinking aids in problem-solving and idea generation.

• Careers are not linear; adaptability is vital.

• Change is inevitable; embrace it rather than resist.

• Collaboration enhances the writing process and creativity.

• Authenticity and imperfection are strengths, not weaknesses.

Links from the Interview:

Johanna Rothman

Web: http://www.jrothman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannarothman/

Stuart Young

Web: https://www.stuartyoung.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-young-vis/

Dave Prior

Web: https://linktr.ee/mrsungo

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsungo/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://tinyurl.com/3f5aevts

No One Is Coming to Save You

https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

The Agile Network September Event (24 hours) - Expert's Showcase

Begins 9/7 at 8 AM Eastern

https://theagilenetwork.com/group/cca3b7ef-4fb3-42a7-8f97-59ab04a7b2e5/profile

Lean Coffee with Dave, Anu Smalley, Bob Galen, and Angela Johnson

9/7 at 2 PM Eastern

https://theagilenetwork.com/event/6ba65f21-fef8-4f48-8fb5-9b769c1b1b96/ROUND_TABLE

Lean DC - Agile Meetup - No One is Coming to Save You

10/8 at 12 PM Eastern

https://www.meetup.com/dc-lean-agile/events/310850331/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

Chapters

02:28 The Backstory of the Book

08:02 The Book's Premise: No One is Coming to Save You

13:59 Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

17:24 Understanding PDSA vs. PDCA

18:41 The Importance of Self-Reflection

20:06 Getting Your Shit Together: Personal Kanban and PDSA

20:37 Visual Thinking in Agile Coaching

24:35 Navigating Non-Linear Career Paths

26:22 Embracing Change in Careers

32:251 Collaborative Writing and Finishing Projects

37:45 Dealing with Change and Relationships

41:12 The Value of Time and Self-Awareness