Ask Andrew

The marble figure would stand nearly 30 feet tall if upright. Like me, it sports a tunic and a short beard. I’m not sure what size sandal works for a six-foot-long foot, but arch support and traction seem essential.

But why is this enormous statue lying abandoned on a hillside instead of standing in a temple or museum? And what can I learn about perfectionism?

In a world that’s all about speed and automation, sometimes the true magic is in slowing down. This week on AskAndrew, I'm sharing my personal journey on what I call "Manual Road."

For my entire life, I’ve been hardwired to find the most efficient, automated way to do a task. But recently, I found unexpected joy and a deeper sense of accomplishment in a simple manual process: scoring my first baseball game by hand.

It sharpened my focus, created a lasting memory with a friend, and reminded me that some of the greatest wins come from the slower, more intentional moments.

Ready to find your own manual magic? Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

#AskAndrew #ManualRoad #SlowingDown #Mindfulness #Podcast

Feeling overwhelmed and like you never have enough time? In this episode of AskAndrew, we explore a simple system to reclaim your days and start prioritizing what truly matters. We'll discuss:

Get ready to take control of your time and live a more fulfilling life!

Worksheet to define your pieces: https://2ly.link/23QNs

The Program Powerhouse: In this episode, we dive into the world of program management with Federico Maffini, global head of business operations at AWS and author of The Zero-BS Program Management Blueprint.

We unpack how to transform curiosity into impactful projects, navigate the career-boosting benefits of horizontal moves, and the value of structured experimentation.

Discover actionable strategies and insights on mastering program management to accelerate your career growth.

Find Fed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/federicomaffini/
Webinar on ChatGPT + Excel: https://youtu.be/nRXxHSXY53A?si=TlyPAHmuzLlHi9KX
Fed’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Bullsh-Program-Management-blueprint/dp/B0DDSYCP4D

If you would like to share what you’ve learned in your career and be a guest on AskAndrew, drop me a note.

https://app.reclaim.ai/m/andrew-ledet/flexible-quick-meeting

In this AskAndrew video, you'll learn:

We'll walk you through the process of setting up your data and creating pivot tables to track your company's performance.

Whether you're a sales leader looking to measure your team's effectiveness or just want to better understand your win rate, this tutorial will give you the tools you need to quickly analyze your data. Perfect for beginners and pros alike!

Download a copy of the data: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QR-EocDo2isfezzAnyXLhQ9tgsGBRRoA-cmARTI9hiI/edit?usp=sharing

Book time to chat data with me: https://2ly.link/1yXMD

In this episode of "Ask Andrew," we delve into the concept of friction and its dual nature. Starting with a calming meditation, Andrew guides listeners to view friction not just as an irritant but as a catalyst for growth and transformation.

He introduces a counterintuitive idea: adding friction to reduce friction. By using a simple Google form, Andrew demonstrates how creating a small barrier can help prioritize tasks and manage workload more effectively.

This episode offers practical advice on transforming friction into a tool for better productivity and personal growth.

Resources:

Google Form example

Back that Ask up - Spreadsheet to track asks

In this episode of "Ask Andrew," I delve into the transformative power of affirmations and goal setting. I share my personal journey of overcoming stage fright and achieving my goal of playing jazz at a jam session. I emphasize the importance of positive self-talk and offer practical techniques for crafting effective affirmations. I guide you through a meditation exercise to visualize your goals and repeat affirmations. I also discuss how to integrate affirmations into daily routines, overcome negative self-talk, and sustain motivation. This episode is a motivational guide to using affirmations to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Additional Resources


- https://www.mindful.org/a-practice-to-reclaim-your-joy-with-sebene-selassie/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ06XYhuQF8

Kate Wade and Krissy Metzler join on this week's AskAndrew. They offer 5 unique insights into time management and productivity during our discussion.

Kate (M.Ed. in Educational Psychology) and Krissy (M.A. Special Education) are the founders of The Goalden System. They are educators dedicated to helping people enhance their executive function skills in pursuit of their goals. They specialize in supporting the neuro-divergent community.
1. Plastic vs. Glass Balls Analogy: They introduce a compelling analogy to help prioritize tasks by comparing them to juggling plastic and glass balls. This visualization helps individuals discern between tasks that can bounce back if dropped (plastic) and those that will have serious consequences if not handled properly (glass).
2. Pomodoro Technique Customization: While discussing the Pomodoro technique, they emphasize the importance of customization. They suggest adjusting the traditional 25-minute work period to whatever time frame feels manageable, even if it's as short as five minutes, to help build momentum without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Accountability Partnerships: Kate and Krissy highlight the effectiveness of having an accountability partner, noting that sharing goals with someone can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving them. They stress that this partner could be anyone from a peer to a family member, and the relationship should be supportive rather than judgmental.
4. Clustering Tasks: They recommend clustering similar tasks together to maximize focus and efficiency. This approach minimizes the mental load of switching between different types of tasks, which can drain energy and reduce productivity.
5. Communication as a Tool for Prioritization: They stress the importance of clear communication in the workplace, especially about deadlines and expectations. Asking clarifying questions can prevent unnecessary stress and help better manage one’s workload.
These insights provide practical strategies that can be tailored to individual needs, making them applicable to a wide audience, including those who might struggle with traditional time management methods.

Resources:

Tomato Timer

The Goalden System

Free Accountablity Check meeting with Goalden Gals

In this episode, Andrew takes another entertaining look at leadership lessons from the hit TV show Breaking Bad. This time he focuses on the art of delegation through the lens of Walter White's failings.

Andrew breaks down two scenes where Walter poorly delegates tasks to Jesse. He uses these examples to highlight 8 common delegation pitfalls that managers often fall into, like micromanaging, passing off grunt work, not providing clear instructions, and more.

The episode wraps up with a formula for effective delegation, emphasizing the importance of explaining the "why" behind tasks, allowing autonomy, setting expectations, and providing feedback.

Whether you're a Breaking Bad superfan or just looking to level up your delegation skills, this episode is sure to both entertain and provide practical tips you can apply right away.

Breaking Bad-esque music

On this unique episode of Ask Andrew, host Andrew Ledet takes on the persona of Walter White's manager or coach. The notorious character from Breaking Bad exhibited several extreme workplace behaviors - an insatiable hunger for power, an inability to delegate, a lack of ethical boundaries, and a massively unchecked ego.

Andrew analyzes key inflection points from the show, like Walt's power struggle with Gus Fring over hiring the assistant chemist Gale. He then role-plays productive coaching conversations and shares strategies for managers dealing with similarly egotistical, difficult personalities.

From decision-making frameworks to explore who has input, to stakeholder mapping, to unpacking feelings/passions - Andrew provides a management playbook for guiding someone like Walter White toward more sustainable leadership skills. It explores the challenges pride and ego can create in the workplace.

Does the criminal kingpin Heisenberg have any hope for redemption with the right coaching? Tune in to find out Andrew's approaches to this unique case study in managing an incredibly tough employee.

Resources:

Raci Matrix + RAPID framework

How to feel your feelings [Video]