In this episode, Andy talks with Joel Hilchey, speaker, facilitator, and author of The 6½ Habits of Highly Defective Bosses. Joel brings humor, honesty, and a refreshing amount of grace to a topic many leaders quietly struggle with: becoming a boss without training, preparation, or a clear roadmap.

Andy and Joel explore what it really means to be an "accidental boss" and why most bad bosses are not bad people. They unpack the four quadrants every leader must balance: tasks vs. people and short-term vs. long-term, and why focusing only on tasks can quietly erode trust and engagement. You'll hear practical ideas for avoiding mediocrity mongering, removing everyday hassles that drain teams, and providing clarity instead of whiplash leadership.

The conversation also touches on why aiming to be "less terrible" is a surprisingly powerful leadership goal, how recognition can become a force multiplier, and why lessons from leadership often show up at home as well.

If you're leading projects or people and want practical, human-centered ways to become a better boss one step at a time, this episode is for you!

• "Most bad bosses are actually good people with bad ideas."
• "If you focus only on tasks, people will hate working for you."
• "People don't expect perfection from their boss, but they do expect effort."
• "Recognition is one of the highest leverage tools a leader has."
• "The essence of strategy is saying no."
• "Be a lighthouse for your team, not a disco ball."
• "If you notice yourself getting frustrated that people are doing stuff that's off task or that feels off task to you, like why is this person taking time to do that? That's on you as the leader to say, oh, I must not have made this strategy clear."
• "You can spend the money without asking, but you must tell me you spent it next time we meet."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:08 Start of Interview
• 02:20 Becoming an Accidental Boss
• 07:10 The Four Leadership Quadrants
• 12:10 Warning Signs You Are Neglecting People
• 15:15 When Task Focus Goes Too Far
• 21:24 Mediocrity Mongering and Good Enough Work
• 25:47 The Value of a Crappy First Draft
• 30:00 Removing Hassles from Team Work
• 35:30 Lighthouse vs. Disco Ball Leadership
• 39:40 Why Being 'Less Terrible' Matters
• 45:40 Applying Leadership Lessons at Home
• 48:31 End of Interview
• 49:15 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 52:38 Outtakes

You can learn more about Joel and his work at JoelHilchey.com. Make sure to try the complimentary assessment Joel refers to in the interview.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 468 with James Turk. It's a practical discussion about what to do when you are suddenly in charge.
• Episode 467 with Sabina Nawaz, former executive coach to Bill Gates, sharing insights on what no one usually tells you about becoming the boss.
• Episode 419 with Molly McGrath. Her book focuses on fixing your boss, but it almost always inspires listeners to become better leaders themselves.

During the episode, Andy mentioned our AI Made Simple class. Join listeners from around the world who are learning how to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free.

Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, People Management, Accidental Managers, Team Culture, Recognition, Project Leadership, Manager Development, Communication, Prioritization, Continuous Improvement

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with comedian and corporate emcee Adam Christing, author of The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead. If you have ever hesitated to use humor at work because you were unsure it would land, or worried it might backfire, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical path forward.

Adam shares how his early influences shaped his approach to humor and why he believes every human is also a "humor being." You will hear why humor is more than chasing chuckles, including how it can build trust, improve learning, and strengthen relationships on teams. Adam introduces the concept of "laugh languages" and walks through examples such as Surprise and Poke, along with guidance on how to tease without crossing the line. They also discuss tailoring humor across cultures and how leaders can bring the laughter factor home with their families.

If you are looking for practical insights on leading with humor, building trust, and bringing more humanity into your projects and teams, this episode is for you!

• "If you're a human being, you are also a humor being, and I would say not only do you have a sense of humor, but a sense of humor has you."
• "The audience is actually, whether it's three people or 300, they're actually rooting for you."
• "They don't want to be bored. They want to be entertained."
• "When we think back on the things that have made us laugh the most, it's often the flops that are the funniest."
• "They won't trust your humor until you do."
• "There's a saying in show business, 'funny is money'."
• "I really believe that humor is a bridge that helps you connect heart to heart with other people."
• "You're a leader. You need to be the one building trust."
• "Humor is a shortcut to trust."
• "Leaders help their people learn with laughter."
• "Increase your LPMs: laughs per meeting."
• "If in doubt, leave it out."
• "Every meeting really should be a party with a purpose."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:43 Start of Interview
• 03:38 Adam's Backstory and Early Influences
• 05:23 "I'm Not Funny" and the Confidence Barrier
• 10:36 Why Humor Is More Than Just Chuckles
• 16:00 The Laughter Factor Explained
• 18:10 Laugh Languages and the Power of Surprise
• 21:09 Poke: Teasing Without Crossing the Line
• 24:42 Using Humor Across Cultures
• 30:14 How You Know the Laughter Factor Is Working
• 32:17 Developing a Laughter Factor at Home
• 34:25 End of Interview
• 34:55 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 38:02 Outtakes

Get a copy of Adam's book The Laughter Factor: The 5 Humor Tactics to Link, Lift, and Lead.

You can learn more about Adam and his work at TheLaughterFactor.com. While you are there, check out the short questionnaire to discover your laugh language.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. They are completely on this theme of humor being a strategic ability for leaders and teams.
• Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. Peter breaks down what makes something funny based on his book The Humor Code, an episode Andy still calls back to today.
• Episode 485 with John Krewson, a conversation about lessons from sketch comedy that nicely reinforce ideas from today's episode.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader, that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Humor At Work, Trust Building, Communication, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Meeting Facilitation, Emotional Intelligence, Influence, Learning And Development, People Management, Project Management

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Katie Best, leadership coach and author of The Ten Toughest Leadership Problems and How to Solve Them. Drawing on years of coaching leaders across industries, Katie shares practical insights that help you tackle high-stakes leadership moments—especially when a coach isn't available.

They explore Katie's SOLVE framework for problem-solving under pressure, the danger of performative busyness, and how to make better decisions when trade-offs and uncertainty rule the day. You'll also hear how to unlock authentic influence without manipulation, foster healthy debate on overly "nice" teams, and support psychological safety in leadership and parenting. Andy and Katie also dig into how to empower women in leadership and how small actions can create big shifts in workplace culture.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed as a leader or wished for a coach in the moment, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and real tools you can start using today!

• "You only have power if someone believes that you do."
• "All interaction is manipulative, but that doesn't mean it's toxic."
• "Performative busyness is one of the biggest traps for high performers."
• "Draw the line, or others will draw it for you."
• "Influence is about being a decent human, not just using techniques."
• "If you've done the learning, don't let it go to waste."
• "The idea that people put on an act at work has always fascinated me."
• "We owe it to ourselves, and if we're leaders of other human beings, we owe it to them as well, to show that it's okay to switch off."
• "Performative busyness is that kind of, we're never allowed to stop, and if we continue to perform, we keep that idea going that everyone needs to be busy all the time."
• "We are so much better at learning from positivity than we are from negativity."
• "We have to recognize that lots of people don't like speaking up in meetings."
• "It's much easier to do a positive thing than to not do a negative thing."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 01:45 Early Influences on Leadership
• 04:33 The Coaching Gap and Why She Wrote the Book
• 05:47 What Is Performative Busyness?
• 09:32 How Katie Protects Her Own Focus and Energy
• 12:00 Introducing the SOLVE Framework
• 18:00 Making Decisions with Uncertainty
• 20:40 Power and Influence: What's the Difference?
• 25:42 Why Influence Techniques Sometimes Backfire
• 26:43 Encouraging Debate in "Too Nice" Cultures
• 28:40 Building Psychological Safety on Your Team
• 31:00 Advice for Women Leaders (and the Men Who Support Them)
• 34:00 Leadership Lessons as a Parent
• 35:55 End of Interview
• 36:25 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:19 Outtakes

You can learn more about Katie and her work at KatieBest.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 442 with Dominic Ashley-Timms. Excellent ideas on how to coach the people around us—and ourselves.
• Episode 391 with Adam Bryant. Insightful and engaging stories about how people make the leap to being leaders.
• Episode 385 with Vanessa Patrick. She wrote a great book about How To Say No. Very empowering.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP!

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Coaching, Decision Making, Influence, Communication, Psychological Safety, Conflict, Engagement, Organizational Culture, Team Development, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: On Point by Steven O'Brien License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

In this episode, Andy talks with John Krewson, co-author of Pitch, Sketch, Launch: A Sketch Comedy Approach to Product Development. John's journey spans software development, acting, and even a stint with Saturday Night Live. He now leads Sketch Development, where he helps teams build products people actually want, faster and with more joy.

In this conversation, John explains why project teams should behave more like creative troupes than traditional org charts. You'll hear how laughter can be a feedback loop, why messy first drafts matter, and how simple tools like sticky notes, Elmo cards, and Lean Coffee can radically improve your team's collaboration. We also explore how sketch comedy's "test before polish" approach can transform how we ship ideas, and what that looks like on real-world teams.

From unblocking meetings to unleashing creativity, this episode is packed with practical tools and paradigm shifts. If you're looking to bring more energy, experimentation, and feedback into your team's workflow, this episode is for you!

• "The best ideas often start as bad ones. The magic is in iteration."
• "You're not building a product. You're testing a hypothesis in the real world."
• "Sketch comedy taught me this: if the audience isn't laughing, it doesn't work. Product teams need that same feedback mindset."
• "You can't argue with the emotion of a dead silent audience when you think you've got gold."
• "We often equate busy with productive. But they're not the same thing."
• "A meeting isn't productive just because everyone showed up. Did it move ideas forward?"
• "Troupes thrive on trust and feedback. Traditional teams often operate on fear and approval."
• "I was a mediocre software developer, which made me well-suited for management."
• "You are sucking the fun out of this. We are building software here. We get to play on computers. Let's make this fun."
• "There's this ruthless search for feedback that we learn how not to take things personally."
• "Nowhere in that iron triangle does anybody talk about whether or not the customer said, 'I needed that thing in the first place.'"
• "We're not just cross-functional. We're cross-committed. That's what makes a team operate like a troupe."
• "If you're building something new, you need a mechanism to decide if it's valuable. And if it isn't, you toss it."
• "The law of averages will tell you: 80% of the ideas need to be tossed."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:46 Start of Interview
• 01:57 Career Backstory
• 07:30 Acting Skills in Daily Work
• 12:00 Busy vs Productive
• 14:07 Project vs Product
• 17:20 Teams as Troupes
• 22:13 Meeting Tools and Techniques
• 27:37 Laugh Testability
• 33:35 Creative Mindsets at Work
• 35:21 Co-Authoring and Collaboration
• 38:00 Applying Ideas at Home
• 40:33 End of Interview
• 41:05 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 44:13 Outtakes

You can learn more about John and the book at SketchDev.io/pitch-sketch-launch.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 316 with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. It's a conversation on humor as a secret weapon in business and life.
• Episode 109 with Peter McGraw. It's also about humor, a fun follow-up, even though John's book isn't just about comedy.
• Episode 469 with Phil Wilson. It's packed with great ideas for unleashing your team, which ties in beautifully with John's approach.

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader. That's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Creativity, Feedback Loops, Team Collaboration, Agile Thinking, Innovation, Leadership, Project Management, Development, Meetings, Humor, Iteration, Trust, Team Culture, Psychological Safety, Growth Mindset

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication and author of Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work. Rather than encouraging digital detoxing or escaping technology, Craig offers a refreshing way to understand and navigate the pressures of modern work. He introduces the idea of digiwhelm, explains why so much of our stress comes from the communication modes we inhabit, and shows how leaders can respond with intention rather than overload.

You will hear Craig describe why email can be more than information transfer, how mode switching differs from context switching, and why one-way communication sometimes matters more than dialogue. Craig also shares why signals like silence, gestures, and tone often communicate more than words. Before closing, he draws connections to life at home, offering ideas for families that feel overwhelmed by devices and demands.

If you are looking for practical insights to reduce digital overwhelm, improve communication, and lead with greater clarity and calm, this episode is for you!

• "Instead of digital minimalism, I recommend something like digital flexibility."
• "Humans are essentially users and switchers of modes."
• "What is going to be the defining overwhelm of my life?"
• "You are always overwhelmed by something."
• "Flexibility is the wisdom that my book is urging."
• "Your words do things."
• "Think about the voice of the email."
• "A mode is an approach, it is a posture, it is a way of relating."
• "Is there a way in which this is actually good for me and actually good for other people?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life and Influences
• 02:57 Growing Up with Technology
• 04:11 What is Digiwhelm?
• 06:26 How Does It Compare to Overload?
• 08:35 The Impact of a David Ford Quote
• 10:34 Understanding Mode Switching
• 16:20 A Day in Communication Modes
• 22:04 Email as Conversation
• 24:29 Writing Email Like You Talk
• 27:24 Dissemination in Practice
• 32:00 Signals Leaders Should Notice
• 39:00 Coping with Digiwhelm at Home
• 43:04 End of Interview
• 43:44 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 48:14 Outtakes

You can learn more about Craig and his work at DigitalOverwhelm.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 144 with Cal Newport. Craig references Cal's book Deep Work in Digital Overwhelm, making this a great companion conversation.
• Episode 269 with Nir Eyal, about his book Indistractable. Nir shares insights about shaping your day to be less distracted.
• Episode 377 with Cassie Holmes, about her book Happier Hour. It is not only about managing your time but focusing on what really matters.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we have a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. It is free and a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I would love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader. That is why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It is 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it is all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Digital Overwhelm, Leadership, Communication, Project Management, Email Effectiveness, Team Culture, Listening Skills, Collaboration, Productivity, Decision Making, Stakeholder Engagement, Psychological Safety

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Amireh Amirmazaheri, CEO of PMO Solutions and a leading voice in the global PMO community. From growing up in Iran during a time of war to building a respected consultancy in Australia, Amireh shares how resilience and curiosity shaped her approach to leadership and enabling project success. You'll hear how PMOs have evolved from administrative hubs to strategic influencers, what it means to truly "speak the language of executives," and how to recognize when a PMO is at risk of drifting into irrelevance. We also explore how AI is transforming the work of PMOs and what leaders can do to stay ahead of the curve. Plus, Amireh offers practical advice on leading as a woman in project management and applying PMO principles at home as a parent.

If you're looking for insights on elevating PMO impact, executive communication, and leading through change, this episode is for you!

• "Limitations aren't always bad. They push us into the creativity zone."
• "Executives don't want red or amber. They want to know where the ship is heading."
• "When PMOs chase BAU firefighting, they lose their strategic brain."
• "If PMOs stay educated and ahead of the game, they can influence the AI journey."
• "It's okay to cry. Then think, learn, and lead."
• "Um, should I tell you that my little one has a kanban board?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:31 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life in Iran and Resilience
• 12:56 Lessons About Enablement
• 15:02 How PMOs Have Changed
• 18:55 Speaking the Language of Executives
• 21:22 Failure Clues and PMO Drift
• 25:11 Sponsorship as a Risk Factor
• 26:08 Using AI and Its Near-Term Impact on PMOs
• 32:25 Leading as a Woman
• 37:44 Applying PM and PMO Ideas at Home
• 40:22 PMO Global Alliance Overview
• 42:15 End of Interview
• 42:50 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 46:22 Outtakes

You can learn more about Amireh and her work at PMOSol.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 436 with Laura Barnard, about the IMPACT Engine
• Episode 429 with Bill Dow, about PMO insights
• Episode 187 with Peter Taylor, Bill Dow, and others, about the State of PMOs

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP!

I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: PMOs, Executive Communication, Leadership, AI in Projects, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Women in Leadership, Organizational Influence, Resilience, Stakeholder Engagement, Career Growth, Continuous Improvement

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Kayla Quijas, founder of Kayla Q Career Coaching. Kayla's journey from cake decorator to Senior Project Manager at a global law firm is anything but conventional, and it's that transformation that fuels her work helping others break into and thrive in project management.

At the heart of the discussion is Kayla's signature framework, the PM Readiness Iron Triangle, which focuses on three key pillars: credentials, experience, and network. You'll hear how to assess your readiness for a PM role, even if you don't come from a traditional background, and what to do if one leg of your triangle feels weak.

In this conversation, Kayla shares practical ways to reframe your experience into project management language, advice for overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, and how to network without feeling sleazy or self-promotional. If you're looking for insights on how to grow your project management career—even if you're already PMP-certified—this episode is for you!

• "With this triangle, you need to be strong in at least two and then figure out where you're weak and shore that one up."
• "Before that, I was not getting any interviews. And then after that, I landed a project management job pretty quickly."
• "It is selfish not to share your thoughts because you're afraid people will judge you."
• "Networking doesn't have to be sleazy. Come at it from a give first perspective."
• "I got put on a PIP once for a project management job. That was one of the most sinking feelings that I had ever had."
• "Studying for the PMP, even if you don't take the test, can be a game-changer for your confidence and credibility."
• "Most of what you're doing in your current role is already project management. You just haven't labeled it that way yet."
• "You don't need a perfect resume to get hired. You need to tell a better story about your experience."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:32 Start of Interview
• 02:00 Kayla's Journey from Cake Decorator to Senior PM
• 03:20 Pivotal Career Decisions
• 04:20 What Kayla Did After Quitting Her Job
• 06:00 Introducing the PM Readiness Iron Triangle
• 07:40 How Kayla Came Up With the Triangle
• 09:00 A Real-Life Success Story Using the Triangle
• 11:00 Is the PMP Worth It?
• 13:00 Benefits Beyond the Certification
• 17:00 What If You Don't Have Enough Experience?
• 18:25 Examples of Overlooked Project Experience
• 20:00 How to Translate Experience into PM Language
• 24:10 Turning a Project Into a Resume Story
• 26:00 Reframing Networking So It Feels Authentic
• 30:20 Kayla's Mastermind Group Strategy
• 35:10 Giving Value Without Chasing Metrics
• 36:24 About the PM Readiness Assessment
• 37:14 End of Interview
• 37:50 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 42:55 Outtakes

You can learn more about Kayla and her work at KaylaQCareerCoaching.com.

Take the PM Readiness Assessment here: PM Readiness Assessment

Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn: Kayla's LinkedIn Profile

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 474 with Stuart Taylor. It's a candid discussion about LinkedIn, our careers, and the role of AI.
• Episode 465 with Kari Mirabal. You'll get practical strategies for building professional relationships.
• Episode 258, also with Kari Mirabal. She shares even more insights on networking and career growth.
• Episode 39 with Devora Zack about her book Networking for People Who Hate Networking.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Project Management, Career Growth, PMP Certification, Networking, Leadership, Resume Writing, Personal Branding, Professional Development, Coaching, Confidence Building, Interviewing, Career Transitions

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Quantum Sparks Full Version by MusicLFiles 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 Matt Ley about his new book Manage Your Gaps: Reclaiming the Awesomeness of Management. Matt challenges the myths and misunderstandings around management, explaining why clarity between contributors, managers, and leaders is key to organizational performance. You'll hear why he says managers are "multipliers" of value, how to recognize when you're being overled or overmanaged, and why he believes managers are not "junior leaders."

Matt introduces his EP!C Management model: Environment, Performance, Identity, and Communication. It's a tactical framework designed to help managers activate and optimize their teams. He also shares practical ideas for improving one-on-ones, measuring success, and even applying these same principles at home through the Four Cs: Care, Clarity, Consistency, and Communication. If you're looking for actionable insights to sharpen your management skills and strengthen your team's performance, this episode is for you!

• "The thing is, managers are zero value add."
• "Contribution is all about working in the business. Management's all about working on the business and leadership's all about working on the future."
• "A manager is someone who's titled with making sure that they're multiplying the value of that organization."
• "A leader's job is to look up and out. So their job is to define the new, whereas a manager's accountability is to look down and in. So their job is to refine the now."
• "If you're not doing one-on-ones on a regular, consistent basis? That to me is the beating drum and the heartbeat of management."
• "It's really hard to feel successful in something if you don't have two things. One, you need a definition of what you're doing. And you need a measurement of how you're doing against it."
• "We reflect on the different roles that we play, that we call four hats: our professional hat, our personal hat, our partner hat, and our professional parent."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:38 Start of Interview
• 02:00 Family Influence on Leadership
• 04:00 Career Journey to EP!C Model
• 07:20 Rethinking Roles as Spokes
• 09:40 Managers vs. Leaders
• 12:40 Over-Led or Over-Managed
• 15:20 Zero Value Add Concept
• 17:20 Introducing the EP!C Model
• 20:20 Identity in Management
• 22:20 One Practical Management Tip
• 24:00 Applying EP!C at Home
• 26:14 End of Interview
• 26:37 Andy Comments After the Interview

You can learn more about Matt and his work at ManageYourGaps.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 363 with Roger Martin. Roger typically shows up in the Thinkers50 Top 10 and shares key management lessons that complement this discussion.
• Episode 47 with Henry Mintzberg. It's a candid, entertaining conversation with one of the most influential management thinkers of our time.
• Episode 11 with Susan Scott. Based on her book Fierce Leadership, this episode explores powerful communication and management lessons that still hold up today.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Leadership, Management, Role Clarity, Team Performance, Organizational Design, Communication, One-On-Ones, Change Management, Coaching, Strategic Thinking, Team Culture, Manager Development

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

In this episode, Andy welcomes Coach Tony Weaver, author of Project Manage Your Life: Your Blueprint for Achieving Any Goal — One Step at a Time. After decades of leading complex IT, marketing, and transformation projects, Tony turned his project management skills inward and used them to lose over 100 pounds. That journey sparked a new mission: helping others apply the same proven methods to their own goals, whether it's health, finances, career, or just finally following through on something important.

In this conversation, you'll hear how to turn vague intentions into measurable, motivating goals. Tony shares how to break down big ambitions into doable milestones, track your progress without becoming a slave to the data, and stay consistent with joy instead of burnout. He unpacks what SMART goals actually look like in the real world and explains why the project mindset can transform not just what you achieve, but how you feel while doing it.

If you're looking for practical ideas to move forward on goals that matter to you, at work or at home, this episode is for you!

• "Project management absolutely changed my life."
• "Life is agile."
• "Every goal is a project. Project management is just applying structure to that goal."
• "Your brain doesn't care about your happiness. It cares about keeping you safe. That's why it resists change."
• "Once you build confidence in yourself, the goal you set becomes just a jumping-off point."
• "Setting a goal is an act of hope. It says that tomorrow can be better than today."
• "Track what you can control. Influence is important, but control drives change."
• "Focus on the things you control. Keep an eye on the results, but don't obsess about them."
• "The safest place to be is in your comfort zone, not trying."
• "Some numbers matter. Some are interesting. Some aren't even interesting."
• "Letting a goal die of loneliness? That's a recipe for regret."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:36 Start of Interview
• 02:00 How Project Management Led to a New Mission
• 06:14 Mentorship, Coaching, and Project Management in Life
• 07:40 What Project Management Looks Like in Everyday Terms
• 11:20 Why Good Intentions Don't Lead to Change
• 13:10 Why Most People Don't Set Goals
• 15:24 Setting a Goal as an Act of Hope
• 18:00 Common Goal-Setting Mistakes and How to Fix Them
• 21:30 Building a Plan that Actually Works for You
• 23:50 Why You Should Plan Celebration, Not Just Completion
• 24:38 How to Track Progress Without Obsessing Over Data
• 29:20 The Danger of Focusing Too Much on Lagging Indicators
• 30:45 Two Client Success Stories
• 34:34 Where to Learn More About Coach Tony
• 35:28 End of Interview
• 36:03 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 39:05 Outtakes

You can learn more about Tony and his work at OperationMelt.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 376 with Nick Sonnenberg. It's an episode about how to stop drowning in work, and though the focus is more about life on the job, there are so many ideas from Nick that can help you in your personal life.
• Episode 81 with Ben Snyder, where we talk about how everything is a project. We're always working on projects, and there are so many ways to apply our project knowledge to other areas of life.
• Episode 17 with John Wittry. It's perhaps more of a time management episode, but it's about taking back your life, and there's a theme for how project management ideas can apply.

During these interviews, I often mention our AI Made Simple course. Join other listeners from around the world who are taking this course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: Goal Setting, Project Management, Productivity, SMART Goals, Personal Growth, Behavior Change, Tracking Progress, Milestones, Motivation, Self-Leadership, Coaching, Resilience

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Matt Mong, a leader at PlanAutomate, a company focused on bringing intelligent automation to the world of project management. With AI dominating headlines, Matt joins the podcast to explore what's real, what's hype, and what project managers and frontline leaders should actually be doing to stay ahead.

They discuss common misconceptions about AI in projects, why structured data is critical, and how AI can evolve from productivity booster to strategic game-changer. Matt shares practical advice on balancing innovation with data privacy, how project roles may shift over time, and what leaders can do today to prepare ourselves (and even our kids) for the future of work.

If you're looking for insights on how to stay relevant in an AI-transformed workplace, this episode is for you!

• "The real question isn't just what AI can do faster. It's what it can do that we couldn't do before."
• "We tend to overestimate what AI will do in two years and underestimate what it will do in ten."
• "If you don't get your data in order, AI won't be useful. It's as simple as that."
• "This isn't about eliminating jobs. It's about empowering people to lead and collaborate better."
• "Don't future-proof your job. Prepare for the future by experimenting and adapting."
• "What if your projects could talk to you and give ongoing guidance? That's where we're heading."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:00 Start of Interview
• 02:06 What's Something About AI or Projects That Drives You Crazy?
• 05:00 How Are You Personally Using AI at Work or Home?
• 07:00 How Are Customers Using AI Today? And Where Is It Heading?
• 12:06 What About Concerns With Data Privacy and Security?
• 15:00 What Other Risks or Opportunities Should Leaders Be Thinking About?
• 17:22 Do You Agree That 'AI Won't Take Your Job. Someone Using AI Will'?
• 19:40 What Mindsets or Skills Should People Build Now?
• 23:52 How Can We Prepare Our Kids for the Future of Work?
• 27:47 Where Can People Learn More About You and PlanAutomate?
• 29:00 End of Interview
• 29:20 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 33:14 Outtakes

You can learn more about Matt and his work at PlanAutomate.com. You can take the survey that Matt mentions here: https://www.planautomate.com/survey-state-of-ai-in-project-management/

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 463 with Faisal Hoque. He has an empowering take on how to transcend the fear and hype around AI. It's a great discussion.
• Episode 415 with leaders from the software company Keto Software. It's a great follow-up to this discussion, with some guys who have been in this space for many years.
• Episode 384 with PMeLa, an AI persona that I've been curating for a couple of years. She was the first AI to be interviewed on a leadership or project management podcast ever. In fact, YOU can talk with PMeLa here.

During the interview, I mentioned our AI Made Simple course. Join other listeners from around the world who are taking this course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: AI, Automation, Project Management, Future of Work, Innovation, Data Privacy, Intelligent Systems, Team Leadership, Experimentation, Upskilling, Technology Strategy, Digital Transformation

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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