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

In this episode, Andy talks with Bree Groff, transformation consultant, speaker, and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously). Bree challenges the idea that work must be draining to be valuable, offering a refreshing and practical vision for how leaders can help teams thrive, and even enjoy, their workdays.

They explore how her upbringing shaped her perspective on work, why so many teams normalize burnout and busyness, and how leaders can model a healthier, more joyful approach. Bree introduces rituals, such as user manuals and daily check-ins, that foster trust and psychological safety, and she explains what it means to build "cozy teams" that perform through connection. You'll also hear her take on performative professionalism and how to lead without losing your humanity.

If you're looking for ways to lead with more energy, authenticity, and yes, fun, this episode is for you!

• "Most work, most days, should be fun."
• "Being busy is not the same as being brilliant."
• "Cozy teams are teams that trust each other enough to tell the truth."
• "We've confused being professional with looking professional."
• "You can either be consumed by your calendar or create space to consume ideas."
• "Even shoveling tough work can be joyful if you like your co-shovelers."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:00 Start of Interview
• 02:03 Bree's Background and Family Influence
• 05:47 The Normalization of Burnout
• 10:54 Optimizing for Good Laughs with Good People
• 17:50 Performative Professionalism vs. Authenticity
• 26:26 Creating Fun and Cozy Work Environments
• 33:08 Building a Trusting and High-Performing Team
• 34:42 Practical Tools for Team Cohesion
• 35:15 The User Manual: A Quickstart Guide to Teamwork
• 37:01 Daily Check-ins: Enhancing Team Communication
• 38:28 The Fast Food Rule: Effective One-on-One Communication
• 40:38 Prioritizing Personal Well-being for Better Work
• 46:24 Milton Glaser: Finding Pleasure in Work
• 49:45 Applying Team Principles in Family Life
• 51:39 End of Interview
• 52:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 56:52 Outtakes

You can learn more about Bree and her work at BreeGroff.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 458 with Elizabeth Lotardo, about finding joy in the job you have
• Episode 333 with Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo, on how to make work more fun
• Episode 82 with Bill Catlette, about how contented teams deliver better results

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, Work Culture, Team Rituals, Burnout, Psychological Safety, Joy at Work, Authenticity, People Management, Communication, Employee Engagement, Project Management, Emotional Intelligence

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

In this episode, Andy talks with Jess Baker, business psychologist and author of The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People. Jess helps leaders, project managers, and anyone who tends to take on too much work avoid burnout, preserve self-worth, and build healthier ways of helping.

The conversation digs into what "Super-Helper Syndrome" means, how over-helping can lead to exhaustion, resentment, exploitation, or harsh self-criticism, and what beliefs often drive us into that pattern. Jess shares actionable tools for setting boundaries, recognizing irrational helper beliefs, and changing our mindset, including asking "What kind of help is needed here?" to building systems that support sustainable helping.

If you're leading projects, teams, or supporting others, these insights will help you avoid overcommitment while still being compassionate.

• "Helping others to the detriment of your own wellbeing is something many of us do without noticing."
• "When you struggle to say no to requests for help, your relationships are lopsided. You deny your own needs."
• "Exhaustion, resentment, exploitation and self-criticism are the four adverse impacts of super-helper syndrome."
• "Compassion is when you decide you have to do something to alleviate someone's suffering."
• "'What kind of help is needed here?' rather than just 'How can I help?'"
• "Your self-worth does not depend upon helping people."
• "Healthy helping is about recognizing who, how and when you help, and having boundaries that are not porous."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:01 Start of Interview
• 02:23 What Got You Started Exploring Empathy and Compassion?
• 05:15 Cognitive Empathy vs Emotional Empathy
• 08:02 How Do You, As a Clinician, Use Empathy Without Being Overwhelmed?
• 10:07 The Four Forms of Help
• 18:52 Stakeholder Scenario: Balancing Autonomy and Dependency in Helping
• 25:01 When Did Jess Help? What Were Her Motivations?
• 31:56 It Adds Energy to Help
• 33:28 How Can I Discern If I'm Becoming a Super-Helper?
• 38:07 A Roadmap for Setting Healthy Boundaries
• 46:03 Parenting and Helping Habits
• 51:21 End of Interview
• 51:58 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 56:33 Outtakes

You can learn more about Jess, her book, and her work at JessBaker.co.uk.

For deeper reading and related conversations, check out:

• Episode 448 with Marie-Helene Pelletier (on burnout and resilience)
• Episode 385 with Vanessa Patrick (about her book The Power of Saying No)
• Episode 26 with Dr. Ed Schein (MIT Fellow, Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help)

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, Project Management, Empathy, Boundaries, Wellbeing, Helping Others, Self-Compassion, Impact of Beliefs, Burnout Prevention, Communication

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Jim Ferrell, author of You and We: A Relational Rethinking of Work, Life and Leadership. Andy has long been a big fan of Jim's work with The Arbinger Institute, authoring Leadership and Self-Deception and The Anatomy of Peace.

In this conversation, Jim unpacks his insights on how leaders can move from a self-focused to a relational mindset. Drawing from his new book, Jim explains why our effectiveness as leaders depends not just on what we do, but on how we view and relate to the people around us. The discussion explores what it means to be relational instead of transactional, how leaders can better navigate conflict, and the subtle ways our self-deceptions hinder growth. Jim also shares practical ideas for building trust, leading with humility, and focusing on outcomes that matter most. This episode is packed with thought-provoking insights that will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and collaboration.

If you're looking for insights on how to become a more relational leader and truly impact those you serve, this episode is for you!

• "Machines don't have to be great at relation, but they'll be great at everything else. And if we're lousy at relation ourselves, we won't have a job."
• "Those who can relate better, that's the uniquely human competitive advantage we bring to the marketplace."
• "The top people spend most of their time on the relational work, not on the other stuff. So you see it happening already. That's all going to be accelerating."
• "The most important part of the chart of any org chart is actually all the space in between the names and boxes, because that's where everything's happening, right?"
• "We went from the body economy to the mind economy to now the heart economy."
• "Proximity is not necessarily closeness."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:55 Start of Interview
• 02:07 Jim Ferrell's Backstory and Early Influences
• 06:17 About Jim Writing Leadership and Self-Deception
• 08:57 Exploring the Concept of Relation vs. Relationships
• 10:07 The Five Levels of Relation
• 13:19 Managing Relation in Organizations
• 17:29 The Shift to the Heart Economy
• 20:00 Insights from the Book 'You and We'
• 27:00 Proximity vs. Closeness in Remote Work
• 29:08 The Power of Hydrogen and Oxygen
• 29:46 Remote vs. In-Person Work Dynamics
• 32:14 The Importance of Connectivity in Teams
• 33:14 Understanding Relational Space
• 34:35 Personal Stories of Relation
• 37:48 How Can We Discern Where We Are in the Levels? And Our Teams?
• 39:29 The Concept of Compounding in Relations
• 41:07 The Relational Leap
• 45:54 End of Interview
• 46:27 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 49:23 Outtakes

You can learn more about Jim and his book at Withiii.com/youandwe.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 185 with Mitch Warner about the Arbinger book Leadership and Self-Deception.
• Episode 356 with Eric Barker about why everything you know about relationships is mostly wrong.
• Episode 459 with Adrian Kelly about identity and rethinking success.

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!

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Relationships, Trust, Relational Mindset, Conflict, Self-Deception, Self-Awareness, Influence, Humility, Collaboration, Culture, Authenticity

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada 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

Have you ever wrapped up your workday thinking, "I've been busy all day, but I'm not sure I actually made anything better"? If so, you're not alone, and today's guests are here to help you break that cycle.

In this episode, Andy talks with Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning, co-authors of the new book There's Got to Be a Better Way. Don is a former Harley-Davidson executive who led during some of the company's most challenging years. Nelson is a professor at MIT Sloan who studies why well-intended management tools often fail in practice. Together, they're helping leaders rethink how work actually gets done.

In the conversation, you'll learn why so many teams get stuck in firefighting mode, and why that's often not a people issue but a systems issue. You'll hear how to spot the "firefighter-arsonist" pattern, why problem-solving starts with problem-finding, and what it means to "design for discovery." We also talk about Agile, Lean, invisible handoffs, and even how these ideas apply to family life.

If you're looking for insights on how to make your team's work more effective, sustainable, and human-centered, this episode is for you!

• "Most performance problems are not people problems. They're design problems."
• "You get what you design for. And most work isn't designed at all. It just kind of happens."
• "Firefighting is not a character flaw. It's a predictable output of a broken system."
• "If you don't make the work visible, you can't improve it."
• "When no one owns the handoff, it's not really a handoff. It's a drop."
• "Success should be easy. That doesn't mean the work isn't hard, but the path to doing it well should be clear."
• "Discovery isn't luck. It's a design choice."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:49 Start of Interview
• 01:59 The Origin Story: How Don and Nelson Collaborated
• 07:36 Challenges in Implementing Business Tools
• 13:19 Dynamic Work Design vs. Traditional Methods
• 25:16 A Lesson from the Factory Floor
• 26:53 Identifying and Solving Problems in Teams
• 31:23 The Importance of Connecting the Human Chain
• 35:46 Making Work Visible: Strategies and Tools
• 40:34 Applying Work Strategies at Home
• 42:46 End of Interview
• 43:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 47:35 Outtakes

You can learn more about the book and their work at shiftgear.work/theres-got-to-be-a-better-way-book.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 249 with Aaron Dignan about Brave New Work
• Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about Nine Lies About Work
• Episode 162 with Jonathan Raymond on culture and leadership mindset

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, System Design, Agile, Lean, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Organizational Effectiveness, Continuous Improvement, Work Design, Team Performance

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

In this candid live-stream conversation, Andy chats with content creator and project leader Stuart Taylor, the mind behind the Influential PMO platform and the Stuart Taylor Project YouTube channel. They dig into the difference between influencers and thought leaders, how to choose topics that genuinely help practitioners, and what to do when metrics don't match the effort. Stuart shares practical strategies for building professional visibility on LinkedIn and YouTube, including how to craft resonant messages, handle trolls, and focus on service over self-promotion.

The discussion also explores Stuart's experiment asking whether AI could manage a project. Spoiler: AI is a strong team member for first drafts and research, but a weak project manager. They wrap with career advice for today's shifting job market, including why to think like an internal consultant and how to future-proof your career by learning in public.

If you're looking for insights on personal branding, creator tactics, and AI's real role in project work, this episode is for you!

• Regarding AI: "It cannot be the project manager. It's spineless. It is a weakling leader."
• "There is no such thing as a permanent job anymore."
• "Share what you know and people will be drawn to you for what you are sharing."
• "Learn to make a resonating message. Learn how to share value."
• "I never did this to become internet famous… What problem do I want to solve? That's it."
• "Because you don't understand how the algorithm works. You think your whole network's ignoring you, and in fact, all that's happened is maybe less than 10% of your network has seen the message before the algorithm realized that your message wasn't resonating."
• "It will be the penny pinching execs who want to save a few dollars, who will take your job, and they'll replace it with a machine that can do 50% of your job for a fraction of your price, and they'll live with the 50% they can't do."

• 00:00 Start of Live Stream
• 02:13 Thoughts on Influencers and Thought Leaders
• 05:28 Deciding on Video Content
• 07:34 Views and Metrics
• 14:41 The Creative Process and Challenges
• 18:28 Sharing Knowledge and Building a Community
• 18:49 Navigating Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Trolls
• 19:18 Handling Criticism and Building Connections
• 24:37 The Role of AI in Project Management
• 29:10 The Future of Work: AI, Automation, and Adaptation
• 36:24 Staying Curious and Embracing Change

You can learn more about Stuart and his work here:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skt
• Website: InfluentialPMO.com
• YouTube: Stuart Taylor Project

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Content Strategy, Personal Branding, Career Development, LinkedIn, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Influence, Stakeholder Engagement, Future Of Work, Creator Economy

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada 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