PPP 418 | How to Be Unoffendable, and Other Leadership Lessons About Excellence, with Randy Fox

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Tuesday, 18 June 2024 11:36

Written by Andy Kaufman

Total Duration 39:26

Download episode 418

Summary

In this episode, Andy Kaufman interviews his friend Randy Fox about his book The Call to Excellence: Influential Leadership for Impactful Results. Randy shares the backstory of his signature story, the Silver Platter Service, and how it can apply to leadership. They discuss the pursuit of excellence and the difference between being perfect and pursuing our highest and best. They also talk about the importance of being unoffendable and open to feedback, as well as the basics of leadership, such as kindness, communication, and consistency. Randy emphasizes the need for intentional self-improvement and even how these principles apply to parenting.

Sound Bites

• "The art of listening is hearing what the person is not saying."
• "When you watch yourself, the film doesn't lie."
• "The silver platter isn't about how we collect the trash, it's how we serve someone else and how we lead them through those projects, through those outcomes, through life."
• "There's a difference between being kind and nice."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:01 Start of Interview
• 01:11 The Silver Platter story
• 03:58 What does pursuing excellence NOT mean?
• 06:32 The difference between surviving and thriving
• 07:56 Being unoffendable
• 14:34 Lessons from refs
• 17:39 About sincerity and truth
• 21:56 Be brilliant with the basics
• 24:27 How to be a better communicator
• 26:46 How to not get complacent with our learning
• 31:17 Applying these lessons as parents
• 33:08 Interview Wrap Up
• 33:40 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 36:49 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Randy and his book at FoxPoint.net.

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

• Episode 301, with Peter Kozodoy about his book on honesty
• Episode 345, with Darren Reinke about his book about being a savage leader

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

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 Schroter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

PPP 417 | Secrets to Building Your Character (and the Character of Your Team), with Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Thursday, 13 June 2024 14:44

Written by Andy Kaufman

Total Duration 56:03

Download episode 417

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Mary Crossan and Bill Furlong to discuss their book, The Character Compass. They explore the concept of character and its importance in leadership. Mary and Bill debunk myths and misconceptions about character and highlight the interconnected nature of its dimensions.

The framework they introduce consists of 11 dimensions of character, including integrity, courage, humility, and temperance. They emphasize the importance of developing these dimensions to enhance leadership effectiveness and well-being. The conversation also touches on the role of character in decision-making and the need for character development in organizations. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how parents can cultivate a culture of character in their families.

Do you want a better understanding of what character actually is? And how to develop it for you and your team? This episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• "Character is actually built in these tiny decisions that we make every single day. And then it's more revealed than it is built in those moments of challenge."
• "We need leaders of character, whether it's leaders of countries or organizations or project teams. Leaders of character stand out and make a difference."
• "People think character is the same as personality. Character is really around observable habits of behavior."
• "Anyone can learn this. Anyone can change those habits of behavior. You are not doomed to your circumstances and you are not doomed to your personality."
• "Who have I become while I've been busy doing? Who am I becoming while I'm busy doing? Who do I want to become while I'm busy doing?"
• "I have to find ways to be in a position where I can feel vulnerable and I can experience what it's like to make mistakes."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:28 Start of Interview
• 01:39 What are some ways you saw character demonstrated in your family?
• 05:25 Myths and misconceptions about character
• 10:35 What is leader character?
• 12:42 Could be when instead of if someone has character?
• 17:17 Introducing the character framework
• 23:07 Can you have too much of an element of character?
• 30:01 Is nervousness before a presentation a matter of courage?
• 33:25 Finding our own Achilles heel with character
• 38:52 The power of micro-moments
• 44:39 Developing character at home
• 36:28 Three questions to ask
• 49:45 Interview Wrap Up
• 50:26 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 53:38 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Mary at Ivey.UWO.ca.

If you’d like more on this subject, check out Episode 139, with Fred Keil about his book on leadership and character.

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2935-imagefilm-034
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

PPP 415 | AI Tools in Project Management: Myths vs. Reality, with Keto Software

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Wednesday, 05 June 2024 09:52

Written by Andy Kaufman

Total Duration 48:12

Download episode 415

Summary

In this episode, Andy is joined by Veijo Hytti and Timothy Bull from Keto Software. They explore the impact of AI on project management and the integration of AI into enterprise software. The discussion addresses the hype and misconceptions surrounding AI, as well as the practical applications and benefits of AI in project management. The discussion also delves into the capabilities of Keto Software and the ways in which AI is seamlessly integrates into their strategic portfolio management software. The conversation explores the challenges, benefits, and ethical considerations of AI integration, as well as the impact of AI on human behavior and decision-making. Wondering what the future implications are of AI in project management? You won't want to miss this discussion.

Sound Bites

• "Nearly every software company feels compelled to mention how they had AI integrated into their tools."
• "You just can't get away from the hype."
• "We are still humans. Let's stay like that. If we keep it like that, if we treat each other like humans, I wouldn't be that worried."
• "Be open-minded, be curious, and I would also say, I'd also encourage people to try out some of these systems themselves."
• "You don't know that until you actually play with it."
• "The internet democratized information. And now that's what AI is doing, I mean, without having your own kind of insights or data, it will do the same thing for all of us because it's great."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:20 Start of Interview
• 08:00 Practical Applications of AI in Enterprise Software
• 10:21 Seamless AI Integration in Project Management Software
• 27:06 Challenges and Benefits of AI Integration
• 31:46 Ethical Considerations and Human Impact of AI
• 35:00 The Future Implications of AI in Project Management
• 36:42 End of Interview
• 37:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:46 Andy asks PMeLa about the Episode
• 45:16 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Keto Software at KetoSoftware.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

• Episodes 384 and 388, with PMeLa, our project management and leadership persona
• Episode 386, with Andy Tryba about how he is leveraging AI in the companies he leads

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

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

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Lullaby of Light Feat by Cory Friesenhan
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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

PPP 416 | Timeless Lessons About Why People Follow You as a Leader, with Jim Kouzes

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Friday, 31 May 2024 16:52

Written by Andy Kaufman

 Total Duration 45:22

Download episode 416

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Jim Kouzes about the Seventh Edition of the classic book The Leadership Challenge (7th Edition): How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. They discuss the fundamentals of leadership, the impact of the global pandemic on leadership, leading across generations, and more. Jim shares practical insights and emphasizes the importance of deliberate practice in leadership development. It's an insightful conversation about timeless leadership principles with one of the most respected voices in the leadership field over the decades.

Sound Bites

• "Leadership is a relationship and listening is fundamental to building a positive relationship."
• (Regarding diversity and inclusion) "Let's assume for a moment, you have the right mix of people. That doesn't mean that any of those people feel included and feel valued. The key word is feel...."
• "I've often thought about leadership as a profession. If you're doing something eight hours a day or more like leading others, then it's a profession. And if you look at professionals, like athletes, they all have coaches."
• "Our data shows that the pattern of behaviors of exemplary leaders is not generationally specific."
• "Generalizing about a generation is, in its own way, a form of discrimination."
• "One word: practice. Or maybe three words: practice, practice, practice."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:20 Start of Interview
• 02:34 How The Leadership Challenge classic came to be
• 07:24 What has changed about leadership over the years? Or not?
• 18:02 Leading in a virtual environment
• 21:38 Diversity and inclusion beyond the numbers
• 24:04 How to deal with divisiveness
• 30:06 Leading across generational divides
• 34:39 What's one thing aspiring leaders should focus on?
• 37:43 What retirement looks like for Jim
• 39:39 Interview Wrap Up
• 40:04 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 43:10 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Jim and his book at LeadershipChallenge.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

• Episodes 62, 63,, and 153, with Jim Kouzes
• Episode 391, with Adam Bryant about his book Leap to Leader

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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

PPP 414 | The 12 Biggest Presentation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, with Terri Sjodin

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Wednesday, 22 May 2024 14:38

Written by Andy Kaufman

Total Duration 41:15

Download episode 414

Summary

In this episode, Andy is joined by Terri Sjodin, author of Presentation Ready. They discuss strategies to improve presentation outcomes and avoid common mistakes. Terri shares her research, based on a multi-year study, identifying the 12 most common presentation errors. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, understanding the audience, and developing persuasive communication skills. Practical insights include the use of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and the effective phrase 'what this means to you.'

The episode also covers tips to handle nerves and the role of dressing for success in both virtual and in-person presentations. Additionally, the conversation underscores the value of teaching communication skills to the younger generation.

Sound Bites

• "Avoid the 'We-We', 'Do-Do.'"
• "There is a gap between how presenters see their presentations and how observers see them."
• "Don't let the way I show up be a distraction from my competency."
• "I want to encourage parents to engage their kids in a public speaking course, get them involved in speech and debate, or maybe even acting at a young age, teach them the art of the spoken word."

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:35 Start of Interview
• 04:42 Less Obvious Situations When We're Presenting
• 06:34 Research on the 12 Most Common Mistakes
• 09:00 Winging It
• 15:09 Monroe's Motivated Sequence
• 17:13 "What This Means To You Is"
• 19:34 We're More Boring Than We Think
• 23:35 How Much Does Appearance Matter?
• 26:33 How To Tame The Nerves
• 30:27 Advice for Parents
• 32:40 Interview Wrap Up
• 33:12 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 38:22 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Terri, her book, and her research at SjodinCommunications.com.

If you’d like more on this subject, here are some episodes to check out:

• Episode 378, with Bill McGowan
• Episode 246, with Steven Rogelberg
• Episode 189, with HBR Editor Dan McGinn

AI for Project Managers and Leaders

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course, AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders who want to harness AI's potential to enhance their work, streamline their workflow, and boost their productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

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

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