People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

Andy Kaufman

Welcome to the People and Projects Podcast, where we provide interviews and insights to help you lead people and deliver projects. Since 2009, this show is brought to you by speaker, author, and executive coach Andy Kaufman. If you're looking for insights on project management, leadership, and how AI influences both of those, you've come to the right place! And if you hold a project management certification, you can even earn free PDUs for listening!

  1. PPP 479 | The AI Skills You Need to Stay Relevant, with Matt Mong

    HACE 17 H

    PPP 479 | The AI Skills You Need to Stay Relevant, with Matt Mong

    Summary 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! Sound Bites “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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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. Level Up Your AI Skills 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! Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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

    38 min
  2. PPP 478 | Today Was Fun: Why Great Teams Don’t Dread Monday, with author Bree Groff

    HACE 4 DÍAS

    PPP 478 | Today Was Fun: Why Great Teams Don’t Dread Monday, with author Bree Groff

    Summary 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! Sound Bites “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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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 Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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

    1 h y 2 min
  3. PPP 477 | Are You Being Too Nice? When Helping Actually Hurts, with author Jess Baker

    21 SEP

    PPP 477 | Are You Being Too Nice? When Helping Actually Hurts, with author Jess Baker

    Summary 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.  Sound Bites “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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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) Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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

    1 h y 3 min
  4. PPP 476 | This One Idea Could Radically Change How You Lead, with author Jim Ferrell

    5 SEP

    PPP 476 | This One Idea Could Radically Change How You Lead, with author Jim Ferrell

    Summary 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! Sound Bites “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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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. Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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, 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

    55 min
  5. PPP 475 | If Work Feels Like an Episode of The Office, This Is for You, with Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning

    21 AGO

    PPP 475 | If Work Feels Like an Episode of The Office, This Is for You, with Don Kieffer and Nelson Repenning

    Summary 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! Sound Bites “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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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

    48 min
  6. PPP 474 | A Candid Conversation with Stuart Taylor: LinkedIn, Careers, and AI

    14 AGO

    PPP 474 | A Candid Conversation with Stuart Taylor: LinkedIn, Careers, and AI

    Summary 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! Sound Bites 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.” Chapters 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 Learn More 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

    39 min
  7. PPP 473 | Beyond the Hype: The Science of Impactful Leadership, with Jeffrey Hull & Margaret Moore

    4 AGO

    PPP 473 | Beyond the Hype: The Science of Impactful Leadership, with Jeffrey Hull & Margaret Moore

    Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore, co-authors of The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact. Drawing from over 50 years of leadership research and tens of thousands of studies, Jeff and Meg offer an accessible roadmap for leaders who want to grow in meaningful, evidence-based ways. As coaches and leaders at the Institute of Coaching, they distill complex research into nine practical leadership capacities that help you expand your impact while staying grounded. In this conversation, they unpack what it means to be a conscious leader and why self-awareness is essential. You’ll hear how cultural context affects leadership perceptions, what it takes to be ready to grow, and how to quiet the "ego noise" that can derail your effectiveness. Whether you're managing a team across time zones or parenting in today’s high-pressure environment, the insights from this episode are deeply practical and immediately usable. If you're looking for insights on how to lead with more clarity, authenticity, and impact, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Leadership isn’t about you as much as it is about your impact on others." "Motivation and confidence are twin engines that power real growth." "Quieting your ego doesn’t make you less effective. It gives you clarity." "Cultural norms can shape how leadership is perceived, but respect always translates." "Transformational leadership isn’t about having a vision. It’s about co-creating one." "Parenting is leadership. And it’s one of the best places to practice these capacities." "The book is a self-coaching tool for everyday leaders who want to grow with intention." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:00 What From Your Early Life Influenced How You Think About Leadership? 08:00 What Types of Leadership Books Make You Shake Your Head? 11:08 What Do You Mean by Leadership? 17:30 How Do We Know If We're Ready to Grow as Leaders? 21:00 How Do Cultural Norms Affect the Practice of These Capacities? 25:45 What Does It Mean to Be a Conscious Leader? 35:00 What Is a Quiet Ego, and How Do You Quiet Ego Noise? 38:30 What Does Transformational Leadership Look Like in Practice? 40:30 A Practical Way to Develop This Capacity 45:28 What Can Parents Learn From This Book to Lead Better at Home? 48:46 End of Interview 49:20 Andy Comments After the Interview 53:00 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Jeff, Meg, and their work at ScienceOfLeadership.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 344 with Peter Bregman about how you can change other people by setting the conditions under which they’re willing to change. Episode 416 with Jim Kouzes. He’s been with us four times, each episode exploring research-driven insights on leadership. Episode 252 with Marcus Buckingham about the Nine Lies we believe about work and leadership, and what to do about them. Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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, Self-Awareness, Coaching, Organizational Behavior, Servant Leadership, Team Culture, Feedback, Psychological Safety, Confidence, Change Readiness, Authenticity, Conscious Leadership, Project Management 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

    57 min
  8. PPP 472 | Why Lean Matters--and What You Need to Know, with Toyota Veteran Mark Reich

    31 JUL

    PPP 472 | Why Lean Matters--and What You Need to Know, with Toyota Veteran Mark Reich

    Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Mark Reich, a former Toyota leader and current Chief Engineer for Strategy at the Lean Enterprise Institute. Mark is the author of Managing on Purpose. If you’ve ever tried to improve your team but felt like your strategy was stuck in a slide deck, this conversation is for you. Mark introduces the idea of hoshin kanri, a lesser-known but critical pillar of Toyota’s management system, and explains how lean thinking is more than just tools--it's a way of developing people and aligning purpose across an organization. You’ll hear why metrics alone won’t get you to strategic clarity, how to escape the trap of firefighting, and why engagement, not just direction, is the key to long-term improvement. He also shares how lean thinking can be applied at home, even with your kids! If you’re looking for insights on how to align teams, build capability, and lead with greater purpose, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Don't focus on the tool. The tools have to serve a purpose." “Catchball is not just a handoff of plans. It’s a conversation about what matters and how we’ll learn together.” “Direction without development is just pressure.” They’re not called punishment calls. They’re called co-learning calls. “If strategy feels like something being done to people, you’ve already lost.” “You don’t learn PDCA by attending a training. You learn it by doing it, with guidance, reflection, and coaching.” “It’s not just about solving the problem. It’s about who solves it and how they do it.” “We had to change how we talked about strategy before we could change how we worked on strategy.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:01 What early experiences shaped your views on leadership, strategy, or lean? 05:28 How do you explain TPS and hoshin kanri as two pillars of Toyota’s system? 10:36 What are common mistakes leaders make when trying to improve the business? 15:23 Where do you coach people to start when they want better alignment? 17:40 What myths or misunderstandings do people have about lean? 18:12 Case study example: Turner Construction 25:45 What lean tools or concepts should project managers explore more deeply? 29:24 Where do you recommend someone begin learning about lean? 34:47 How has lean thinking helped at home—and with raising kids? 36:09 End of Interview 36:36 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:53 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mark Reich and his work at the Lean Enterprise Institute at Lean.org. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 438 with Jeff Gothelf. It’s a book about OKRs, which is different from hoshin kanri, but the overall discussion is worth checking out. Episode 387 with Atif Rafiq. It’s a book that has a strategic approach to dealing with uncertainty. Episode 320 with Greg Githins. It’s more about how to think strategically. Pass the PMP Exam This Year 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! Join Us for LEAD52 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: Lean, Toyota Production System, Hoshin Kanri, Strategy, Organizational Alignment, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Team Engagement, Project Management, PDCA, Capability Building, Coaching The following music was used for this episode: Music: Underground Shadows 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

    44 min

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Welcome to the People and Projects Podcast, where we provide interviews and insights to help you lead people and deliver projects. Since 2009, this show is brought to you by speaker, author, and executive coach Andy Kaufman. If you're looking for insights on project management, leadership, and how AI influences both of those, you've come to the right place! And if you hold a project management certification, you can even earn free PDUs for listening!

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