People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

• PPP 471 | How to Handle Everyday Negotiations Like a Pro, with Dr. Mike Clayton

  Summary When you hear the word negotiation, what comes to mind? A boardroom showdown? A salary discussion? In this episode, Andy welcomes back Dr. Mike Clayton, author of How to Negotiate: Practical and Proven Skills to Help You Strike Better Deals to unpack the truth about negotiating. Mike brings clarity, wisdom, and practicality to a skill that project managers and frontline leaders use more often than they might realize. In this conversation, you'll learn why negotiation is not a talent you're born with. Rather, it's a skill you can build. Mike explains how to prepare effectively, how to open conversations the right way, and how to bargain in ways that foster agreement, not conflict. You'll discover surprising examples of everyday negotiations, phrases that help (and hurt) rapport, and even ideas to help your kids become more confident negotiators. If you're looking for insights on how to lead through conversations that matter, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “Negotiation is a process of searching for an agreement that satisfies both parties.” “You can become a good negotiator the same way you become a good leader: by learning and practicing.” “Building agreement on agreement is easier than building agreement on disagreement.” "What will you get when you’ve got it? Because that’s the motivator." “If we respect each other and follow a process, we can negotiate even in tough situations.” “The phrases that are best for building rapport are questions.” “Signposting the junction means alerting our counterparty that we think we’re coming to the point where we need to stop.” “Your credibility is currency. Character and trust are foundational in negotiation.” “Almost every conversation where two people want different things is a negotiation.” “It's okay to negotiate. It's okay to walk away. And it's okay to not always win.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Start of Interview 01:04 Understanding Negotiation as a Skill 02:01 Common Myths About Negotiation 05:39 The Process of Negotiation 12:31 Preparing for a Negotiation 16:12 Opening a Negotiation 23:05 Introduction to Feedback and Negotiation 23:43 Breaking Down Feedback 24:42 The Yes Mindset in Negotiation 25:56 Building Rapport in Negotiation 27:40 The Light and Dark Sides of Language 29:08 Signposting the Junction in Negotiation 31:47 Establishing Character in Negotiation 34:21 Teaching Kids to Negotiate 38:34 End of Interview 39:01 Andy Comments After the Interview 42:09 Outtakes Learn More You can find Mike’s content and negotiation advice at his YouTube channel: OnlinePMCourses. For more learning on negotiation, check out these episodes: Episode 444 with Rick Czaplewski, who provides negotiating secrets for project managers Episode 412 with Scott Walker, who provides insights from a former hostage negotiator Episode 148 with Dan Shapiro: High-stakes negotiation from a Harvard expert Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Negotiation, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Project Management, Influence, Rapport Building, Conflict Resolution, Trust, Team Collaboration, Process Thinking, Parenting The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter 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

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• PPP 470 | When Your Default Is Duct Tape: Rethinking How We Lead and Live, with Jon Harper

  Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Jon Harper, author of Rebuild! Don't Repair: Why Fixing Things Doesn't Fix Things in Life. Jon shares from his personal and professional journey about the courage it takes to stop settling for temporary fixes and instead do the deeper, more intentional work of rebuilding. Drawing on lessons from his leadership experience and faith-based insights, Jon invites listeners to consider how our beliefs, habits, and leadership defaults often stem from foundations we didn’t consciously choose. The conversation covers when to rebuild rather than repair, how to evaluate the people around us during transformation, and why awkwardness is often a sign of real change. Jon shares stories about quitting alcohol as a coping mechanism and the daily habits that keep him focused and grounded. He also offers a practical approach to helping children process their day—something leaders can adapt for teams, too. If you're leading a team, a project, or a personal transition and want to build something stronger and more lasting, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “We had duct tape where we should lay new concrete.” “People who are part of the solution are those willing to say, 'I am the problem and I can be the solution.'” “None of us really experiences life. We experience the life we focus on.” “Actions tell them who we are. Words tell them who we want to be.” “If you are asking for big things in your life, a lot of success is being able to deal with bigger amounts of stress in a better way.” “Our parents weren’t making conscious, informed, well-rounded, intentional decisions to shape us the way we are. They just did the best with what they had.” “My main goal in life is to be respected the most by those who know me the most.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Start of Interview 02:12 Why Duct Tape Solutions are so Tempting 04:23 Rebuilding Is Messy 06:17 Are People the Problem or the Solution? 09:18 You Have to Own It 10:26 Foundations and Their Impact on Leadership 15:10 Personal Stories of Rebuilding 18:07 Daily Habits and Their Long-term Impact 20:35 The Importance of the Journey Over the Destination 22:44 The Illusion of the Finish Line 24:29 The Importance of Associations 27:54 Actions Speak Louder Than Words 31:30 Parenting Insights from the Book 36:54 End of Interview 37:28 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:08 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Jon and his work at JonHarper.co. 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! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Self-Development, Change Management, Team Dynamics, Habits, Identity, Ownership, Resilience, Personal Growth, Emotional Intelligence, Parenting, Workplace Culture The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende 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

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• PPP 469 | Four Simple Shifts To Unleash Your Team (and Avoid Your Mount Stupid Moment), with author Phil Wilson

  Summary In this episode, Andy talks with leadership coach Phil Wilson, author of The Leader-Shift Playbook: 4 Simple Changes to Score Big and Unleash Your Team's Potential. Phil shares his own “Mount Stupid” moment, when he realized the biggest obstacle to his team’s success was actually himself, and how that wake-up call led to powerful changes in his leadership approach. The conversation dives into the four core shifts from his book, covering topics like the power of belief (in yourself and others), and how seemingly small habits shape team culture. Phil and Andy explore how frontline leaders can create real momentum by changing how they show up, how they relate to their team, and how they view their role as a leader. You’ll also hear practical ways to build trust on remote teams and foster relationships that drive performance. If you’re looking for insights on culture, trust, feedback, and practical leadership growth, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “There are no neutral interactions. You’re either growing the culture or you’re hurting the culture.” “The solution wasn’t a Chief of Staff. What I needed was to be a better leader.” “Self-doubt isn’t humility. It’s fear dressed up as honesty.” "Beliefs drive behavior." “The belief you have about your team—whether they’re heroes or villains—changes everything.” “You don't have the luxury of assuming anything other than the best about your people.” “Leadership actually happens in the conversations you’re willing to have.” "Best and Best: Each person shares the best thing going on in their personal life, and the best thing going on in their work life." "The Three Happys: Three things from the day before that made you happy." “If you had a product you were selling, you’d ask your customers for feedback. As a leader, your team is your customer.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:06 Start of Interview 02:16 Phil's Family Influence on Leadership 05:15 Mount Stupid Moment: A Leadership Realization 09:11 Implementing EOS for Better Leadership 11:12 We're Always Making Culture 13:47 We Shape a Tone Just By Walking Into a Room: How Does that Work With Virtual Work? 16:04 Self-Doubt vs. Humility in Leadership 20:30 The Hero Assumption in Leadership 24:23 How to Show You Believe In Someone 26:54 The Importance of Relationships in Teams 29:09 Creating a Positive Team Culture 32:07 Applying Leadership Principles at Home 35:31 End of Interview 36:06 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:14 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Phil and his work at YourLeaderShift.com. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 342 with Krister Ungerbock about his book 22 Talk Shifts, exploring how small changes in our words can change our teams. Episode 440 with Kelli Thompson about overcoming self-doubt and leading with confidence. Episode 468 with James Turk on giving, motivation, and long-term team engagement. 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! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Feedback, Self-Doubt, Culture, Remote Teams, Trust, Communication, Organizational Behavior, Performance, Project Management, Relationship Building, Personal Growth The following music was used for this episode: Music: Summer Awakening by Frank Schroeter 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

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• PPP 468 | How to Lead When You’re Suddenly In Charge. What To Do in the First 45 Days, with Executive Coach James Turk

  Summary When you're promoted into management, the shift can feel like you're suddenly in charge, but with very little guidance. In this episode, Andy chats with executive coach and author James Turk about his insightful book The Giving Game: A Manager’s Playbook for the First Year of Leadership. James brings decades of experience helping leaders navigate that tricky transition from individual contributor to team leader. They explore why being a subject-matter expert doesn’t automatically make you an effective leader, and why the first 45 days in a new role are so critical. James shares practical advice for building a strong team climate, coaching instead of controlling, and why clarity is one of the greatest gifts you can offer as a manager. Plus, they discuss what new managers often miss about feedback and delegation (and how to avoid those traps). Whether you’re newly promoted or preparing to step into a leadership role, this conversation is filled with actionable insights. If you’re looking for real-world advice on how to lead when you’re suddenly in charge, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “The number one reason employees don’t do what they’re supposed to do is that they don’t know what it is.” “Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about creating the conditions for others to succeed.” “Climate is how it feels to work for you, and as a leader, that’s something you have the power to shape every day.” “Coaching isn’t fixing the past. It’s investing in someone’s future performance.” “Most people, when they’re promoted, don’t have the skills, and they’re afraid to admit it.” “If I want people to do the work, they need to know what’s expected of them.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:57 Start of Interview 02:06 What early experiences shaped how you think about leadership? 05:30 Why call it 'The Giving Game'? 08:39 What would you coach me to do differently in my first 45 days as a new manager? 11:01 Why focus on climate instead of culture? 15:57 How do we shift teams from renter mode to ownership? 20:18 Why do so many managers think we're being clear? 21:42 How can leaders delegate in a way that builds ownership? 22:47 When did you make a delegation mistake because of lack of clarity? 25:25 What's an example of feedback that changed your career? 27:59 What do you think about the 'feedback sandwich' technique? 29:44 How can these ideas help parents at home? 32:10 End of Interview 32:31 Andy Comments After the Interview 36:15 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about James Turk and his work at TheTurkGroup.com/TheGivingGameBook. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 466 with Sabina Nawaz. Sabina was the executive coach for Bill Gates and other Microsoft leaders and wrote a book that would be an excellent follow-up to this one. Episode 455 with Janet Polach. It’s a great follow-on to what we talked with James here today. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about his book The Leap to Leader. 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! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, First-Time Managers, Team Climate, Feedback, Coaching, Clarity, Delegation, Emotional Intelligence, Ownership, Communication, People Management, Personal Development, Project Management, Career Development The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm 034 by Sascha Ende 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

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• PPP 467 | This Is What No One Tells You About Becoming a Boss, with author Sabina Nawaz

  Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Sabina Nawaz, global CEO coach and former Microsoft executive, about her new book You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need. With authenticity and insight, Sabina shares what no one tells you about stepping into management, from the strange emptiness that can follow a promotion to how pressure can quietly bring out the worst in us. They discuss why even successful leaders can feel like imposters, how power and pressure distort our perceptions, and what it means to be an “innocent saboteur.” Sabina also offers practical advice, such as developing your “shut up muscle,” asking better questions, and making small habit changes that stick. The conversation covers everything from leadership in the workplace to parenting, making this one of those rare episodes with takeaways for every area of life. If you're looking for insights on how to grow as a leader without losing yourself in the process, this episode is for you! Sound Bites “It’s not power that corrupts. It’s pressure that corrupts.” “If nobody’s giving you the full truth, what are the ways you might be going off track?” “When you're under pressure, do nothing. That’s counterintuitive but that’s where insight lives.” “The more righteous you feel, the more you need to consider alternative stories.” “Use 'Say more' when you're curious—and especially when you're judgmental.” “The only way to overachieve is to underachieve—start with micro habits.” “You’re not the only one with imposter syndrome—CEOs have it too.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:15 Start of Interview 02:24 “Can you think of anything from your family culture or experiences growing up that may have influenced how you think about leadership?” 05:08 “You describe getting promoted as a strange emptiness—what were the signs it came with unexpected costs?” 07:17 “Do you see imposter syndrome even in top-level leaders you coach?” 08:21 “How does embracing the complexity of leadership change how we view our own leaders?” 10:04 “How do we unknowingly sabotage ourselves as leaders?” 12:09 “What are some of the signs that you're veering off track as a boss?” 13:10 “What specific things do you personally do to manage pressure situations so you don’t become a monster?” 17:13 “You say, ‘stay small longer than you think you need to.' What does that mean and how do you apply it?” 21:07 “What is a singular story and how do we rescue ourselves from believing them?” 26:20 “What’s the ‘shut up muscle’ and how do you develop it?” 29:02 “Can you think of ideas from the book that apply to parenting as well?” 31:44 End of Interview 32:09 Andy Comments After the Interview 37:40 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Sabina and her work at SabinaNawaz.com/book. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 455 with Janet Polach. It’s a great follow-on to what we talked with Sabina here today. Episode 456 with Kevin Eikenberry. Leading at the next level up comes with a lot of ambiguity that can shake our confidence. Kevin hits that topic head on—I think you’ll get value out of it. Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about his book The Leap to Leader. 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! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Management, Power Dynamics, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Communication, Organizational Culture, Habits, Imposter Syndrome, Pressure, Stress 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: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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