People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes back leadership coach Josefine Campbell to discuss her newest book, 12 Tools for Managing a Selfish Leader. If youve ever had a boss who seemed unpredictable, emotionally draining, or even manipulative, this conversation offers tools and insights that can help.

Josefine shares the inspiration behind the book, which is based on the story of a coaching client who successfully navigated a toxic leadership environment. Youll learn how to identify the early signals of stress in yourself and your team, apply tools like the Stress Staircase and the Three Relationship Circles, and recognize behaviors like praise with a twist. Most importantly, Josefine emphasizes the critical turning point: recognizing that while you cant change a selfish leader, you can change how you manage yourself to better navigate the relationship.

If youre looking for insights on how to manage up, preserve your well-being, and lead yourself through challenging leadership dynamics, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• To qualify as a selfish leader, the way I use the term: it's someone who puts their own interests before the interests of the common good of the company, of the team, and of the people.
• Your breath is the only vital response you can control. It's your way back to calm in the moment.
• Over-responsibility is a shadow trait of high achievers. When you are highly responsible, it has a dark side. It makes it difficult for you to let go.
• I cannot change him. I can somehow manage him, but it is about how I manage myself to manage him.
• The turning point comes when you stop trying to change them and start managing yourself.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:07 Start of Interview
• 02:20 Why This Book? What Sparked the Idea?
• 06:00 What Isand Isnta Selfish Leader?
• 08:40 Subtle Early Warning Signs of Stress
• 10:09 The Stress Staircase: What It Is and How to Use It
• 13:00 From a Hijacked Mental State to Being Ready
• 16:49 Techniques: Rewriting History and Praise With a Twist
• 23:35 Over-Responsibility and High Achievers
• 26:20 The Three Relationship Circles
• 29:04 Managing Yourself to Manage Them
• 32:36 Stay or Go? Coaching Through That Crossroads
• 35:01 End of Interview
• 35:36 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 39:03 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Josefine and her book at josefinecampbell.com/books.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 395, our first conversation with Josefine about leading through complexity.
• Episode 317 with Mary Abbajay about managing up and succeeding with any boss.
• Episode 422 with Bruce Tulgan on how to manage your boss.

Pass the PMP Exam This Year

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, weve put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. Weve helped thousands of people earn their certification, and wed 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. Id 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, Project Management, Managing Up, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Stress Management, Toxic Leadership, Conflict Navigation, Workplace Psychology, Self-Leadership, Empathy, Team Dynamics

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

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes back networking expert and keynote speaker Kari Mirabal, author of You Already Have the No. Kari shares practical strategies for building authentic relationships that can help you not only survive but thrive during career transitions.

They explore the challenges of networking when you're early in your career, in between jobs, or worried about losing the one you have. Kari unpacks how to make the most of platforms like LinkedIn, how to overcome fear and rejection, and the value of making the ask—even if you think the answer will be “no.” She also shares a powerful reframe tool (LTR: Lie, Truth, Reframe) to help you move past limiting beliefs.

Whether you're navigating a job change, building your personal brand, or trying to future-proof your career, Kari’s approachable, energizing advice is just what you need. If you’re looking for insights on how to build relationships that open doors, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• “You already have the no before you ask. So what do you have to lose? Nothing.”
• "Sales is not synonymous with networking, but service is."
• "Sometimes it wasn’t the person who was most qualified that got the job. It was the person who marketed themself the best."
• "Be a stalker, liker, commenter, poster."
• “Don’t wait until you need a network to start building one. Build the well before you’re thirsty.”
• “Asking is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.”
• “Confidence is a skill. The more you practice, the stronger it gets.”
• “LinkedIn changed my life, and it can change yours too.”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:04 Start of Interview
• 02:14 Were You Always a Natural Networker?
• 04:34 Is LinkedIn Still Worth It? Tips for Beginners
• 08:08 How to Make the Ask, Even if You're New
• 13:02 How Kari’s Son Landed an Internship Through Networking
• 17:21 Advice for Making a Career or Industry Transition
• 25:00 What to Do If You’re Worried About Job Security
• 27:20 Why We Let Fear Hold Us Back and How to Reframe It
• 32:40 The Role of AI in Relationship Building and Job Seeking
• 34:40 What Parents Can Do to Help Their Kids Network Confidently
• 38:16 End of Interview
• 38:39 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 42:51 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Kari and her work at KariMirabal.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 285 for my earlier conversation with Kari.
• Episode 318 with John Stepper. It’s a great follow up to today’s discussion on how to build new connections and a better career.
• Episode 356 with Eric Barker. Eric and I talked about why everything we know about relationships is mostly wrong.

Thinking About Taking the PMP Certification Exam?

If you or someone you know is considering getting PMP certified, we put together a super helpful guide called The Five Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification. 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.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Networking, Career Development, Job Search, LinkedIn Strategy, Relationship Building, Influence, Confidence, Career Transition, Professional Growth, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Branding, Fear of Rejection, Leadership

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

Summary

In this episode, Andy interviews Dave Garrison, author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Give Their All. We’ve all faced moments where our team seems checked out or disengaged. But what if the real issue is that they don’t feel invited to care? Dave challenges conventional approaches to engagement and offers practical, actionable strategies for fostering true buy-in.

In this conversation, Dave shares the difference between engagement and buy-in, how traditional methods like bribing or badgering can backfire, and how leaders can use curiosity, clarity, and inclusive decision-making to fuel commitment. You’ll learn how to better structure meetings, make feedback more meaningful, and identify red flags that indicate declining motivation.

If you're leading teams and looking to create cultures where people don’t just show up but they fully buy in, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• “It's not about satisfaction. It's about whether people are bringing their head, heart, and gut to work.”
• “Leaders go last all the time. Except when it comes to vulnerability. Then leaders go first.”
• “You don’t know how you land unless you ask. And you can’t ask in a way that intimidates.”
• "People support what they create."
• “PB&J? It stands for 'patiently badger and jam it down their throat.' And that doesn’t work.”
• “Three is greater than seven when it comes to priorities. Seven is not a priority list.”
• “Done with, not done to.”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:40 Start of Interview
• 02:00 What's the Difference Between Engagement and Buy-In?
• 04:20 Why Are We Facing a Perfect Storm of Low Buy-In?
• 07:00 What Leaders Do That Actually Makes Buy-In Worse
• 08:25 The Meaning of PB&J (Patiently Badger and Jam It)
• 10:26 How Leaders Unintentionally Undermine Buy-In
• 12:00 Warning Signs of Low Buy-In on Your Team
• 14:37 Debunking the Myth That Money Is the Main Motivator
• 15:42 The Difference Between Collective Genius and Consensus
• 18:00 A Structured Approach to Inclusive Problem Solving
• 19:58 The Role of Curiosity in Performance Reviews
• 21:40 The Power of Pre-Reading and Slowing Down for Better Thinking
• 24:20 How to Prioritize What Matters—From Ideation to Internalization
• 27:10 Simplifying and Clarifying Priorities
• 29:40 Ideas for Celebrating in Ways That Actually Matter
• 31:44 Why Specific Recognition Matters More Than General Praise
• 34:40 What Cornhole and Cookouts Have to Do With Buy-In
• 35:20 Applying These Ideas at Home: Buy-In in Parenting
• 36:49 End of Interview
• 37:15 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 42:29 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Dave and his work at BuyInBook.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 428 with Rich Diviney, a former Navy SEAL commander, on unlocking optimal team performance.
• Episode 94 with Heidi Grant and Tory Higgins, sharing deep research on the science of motivation.
• Episode 31 with Adam Grant—his first-ever podcast interview! Hear insights from Adam before the world knew him.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Team Engagement, Motivation, Organizational Culture, Buy-In, Decision Making, Psychological Safety, Project Management, Recognition, Meetings, Communication, Employee Retention

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

Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Faisal Hoque, author of Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI. Faisal brings a unique blend of deep philosophical insight, entrepreneurial experience, and technological expertise to the conversation. They explore how leaders can navigate the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence while staying grounded in what makes us human.

The discussion explores how to think about AI not just as a tool or collaborator, but as a mirror that reflects our biases and decisions. Faisal introduces the OPEN and CARE frameworks as practical ways to innovate while managing risk, making this conversation highly actionable for project managers and leaders. From detaching from digital noise to preparing the next generation for an AI-shaped world, Faisal offers a thoughtful roadmap for embracing technology without losing our agency.

If you're looking for insights on how to thrive in the age of AI with both optimism and responsibility, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• “You can be optimistic, but you can also mitigate risk at the same time. One doesn't really work without the other.”
• “Catastrophizing is not doomism, but it's really a risk management practice.”
• "AI is not just a tool or collaborator, it's a mirror."
• “Don't outsource your agency. It's easy to let AI nudge your decisions without even realizing it.”
• “Just like you don't put a 10-year-old in a car to drive... technology can do a lot of good, but it can also be disastrous.”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 02:00 What From Your Background Shaped Your Thinking?
• 03:54 How Philosophy and Systems Thinking Intersect
• 06:00 Introducing the OPEN and CARE Frameworks
• 06:55 What Is the Human Role in an AI World?
• 09:43 How AI Can Subtly Influence Our Choices
• 11:40 Sci-Fi's Influence on AI Perception
• 15:07 What Is an AI Persona and How Do You Use Them?
• 18:13 Why AI Is Also a Mirror of Us
• 22:33 Introducing the OPEN Framework for Individuals
• 25:33 How Emotional Intelligence Applies to AI Partnership
• 27:02 The Role of Catastrophizing in Risk Management
• 28:58 The Value of Detaching and Devoting
• 32:03 How We Can Prepare Our Kids for an AI World
• 35:31 End of Interview
• 36:00 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:33 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Faisal and his work at FaisalHoque.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 460 with Dr. Joe Sutherland about AI, Data, and Decision Making
• Episode 454 with Dr. Christie Smith about how AI is changing leadership
• Episode 437 with Nada Sanders on her book Humachine (Human + Machine)

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

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: AI, Leadership, Risk Management, Innovation, Digital Transformation, Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Thinking, Project Management, Decision Making, Organizational Change, Technology Ethics, Future of Work

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

Summary

In this episode, Andy welcomes Dr. Margie Warrell, bestselling author and global leadership expert, to talk about her latest book, The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action. Drawing from her deeply personal experiences and decades of coaching and research, Margie shares how courage isn't about eliminating fear—it's about regulating it and acting anyway.

Margie and Andy explore the hidden ways fear shapes our decisions at work and at home, how overachievers can unknowingly be held back by fear, and why rescripting the stories we tell ourselves is essential to growth. You'll learn about the “courage muscle,” the power of embodiment, and practical steps to face difficult conversations and bold decisions. Whether you're leading a team, managing a project, or navigating life transitions, Margie offers encouragement and tools to help you close your own courage gap.

If you're looking for insights on facing fears, speaking up, and leading with greater confidence, this episode is for you!

Sound Bites

• “Courage is not the absence of fear—it’s learning how to regulate it and act anyway.”
• “The smarter we think we are, the more cunningly our fear hides in the background.”
• “We reject ourselves before anyone else has the chance—because we don't ask.”
• “What we focus on expands. Fear thrives when we focus on what we don’t want.”
• “Stand guard at the doorway of your language—your stories shape your reality.”
• “We need to parent—and lead—from purpose, not from fear.”
• “Every conversation is improv—and that’s what makes it feel risky.”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:55 Start of Interview
• 02:06 How Did Your Upbringing Inspire Your Courage Work?
• 05:12 Did You Write This Book Because It Was Easy for You?
• 07:24 Should We Try to Get Rid of Fear?
• 09:15 How Do Smart People Hide Their Fear?
• 13:13 What Was That Story About the First Lady?
• 16:00 What Does Courage Look Like in Daily Life?
• 17:58 How Do You Focus on What You Want Instead of What You Fear?
• 21:40 How Can a Manager Use This to Give Feedback?
• 23:50 How Do You Apply These Ideas as a Parent?
• 25:49 How Do You Stop Fear-Casting and Catastrophizing?
• 28:20 What’s a Personal Story You Had to Rescript?
• 32:40 What’s the Role of Language in Shaping Our Stories?
• 35:00 How Do You Prepare to Speak with Confidence?
• 39:16 What Reps Did You Put In to Build Courage?
• 42:20 What Role Has Failure Played in Building Courage?
• 44:34 How Do You Help Kids Build Courage?
• 46:34 End of Interview
• 47:09 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 52:53 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Margie and her work at MargieWarrell.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 440 with Kelli Thompson about closing the confidence gap.
• Episode 173 with Sarah Robb O’Hagan about why playing it safe is holding you back.
• Episode 142 with Amy Cuddy about her book Presence—confidently rise to your most daunting tasks.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Courage, Fear, Confidence, Difficult Conversations, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Personal Growth, Parenting, Vulnerability, Risk Management, Decision Making, Project Management

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