In this episode, Andy talks with Andrew Brodsky about his new book, Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. The discussion covers key topics, such as the impact of typos, the use of emojis and exclamation points, and the importance of timely responses.

Andrew highlights the pros and cons of different communication mediums, offering evidence-based recommendations on when to use email versus meetings, and the benefits of cameras on or off during virtual meetings. Practical advice is given on mimicking language to build trust, improving small talk to enhance virtual hallway interactions, and preparing younger generations for successful virtual communication.

If you're looking for insights on how to lead and more effectively when you're not face-to-face, this episode is for you!

• “Regardless of whether you work from home, the office, hybrid, anywhere in between, we're now all virtual communicators.”
• “When you're writing an email, try to read the message in the opposite tone you intended.”
• “The shorter meetings are and the fewer participants there are, the more engaging they are.”
• “If it's a new relationship and you're trying to build trust, you're probably going to want your camera on.”
• “Sometimes a 30-second text can build more team cohesion than a full hour of meeting time."
• “We assume the recipient wants a response a lot quicker than they do.”
• “Typos in angry emails made the person seem angrier, and in happy emails made them seem happier.”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:39 Start of Interview
• 01:56 Andrew's Personal Story and Research
• 03:16 Defining Virtual Communication
• 04:53 The P of Ping: Perspective Taking
• 08:15 In-Person vs. Virtual Communication
• 11:14 Meeting Dynamics and Camera Use
• 16:09 Email Urgency and Response Expectations
• 21:34 Impact of Typos in Virtual Communication
• 22:58 Understanding Typos and Ambiguity in Virtual Communication
• 24:42 Using AI and Tools for Effective Communication
• 25:47 The Rise of Voice Notes and Their Impact
• 27:40 Emojis, Exclamation Points, and Language Mimicry
• 30:04 Bringing Small Talk into Virtual Interactions
• 32:48 Preparing Kids for Virtual Communication
• 35:13 End of Interview
• 35:40 Andy's Comments After the Interview
• 41:42 Outtakes

You can learn more about Andrew and his book at ABrodsky.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 407 with Ben Guttman about his book Simply Put. It's an intriguing book on how to design clear messages.
• Episode 332 with Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel about their book on virtual teams.
• Episode 237 with Nick Morgan about his book on virtual communication.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Virtual Communication, Email Etiquette, Remote Work, Leadership, Team Cohesion, Productivity, Small Talk, Emotional Intelligence, AI Tools, Generational Differences

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

In this discussion, Andy welcomes back Kevin Eikenberry to talk about his new book Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. They discuss how leadership complexity increases with career progression and how Kevin’s book offers practical guidance on managing ambiguity. The conversation delves into the concept of flexible leadership, the impact of uncertainty versus fear, the importance of context in decision-making, and why organizations should be seen as both machines and organisms. They also touch on the significance of rituals and handling paradoxes in leadership.

If you're looking for insights on how to lead and deliver despite uncertainty and ambiguity, this episode is for you!

• “Leadership in many ways hasn't changed for centuries.”
• “Fear has an endpoint... Anxiety has no end. And that's such a bigger challenge for us.”
• “We should be thinking pilot, not policy.”
• “Are organizations more like machines or more like organisms? Well, both are true.”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:54 Start of Interview
• 00:24 What HASN'T Changed With Leadership
• 04:00 What Does Kevin NOT Mean by 'Flexible' Leadership?
• 06:19 Understanding Uncertainty and Fear
• 08:25 The Sense-Making Framework
• 12:58 Organizations: Machines or Organisms?
• 15:50 System One vs. System Two Thinking
• 18:29 Autopilot vs. Deliberate Decision Making
• 18:51 Understanding Flexors: Compliance vs. Commitment
• 19:11 The Flexor Concept in Leadership
• 22:53 Habits vs. Rituals: Navigating Uncertainty
• 25:49 Parenting and Leadership: Building Confidence
• 28:20 End of Interview
• 28:39 Andy's Comments After the Interview
• 33:13 Outtakes

You can learn more about Kevin and his book at KevinEikenberry.com/Flexible-Leadership.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 54 with Roger L. Martin about his book The Opposable Mind
• Episode 47 with Henry Mintzberg about his book on why management is what we think it is.
• Episodes 360 and 455 with Janet Polach about her books to help us avoid mistakes as we grow as leaders.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Uncertainty, Fear, Organizational Behavior, Leadership Styles, Habits, Rituals, Ambiguity

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
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 interviews Janet Polach, author of The Strategic Leader's Mindset: Unlocking the Keys to Success They discuss the struggles that come with the journey of transitioning from tactical to strategic roles. Janet shares insights from her book on how to develop a strategic mindset, work through people, and stay authentic.

The conversation covers key challenges in leadership, such as delegation, decision-making under ambiguity, and the importance of authentic communication. Janet highlights the benefits of structured thinking time and the potential pitfalls of empowerment. The episode provides practical advice for new and experienced leaders aiming to move from day-to-day management to higher-level strategic thinking.

Whether you're already at a higher level of leadership or want to prepare so you're ready for it, this episode is for you!

• “What I've discovered in coaching executive leaders is that it's about how do you think about things differently? How do you think more broadly? How do you take more risks? How do you lean into ambiguity?”
• “Surround yourself with people who are more courageous, who are more comfortable in ambiguity. You, as a leader, don’t have to be the perfectly all-knowing, courageous, ambiguous kind of leader.”
• “Set a timeline for the decision... after all, especially at the executive level, we always want more information. But there’s a diminishing return because you’ll lose the opportunity of time. So maybe by Friday you have three options; by the following Friday, you decide.”
• “How would we make this worse? So together... everybody has fun with this.”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:03 Start of Interview
• 02:57 What Stays the Same As Your Grow in Leadership? What Changes?
• 05:54 What It Means To Think Strategically
• 11:08 The Value of International Exposure
• 13:47 Empowering Others and Delegation
• 17:31 Handling Difficult Team Members
• 21:38 Understanding Employee Termination Fears
• 22:39 Decision Making Amidst Ambiguity
• 24:36 Techniques for Facilitating Meetings
• 26:43 Strategic Leader Success Stories
• 28:27 End of Interview
• 28:54 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 32:48 Outtakes

You can learn more about Janet, her work, and her coaching services at JanetPolach.com/coaching.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 360 for my first interview with Janet about mistakes new managers make.
• Episode 391 with Adam Bryant about making the leap to a new level of leadership.
• Episode 320 with Greg Githins about how to think strategically.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Strategic Mindset, Management, Empowerment, Decision Making, Authenticity, Culture, Coaching, Trust, Ambiguity

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: On Point by Steven O'Brien
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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