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!

• “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.”

• 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

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

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!

• “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.”

• 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

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

In this episode, Andy interviews Adrian Kelly, author of The Success Complex: Ancient wisdom, the building blocks of life and your path to sustained success. Drawing from history, behavioral science, and personal stories, Adrian offers a compelling redefinition of what it means to succeed. From his humble academic beginnings to building international ventures, Adrian brings a unique perspective on resilience, motivation, and identity.

They discuss why IQ may be overrated and how something Adrian calls the “Point Guard Quotient” might better predict success. The conversation dives into increasing your luck, avoiding de-motivation, managing identity through career changes, and maintaining balance in a high-achievement world. They also explore practical lessons from the Challenger disaster and how small changes in communication can shape results.

If you’re looking for insights on redefining success, building motivation, and leading with awareness and impact, this episode is for you!

• “We overestimate talent and underestimate persistence.”
• “Opportunity doesn’t waste time with the unprepared.”
• “People want to help people who help themselves.”
• “You don’t fall off a cliff overnight—you drift one day at a time.”
• “Avoiding de-motivation is often more important than sustaining motivation.”
• “Sometimes the drawback isn’t a setback—it’s a setup for a better path.”
• “Nobody traps us quite like we trap ourselves.”

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:07 Start of Interview
• 01:18 What from your early life shaped your view of success?
• 07:12 How much does IQ influence success and what’s the 'Point Guard Quotient'?
• 11:52 What can we learn about success from the Challenger disaster?
• 14:03 What do you mean by avoiding de-motivation to sustain motivation?
• 18:57 What do you mean by a tangled identity and how has that affected you?
• 27:05 Is it possible to increase your luck? If so, how?
• 30:41 How do biases and communication styles affect our opportunities?
• 33:48 How can we balance the drive to succeed with well-being?
• 39:34 Why is autonomy and attention so important for success?
• 43:39 As parents, how can we prepare our children for success?
• 47:00 End of Interview
• 47:30 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 53:49 Outtakes

You can learn more about Adrian and his work at AskMore.ie.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 458 with Elizabeth Lotardo about finding joy and meaning in your current job.
• Episode 402 with Eduardo Briceño about developing a growth mindset.
• Episode 283 with Tom Rath about success, meaning, and legacy.
• Episode 261 with David Epstein about his book Range and embracing diverse career paths.

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

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Motivation, Identity, Career Transitions, Communication, Decision Making, Bias, Wellbeing, Autonomy, Attention, Personal Growth, Success

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
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

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