In this episode, we introduce the Focused Conversation method, not just a tool for better meetings—it's a transformative approach to thinking, communicating, and connecting more effectively with others. Discover how this four-step process—Observe, Reflect, Interpret, and Decide—helps you tap into collective wisdom, foster meaningful dialogue, and bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world. Read More
We talk with Product Owners and other product leaders all the time about the challenges they face. By far, the number one most cited source… Read More
In this episode of the Humanizing Work Show, Peter and Richard delve into the often messy world of cross-team coordination. While collaborating within a team has its challenges, coordinating between teams can feel like navigating a maze—too much information, missed details, and meetings that waste everyone's time. Read More
Most engineering managers got promoted into management by being good engineers. But the skills that made the promotion happen aren’t the skills that lead to… Read More
“We’re agile—we don’t need to plan.” “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Which is right? In this episode, Peter and Richard explore two common mistakes around planning—either trying to plan everything or not planning at all—and why the alternative is something that looks like both planning and execution at the same time. Read More
While creating clarity through purpose, vision, and strategy is often crucial, sometimes the best leadership move is to step back. In this episode, we explore the case of Buurtzorg, a Dutch home healthcare provider that's challenging conventional leadership wisdom: - When traditional purpose, vision, and strategy statements become unnecessary - How Buurtzorg scaled to 10,000+ employees with minimal management oversight - The power of intrinsic motivation in highly skilled professionals - Applying the Theory of Constraints to identify true leadership priorities Read More
You’re in a meeting with the senior stakeholders for your project. You’ve just finished your presentation, and you’re feeling good about it—you did the work… Read More
Most projects start green but end up in crisis mode. Instead, make your project "Earn Green" by directly tackling risk and complexity first. We’ll share real-world examples of how sequencing work this way makes the end of the project calm and peaceful, even when you can't ship incrementally. Whether you're a project manager seeking on-time delivery or an Agile advocate looking to make a difference, this episode offers practical insights to transform your project outcomes. Read More
If you’re like most people in business today, your calendar is probably packed with meetings. In these newsletters and on the Humanizing Work Show,… Read More
In this episode of the Humanizing Work Show, Peter and Richard break down the art of delivering thoughtful, articulate responses to unexpected questions. Whether you're a coach, nonprofit leader, or professional looking to enhance your communication skills, this episode offers five concrete strategies you can start using today. Read More
