A HW Show Classic Rebroadcast from 2022, this is one of our most viewed episodes, and we're excited to bring it to our broader audience. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/but-we-must-management/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

Are you tired of wasting hours in unproductive meetings? The average professional spends over 30 hours each month in meetings that go nowhere. In this episode, we introduce the Focused Conversation method from the influential book "The Art of Focused Conversation" edited by Brian Stanfield. This isn't 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. We'll delve into the neuroscience showing how our brains filter information and how the Focused Conversation method overcomes these limitations to enhance decision-making and build stronger connections. Whether you're leading a team meeting, engaging in community discussions, or seeking deeper conversations in your personal life, this episode equips you with practical tools to make a positive difference in your sphere of influence. Join us as we explore how to turn challenging discussions into opportunities for growth, collaboration, and breakthrough conversations. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/the-art-of-focused-conversation/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

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. We explore why common approaches to cross-team coordination often fall short: Unstructured Meetings: Regular cross-team meetings without a clear agenda can lead to irrelevant discussions and overlooked critical topics.Overloading with Details: Sharing full backlogs or all team details creates noise, making it hard to identify what's truly important for coordination. To overcome these pitfalls, we introduce a streamlined approach to cross-team meetings that saves time and ensures no important details are missed. By visualizing the agenda—not every team's workload—you can focus on what truly requires coordination. What You'll Learn: A Simple Coordination Model: Discover how we at Humanizing Work use five key areas to effectively coordinate within our small team.A Complex Coordination Strategy: Learn about a real-world example where a dozen teams improved their cross-team meetings using visual tools and a structured agenda.Practical Tips: Get actionable advice on setting up your own efficient cross-team coordination meetings. If you've ever left a cross-team meeting feeling like it was a waste of time or worried that something important was overlooked, this episode is for you. Enjoyed the episode? Help others find the show by liking, commenting, and subscribing on YouTube, or by rating and reviewing us on your podcast platform. Explore more resources at: humanizingwork.com Check out the episode page for a transcript and additional links: https://www.humanizingwork.com/cross-team-coordination/ Join us as we make cross-team coordination more human, effective, and efficient—saving you time and ensuring every crucial detail is captured. More ways to connect: Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter - @HumanizingWork Twitter - @rslawrence Twitter - @tptman

“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. Learn how successful organizations like Pixar use iterative planning techniques to manage complex projects, and how you can apply these principles to your work. This episode challenges common planning misconceptions and offers practical advice for leaders, product managers, and team members looking to improve their planning processes. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/plan-or-not/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

"Strategy just gets in the way of us doing our job." - Jos de Blok, CEO of Buurtzorg In this thought-provoking episode of the Humanizing Work Show, we examine a counterintuitive approach to leadership. While creating clarity through purpose, vision, and strategy is often crucial, sometimes the best leadership move is to step back. 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 unnecessaryHow Buurtzorg scaled to 10,000+ employees with minimal management oversightThe power of intrinsic motivation in highly skilled professionalsApplying the Theory of Constraints to identify true leadership priorities Is your organization's primary constraint really a lack of purpose? Or are there more immediate barriers to success? Join us as we unpack this intriguing case study and discuss insights that could refine your approach to leadership. This episode offers valuable perspectives for executives, team leads, and anyone interested in organizational dynamics and effective leadership. Listen now to gain fresh insights on organizational success drivers. For more in-depth learning, explore our online Theory of Constraints course [Link] and upcoming Humanizing Work Leadership Intensive [Link]. Subscribe to the Humanizing Work Show for regular, practical insights on leadership and organizational effectiveness. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/when-purpose-strategy-dont-matter/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

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. Key topics: The pitfalls of traditional green-yellow-red status reportingHow to "earn green" by addressing complexity earlyBalancing Agile principles with non-incremental delivery constraintsPractical skills for recognizing and tackling project risksReal-world success stories from Adobe's transformation Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/earn-green/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

In this action-packed episode of the Humanizing Work Show, hosts 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 concrete strategies you can start using today. Learn five key techniques to master impromptu speaking: Develop your "vocabulary" through daily writing exercisesUse recording and transcription to refine your thoughtsPractice in low-stakes environments to build confidenceEmploy mental models to quickly analyze complex situationsShift your focus from self to others by getting curious about what they really need Richard shares his personal journey of developing these skills, offering relatable examples and actionable advice. You'll also get a preview of an upcoming workshop designed to help you put these techniques into practice. Don't let unexpected questions leave you speechless. Tune in now to gain the tools you need to speak confidently and effectively in any situation. Transform your on-the-spot responses from a source of stress to a powerful professional asset. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/on-the-spot-questions/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

Is your Daily Scrum dragging on? In this episode, Peter & Richard dive into a real-world case of a 20-person Scrum team struggling with long, ineffective Daily Scrums. We explore why simply changing the format isn't always the answer and uncover deeper issues in team structure and work organization. Learn how to identify if Scrum is the right fit for your team, when to consider alternatives like Kanban, and practical steps to improve collaboration and efficiency. Whether you're an Agile coach, Scrum Master, or team member, you'll gain valuable insights on optimizing your Agile practices for better results. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/daily-scrum-taking-too-long/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

Is there one true Agile? In this episode of the Humanizing Work Show we break down the three Agile tribes—People, Performance, and Process—and discuss why the conflict between them is surface-level and how they can be integrated for greater success. Episode page:  https://www.humanizingwork.com/agiles-three-tribes-people-performance-and-process/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

In this episode of the Humanizing Work Show, hosts Peter Green and Richard Lawrence dive into the art of setting effective team goals that drive motivation and performance. Discover the research-backed reasons why some goals inspire while others fall flat. Learn five actionable tips on how to set goals that your team will embrace, covering the Source, Size, Category, Criteria, and Persistence of the goals. Key Points Covered: Why setting good team goals is crucial for performance and motivation.The importance of team-set goals versus management-assigned goals.How to find the right level of granularity for your team goals.Different categories of goals based on the complexity of work, using the Cynefin framework.Criteria for creating motivating team goals.Knowing when to pivot away from goals that no longer serve the team. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/setting-team-goals/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work:https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork Locke & Latham on Goal Setting: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/074959789190021K Hackman & Wageman:https://www.jstor.org/stable/2393703?origin=crossrefhttps://hbr.org/2009/05/why-teams-dont-work Cynefin Primer: https://www.humanizingwork.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-cynefin/

Richard facilitated a session at Agile2024 on “Addressing the Psychological Costs of Agile.” In this episode, he dives into the fishbowl facilitation method used in the session as well as some of the key takeaways from the conversation. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/fishbowl-and-psych-costs-of-agile/ ‎ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

In this episode, we address the most common mistakes leaders make when communicating important decisions and information by sharing three proven strategies to ensure your decisions create clarity and alignment throughout your organization. Misalignment and miscommunication can lead to confusion and inefficiency, but with the right approach, you can keep everyone on the same page. Tl;dr on the three strategies: Align & Assign: Discover how to end every leadership meeting with a clear plan for what needs to be communicated, who will communicate it, and by when.Communicate & Listen: Learn a structured method for leaders to effectively share decisions and solicit concerns, ensuring teams are heard and decisions can be executed effectively.Return & Report: Understand the importance of closing the loop by reporting back on the communication efforts and capturing key insights from your team. By implementing these strategies, you can prevent communication train wrecks and foster a culture of transparency and engagement. Don’t miss out on these actionable tips to improve your organization's communication! Sponsored by Humanizing Work: Helping leaders lead empowered teams, product people turn ideas into visions, and teams collaborate better on complex work. Visit humanizingwork.com to learn more. Episode page:  https://www.humanizingwork.com/leadership-communication-strategies/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

Organizations succeed or fail in large part based on the quality of their leadership. But most so-called “leadership teams” aren’t really teams—they’re just leaders who have meetings. In this episode, we look at why and how to launch a cross-functional leadership team so it achieves meaningful results. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/launch-an-effective-leadership-team/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

What can we learn about effective teamwork from the world of professional music? In this episode, Peter shares insights from his recent experiences playing in various musical groups and draws parallels to creating high-performing teams in any work environment. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/5-lessons-from-music/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

In this episode, we introduce you to two polar explorers that vividly illustrate our tendency to see leadership potential in babblers, braggarts, and braggarts regardless of their actual competence. We share several ways you can bring things back into balance, separating actual effectiveness from the noise, whether you’re the quiet high-performer or the leader trying to build an effective team. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/amundsens-and-shackletons/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

You may not be aware that Richard has a flock of ducks. Recently, Richard’s ducks had the most traumatic day of their lives, and it generated some unexpected lessons for humans at work. In this episode, Peter and Richard reflect on what happened and some lessons we learned to lead change more effectively. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/duck-canopy-incident/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

Big companies are eliminating roles like Agile Coach and ScrumMaster. In this episode, we look at why that might be happening, what to do if you’ve fallen victim to the layoffs, and why there’s still hope for the future. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/agile-jobs-are-vanishing/ ‎ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

A recent Gallup study reported that only 30% of workers in the US are engaged or motivated in their work. And this has all kinds of negative consequences, at work and beyond. In this episode, we dig into the research and share some practical things you can do about it. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/employee-engagement-is-terrible/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

In too many organizations, the product and engineering teams operate in an adversarial, dysfunctional way. Great products never result from this setup. In this episode, Richard and Peter share the antidote to such a situation, clarifying where to draw the line on specific responsibilities for product leaders and engineering, and where (and how) to collaborate effectively. It’s a complex boundary, with lots of trade-offs, but great organizations constantly improve how they navigate those in service of their vision and strategy. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/boundary-between-product-engineering-leadership/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/

It can be frustrating to find yourself in a situation where you see a problem but don’t have the power to fix—and the people who do have the power don’t seem to care. In this episode, we expand on the advice we often give our clients, “If you can’t fix it, make it more visible,” and we show how you can use that approach to influence a solution when you don’t have authority to just fix things. Episode page: https://www.humanizingwork.com/cant-fix-it-make-it-more-visible/ Share a challenge or episode idea: mailbag@humanizingwork.com Connect with Humanizing Work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanizingwork https://www.facebook.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/HumanizingWork https://twitter.com/rslawrence/ https://twitter.com/tptman/