Navigating Uncertainty: Preparing for Success in 2026 with Johanna Rothman and Mark Kilby

In this episode of the Reluctant Agilist, host Dave Prior welcomes Mark Kilby and Johanna Rothman to discuss their reflections and plans for the new year. The conversation begins with a candid admission from Dave about feeling lost in setting goals for 2026, prompting Johanna to suggest a shift in focus from preparing for risks to preparing for success. The trio explores the importance of collaboration and the need to let go of what hinders progress, particularly in the context of AI and its implications for project management. They emphasize the necessity of resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world, advocating for a more positive outlook on success rather than a fear-based approach to risk management.

As the discussion unfolds, they delve into the challenges posed by generative AI, the importance of trust in technology, and the need for personal and organizational resilience. The episode culminates in a reflection on the significance of collaboration and the value of learning from one another, highlighting the importance of community in navigating the complexities of modern work environments. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reminder to focus on personal growth, inclusivity, and the pursuit of meaningful connections in both professional and personal spheres.

The video version of this podcast is here

The audio version of this podcast is here

Building a Virtual Board of Directors with AI featuring Victor Njoroge

In this conversation, Dave Prior interviews Victor Njoroge about the intersection of AI and product management. Victor shares his background and role at Clarion, emphasizing the importance of optimizing workflows for sales development representatives. They discuss the concept of Sidebar, a platform for brainstorming and sharing ideas among professionals. Victor explains how he built a virtual board of directors using AI to gain diverse perspectives on product management challenges. The conversation highlights the significance of trust in AI tools, the need for continuous learning, and the enduring value of human skills in the age of AI.

Video: https://youtu.be/Z1oVjbl6V8Y

Audio: https://on.soundcloud.com/7SpXAA8EZRsxKiwP6o

Revolutionizing Recruitment with SuperHired featuring Josh Hill

In this conversation, Josh Hill discusses the innovative approach of SuperHired in transforming the recruitment process. He emphasizes the flaws of traditional hiring methods, the importance of understanding both candidate and company contexts, and the role of AI in recruitment. Josh advocates for a more human-centered approach to hiring, focusing on the 'job to be done' framework and the need for candidates to advocate for their own needs. He also provides insights on navigating the current job market and offers advice for both candidates and hiring managers.

The podcast is here

Receiving the Gift of Feedback with Lonnie Weaver Johnson

In this engaging conversation, Dave Prior and Lonnie Weaver-Johnson delve into the complexities of giving and receiving feedback. They explore personal experiences, the emotional challenges associated with feedback, and practical strategies for improving feedback dynamics. Lonnie shares her insights on the importance of mindset, recognizing triggers, and the four Rs of feedback: recognize, receive, react, and respond. The discussion emphasizes the value of self-awareness and the need for constructive communication in both personal and professional settings.

You can find the video recording here.

You can find the audio version here.

Navigating AI - Making Sense of Agents and When To Use Them with Hugo Bowne-Anderson

In this conversation, Dave Prior and Hugo Bowne-Anderson discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data science, focusing on the role of AI agents in solving business problems. Hugo shares insights on how to effectively implement AI solutions, the importance of understanding the underlying data, and the need for continuous improvement in AI systems. They also touch on the skills necessary for navigating the AI landscape, the value of collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, and the importance of assessing the value of AI projects. Hugo concludes by offering a course on building AI applications, emphasizing the iterative nature of AI development.

You can find the interview here.

Making the Case for Middle Management with Dennis Stevens

Dennis Stevens joins drunkenpm for a deep dive into the challenges faced by middle management in organizational change. Dennis argues that Agile and transformation efforts often fail because they treat middle managers as a roadblock, when in fact, these managers are simply victims of a badly designed system. The core idea is that companies shouldn't try to eliminate these roles but must instead design specific organizational "containers" and routines that force middle managers to leverage human nature (like self-interest and competition) to drive innovation. The goal is to shift strategy from a static plan to a dynamic process that lives in the interactions between people, ensuring all the work being done is strategically aligned, measurable, and ultimately successful.

You can find the podcast here: https://tinyurl.com/4tp8hcct

Links From The Intro

Productivity Survival with Mark Kilby and Dave Prior 

• https://www.tickettailor.com/events/markkilby/1905697

No One is Coming to Save You

• Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yhdk785j
• Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

You Need Comms More Than You Think with Ashley Lucio

In this conversation, Dave Prior speaks with Ashley Lucio about her extensive experience in communications, particularly focusing on the differences between internal communications and marketing. They discuss the challenges organizations face in deploying AI technologies and the importance of having communication professionals involved in these processes. Ashley emphasizes the need for effective communication strategies to manage organizational change and the potential pitfalls of neglecting this aspect. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in communications and the necessity for a balanced approach that leverages technology while maintaining human insight.

The podcast is here: https://tinyurl.com/42h5evwd

No One Is Coming to Save You - Johanna Rothman Takes Over DrunkenPM

Johanna Rothman offered to interview Stuart Young and me about our new book 'No One Is Coming to Save You'. This was only my second time handing over the podcast to someone and it was a gerat interview. 

If you are curious about the book, you can check the interview here.

Personal Kanban Questions with Alex Silva

Way back in the olden days before the pandemic,  Alex Silva took a class with me and we talked about Personal Kanban. It's been a few years since we spoke, he's been using it, and he reached out to ask if my use of it had changed.

That's kind of a huge question, so I invited him to take over the podcast and interview me about it. We ended up having a great conversation discussing how we've each adapted it, what makes it work and if you are into PK at all, there is some great stuff in here for you.

You can check out the podcast here.

Getting Your Resume Past ATS with Wahresume Featuring Johnu Marattil

If you are searching for a new gig right now, you know all to well how unbelievably frustrating it can be to send your resume out. You can spend hours on tailoring it and still not get a response.  WahResume is one of the tools that can help you prep your materials so that they have a better chance of making it through the ATS gauntlet. 

Click here to check out my interview with Johnu Marattil.