People, Process, Progress: Leadership from Critical Care to the Boardroom

In Lessons Learned from 2024 and Tools I'm Doubling Down On in 2025, I'm sharing a roundup of non-family and friend influential people, products, exercises, mindsets, and tools I found helpful in 2024 and that I'll build on going into 2025.

My Dad passed away in April of this year and this is my first Christmas without him. So I'm trying to find a way to honor my Father's memory, to acknowledge the pain, and perhaps, to find some peace. I wrote a poem, When You Miss Someone at Christmas, and I'd like to share it with you.Merry Christmas and Godspeed y'all,Kevin

Today, on Framework Friday episode one, How to Craft Impactful User Stories for Improved Outcomes, we're diving into a powerful tool for defining "what done looks like": user stories.People:Users, customers, and ourselvesProcess:Crafting user storiesUsing the MoSCoW prioritization methodProgress:Defining "what done looks like." more effectivelyGodspeed y'all,Kevin

In this episode I'm helping listeners not be too rigid with their processes through examples from Taiichi Ohno and my own lessons learned as an Emergency Medical Technician, Planning Section Chief, and Project Manager.People: "Let the flow manage the processes, and not let management manage the flow." - Taiichi OhonProcess:Evaluating what done looks likeLetting the team determine the best way to get thereGauging the team's capabilitiesChoosing the right tools from the process toolboxProgress:Helping listeners not be too rigid with their processes so that their teams have autonomy and collaborative outcomes are encouraged

Getting out of shape doesn't happen overnight. Gaining weight isn't an instant occurrence. So, what's to be done? Hit play and let's improve together.

In Welcome to the Re-launch of the People, Process, Progress Podcast, Host Kevin Pannell reunites himself with listeners after a one-year detour. Kevin shares why he stepped away, why he's back, and what listeners can expect from him and his guests in the future.“Sooner or later, everything old is new again.” - Stephen KingFuture focus:Leadership and managementTeam building and collaborationPersonal development and growthInnovation and creativityand more!more at peopleprocessprogress.com

Providing practical considerations to the John Maxwell Company, list 7 Factors that Influence Influence (or Influencers)Read the original list at https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/7-factors-that-influence-influence/Get John C. Maxwell's book Good Leaders Ask Great Questions at https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leaders-Ask-Great-Questions/dp/145554809X

In this episode of the KEV Talks Podcast, meet Larry Hagner, the visionary behind The Dad Edge – a platform that inspires men to create and sustain strong relationships with their spouses and children, while also achieving overall wellness in various aspects of their lives.

Being proactive is a power. It enables us to prepare our minds for hardship better, and proactive Public Safety leaders and Project Managers can provide better contingency plans. In the realm of Public Safety, taking proactive planning action saves lives. For Project Managers, a proactive planning approach saves time, money, and resources, and keeps the quality of our team's work high.Join me for this episode inspired by my soon-to-be-released interview with Larry Hagner of The Dad Edge (https://thedadedge.com/) as I expand on my thoughts and share more advantages to the proactive mindset over the reactive one.Godspeed y'all.

In The Right Move at the Wrong Time is the Wrong Move | Foundations Friday #105, I share Rener Gracie's quote on episode #399 of the Jocko Podcast. I also share how Project Managers and Planning Section Chiefs should consider this sentiment when pulling together multi-disciplinary teams.Rener Gracie's book is available on Amazon (no affiliate)Listen to Jocko Podcast #399 with Rener GracieHope is NOT a plan - No egos - No silos - Godspeed

Being able to describe our processes succinctly is critical. Summarizing our elevator pitch is also very important as well. Often we don't get a lot of time with our executive leaders, so we have to maximize the face time we do get. This is where we can deliver the "bottom line up front" approach to queuing up leadership decisions.In 2 minutes or less, be able to:Summarize the thing you need a decision onState the decision the team needs the leader to makeDescribe the impact on scope, schedule, cost, or qualityShare the team's recommendationMore at kevtalkspod.com

Inspired by the article from July 26, 2023 titled How to Be a Purpose-Driven Leader Without Burning Out by Lisa Earle McLeod and Elizabeth Lotardo on the Harvard Business Review website.Key points from the article:When you interact with your employees, ask how what they need to get stuff doneAssist your team's decision-making process through purpose-focused questionsPut more of your time and calories into team members that will respond moreRemember...Hope is not a planWork a shared processNo egosNo silosMore at kevtalkspod.com

Having hope is crucial. It helps us persevere when we're feeling stuck, motivates us when we're unwell, and pulls us out of the depths of despair during difficult times. However, while hope can be a powerful driving force, it's not enough on its own to get things done.Hope won’t build a fire, make a shelter or find a water source when you’re strandedHope will not get you out of bed; push your body to move through the trauma and begin to healHope alone will not help you succeed at work and advance in your careerHope is not a stand-alone solutionWe need more than hope. We need a process. We need a plan.For more on planning on kevtalkspod.com visit this link.Godspeed y'all,Kevin

In We are responsible for how we respond to our traumas I echo a sentiment shared by Andy Stumpf on his 'Cleared Hot' Podcast about how we are not responsible for traumas we experience, but that we are 100% responsible for how we react and respond to them.My suggestions:Ask for guidance, then take actionTake the first step. Literally by walking each morning.Don't wait for someone else to do it for youGodspeed y'all,Kevin

In this episode "How Project Managers Can Apply Three Critical Lessons From Gavin De Becker’s Book 'The Gift Of Fear'," I discuss three lessons that I believe are relevant to the daily work of Program and Project Managers.The Lessons:Trusting our instincts (Chapter 2)Prediction using JACA (Chapter 6)Paying attention to alarming behaviors (Chapter 9)*Bonus: Know the survival signsRemember hope is NOT a plan, and there should be no egos nor silos in our planning processes.Godspeed y'all,Kevin

We did it. We put together 100 'Foundations Friday' episodes. On this week's #100 I elaborate on why the proverb, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine" is well, nonsense.

As a tribute to one of my favorite documents, The Declaration of Independence, I created The Declaration for Project Managers. Although the original is a timeless classic, I enjoyed putting my own spin on it by outlining the best practices that every Project Manager should adhere to from the start to the end of each project they undertake.

Sharing the perspective that leaders that allow negative behaviors to go on imply support for that activity to continue.

In 5 Ways to Reduce Level Zero Incidents in EMS and Improve EMS Employee Retention, I elaborate on how Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leaders can improve EMS worker retention and reduce the risk of having "level zero" EMS systems.

In Discover the Reality of the American Nuclear Energy Sector with George Pannell (Part 2) | KEV Talks #32, George Pannell, an expert in American Nuclear Energy, expertly explains the mechanics of nuclear power plants and the contributing factors to America's nuclear power stagnation and proposes measures to mitigate our dependence on foreign nations for energy.

In Four Reasons Why Hierarchy Matters | Foundations Friday #98 I share why I believe and have seen the benefits of having a hierarchy in organizations and on program and project teams.Basic Points:Shows who's whoTells who is accountableProvides protective umbrellaClarifies Unity of Command

In From the Steel Mill to the Submarine Service with George Pannell (Part 1) | KEV Talks 31, I talk to U.S. Navy Veteran and Nuclear Power pioneer George Pannell about his journey from the steel mills of Pennsylvania to the Silent Service of the U.S. Navy.Stay tuned for Part 2 of our discussion coming next week as Dad and I talk through changes in the Nuclear Power world from the 1970s through today.Thank you all for watching here and for listening to the podcast.

I recently watched A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, Mariana Treviño, and Rachel Keller. I cried. A lot. In addition to the emotional story, A Man Called Otto reminded me that we've all had "Ottos" on our project teams.In How to Support the Otto on Your Project Teams | Foundations Friday #97, I share 5 traits Ottos shares and how we as team leaders can leverage them and support the human behind the gruff and direct personality that Otto displays.

In One Action Can Change Someone's Life | Foundations Friday #96, remind us how Rob from McDojoLife's friend's one act of giving him a card to call a martial arts school after he was beaten by other students changed the course of Rob's life. I also talk about how a single question to Rob during a Jiu-Jitsu class led him to create the McDojoLife movement that now has thousands of followers around the world and will soon put out a documentary supported by leaders from the Martial Arts industry.

Rob's life trajectory was changed by one act from a friend. In our almost two hours discussion, Rob and I talk about:How his friend's suggestion changed his lifeRob's martial arts pathThe question that prompted him to start McDojoLifeBalancing tradition with being an adult martial artistInsight into the McDojoLife documentaryLife-changing surgeries Operation Smile facilitates correcting smile and cleft conditionsRob's vision of a martial arts convention for alland more!Thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing the show.

Feeling entitled is easy when you’re given a title. The challenge is to use your position to clear obstacles for your team, not to use your position to lord over them.

Travis Motl (Moat+L), is a Husband, Father, U.S. Navy Veteran, BJJ Blue Belt, and fellow podcaster. Travis hosts the Elbows Tight podcast where he talks "...to everyone from brand new white belts to well-established black belts to discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes.". In this episode, Travis and I talk about where he's from, and share our U.S. Navy lessons learned, and challenges with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), provide tips for starting a podcast, and discuss the future of the Elbows Tight show.Key discussion points from this episode:Travis' path to the U.S. NavyFrom behind the Welder's mask to behind a deskWhat led Travis to the BJJ matsWhy and how Travis started Elbows Tight with his friend JonWhat's the future of Elbows Tight?Read more and buy some merch at https://www.elbowstight.com/ and follow Travis @elbowstight on Instagram and Twitter and follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElbowsTightPodcast and the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/ElbowsTight.Thank you all for listening and when training Jiu Jitsu remember...BreatheFrameSurviveMore on Jiu-Jitsu at https://kevtalkspod.com/?s=jiu+jitsu&orderby=relevance&order=DESC

In 5 Lessons from American Revolutionary Leaders to Build a Project Team of Giants | KEV Talks #28 I share 5 lessons I learned from reading Jack Kelly's amazing book, "Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America's Independence". More specifically, how these lessons can be implemented by Program and Project Managers to establish their own team of giants to increase program and project success.The 5 lessons:Review lessons learned ahead of timeAccept the messy beginningSet the tone, but allow for free thinkingUnderstand that logistics are criticalManage the mutinies

I share 5 things I do daily that have improved my mental, spiritual, and physical health and that I recommend to each of you.Get up earlyGet exerciseTake a cold showerFast or eat good foodPractice mindfulness

Sharing how both the principles and documents from the Incident Command System work when planning projects, programs, or other events.

I've been traveling lately, and I took my BJJ gear this past trip. It was great to visit the BJJ gym I started at and train with a different group of people. In this episode, I expand on the value of training at other gyms and provide perspective on the diversity of the BJJ community.

I recorded this one in the hotel gym this morning as I reflected on some recent work balancing how our team efforts look with what we're accomplishing. I submit to the listener to consider how many calories to put into the appearance of solid planning and support with providing results-driven outcomes for program and project go-lives and milestones.

As a Program Manager, we need to be ready to jump into any Project level work on behalf of our people or our organization. In Be a Good Project Manager to be an Effective Program Manager | Foundations Friday #91, I share my journey from Status Check-In Recorder to Planning Section Chief and the parallels to becoming a Senior Project Manager and Program Manager in the Healthcare IT space.

As a salty, 49-year-old Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Blue Belt practicing BJJ for 4.5 years, I like to help folks just starting their BJJ training. When I sweep a white belt, then move to Mount, I often see the "deer in the headlights" look on their face. So, I have often walked them through the arm and leg trap and then bridge escape. Long this theme when a white belt tries a submission, but it's not..umm...good at all; I'll talk them through what I think they were trying to do. But sometimes, I want to roll, and that's ok.

Ted Lasso is one of my favorite streaming shows. It is a show starring Jason Sudeikis as Ted. Ted is an American Football coach who goes to England to coach and lead a Soccer team there. In addition to the humor and lessons in leadership I get from the show, I am also glad the writers highlight how stress and anxiety can negatively affect those who seemingly have no issues.In How to Deal with Anxiety Like Ted Lasso | Foundations Friday #90, I talk about anxiety and re-share interviews I've had on the KEV Talks Podcast that can help listeners deal with anxiety as Ted does.

Five positive life-impacting statements that inspired and encouraged me and continue to give me a kick in the pants I need sometimes.“Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'” – Viktor E. Frankl quoting Friedrich Nietzsche in Man’s Search for Meaning“There is no shortcut. There is no hack. There’s only one way. So, get after it.” – Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom Field Manual.“Well, why don’t you just do it afraid?” – Joyce Meyer quoting a friend of hers.“We have an opportunity to make health so central that we have ample resources to help the downtrodden, the fallen, and the frail.” – James Geering, One More Light.“It is only when we listen to our pain that we can follow it back to its source…” – Johann Hari, Lost Connections.

In There's Always Opportunity for Rebirth | Foundations Friday 89, I share how the study of Passover and Easter has reminded me that we always have the opportunity to make changes in our personal and professional lives.

Leading projects is a challenge. Leading programs, and a group of projects, is even more challenging. So, what do we do when we're asked to lead a program of programs? In this week's episode, 6 Considerations When Leading a Program of Programs, I share six things to consider when you're asked to lead at an even higher level than a program.Things to Consider:Take it up a notch (in view altitude)Support your Project Managers to become Program ManagersThink even more holisticallyEmbrace dynamic standardsBe objective, but provide directionNourish the different personalities

There are people that started training Jiu Jitsu that are now better than me. There are people in my professional life that have surpassed me in position and knowledge. As Jocko Willink says, "Good.".Why is this "Good"? In Jiu Jitsu, it's good because, through hardship, we celebrate each other's success. We sharpen each other with each roll because we learn to supplant the ego and celebrate others' wins.In business, this can be a little harder. But when someone advances, and we don't, we can ask ourselves, "How can I also move up?".So, celebrate your teammate's wins on the mats and in the boardroom.Godspeed ya'll,Kevin

Carrying over some Jiu-Jitsu tips for newer BJJ players, focusing on slowing down and making the moves correctly. This is also true in life. Sometimes we must slow down and take time with family, decisions, or more things.BreatheFrameSurvive

Sharing lessons I learned while reading Jack Kelly's book Band of Giants. More specifically, George Washington learned NOT to fight by watching the rigid British Military and then went on to adapt and stay dynamic as a leader while fighting for America's independence.Check out Kelly's book at your local library or purchase it at https://www.amazon.com/Band-Giants-Soldiers-Americas-Independence/dp/1466893281

I'm importing episodes 8-25 of the You-Jitsu Podcast, which was discontinued last week. In this Part 2 of 2 this episode compilation, I walk the listener further into the Jiu-Jitsu journey.In this episode:Importance of practicing stand upGiving White Belts some winsHow BJJ will call your bluffWhat makes a Blue Belt?Listener feedback - Focus on FundamentalsDifferences between Wrestling, Submission Grappling, and BJJWhat if you miss the BJJ class?That there are levels to BJJBeing anxious in BJJ is OKExercises to improve your BJJImportance of a solid base in BJJTop 3 escapes White Belts should know4 Supplements for older grapplersDealing with spazzy training partnersImportance of getting position before submissionMoves to practice outside of the BJJ gym

I talk about how "Extreme Ownership" has become very popular over the past eight years thanks to the incredible book by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin of the same name and the outstanding teachings from the Echelon Front organization. In the episode, I also share how extreme ownership has existed for over 1,000 years and was practiced by Marcus Aurelius, according to Ryan Holiday of "The Daily Stoic." the five barriers we have to accept ownership and the five ways to embrace owning up to mistakes.

I'm importing episodes 1-7 of the You-Jitsu Podcast, which will be discontinued next week. In this Part 1 of 2 episode compilation, I walk the curious through signing up for and attending a trial BJJ class and then share tips for when you sign up and start training regularly.Time Stamps:00:02:02 - Do the Intro Class00:03:27 - BJJ Intro Class Prep00:05:00- So, You Signed Up for BJJ?00:10:31 - Breathe00:13:19 - Frame00:15:00 - Survive00:15:56 - No Free Grips

Man's Search for Meaning is the most influential book I've read. We learn about Frankl's loss and suffering, but more impactfully, about how he maintained optimism and hope during his agony in the Nazi concentration camps.In this episode, I share quotes from his book on the value of suffering and three key ways we can all use tragic optimism within our lives.

Great sharing wise words from Father Mike of the @hallowap on dealing with Temptation in life. While Father Mike focused on how we approach temptation in our personal lives, I also took the message to reinforce how we can look at fitness in our professional lives.Father Mike's guidance:Expect the trialEliminate the optionRewrite the scriptRefer to scriptureLearn more about the Hallow App at https://hallow.com/

In this episode, Kim Colegrove and I talk about her growing up in Kansas City, how she learned Meditation at a young age, the loss of her husband David to suicide, and how she and Pause First Academy provide First Responders and U.S. Military Veterans resilience training focusing on holistic wellness and work-life balance.Reach out to Kim directly at [email protected] practical tools by reading Mindfulness for WarriorsLearn more about Pause First AcademyKim Colegrove is a veteran meditator and speaker with over 40 years of experience and the Author of Mindfulness for Warriors. In 2014, Kim lost her husband David to suicide, less than three months after he retired from a 30-year law enforcement career. She created The PauseFirst Project to honor David’s memory and to help other first responders cope with stress and trauma.

I share my perspective on creating more efficiencies when we teach people core troubleshooting and problem-solving skills like the Foundational Five.

My thesis:"Teaching Hospital and Healthcare personnel the skills and principles of All-Hazards Incident Management pay more positive dividends and develops more well-rounded response skills than teaching the same people how to follow the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) structures."So, I believe using the standard ICS is more holistic and beneficial than using HICS.Episode takeaways:Choose the most qualified for ICS positions, not the highest rankingLet the situation dictate what's needed in Operations, not the preset HICS structureUse ICS for planned events and unplanned incidentsPractice with internal and external partners, oftenCreate a Policy Group that complements the core ICS org structureRemember...Have a planStay informedGet involved

I've found that I can raise an issue, whether asking for a critical decision, guidance, or awareness, that sometimes isn't enough. Sometimes, as Project or Program Managers, we can raise awareness, but maybe we don't have the right people assembled. Or, perhaps we have room to improve our communication around the issue.In this week's Foundations Friday, I elaborate a bit more on this.