Ask Andrew

The marble figure would stand nearly 30 feet tall if upright. Like me, it sports a tunic and a short beard. I’m not sure what size sandal works for a six-foot-long foot, but arch support and traction seem essential. But why is this enormous statue lying abandoned on a hillside instead of standing in a temple or museum? And what can I learn about perfectionism?

In a world that’s all about speed and automation, sometimes the true magic is in slowing down. This week on AskAndrew , I'm sharing my personal journey on what I call "Manual Road." For my entire life, I’ve been hardwired to find the most efficient, automated way to do a task. But recently, I found unexpected joy and a deeper sense of accomplishment in a simple manual process: scorin...

Feeling overwhelmed and like you never have enough time? In this episode of AskAndrew, we explore a simple system to reclaim your days and start prioritizing what truly matters. We'll discuss: The "Trivial Pursuit Method" : A fun and easy way to identify and prioritize your ideal daily activities. Time Tracking Tips : How to track your time without feeling micromanaged. Get ready to...

The Program Powerhouse : In this episode, we dive into the world of program management with Federico Maffini, global head of business operations at AWS and author of The Zero-BS Program Management Blueprint . We unpack how to transform curiosity into impactful projects, navigate the career-boosting benefits of horizontal moves, and the value of structured experimentation. Discover actionable strat...

In this AskAndrew video, you'll learn: How to easily calculate the win/loss rate for your organization using Google Sheets. How to use pivot tables How to chart your results to find patterns We'll walk you through the process of setting up your data and creating pivot tables to track your company's performance. Whether you're a sales leader looking to measure your team's effect...

In this episode of "Ask Andrew," we delve into the concept of friction and its dual nature. Starting with a calming meditation, Andrew guides listeners to view friction not just as an irritant but as a catalyst for growth and transformation. He introduces a counterintuitive idea: adding friction to reduce friction. By using a simple Google form, Andrew demonstrates how creating a small b...

In this episode of "Ask Andrew," I delve into the transformative power of affirmations and goal setting. I share my personal journey of overcoming stage fright and achieving my goal of playing jazz at a jam session. I emphasize the importance of positive self-talk and offer practical techniques for crafting effective affirmations. I guide you through a meditation exercise to visualize yo...

Kate Wade and Krissy Metzler join on this week's AskAndrew. They offer 5 unique insights into time management and productivity during our discussion. Kate (M.Ed. in Educational Psychology) and Krissy (M.A. Special Education) are the founders of The Goalden System. They are educators dedicated to helping people enhance their executive function skills in pursuit of their goals. They specialize i...

In this episode, Andrew takes another entertaining look at leadership lessons from the hit TV show Breaking Bad. This time he focuses on the art of delegation through the lens of Walter White's failings. Andrew breaks down two scenes where Walter poorly delegates tasks to Jesse. He uses these examples to highlight 8 common delegation pitfalls that managers often fall into, like micromanaging,...

On this unique episode of Ask Andrew, host Andrew Ledet takes on the persona of Walter White's manager or coach. The notorious character from Breaking Bad exhibited several extreme workplace behaviors - an insatiable hunger for power, an inability to delegate, a lack of ethical boundaries, and a massively unchecked ego. Andrew analyzes key inflection points from the show, like Walt's power...

In this episode of AskAndrew, host Andrew Ledet delves into the perplexing question "Who are you?" He shares his experiences and offers practical tips on crafting impactful introductions, whether for job interviews, networking events, or client meetings. Andrew discusses the importance of understanding your audience and time management in introductions, along with key ingredients for a s...

In this episode of Ask Andrew, host Andrew Ledet delves into the transformative power of musical practice and its surprising parallels with professional development. Inspired by the legendary Herbie Hancock and his band's commitment to growth, Andrew reflects on the valuable insights he gained from his musical journey. From setting clear goals to embracing the 'practice mindset,' he sh...

In this episode of 'Ask Andrew,' host Andrew Ledet delves into the world of games and how they can revolutionize our approach to work. From spotting circles to understanding the key components of engaging gameplay, Andrew explores the power of play in fostering joy and productivity. Through personal anecdotes and insights, listeners learn practical strategies for incorporating games into t...

It's bracket season! On this episode of AskAndrew, we use a data set of 2024 hoops data to show how to use pivot tables to quickly crunch metrics. Disclaimer: Pivot Tables aren't a guarantee you'll win your bracket BUT they can help you get faster mining data for trends. The goal for today’s time is to showcase the basics of pivot tables: when to use them, how to set them up, how to fi...

Didn't get rated as highly as you thought you would in a review? Are you being told to be more productive? Join for insights on navigating performance reviews, setting boundaries, and excelling in various roles, from sales to HR. Get ready for 7 actionable paths to being "Kenough," covering organization, goal alignment, and effective time management. Dive into practical strategies fo...

How many hours have you wasted in meetings? This week’s playtime is inspired by an article I read about the toll of virtual meetings. We will cover two proven concepts to help you bring more good and joy to meetings. This should help relieve stress and get more done in less time. Sound good? Stick around until the end for a bonus tip. 2 Steps to Better Communication Think/Feel/Do Framework Active...

Have you ever felt stuck?  For those who know me, you’ve likely encountered my struggle to make a decision. Maybe you're struggling with a creative project or a career change, or maybe you're just feeling unmotivated. Whatever your case may be, it's a common experience that we all face. Inspired by coaching I’ve received, books I’ve read, and reflections from a lifetime of struggling w...

Vlookups are the formula I've taught to the most people and can be tricky if you haven't used it in a while or you aren't quite sure how and when to use it. This episode outlines: When to use Vlookup (touching on HR, CS, and RevOps roles) How to use it with a few practice rounds to ensure you gain the knowledge to use it for yourself The BIG benefits of using Vlookup for me are: Joinin...

Last week we played with the idea of being a scientist and how that can help you solve puzzles. This week we are going to explore how being an artist can help you create new possibilities. My inspiration for this journey is Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way.” This book is largely responsible for changing my life. Discover the power of unlocking your creative potential, trusting your instincts, and...

In this episode of Ask Andrew, we explore Gedankenexperiments, or thought experiments, inspired by the wisdom of Albert Einstein. The episode explores how applying the scientific method to daily challenges can ignite your imagination and enhance problem-solving. We walk through the steps of observation, questioning, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and data analysis, demonstrating how this m...

In today's episode, we'll explore the powerful concept of 'Whole Body Yes.'  Derived from the realm of conscious leadership, this principle transformed the way I approach decision-making, authenticity, and fulfillment. The goal of today’s show is to model how to navigate from to-do lists to experiencing what a whole body yes and no feel like. Plus we have some choose-your-own adven...

When was the last time you read a job ad? In this episode, we explore a simple tactic inspired by a mentor's advice. Discover how job ads can be your secret advantage to creating a stellar development plan. Stay tuned for actionable steps and insights to level up your career journey. I’ll also share tips for leaders to use this strategy with their teams. STAR story method Competency and Skill...

If you’re curious about what managers consider when making promotion decisions, you’re in the right spot for today’s show. I'm the Andrew of Ask Andrew and today, I’m answering the ask for how to advance your career. Our last episode unpacked common reasons why we seek new challenges. Give that a listen if you haven’t yet. In this episode, I’ll discuss the art of being proactive, the importanc...

Dive into the latest podcast episode where we explore proven strategies for career growth. Learn more about the 5 most common motivators (and associated pitfalls). Tune in now for actionable insights! 🎙️