People. Process. Progress.

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 ourselves Process: Crafting user stories Using the MoSCoW prioritization method Progress: Defining "what done looks like." more effectively Godspeed 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 Ohon Process: Evaluating what done looks like Letting the team determine the best way...

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 King Future focus: Leadership and management Team building and collaboration P...

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...

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 Gracie Hope i...

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 d...

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 done Assist your team's decision-making process through purpose-focused questions Put more of your time and c...

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 stranded Hope will not get you out of bed; push your bo...

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 action Take the first step. Literally by walking each morning. Don't wait for someone else to do it...

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 signs Remember hop...

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 who Tells who is accountable Provides protective umbrella Clarifies 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 to...

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 behi...

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 t...

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 life Rob's martial arts path The question that prompted him to start McDojoLife Balancing tradition with being an adult martial artist Insight into the McDojoLife documentary Life-changing surgeries Operation Smile facilitates correcting smil...

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.