The Strategic What Podcast

Toyota Kata Starter: What are the main management aspects you should consider when implementing this methodology? I'm starting a new series on manufacturing and operations management. In this first episode of the series, we will talk about some management aspects of implementing Toyota Kata Starter. We will discuss: What you should consider when implementing any methodology in your organization Fr...

What's the best way to make a presentation to executive management? You frustrated you are dragging your feet to prepare presentations to upper management, even though you never procrastinate anything else in your to do list. You hate PowerPoint, and is sure everyone else does the same. I'm here to provide you some tips on what to consider when creating your presentations, even if you are not offe...

In this episode, we'll be talking about how hard is to change. We always want to change something in our lives, to get to a new place. But from the point of view of where we currently are, any change seems impossible. Sometimes it's just easier to think about quitting and just give up. We are at the top of a mountain looking away to the distance, to an even higher mountain where we want to go. In...

In this episode, we discuss how to deal with an extremely appeasing boss, often called overly democratic or even conflict adverse leader. This is the boss who struggles with conflict and often tries to manipulates his team to achieve his own objectives. This type of manager believes that they need to have approval and consensus of their team to implement any changes. However, they use "consensus"...

In this episode, we're going to talk about the need to know that the things you do can be achieved in different ways. In the technical field, there is a great tendency towards perfectionism when trying to find solutions. It's as if there's only one solution to be found on anything we do. It also seems that we can't afford to make mistakes and learn from our mistakes. Everything makes us think that...

In this episode, I'll discuss three productivity books I read recently and my opinion about them. Here it goes the good, the bad and the ugly: 1) The Only Thing– by Gary Keller e Joy Papasan.  https://a.co/d/gbAUiVR   5 Stars! Highly recommended! 2) Stolen focus – by Johann Hari https://a.co/d/1b30RB5 Average... 3 stars! 3) How to win friends and manage remotely – by McKenna Sweazey https://a.co/d...

Making everyone talk to each other is enough to coordinate your team? A scenario that is way too common. A team doesn't communicate internally and needs to deal with external teams in the organization. When a client outside of your team asks you: "Are you talk to each other there?" When you try to do some internal communication and they say: "Do I need to share everything I do with you? Are you my...

How to deal with a overwhelmed boss at work? First things first, you can't change anyone. Don't try to change your manager. Understand your objectives and what you want to take out of the situation. Look at the situation from a broader perspective. Are you the only one who is perceiving this situation or others in the organization are being impacted? How are you handling your productivity? Look fo...

Are you feeling overwhelmed managing your team? In this episode I'll give you some things you should considered when you feel overwhelmed at work. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN The paradox of competency Reorganizing your team Resetting your expectations as a manager THE ONE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS EPISODE Feeling overloaded and overwhelmed could be a sign you need to step back and act more strategica...

How to Lead Through Layoffs? Recently, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta announced the layoff of tens of thousands of technology workers. Now you are the one who should deal with the mess created by these changes. You need to motivate a team deeply affected by the cuts, left behind without direction and overwhelm with work... The bucket stops there, at your cubicle. Now you are feeling the heat a...

Many times we set objectives and forget about them. We end up never doing them, but we start to feel frustrated we can't get anything accomplished. In this episode, I discuss three different things you should know about dealing with objectives that will help you overcome this feeling of frustration. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN What happens when you don't decide what you will do with your object...

In this episode I provide you a way to develop a repository of processes in your organization. I discuss what I would do specifically if I were to start from scratch creating processes in a new organization. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN - The difference between policies, processes and procedures; - Categories of processes you can create and examples for each one of them; - The culture and mindse...

What should you about quiet quitting in your organization? In this Monday's brief, I provide you some quick tips on how to deal with the quiet quitting trend, when people are silently quitting their work in your organization. Listen to learn why they do so and how to avoit this situation. Schedule a mentoring session with me: https://rodrigocaetano.com/schedule-session/   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL...

Looking for a way to create a skill development plan to further develop competencies in your organization? In this episode, I discuss the big myths about developing skills and provide a step-by-step approach on how to create a comprehensive skill development strategy. Remeber to download the template below! Download my Skill Development Plan template: https://rodrigocaetano.com/sdp-template Schedu...

How to reframe difficult situations? Reframing is changing an experience by putting another frame around it. It's like seeing things from a different perspective. As a manager, you will need to lead through difficult situations. You can use reframing as a tool to help you overcome difficulties and overcame obstacles.   In this episode you will learn: What is reframing? Why reframing matters? Some...

What should you not delegate? There are situations when delegating will makes things worst. Most of the time you will be the one who will be making the call if something needs to be delegated and should know if you are getting results. In this episode you will learn: Everyone tells you should delegate, e-ve-ry-thi-ng; There are situations where delegating can make things worst; What to do when you...

How to deal with strategic changes in your project?  The  world has changed, but your plan is still the same. That's what normally happens when you came with your first strategic plan. In this episode, I'm going to discuss how to keep your plan relevant, when things in the real world change.     IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: At 1:20' , Here is the news: Projects change! At 4:30' , Why it's impor...

How can you limit your availability to get more work done? If you are tired of being interrupted at work, learn 8 ways you can limit your availability to take control of your deliverables.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: At 0:40' , how does it feel to be the center of the universe; At 1:50' , why you should limit your availability; At 4:50' , 8 ways to avoid being interrupted and limit your avai...

Do you think these corporate confidentiality contracts can really bite you? Yes, they can and you should be aware of the implication of signing them. NDAs, employment contracts, general confidentiality agreements, you name it. Read and understand everything first, before signing them.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: At 1:15' , Street Smart considerations on signing any type of paperwork At 2:50'...

How to see the big picture when things are going down the drain?   Learn how you can recover when one of your most important projects is going down the drain and you are spinning your wheels.       IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: At 0:44 , How to see the big picture when your projects are going down the drain? At 3:30 , the most important step to take when you are overwhelmed. At 5:15 , finding ou...

How to work with someone who is grieving?   In this episode, I reflect about how to help someone in your team who is grieving and is coping with loss.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: At 3:36 , what to do when you have someone in the office who has lost a loved one; At 5:29 , each culture has a different way to dealing with losses; At 6:56 , what to expect from the person who is grieving; At 9:06...

At work, do you feel more like fish outside the water? Or do you feel you are someone who is fully engaged on what you are working on?   In this episode, I'll share a story about someone who inspired me how to deal with situations where you don't feel you are in the right place.   In This Episode You will Learn: At 0:57 , An important question I want to ask you; At 2:55 , A story of a friend who d...

Do you think problems can solve themselves? In this episode I share a story from my development days regarding an intermittent problem that taught me a great lesson. There are different ways you can deal with problems in your organization. One is to merely disregard them, thinking they will solve themselves. In reality, the most difficult problems, commonly related to cross-organization integratio...

If you are managing change, listen to this episode. Some people are afraid of changing things. I know... In this episode, I share a story that happened early on in my career. This was a big lesson about building something new and completely changing how people worked.  We often forget the impact we bring when we build something new. When you build something that really works, people will never mis...

Can you believe we've reached our 50th episode? In this episode, I have a special guest. This person always wanted to know more about my work. So, we put some questions together and let her do the interview. Let's celebrate! 50 episodes is a big milestones and I'm super excited about what's coming next. It's been really fun to be with you in this journey.   In This Episode You will Learn: At  0:47...