The Strategic What Podcast

Are you able to change other managers who work with you? You are someone with high standards of integrity. Your work is done in the best way possible and you are a high performer. However, your management colleagues are not up to the challenge. Can you change them? Hint: You can't change people. Listen to this episode to learn how to get results under these circumstances.

What are the 3 most simple SCRUM concepts I could start implementing immediately? SCRUM is a modern framework used by software designers to develop new products in a more agile approach. You don't need to be a SCRUM expert, neither a software developer to implement this new approach to creating innovative products. In this episode, I explain in simple terms how to use three simple SCRUM concepts y...

How to get your point across when writing reports to senior management? Find out the best way to get your message across when writing executive reports, so senior management will read your emails and act on them.    

What should you do when someone thinks you are not competent enough? We all have had this experience before. Someone – a manager, a leader or a colleague – come to you asking you to do something, but change their mind because they don't think you are competent enough to do the job. Even though you have all credentials, certifications and education for the task at hand, they think you are incapable...

How to make new people more productive when they join your team? In this episode, I'll share three tips on how I personally do my team onboarding process.   References: Here is Sonia Thompson's website  I mentioned at the beginning of the episode. And here is an super interesting article about building teams she wrote for the Inc. Magazine. ;-) Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://rodrigocae...

Remember, you are not alone. When you are dealing with difficult situations and you don't see a way out, remember that you are not alone. Talk to someone!  

How can people remember what they agreed after your meetings are over? In this episode, I provide a simple technique that will help your message be remembered beyond the meeting room. I use a simple technique to bring decisions back to their work outside of the meeting context.    

What's the best way to take control over your social media network usage? In this episode, I share my experience getting off Facebook for a year, how I quit for good and the results I got a year after disconnecting from that social media platform.

What is the most effective to manage your team? In this episode I go over the main element of performance management. I'll tell you why you shouldn't use the sandwich approach when you are dealing with performance issues. I'll give you tips on managing team used by the best managers I reported to in my career. Note: On Jan 18th and 19th, 2018, I'll be attending the Silicon Slopes Conference in Sal...

What's the most efficient way to create a personal development plan? In this episode, I'll share you my approach to developing personal plans, the most common pitfalls and simple shortcuts to make your life easier as a manager.   References: The Simplest Personal Development Plan Template You Will Ever Find – Download Here .  Practical Management Tips  – Subscribe to my weekly newsletter.

Why it is so hard to set your own objectives? Learn why it is so difficult to set your own objectives. In this episode, I'll share my personal experience setting up my objectives. Creating performance goals is not an easy task, but if you don't plan your goals, you will be soon drifting with your career.   References: How to follow through your goals – Tony Robins Practical Management Tips – Subsc...

What's the most common issue project managers run into at this time of the year, during Christmas time? Managers have the tendency to forget to factor in seasonal factors in their project plans. When the Holiday Season comes, they are hit very hard! Learn more about how to manage holidays and time off.

How to delegate difficult things? In this episode, I discuss an approach to delegate difficult tasks. How does delegation works when you have to accomplice complex work? Why do some managers have difficulties in delegating authority when something difficult is involved? Listen to this podcast and learn how to delegate effectively.  

What can you do to be more productive during your day? In this episode, I share a technique I use to become more productive during my business days. Managing productivity and being productive is very important. With a simple technique you can add to your daily routine you can decide on what to focus on and become one of the most productive people in the office. Related links:  -- My website:  http...

What's most important in management? Schedules, spreadsheets or meetings? Far from it. Learn three important things that may be missing from your management style. In this episode, I'll go over the key elements that have nothing to do with the tools you use on your everyday job as a manager.  

Why you should remove the word help from your dictionary. In this episode I explain how "helping" other managers can be problematic. I also discuss the effects of doing someone else's work.   Related Links:  Subscribe to my e-mail newsletter at https://rodrigocaetano.com/practical-management-tips/

How to avoid meeting distractions? I'll share a technique on how to deal issues that are unrelated to the meeting and come up during discussion. These issue often go in a tangent and tend to take away the focus of your conversation. I'll provided you a simple tip that is almost effortless to implement: the meeting parking lot. Whenever a new unrelated topic comes up during one of your meeting, ack...

How to Deal with Office Politics?   In this episode, we will be talking about how to deal with office politics. I'm sure you have already experienced some level of office politics in your live – promotions, bonuses, accountability, gossip, greed, envy… you name it…. This long list can go on and on… Yup! This subject is very hard to get a handle on. I have worked in organizations that lived and bre...

How to Build the Perfect Strategy?   In this episode we will be talking about how to develop the "perfect plan" and build better strategies.    "Planning" and "Strategizing" are overused words in project management. We always want to build something perfect before we hit the ground running. We need "the plan" , the perfect plan.  However, as I got more experienced in my career, I realized that it'...

Do you really need to write things down on paper?  In this episode, learn the importance of writing things down on paper. So we'll be talking about why you should write things down on paper. Ah! I know, I know… you are already rolling your eyes there. This is such a boring topic… Wait! It's not! Do you realize how powerful writing can be? Think about it for a minute. You are in a meeting. There is...

How to you manage expectations in your organization? In this episode, learn how to communicate bad news and how to manage risks.   I found this is one of the most difficult skills I had to develop to grow in my career. Telling the bad news… Here are some taboos ? About communicating bad news: You should do everything you can to avoid communicating bad news. Wrong!  The earlier you communicate bad...

In this episode, learn a strategy I use every time I delegate tasks.   I always had issues with my team doing things in a way different from what I expected. It was very frustrating. We had meetings. We agreed on the results. But, when my team went back to their desks, they went off the course and did things in a way I thought it wasn't the best one. During that time, I was always wanted to jump i...

How to build your track record and reputation? What's the fastest way to get where you want with your career? In this episode, I discuss the importance of building and maintaining a great track record. Learn about how to treat your reputation as a your most valuable asset. Find out why you need to have a strong track record, so you can move towards more complex roles in the organization.  I'll giv...

How to Communicate Effectively at Work using email? In this episode, I'll talk about the problems getting the information you need using email and the struggle of not getting answers.  I'll discuss how to improve email writing and give you a simple rule on how to communicate more effectively.  Using a simple question, I'll share my secret to getting the great majority of my emails answered.  I'll...

Let's talk about poor performance. If you think you your team is underperforming, listen to this episode. What is the strongest element of your character that can undermine your team performance? Dealing with underperforming employees and staff is not easy, but is it all their fault? In this episode, you will learn how develop your team's skills and manage underperformance by changing your attitud...