Episodes

The Challenger disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous risk assessment and the potential consequences of ignoring or downplaying warnings. In Risk Management Lessons from the Challenger Disaster, I'm paralleling takeaways from the Challenger disaster with how Project Managers can reduce project risk through effective risk management. Godspeed to the Challenger Astronauts Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka,...

In Moving Past Paralysis During Analysis I'm sharing five considerations for leaders who need to move their teams to a decision point and out of an analysis rut whether planning a disaster response or a technology project.

On today’s Framework Friday, Eight Steps to Effective Strategic Communication, I’m going to share the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 8-step process that many Public Information Officers (PIO) use to effectively communicate before, during, and after disasters. Reference: page 20 of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (PIOs)

In this episode, How NOT to Brief the Public After a Disaster, I’ll share insight from my time on an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) on what not to do when briefing the public and press after a critical incident and proposed solutions to improve crisis communication in the future. Lessons learned: Not overcrowding the room Not using basic manners Not being honest with the public Not letting Operations speak Not briefing leaders ahead of time Not showing a Unified Command pres...

In Breathing, Framing, and Surviving in Jiu-Jitsu and in Life, I’m speaking about the importance of breathing, placing physical and metaphorical frames in your life, and surviving. I’m speaking to you folks facing challenging times, Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, fitness enthusiasts, anyone interested in self-improvement, …in other words. All humans. In this episode: Breathing in BJJ Wim Hof and 2-to-1 breathing techniques Setting mental and physical frames in BJJ and life Surviving by balancing ...

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 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 to get there Gauging the team's capabilities Choosing the right tools from the process toolbo...

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 Personal development and growth Innovation and creativity and more! more at peopleprocessprog...

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...

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 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 on State the decision the team needs the leader to make Describe the impact on scope, sc...

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 calories into team members that will respond more Remember... Hope is not a plan Work a shared...

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 body to move through the trauma and begin to heal Hope alone will not help you succeed at work and ...

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 for you Godspeed 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 signs Remember hope is NOT a plan, and there should be no egos nor silos in our planning processes. Godspeed y'...

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.