Best Great Traits Project Podcasts (2025)

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Traits of a Great Manager 19:26

Play Pause

6d ago19:26

19:26

Managing a team isn’t just handing out tasks like Halloween candy and hoping no one chokes on a deadline. Nope — it’s about empowering humans to actually do their best work (and maybe not secretly Google “how to survive my manager” during meetings). In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson takes aim at the difference between good mana…

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Looking Back at Old Projects 26:28

13d ago26:28

26:28

Every project leaves a trail of lessons—what worked beautifully, what derailed progress, and what you swore you’d never repeat again. But here’s the big question: how often do we stop and actually look back at those lessons? In this episode, I am going to dive into the powerful practice of reflection—how project managers can mine the gold from past…

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The Power of Bad Decisions 19:39

20d ago19:39

19:39

In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson explores one of the most important—yet often overlooked—aspects of leadership: how managers respond to the decisions their teams make. Too often, leaders focus only on outcomes. But great leadership is about more than results—it’s about recognizing and celebrating the thinking, creativity, and …

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Light Up Your Team 25:37

27d ago25:37

25:37

If your team looks tired, unmotivated, or stuck, the problem might not be them—it might be YOU. This week on Ignoring the Rules podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) secrets to business success: empowering employees. ✅ When people are trusted, supported, and given freedom to act—they don’t just show…

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Saying The Wrong Words 19:52

1M ago19:52

19:52

Managers: Your Words Are Your Biggest Weapon—or Your Biggest Disaster One offhand remark. One careless sentence. That’s all it takes to crush morale, obliterate trust, and send your team’s efficiency straight into the gutter. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In the latest episode of Ignoring the Rules, I’m tackling the problem of “Saying the Wro…

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The Secret Weapon Managers Forget 24:54

1M ago24:54

24:54

One of the most underrated tools in a project manager’s arsenal: positive encouragement and reinforcement. On the surface, it sounds simple—even soft. But don’t be fooled. Done right, it’s a leadership superpower that can transform an average team into a high-performing powerhouse of productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Think about it: a te…

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Live With It 23:06

2M ago23:06

23:06

You’ve heard it. Maybe you’ve even said it. A team member comes to you with a legitimate problem—something blocking progress—and instead of rolling up your sleeves, you drop three of the laziest words in the management dictionary: “Live with it.” It’s more than dismissive—it’s leadership malpractice. What you’re really saying is, “Your problems don…

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Your Team Needs to Bother You 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

When Tom’s team staged a quiet intervention, he faced a choice: dig in and defend his management style, or listen and change. He chose the harder—but far more rewarding—path. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson takes you inside Tom’s transformation from a standoffish, hard-to-approach manager into a trusted, respected leader his …

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I Don't Need to be Trained 21:48

2M ago21:48

21:48

Let’s call it what it is: arrogance in a cheap suit. “I don’t need training.” “I’ve been doing this for years.” “What’s some course gonna teach me?” Sound familiar? It’s the anthem of the uncoachable—the too-proud, too-stuck, too-damaging team member or manager who treats learning like it’s beneath them. And guess what? That mindset isn’t just anno…

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I am not responsible 31:34

2M ago31:34

31:34

One of the most toxic, trust-destroying behaviors in business: the leader who refuses to take responsibility. You know the type. Something breaks? Not their fault. A deadline gets missed? Must’ve been the team. A decision tanks the project? “Well, I wasn’t looped in.” These managers don’t lead—they deflect. They point fingers so fast they could sta…

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Phrases A Leader Should Never Say 25:52

3M ago25:52

25:52

There are some phrases that hit harder than a slammed door—and not in a good way. “That’s above your pay grade.” “We’ve always done it this way.” “Just figure it out.” Heard them? Said them? Brace yourself, because this episode is about to blow up the toxic language that’s quietly wrecking your team. I am diving straight into the verbal landmines t…

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Remote Rockstars: Keeping Your Team Engaged and Essential 25:05

3M ago25:05

25:05

In this episode, I am zooming past the cubicle walls and diving headfirst into the wild world of remote work. Let’s be real—your team doesn’t have to share an office, a zip code, or even a time zone to be legendary. In fact, some of the most unstoppable teams out there are scattered across the globe—slaying deadlines, crushing KPIs, and building su…

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Crushing Projects With A Scattered Team 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

The old-school thinking says success only happens when everyone is crammed into the same office. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a shared workspace to build a high-performing team. In this episode, I am dismantling the myth that remote work leads to chaos and showing you how distance can actually be your greatest advantage. Your team might be …

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Out With The Old, In With The Bold 23:33

3M ago23:33

23:33

This episode is for every leader who’s sick of playing it safe, sick of checking boxes, and especially sick of hearing, “But that’s how we’ve always done it.” You want results? Good. Because I am about to torch the old playbook and light the path forward with something bold, something fearless, and something that actually gets sh*t done. I’ve been …

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How Great Managers Deliver 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

Workplace drama is like glitter. Once it shows up, it spreads everywhere and is almost impossible to get rid of. One miscommunication and suddenly your team’s group chat is hotter than a reality TV reunion. But the best managers? They know how to keep things cool, calm, and conflict-free—while still crushing deadlines and getting stellar results. I…

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From Frazzled to Fantastic 18:05

4M ago18:05

18:05

Today we’re diving headfirst into one of the messiest, most overhyped, and least understood topics in business: productivity without the soul-crushing stress. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to get more done without losing your mind, your weekend, or your hairline. We’ll explore strange-but-effective techniques, bizarre-but-brilliant too…

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Great Bosses Ignite the Team 28:54

4M ago28:54

28:54

In this episode, I am diving headfirst into what separates the great bosses from the career-destroyers. A truly great boss doesn’t just manage tasks—they ignite people. They break barriers, challenge norms, and create teams that run on inspiration and trust. These leaders turn workplaces into launchpads, where innovation explodes, deadlines evapora…

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How to Embrace the 'In-Between' Space After Shedding an Old Identity | Laura Gassner Otting 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

Have you ever felt like the very identity that defined you was becoming a straightjacket? That the career path, role, or persona you'd so carefully crafted suddenly felt constraining rather than purposeful? If so, you've likely experienced the disorienting - yet potentially catalyzing - transition I'm exploring with my guest today. I’m joined by La…

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Team Inclusion Transforms 32:45

4M ago32:45

32:45

So what do smart teams do? They collaborate. They crowdsource brilliance. Because when you invite the whole team into the conversation, magic happens—actual useful magic, not the corporate kind with too many slides and zero results. But here’s where things go off the rails... Some technical teams cling to rules like they’re life vests on a sinking …

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How to Prioritize Fun and Still Get Brilliant Work Done | Bree Groff 1:03:07

4M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Have you ever found yourself dreading Monday, counting down the hours until Friday? And wondering, when did work get so devoid of joy and fun? When did we start sacrificing playfulness and authentic connection at the altar of professionalism? And is that really giving anyone, including your employer, what they want and need? Today, we're cracking o…

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Small Team - Big Impact 16:26

4M ago16:26

16:26

In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, host Wayne Robertson takes on a common challenge in the business world—achieving big results with a small team. While traditional thinking suggests that large teams and abundant resources are the key to project success, Wayne is here to prove otherwise. He dives deep into the strategies that help lean teams ma…

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How to Cultivate Sustainable Ambition in Life and Work | Kathy Oneto 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

Have you ever felt like your ambition was unsustainable? That drive to achieve and succeed was slowly draining you, leaving you unfulfilled despite your accomplishments? What if there was a way to align your ambitions with your deepest motivations and capacity for a lifetime of thriving? Today, we're turning our attention to the concept of sustaina…

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Boosting Morale Is A Game Changer 35:21

5M ago35:21

35:21

Think throwing out a “good job” is enough to keep your team motivated? Think again. Praise is a weapon—it can fire up your team and push them to the next level, or it can land like a wet paper towel, useless and unimpressive. Screw it up, and you’ll come off as fake, out of touch, or just plain clueless. Welcome to Ignoring the Rules, the podcast w…

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How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out | Daisy Auger-Domínguez 38:35

5M ago38:35

38:35

Ever felt the crushing weight of burnout slowly snuffing out your spark? That bone-deep exhaustion that leaves you questioning if this is really the path for you? Imagine a world where you can thrive without feeling endlessly drained, where purpose and joy intertwine in beautiful harmony. Today, we're embarking on a profound exploration of burnout …

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Gratitude Is a Game Changer 28:26

5M ago28:26

28:26

Most managers focus on deadlines, productivity, and results—but they completely ignore one of the simplest, most powerful leadership tools out there: gratitude. Yeah, I said it. And no, this isn’t some fluffy, feel-good nonsense. Real gratitude fuels motivation, boosts morale, and drives serious results. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne…

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How to Playfully "Date" Potential Careers and Callings | Charlie Gilkey 33:37

5M ago33:37

33:37

Have you ever felt stuck pursuing a path that didn't truly resonate with you? A career, creative endeavor or major life change that you committed to fully, told the world it’s what you were doing, and who you were now…only to realize it wasn't what you really wanted? Today, we're going to explore a more forgiving approach - one that allows you to e…

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When Managers Push Employees to Leave 28:19

5M ago28:19

28:19

Let’s be real—when good employees keep quitting, it’s not just about the money, the workload, or the company. More often than not, it’s the management that’s driving them out the door. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson is breaking down The True Culprit: When Managers Push Employees to Leave. Losing top talent is expensive, frus…

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How to Optimize Your Brain and Transform the Way You Work | Dr. Mithu Storoni 1:02:19

5M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Are you tired of feeling drained and unfocused at work? Do you wish you could harness your brain’s full creative potential without sacrificing productivity? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Mithu Storoni, a neuroscience researcher and ophthalmic surgeon, reveals revolutionary insights from her book Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to …

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Servant Leadership 28:31

5M ago28:31

28:31

Most managers cling to the old-school idea that leadership means giving orders from a distance. But guess what? That’s exactly why so many teams fail. If you want a project team that actually delivers, you need to throw out the tired rulebook and embrace something real—servant leadership. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson is ta…

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How to Develop the 7 Traits of Emotional Fitness | Dr. Emily Anhalt 36:05

5M ago36:05

36:05

Ever felt like your emotions were running the show? One moment you're mindfully present, the next hijacked by anxiety over the future or paralyzed by regrets of the past. If this resonates, you're not alone. But what if there was a way to cultivate profound emotional fitness - the ability to embrace the full range of your feelings while navigating …

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Superpower 29:24

6M ago29:24

29:24

Too many managers nod along, pretend to listen, and then do absolutely nothing with their team’s feedback. That’s not leadership—that’s a fast track to failure. Real leaders don’t just hear feedback; they act on it, make bold changes, and build stronger, more connected teams because of it. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson is c…

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How to Stay Creatively Relevant in the Age of AI | Mitch Joel 31:41

6M ago31:41

31:41

My guest today is Mitch Joel, a marketing visionary who has been at the forefront of exploring how generative AI can enhance rather than replace human creativity. When brands like Google, Starbucks, and GE want to leverage technology to connect with consumers, they call Mitch. He's the Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, and his books like "Six Pixels of Se…

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Speaking In Short Sentences 26:52

6M ago26:52

26:52

Too many managers think more words mean more leadership—but all they’re really doing is confusing their teams and slowing everything down. In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson is taking a sledgehammer to long-winded, unclear communication and showing you how to replace it with direct, effective leadership. If your team is constant…

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From Chief Technology Officer to Solopreneur 34:33

6M ago34:33

34:33

Today’s Career Transformation Story features a trailblazer's journey from the apex of the corporate tech world to embracing the path of the solopreneur coach. It's a tale of reclaiming autonomy and giving voice to one's innermost callings. My guest today is Christian Röpke, who spent over a decade rising through AI leadership roles like Head of AI …

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The Power of Remote Work 29:54

6M ago29:54

29:54

In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson tackles the divisive topic of remote work, challenging the outdated belief that productivity only happens in an office. With remote work, long commutes and office politics are eliminated, leading to increased freedom, focus, and next-level productivity. However, it's not without its challenges—…

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The 2-year Experiment That’s Quietly Changing My Life | The 2×20 Project™ Update 1:47:19

6M ago1:47:19

1:47:19

Learn more about working with Jonathan to craft your 2×20 Project™. A few months ago, I introduced my personal 2×20 Project™ – taking two years to intentionally design my ideal life for the next twenty. If you missed that powerful first discussion, you’ll want to start there. Now, I’m back with an unfiltered update. What if you could take two years…

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Supercharging Your Projects 28:01

6M ago28:01

28:01

If you work on projects in your organization—whether you’re an executive, middle manager, or on the front lines—this episode is going to change how you think about getting things done. It is time to break down why the old project timelines and rigid requirements just don’t work anymore. We explored how businesses are accelerating technology impleme…

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How to Turn Life’s Big Decisions into Tiny Experiments | Anne-Laure 59:51

6M ago59:51

59:51

What if you could transform uncertainty from a source of anxiety into fuel for discovery? That’s the invitation former Google executive turned neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff extends in this illuminating conversation about living life as a series of tiny experiments. Drawing from her own journey – from prestigious tech career to startup founder …

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Examining the Rules 34:41

6M ago34:41

34:41

In today's fast-paced business world, sticking to outdated methods and rigid processes is no longer effective. Many traditional rules of project management have become obstacles to innovation, creativity, and success. It's time to challenge these norms and rethink how business projects are handled. We need to reevaluate every rule, determining whic…

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How to Transform Yourself From Job Seeker to Job Shopper | Madeline Mann 32:30

7M ago32:30

32:30

Have you ever felt like the traditional job search process just isn't working for you? That sending out resume after resume into a black hole, praying for any response, is a soul-crushing cycle of rejection and disappointment? If so, you’re not alone. What if there was a way to rethink the job hunt? That’s where we're heading in today’s Sparked Hot…

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Ignoring the Rules Podcast Introduction 5:02

7M ago5:02

5:02

This is a podcast dedicated to reshaping how business projects are done in today’s fast-paced world. In a landscape where outdated methods and rigid processes hinder innovation and creativity, Wayne Robertson challenges the status quo with fresh, actionable strategies for success. With nearly 40 years of experience across all types of companies, he…

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From Design Consultant to Culture Strategist 38:42

7M ago38:42

38:42

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we're diving deep into one woman's incredible career transition from elite design consultant to launching her own business helping impact-driven organizations tackle their biggest challenges. My guest today is Kat Thackray, founder of a cutting-edge consultancy, People Equals Purpose, focused on transforming …

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How to Craft Your “Life Strategy” | Seth Godin 1:03:07

7M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Turns out strategy isn’t just for business, it’s for life. And that’s what we’re diving into with an old friend today, Seth Godin. Seth is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher who has spent decades helping people find clarity and take purposeful action. In his latest book This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, Seth challenges us to abandon outdated s…

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How to Separate Passion from Pressure 38:40

7M ago38:40

38:40

Can social conditioning, past experiences, and external pressure affect the way we explore figuring out our Sparketype? Or, for that matter, any metric we might look to, as a way to help figure out what drives us? And how do we turn down the volume on social conditioning and perceived expectations, determine what our “truest truths” really are, and…

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From FinTech Exec to Sexologist & Author 32:45

8M ago32:45

32:45

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we meet Lea Holzfurtner, a clinical sexologist, author, and reality TV host based in Berlin. Lea spent seven years ascending the ranks in financial services and martech companies, earning an MBA along the way. Yet, a lifelong fascination with the intricacies of human sexuality refused to be ignored. Through y…

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How to Rediscover Purpose Beyond Ambition | Jenn Romolini 42:49

8M ago42:49

42:49

Ambition is such a loaded word. It’s often associated with a relentless drive to succeed, trampling over others as you scrap your way to the top, ignoring your wellbeing, relationships, and any sense of groundedness, meaning, peace or joy along the way. It’s what helps you achieve success, we’re told. But, what it that was not only wrong, but it al…

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How to Seek out Aligned & Anti-Burnout Roles 30:37

8M ago30:37

30:37

Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. Differentiate yourself as a certified professional with a powerful command of the Sparketype® body of knowledge, professional-level tools, processes, engagement formats, and strategies, while equipping yourself to guide individuals, groups and teams thro…

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From Engineer to Culture Consultant & Founder 30:20

8M ago30:20

30:20

In today’s Career Transformation Story, we uncover a profound journey of reclaiming one's creative spark and finding fulfillment through empowering others. It's a tale that takes us from the technical realms of aerospace engineering to the "social engineering" of company culture. My guest today is Adam Kolozetti, co-founder of Enta Solutions - a co…

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How to Have Powerful & Productive Virtual Conversations | Andrew Brodsky 41:23

8M ago41:23

41:23

Ever feel like the rise of virtual communication has turned your workdays into a jumble of endless emails, frantic messages, and back-to-back video calls? One minute you're on a Zoom wrangling meeting attendees, the next you're desperately trying to craft the perfect Slack message before your manager thinks you've gone AWOL? If so, you’re not alone…

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To Succeed at Anything, Do This 1:03:26

9M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Ever set an exciting goal that seemed life-changing, only to watch it fade away weeks later? In this episode, I share my proven ‘Success Scaffolding’ framework—a system I developed after diving deep into research on goal achievement and social psychology. This approach has helped me succeed in writing multiple books, launching companies, transformi…