The Cranky Middle Manager Show

Today we are joined once again by Deasun Oconchuir to discuss Project Management, in particular how it’s changed over the years,and whether you need to get PMI Certification or not. He literally wrote the book on the subject.

Today we talk tech trends with HP Fellow Charlie Bess, who’s been with us before, and Phil Simon. Phil is the author of The New Small and talks about what small businesses know that managers even in big

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Kathryn Ullrich about her book “Getting to the Top- Strategies for Career Success”. She’s a very smart person and heads up alumni career services at UCLA so she works with people way smarter

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Dr. George Lucas about the role of negotiation in being a manager. Oh sure, you might not be a sales weasel, but if you need resources from another department, that’s a negotation. We

Today we celebrate our 250th show by doing what we always do….bring you great guests with lots to say. Today Wayne talks to Stever Robbins, the “Get-It-Done Guy” who will talk productivity for individuals and teams. We also look at the origin of the term Eminence Grise, which anyone in a corporation should know, and [...]

Today Wayne Turmel returns from vacation to  talk to Tommy Spaulding about creating lasting, positive relationships. Tommy’s name first came up when we were talking to Steve Farber and he plays a prominent role in Steve’s book, Greater Than Yourself. Tommy’s book, “It’s Not Just Who You Know- Transform your life and your organization by [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to JR (Bob to the initiated) Parkinson about his book “Becoming a Successful Manager”. We also discuss the uncredited inventor of the English dictionary, my new Connected Manager column on BNET and a quote from Mark Twain. Eclectic and erudite just like the fine folks who listen to this show…. 2 new [...]

Employee engagement expert David Zinger joins Wayne Turmel for his second Cranky visit. We talk employee engagement, a new ebook and honeybees making art. Seriously. Also we look at Murrow’s Boys and Sam Goldwyn’s malaprops. That’s not as dirty as it sounds. David Zinger joins us to talk about employee engagement, the EE network and making [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Chuck Martin, co-author of Work Your Stengths, a Scientific Process to Identify Your Skills and Match Them to the Best Career For You. Where is the line between ambition and futility? We also examine a crusading failure and learn for the Tao te Ching. Internation, eclectic… yup those are our [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Guy Harris about moving from “Bud to Boss”. How do you make the transition from working with peers to being the manager? Also we look at a Greek god who blew a cool gig and more from Emerson. Guy Harris talks to us about moving from peer to leader. If you’re [...]

Today Wayne Turmel looks at if the way we’re being asked to work and manage is sustainable over the long haul. We’ll talk to Tony Schwartz, author of “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working”. We’ll also look at Moses’ consulting skills and Kurt Vonnegut’s approach to exhaustion. Tony Schwartz is today’s guest. You can also read [...]

Today Wayne Turmel enters the murky waters of gender and management styles with Sally Helgesen, author of The Female Vision- Women’s Real Power at Work. We also talk about Shakesperean heroines and French debaters and I try to keep my cockatiel Byron quiet long enough to get this show recorded. Sally Helgesen, author of The Female [...]

Wayne Turmel talks to Zack Grossbart, author of The One Minute Commute about how he manages remote teams of engineers and software programmers. We also discuss freebooters and long distance love affairs. Plus you meet my noisy roommate, Byron de Prorok. Zack Grossbart in what passes for the home office for many workers. You can read [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Robert (Bob) Morison about his new book, “Analytics at Work- Smarter Decisions, Better Results”. We also talk about the father of demographic studies, who should have seen his own fate coming, and a quote from Arthur Conan Doyle that helps explain why we are each a mystery but collectively we’re [...]

Today, Wayne Turmel geeks out on space and leadership with Charles Pellerin, author of “How NASA Builds Teams- Mission Critical Soft Skills for Scientists, Engineers and Project Teams”. He was the guy in charge of the Hubble Telescope project which was the lowest of lows and highest of highs so he feels your pain. Also [...]

Today we look at the role our family dynamics play in how we work with others. Sylvia Lafair is the author of “Don’t Bring it to Work- Breaking the Family Patterns That Limit Success”. We also look at Peter the Great (unless you’re related to him) and a quote from Helen Keller. Sylvia Lafair will tell [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to motivation and career guru Harvey Mackay about his new book, “Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door-Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You”. We go old school today to give you some good advice. Also we look at a Renaissance Mercenary who made a career [...]

Today Wayne Turmel takes a break from abusing HR and Sales and takes on the scariest department of all- IT. Susan Cramm from Valuedance is the author of 8 Things We Hate ABout IT- How to Move Beyond the Frustrations To Form a New Partnership With IT. We also look at the most Evil IT [...]

Seems like no matter how well we plan them, projects get away from us. Wayne Turmel talks to Ron Holohan of PM411 about the three reasons projects slip. Also we look at the project manager of the Tower of Babel, a quote from a cranky Frenchman and we look at a new Cranky Middle Manager [...]

Today we look at something that makes everyone cranky- the annual performance review. What do they really accomplish? If you ask Sam Culbert, author of “Get Rid of the Performance Review: How companies can stop intimidating, start managing and focus on what really matters”, the answer is not a whole lot. Also we look at [...]

Wayne Turmel knows a thing or two about failure, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. So why is Erik Van Slyke telling managers to embrace it? Because that’s where innovation and invention come from. We don’t have to like it but we do have to get used to it, it would seem. Also the [...]

Today Wayne Turmel looks at the consulting industry: who are they, where’d they come from and why do they torture us? Author Walter Kiechel III, author of “The Lords of Strategy- A Secret Intellectual History of The New Corporate World” joins us. We also talk Ottoman outsourcing and the triumphant return of Francis Bacon. Walter Kiechel [...]

Wayne Turmel talks to Adam Alexander of Masteryworks about developing your resilience to deal with the weasels. Also Greek drama and Chinese quotations- a truly cosmopolitan show this week

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Michael Bungay Stanier about his book “Do More Great Work” which is not about doing more work so relax. We also talk about poets, writing emails with goose feathers and Aristotle drags his dusty carcass back to harass us. Michael Bungay Stanier stops by to talk about doing More Great [...]

Today Wayne Turmel visits Mike Greer, The Project Management Minimalist to uncover how much project management is just enough? Do we need big certifications? When does it help and when is it overkill? Also we look at a Chinese emperor and a Russian composer, all in the name of keeping our sanity and keeping the [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Joe Calloway and Kris Young about their book “Never by Chance- Aligning People and Strategy Through Intentional Leadership” and especially how meetings can align or detract from the task at hand. We also discuss a Roman Emperor with a tough facilitation gig and the usual silliness. Don’t forget our “How to [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Marshall Goldsmith about his book “MOJO: How to Get It, How to Keep It,How to Get It Back If You Lose It” We also look at Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and Henry David Thoreau. This is Marshall’s fourth visit with us, and the man keeps coming [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Ken Eisold about his book,  “What You Don’t Know You Know-Our Hidden Motives in Life, Business and Everything Else”. We also look at the Roman poet Horace and complain about pretty much everything. Another typical Cranky Middle Manager Show. Dr. Ken Eisold takes us on another brain-geek adventure into why people [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Penny Tomkins and James Lawley about using “Clean Language”. Do people understand what you’re talking about? Can you really understand them when they tell you something? The psychology of metaphors is today’s topic. Also we look at a Russian general and I get to show off that I’ve read War [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to the Generations Relations expert, Lisa Orrell about the Millennials- not the usual stuff about how hard they are to work with and they won’t pull their noses out of Facebook long enough to do real work. No, we’re talking about turning them into the leaders and managers of tomorrow. Be [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to David Noer, author of “Healing the Wounds-Overcoming the Trauma of Layoffs and Revitalizing Downsized Organizations”. We also talk about the guy who had to handle a reduction in force during the Crusades and  a quote from Rudyard Kipling.  Join us…. it ain’t boring. David Noer, author of “Healing the Wounds” Get a [...]

Wayne Turmel talks to Dr Timothy Clark about his book, The Leadership Test- do you have what it takes to be a leader? How do you know? We also discuss Spartacus, Chaucer and Virtual Teams. Let Google make sense of that sentence, I dare’em. Dr Timothy Clark asks you to take The Leadership Test. Preferably [...]

Today Wayne Turmel welcomes someone he’s worked with in the past, Nannette Rundle Carroll, whose book The Communication Problem Solver looks at the messy business of management communication.We also look at a guy who looked at the pieces of rhetoric and a quote from the inventor of Soda Water. The word you’re looking for is [...]

Today Wayne Turmel becomes less cranky talking about what managers can learn for their personal lives and careers from Peter Drucker’s body of work. We talk to Bruce Rosenstein, author of Living in More Than One World, How Peter Drucker’s Wisdom Can Inspire and Transform Your Life. Bruce Rosestein                                                                                                                                                   Peter Drucker Show Notes 0:00  Welcome [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Rich Maltzman and David Shirley of the EarthPM blog about green project management. What is it, why do we care and how do we do it?  We also look at Noah’s project management prowess, a quote from an idealist and we shamelessly plug our “How to Create and Manage Remote [...]

Today Wayne Turmel has one of the most important interviews in the show’s history: Do Senior Leaders in companies really understand how much has changed for managers? Do they understand remote working and technology? Our guest and fellow Management Issues contributor John Blackwell talks heresy as well as some amazing new research to back it [...]

Wayne Turmel talks to his buddy, The Management Expert, Phil Gerbyshak about the ugliest job a manager has: firing people. How to do it, how not to do it, how they did it back in the day (sending people on Crusade) and a quote to get you thinking. All in a day’s weasel whacking. The ever-perky [...]

Today Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel meets one of his idols, Fortune Columnist Stanley Bing. We plug his new book, “How to Relax Without Getting the Axe”. We also salute Roman slaves the SEC should hire and get inspiration from Lord Byron. Today we talk to the Mysterious Mr Stanley Bing If you like to laugh at [...]

Wayne Turmel welcomes Judith Glaser back to the fold. She’s all about creating WE, a sense of togetherness and team. Also we talk about her new book, Moses, Shakespeare and all kinds of management foolishness. Plus there’s a new Greatwebmeetings site with classes you can sign up for starting the first of the year. Judith [...]

Today Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel talks to Penny Power, co-founder of Ecademy and an expert in the world of social media and online networking. Why do managers who aren’t looking for jobs need to expand their network?? Also we look at Abraham’s go-to guy and quote Augustine of Hippo. This show just smacks of [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Christopher Edgar, author of “Inner Productivity: A Mindful Approach to Efficiency and Enjoyment in Your Work”. I also try to spit out a couple of words of Mandarin, we salute a prolific writer who couldn’t pass a simple test, and quote Robert Browning. Not a bad day’s work. Chris Edgar looking mindful. Show [...]

Today the Cranky Middle Manager talks to the Lazy Project Manager and between them actually get something done! Peter Taylor joins us  to talk project management efficiency, we look at a Roman Caesar who talked a good game and a Greek engineer. Such a classy show……. Peter Taylor, the Lazy Project Manager. This was the first picture [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to author John Spence about his book “Awesomely Simple- Essential Business Strategies for tiurning Ideas Into Action”. We also look at austrian philosophers and cavalry generals with a fear of horses. All just another day at the virtual office….. John Spence joins us to talk about his new book, how to tell [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Mark Wiskup about his new book-“Don’t Be That Boss-  How Great Communicators Get the Most Out of Their Employees and Their Careers”. We also look at someone who shouldn’t have been THAT king, and quote Turks about listening skills. Not just another training workshop today boys and girls….. The incredibly energetic [...]

Today we talk to Gary Cohen about his book “Just Ask Leadership- Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions”. Well we have some questions for HIM. Also, we look at Sir Percival who didn’t ask enough questions, Voltaire (who asked a lot of them, usually in annoying fashion) and a webinar workshop for sales [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Rick Smith, Author of The Leap- How 3 Simple Changes Can Propel Your Career From Good to Great”. We also shamelessly plug some upcoming webinars, salute King David’s career plan and take a new assessment tool. Just another typical Cranky Middle Manager Show. Rick Smith, author of The Leap joins us. Don’t [...]

Today Wayne Turmel gets a return visit from Dr Marc Goulston about the importance of listening skills and how to develop them. Also, a shameless plug for a webinar workshop and a quote from Igor Stravinski. Why do Americans always giggle when they hear the name Igor? Marc Goulston makes a return visit to the show Don’t [...]

Today we talk about Managing Projects across the miles with author and expert Deasun O Conchuir. Continuing the Gaelic state of mind we salute the beleaguered project manager of Hadrian’s Wall and you can avoid some of those problems by taking our How to Create and Manage Remote Teams webinar workshop. Deasun O Conchuir talks to [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks about the most common mistakes managers make, mostly because they’re company policy, and why they often backfire. We talk to Aubrey C Daniels. We also look at  where the center of the universe is (it’s not Sales) and lucid words from a crazy person. Just another typical day in Crankyland. Today’s guest, [...]

Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel talks to Rob Goffee about his book Clever- Leading Your Smartest, Most Creative People. Of course, I’m supremely unqualified to do so, but we have fun anyway. Also, how the Trojan War makes the same point, and watch for a new “How to Create and Manage Remote Teams” webinar workshop [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks about something that makes him cranky- reward and recognition. Author Chester Elton joins him to talk about his book, “The Carrot Principle”. We also discuss the worst Reward and Recognition program in history and “How to Create and Manage Virtual Teams” is now available to deliver to your whole company. Chester Elton [...]

Wayne Turmel, “The Cranky Middle Manager”, welcomes Arlene Johnson to talk about Success Mapping.  What do you want out of your career? Do you even know? It’s critical to your company and your personal mental health. Also, Wayne goes on a rant about why snobs look down at Middle Managers and we quote Thomas Jefferson, [...]

One of my favorite people in the management space is Lisa Haneberg. She’s been a guest on the show numerous times and i often link to her work. Well a couple of things happened recently you might want to check out. The first is that her blog, ManagementCraft has been around now for 5 years- nine [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks to Anil Saxena of Cube 214 about building trust with virtual teams, and how to work cross-culturally without starting a war. Speaking of which, we salute  the guy from Glory and take 2100 year old motherly advice. Quit pouting and listen up. SHOW NOTES o:oo Welcome to the Oasis that is The Cranky [...]

Wayne Turmel talks leading change from within with Alexander Grashow, author of The Practice of Adaptive Leadership. We also look at what the Chicago Blackhawks can teach middle managers about taking care of the little things or your mulleted head will roll. Alexander Grashow, co-author of The Practice of Adaptive Leadership Show Notes 0:00 Welcome to show 201. [...]

Today Wayne Turmel celebrates 200 interviews with people way smarter than him. Today it’s Rajesh Setty, author of the perpetually positive “Upbeat”. We also quote an operetta and ask my 16 year old about her manager. My friend and mentor, the always upbeat Rajesh Setty Show Notes 0:00 Welcome to the 200th episode of the Cranky Middle Manager [...]

Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel looks at how managers need to examine their attitudes in these weird times. We talk to Mike Cook about how to thrive or at least survive. We also look at management as first aid and a poet gives us trite advice that holds up. Sounds like another typical show doesn’t [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks with Management Craft’s Lisa Haneberg about her new book, Hip and Sage. We also give a little love to Ning and King George the III. Let’s see how many Google/Bing searches have those two words in the same sentence. Always breaking new ground here….. Lisa Haneberg retruns for yet more good [...]

Today the Cranky Middle Manager, Wayne Turmel, welcomes colleague Dan Bobinski back to the show. We’ll talk about passion driven teams, motivation and the war of 1812. Just another day here on the show…. Dan Bobinski makes another visit to the show. Read his column on Management Issues if you haven’t yet. Show Notes 0:00 Welcome to the [...]

Today, Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel talks to Morten Hansen about his book Collaboration- when should we collaborate, how do we collaborate and when should we not bother? Also we look at the Underground Railroad as a model to aspire to and there’s still time to sign up for our webinar course. Morten Hansen looking like [...]

This week, Wayne Turmel indulges his rock and roll geek side with Jeff Carlisi, founding member of the band 38 Special and author of a new book on teamwork, Jam- Amp Your Team and Rock your Business. Would you rather have another MBA author from Harvard press? Didn’t think so. Oh and Renaissance knowledge capture [...]

Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel welcomes Bob Rosen back to discuss how middle managers can be catalysts for long-lasting growth in their companies.  Also, torturing your children and not torturing your remote team mates… just another day here in Cranky land. Bob Rosen comes back for more. Nice to have’im Don’t forget our “How to Create and [...]

Today Wayne Turmel looks at something that makes managers cranky, taking over a new team. Jason Jennings is the author of Hit the Ground Running among other books and has some words of advice. Probably don’t want to follow the advice of the Ottoman Emperors though…. bad succession planning there. Jason Jennings talks about hitting the [...]

Wayne Turmel talks to Charles Jacobs about why the way most of us manage goes against the way our brain really works. In Management Rewired we learn that feedback doesn’t work and we’re better off not getting raises. Oh and we look at a Roman emperor who understood empowerment even as he downsized the Senate. Is [...]

Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel talks to author Karl Albrecht about social and practical intelligence can make or break your career.  Also, we take a look at Demosthenes and how you can look smarter without actually getting smarter. A very relaxed Karl Albrecht Don’t forget our webinar workshop: “How to Create and Manage Remote Teams” . Register [...]

The Cranky Middle Manager, Wayne Turmel, talks to returning guest Erika Andersen about her new book, Being Strategic, the difference between strategy and tactics, and how a Welsh king figured this out a long time ago. Also, if you manage remote teams you will not want to miss our next webinar! Don’t forget to join us [...]

Today Wayne Turmel and Kevin Eikenberry talk about why perfectly good leadership training often doesn’t work… and how managers can help make it stick. We also look at Babylonian documentation, a new Cranky Middle Manager Webinar and a free offer for listeners. Kevin Eikenberry. You can get a month of his teleseminars FREE by using this [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks about how telecommuting and telework has changed the role of the middle manager with Kate Lister, co-author of Undress for Success- The Naked Truth About Making Money At Home. Oh and Marcel Proust and Ethiopian Falashas get a mention too. The usual eclectic mess that is this podcast. Author Kate Lister emerges [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talks mentoring, growing employees and helping your team become “Greater Than Yourself” with author Steve Farber. Also we talk about the world’s greatest mentoring streak, and a bad writer gives good advice. The one and only Steve Farber makes his return visit to the show. Don’t forget to visit www.crankymiddlemanager.com and sign up for [...]

Cranky Middle Manager Wayne Turmel talks to Bruce Tulgan, author of Not Everyone Gets a Trophy- How to Manage Generation Y. Also, dealing with a smartass kid as king and things ain’t that different than they ever were if the quote of the week is to be believed….and I do believe it. Bruce Tulgan, looking like [...]

Today Wayne Turmel talk about building trust in remote teams with John Blackwell. Plus we learn it takes a lot of trust to swap camels for horses and there’s still time to take part in our webinar workshop. John Blackwell, international man of mystery Don’t forget our webinar workshop: “How to Create and Manage Remote Teams” For [...]