Episodes
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In which DAS shares some personal experiences around losing your mojo and both Peter and DAS share some (possibly) new words with their listeners on descriptions of the human condition.
It is all about recognition of entering the state of languishment, finding an antidote to this state, and presenting ideas to re-connect and recover.
There is a disclaimer about DAS and Peter learns all about Ikigai.
Plus Squid of Despair is in the top 10 Squid related podcasts! -
Shockingly there are 3 people in this podcast – DAS and Peter welcome their first ever guest, Donna Cooper – Services Leader and Untra-Marathon runner.
DAS kicks it all off by introducing a brand-new word (to Peter anyway) – Sisu: A Finnish word variously translated as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness – and this is the Squid of the Day.
In the light of this Donna talks about her running experiences and challenges considering the value of a clear goal, flexibility of plans, and choice, and how this can play out in the business world.
Peter reflected on a quote by Tim Noakes, a 70 times marathon/ultra-marathon runner ‘Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic’.
Which seems to sum up a lot of the conversation and shared thoughts.
And it all concludes with Peter asking Donna how many trainers/running shoes she burns through each year.
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Missing episodes?
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In which David (aka DAS) and Peter (aka The Lazy Project Manager and now also aka Pedro) explore the value and purpose of evolving a personal brand
Along with stories of branding successes the dynamic duo (think the Ant and Dec of the business world) consider how anyone can invest in their own brand and what this can offer to them in their business and personal life
So, Squid of Despair Episode 21 - a new and improved podcast? Up to you to decide
Spoiler alert - episode concludes with Peter receiving quite a shock from DAS (listeners of a nervous disposition please be warned) -
Where DAS assumes complete control of the podcast topics for 2024 (not precisely a coup but Peter is assuming a subservient role...)
Exploring Balance in Leadership
DAS and Peter reflect on the 'old school' style of command and direct leadership and the more relevant and appropriate blended leadership model that is both expected and needed in the modern business world.
Peter, despite his 'underling' position does lead the conversation in the somewhat random direction of tightrope walking records that DAS consider interesting but not specifically relevant to the podcast topic.
Happy New Year - they are back! -
This week, we're tackling a topic that's increasingly relevant in today's world Peter feels: The danger of uninformed opinions.
Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance – Plato.
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes – Voltaire.
But that is only Plato’s and Voltaire’s opinion of course, the question is whether they were both either informed or uniformed?
It is about the importance of speaking from real knowledge, especially in a world where opinions can be hugely and rapidly amplified through various platforms - #socialmedia
DAS and Peter explore this topic that is (it becomes apparent after the recording) very similar to the infamous lost squid episode (how did that happen…).
As usual DAS tries to put together a list and Peter goes off-piste talking about airline travel in the 1970s. -
Incorporating the now famous 'lost episode of Squid' when a technical issue caused a significant loss to DAS and Peter but the subject of this episode is resilience and they are committed to therefore being 'resilient' about it all.
Dealing with absurd questions and lost audio. 0:08
Resilient - (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
The dynamic duo explore whether you are, or aren't resilient, and why - and consider ways to become more resilient in the future, as well as ways to stave off the cause of stress that may test any resilience that you have.
And DAS, reluctantly. talks about cupboards.
Summary
Host David Smith and co-host Peter Taylor discuss a missing episode of their podcast, "Squid of Despair," and the potential causes of its disappearance. DAS shares a funny story about a car accident that resulted in a bad joke, leading to a discussion on dealing with illogical questions and advice.Peter reflects on the episode's content, concluding with a rewrite of the original question and paying tribute to the lost squid.Resilience and coping strategies for dealing with stress. 3:22
Resilience requires coping skills, says Peter, a resilient individual. Peter discusses the importance of resilience in dealing with challenges at work, suggesting that it can act as a catalyst for personal growth.DAS agrees that resilience is hard to define but believes it can be a catalyst for growth when approached with a positive mindset.DAS describes different stages of chronic stress, including feeling under stress but coping, becoming frazzled, and reaching a breaking point with an outburst.Peter relates to this experience, acknowledging they are resilient but can relate to the stages of chronic stress.Resilience and stress management in project management. 9:15
Peter describes their experience with stress and burnout while managing a massive project, recognizing the need for change to avoid harming themselves.Peter wrote a book, "The Lazy Project Manager," based on their lessons learned to help others avoid similar experiences.Stress management and mindfulness. 11:23
Peter describes feeling centered and balanced most of the time, with a sense of calm and positive mood.DAS notes that stress can be addictive, with people often seeking stimulation and distractions rather than contentment.Mindfulness is key to balance in life, according to Peter and DAS.Peter mentions that mindless behavior, such as excessive drinking or seeking distraction, can be a sign of stress and overwhelm.DAS agrees and adds that recognizing these behaviors in oneself and others can help identify potential problems before they become more serious.Managing stress and finding balance in work and life. 18:05
Peter discusses the power of the mind in managing stress and achieving positive outcomes, citing the placebo effect as an example.Peter suggests that maintaining a positive mindset can help deal with challenges and stress, even if they are difficult or overwhelming.Peter and DAS discuss common triggers for work-related stress, including micromanaging and catastrophizing.They also explore how hobbies can provide insight into how to approa -
An episode spoken with a soft voice but with a strong message in which DAS argues that the quietest voice in the room can, in fact, be the loudest (which initially confuses Peter a lot)
Can a quiet voice be a powerful voice?
Can you mistake such quiet for weakness or mistake seniority?
Is it possible to balance the loud and the quiet?
Many questions are raised and, hopefully, addressed in this intriguing episode -
Perhaps the #1 topic out there at the moment - the rapid (or so it seems) rise of artificial intelligence with technology like ChatGPT and Synthesia and MS Co-Pilot and Bing (and more) had to be discussed by the hosts eventually, and here it is.
Joining DAS and Peter is a non-person who still contributes to this episode with some thoughts of value (and humour).
Important questions such as do fish really have fingers and will AI replace the water cooler chats in the future will be addressed, as will the the aspects of the ethical use of AI, the human/digital partnership and impact on business and society.
Plus, at no point is The Terminator directly mentioned (or HAL). -
In this episode DAS has a proposition: He would like to suggest that we experience time as a variable, not a constant.
Interesting start, he continues:
That you think our experience of time changes depending on the context, when we're happy time flies, when we're not enjoying ourselves, time seems to drag. And there's lots of phrases about this, you talk about people describing themselves as being slaves to time where you're trapped by the amount of time you've got available to do the things you want to do, which often you don't want to do. But I'm going to suggest in this podcast that I think we can make time elastic, we can manipulate it, so it appears to slow down or speed up according to our requirements, so we can be the master of time rather than the slave of time.
And so, the two intrepid podcasters become Time Lords (cue Dr Who music).
Peter also discovers a character called ‘Julian of Norwich’, who turns out to be a lady who famously said ““And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.” Which DAS thinks is insightful, and Peter finds slightly repetitive (but in an inspiring way).
Peter prefers the insight of Pink Floyd:
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the timePlans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled linesHanging on in quiet desperation is the English wayThe time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say -
Peter gets sneaky and challenges DAS to talk about a subject that DAS promised to write about in Peter’s new book (2,500 words due by mid-June)
Change Adoption is not Change Management – but the two go hand in hand – DAS and Peter explore the differences and ponder the art of making ‘adoption’ a reality in business transformation
DAS suggests that without Adoption 'it' (insert Change of your choice) is all a waste of time really - and he further proposes Adoption is the most ignored part of Change
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Is hope just a vague, passive, woolly idea or is it something much more?
DAS takes Peter on a journey re-evaluating the idea of hope as a strong and positive thing that can be very personal but sometime become a collective showing at difficult times
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” ― Martin Luther King Jr. -
Peter reminisces about featuring in Glamour Magazine (with Brad Pitt) and DAS considers taking out a subscription
On a more serious note the podcasting duo worry that they shouldn't even be speaking or sharing their thoughts due to that little beast of the imposter syndrome
Looking at the five syndrome types:
1. The perfectionist
2. The natural genius
3. The rugged individualist
4. The expert
5. The superhero
Peter and DAS explore some techniques that might help overcome the impact of imposter syndrome -
DAS and Peter have been thinking, and discussing, everything 'global' - especially relating to business, but also the scientific world, which seems to have got the 'global' thing generally sorted
Peter peaks early with an internet statement and boasting about speaking at CERN
DAS keeps the conversation on track (mostly) exploring thoughts of culture and respect in a global community before heading of to Sweden and reminiscing about automatic doors
They are both still seeking a publisher who would like to publish 'The Squid of Despair' book -
A light hearted (and short) look at back a the first year of the Squid
Introductions - Compliments - Insults - and Banter -
A festive edition of this beloved (by at least three people) podcast
Exploring competition - at a business level - at team level - and at a personal level
Understanding why Peter needs a photo of DAS and why DAS should never be put in charge of an Awards ceremony
Includes the Bonus of the annual 'SODA's' - Squid of Despair Awards
Happy Holidays! -
Optimism is an attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavour, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. A common idiom used to illustrate optimism versus pessimism is a glass filled with water to the halfway point: an optimist is said to see the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees the glass as half empty.
Can you be overly optimistic?Can you be overly pessimistic? Or even realistic?
And how do these two worlds balance each other?
DAS gets back to insulting Peter (encouraged by a listener he alleges) and Peter goes down the path of Nuns and happiness (and he has no-one but himself to blame for this) -
We heard from our listener Mike B – thank you for your kind comments
We kicked off with a Terry Pratchett quote 'I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it'Then moved on to three key questions:
1) should we get in the box right first 2) best way to think outside the box and 3) how far away from the box should we go?
Questioning the status quo is a good thing.
If everyone just accepted things the way they are, then there would never be any innovation or improvement in the world. If Thomas Edison had shrugged and figured things were good enough the way they were with gas lamps, light bulbs and the electricity to power them might never have been developed. If he hadn't thought outside the box, the world could be a very dim (literally) place.
If you view things as unchangeable, then nothing will ever change for the better. By thinking outside the box and questioning the status quo, you'll constantly be considering how you could improve an experience, product or service.
This allows you to keep growing -- and can lead to intelligent and forward-thinking decisions in business. Apple for example with iPods and iPhones
Try the 1954 9 dots puzzle – outside box thinking practical exercise
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About 2,500 years ago, Chinese military strategist, Sun Tzu, wrote “The Art of War.” In it, he said: “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Tactics and strategy should always complement each other, and are two sides of the same coin.
Saying yes to the right things and no to the wrong things in order to meet strategic intention
Reminiscing the time of the Balanced Scorecard and Strategy Mapping - The four perspectives of a traditional balanced scorecard are Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Learning and Growth.
And your podcast hosts celebrate over 2,000 downloads - another milestone with the Squid of Despair -
There is no Squid in the Room – all such ‘squids’ have been addressed head on and dealt with like the mature professionals that we are, but you can learn the best place to find squid on Paxos.
This episode is all about teams:
A team is a group of individuals (human or non-human) working together to achieve their goal.
As defined by Professor Leigh Thompson of the Kellogg School of Management, “a team is a group of people who are interdependent with respect to information, resources, knowledge and skills and who seek to combine their efforts to achieve a common goal".
There are, perhaps, two perspectives when it comes to teams:
· Together Everyone Achieves More
· Together Everyone Annoys Me
DAS shares his ‘secret sauce’ from years building great teams, and Peter tries to work out which ones he was actually part of, whilst also sharing his thoughts on a new ‘phase’ in the classic Tuckman model of team development – that of ‘disrupting’.
And finally there’s an African proverb that says “To go fast, go alone, but to go far, bring a team” which both Peter and DAS thing is a great way to end.
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Exploring the complex world of fun and what makes people laugh
Its appropriate, and inappropriate, use in the workplace
And how it can be incredibly bonding in many situations but how it can be used in a negative and 'bullying' manner in others
Peter and DAS share some of their 'fun' stories from the past and Peter declares himself as DAS's 'spirit animal', which doesn't make DAS laugh at all - Show more
