Communication

In this episode, Ricardo talks about "management by exception" in PRINCE2 methodology, which encourages communication and action only in exceptional cases, saving time on routine updates. As an example, meetings are only called when there is a significant delay, a cost overrun, or a risk that is about to happen. Teams can focus on project work when communication is streamlined.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about remote project management, drawing from years of experience. He stresses using online tools like Asana and Slack to stay organized and talk to people. Clear communication rules are fundamental and should include casual office hours for spontaneous discussions. Setting clear goals, roles, and standards helps team members be more independent.

In this episode, Ricardo talks about Google's latest AI endeavor, Gemini. It includes a native multimodal environment, allowing people to write, talk, or draw and get answers live. One of its demo videos was so impactful that it instantly got millions of views (https://youtu.be/UIZAiXYceBI?si=FDCCrScYXQQDr5wy).

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the recent upheaval at OpenAI, likening it to a dramatic chapter from HBO's succession. CEO Sam Altman was fired on a turbulent weekend, leading to speculation and confusion. Microsoft, unaware of the decision, expressed concern. Key researchers resign, and Altman is rumored to return. OpenAI appointed Emmett Shear as CEO, and Microsoft later announced Altman's joining.

In this episode, Ricardo highlights the danger of uninformed opinions, especially in the era of influencers. Ricardo emphasizes the need for a "place of speech" where individuals speak from a position of knowledge. Drawing from personal experiences in conflict zones, he urges caution in expressing opinions without a solid understanding of the subject.

In this episode, Ricardo emphasizes the modern cult of immediacy and the impact it has on professionals' patience and ability to concentrate. The younger generation seeks instant results in various aspects of life, including work and learning. This mindset is compared to "TikTok project managers," who expect quick outcomes and shallow understanding.

In this podcast episode, Ricardo shares a recent experience with Swiss Airways that highlights the mishandling of a crisis in the airline industry. Ricardo's flight from Lisbon to Punta Cana via Zurich was delayed progressively, ultimately leading to a seven-hour delay. When the flight was finally canceled due to technical issues, the airline did not assist in accommodation or support.

A new Podcast is on the air and this week Ricardo discusses how our work and personal relationships tend to feed back into our perspective and set of implications. In the last Newsletter he published, Ricardo spoke about an event that was introduced to me by a great friend, Burning Man. Ricardo went to Burning Man this month looking for something “out of the box”.

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the dilemma of maintaining trust while conveying truths that may not always be pleasant to hear. He emphasizes the critical role of honesty and transparency in project management, despite the challenges they might bring. Ricardo uses his experience and shares real-life instances where telling hard truths was vital for the ultimate success of a project.

In this episode, Ricardo explores the core principles of building stronger connections with our boss and how it is critically relevant if we want to deliver our project and get the work done. It covers how building trust, establishing connections, avoiding negative bias, and broadening our relationships can support a positive professional relationship with our supervisors. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

In this episode, Ricardo delves into the concept of mental liquidity and why it's crucial to think quickly and creatively in today's fast-paced environment. Mental liquidity is a mindset that combines flexibility, creativity, and resilience, allowing individuals to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.

In this week's podcast, Ricardo discusses some common mistakes that can be made when making decisions in various contexts, such as a project. Our decision may have positive and negative consequences depending on the circumstances because we may have to sacrifice to achieve our objectives. To avoid errors, we must first understand the relationship between the decision and its outcomes (a good result does not always mean a good decision).

This week, Ricardo discusses the importance of careful communication in the workplace and throughout projects. Each of us brings unique beliefs, skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. Noise and wear and tear are detrimental to the project and our work when communication is unclear or the means used to transmit information is inadequate. The data we thought to be useful ended up being harmful.

In this week's episode, Ricardo discusses the Gray Rhino concept described in Michele Wucker's book. Ricardo comments that this idea is the opposite of the Black Swan concept. Events and risks, according to the Black Swan concept, have a very low probability of happening but can have catastrophic consequences if they do occur.