The Journey from Project Manager to Chief of Staff with Darby Strong

I sat down with longtime friend and fellow PMI volunteer Mattias Georgson Petrén to get schooled on Half Double, the Danish hybrid framework that has been around for over ten years but I only just learned about. Mattias walks through where it came from (a frustrated group of practitioners, industrial funding, and research backing from Aarhus University), what it promises — half the time double the impact — and how it blends Agile cadence with the discipline of traditional, stage-based product management. We get into co-location, the 50% staffing rule, and why he treats Half Double as a lens layered on top of existing frameworks rather than a replacement for any of them. We close out with a conversation about where project managers fit into an AI-driven future that left me probably less worried than I've been about this in months. Key Themes - How Dave and Mattias met at a PMI chapter event in Malta back in 2008, and how that network led to real client work together - Mattias's path from engineering physics PhD to "accidental" project manager - The early days of Agile inside PMI circles, and the influence of conferences like Øredev - What Half Double actually is: a hybrid method built on impact, flow, and leadership - The origin story — Danish practitioners, an industrial fund, and Aarhus University research - Why Half Double performs best on complex projects, not predictable, fully-plannable ones - Co-location, the 50% staffing rule, and designing cadence into distributed teams - Why Mattias treats Half Double as a set of lenses layered on top of an existing framework (PMI, PRINCE2, Scrum) rather than a replacement for one - The "chasing tasks vs. chasing impact" trap that both traditional and Agile PMs fall into - Where project managers fit in an AI-driven future — and why Mattias isn't worried Chapters 00:00 The Value of Networking in Project Management 02:47 Mattias Petrén's Journey into Project Management 05:11 The Evolution of Agile in Project Management 07:47 Introduction to Half Double Methodology 10:47 Understanding the Half Double Framework 13:15 Hybrid Approaches in Project Management 16:03 Leadership and Co-location in Half Double 18:47 Embracing Chaos in Project Management 19:51 The Role of Project Owners 21:41 Understanding Project Impact and Stakeholder Management 23:44 Integrating Agile with Traditional Project Management 26:01 The Half Double Methodology Explained 29:23 The Future of Project Management in an AI-Driven World Links from the Podcast Half Double Institute - https://halfdoubleinstitute.org PMI Agile 2026 https://agilealliance.org/pmi-agile-2026/ Dave and John Tanner’s session at Agile 2026 - "When AI Starts Doing Your Job: Surviving the PM Identity Crisis" https://tinyurl.com/23jc8uhs Contact Mattias LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiasgeorgsonpetren/ Email - [email protected]

In this episode, Dave Prior chats with Alex Sloley, an agile coach and Scrum Alliance Board candidate, about the evolving landscape of Agile, Scrum, and the impact of AI on teamwork and project management. They explore how community involvement, technological innovation, and leadership can shape the future of Agile practices. Key Topics • The significance of community engagement and serving through roles like the Scrum Alliance board • The accelerating pace of iteration in Agile driven by AI and technological advancements • How AI is transforming Scrum practices, from sprint durations to team collaboration • The importance of adopting AI-guided discipline without losing human judgment • The evolving skills required for future developers and project managers • Vision for Scrum’s evolution to keep pace with rapid technological change • The role of the Scrum Alliance in fostering innovation and listening to its members • Strategies for balancing Agile principles with modern remote, digital work environments • The necessity of healthy conflict within governance and leadership to drive progress • The importance of positivity and realism in navigating industry change Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Alex Sloley and his background in Agile and Scrum 01:00 - The importance of community service and board participation in the Agile world 02:00 - Personal motivations for running for the Scrum Alliance Board 04:40 - Current state of the Agile community amid industry transformations 05:50 - Embracing change and the role of AI in agility and operations 09:55 - Integrating AI into Agile processes for discipline and efficiency 12:52 - AI as pair programmer and thinking partner for developers 17:40 - Rethinking Scrum practices in an AI-driven environment 20:26 - The potential for AI agents as part of Scrum teams and digital team members 24:56 - Revitalizing the Scrum Alliance: Listening to members and fostering innovation 28:08 - What members should expect from a visionary Scrum Alliance Board 32:25 - How to connect with Alex for insights into AI and Agile 33:01 - Closing remarks and encouragement to participate in the Scrum Alliance elections Contacting Alex • Web: https://alexsloley.com/ • LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsloley/ • Alex’s book The Agile Community https://alexsloley.com/books Vote in the Scrum Alliance Board Election! Remember, voting ends June 24. Make your voice heard to shape the future of Agile leadership and community.

In this episode, hosts Dave Prior and Stuart Young sit down with Carl Smith, a "philosophical futurist" and leader of The Bureau (https://thebureau.community/), a community of over 1,500 creative leaders. The conversation explores how to "tune up" your personal and professional systems to better serve yourself and others by embracing vulnerability, mindfulness, and the power of imperfection. Key Topics and Takeaways - The Trap of Busyness vs. Productivity: Carl shares a recent "reset" triggered by a Saturday morning spent staring at spreadsheets. He discusses the danger of moving from a "creating" mindset to a "protecting" mindset, and how his attempt to become more efficient unintentionally made his team inefficient. 
 - Energy Management and Burnout: Carl defines burnout as a state where you send all your energy out and none comes back. He uses a slot machine analogy to describe how different interactions can either deplete or replenish your internal "jackpot". 
 - Self-Regulation Power-Ups: -Speed Journaling -NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Relaxation) -Nose Breathing (Yes, it's a thing) -Health Tracking Systems and why you might need more than one -Stoicism
 Links from the Podcast No One Is Coming to Save You: The Power Ups to Help Surf the Chaos https://tinyurl.com/5dsh2n4v The Bureau of Digital https://thebureau.community/ Breath by James Nestor https://tinyurl.com/38uemcx4 Outlive by Peter Attia https://tinyurl.com/4e5a6nc3 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins https://tinyurl.com/2rpwe93u Project to Product by Mik Kersten https://tinyurl.com/2rksj6bw Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman https://tinyurl.com/46xeh8nn Everyday Stoicism by Gareth Southwell https://tinyurl.com/5c5n5392 Daily Stoic Podcast byRyan Holiday https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-stoic/id1430315931 Life Saver Graphics LLC —https://tinyurl.com/yfr95r8u 
 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Systems of Imperfection 03:22 The Importance of Self-Care and Productivity 05:50 Navigating Work Overwhelm and Chaos 08:55 The Role of Community in Professional Growth 11:45 Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence 14:50 Mindfulness Practices for Better Living 17:47 The Power of Authenticity in Leadership 20:59 The Intersection of Technology and Humanity 23:59 Stoicism and Its Relevance Today 26:54 Embracing Imperfection and Learning from Mistakes 29:52 The Future of Work and Community Engagement 32:57 Creating Value Through Collaboration 35:54 Final Thoughts on Being Human in a Digital Age 56:09 Outro.mp4 Contacting Carl: The Bureau of Digital: https://thebureau.community/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-w-smith/ Contacting Stuart  - linktr.ee/stuartliveart

Contacting Dave  -linktr.ee/mrsungo

The Journey from Project Manager to Chief of Staff with Darby Strong In this conversation, Dave Prior and Darby Strong explore the transition from project management to the role of chief of staff, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal skills, empathy, and systems thinking. They discuss how experiences in the restaurant industry can shape effective project managers and the significance of creating a supportive work environment. The dialogue highlights the need for leaders to be aware of their impact on team dynamics and the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and trust. In this conversation, Darby and Dave explore the nuances of leadership roles, particularly the differences between project managers and chiefs of staff. They discuss the importance of trust, courage, and the ability to absorb ambiguity in leadership. Darby shares her personal journey and insights on transitioning from project management to a chief of staff role, emphasizing the need for cooperation and systems thinking. The conversation also touches on the significance of taking action and the value of interdisciplinary approaches in effective leadership. Takeaways - The restaurant experience provides valuable skills for project management. - Effective project managers are often generalists with a systems thinking approach. - Communication and empathy are crucial in leadership roles. - Creating a supportive environment helps teams thrive. - The role of chief of staff involves strategic partnership with leadership. - Project managers can influence organizational culture positively. - Understanding team dynamics is essential for effective leadership. - Compassion for leaders can enhance team performance. - Interdependence is key in collaborative work environments. - Project managers should focus on nurturing both teams and leadership. - Chiefs of staff need to absorb ambiguity for clarity. - Building trust takes time and consistent effort. - Courage to be candid is crucial in leadership roles. - Project managers can transition to chief of staff roles with the right mindset. - Creating systems for cooperation is essential in leadership. - Influence is a key skill for project managers and scrum masters. - Taking action can help overcome inertia and open new opportunities. - Interdisciplinary approaches can enhance leadership effectiveness. - Understanding natural systems is vital for effective project management. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:58 The Restaurant Experience and Project Management 06:03 The Importance of People in Project Management 08:56 Transitioning from Project Management to Chief of Staff 12:04 The Role of a Chief of Staff 14:53 Navigating Leadership and Team Dynamics 18:02 Empathy and Perspective in Leadership 25:26 Interdependence Day: A Unique Celebration 26:10 Traits of a Chief of Staff vs. Project Manager 30:12 Building Trust and Courage in Leadership 32:23 Absorbing Ambiguity: The Role of a Chief of Staff 33:20 Transitioning from Project Management to Chief of Staff 35:15 Creating Systems for Cooperation 37:12 The Influence of Project Managers and Scrum Masters 41:56 Taking Action: Overcoming Inertia 43:42 Interdisciplinary Approaches in Leadership Contacting Darby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darbystrong/

Discover how AI can be seamlessly incorporated into Scrum teams to enhance productivity, storytelling, and problem-solving. Claudio Lassala shares real-world experiences of leveraging AI to fill skill gaps, automate tasks, and scale solutions, challenging traditional notions of team roles and developer identities. Key Insights: • The importance of teaching AI your principles for better, personalized outcomes • AI's role in automating routine tasks allows developers to focus on high-value stakeholder engagement • Emphasizing a solution-oriented mindset rather than coding as an identity • Managing resistance by framing AI as a problem-solving partner, not a threat • Continuous re-skilling and mindset shifts needed for teams to thrive with AI • Leaders should focus on enabling their teams to leverage AI ethically and effectively Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Claudio's background in IT and agile coaching 02:21 - How AI is integrated into Scrum teams 03:45 - Using AI to write user stories and acceptance criteria 05:24 - The importance of conversations and stories in Agile 07:01 - Teaching AI to reflect team principles and critique solutions 08:15 - Addressing fears of losing roles with AI integration 09:42 - Resistance from team members and how to approach it 11:08 - Demonstrating productivity gains with AI-driven planning 12:13 - Balancing automation with the human touch in problem-solving 15:03 - Clarifying misconceptions about AI automating all tasks 16:38 - Managing detailed task decomposition with AI 18:04 - The evolution of developer roles and knowledge retention 20:17 - Using analogies like cars with carburetors to explain technological shifts 21:34 - Passion projects and opportunities AI unlocks 23:29 - How AI might change the identity of developers 26:38 - The need for continuous retraining and knowledge updating 29:43 - Supporting team members in adapting to AI tools 33:01 - Leadership strategies for leveraging AI ethically and effectively 36:16 - Personal storytelling: AI in content creation and blogging 37:04 - Claudio’s favorite guitar solo and closing thoughts Contact Claudio • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiolassala/ • Web / Blog https://lassala.net/ • Improving https://www.improving.com/profile/claudio-lassala/

Endava set out to reinvent how IT services get delivered in an AI-native world. Dava.X.AI is the group inside Endava driving that shift. Miro is the workspace they're building it on. Together they've shipped Davaflow — an AI engagement lifecycle that runs from signal to explore to govern to evolve, with humans and agents working alongside each other the whole way. On the latest drunkenPM Radio, Matt Cloke (CTO, Endava), Joe Dunleavy (Global Head of Dava.X.AI), and Dave Ross (Evangelist at Miro) talk about how the three came together, what real partnership looks like when two roadmaps quietly merge into one journey, and what it took to actually make it work. Full episode is live. Takeaways - Reframe from value capture to value creation — don't use AI to make existing processes 10–15% better, reimagine the work entirely from an AI-first perspective. - IT services hit its "ChatGPT moment" two years ago when clients and analysts started asking Endava why they were needed if AI could just write the code. - AI is becoming a method, not a tool — just as Agile organized humans to do work, this new method organizes agents and the people working alongside them. - The technology question is largely settled; the change management question isn't — quality has hit the inflection point, and what remains is the human shift, much like Waterfall-to-Agile. - DavaFlow runs in four phases — Signal, Explore, Govern, and Evolve — moving from identifying the right problem, through virtual personas and prototypes, to governing agent output, to evolving in production. - Chat is the wrong interface for most of this work — humans are visual creatures, and tools like Miro give LLMs context that a chat box never could. - AI-driven work can produce better traceability than humans ever did — every decision and prototype connects back through the chain of thought, what Joe called "traceability on steroids." - Anyone can buy the tools — what separates enterprise work from vibe-coding chaos is policy-as-code, defined skills, and human-in-the-loop checkpoints. - Adoption happens in baby steps, not the full vision — showing people the end of the journey overwhelms them, so start at signal and layer in each next step. - The hardest part is the identity question — engineers liked writing code and designers liked crafting prototypes, and the shift is a growth-mindset problem, not a skills problem. Links from the Podcast Endava: https://www.endava.com/ Dava.X.AI https://www.endava.com/dava-x/dava-x-ai Miro: https://miro.com/index/ Upcoming Miro Canvas Events Main Canvas 2026 landing page: https://canvas.miro.com/ Register for the streaming event on May 19 where Joe will be speaking:  https://canvas.miro.com/sanfrancisco/virtual-keynote Register for the in-person event on May 19th in San Francisco where Joe is speaking live:  https://canvas.miro.com/sanfrancisco Register for the in-person event on June 2nd in London where Matt will be speaking live: https://canvas.miro.com/london Register for the in-person event on June 16th in Sydney where Wesley Fagan the APAC SVP for Strategy and Chief Design Officer at Endava will be speaking live: https://canvas.miro.com/sydney Contacting the Guests Matt Cloke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcloke/ Joe Dunleavy https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedunleavy/ Dave Ross https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmross/ Dave Prior https://linktr.ee/mrsungo Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Endava and AI Transformation 08:54 Navigating the AI Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities 17:52 The Evolution of Miro and AI Integration 24:00 Dava Flow: The AI Engagement Lifecycle 25:49 The Power of Visual Context in AI 27:03 Enhancing Contextual Understanding with AI 29:12 Temporal Dimensions in Decision Making 31:27 Navigating Change in Organizational Mindsets 35:40 Demonstrating Value to the C-Suite 38:13 Embracing the Future of Work 41:09 Amplifying Human Creativity with AI

In this engaging conversation, Dave interviews Nic Sementa about his new book, 'Breathing Ego,' which serves as a guided workbook for leaders under pressure. Nic shares his journey from a young salesman to a successful entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of managing egos in leadership. He discusses the balance between servant leadership and command-and-control styles, the impact of AI on leadership dynamics, and the transition from being an entrepreneur to an employer. Nic also reflects on his failures and the lessons learned, advocating for radical self-responsibility in leadership. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of leadership, responsibility, and self-perception. They discuss the importance of taking ownership of one's role as a leader, the challenges of navigating ego, and the necessity of creating safe spaces for teams. The dialogue emphasizes the value of empowering employees through trust and the significance of self-kindness in leadership. The speakers also reflect on the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the lessons learned from failure and the importance of resilience. Key Takeaways - Ego management is crucial for effective leadership. - A healthy ego is necessary for personal and professional growth. - The book 'Breathing Ego' is designed for leaders managing others. - AI can serve as a double-edged sword in leadership dynamics. - Transitioning from entrepreneur to employer changes risk tolerance. - Failures in management can lead to valuable lessons. - Radical self-responsibility is key for leaders. - The journey of leadership is about playing the game, not just winning. - Legacy involves creating a strong family and business to support each other. - Leadership involves taking responsibility for the team's challenges. - Self-perception can be influenced by the ego and external validation. - Creating safe spaces requires a proactive approach from leaders. - Empowering teams means trusting them to perform without micromanagement. - Failure is a crucial part of the learning process for entrepreneurs. - The journey of entrepreneurship often involves overcoming significant obstacles. - Self-kindness is essential for effective leadership and team dynamics. - Understanding one's limitations can enhance hiring practices. - Conflict resolution skills are vital for maintaining team harmony. - The narrative of self-worth should not be tied to external validation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nic Sementa and His Book 02:19 Nic's Background and Journey 04:42 The Concept of Ego in Leadership 08:04 Managing Egos: Balancing Leadership Styles 12:57 The Role of AI in Leadership 15:43 The Journey from Entrepreneur to Employer 20:50 Learning from Failures in Management 23:58 Radical Self-Responsibility in Leadership 24:55 The Role of Leadership in Responsibility 25:44 Navigating Ego and Self-Perception 28:02 Creating Safe Spaces as a Leader 30:00 Empowering Teams Through Trust 32:04 Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool 34:19 The Journey of an Entrepreneur 36:24 The Importance of Self-Kindness in Leadership Nic’s Book Breathing Ego https://tinyurl.com/2c4mhvmp Contacting Nic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-sementa-2753242b/ Contacting Dave https://linktr.ee/mrsungo Links from the Intro Systems of Imperfection - Discovering Your Superpowers https://www.gsgvan26.com/agenda/session/1821410 Ai Readiness for Project Managers https://beforeaiready.com Recording of Gain Confidence as an AI Ready Project Manager https://maven.com/p/4ac5d0/gain-confidence-as-an-ai-ready-project-manager

In this episode, Stu and Dave discuss the power of storytelling, the impact of AI on project management, time management strategies, upcoming training sessions, and their activities at the Vancouver Scrum Gathering. Global Scrum Gathering Vancouver 2026 - May 3-6 https://www.scrumalliance.org/events/global Dave's Sessions Gain Confidence as an AI Ready Project Manager - April 28 11 AM Eastern https://maven.com/p/4ac5d0/gain-confidence-as-an-ai-ready-project-manager AI Ready Project Manager One Day Accelerator - May 23 https://maven.com/c4g-academy/ai-ready-project-manager Dave's Scrum Certification Classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/dave-prior-classes-4758623 Stuart's Sessions Visual Thinking for Effective Collaboration - April 27 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stuartyoungtrainingltd/2090279 All Stu's upcoming classes https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stuartyoungtrainingltd Find Stuart https://linktr.ee/stuartliveart Find Dave https://linktr.ee/mrsungo No One Is Coming to Save You: The Power-Ups you need to surf the chaos Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yv7chp54 Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/surfthechaos

Braden Cundiff joins Dave to explore some of the emerging ways AI tools can be used to support project management, including RAG and CAG approaches. During the interview they cover what they are, how they are different, and how they can transform organizational processes. The discussion covers practical applications, ethical considerations, and strategies for learning AI effectively. Key Topics Differences between RAG and CAG in AI Practical applications of AI in project management Ethical considerations in AI deployment Strategies for learning and adopting AI technologies Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Project Management 00:55 Meet the Expert: Brayden Cundiff and BloomFilter 01:56 BloomFilter's Role in AI and SDLC Integration 03:52 AI as a Scrum Master: Enhancing Agile Processes 05:09 Limitations of ChatGPT for Project Contexts 05:37 Understanding RAG and CAG Approaches 18:27 Differences Between RAG and CAG Explained 23:05 Implementing CAG for Consistent AI Responses 29:01 Security, Bias, and Ethical Considerations in AI 34:06 Learning AI: Resources and Strategies 42:46 Closing Remarks and Next Steps LInks AI Ready for PMs - One Day Accelerator https://www.beforeaiready.com/ BloomFilter AI - https://bloomfilter.ai Contacting Braden Braden’s Book - Flip: Projects to Products: A Problem Playbook https://tinyurl.com/599y6fpf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braden-cundiff-52479121/

This episode explores the integration of AI into enterprise, project management in the AI era, and future skills needed to thrive alongside AI. Guests share insights on AI readiness, skill development, and upcoming training opportunities. Takeaways AI readiness programs provide valuable insights into enterprise AI adoption Project managers need to adapt to AI-driven workflows or risk obsolescence Developing visual thinking skills enhances communication and collaboration in AI contexts Chapters 00:00 Skills in the Age of AI 02:16 The Role of Project Management in AI 03:41 Future Trends and Skills Investment 05:04 Systems of Imperfection Podcast Introduction 06:29 Visual Thinking and Communication Links AI Ready Certification by C4G Enterprises - https://maven.com/c4g-academy/ai-ready Systems of Imperfection Podcast - https://systemsofimperfection.riverside.com/ The Responsive Chord by Tony Schwartz https://tinyurl.com/4sb4kcvj Find Stuart  linktr.ee/stuartliveart

Find Dave  linktr.ee/mrsungo To get a discount on upcoming classes just email [email protected] No One Is Coming to Save You: The Power-Ups you need to surf the chaos
Amazon: tinyurl.com/yv7chp54
Leanpub: leanpub.com/surfthechaos ******************************************************
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