Managing Made Simple

Ever feel like you’re drowning in tasks with no time to breathe? In Episode 158 of Managing Made Simple , I dive into how to get your time back by delegating smarter and reducing meeting overload. 🎙️ Key Takeaways: [0:00] Intro: The constant pressure of not enough time. [1:19] Why meeting overload is holding you back. [3:08] Training your team to step up and lead. [4:48] The mindset shift that wil...

What do we do when our team member is eager to get to their promotion, so they start moving away from their current responsibilities, thinking those will hold them back? We want to support our team members' ambitions, but they job they're in right now still has to get done.  In Episode 157 of Managing Made Simple , I dive into how to keep your team engaged in their current role while sup...

We all want to be liked - it's human nature! But when we lean on this too hard as a manager, it can actually work against us, leading to having a team that isn't confident in our ability to lead. In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I talk about how avoid the "wanting to be liked" trap and build trust and respect, which in turn, often leads to our teams liking us better any...

Could the way you're advocating for your team actually be working against you? Spoiler: yes, the answer is yes. When we're under a lot of pressure, it can be easy to pass this along to our higher-ups, trying to get some relief for our team. But when we sound the alarms without coming with solutions, our own leaders can lose confidence in our abilities. In this episode, I talk about how t...

Trust is everything when it comes to managing teams, but building it takes intention and consistency. In this episode of Managing Made Simple , I share how to recognize trust gaps, the impact of trust on delegation and accountability, and practical ways to foster mutual trust in your team. Key Topics Covered: [0:00] Why trust matters for managers and teams. [2:13] How trust impacts delegation, mic...

How do you get your team to invest more in their work? It's actually really simple.  You show them you're invested in *them*.  As we approach the end of the year, now is the time to proactively invest in your team to ensure success in 2025. In this episode, I dive into how being intentional with team support, feedback, and culture-building sets you apart as a leader and builds unstoppabl...

Motivating your team (and yourself) is one of the hardest challenges in management. In this episode, I share actionable strategies for identifying what motivates your team members, why their lack of motivation is your responsibility, and how to reconnect with your own purpose as a leader. Key Topics Covered: [0:00] Why motivation matters for your team and you as a leader [1:01] What to do when tea...

There's a good chance you're missing the MOST important step in holding your teams accountable. Most managers are.  What's that step, you ask? The follow through.  So many times as leaders, we set clear expectations and then stop right there, forgetting that there's a critical check point we have to do on the other side. In this episode, I share how to move your team from simpl...

In this episode, I share why I wrote The New Manager Playbook and how it’s designed to support new managers and seasoned leaders alike. From my own experience in Big Tech to insights from my workshops and trainings, this book is your go-to resource for making managing easier and more effective. 💡 Tune in to learn: Why many managers feel unprepared for the role. The biggest challenges new managers...

Ever wonder why job titles matter so much to your team? It's more than just a nameplate—titles shape clarity, recognition, and growth paths in any organization. In this episode, I unpack the two key motivators behind title discussions and how you can approach them as a leader. Whether you're navigating requests for more clarity or grappling with the pressure to align titles with experien...

What do you do when feedback doesn’t land the way you’d hoped? In this episode of Managing Made Simple , I dive into a common challenge for managers—team members who respond defensively to feedback—and share actionable strategies for resetting expectations. Key Topics Covered: Feedback Gone Wrong [0:00] How to navigate situations where your feedback is brushed off or met with defensiveness. Resett...

Are you micromanaging without realizing it? In this special episode, I share a guest appearance on the How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcast, where we explore how to spot the signs of micromanagement and take steps to overcome it. Key Topics Covered: Too Many Meetings? [0:00] How being in every meeting could be holding your team back. Decision Overload [6:12] Why making every decision for your tea...

Struggling with team members who hesitate to ask for help until it’s too late? In this episode, I introduce a three-step framework that empowers your team to frame their problems clearly and seek your guidance more efficiently. Discover how to foster proactive problem-solving, keep accountability with your team, and create a culture where they feel confident approaching you without taking up too m...

Are you hesitant to invest in training for your team because you're worried about losing the investment if folks leave?   In this episode, I discuss why upskilling isn’t just a perk—it’s essential for team growth, productivity, and even loyalty. Learn how proactive investment in your team can make a difference in outcomes, and discover what you risk by skipping it. Whether you're a busin...

Wondering how to bring out the best in your team, even with tight deadlines and challenging client demands? In this episode of Managing Made Simple , I’m joined by Alison Curtis, Head of Client Services, and Janessa Mason, Senior Creative Director at the creative agency Skona , as they share their strategies for creating harmony in a fast-paced agency environment. Learn how clear communication, al...

Wondering when to jump in and stop a mistake, or let your team member learn the hard way? In this episode, I tackle one of the most common questions managers face: when to intervene and when to allow a team member to handle the consequences of their decisions. I’ll share a simple framework for assessing when to step in, how to offer guidance without taking over, and how to set your team up for fut...

When we watch sports, we often look at them as entertainment, but have you ever thought about what would happen if you managed your team like a professional sports team? If you want your team to perform at the highest level, it’s time to start thinking like a pro sports coach. In this episode, I break down three key lessons we can take from the sports world to increase performance, results, and te...

If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly leading people you used to work alongside , you know how complicated that can be. In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the trickiest leadership challenges—managing former peers, where I’ll share three essential strategies for managing former peers while keeping the relationship intact. Tune in to learn how to set boundaries, have tough conversations, and...

As leaders, we often focus on giving feedback, but how often do we ask for it? In today’s episode, I’m diving into why asking for feedback from your team is just as important as giving it. By making feedback a two-way street, you build trust, create psychological safety, and foster stronger relationships with your team. I’ll share practical tips on how to ask for feedback effectively, what questio...

Do you really know how your team is doing, or are you just kinda guessing? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a stat that really caught my attention—89% of managers think their team members are thriving, but only 24% of employees agree. That’s a 65% disconnect! In this episode, I dive into why leaders can be so out of touch with how their teams are really feeling and what to do to fix it. We’ll...

When hiring new team members, the pressure is on. We want to get it right, but there are so many things to consider that it can be really overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! In today’s episode, I break down the key steps to hiring well—from defining what you need to set your new hires up for success. Find out how to assess candidates beyond their skills, ensure they align with your company’s...

In today’s episode, I tackle a common challenge for new managers: earning the respect of your team. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time, managing former colleagues, or navigating new team dynamics, getting your team on board can feel like an uphill battle. I’ll share practical tips on how to build genuine relationships, assert your authority, and set clear communicati...

As leaders, we often struggle with delegating, telling ourselves that we’re protecting our team from burnout. But is that the real thing stopping us? In this episode, I dive into the reasons why we sometimes hesitate to delegate and how we can overcome these challenges. From setting the right context to building trust and having load-balancing conversations, I’ll share practical tips to help you d...

Ever find yourself repeating the same instructions to your team, wondering why they aren’t following through? In this episode of Managing Made Simple , I dive into the root cause: lack of accountability. I’ll share practical strategies for building a culture where your team takes ownership and gets things done the first time. Learn how to effectively use task tracking systems, follow up consistent...

We all have those team members we know we can rely on for that last minute request, to jump in and fix a problem no one was able to solve, even to remember those birthdays and special moments that create a strong team culture. But are all recognizing the importance of their contribution to the team? Sadly, these folks often run the risk of being held back in their careers because we don't see...