The Modern Manager

Are you overwhelmed by the rapid rise of AI in the workplace? AI tools are already being used by managers and teams in various forms. But what are the risks that come with using them? Today’s guest believes that clear guidelines and educational training can help everyone use AI wisely without feeling restricted. Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator. She has...

Are you struggling to get your team to perform at its best? Are you unsure about how to unlock the potential of each individual? This week’s guest says the key is inclusive leadership. Meet Kelli Lester. Kelli is co-founder and partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in fosterin...

Being a working parent shouldn’t feel like a daily juggling act on the brink of disaster.  If you truly want everyone on your team—parent or not—to thrive at work, you need a workplace that lets them show up as their best selves. And today’s guest is the perfect expert to discuss how to make work work for working parents. Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Welsh, a sought after thought leader on working pa...

Ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone—managers know this struggle well. Fortunately, today’s guest has the time mastery secrets to help us take control of our time. Meet Andrew Hartman. Andrew is the founder of Time Boss, a training organization helping leaders and their teams master their week to get the results they want without overwhelm. ...

How do you make your team members feel truly seen and heard at work? It’s a common struggle for many managers, but this week’s guest says there’s something even more powerful than praising your team. Joining me today is Dr. Caroline Fleck. Caroline is a licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University. She is the author of Validation: How the S...

Have you ever left a virtual meeting thinking, “That could’ve been an email.” ? Today’s guest used to feel the same. Meet Jill Molee. Jill is the Director of Counseling & College Advisor at College Prep 360. I’ve been lucky to have Jill as a client and I’m grateful she was willing to experiment with me for this on-air coaching call. As the director of a fully remote, client-facing team, her ca...

Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv ? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team. Meet Joel Zeff. Joel creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 y...

We all have thought patterns that work against us—whether it’s feeling like an imposter, overextending ourselves at work, or assuming the worst in situations.  Today’s guest breaks down eight negative mindsets that prevent professionals from thriving. Meet Cynthia Pong. Cynthia is an award-winning executive coach and speaker who empowers women of color leaders to advance their careers into positio...

Do you realize how important virtual communications are to your team’s effectiveness? Except for in-person meetings, all our communications with our colleagues happen virtually. This is true whether you’re fully remote, hybrid, or even in-office. But what if you could communicate clearly and authentically every time, no matter the virtual method? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for. Meet...

You’ve probably heard that hiring the best talent is the key to building a high-performing team. But what if that’s only half the truth? Thankfully, today’s guest will reveal what it really takes to build the best team ever. Today’s guest is David Burkus. One of the world’s leading business thinkers, David’s forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are changing how companies approach leadershi...

Does your team struggle to collaborate effectively due to clashing personalities? Say no more. Today’s guest is here to dive deep into how you can enhance your team dynamics using DiSC. Meet Jen Fox. Jen has spent the last 25 years working inside and outside of global organizations, listening to employees, facilitating learning, and leading cultural change. Hailed as one of the "most no-nonsense l...

You’ve heard it before: “People don’t quit jobs; they quit bad bosses.” But is that really the whole story? Why do employees really leave their jobs? That’s exactly what we’ll answer today with our guest. Meet Michael Horn.  Michael is the co-author of Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress In Your Career. Michael strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions, fulfill...

Have you ever held back in a meeting, fearing how your words might be received?  Fear often takes the driver’s seat in our communication, keeping us from building better relationships and unlocking new opportunities.  But what if you could overcome those fears? This week’s guest is here to help you do just that. Meet Michelle Gladieux. Michelle is the author of Communicate with Courage , a transfo...

Why do people often struggle to follow through on their responsibilities, even after they agree to do so in a meeting?  Today’s guest is here to unpack this exact issue and offers practical solutions to help you and your team get things done. Meet Steven Blue. Steven is the CEO of Miller Ingenuity, which creates high technology products that save lives and preserve the environment. He is a keynote...

How often do you send an email only to spend hours clarifying it later? Or find yourself rewriting a team member’s work to get it “right” ? Mastering written communication–whether in emails, reports, proposals, or Slack messages–is more important than ever given how we collaborate today. Thankfully, today’s guest is here to share the ins and outs of effective writing. Meet Davina Stanley. Davina i...

When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence often gets overlooked. For years, the American work culture has emphasized suppressing emotions in the workplace. But times are changing. Today, emotional intelligence is as crucial as any leadership skill–if not the most essential. Our guest is here to show us why it matters and how to manage our emotions effectively. Meet Roberta Fernandez. Rob...

Imagine a workplace where every decision begins with a single, powerful question, “How will this affect our people?” . This is the cornerstone of a people-first culture–a philosophy that integrates employee well-being into every facet of a company’s operations. But what does this look like in action? Thankfully, this week’s guest is here to share what he’s learned along the way of building people-...

Great workshops deliver clarity, improved collaboration, and actionable outcomes. Now, imagine if you and your team could approach every workday with the same high energy and focus as you feel during a great workshop. That’s exactly what today’s guest is here to help us achieve–building a workshop culture in the workplace. Meet Alison Coward. Alison is the founder of Bracket, a consultancy that pa...

For many years, organizations have leaned on traditional performance management to improve team performance and drive results.  However, in today’s fast-changing business world, regular performance feedback–though still important–isn’t enough. That’s where Silver Lining’s Silver Belt Action Plan (SBAP) comes in .  Meet Carissa Reiniger. Carissa is the Founder & CEO of Silver Lining, a company...

Did you know that many workplaces unintentionally exclude trans and non-binary individuals? Part of the reason for this is the widespread assumption that humanity only fits neatly into two categories: men and women . However, this perspective has never been universally true–and it’s time we challenge it at work. Fortunately, our guest is here to help us understand these gender terminologies and ho...

Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s success. It’s more than just paperwork and introductions–it’s about creating the foundation for engagement, productivity, and belonging. But how can you set your new hires up for success even before their first day of work? Today’s guest will walk us through how to onboard a new employee from start to finish. Meet Dr. Tiffany E. Slater. Tiffany is the Fou...

Your skills alone don’t determine your work performance–it’s also about being in the right physical, mental, and emotional state.  That’s where wellness practices come in. In today’s episode, our guest will share powerful practices for incorporating wellness into the workday. Meet Kristel Bauer. Kristel is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting org...

Do you struggle with giving your team members more ownership and authority? If you’ve ever wrestled with how to empower your team with confidence, today’s guest will tell you exactly what to do. Meet Brian Irwin. Brian is an author, speaker, coach, and mentor. He has a history of successfully leading management teams through complex transformations. Brian considers himself a "strategic simplifier"...

Have you read your company handbook? As a manager, a simple decision at work could land you in hot water, so reading your company handbook is essential , especially for new managers.  You must know not only how to lead effectively but also how to lead legally . That’s where our workplace legal expert comes in. Meet Peter Rahbar. Peter is a workplace legal expert who guides clients through the most...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by tasks that never seem to end? What if I told you that you don’t need another productivity app to reclaim your time? Today’s guest is here to help us recover our time by working smarter. Meet Leslie Shreve. Leslie is a workload management and productivity expert, and the Founder and CEO of Productive Day®. She created Taskology®, a system that has helped hundreds of p...