The Modern Manager

How well do you know your team? It’s not just about knowing each member’s personality; teams have a unique style, too, that shapes how the members collaborate and perform together. That’s where today’s guest comes in.  Meet Christopher Morrison. Christopher is the co-founder of TeamDynamics, a pioneering platform designed to optimize team collaboration by providing actionable insights into team dy...

Are Gen Zs really difficult to work with? As more Gen Z employees enter and advance in the workforce, it’s crucial for business leaders to understand this generation’s unique experiences–shaped by remote work, self-directed learning, and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. So, how should managers lead this new cohort? To help us navigate managing Gen Z and unlock their true potential, I spoke...

Have you ever had to fire someone and lost sleep over it?  Firing someone isn’t as easy as saying, “You’re fired!” . If you’ve been through it, you know just how tough it can be–emotions run high, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re the bad guy. That’s why I sat down with an HR expert to get her best advice on how to fire someone thoughtfully. Today’s guest is Jackie Koch. Jackie has more than 1...

Is disruption always bad, or can it be your greatest asset? In today’s world of relentless change–where the global talent pool is expanding and advancements in AI and machine learning are accelerating–disruption has become the new normal. But amidst this chaos, should we seek to disrupt ourselves even more instead of just being disrupted? Today’s guest says yes.  Meet Terence Mauri. Terence is a g...

Hiring talent from another country can seem like a daunting task. Navigating different time zones, cultures and other factors can feel overwhelming at first. But here’s the truth : those initial challenges are small compared to the massive benefits of expanding your hiring options.  To help you navigate this journey, today’s guest is here to share expert tips on how to effectively tap into the glo...

Have you ever found yourself nodding in agreement during a meeting while silently thinking, “This will never work.” ? You’re not alone. Too often, we hold back in disagreement, fearing conflict, which only leads to frustration down the line. But managing conflict is a crucial skill for both managers and employees. Today’s guest is here to teach us how to respectfully disagree with your co-workers....

Is it possible to achieve high-quality business results while building a thriving team? Many leaders often believe they must choose between driving results and prioritizing their people. However, time and again, we’ve seen that choosing one over the other rarely leads to better outcomes. Thankfully, today’s guest brings a new perspective and practical strategies to help us achieve both at the same...

Mindset is crucial for success, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Yet, many of us feel stuck and merely going through the motions. But what if I told you that a simple mindset shift could provide the clarity and focus you needed to move forward? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for. Today’s guest is Penny Zenker. Penny is known as “The Focusologist.” She’s a sought-after internation...

When there’s great leadership, everyone flourishes. We’ve seen the outcomes of having great leaders at work countless times–high-performing teams, healthy workplaces, increased profitability, and happy employees, among other things. But what actually makes a great leader? What leadership traits create a lasting impact not just on organizations but also on the lives of the people you lead?  Thankfu...

Imagine standing at the base of Mt. Everest, feeling the crushing weight of doubt and fear. Now, picture your toughest work challenge–where quitting feels like the best option. Would you push through or hit the quit button? Many of us struggle with the internal battle of wanting to avoid discomfort, even though deep down, we know that overcoming these challenges is essential for growth and success...

Are you or your team members feeling unhappy at work?  When discussing job dissatisfaction, people often point to issues like job title or compensation. However, we frequently overlook the fact that humans have complex emotions, and sometimes, we struggle to express what we truly feel. Thankfully, this week’s guest will help us explore what’s really going on beneath the surface and provide insight...

Imagine sensing the underlying emotions in a tense meeting or intuitively knowing when to steer a conversation in a more productive direction–all by tuning into your body’s signals . That’s how intelligent your body can be! Science says that your body knows more than you realize–it’s always sending you signals. Yet, we aren’t taught how to interpret these signals well, especially in a workplace se...

Focus on attributes, not skills. So often, we are easily impressed by what we see on resumes or how someone performed during their last big project. But here’s the truth: skills are just one piece of the puzzle. If we focus too much on skills, we risk overlooking one of the most important drivers of human performance– attributes . Attributes play a key role not only in our daily tasks but also in...

Are you struggling to deal with narcissistic personalities in your workplace? Working with a narcissist can feel like a never-ending battle. Their lack of empathy, manipulative skills, and constant need for admiration can easily create a tense atmosphere at work. So, how do you manage this type of toxic behavior and protect yourself and your team from the emotional turmoil brought on by a narcissi...

As a manager, you are entrusted to lead and manage your team, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get things right. When you have power and authority, it can be challenging to own your shortfalls and mistakes. After all, you are someone that your team members look up to. But our guest thinks otherwise. He believes that showing up with radical humility builds trust, fosters connection, and creates...

Have you ever felt that your one-on-one meetings aren’t as effective as they should be? Before you write them off your calendar, consider this: a Gallup study reveals that employees are three times more engaged when they experience regular one-on-ones. But let’s face it—one-on-ones take up a significant portion of your time. They aren’t as easy as asking your team members, “How are you?” . Fortuna...

As a manager, you have a lot on your plate. Investing in relational time can sometimes feel like a nice-to-have rather than a must-do. But making time to build strong relationships and connections at work should be your top priority. It’s the single most impactful thing you can do for your career. Why? Today’s guest explains it all. Today’s guest is Patricia Bathory. Patricia combines her roles as...

One of the toughest transitions for any leader is moving from doing the work to leading others who do the work.  As a manager, it’s still expected that you’ll roll up your sleeves and get work done. However, as your role grows more complex, it becomes clear that effective leadership means empowering your team to take on more of those tasks. Delegating, however, isn’t as simple as it seems.  Manage...

When you think of project management , what first comes to mind? For many folks, it’s associated with getting certified to lead the execution of major projects. You can even hold the title of Project Manager in some businesses! Yet, much of what all managers do–setting goals, creating plans, managing teams–is essentially project management.  We’ve quietly slipped into the project manager role, jus...

Dealing with stressful conversations is never easy; whether you’re telling a client the project is delayed or relaying a bad performance review to a team member. But as managers, we can’t just avoid these conversations. Putting them off may protect us from our vulnerabilities, but they actually get in the way of having authentic and productive conversations with our teams. So, how do we navigate t...

Meetings are an important part of how we collaborate, but too often, they feel more like a waste of time rather than a productive engagement. How often have you left a meeting feeling like you’ve lost time and momentum? Our guest has found a way to reclaim your time and make every meeting count. Today’s guest is Yari Ising. Yari is the founder of The Ising Agency, a firm offering operations, recru...

Teamwork makes the dream work. But does it? Most of us believe that being a team means nurturing teamwork, embracing camaraderie, and supporting each other emotionally. However, these factors, although very important, aren't essential for every type of team. Today’s guest will unpack what makes a team and how to build a strong one. Meet James Scouller. James is an executive coach, thought leader,...

Do you feel overwhelmed as you step into your first management role? Climbing up the corporate ladder can be exciting, but research shows that transitioning from an individual contributor into a manager role is one of the most challenging and stressful periods in a person’s career. Many new managers don’t easily make the psychological transition from an individual contributor paid to perform tasks...

Have you tried ChatGPT yet?   AI is taking the business world by storm and AI tools have now become an integral part of daily workflows. While many businesses are already discovering ways to adopt and leverage AI, a lot of managers I speak with aren't sure how to take advantage of it. In this week's episode, I share my list of top picks of innovative AI tools that can dramatically boost your team'...

Vulnerability is a key ingredient in nurturing meaningful personal relationships, but does it hold the same weight in a professional context? Brené Brown has popularized the idea of vulnerability, but how we act vulnerable in the workplace differs from how we show vulnerability in personal spaces. After all, work comes with its own set of challenges–from managing teams and pleasing customers to hi...