The Manager Track

This episode is a re-release of Ep 264, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back on January 6, 2025 with a fresh new episode! Ever feel like you’re doing everything right as a manager, but the broader company culture is off and it impacts your team.   Maybe leadership talks about values, but what actually gets rewarded tells a different story. Or your team...

You know that moment when it’s time to act, but something holds you back? Telling you that you need to think about it more or that you ned to collect more data?   But actually, it’s not a lack of data or skills. It’s the quiet voice of self-doubt that leads to second-guessing.   In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast , Ramona breaks down how imposter syndrome can sneak into your de...

Becoming a first-time manager is a big deal, and honestly, it can feel like a lot. One day, you're the go-to person getting things done, and the next you're expected to lead a team, set direction, and delegate your work . In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast , Ramona shares (with the help of NorebookLM) honest insights and down-to-earth advice to help new managers navigate those early step...

 Let's be honest... keeping up with AI can be a bit of a pain.   New modules dropping left and right, your inbox flooded with "groundbreaking" updates, and somehow you're supposed to figure out how to actually use this stuff when your calendar is already packed back-to-back.   We hear this all the time from leaders like you who are just trying to keep their heads above water.  ...

Making the switch from a large corporation to a startup sounds exciting until you realize how different everything feels. No more departments to lean on, no clear hierarchy, and definitely no one doing your onboarding for you.   In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast , Ramona unpacks the real challenges leaders face when they leave the structure of big companies and step into the often...

Workplace stress isn’t going anywhere and neither is the pressure that comes with leadership. This week on The Manager Track Podcast , Ramona Shaw zooms in on one often overlooked skill that quietly shapes how leaders show up: emotional resilience.   She explores what it really means to stay grounded through conflict, setbacks, and change - not by toughing it out or pushing feelings aside, bu...

Remember that last team workshop maybe it was a strategy session or a team-building activity during an offsite where everything just clicked? The energy was high, ideas flowed, and collaboration felt effortless. And then you thought, How do we keep this momentum going once we’re back to business as usual? In this episode of The Manager Track podcast , Ramona Shaw speaks with Alison Coward, author...

If the word “networking” makes you want to disappear into the nearest houseplant - you’re not alone. Whether you’re introverted, short on time, or just not into small talk, networking can feel like one more exhausting, awkward thing to add to your list. But here’s the truth: your great work won’t always speak for itself. In this week’s episode of The Manager Track Podcast , Ramona dives into what...

Stepping into a leadership role means shifting your focus from completing tasks to creating results with and through others. It’s normal to feel uneasy about leaving behind the responsibilities that once defined and even created your success. You're supposed to stop doing what you enjoyed and what helped you achieve your current position. Intuitively, that may just feel wrong. It may actually even...

While often praised as a strength and justified as "having high standards," holding onto perfectionism as you advance and your job gets bigger, could stall your progress, keep you from advancing, or ultimately result in burnout. In this episode, Ramona Shaw breaks down how that happens and why it's so hard for many to reconcile and change course. Ramona explores: - The difference between healthy h...

Most of us don't wake up in the morning looking to get into conflict at work, yet it happens all the time - from small irritations to full-blown disagreements. In this episode of The Manager Track, Ramona breaks down why workplace conflicts happen and shares practical ways to handle them before they spiral out of control. Ramona explores: - The crucial difference between healthy opposition and des...

Managing up isn't about being the office suck-up. It's about creating conditions for your success at work. In this episode, executive coach and best-selling author Melody Wilding joins Ramona Shaw and reveals practical skills for navigating relationships with those in positions of power. Melody shares: - Why emotional intelligence is your biggest advantage when influencing others - How to say "no"...

Some people tune in. Others check out. Same message, different reactions. There's a reason for that, and it’s not about who cares more. In this episode, Ramona Shaw breaks down why the same message clicks for some but misses the mark for others. Through concrete examples, she reveals how small shifts in communication can significantly change how well your message lands. Here’s what you’ll learn:...

Many leaders believe that it's important for them to get agreement from others before making a decision. Yet this consensus-focused approach often results in delayed projects, diluted ideas, and teams that only appear aligned on the surface. In this episode, Ramona Shaw examines how the pursuit of consensus, while well-intentioned, can actually hinder team performance and decision-making. She shar...

Remember your first time leading a team? That mix of excitement and uncertainty, wondering if you're making the right calls. For most of us, it meant long hours, unclear expectations, and a whole lot of trial and error. In this episode, Ramona Shaw shares how this common "figure it out" approach to leadership development creates ripple effects that impact entire organizations. Ramona explores: - W...

Leadership promotions don’t reward competence - they demand reinvention. In this Manager Track episode, Ramona Shaw reveals why about two-thirds of technically skilled directors plateau before reaching VP level… and how to beat the odds. She discusses: - The “Better Director” Fallacy - The DJ’s Secret Power - From Expert to Influencer - Silent Promotion Killers Plus, by the end of the episode, you...

Sometimes, the hardest barriers to growth aren’t the challenges we face on the outside - they’re the silent battles in our own minds. In this episode, Ramona Shaw unpacks five thought patterns that can quietly sabotage leaders. These traps aren’t always easy to spot because they often masquerade as wisdom or practicality. Understanding these traps is the first step to overcoming them. Let’s dig in...

For all our coffee lovers, imagine your organization’s leadership culture as a finely brewed cup of coffee. When done right, it tastes rich, distinct, and pure. But when you mix in different types of beans or even a splash of almond milk and half and half, that delicious cup starts to quickly turn into an off-putting drink. Similarly, as your team grows and new leaders join your organization, each...

Have you ever been in a meeting where something felt off, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it, and everyone else seemed to ignore it too? Or watched a leader completely miss the signs of their team's growing anxiety? In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw dives into the often-discussed but rarely explained skill of "reading the room" - breaking down what it really means...

Let's be honest – working with people we don’t click with can be draining. Day in and day out, we have to chat with them, get things done with them, and manage our emotions around them. It’s easy to get frustrated or stuck in a negative cycle. But what if we stopped waiting and hoping for them to change and focused on what we can control instead? In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramon...

This episode is a re-release of Ep 196, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back next week, January 7th with a fresh new episode! "Quitter's Day." No, it's not the day that a person quits their job. It's the second Friday in January, designated as the day when most people are likely to give up on their New Year's resolution (unofficially, of course). Change, no...

This episode is a re-release of Ep 187, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back Tuesday, January 7th with a new episode. If you've ever been captivated by the challenges and dynamics of competitive reality shows like "Survivor," "Squid Game," or "Hell's Kitchen," you'll find this week's podcast episode particularly intriguing. In the world of leadership, much l...

Just like building a LEGO masterpiece, learning new skills and acquiring knowledge as a manager isn’t about collecting as many pieces as possible—it’s about making them fit meaningfully into your existing structure. Each new concept or tool you learn should enhance and strengthen the foundation you’ve already built. This means it's not just about absorbing information but about reshaping your appr...

Your star employee walks into your office, closes the door, and says those dreaded words: 'Do you have a minute?' with a concerned and nervous look on her face. In that moment, your heart sinks as you realize what's coming - an unexpected resignation from someone you thought was fully engaged. We've all been there, scrambling to create transition plans for the two-week notice period, wondering how...

How we lead teams will change as GenAI becomes integral to our work. In this episode of  The Manager Track  podcast, Ramona Shaw shares how managers can use AI to streamline their work, improve team experiences, and drive results. Ramona dives into practical ways AI can help at every stage of the employee journey—from hiring to offboarding—and how you can develop the skills to manage wit...