Modern Manager podcast

When you think about changing your reputation, most advice focuses on what you can do — adjust your behavior, refine your message, embody the qualities you want to be known for. And while that matters, there’s a built-in challenge: when you’re the source, people may question your motives. After all, of course you want to look good. In this episode, we explore a strategy that overcomes that challen...

When you think about reputation, the advice often sounds discouraging: “Once people think a certain way about you, it’s set in stone.” But reputations aren’t really fixed — they’re reflections of the stories people tell about you, and stories can be reshaped. In this episode, we explore how to change your reputation: why it’s hard but not impossible, how to identify the qualities you want to be kn...

When you think about first impressions, the advice usually circles around appearances and formalities—your clothes, your handshake, your posture. But impressions aren’t really about the surface. They’re about how people feel underneath.. In this episode, we explore the deeper side of first impressions: why appearances are only the beginning, why people will always find a reason to say no if they d...

When everything is collapsing around you, it’s tempting to grip tighter and try to control every detail. But true equanimity doesn’t come from clinging—it comes from releasing. In this episode, we explore the advanced practice of letting go: why control is an illusion, a daily practice that prepares you for blow-ups, and why leaders who let go lead with greater calm, clarity, and compassion. 💡 Mo...

Why do some leaders lose their composure in a crisis, while others inspire trust and calm? In this episode, we explore Equanimity 201: Focusing on what you can control —a key step in mastering executive presence. We break down why panic thrives when you fixate on the uncontrollable, and how narrowing your focus to your response can anchor your team and help restore order in even the most chaotic o...

Why do some leaders panic under pressure, and how does it affect the people around them? In this episode, we explore Equanimity —the ability to stay calm when everything seems to be falling apart—and why it’s a critical component of executive presence. We dive into the science of the nervous system, how intentional breathing can shift you from panic to clarity, and why staying grounded in a crisis...

Have you ever thought you were doing a great job as a manager—only to realize you were actually failing miserably? That was me with the very first team I was asked to lead. I had all the right intentions, but no real connection. Things got so bad my boss considered taking the team away from me entirely. What followed was one of the hardest moments of my career—and also one of the most important. I...

Have you ever walked into a meeting knowing it might blow up your career? My client once faced two senior executives—one of them the CEO—who were determined to pin the blame for a disappointing outcome squarely on my client. Outnumbered and outranked, my client had little chance of winning by arguing. Even if my client managed to “win” the argument, it would have been a Pyrrhic victory—ending with...

Why do some bosses seem disengaged, even when you’re doing great work? In this episode, we explore why even the most seasoned employees can struggle to get their boss’s attention—and how to change the dynamic. My client’s 1:1s were constantly cancelled or cut short, not because of performance issues, but because a key component was missing from the interaction. We explore the subtle forces that in...

Welcome to The Modern Manager , where we explore the leadership principles and practices you need to succeed in today’s diverse, dynamic, and global workforce. I’m Joe Kwon, The Connection Counselor. In this episode, we tackle a common challenge: How do you raise your profile at work —especially if self-promotion feels uncomfortable or you’re waiting for your manager to notice you? Drawing from my...