The Manager Lab

In this episode of Manager Lab we explore Katie Best's Harvard Business Review article on self-coaching and walk through the SOLVE framework to lead yourself through high‑stakes problems when an executive coach isn't available. Learn the five steps—State the problem, Open the box, Lay out the solution, Venture forth, and Elevate your learning—and how to apply them to diagnose root causes, design p...

In this episode of Manager Lab, we explore Rebecca Knight's HBR article "When Managing Your Team Becomes Too Much" and outline five practical strategies to reclaim time and refocus on strategic leadership. Learn how to segment your team, align work upfront, turn meetings into problem-solving sessions, empower your people, and have candid conversations about capacity. Discover actionable tips—like...

Music. Welcome to the Manager Lab. This episode explores how loneliness is reshaping workplaces, driven by hybrid work, technology, and broader social shifts, and how that erosion of trust and belonging harms innovation, engagement, and retention. It highlights surprising insights—connection is part of the work, weak ties matter, and vulnerability builds trust—and offers practical strategies: buil...

In this episode of Manager Lab, host Greg Gillum breaks down decision-making and delegation using Cheryl Strauss Einhorn’s HBR framework: "Should You Delegate That Decision? Ask These Four Questions." Learn the four questions to determine when to delegate—who’s closest to the action, whether a decision can be routinized, whose perspective will improve the outcome, and where momentum is stalled—plu...

Music. Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we delve into the increasingly dynamic world of talent management. In this episode Greg Gillum breaks down the HBR article "The Secret to Building a High‑Performing Team," highlighting two foundational capabilities—open, structured communication and the courage to speak up and take risks—that drive trust, innovation, and lasting performance. Learn the cultu...

In this episode of Manager Lab, Greg Gillum breaks down Paul Ingram’s HBR article "Who Are You as a Leader?" and introduces the identity map — a simple visual tool to list, connect, and curate the roles and traits that shape your leadership. Learn practical steps to build your identity map, choose situational leadership selves, and use context-aware leadership to boost authenticity, trust, and per...

Greg Gillum breaks down why managers struggle to delegate and how to make delegation work, drawing on Elsbeth Johnson’s HBR insights. Discover the four hidden barriers—task-driven dopamine, difficulty saying no, unclear expectations, and confusing doing with leading—and simple fixes: create routines, reframe delegation, clarify outcomes, practice small handoffs, and schedule reflection. Walk away...

In this episode Greg Gillum breaks down a new HBR study showing that foundational "soft" skills—like communication, adaptability, teamwork and basic numeracy—form the backbone of long-term career success. The researchers map a nested skill structure and find that roughly 80% of the wage benefits from advanced skills depend on these core capabilities. The episode explains skill entrapment and its r...

In this episode of the Manager Lab, Greg Gillum explores Harvard Business Review author Peter T. Coleman’s concept of Conflict Intelligence (CIQ) — an emotional-intelligence-plus framework that combines self-awareness, social conflict skills, adaptivity, and systemic wisdom to turn workplace friction into clarity and innovation. Listeners learn why conflict matters, how leaders can embed CIQ acros...

In this episode of The Manager Lab, Greg Gillum breaks down Jamil Zaki’s Harvard Business Review piece on the “super facilitator” — a role that integrates diverse expertise, ensures equitable contributions, and builds trust to boost team collective intelligence. Learn three practical practices — attunement (reading the room), communication (affirming others), and distribution (balancing participat...

In this episode of Manager Lab we unpack the HBR article "Job Interviews Aren't Evaluating the Right Skills" and explain why interviews often miss critical, role-specific competencies—especially emerging areas like AI. You'll get three practical tactics to improve hiring: audit and expand skill coverage, probe depth with structured follow-ups, and add skill-based assessments (simulations, work sam...

In this episode of Manager Lab we explore why kindness is not optional but essential for trust, psychological safety, and high performance. Drawing on HBR research and practical examples, we explain how respectful listening, thoughtful feedback, and inclusive practices improve engagement, retention, and business outcomes. Managers will learn concrete ways to embed kindness into routines and polici...

Music. Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we delve into the increasingly dynamic world of talent management. In this episode we summarize Ranjie Gulati’s Harvard Business Review piece "Now Is the Time for Courage," exploring why bold leadership matters when uncertainty is high. The episode breaks down five actionable practices—crafting a purpose-driven narrative, preparing thoroughly, deconstructin...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we dive into a data-driven approach to delegating, inspired by a July 2025 Harvard Business Review article. Learn how to effectively track, categorize, and delegate tasks to unleash your leadership potential. Discover the power of a time log, a simple yet effective tool for capturing how your work...

Welcome to The Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we dive into Vanessa Erk Druskitt's HBR article, "Do You Have an Emotionally Intelligent Team?" to uncover the importance of team-level emotional intelligence. Discover how fostering trust, shared identity, and group efficacy can transform individual stars into a cohesive powerhouse. Learn about t...

Welcome to the Manager Lab! In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of effective leadership, drawing insights from the July 2025 Harvard Business Review article by Melody Wilding. Discover the transformative potential of the "visibility grid," a practical framework designed to help leaders determine the right level of oversight for various projects. With the visibility grid, leaders can e...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, your destination for uncovering the secrets of talent management. In this episode, we explore practical strategies to enhance happiness and well-being, inspired by Arthur C. Brooks's book, 'The Happiness Files, Insights on Work and Life.' Discover how investing in relationships, engaging in physical activity, and fostering generosity can transform both personal and prof...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we delve into the art and science of talent management. In this episode, we explore the power of well-designed off-sites as a strategy for team development and morale boosting. Through insights from a Harvard Business Review article, we discuss five essential questions to consider when planning an off-site, starting with defining the desired emotional outcomes for...

Welcome to The Manager Lab, your gateway to mastering talent management in an ever-evolving world. In this episode, join us as we continue our exploration of the five ways leaders communicate power, based on insights from Chris Lipp's article in the Harvard Business Review. We recap the first two communication techniques: focusing on action and thinking big. Leaders gain authority by presenting no...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we delve into the increasingly dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we explore the art, science, and strategy behind effective leadership communication. Taking inspiration from Ronald Reagan's renowned communication style, we uncover how leaders can exert power through words and presence. The discussion centers around Chris Lipp's article from Harv...

Welcome to part two of "The Manager Lab," where we continue our exploration into finding joy in the busiest of lives. This episode uncovers five research-backed strategies for enhancing happiness amidst demanding schedules. We discuss the importance of engaging with others, avoiding passive activities, and following your passions. However, new insights show that focusing exclusively on a single pa...

In this episode of the Manager Lab, we explore the elusive element of joy in life satisfaction and reveal five research-backed strategies to optimize your free time. Discover the importance of engaging with others, avoiding passive pursuits, and following your passion to boost your happiness and fulfillment. Join us as we delve into practical insights for finding joy beyond work achievements and m...

Explore the intricacies of giving feedback as a new leader in this enlightening episode of Manager Lab. Delve into strategies for assessing team dynamics and building trust swiftly to create a lasting impact. Discover practical tips inspired by renowned authors to help leaders navigate their roles and foster a culture of openness and growth. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding t...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, your definitive guide to navigating the fast-paced realm of talent management. In this episode, we explore the undervalued power of curiosity in high-stakes conversations. Discover the essential methodology known as the 'curiosity check'—a brief, three-step assessment designed to align your mindset, set intentions, and employ curiosity questions effectively. Learn how t...

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we dive into the crucial role of committees in organizational decision-making by analyzing an article from Harvard Business Review. Discover why committees often struggle to surface essential insights and how seemingly minor procedural changes can drastically improve decision outcomes. We discuss...