The Manager Track

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...

Delegating work isn’t just about handing off tasks—it’s about fostering growth, maximizing team productivity, and elevating your leadership impact. Yet, many managers find it challenging to delegate work while maintaining high standards for the deliverables. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw dives into the art of effective delegation and the mindset shifts needed to make it...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw is joined by Christian Muntean, business strategist, leadership advisor, and author of Train to Lead . Together, they explore what it means to develop leadership skills with a structured and intentional approach, much like how athletes train for success. For all of us in leadership roles, sooner or later, we come to realize that leadership...

Today's workforce is experiencing a significant generational shift, with Gen Z expected to make up 30% of employees by 2030. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we examine the key differences, expectations, and needs of younger generations in the workplace. Join Ramona as she shares research-backed insights and practical approaches for building strong working relationships across generat...

Transitioning from managing individual contributors to leading other managers is a pivotal step in any leader’s journey. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we explore the complexities of this transition and the strategic shifts required to succeed at this higher level. Join Ramona as she discusses seven essential strategies for managing managers effectively, each designed to address com...

Setting broad goals like "improve communication" or "get better at delegating" rarely leads to real progress. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains how to transform generic development goals into actionable plans that create lasting results. Ramona outlines how to shift your mindset before starting your development journey, convert vague "get better at" goals into specific, observable outcomes, an...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw talks with Charles Feltman, leadership coach and author of "The Thin Book of Trust." Ramona and Charles discuss how to make clear requests, delegate effectively, and rebuild trust after mistakes. They address the challenges leaders face in trusting their teams and offer solutions. Charles emphasizes that trust-building is a skill that can b...

Many people think office politics is bad, but it really is neither positive nor negative. It's all about how you use it. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains why office politics is important for your career and how to do it well. She talks about common mistakes to avoid and gives tips on how to build trust and influence at work. Ramona shows you how to spot key people who need wins and who have p...

Change is hard, but leaders can make it easier. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains why our brains resist change and shares practical ways for leaders to help their teams adapt. Learn how to communicate effectively during transitions, track progress, and keep your team motivated when things shift. This episode is a must-listen for any leader managing change or preparing for future transitions. W...

Picture this: You're captaining a ship, confidently steering towards your goals. But there's a catch – your ego is like a hidden underwater current, slowly pushing you off course without you even realizing it. In this episode, Ramona shows you how to spot when your ego is trying to take the wheel and reveals common traps where ego masquerades as productivity. Ramona also offers insights on evaluat...

Ever feel like remote leadership requires a whole new playbook? In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw speaks with Chris Dyer, a remote work and company culture expert. Chris shares unconventional approaches to leadership, challenging the traditional use of one-on-one meetings in remote or hybrid setups. He offers alternative strategies to improve team communication, decision-ma...

Do you worry that your technical skills are fading as you take on more leadership responsibilities? You are not alone!  In the latest episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona tackles this common concern for new and even advancing leaders. She shares practical insights on navigating the shift from being hands-on to focusing on leadership so you can continue to thrive without losing touch w...

In this heartfelt episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona sits down with Moe Carrick, an internationally recognized expert in workplace culture. Together, they explore the nuances of building genuine connections and relationships at work. Ramona and Moe discuss four key areas: people leadership, emotional stirring, authentic vulnerability, and creating teams that genuinely care. Moe shares he...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona explores the art of embracing opposition and shares practical strategies to transform conflict into a powerful leadership tool. Whether you're struggling with workplace disagreements or want to foster a more dynamic team environment, this episode offers valuable insights on how to leverage opposition for personal and professional growth. Check i...

In this week’s episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona provides practical tips on how to interview for a management position and share 5 reasons why a hiring manager might not hire you into a leadership role. Whether you've applied for managerial roles that you didn't get and are wondering what you could do better next time, are preparing for future interviews, or if you are curious how to fi...

Leaders face numerous challenges in building effective teams and fostering positive workplace dynamics. This week's episode of The Manager Track podcast addresses these issues with guest Lotus Buckner, an HR leader and author. Ramona and Lotus discuss key topics that often prevent leaders from performing at their best, particularly during difficult times. They examine how to make tough decisions a...

You won't have to share your answer with anyone but answer this honestly: - Do you think you're pretty capable and competent in your field of work? - Do you regularly second guess yourself or often doubt your skills or expertise? If you nodded your head to both of these questions then keep on reading. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona introduces the "confidence paradox" - the ph...