The Manager Track

When we explore the etymology of the term "decide," we uncover its roots in the Latin word "decidere." "De-" means "off" or "down," and "caedere" means "to cut." In this historical context, "decide" originally meant to "cut off" or "cut away" alternative possibilities. The crucial insight? If we decide in advance of emotionally charged events, we are more likely to make logical, wise decisions. De...

The one person you spend more time with than anyone else is yourself. So, it's no surprise that your internal dialogue with yourself is also more crucial than any other conversation you could have. In my coaching sessions, I often discover that my clients' internal conversations are the stumbling blocks for their career success. For example, without evidence, they've convinced themselves that givi...

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 like these reality TV competitions, the climb up the organizational hierarchy brings heightened challenges. Just as contestants face tougher trials and persona...

Leadership is not a predetermined ability and no one starts out being an exceptional leader. It's an ongoing learning process filled with bumps, detours, and pitfalls along the way. In this episode, I want to provide you with a list of things that can be implemented into your day-to-day activities right away that will help you improve your leadership effectiveness starting today. Check out more re...

Mark Pincus, the founder of Zynga, once said that leaders should "make everyone the CEO of something." But that's easier said than done. So how do you go about cultivating an ownership mindset, not only for yourself, but all of your direct reports as well? I mean, is it even possible to affect how other people view their ownership of something? In this week's episode, I wanted to highlight the imp...

Every year since 1935 and coming up on December 9, football enthusiasts gather around to see who will win the esteemed Heisman Trophy. Only the best of the best even make it on the ballot. But underneath, there is even more instilled in the heart of a champion that sets them apart. The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the player who not only displays outstanding athletic abilities but embodies qualiti...

Ep. 183 - We all know that bad meetings can be a waste of time, reduce energy, and hinder team and business growth. But, how in the world can we change that? Well, my friends, let me introduce you to a true meeting expert , Mamie Kanfer Stewart. Mamie has spent the last 10 years helping companies streamline meetings and joined me for this week's episode of the Manager Track podcast to share her in...

If you've ever found yourself in an awkward place that requires you to address a difficult topic while maintaining trust, then you don't want to miss out on this episode. Listen in as I face rapid-fire questions from my colleague Melody Wilding about everything from "How do you keep feedback from turning into a therapy session?" to "What do you do when someone is underperforming due to personal is...

Being a smart and analytical leader is a gift, but it also comes with its own set of unique challenges. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, I wanted to share five of the most common hurdles that smart and analytical professionals encounter as they rise in their careers and how to over come them. If you've ever bombarded your team with excessive details or got caught in a never-ending ana...

As leaders, it's crucial for us to understand how to identify entitled behaviors and effectively manage employees who are exhibiting those behaviors. All of this, while navigating the ever-changing dynamics of today's workplace. In this episode, we'll explore what entitlement looks like, how to identify it, and strategies for preventing the hiring of entitled employees. We'll also discuss how to e...

If you are wondering how you can use AI to improve your productivity or get better at people-related tasks, and maybe even increase the efficiency of your team, then you are not alone. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, I'm sharing a recent LinkedIn Live panel. I was joined by 3 HR leaders to talk about the intersection of AI and leadership, particularly in the context of being a people...

Navigating change can be difficult and feel overwhelming at times. It can feel like a balancing act of letting go of the past while embracing the opportunities of the future. In this week's episode, I'm going to share how to overcome common obstacles that may hinder your progress, especially common road-blocks such as fear and self-doubt, plus how to effectively transition into a new set of circum...

Emotional labor, it's that game face we put on when we have doubts, worries, or fears, but others expect confidence from us. Let's face it, that can be exhausting and draining. But here's the thing, if we ignore this emotional labor, it can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and loss of motivation. There are ways to manage emotional labor effectively. In this episode, I'll discuss the concept of "emotion...

In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast, we will explore why investing in your leadership development is so crucial, the areas you should focus on developing, and some practical steps you can take to advance as a leader. I will also give you a behind-the-scenes look at our Leadership Advisory Program, which is designed to help advancing leaders reach the next level in their careers. Whether y...

A recent study by Dell Technologies* reports that an estimated 85% of jobs in 2030 haven't been invented yet. This research coupled with the emerging and rapidly growing applications of AI, signals a wave of rapid change will be hitting the workplace soon. If you haven't already experienced the increasing frequency of changes and disruptions, the chances are high that you will rather sooner than l...

In this episode of the Manager Track Podcast, I will be pulling back the curtain on the topic of leading as an introvert. Not only will I challenge the notion that extroversion is a requirement of effective leadership, but I'll also reveal some other common misconceptions about being an introverted leader. I'll be diving into the benefits of introversion as a personality type and provide tips that...

In this episode, we have a very special guest joining us, Dr. Paul White. Dr. White is a renowned psychologist, speaker, and leadership expert, and he's here to shed light on a topic that often gets overlooked but is crucial for a productive and thriving work environment - appreciation. Join us as we dive into the 5 Languages of Appreciation at Work, based on Dr. White's bestselling book co-author...

This is your sign that you've been putting off that difficult conversation long enough. This is a re-release of one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. Now's your chance to prepare for it, then power through it. Trust me, this is one you don't want to miss! ___________________________________ Most of us dread the difficult conversations we know we should have but would reall...

Warren Buffett once famously said, 'If you can't communicate, it's like winking at a girl in the dark - nothing happens.' This humorous analogy holds a valuable lesson, especially when it comes to numbers. No matter what industry you are in, chances are high that at some point in your career you will have to convey complex information through numbers. While not everyone is naturally adept at this,...

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of team engagement in your remote and hybrid work environments, then you are not alone! Despite your efforts to encourage collaboration, you may be encountering disengaged or siloed team members. It's time to address these challenges head-on by intentionally implementing effective strategies to boost team engagement in your remote and hybrid...

Traditional models of leadership are often presented as cookie-cutter frameworks, but the reality is that true leadership isn't so clear-cut. In fact, the best way to lead lies within the gray zone, the middle ground along the spectrum of two different leadership models. The key realization for leaders is that there is no single "right" way to lead. It's about finding a give-and-take, striking a b...

Have you ever wondered questions like, "Should I leave or should I stay?" "Would it be better if I had a different job?" "When can I finally get promoted?" Well, you are not alone. With the great reshuffle in full force, it seems like those questions are common for many, and even if you haven't thought about it, one of your directs might have. So in this episode I want to dig deeper into the theme...

In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw talks about the importance of creating 'Calendar White Space' and its impact on leadership effectiveness. She explains why it's crucial for leaders to carve out this space for strategic thinking and cross-departmental projects, offers concrete strategies for doing so, and shares the benefits this practice brings. Check it out here: htt...

"Toxic" isn't just a buzzword, it's a very real way to describe behaviors and situations that are detrimental, both in and out of the workplace. This has been one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. Since so many people have found it helpful, I thought I should share it again as a re-release. As more and more people begin to return to the office, this may even be a good one...

In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw discusses the concept of 'Overdone Strengths' and how it impacts leadership effectiveness. She offers insights on why it's critical to understand this concept for self-awareness and leadership development, provides concrete examples, and shares some strategies for recognizing and managing those overdone strengths. Check it out on the w...