The Modern Manager

How often do you send an email only to spend hours clarifying it later? Or find yourself rewriting a team member’s work to get it “right” ? Mastering written communication–whether in emails, reports, proposals, or Slack messages–is more important than ever given how we collaborate today. Thankfully, today’s guest is here to share the ins and outs of effective writing. Meet Davina Stanley. Davina i...

When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence often gets overlooked. For years, the American work culture has emphasized suppressing emotions in the workplace. But times are changing. Today, emotional intelligence is as crucial as any leadership skill–if not the most essential. Our guest is here to show us why it matters and how to manage our emotions effectively. Meet Roberta Fernandez. Rob...

Imagine a workplace where every decision begins with a single, powerful question, “How will this affect our people?” . This is the cornerstone of a people-first culture–a philosophy that integrates employee well-being into every facet of a company’s operations. But what does this look like in action? Thankfully, this week’s guest is here to share what he’s learned along the way of building people-...

Great workshops deliver clarity, improved collaboration, and actionable outcomes. Now, imagine if you and your team could approach every workday with the same high energy and focus as you feel during a great workshop. That’s exactly what today’s guest is here to help us achieve–building a workshop culture in the workplace. Meet Alison Coward. Alison is the founder of Bracket, a consultancy that pa...

For many years, organizations have leaned on traditional performance management to improve team performance and drive results.  However, in today’s fast-changing business world, regular performance feedback–though still important–isn’t enough. That’s where Silver Lining’s Silver Belt Action Plan (SBAP) comes in .  Meet Carissa Reiniger. Carissa is the Founder & CEO of Silver Lining, a company...

Did you know that many workplaces unintentionally exclude trans and non-binary individuals? Part of the reason for this is the widespread assumption that humanity only fits neatly into two categories: men and women . However, this perspective has never been universally true–and it’s time we challenge it at work. Fortunately, our guest is here to help us understand these gender terminologies and ho...

Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s success. It’s more than just paperwork and introductions–it’s about creating the foundation for engagement, productivity, and belonging. But how can you set your new hires up for success even before their first day of work? Today’s guest will walk us through how to onboard a new employee from start to finish. Meet Dr. Tiffany E. Slater. Tiffany is the Fou...

Your skills alone don’t determine your work performance–it’s also about being in the right physical, mental, and emotional state.  That’s where wellness practices come in. In today’s episode, our guest will share powerful practices for incorporating wellness into the workday. Meet Kristel Bauer. Kristel is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting org...

Do you struggle with giving your team members more ownership and authority? If you’ve ever wrestled with how to empower your team with confidence, today’s guest will tell you exactly what to do. Meet Brian Irwin. Brian is an author, speaker, coach, and mentor. He has a history of successfully leading management teams through complex transformations. Brian considers himself a "strategic simplifier"...

Have you read your company handbook? As a manager, a simple decision at work could land you in hot water, so reading your company handbook is essential , especially for new managers.  You must know not only how to lead effectively but also how to lead legally . That’s where our workplace legal expert comes in. Meet Peter Rahbar. Peter is a workplace legal expert who guides clients through the most...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by tasks that never seem to end? What if I told you that you don’t need another productivity app to reclaim your time? Today’s guest is here to help us recover our time by working smarter. Meet Leslie Shreve. Leslie is a workload management and productivity expert, and the Founder and CEO of Productive Day®. She created Taskology®, a system that has helped hundreds of p...

How well do you know your team? It’s not just about knowing each member’s personality; teams have a unique style, too, that shapes how the members collaborate and perform together. That’s where today’s guest comes in.  Meet Christopher Morrison. Christopher is the co-founder of TeamDynamics, a pioneering platform designed to optimize team collaboration by providing actionable insights into team dy...

Are Gen Zs really difficult to work with? As more Gen Z employees enter and advance in the workforce, it’s crucial for business leaders to understand this generation’s unique experiences–shaped by remote work, self-directed learning, and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. So, how should managers lead this new cohort? To help us navigate managing Gen Z and unlock their true potential, I spoke...

Have you ever had to fire someone and lost sleep over it?  Firing someone isn’t as easy as saying, “You’re fired!” . If you’ve been through it, you know just how tough it can be–emotions run high, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re the bad guy. That’s why I sat down with an HR expert to get her best advice on how to fire someone thoughtfully. Today’s guest is Jackie Koch. Jackie has more than 1...

Is disruption always bad, or can it be your greatest asset? In today’s world of relentless change–where the global talent pool is expanding and advancements in AI and machine learning are accelerating–disruption has become the new normal. But amidst this chaos, should we seek to disrupt ourselves even more instead of just being disrupted? Today’s guest says yes.  Meet Terence Mauri. Terence is a g...

Hiring talent from another country can seem like a daunting task. Navigating different time zones, cultures and other factors can feel overwhelming at first. But here’s the truth : those initial challenges are small compared to the massive benefits of expanding your hiring options.  To help you navigate this journey, today’s guest is here to share expert tips on how to effectively tap into the glo...

Have you ever found yourself nodding in agreement during a meeting while silently thinking, “This will never work.” ? You’re not alone. Too often, we hold back in disagreement, fearing conflict, which only leads to frustration down the line. But managing conflict is a crucial skill for both managers and employees. Today’s guest is here to teach us how to respectfully disagree with your co-workers....

Is it possible to achieve high-quality business results while building a thriving team? Many leaders often believe they must choose between driving results and prioritizing their people. However, time and again, we’ve seen that choosing one over the other rarely leads to better outcomes. Thankfully, today’s guest brings a new perspective and practical strategies to help us achieve both at the same...

Mindset is crucial for success, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Yet, many of us feel stuck and merely going through the motions. But what if I told you that a simple mindset shift could provide the clarity and focus you needed to move forward? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for. Today’s guest is Penny Zenker. Penny is known as “The Focusologist.” She’s a sought-after internation...

When there’s great leadership, everyone flourishes. We’ve seen the outcomes of having great leaders at work countless times–high-performing teams, healthy workplaces, increased profitability, and happy employees, among other things. But what actually makes a great leader? What leadership traits create a lasting impact not just on organizations but also on the lives of the people you lead?  Thankfu...

Imagine standing at the base of Mt. Everest, feeling the crushing weight of doubt and fear. Now, picture your toughest work challenge–where quitting feels like the best option. Would you push through or hit the quit button? Many of us struggle with the internal battle of wanting to avoid discomfort, even though deep down, we know that overcoming these challenges is essential for growth and success...

Are you or your team members feeling unhappy at work?  When discussing job dissatisfaction, people often point to issues like job title or compensation. However, we frequently overlook the fact that humans have complex emotions, and sometimes, we struggle to express what we truly feel. Thankfully, this week’s guest will help us explore what’s really going on beneath the surface and provide insight...

Imagine sensing the underlying emotions in a tense meeting or intuitively knowing when to steer a conversation in a more productive direction–all by tuning into your body’s signals . That’s how intelligent your body can be! Science says that your body knows more than you realize–it’s always sending you signals. Yet, we aren’t taught how to interpret these signals well, especially in a workplace se...

Focus on attributes, not skills. So often, we are easily impressed by what we see on resumes or how someone performed during their last big project. But here’s the truth: skills are just one piece of the puzzle. If we focus too much on skills, we risk overlooking one of the most important drivers of human performance– attributes . Attributes play a key role not only in our daily tasks but also in...

Are you struggling to deal with narcissistic personalities in your workplace? Working with a narcissist can feel like a never-ending battle. Their lack of empathy, manipulative skills, and constant need for admiration can easily create a tense atmosphere at work. So, how do you manage this type of toxic behavior and protect yourself and your team from the emotional turmoil brought on by a narcissi...