The Modern Manager

As a manager, you are entrusted to lead and manage your team, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get things right. When you have power and authority, it can be challenging to own your shortfalls and mistakes. After all, you are someone that your team members look up to. But our guest thinks otherwise. He believes that showing up with radical humility builds trust, fosters connection, and creates...

Have you ever felt that your one-on-one meetings aren’t as effective as they should be? Before you write them off your calendar, consider this: a Gallup study reveals that employees are three times more engaged when they experience regular one-on-ones. But let’s face it—one-on-ones take up a significant portion of your time. They aren’t as easy as asking your team members, “How are you?” . Fortuna...

As a manager, you have a lot on your plate. Investing in relational time can sometimes feel like a nice-to-have rather than a must-do. But making time to build strong relationships and connections at work should be your top priority. It’s the single most impactful thing you can do for your career. Why? Today’s guest explains it all. Today’s guest is Patricia Bathory. Patricia combines her roles as...

One of the toughest transitions for any leader is moving from doing the work to leading others who do the work.  As a manager, it’s still expected that you’ll roll up your sleeves and get work done. However, as your role grows more complex, it becomes clear that effective leadership means empowering your team to take on more of those tasks. Delegating, however, isn’t as simple as it seems.  Manage...

When you think of project management , what first comes to mind? For many folks, it’s associated with getting certified to lead the execution of major projects. You can even hold the title of Project Manager in some businesses! Yet, much of what all managers do–setting goals, creating plans, managing teams–is essentially project management.  We’ve quietly slipped into the project manager role, jus...

Dealing with stressful conversations is never easy; whether you’re telling a client the project is delayed or relaying a bad performance review to a team member. But as managers, we can’t just avoid these conversations. Putting them off may protect us from our vulnerabilities, but they actually get in the way of having authentic and productive conversations with our teams. So, how do we navigate t...

Meetings are an important part of how we collaborate, but too often, they feel more like a waste of time rather than a productive engagement. How often have you left a meeting feeling like you’ve lost time and momentum? Our guest has found a way to reclaim your time and make every meeting count. Today’s guest is Yari Ising. Yari is the founder of The Ising Agency, a firm offering operations, recru...

Teamwork makes the dream work. But does it? Most of us believe that being a team means nurturing teamwork, embracing camaraderie, and supporting each other emotionally. However, these factors, although very important, aren't essential for every type of team. Today’s guest will unpack what makes a team and how to build a strong one. Meet James Scouller. James is an executive coach, thought leader,...

Do you feel overwhelmed as you step into your first management role? Climbing up the corporate ladder can be exciting, but research shows that transitioning from an individual contributor into a manager role is one of the most challenging and stressful periods in a person’s career. Many new managers don’t easily make the psychological transition from an individual contributor paid to perform tasks...

Have you tried ChatGPT yet?   AI is taking the business world by storm and AI tools have now become an integral part of daily workflows. While many businesses are already discovering ways to adopt and leverage AI, a lot of managers I speak with aren't sure how to take advantage of it. In this week's episode, I share my list of top picks of innovative AI tools that can dramatically boost your team'...

Vulnerability is a key ingredient in nurturing meaningful personal relationships, but does it hold the same weight in a professional context? Brené Brown has popularized the idea of vulnerability, but how we act vulnerable in the workplace differs from how we show vulnerability in personal spaces. After all, work comes with its own set of challenges–from managing teams and pleasing customers to hi...

When you think of a successful career, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not generosity –a term not often associated with the business world.  However, generosity in leadership is about giving of oneself–time, attention, and mentorship–for everyone’s gain. And that’s a powerful business strategy.  Generous leaders invest in their team’s growth and well-being. They cultivate a culture...

How does it feel to work with somebody you'd rather avoid? Let's admit it: We all experience a fair share of difficult people at work. And many times, we just have to be around them whether we like it or not. However, there are a few things, that we can do to lessen their impact on us.  Today's workplace expert unpacks everything we need to know about working with difficult people. Amy Gallo is th...

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked tasks for managers is hiring. While it may seem straightforward, hiring is an intricate process filled with challenges that can shake even the most seasoned manager.  In today’s competitive job market, where job postings can receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, distinguishing top candidates from the rest requires more than just reviewing...

Do you feel overwhelmed with your role as a manager? What exactly is your job?  Managers are key to organizational success. They act as a vital link between leaders' strategic vision and individual contributors' execution. This means we need to guarantee clarity during handoffs and cultivate a culture of accountability within our teams. Feel like a tall order? It doesn't need to be. Today’s guest...

Do you ever wish there was a straightforward way to figure out how to be and do your best as a manager? Fortunately, there is.  Introducing the Modern Manager Framework. Whether you're trying to improve your time management, navigate conflict, or lead better team meetings, the Modern Manager Framework can help you achieve your goals. In this week's episode, we'll explore this framework in depth an...

What exactly is strategic thinking? Many of us often confuse strategic thinking with strategic planning and implementation. We know strategy is crucial in the business world and that strategic thinking skills are valued by senior executives. This week’s podcast guest says anyone can be a strategic thinker and explains how! Today’s guest is Dr. Julia Sloan. Julia is the author of the definitive boo...

Most people think that change at work is great. It has become the defining characteristic of successful organizations, teams, and individuals. But psychologically, change is HARD on humans–it’s a common source of stress for many of us.  When there’s change or uncertainty at work, it creates a degree of fear and anxiety. However, work rituals can help team members feel that sense of continuity amid...

When was the last time you effortlessly swayed someone's opinion? For leaders, it's likely that not everyone who works with you will embrace the ideas and decisions you make—and that's okay. But convincing people to rally behind your vision, sway their perspectives, and generate buy-in is part of the job. Conventional strategies have lost their effectiveness (if ever they were effective!), but tod...

Being a successful manager in today’s modern workplace is not a straightforward task. It requires delivering results and thinking strategically, all the while supporting team members’ growth and development.  Given these demands, it’s unsurprising that professional development may not be your top priority. Today’s guest thinks otherwise–you can make professional development a habit! Today’s guest...

A high performance culture is what often separates great teams from the rest. Culture is vital to your organization's success, but do managers really have that much influence on culture? This week’s guest says we do! Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry is a pioneering force in culture development and building high-performing teams. His journey began with a personal struggle with ADHD, which ultimately led him on a...

Life is a series of choices. We make decisions every single day that affect how we live our lives–whether you’re picking what to have for lunch or steering a company strategy. For managers, effective decision-making skills at work are essential. So, how do you ensure you make the right decisions and stay on top of your game? In this week’s episode, we’ll explore the five (5) critical decision-maki...

Your team members' motivation levels can greatly impact their productivity, engagement, morale, and, of course, the quality of their work. But motivating people is HARD.  Surprisingly, bigger paychecks are less effective than we think they are in motivating people to do good work and stick around. So, if money is not an adequate motivation tool, then what is? How do you motivate your people?  Toda...

What comes to mind when you think about culture? Most of us believe that culture is related to national origin and ethnicity, but culture is so much more than that.  We may live in the same country, and yet it’s not uncommon to have different cultural preferences that influence how we show up at work and in life. And when we aren’t aware of these cultural differences, it can lead to awkward or fru...

Have you taken a personality test for a new job or during a team-building exercise? A lot of folks enjoy the insights that come from assessments like these. They help us know ourselves and our colleagues by better understanding our preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Enter the Enneagram tool.  Today's guest is Tracy O'Malley. Tracy is an Enneagram expert success coach. Her candid journey of se...