The Modern Manager

With busy days and the fast pace of work, it's understandable why so many teams jump from idea to basic plan (maybe!) to action. In our desire to move quickly, we forget that when we do so, we risk making bad decisions, resulting in wasted resources and, ultimately, not achieving what we set out to do. This is where upstream work plays a crucial role in getting alignment and clarity, readying us f...

Your business is only as strong as your employees. So, if you want to build a strong and thriving business, you need to hire top-notch people. But hiring them is only a part of the equation. You must bring them together and transform them from high-performing individuals to high-performing teams. This is where successful team building comes in. Team building comes in all shapes and sizes, and whet...

Workplace conflict is inevitable. When people with different opinions and risk tolerances collaborate on projects or tasks, it’s normal for conflict to arise.  As managers, we know all too well that conflict resolution in the workplace is vital for anyone hoping to nurture positive professional relationships and build a thriving, high-performing team.  Today’s guest is Carol Bowser. Carol is a wor...

Have you ever set goals but then struggled to achieve them? Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to stay on track? In the spirit of the new year, which many consider a fresh start, we’ll unpack the key elements in setting thoughtful and strategic goals and how to actually achieve them. Now, let’s all be clear: there’s no single approach to effective goal setting. In fact, there are dozens of them,...

Why do you show up to work? Why do you do things you’re expected to do at work? The biggest factor of organizational success is determined by how embedded the company’s deep purpose is in its employees.  Today’s guest is Ranjay Gulati. He is the author of the book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies, an educator and researcher who is passionate about how to unlock organi...

Many professionals start their careers in the hope of eventually landing their dream job--that perfect position that checks off all the boxes on their list. But what really is a dream job? A big paycheck with a fancy title? A corner office with a million-dollar view? A good work-life balance? Well, what if I told you that it's time to let go of that dream job delusion and instead strive for someth...

Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members. While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master.  Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control,...

Transitioning from a team member to a manager is undoubtedly a significant leap. It's crucial to recognize the shifts that come with leadership roles and be prepared for them. The first and most apparent shift is recognizing that it's no longer just about you. The spotlight now turns to your team, and your success is intricately woven with theirs.  It's a transition that requires a daily commitmen...

Most of us think that sleeping equals resting. And yet, there are instances when getting more sleep doesn’t rejuvenate us at all. In these cases, sleep is actually the wrong type of rest and won't make up for what you actually need. So, knowing where you’re depleted and then refilling your batteries with the appropriate rejuvenation activities, not just more sleep, will ensure you’ve always got th...

Whether we acknowledge it or not, power is at play in the workplace. The key is to understand your own power and the power dynamics so you and your team can accomplish great things together. But how do you start a conversation on such a sensitive and often awkward topic?  Today’s guest is Catherine Bell. Catherine is a Professional Certified Coach, facilitator, and nonprofit consultant who has spe...

In the fast-paced world of work, sometimes we forget to pause and take the time to be curious. But curiosity is an essential part of building relationships and solving problems. So, how can we tap into our natural curiosity?  Today’s guest is Scott Shigeoka. Scott is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author. He is known for translating research into strategies that promo...

95% of our choices every day are made by our autopilot. And your mindset is the remarkable force shaping your autopilot system. So, how do you make sure that your autopilot is actually serving you and your team–helping you run at your optimal potential? Our guest expert has a lot to say on this topic. Today’s guest is Susan Hobson. Susan is a High-Performance Leadership Coach, Founder/CEO of Elite...

Performance management enables employees to learn and grow in service of being and doing their best. It traditionally happens through one-on-ones, weekly meetings, and annual performance reviews. However, for many managers and direct reports, performance management feels like a chore. Thankfully, today's guest has figured out how to easily and effectively do performance reviews. Today’s guest is P...

Have you tried journaling? Well, it’s time to be intentional about it and make it a habit. Journaling is more than just writing down your life experience. According to this week's podcast guest, journaling can actually help improve your leadership skills.  Today’s guest is Antonio Garrido. Antonio has over twenty-five years in senior leadership positions with world-class businesses. As an executiv...

When we think of iconic leaders in our history, many people think of impactful figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, or Susan B. Anthony. But defining what leadership is and what leaders really do can be challenging. So today, my guest will walk us through her definition of leadership to help us all thrive at work.  Today’s guest is Teri Schmidt. Teri is the Director of Stronger to...

Have you ever made a comment in a meeting that was met with silence? A silence that felt like hours, and you had no option but to wait for that awkward moment to be over? We’ve all been there. But having awkward moments at work doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, this week's guest says we can use those good awkward moments to make us more human and, therefore, more beloved as managers. Today’...

Top athletes in any sport have at least one coach, sometimes multiple, because they want to perform at their best. Turns out, managers aren't so different from athletes! In order for us to be the best leaders we can be, we need others to help us see our blindspots, push us to think and act in different ways and cheer us on when we’re unsure. In short, a coach can help you unlock your full potentia...

What is your career goal as a manager? Managers play an essential role across all types of companies, and there are many levels for managers within an organization. But knowing which management level is right for you and how to advance your career isn't always clear. Fortunately, our guest has all the answers to your career path questions. Today's guest is Sonja "Dynamo" Price. Sonja is a Top Care...

We don’t come into this world with particular biases. We pick them up from our experiences with the people and world around us over time. And these biases affect how we show up every day (and not in a good way!) So, today’s guest is here to share her wisdom on what managers can do to have a more inclusive workplace where everyone thrives. Today’s guest is Risha Grant. Risha is an award-winning div...

Is your team safe enough at work? Just like physical safety in the workplace, we also need psychological safety if we want people to do their best at work. Psychological safety is about creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing their thoughts or ideas, and making mistakes without worrying about ridicule, punishment, or exclusion. And today’s guest is just the...

Do you ever wish you could accomplish more of your goals personally and professionally? Many people believe that accomplishing goals is about time management when, in fact, it’s about holding yourself accountable. But why is it hard for people to be accountable? Joining me in this week’s episode are two guests who live and breathe accountability. Today’s guests are Tasha Howland and Cheron Porter....

Are you becoming a bad boss? What are the signs that you’re turning into one?  Bad boss behaviors can range from micromanagement and poor communication to lack of appreciation and unreasonably high expectations for their employees. The good thing is that bad boss behaviors can be changed. And we’ve invited someone to help us explore today’s topic. Today’s guest is Rob Kalwarowsky. Rob is a High-Pe...

Have you had the opportunity to use ChatGPT or other AI tools in your work yet? Have you considered harnessing these tools to improve your communication skills? This conversation might convince you to do so. Today’s guest is Helen Dayen. Helen is an executive coach with over 15 years of experience in leadership development, relationship management, business development, and executive coaching. She...

Throughout millions of years of evolution, our brains became formidable tools of innovation, helping us transcend from agricultural to industrial. However, as the world of work underwent radical changes, we mostly found ourselves facing new challenges that our brains were not initially designed to handle. Today’s guest is Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. Gabriella is an author, entrepreneur, executi...

For decades, the office served as the central hub of the business ecosystem until the pandemic. Remote work became a trend, and virtual meetings became the standard for collaboration with our teams and facilitating communication.  However, along with the convenience of work-from-home setups, a new challenge arose–how can managers effectively convey their thoughts and ideas and become excellent dig...