The Modern Manager

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...

Many of us fall into the perfectionist trap. Whether it’s because of strict bosses, high academic standards, or just self-motivation, perfectionism is more common than you’d think. While it’s important and healthy to strive to do our best work, at some point all managers have to acknowledge that people will make mistakes and good enough can truly be good enough. Today’s guest is Thomas Curran. Tho...

Do you ever feel stuck in the middle? Middle managers have a unique opportunity to understand the high-level objectives of an organization and touch the day-to-day activities that accomplish those goals. However, middle managers can often feel pulled in two different directions, answering to their superiors and the employees below them. How can middle managers effectively balance their time and at...

Teams are the backbone of all workplaces. When teams are functioning properly, organizations can thrive; and in order for teams to function properly, people must be good teammates. Success often comes down to the ability of individuals to work together effectively. But how do people continue to be good team members in today’s ever-changing workforce? Today’s guest is Lance Loya, best-selling autho...

EPISODE 263: NAVIGATE EMOTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE WITH JEN HOPE Whether you find yourself grappling with stress, loneliness, or irritation—or simply seeking to cultivate a more positive and productive work environment—managers must learn to navigate the intricate landscape of emotional regulation. Feelings of all sorts make their way into our daily work experience. The challenge is that when they’re...

EPISODE 262: CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING WITH DR. SAM ADEYEMI Decision-making has been somewhat of a hot topic for leaders lately, and for good reason. Each decision we make, whether big or small, plays a role in either accomplishing our goals or straying from them. But how do we learn to make better decisions, and how do we teach our team members to do the same? Today’s guest is Dr. Sam Adeyemi. Sam...

Do you ever feel like you can see the end in sight, but you don’t know how to get there? Having a vision is important—having clear processes and procedures to accomplish your goals is just as important. In fact, creating and sticking to work processes can be the difference between a team that is chaotic and unorganized versus a team that works together seamlessly to get work done. Today’s guest is...

Do you ever feel like the world is against you? Many leaders have risen to the top of their industries by working hard, trying to prove themselves against all odds. But surprisingly, those who have found the greatest success have seen themselves as partners with the world. This deep, sometimes unconscious mindset colors everything from the decisions you make to the habits you form. The question is...

Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? The people in our circles can have a large impact on the work we do and the career decisions we make. But how do we get people in our circles in the first place, and keep them there? Networking. An essential skill for managers, networking allows you to build relationships with people in and out of your industry, learn abo...

Of all the learning resources available, sometimes the best one is another person. No matter how much we know about a certain topic or industry, there is likely someone who knows a bit more. Mentorship allows people to grow and learn directly from another person, who shares their wisdom, guidance, motivation, and knowledge. But how frequently is mentorship used in the workplace, and what can we do...

While we may not realize it, stories are constantly underlying our thinking. We formed stories about ourselves when we were younger, we interpret messages through our pre-existing stories, and we tell ourselves stories to help us understand the world around us. These stories have a great influence on how we relate to the people around us. So, how can we recognize the impact stories have on us and...

Each person brings their values and perspectives to group decision-making. But what happens when those perspectives seem to be conflicting? We need to be cost conscious, and we also need high quality. We need honesty, and we also need kindness and grace. We need structure, and we also need flexibility. When we feel like we’re stuck between conflicting options or mindsets, it might be a moment for...