The New Manager Podcast

Managing people is a different job than whatever you did to get promoted. Now, instead of holding the work in your own hands, you are responsible for managing other people who are doing the work. You're still responsible for the end result -- and that can feel frustrating, or make you second-guess yourself. Here's a way to think about it that will help. . . . After the Episode Recognize an...

How do you want to be known? How do you want people to describe you when you're not in the room? . . . After the Episode Sign up to be a guest on the pod! We'll work through one problem you want help with: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/podcast-guest ~ Join the next Communication Strategies for Managers: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ~ Free download: Make Feedback Mean...

When you want to lead your team through change, it takes more than information and individual willpower. Take a look at the system around people -- the processes, incentives and metrics -- to ensure they're reinforcing the change you want. And: increase the psychological safety to learn and try new things. . . Microsoft's 2026 Work Trend Index Annual Report https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/...

You have more power to shape culture than you realize -- no matter where you sit in the org chart. Start by paying attention to three things: 1) What happens consistently, 2) What's allowed, and 3) What's celebrated. . . . Have a challenge you'd like to talk through? This June, I'm opening my calendar to meet with listeners. We'll talk through one problem you want help with. Fi...

The higher you go, the harder it is to get feedback. If you're not getting validation or guidance on your work, it's easy for anxiety to spike and insecurity to flare. It can feel like shouting into a void -- or plodding through a feedback desert. This episode will help. Let's discuss! . . . Do you have a challenge you'd like to talk through? This June, I'm opening my calendar...

There's something powerful about saying things out loud. Notice where you feel free to speak your mind and organize your thoughts. . . And where you are more measured and cautious about how you speak. Do you have a work challenge you'd like the talk through? This June, I'm opening my calendar to meet with listeners. We'll talk through one problem you want help with. The conversatio...

If you feel like there's too much to do and it's all on you. . . Plan a holiday or vacation this season. At the very least, take time off from worry and feeling anxious about all the things on your to-do list. . . . After the Episode Free download: Make Feedback Meaningful https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine ~ Strengthen your communication skills and strateg...

First, a celebration and a story about how I got myself un-stalled on a project. Then, an observation about the value of adding calm to the system, and two approaches for how to do that. . . . After the Episode Free download: Make Feedback Meaningful https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine ~ Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking: https://maven.com/...

"Increase your power and influence with this one weird trick. . ." Seriously, though: make it a practice to pause and slow down. It seems counterintuitive when faced with outer urgency and an inner drive to work hard. But there are real advantages to taking a pause. It's true for athletes (rest builds strength, as does interval training), and it's true for managers at work. . . ....

If you're an "I can do it myself!" person, then you might not have much practice in asking for help. This episode is for you. . . . After the Episode Free download: Make Feedback Meaningful https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine ~ Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ~ Learn to us...

Every leader has an underlying philosophy that shapes their decisions, actions, and approach to the work. Not sure where to start? Ask others about theirs. . . Resources mentioned in this episode: Dr. Frances Frei's Office Hours LIVE . . . After the Episode Free download: Make Feedback Meaningful ~ Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking . ~ Learn to use The Gentle No to sa...

The latest Global State of the Workplace Report by Gallup came out, and they're reporting lower levels of engagement worldwide. One thing that helps? Meaningful feedback. And one key part of that? Future focused feedback. Plus: you can now download your own copy of the Make Feedback meaningful zine! . Resources mentioned in this episode: Free download: https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-...

This week, take a breath and savor the wins. There will always be more work to be done. And even when things are going well, it can feel scary -- the feeling that there's more to lose, or that you'll let people down, can increase in the best of times. So make an intentional practice: savor the wins, whether they are small or clearly visible for all to see. . . Is there a topic you'd li...

Being a manager isn't glamorous. If things are feeling heavy, like you're stuck in a thankless grind, have a listen. . . . After the Episode Join the upcoming class of Communication Strategies for Managers: ⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠ ~ Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad: ⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no⁠ ~ Find me on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠http...

Today I share my biggest take-away from attending Transform. Plus, a reminder that you're human, you work with humans, and there's a lot going on. . . . After the Episode Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad: https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no ~ Strengthen the basics, and level up your leadership skills with Communication Strategies for Managers: ⁠https://maven.com/k...

In this week's episode we explore three interwoven themes: How to refill your cup when you feel exhausted, Where to find inspiration, and Making feedback meaningful. I make a commitment to share the zine I made. But in the meantime, check out Julia's zine: Help! I have a manager! https://wizardzines.com/zines/manager/ . . . After the Episode Develop your skills at saying No, without feelin...

This originally aired in Aug. 2024 as Episode 182, Being a Hard Worker and Saying No. As you listen, notice for yourself: What's changed? What's new? What have you let go of? Choosing that state of Beginner's Mind, where you don't need to have all the answers, will keep you adaptive, curious, and ready to learn. And that includes: learning how (and when!) to say No. . . . After the...

If you've been praised and rewarded for saying YES all the time, it can feel really uncomfortable to start saying NO. But part of your job as a manager and leader is to say No. Start seeing NO as a skill to learn, rather than a discomfort to avoid. . . . After the Episode Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad: https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no ~ Enroll in Communication S...

Lessons learned about confidence from weight training. Create it somewhere outside of work -- get the feeling experience of it in your body. Then bring it with you into wherever you need it. . . . After the Episode Enrollment is open for March and April: ⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠ ~ New course: The Gentle No https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no ~ Follow me on LinkedI...

Your voice -- literally, the sound you create through your physical body -- has more power than you may realize. Communication is not just about the words you use, but the way you use sound (and silence) can convey your message and influence how others receive (and perceive!) you. . . . After the Episode Enrollment is open for March and April! For a limited time, use promo code SPRING10 and save 1...

At some point your career, you (or someone on your team) will make a mistake. There will also come a time when you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else's mistake. The important thing in both cases is how you choose to handle it. How will you treat people -- how will you communicate? Listen to the story behind why this is top of mind, and what you can do when you find yourself in...

When you're an IC, your focus is on execution. But as you rise to manager and leader, this must shift. Three things managers and leaders focus on, instead of trying to be the best at executing tasks: Making decisions. Building relationships. Creating a vision -- and communicating it so that others can see how they fit into it. . . . After the Episode Enrollment is open for March and April! For...

Leadership can feel heavy. I've found that most of the time when people talk about wanting to feel more confident, they really mean they want to feel more certain. They want to know that they're making decisions that will lead to best outcomes, and ensure success. This episode explores two sources of confidence: External and Internal. Learn to recognize and work with both, and you'll h...

Being direct is a great tool to have in your communications toolbox. Whether you're using it effectively will have a lot to do on other factors, like: context, power, relationship, and goals. In this episode we'll explore how (and why!) to be more direct. You'll also get some suggestions for what to do if you find that your direct approach is not always well received. . . . After the E...

There are five aspects of trauma-informed care that make good sense for the workplace: Safety / Psychological Safety Trustworthiness Choice / Autonomy Collaboration Empowerment / Motivation + Engagement People are human. The experiences we have in life shape how we perceive risk, make decisions, communicate, and work with others. Learning a bit about trauma-informed care makes it easier to bring o...