The New Manager Podcast

When I was first promoted to a manager role, I thought that maybe there would be meetings with other people managers where we discussed how to be good managers, and address challenges in doing the job. Nope! I began to realize that everyone was just figuring it out along the way. Three things to keep in mind as you start the year: Everyone is making it up as they go. Be observant. Pay attention an...

This is the last episode of 2025, so our focus will be VISION. First, we reflect on the year. Then, we set intentions for the year ahead. The heart of it all? You. Your vision of yourself -- as a leader, and as a person. I use Year Compass to help me reflect on my year, and set intentions for the year ahead. Get your own copy -- it's free, and probably offered in your preferred language: https...

Working with and leading a diverse team takes skill. Developing any skill takes intentional practice -- whether you're learning a new language, a new dance step, or honing your communication skills and leadership mindset. Communication Strategies for Managers starts in January. Here's what you need to know, to get the most out of it. . . . After the Episode Enroll now to start the New Year...

"Instead of thinking in terms of using AI, think about it as managing AI. Manage it like you would a person." This is one of the ideas shared at the Responsibly Human AI Summit last week, where leaders in HR, People Ops, and Employee Engagement gathered to discuss and learn about how to use AI at work. Here's my initial take. . . . After the Episode Enroll now for Communication Strat...

Shout out to my fellow Swifties! According to Spotify Wrapped, Taylor Swift is the top artist you listened to in 2025 (same!). I also learned that you're listening to this show in 87 countries --wow! And, the top episode this year was Ep. 2: The Two Essential Skills Every New Manager Needs. So this week, we're revisiting that episode. Thank you for being here! And thank you for making The New Mana...

Burnout creeps up on you, and sometimes it's only when you reach the end of the year that you realize just how heavy the exhaustion has become. In this episode you'll learn the 3 components of burnout, so you can check for yourself how you're doing with each one. Then, I'll walk you through 3 lenses for how look at your situation, so you can see what's in your hands (and what&#...

Does it seem like things are changing faster? As the world of work changes with AI and different generational expectations, managers will need to adapt as well. This includes becoming good at change management, and strengthening foundational skills for structural change, and managing relationships throughout your organization. . . . After the Episode Enroll in the upcoming cohort of Communication...

I've noticed a pattern with my clients when it comes to getting stuck in the weeds. It happens sometimes: losing sight of the big picture, not doing the strategic work, and getting sucked down into the details of the work your team is doing. In this episode I'll walk you through five common reasons why this happens, and point you towards a way out. . . . After the Episode Join the next coh...

As a manager, part of your job is to speak up.  But as a human, you might feel anxious or reluctant to do so.  Here's what might hold you back from speaking up at work -- and how can you learn to have more authentic confidence to speak up.  Let's discuss! This episode originally aired as Ep. 83: Speaking Up. . . . After the Episode Join the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Manag...

Being observant and adaptive are two skills that will serve you well as a leader. You'll become more present and capable in responding to the moment and any challenges that arise. In this episode, I walk you through a simple practice that I used to teach in my Essential Skills for Managers course. You'll gain more clarity of mind and action as you reflect and make a list of your observatio...

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility, you may start to get feedback about "developing executive presence."   If you've ever felt confused by what that means, you're not alone!   It's rarely something we learn about early in our work life, and it's often not described in much detail.  So it can seem elusive and ambiguous.   In this episode, I bre...

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility in your career, at some point you're likely to get feedback about your executive presence. Let's start with recognizing you already have a presence , and that it has an effect on those around you. In this episode you'll gain a better understanding of what presence is, and how to recognize it in others. It's the first s...

Being a great manager doesn't require you to be a hero.  But you might slip into that mindset.   It can look like perfectionism, and anxiety about how others see you.   It leads to overworking, isolating, and being overly responsible.   It also creates a lot of pressure, feeling like everything is on your shoulders and it's up to you to keep everything together (no mistakes allowed!).   In this ep...

The way you define a problem will point you towards a certain set of solutions. When you reframe the problem, you will start to see new kinds of solutions. It can be kind of magical. Let's discuss! . . . After the Episode Join the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers: ⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ⁠ ~ Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-site...

If you're conflict avoidant, or grew up as the peace-maker in your family or friend group, then save this episode! You probably have a gut sense that conflict is bad, and must be prevented. But did you know that conflict can actually be an indicator of psychological safety? Conflict is a normal part of human relationships. What's important is what kind of conflict it is, and how you handle...

Confidence is not all or nothing -- it's not something you have or you don't. It's also not something that's rock solid or non-existent. Instead, see it as a dynamic quality inside you that can help keep you steady through uncertainty and change. Learn to identify it in yourself, so that you can access it when needed. . . . After the Episode: Join the next cohort of Communication S...

Every manager needs to learn now to give effective feedback. It's ok if it doesn't come naturally -- you can learn how to do it well.   Thinking in terms of "Feedback as a Service" takes the pressure off, and helps you feel like you're on the same team.  This episode will give you a useful way to think about how to give feedback, be human, and create a working relationship th...

When you're more comfortable with the skill of feedback, your life becomes so much easier! In this episode you'll get some simple ways to build up your skills, so you're ready when the time comes. Practice pays off! When you feel more confident in your skillset, you're less likely to stress over or avoid important conversations. . . . After the Episode: Join the next cohort of Comm...

It's frustrating when you don't feel heard. And: sometimes we forget that listening is NOT the same as agreement, compliance, or obedience. We can hear someone, and still have different priorities, or choose different trade-offs. Today, we're revisiting Episode 51, Opinion Tennis, which is when you have two or more people talking and no one feels like anyone is listening. You can use w...

A big part of being a manager comes down to relational skills, and realizing that communication isn't just about what you convey. It's also about your ability to listen. This is a good practice, especially if you tend to jump into solution mode! Because sometimes your job as a manager is NOT to solve the problem -- but to listen deeply and understand the bigger context and what's reall...

When you're clear on what success means as a manager, you will have an easier time focusing on what matters and letting the rest go. This can be tricky at first, especially when you care a lot and are a high-achiever. The uncertainty of what "success" means can be frustrating and anxiety provoking. This week, we revisit Ep. 175 - Defining Success as a Manager. After the Episode: Join...

This special guest episode is from The Confidence Lounge, a podcast hosted by Elyse Conroy, Confidence Coach and Career Strategist for women in the beauty industry. Elyse invited me onto her show earlier this year, and we talked about what it actually takes to rise in your career and lead with confidence. Learn about The Beauty Career Lab LIVE: https://www.soulmakeup.com/beautycareerlablive Connec...

Today we're taking another listen to Ep 188: Working with Difficult People. The goal is not to prevent or avoid all difficulty, or friction at work. Instead, it's to increase your capacity for discomfort AND gain confidence with some tools and a mindset that will enable you to respond in a useful way. This way, you step out of reactivity and feeling powerless -- and become a more responsiv...

There are a few reasons why people have chosen to study with me, or hire me as their coach -- and sometimes, it's because they want help managing difficult people. Today I share a story from my own career journey of managing a difficult person, and what I learned from it that can help you move forward, too. **After the Episode** Join the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers: ht...

When it comes to feedback, most managers focus so much on how to give it to their team, that they completely forget to consider: How can I get quality feedback? And the truth is, the higher you go in your career the harder it is to get good feedback! Your boss will be busier than ever. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own professional development, and have the self-awareness ne...