Why Managing Feels So DANG Hard? (And How to Shift That Fast)

Hey hey friend,

Ever wonder why management feels so darn hard? 😅 In this episode, we’re keeping it real about the true challenges of leadership. It’s not just about checking off tasks—it’s about people, emotions, and those ever-shifting expectations.

We’re talking about how today’s workplace is changing—self-advocacy is on the rise, and younger professionals are redefining what it means to succeed at work. 🙌🏾 Setting boundaries and clear expectations isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must for surviving (and thriving!) as a manager.

Join us for honest stories, a few laughs, and some practical tips for navigating the wild world of management. 🌍💡

xoxo,

Kishshana & Maria

Tune in to hear:

• How to set clear boundaries and expectations with your team (and yourself)  
• How to navigate the overwhelm and emotional challenges of management with honesty and self-care
• How to adapt to a changing workplace and support both your team and yourself through transitions

Episode Overview

• (00:07) Welcome & Why Management Feels So Dang Hard
• (01:28) The Real Struggle: Tasks vs. People & Expectations
• (04:05) Promotions, Overwhelm, and the Myth of Extra Support
• (06:41) Generational Shifts & Self-Advocacy in the Workplace
• (14:00) Practical Steps: Setting Boundaries and Expectations
• (21:02) Boundaries as Self-Care & Modeling for Your Team
• (24:41) Personal vs. Private: Building Trust with Your Team
• (28:43) Communicating Challenges & The Importance of Transparency
• (34:36) Workplace Culture: Hierarchies, Self-Care, and Change
• (37:05) Closing & Next Episode Teaser: “Winging It” in Leadership

Powerful Quotes

“Management isn’t just about tasks, it’s about people, emotions, and that E word—expectations." -Kishshana 

"Your body responds to the actual and the perceived." -Maria 

"If you keep saying, 'I’m not overwhelmed,' your cortisol is just jumping into a deep diving pool." -Kishshana 

"Many of us were promoted without proper training, leading to a cycle of stress and uncertainty." -Maria 

"The dark and dirty secret is that 70% of your team’s success is dependent on you as a manager." -Kishshana 

"The better I manage myself, the easier it becomes for my manager to do their job." -Maria 

"Start by setting clear boundaries and expectations with your team." -Kishshana 

"A boundary is an invitation, not a fence." -Kishshana 

"It’s hard to set boundaries with your team when you haven’t set clear boundaries with yourself." -Kishshana 

"As a manager, if you don’t have a personal relationship with your team, then managing is going to be hard." -Kishshana 

"If you’re the type of manager who keeps information close to the chest, it’s always going to be hard for people to share personal challenges." -Maria 

"You don’t go to work to manage children. We are presuming you manage a team of adults." -Maria 

"With the right tools and mindset, it’s manageable." -Kishshana

"Your body responds to the actual and the perceived." -Maria 

"Many of us were just promoted without proper training, leading to a cycle of stress and uncertainty." -Maria 

"The better I manage myself, the easier it becomes for my manager to do their job." -Maria 

"The self-preservation that we’re focusing on in the workplace is also part of a larger self-preservation given all that potential stimuli." -Maria 

"We’ve gotta recognize that it’s okay to seek help and admit when we don’t have all the answers." -Maria 

"The workplace is not set up to handle your humanness. It is not." -Maria ...