The Modern Manager

Salary conversations are inherently complex and challenging, filled with hidden traps. They are high-stakes, deeply personal, and blend factors like budgets, fairness, expectations, and emotions. Since these discussions are infrequent, many managers lack the necessary practice, which adds to the difficulty.

Fortunately, this week’s guest breaks down exactly how to navigate compensation conversations with confidence, cla...

When disruption hits your team, confidence often drops, communication gets messy, and progress slows. But disruption isn’t the problem; how we respond to it is.

Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a clear, practical framework for leading with steadiness even when everything around you is shifting. And just as importantly, he explains how we can become positive disruptors in order to facilitate a brighter future.

Pa...

Ever feel like you should know more, be more confident, or have everything figured out by now?

You’re not alone, and more importantly, you don’t need to be a “know-it-all” to be an exceptional leader.

In fact, the strongest leaders today share one trait:

They are learn-it-alls, people who grow through challenges instead of shrinking from them.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a powerful, actionable framework that ...

In a world that constantly demands breakthrough solutions, do you ever feel like innovation is reserved for a select few, or that you’re simply not "creative enough"? 

This week’s guests are here to set the record straight: that we are all capable of creative thinking if we just give ourselves permission and a little guidance. 

Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden are the co-authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create ...

When the world around you feels chaotic, leading a team can feel overwhelming, especially when your inner world is just as loud. Most managers try to push through, rely on willpower, or double down on doing more. 

But in reality, external chaos only becomes manageable when we learn to work with the internal chaos driving our emotions, reactions, and habits.

Fortunately, this week’s guest helps us unpack exactly why leaders g...

Managers play a crucial role in shaping how employees experience work. But when ADHD enters the mix, good intentions can backfire if not handled thoughtfully. With the right mindset and tools, you can create a space where everyone performs at their best.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings both personal and professional expertise to this conversation.

Rita Ramakrishnan is an executive leadership coach and consultan...

Have you ever had a great idea but struggled to get others on board?

You don’t need a title to have influence; you need a strategy.

Fortunately, this week’s guest knows exactly how to build credibility and momentum without formal power.

Tami Reiss is an expert on influence-driven leadership. She’s a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and CEO of Leader Within, where she helps leaders master influence and maximize impa...

Are you showing up as your full, authentic self or just the version you think others expect?

Authenticity isn’t a matter of oversharing or saying whatever’s on your mind. It’s about honesty balanced with humility and vulnerability, the kind that builds genuine trust and stronger teams.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings both experience and expertise to this conversation. 

Mike Robbins is the author of five books, in...

At some point in your career, you’ve probably worked with someone who is on the autism spectrum, but you might not have known. There are many misconceptions about autism, which damage how we understand and therefore support these colleagues. Viewing autism through a new lens can help every manager unlock hidden potential and design environments where everyone thrives.

Today’s guest brings both personal experience and pr...

Most people don’t set out to be “bad bosses.” But good intentions aren’t enough when your habits unintentionally create frustration, fear, or disengagement.

Thankfully, today’s guest helps us see what’s really happening beneath the surface. 

Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best-Selling author. She’s on a mission to fix what's broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change-maker with a track re...

Layoffs are some of the hardest moments a manager can face. How you handle them can shape not just the experience of the employees leaving but also the morale and trust of the team that remains.

Today’s guest brings expert guidance on navigating these challenges with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.

Leanne Elliot is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Consultant, and Coach with a proven track record of building ...

Why do so many projects spiral into stress, shifting priorities, and endless risks while others seem to flow smoothly toward success? What if the difference isn’t just about tools or methods, but about how you lead?

Thankfully, today’s guest brings a fresh, human-centered approach to project management. 

James Louttit is the author of Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low Stress Success in Project Management, a lead...

What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? 

Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. 

These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re proven tools for resilience, performance, and deeper human connection.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings exactly the expertise we need to show ...

Why do so many managers struggle to let go of tasks, even when they know that holding onto everything stifles their ability to scale? 

The secret is to document things so clearly that others can succeed without you.

Fortunately, today’s guest is an expert at helping leaders let go. 

Chris Ronzio is the Founder and CEO of Trainual, a platform reshaping how businesses onboard, train, and scale their teams. A lifelon...

Groups are the foundation of everything we accomplish in work and life. 

Yet, as every manager knows, collaborating with others can be both the greatest strength and one of the hardest challenges. 

What makes some teams thrive while others struggle with friction and disengagement?

Fortunately, this week’s guest, Dr. Colin Fisher, has dedicated his career to uncovering the hidden processes that make groups effective. 

Colin...

What if your greatest strength as a leader isn’t your expertise but your ability to lead people who are completely different from you?

In today’s diverse workplaces, managers can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding how to adapt your leadership to different personalities, backgrounds, and working styles is key to building high-performing teams because, let’s be honest, everyone is different from you.

Thankfu...

Most workplaces are designed with extroverts in mind, with open offices, constant collaboration, and fast-paced discussions. But this often leaves introverts struggling to fully contribute, even though their insights can be some of the most valuable.

Thankfully, today’s guest, Salvatore Manzi, brings clarity and solutions. 

Salvatore is a leadership communications coach and the author of Clear and Compelling. With ov...

What if the most important management skill you need today isn’t a tool or strategy? But the ability to read and respond to the people around you? 

In a world shaped by AI and constant disruption, emotional intelligence has become the competitive edge for leaders and managers.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings practical and research-backed ways to build that edge. 

Jamelle Lindo is an executive coach, keynote s...

What if understanding how your brain actually works was the key to unlocking higher performance, better decisions, and more resilient leadership? 

Many leaders focus on strategies and skills without realizing that lasting change starts by rewiring how we think.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings decades of experience helping leaders do just that. 

Larry Olsen is an expert in performance-driven neurology, a best-selling aut...