The Modern Manager
Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Learn more at: https://themodernmanager.com/ Solo episodes are like mini-courses, providing actionable tips based on experience and research. Guest episodes are engaging conversations that elicit insights and suggestions for how to apply the ideas. Learn more about effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountability, team competencies, productivity and collaboration technologies, organizational culture, and more. Be sure to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode!
Episodes
Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions at work, unsure about the exact strategy to guide your decisions? This episode will change that.
In the business world, the word “strategy” is quite the buzzword. But what does it really mean to think and lead strategically? And what can you do as a manager to get better at it?
If you want to stop wasting time and start making powerful strategic decisions no...
You’re in a team meeting, someone starts talking… and keeps talking.
They lose their train of thought, fill the air with “likes” and “ums”, and before long, the point is lost.
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. Because here’s the truth: verbal communication isn’t innate—it’s a learned skill.
And this week’s guest has spent 35 years helping people master it.
Meet Ruth Milligan. Ruth is a 35-year communicati...
What if the most valuable thing you can build in your career isn’t a product, a strategy, or even a list of accolades—but a community?
We all know relationships matter. Yet most of us haven’t been taught how to build them with real intention.
Today’s guest is here to help you and your team rethink what’s possible when we shift from collecting contacts to cultivating purposeful connections.
Meet David Homan. David...
We celebrate the wins. The promotions. The milestones.
But no one talks about the price tag that comes with constantly performing at a high level.
For Dana L. Cox, that price came quietly—missed family moments, sleepless nights, and a level of exhaustion that no amount of caffeine could fix.
She calls it the “success tax”—the hidden costs we pay in pursuit of achievement. Thankfully, Dana’s here to unpack what th...
You’ve just stepped into a new manager role—congratulations! Now what?
The first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. One day you’re a high-performing individual contributor, and the next, you’re expected to lead a team, set direction, and navigate complex dynamics—all while still figuring out what kind of leader you want to be.
Thankfully, today’s guest is here to guide you through those critical first 45 days.
T...
Have you ever sat down to work, only to be pulled in a dozen directions—emails, Slack messages, endless browser tabs—all demanding your attention? You’re not alone.
All the technological advancements have made it almost impossible to focus.
But what if it didn’t have to be this way?
Fortunately, this week’s guest is here to share with us how you can be more focused at work and finally reclaim your workday.
Tod...
Do you feel like your team isn’t really listening to you? It might be time to rethink your influence.
Many managers assume authority is enough. But real leadership—motivating people to take action—comes from influence. And this week’s guest believes that one of the most powerful ways to build it is by strengthening your communication skills.
Today’s guest is Stacey Hanke. Stacey is a leading expert in communication a...
Are you overwhelmed by the rapid rise of AI in the workplace?
AI tools are already being used by managers and teams in various forms. But what are the risks that come with using them? Today’s guest believes that clear guidelines and educational training can help everyone use AI wisely without feeling restricted.
Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator. She has been certified for ...
Are you struggling to get your team to perform at its best? Are you unsure about how to unlock the potential of each individual? This week’s guest says the key is inclusive leadership.
Meet Kelli Lester. Kelli is co-founder and partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in fostering environments where in...
Being a working parent shouldn’t feel like a daily juggling act on the brink of disaster.
If you truly want everyone on your team—parent or not—to thrive at work, you need a workplace that lets them show up as their best selves. And today’s guest is the perfect expert to discuss how to make work work for working parents.
Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Welsh, a sought after thought leader on working parenthood. After leav...
Ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone—managers know this struggle well. Fortunately, today’s guest has the time mastery secrets to help us take control of our time.
Meet Andrew Hartman. Andrew is the founder of Time Boss, a training organization helping leaders and their teams master their week to get the results they want without overwhelm.
Andrew founded Time ...
How do you make your team members feel truly seen and heard at work?
It’s a common struggle for many managers, but this week’s guest says there’s something even more powerful than praising your team.
Joining me today is Dr. Caroline Fleck. Caroline is a licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University. She is the author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolu...
Have you ever left a virtual meeting thinking, “That could’ve been an email.”? Today’s guest used to feel the same.
Meet Jill Molee. Jill is the Director of Counseling & College Advisor at College Prep 360. I’ve been lucky to have Jill as a client and I’m grateful she was willing to experiment with me for this on-air coaching call.
As the director of a fully remote, client-facing team, her calendar was packed—but...
Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team.
Meet Joel Zeff. Joel creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national spea...
We all have thought patterns that work against us—whether it’s feeling like an imposter, overextending ourselves at work, or assuming the worst in situations.
Today’s guest breaks down eight negative mindsets that prevent professionals from thriving.
Meet Cynthia Pong. Cynthia is an award-winning executive coach and speaker who empowers women of color leaders to advance their careers into positions of power. A Forbe...
Do you realize how important virtual communications are to your team’s effectiveness? Except for in-person meetings, all our communications with our colleagues happen virtually.
This is true whether you’re fully remote, hybrid, or even in-office. But what if you could communicate clearly and authentically every time, no matter the virtual method? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for.
Meet Andrew Brodsky. And...
You’ve probably heard that hiring the best talent is the key to building a high-performing team. But what if that’s only half the truth? Thankfully, today’s guest will reveal what it really takes to build the best team ever.
Today’s guest is David Burkus. One of the world’s leading business thinkers, David’s forward-thinking ideas and bestselling books are changing how companies approach leadership, teamwork, and collab...
Does your team struggle to collaborate effectively due to clashing personalities? Say no more. Today’s guest is here to dive deep into how you can enhance your team dynamics using DiSC.
Meet Jen Fox. Jen has spent the last 25 years working inside and outside of global organizations, listening to employees, facilitating learning, and leading cultural change. Hailed as one of the "most no-nonsense learning & developme...
You’ve heard it before: “People don’t quit jobs; they quit bad bosses.” But is that really the whole story? Why do employees really leave their jobs? That’s exactly what we’ll answer today with our guest.
Meet Michael Horn. Michael is the co-author of Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress In Your Career. Michael strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions, fulfill their potential, and l...
Have you ever held back in a meeting, fearing how your words might be received?
Fear often takes the driver’s seat in our communication, keeping us from building better relationships and unlocking new opportunities.
But what if you could overcome those fears? This week’s guest is here to help you do just that.
Meet Michelle Gladieux. Michelle is the author of Communicate with Courage, a transformative and award-...
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