The Modern Manager

Is your team safe enough at work? Just like physical safety in the workplace, we also need psychological safety if we want people to do their best at work.

Psychological safety is about creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing their thoughts or ideas, and making mistakes without worrying about ridicule, punishment, or exclusion. And today’s guest is just the right person to talk ab...

Do you ever wish you could accomplish more of your goals personally and professionally?

Many people believe that accomplishing goals is about time management when, in fact, it’s about holding yourself accountable.

But why is it hard for people to be accountable?

Joining me in this week’s episode are two guests who live and breathe accountability.

Today’s guests are Tasha Howland and Cheron Porter. Tasha and Cheron ...

Are you becoming a bad boss? What are the signs that you’re turning into one? 

Bad boss behaviors can range from micromanagement and poor communication to lack of appreciation and unreasonably high expectations for their employees.

The good thing is that bad boss behaviors can be changed. And we’ve invited someone to help us explore today’s topic.

Today’s guest is Rob Kalwarowsky. Rob is a High-Performance Leaders...

Have you had the opportunity to use ChatGPT or other AI tools in your work yet? Have you considered harnessing these tools to improve your communication skills? This conversation might convince you to do so.

Today’s guest is Helen Dayen. Helen is an executive coach with over 15 years of experience in leadership development, relationship management, business development, and executive coaching. She specializes in elevati...

Throughout millions of years of evolution, our brains became formidable tools of innovation, helping us transcend from agricultural to industrial. However, as the world of work underwent radical changes, we mostly found ourselves facing new challenges that our brains were not initially designed to handle.

Today’s guest is Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. Gabriella is an author, entrepreneur, executive, and startup advisor...

For decades, the office served as the central hub of the business ecosystem until the pandemic. Remote work became a trend, and virtual meetings became the standard for collaboration with our teams and facilitating communication. 

However, along with the convenience of work-from-home setups, a new challenge arose–how can managers effectively convey their thoughts and ideas and become excellent digital communicators?

...

Many of us fall into the perfectionist trap. Whether it’s because of strict bosses, high academic standards, or just self-motivation, perfectionism is more common than you’d think. While it’s important and healthy to strive to do our best work, at some point all managers have to acknowledge that people will make mistakes and good enough can truly be good enough.

Today’s guest is Thomas Curran. Thomas is a professor of p...

Do you ever feel stuck in the middle? Middle managers have a unique opportunity to understand the high-level objectives of an organization and touch the day-to-day activities that accomplish those goals. However, middle managers can often feel pulled in two different directions, answering to their superiors and the employees below them. How can middle managers effectively balance their time and attention to be their best s...

Teams are the backbone of all workplaces. When teams are functioning properly, organizations can thrive; and in order for teams to function properly, people must be good teammates. Success often comes down to the ability of individuals to work together effectively. But how do people continue to be good team members in today’s ever-changing workforce?

Today’s guest is Lance Loya, best-selling author and authority on the mind...

EPISODE 263: NAVIGATE EMOTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE WITH JEN HOPE

Whether you find yourself grappling with stress, loneliness, or irritation—or simply seeking to cultivate a more positive and productive work environment—managers must learn to navigate the intricate landscape of emotional regulation. Feelings of all sorts make their way into our daily work experience. The challenge is that when they’re negative or really strong,...

EPISODE 262: CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING WITH DR. SAM ADEYEMI

Decision-making has been somewhat of a hot topic for leaders lately, and for good reason. Each decision we make, whether big or small, plays a role in either accomplishing our goals or straying from them. But how do we learn to make better decisions, and how do we teach our team members to do the same?

Today’s guest is Dr. Sam Adeyemi. Sam is a leadership coach, glob...

Do you ever feel like you can see the end in sight, but you don’t know how to get there? Having a vision is important—having clear processes and procedures to accomplish your goals is just as important. In fact, creating and sticking to work processes can be the difference between a team that is chaotic and unorganized versus a team that works together seamlessly to get work done.

Today’s guest is Racheal Allen. Racheal is...

Do you ever feel like the world is against you? Many leaders have risen to the top of their industries by working hard, trying to prove themselves against all odds. But surprisingly, those who have found the greatest success have seen themselves as partners with the world. This deep, sometimes unconscious mindset colors everything from the decisions you make to the habits you form. The question is: do you believe the world...

Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? The people in our circles can have a large impact on the work we do and the career decisions we make. But how do we get people in our circles in the first place, and keep them there? Networking. An essential skill for managers, networking allows you to build relationships with people in and out of your industry, learn about new opportunities, and ...

Of all the learning resources available, sometimes the best one is another person. No matter how much we know about a certain topic or industry, there is likely someone who knows a bit more. Mentorship allows people to grow and learn directly from another person, who shares their wisdom, guidance, motivation, and knowledge. But how frequently is mentorship used in the workplace, and what can we do about it?

Today’s guest i...

While we may not realize it, stories are constantly underlying our thinking. We formed stories about ourselves when we were younger, we interpret messages through our pre-existing stories, and we tell ourselves stories to help us understand the world around us. These stories have a great influence on how we relate to the people around us. So, how can we recognize the impact stories have on us and learn how to utilize them ...

Each person brings their values and perspectives to group decision-making. But what happens when those perspectives seem to be conflicting? We need to be cost conscious, and we also need high quality. We need honesty, and we also need kindness and grace. We need structure, and we also need flexibility. When we feel like we’re stuck between conflicting options or mindsets, it might be a moment for both/and thinking. Having ...

How can a manager help their team members grow if they aren’t aware of their skillsets, dreams, and roadblocks? Managers play a critical role in supporting their people’s growth, and in order to do this, they need a better understanding of how to help each person. The best way to make this happen is one-on-ones. 

Today’s guest is Jason Wick. Jason is a Director of Product Development with nearly a decade of management expe...

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the way we work. From hybrid work to workplace culture; from motivation to burnout; from work-life balance to communication; the pandemic changed nearly everything about the workforce. Not only did employees have to navigate these changes, but managers had to drastically adjust the expectations for their teams—and many are still adapting today.

Today’s guest is Mia Russell...