Building Better Managers

In this episode of Building Better Managers, produced by New Level Work, we dive into one of the most stressful and avoided parts of leadership: the difficult conversation.

Whether you're giving tough feedback to a direct report, navigating a peer conflict, or even managing up, these high-stakes dialogs can easily go off the rails. But they don't have to. We break down a

In this episode of Building Better Managers, produced by New Level Work, we explore one of the most underrated yet high-impact tools in a manager's toolkit: the one-on-one meeting.

While many treat one-on-ones as routine check-ins or status updates, top-performing managers know they're so much more. When done rig...

In this episode of Building Better Managers, produced by New Level Work, we dive into one of the most underestimated leadership superpowers: listening.

At a time when hybrid work, constant pings, and AI overload are stealing our attention, truly listening—with focus, curiosity, and empathy—has become a lost art. But it doesn't have to be.

We explore the key techniqu...

In this episode of Building Better Managers, we explore one of the most essential tools in every leader's toolkit: giving effective feedback.

We introduce the SBI Model — Situation, Behavior, Impact, a practical, repeatable framework adapted from the Center for Creative Leadership. Whether you're delivering constructive feedback or reinforcing great work, SBI helps managers communicate with clarity, build trust, and foster real gr...

In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson talks with experts Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman to explore the critical concept of psychological safety in the workplace. They discuss the importance of creating an environment where employees feel safe to express themselves, share ideas, and take risks without fear of negative consequences. The conversation covers practical strategies for leaders and team m...

In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages with Marlene Chism to explore the complexities of conflict in the workplace. They discuss the importance of developing conflict capacity, emotional integrity, and leadership clarity. Marlene emphasizes the need for leaders to confront their inner narratives and the impact of organizational culture on conflict resolution.

Key takeaways:

• Conflict capa...

In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson discusses the importance of self-care for leaders with management consultant Liz Kislik. They explore effective time management strategies, the distinction between empathy and compassion, and the structural solutions that can support self-care in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to model self-care, manage their time effectively, and...

In this episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages in a deep conversation with Chris Wells, VP of EMEA at New Level Work, about the intersections of sales, HR, and learning and development. They explore the importance of personal connections in sales, the similarities between HR and sales professionals, and the common blind spots in leadership development programs. The discussion also highlights the evolving app...

Host Wendy Hanson engages with Kristine Ellis, Director of Talent Development at GuideWell, to explore the complexities of leadership in the healthcare sector. They discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare leaders, the innovative use of AI in management, and the importance of coaching and collaboration in fostering a supportive work environment. The conversation also highlights strategies for navigating change, supporting ...

In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, Wendy engages with Julie Winkle Giulioni, a renowned expert in career development. They discuss the evolution of career conversations, the importance of psychological safety, and the impact of remote work on employee growth. Julie emphasizes the need for continuous dialogue about career development rather than relying on annual reviews. The conversation also explores the role of A...

In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with David Evans, VP of Product at New Level Work, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in leadership development. They discuss the definitions of AI, its applications in product development, and successful integrations in the industry. David shares insights on how AI can enhance coaching, streamline administrative tasks, and foster stronger human relat...

In this episode, host Wendy Hanson talks with the customer success team at Better Manager, discussing their roles, the importance of customer success, and the collaborative culture they foster. The conversation highlights the team's commitment to helping clients thrive at work, the lessons learned in their journey, and their vision for the future of customer success.

Key takeaways:

• Customer success is about understanding uniq...

In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with Dr. Julie Pham, founder of CuriosityBase, to explore the critical role of respect in relationships, particularly in the workplace. They discuss the seven forms of respect — procedure, punctuality, information, candor, consideration, acknowledgement, and attention — and how understanding these can enhance communication and collaboration within teams.

Key takeaways:

• Good pr...

In this episode, Meighan Hackett Poritz, managing director of the Learning Forum, discusses the importance of peer learning and collaboration among leaders in the workplace. She talks about the evolution of work dynamics post-pandemic, the significance of trust in professional relationships, and innovative practices in talent development. The conversation highlights the need for a coaching culture within organizations and the role ...

Dedicated and high-performing Executive Coach and former Vice President of Coaching at New Level Work, Karen Benz, explores the nuances of coaching in leadership. Learn the importance of understanding what coaching is and isn't, the concept of directed coaching, and the significance of building a strong coaching community. This conversation with host Wendy Hanson highlights the transformative 'Aha' moments experienced by managers d...

In this encore episode with Tim Creasey, we discuss the critical aspects of change management in organizations, especially in the context of the post-pandemic workplace. We explore the importance of understanding the people side of change, the role of managers as change agents, and the need for effective communication and support for employees during transitions. Tim emphasizes that successful change requires both technical solutio...

Join us for a special episode of Building Better Managers as we explore the intersection of humor and artificial intelligence with Dr. Melissa Looney. Discover how AI is shaping the future of higher education and the role humor plays in learning environments. As we look forward to 2025, learn about New Level Work's innovative AI product, Leora, and the importance of curiosity in the age of AI. Tune in for insights, laughter, and a ...

In our latest episode, Wendy sits down with Chris Wells, VP Sales EMEA, New Level Work, to explore how personal connections can redefine success in management and leadership. Chris shares a transformative story from his career, highlighting the importance of understanding personal goals over business objectives. Discover the surprising similarities between HR, L&D, and sales professionals and learn how empathy can transform your ma...

In our latest episode, we explore the dynamic world of healthcare leadership with Kristine Ellis from GuideWell. Discover how this health solutions company is utilizing innovative AI strategies to enhance team efficiency and security. Kristine shares her insights on leading through change, the critical role of coaching, and fostering collaboration across a geographically diverse workforce. Whether you're in healthcare or interested...