The Modern Manager

Most leaders pour all their energy into managing the people who report to them and forget the other two-thirds of the job: managing up to their boss and across to the peers who can make or break a project. Skip those relationships and you end up stuck in silos, guessing what your boss actually wants, and wondering why cross-functional projects keep stalling. Here's the mindset shift and the exact moves that fix all three.

Guest Bio

For almost 20 years, Kristen Harcourt has been a trusted partner to executives and emerging leaders across hundreds of organizations around the globe, helping them unlock extraordinary, sustainable results through the power of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and conscious leadership. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, she's a professionally accredited coach who empowers leaders to uncover their strengths, challenge their blind spots, and lead with purpose and impact. She hosts the Inspirational Leadership Podcast.

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Join my newsletter to get episodes and the key takeaways guides delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #ManagingUp #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamCommunication #WorkplaceCulture #Management #EQinLeadership #CrossFunctionalTeams #LeadershipDevelopment #TrustAtWork

Most of us have an instinctual positive response to great work.“This is amazing, thank you so much.” It feels warm and authentic, but could have been said about anyone or any work. The lack of specificity means those words are cheap and the positive impact they make is short-lived. Here's how to show authentic appreciation, using AI as a thinking partner (not a ghost writer) to pinpoint exactly what you appreciate so you can convey a truly meaningful message of thanks.

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Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #ManagementTips #EmployeeAppreciation #AIforManagers #TeamLeadership #FeedbackMatters #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeRecognition #ManagerLife

That stomach-drop feeling before a hard conversation? It's not weakness. It's your brain doing exactly what it was designed to do. Emotional intelligence expert Amy Jacobson breaks down the neuroscience of avoidance, the exact questions to ask before you say anything difficult, and why the conversation you've been dreading might be the most important one you ever have.

Guest Bio

Amy Jacobson is an emotional intelligence and human behavior specialist delivering programs, keynotes, and workshops across Australia and internationally. She is a twice Wiley-published author of Emotional Intelligence: A Simple and Actionable Guide to Increasing Performance, Engagement and Ownership and The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering Change and Difficult Conversations.

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Additional Resources

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AK1zgeJoKYqMWkNmGM-p-QkWz27Sd_p8_QxFqoRTf8U/edit?usp=sharing

✨ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/

✨ Visit my website for more: https://www.themodernmanager.com/

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

Keep up with Amy Jacobson

Join my newsletter to get episodes and my one page episode guides with the key takeaways delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themodernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #DifficultConversations #ManagementTips #WorkplaceConflict #TeamLeadership #PeopleManagement #ManagerSkills #EQ

Picture a room stuck for three weeks on one sentence for a new policy. Half the team wants a rule tight enough to enforce, the other half wants it loose enough to survive real life. Nobody's wrong, and nobody's moving. This episode breaks down why chasing full agreement kills decisions, why forcing a vote kills them slowly in the background, and the three questions that get a group to something everyone can actually stand behind.

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Join my newsletter to get episodes and key takeaways delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #TeamCommunication #Consensus #DecisionMaking #ManagementTips #WorkplaceCulture #TeamLeadership #ConflictResolution

Your team isn't falling apart because something went wrong. It's falling apart because that's what teams do by default, drifting toward disconnection unless someone actively counteracts it. Lucky for us, there are four forces that pull people back together. Discover the fast, free actions any manager can take this week to stop the drift before it costs you your best people.

Guest Bio

Matt Poepsel, PhD is the author of Expand the Circle: Enlightened Leadership for Our New World of Work and host of the Lead the People podcast. He serves as Vice President & Godfather of Talent Optimization at The Predictive Index. He holds a PhD in Psychology, an MBA, and a Harvard Business School Certificate of Management Excellence. Matt is a part-time faculty member at Boston College where he teaches in the areas of leadership, human resources, and business spirituality.

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Additional Resources

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qGzsoaFZ-5Dz7a8-X8AQEmYHxFrfqAj6q-pziO5kksg/edit?usp=sharing

✨ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/

✨ Visit my website for more: https://www.themodernmanager.com/

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

Keep Up with Matt Poepsel

Join my newsletter to get episodes and free guides delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. 

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #TeamCohesion #ManagementTips #WorkplaceCulture #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #ModernManager #FutureOfWork

You say yes to the small stuff: the draft review, the book recommendation, the shampoo run. Then Thursday comes and none of it has happened. No one complains, but something quietly cracks. Every broken commitment, even the tiny ones, adds up to a trust tax you’re paying without realizing it. This episode breaks down the three-part structure that turns a yes into something people can actually count on.

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Additional Resources

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10EkeUUQhCQ9ltwuunRuglPyNMBmQz8KTHkYC5MnYD7U/edit?usp=sharing

✨ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/

✨ Visit my website for more: https://www.themodernmanager.com/

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

✨ Get the book: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp - https://a.co/d/0hP0FUJr

Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox: https://www.themodernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast that helps you close the gap between knowing what good management is and actually doing it. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #Integrity #TrustAtWork #Commitment #ManagementTips #ConsciousLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #PersonalAccountability #TeamTrust

Some of the best leadership lessons don't come from business books. Throughout history, different cultures have developed wisdom for how we can interact with and lead others. By exploring what different cultures value, we can identify insights into what might help us be better managers today.

Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown is an attorney, executive leadership consultant, and author of The Souls of Queer Folk. Drawing on lessons from LGBTQ+ cultural values and decades of leadership consulting, he helps organizations build more inclusive, perceptive, and human-centered leadership practices.

In this episode, we explore how the unique values of the LGBTQ+ community offer a powerful blueprint for transformational leadership. We’ll discuss how you can integrate these human-centered insights into your own team culture to create a more inclusive and effective workplace.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z2kdQnqMCcz92rq31pnfzOMH4O9df6rqYddUXwlvtg0/edit?usp=drive_link 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Dr. Joel A. Davis-Brown.

- Connect with Joel on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelanthonybrown/

- Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelabrown/ 

- Visit the Pneumos website:https://www.pneumos.com/

Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox:https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #TeamCommunication #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveLeadership #Teamwork #WorkStyles #ManagerSkills #PsychologicalSafety #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipTips #Collaboration #WorkplaceCommunication #FutureOfLeadership #TheModernManager

Hitting the goal doesn’t always mean the project was a success.

A project can finish on time, hit every target, and look like a clear win on the dashboard while quietly burning out the team, damaging trust, or leaving the same problems waiting to happen again.

In this episode, I explain why outcomes alone don’t tell the full story of project success and introduce three measures every manager should consider: the outcome, how the work got done, and what the team learned. You'll discover how to distinguish between a win you can repeat and one that may be costing you future success.

You'll also learn why the way your team achieves a goal matters, how learning can change the value of both wins and failures, and how to evaluate whether your team is better positioned to succeed next time.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a practical framework for measuring success beyond the dashboard and building a team that can deliver strong results again and again.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sp9sEhxynY8oS_glRYpJhV0UmMU5HTQ4z3RVStGBoD0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox:https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #ProjectManagement #TeamPerformance #GoalSetting #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #ManagementSkills #TeamSuccess #TheModernManager

Difficult conversations are rarely difficult because we don't know what to say.

More often, they fall apart because we have the conversation at the wrong time, in the wrong way, or without realizing that the other person is experiencing the situation very differently than we are.

Fortunately, this week's guest shares a practical framework for navigating challenging conversations without creating more conflict. Instead of focusing on "winning" the discussion, you'll learn how to create the conditions for people to listen, collaborate, and move forward together.

Victoria Rennoldson is a global leadership expert, executive coach, and author of Become a Global Leader. She helps leaders communicate across cultures, build stronger relationships, and handle difficult conversations with greater confidence and empathy.

In this conversation, we explore why difficult conversations so often break down, how culture and communication styles shape conflict, and a simple framework that helps leaders replace defensiveness with genuine dialogue and better decisions.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GJRsTpWGQWe-Bq0caozgV3uDo-0hkyeXyhy58Jim6NY/edit?usp=drive_link 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Victoria Rennoldson

- Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn:https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson

- Listen to the Cultural Communication Confidence podcast:https://culturecuppa.com/podcast

- Check out her book Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book

- Visit the Culture Cuppa website:https://culturecuppa.com/

Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox:https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#DifficultConversations #LeadershipCommunication #ConflictResolution #ManagerSkills #WorkplaceCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #CrossCulturalCommunication #ManagementSkills #PsychologicalSafety #LeadershipTips

Most onboarding plans focus on helping new hires feel welcome and settled in their role.

But the real purpose of onboarding isn't orientation; it's creating clarity before misunderstandings become habits and before small mistakes turn into difficult performance conversations.

In this episode, I explain why the success or struggles you see three months after someone joins your team are often determined before they even start. You'll learn the difference between orientation and onboarding, why unclear expectations quietly undermine great hires, and the three things every manager should define during the first 30 days.

You'll also discover how AI can help you build a practical onboarding plan in less time, why documenting your team's unwritten rules matters more than you think, and how to reset expectations if someone has already been in the role for weeks or even months.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a simple framework for creating onboarding plans that build confidence, prevent unnecessary feedback conversations, and help new employees succeed from day one.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1it3sq2F1DMg7SaFcJY68HAbo9Kxgi2Pz_nvEYLBNwKg/edit?usp=sharing

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Join my newsletter to get episodes delivered directly to your inbox:https://www.themoddernmanager.com

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #Onboarding #NewManager #PeopleManagement #EmployeeOnboarding #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #FutureOfWork #TheModernManager

Most managers know they should spend more time thinking strategically. The problem is that strategy often gets crowded out by urgent tasks, endless decisions, and the pressure to solve today's problems.

But strategic thinking isn't just about setting long-term goals. It's about creating the space to explore possibilities, challenge assumptions, and help your team think beyond what's immediately in front of them.

Fortunately, this week's guest shares a practical approach to developing strategic thinking, creating compelling visions of the future, and leading conversations that generate better ideas rather than rushing to premature solutions.

Howard Teibel is the founder of Teibel Education and an expert in leadership development, organizational strategy, and team effectiveness. For decades, he has helped leaders and organizations build cultures where people communicate more effectively, think more strategically, and navigate change with greater confidence.

In this conversation, we discuss why strategic thinking is often misunderstood, how leaders can create a compelling vision that inspires action, and why slowing down conversations is often the key to generating better ideas. We also explore how moods influence team performance and what managers can do to help teams stay productive when emotions threaten to derail progress.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UiIcgN4YcpNc0fAHakdjK_DZBCmb4N2io6xjX_2ZQso/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Howard Teibel

- Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardteibel/ 

- Visit Teibel education here: https://teibelinc.com/ 

Get episodes and key takeaways delivered to your inbox when you join my newsletter at

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#StrategicThinking #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamLeadership #LeadershipSkills #DecisionMaking #OrganizationalLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessStrategy #LeadershipCommunication #ManagementSkills #TeamEffectiveness #FutureThinking #LeadershipMindset #OrganizationalDevelopment #TheModernManager

When a meeting becomes tense, your natural instinct might be to calm things down.

But when emotions start rising, the real problem usually isn’t the conflict itself. It’s that something important is at stake, and the conversation has shifted from solving a problem to defending positions, competence, or credibility.

In this episode, I explain why trying to smooth things over or bypass the hard stuff by “taking it offline” often makes things worse. You'll learn how to recognize what's really happening when discussions become emotional, why tension can be a useful signal rather than a threat, and how to help a group move from arguing with each other to working on the problem together.

I also share a real example from a meeting where I wasn't the leader in the room but still had an opportunity to intervene. You'll learn three practical steps for slowing down heated conversations, uncovering the real issue beneath the disagreement, and helping teams make productive progress without shutting conflict down.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a simple framework for navigating difficult moments in meetings and the confidence to step in when everyone else is waiting for someone else to act.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hFBOi5jIA5I3TCv9h-BJDu7bmN0Yp8T2zhc9wDglGsM/edit?usp=sharing

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #CommunicationSkills #ConflictResolution #MeetingManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #TeamCommunication #ManagerTraining #TheModernManager

Managers often say they want more accountability on their teams. But accountability often feels like micromanaging people, chasing updates, or constantly correcting mistakes.

In fact, many accountability problems begin long before performance issues show up. They start with unclear expectations, missing resources, and assumptions that everyone interprets requests the same way.

Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a practical framework for creating accountability that actually works, without damaging trust, morale, or autonomy.

Molly Rodau helps organizations navigate periods of growth and complexity by strengthening leadership, communication, and management practices. She specializes in helping leaders make difficult decisions while creating environments where people can do great work and feel supported.

In this conversation, we explore why accountability is often misunderstood, how managers can set clearer expectations, the importance of providing the right resources, and how to have productive accountability conversations that strengthen performance instead of creating resentment.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D_1whtmbUFjdCik2Sre61M6tXpWw8KdevvfWunir4x0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

✨ Episode 236: Say What Needs To Be Said with Kim Scott: https://themodernmanager.transistor.fm/236

Keep up with Molly Rodau at Collectively

- Follow Collectively on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/__collectively/

- Follow Collectively on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-collectively/

- Visit their website:https://www.becollectively.com/

Guest Bonus: ERA and REAL Advocacy Frameworks

Download the The Expectations - Resources - Accountability Framework and The REAL Advocacy Framework cheatsheets to help you apply them to your work.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Accountabilit #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #ManagementSkills #LeadershipSkills #ManagerTraining #WorkplaceLeadership #TeamPerformance

#EmployeeEngagement #ManagementTips #LeadershipGrowth #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeamLeadership #TheModernManager

Some team conflicts seem to get resolved quickly.

Others keep resurfacing in meeting after meeting, leaving everyone frustrated and no closer to a solution.

In this episode, I explain why certain disagreements are so difficult to resolve and introduce a simple framework for identifying the three types of conflict that show up on nearly every team: process conflict, perspective conflict, and personality conflict.

You'll learn how to recognize which type of conflict you're dealing with, why different conflicts require different responses, and the practical steps managers can take to help conversations move forward instead of going in circles.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer way to diagnose team disagreements, reduce unnecessary friction, and help your team navigate conflict more productively.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/15h40eVFr8x2Mk9kW9gn53rbZQQpxjBmkxkE19BmLTxM/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #PeopleManagement #TeamConflict #ConflictResolution #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #TeamLeadership #WorkplaceCommunication #TheModernManager

Most managers think their job is to have the answers.

But the managers who create the strongest teams often do the opposite: they ask better questions.

The challenge is that under pressure, most of us default to fixing, advising, and jumping in with solutions. And while that may feel efficient in the moment, it can unintentionally shut down ownership, confidence, and independent thinking on our teams.

Fortunately, this week’s guests explain why coaching doesn’t have to mean hour-long development conversations or formal mentoring sessions. Instead, they share how small “coachable moments” in everyday work conversations can transform the way people think, learn, and perform.

Laura Ashley-Timms and Dominic Ashley-Timms are leadership experts, executive coaches, and authors of The Answer Is A Question. Their work focuses on helping managers use operational coaching techniques to develop more confident, capable, and engaged teams through the power of purposeful inquiry.

In this conversation, we explore how to identify coachable moments, the kinds of questions that build confidence and critical thinking, and why managers who stop rushing to provide answers often unlock far greater performance from their teams.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nDydcM3ozLY1UtVNN7O0AqMJr1rs5JkuWe8KDq6EdQE/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Laura Ashley-Timms and Dominic Ashley-Timms

- Connect with Laura on LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/laura-ashley-timms

- Connect with Dominic on LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dominic-ashley-timms

- Listen to the STAR® Manager Podcast:https://STARmanager.global/podcast

- Check out their book The Answer Is A Question:https://www.amazon.com/Answer-Question-Superpower-Everything-Transform/dp/0117093912

Guest Bonus: 10 Free Audiobooks of The Answer is A Question

This book provides a step-by-step walk-through of their ground-breaking STAR® model. Packed with invaluable insights, examples, and mini-missions, you’ll learn precisely how to make some immediate changes that will yield fast and exciting results and revolutionise how you manage forever.

The first 10 members to sign up will receive the audiobook.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #CoachingSkills #PeopleManagement #LeadershipCommunication #ManagerTips #WorkplaceLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamLeadership #CoachingConversations #ManagerTraining #FutureOfWork #LeadershipGrowth #EmployeeDevelopment #OperationalCoaching

Most managers think difficult feedback conversations are hard because they don’t know what to say.

But often the real problem is that the conversation they’re preparing for is the wrong one.

In this episode, I break down why feedback conversations become so emotionally exhausting, why managers keep delaying them, and how unclear expectations quietly damage trust long before feedback is ever delivered.

You’ll learn why feedback only works when there’s a shared understanding of standards first, how to shift from a “feedback conversation” to a “clarity conversation,” and four practical moves that make difficult conversations more productive and less emotionally charged.

In the extended version, I also explore what to do when the conversation still doesn’t work, how to identify whether the real issue is clarity, capability, motivation, or systems constraints, and why repeating the same conversation louder rarely fixes the problem.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a practical framework for approaching difficult conversations with more clarity, less avoidance, and a much better chance of creating real change.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iw4Ci7hYzU-1kSC8biwCp7opAjCuXcJJSRH7oP69PGk/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #Feedback #CommunicationSkills #ManagerTools #WorkplaceCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #TheModernManager

AI can now answer questions faster, cheaper, and sometimes better than humans. So where does that leave managers and teams?

For many leaders, the instinct is to use AI to speed up execution and automate tasks. But the bigger challenge isn’t getting faster answers. It’s learning how to ask better questions, navigate uncertainty, and create environments where people are encouraged to think critically, experiment, and complement AI.

Fortunately, this week’s guest explains why the future of work won’t belong to the people who always have the right answers but to the teams that know how to explore problems with AI as their partner.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People. Her work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, human potential, and innovation, helping organizations understand which uniquely human skills become even more valuable in an AI-driven world.

In this conversation, we explore the difference between well-posed and ill-posed problems, why curiosity and intellectual humility matter more than expertise, and how managers can build teams that think more creatively alongside AI instead of becoming dependent on it.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jDqGUcP6zMtset2bPAkMNxaa40MQc4yuhK8kcgY-8KU/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Dr. Vivienne Ming and SOCoS

- Visit SOCoS here: https://socos.org/

- Check out the book Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People: https://socos.org/robot-proof 

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway:Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People

Dr. Vivienne Ming helps readers grasp the ugly and the amazing of how individuals, companies, and societies will respond to the changes that are already taking hold due to the advent of AI. With poignant insight and delicate care to keep us grounded in the human perspective, Robot-Proof is an entertaining and thought-provoking read for all individuals seeking to understand the next steps in a new and completely unprecedented world.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #AIatWork #CriticalThinking #InnovationCulture #Curiosity #WorkplaceLearning #LeadershipSkills #DigitalTransformation #CreativeThinking #ProblemSolving #HumanSkills #Management #AILeadership

Most managers assume burnout is caused by one thing: workload.

But in reality, burnout is rarely that simple. It’s usually the result of multiple hidden workplace dynamics that quietly drain energy over time, long before anyone officially burns out.

In this episode, I break down six overlooked causes of burnout that show up in everyday leadership decisions, from lack of work-life balance and micromanagement to toxic culture, lack of support, recognition gaps, and monotonous work.

You’ll also hear how these patterns show up in real teams, how they quietly erode engagement, and what you can do as a manager to start shifting them in practical, sustainable ways.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how burnout actually builds over time and what small leadership shifts can prevent it from taking hold in your team.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zaYWIxLEy6HrcMOgFBKRwyMMyV9JmZo15b6gcxr3Y-0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

✨ Check out Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/KLXNolHCz_0

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipDevelopment #BurnoutPrevention #ManagementSkills #WorkplaceCulture #TeamLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #PeopleManagement #LeadershipTips #PsychologicalSafety #WorkLifeBalance #HighPerformanceTeams #ModernLeadership #TheModernManager

Resilience is often framed as pushing through, staying positive, and powering past challenges.

But that version of resilience can backfire, especially for managers trying to support their teams. When leaders jump too quickly into problem-solving or positivity, they can unintentionally make people feel unheard, dismissed, or disconnected.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a more effective approach to building resilience, one that starts with acknowledging what people are actually experiencing and then guides them toward solutions.

Jay Abbasi is a leadership coach and former executive who helps individuals and organizations develop resilience, improve performance, and lead through challenges with greater awareness and intention.

In this conversation, we explore how to support resilience in others without falling into toxic positivity, practical coaching techniques that help people find their own solutions, and how to lead teams through difficult moments by creating space, trust, and honest dialogue.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YIXQtsAmWSuIXfl4ZDdfJ0INFUN2W5w8OA6yZrIC004/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Jay Abbasi

- Connect with Jay on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/

- Follow him on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/

- Follow him on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast

Guest Bonus: Free PDF: 7 Strategies To Build Unshakable Resilience 

This PDF offers guidance on how to support your own resilience.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#leadershipcommunication #peoplemanagement #managertips #emotionalintelligence #workplacecommunication #leadershipskills #coachingleadership#psychologicalsafety #teamleadership #resilienceatwork

Most managers assume burnout is caused by one thing: workload.

But in reality, burnout is rarely that simple. It’s usually the result of multiple hidden workplace dynamics that quietly drain energy over time long before anyone officially burns out.

In this episode, I break down six overlooked causes of burnout that show up in everyday leadership decisions, from false urgency and unfair treatment to relentless change, limited growth, and feeling undercompensated.

You’ll also learn how to recognize early warning signs of burnout, understand what’s really driving disengagement, and take simple, practical steps to prevent it from escalating.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see how burnout actually develops beneath the surface and what you can do as a manager to stop it before it spreads across your team.

Conversation Topics

(00:00) Why burnout is often misdiagnosed as just workload

(01:19) The difference between productive stress and destructive drain

(02:34) Cause #1: False urgency and constant crisis mode

(03:55) Cause #2: Unfair treatment and its ripple effect on trust

(05:36) Cause #3: Relentless change without explanation

(06:26) Cause #4: Excessive workload and lack of support

(07:07) Cause #5: Limited growth opportunities

(08:43) Cause #6: Feeling undercompensated

(10:01) Why burnout is usually a combination of multiple causes

(11:15) [EXTENDED ONLY] How to talk to team members about burnout risk.

(12:35) [EXTENDED ONLY] Difference between stress vs burnout progression.

(13:51)[EXTENDED ONLY]  How to intervene early and prevent escalation.

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0E7D-LtllycG5WsQqnUkCGLdrfP_iXHln44vO1pUPE/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #BurnoutPrevention #WorkplaceCulture #TeamLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #PeopleManagement #LeadershipTips #HighPerformanceTeams #WorkLifeBalance #EmotionalIntelligence #ModernLeadership #TheModernManager

Toxic workplaces come in many different forms that we might not always notice. 

And because we aren’t all affected in the same ways, even the most well-meaning managers can unintentionally contribute to an unhealthy culture if they aren't paying close attention. 

Aoife O’Brien is an organizational psychologist, leadership expert, and author of Thriving Talent. Her work focuses on helping organizations create environments where people feel psychologically safe, aligned to meaningful work, and able to perform at their best.

In this conversation, we explore what actually makes a workplace toxic, practical ways to spot the early warning signs of an unhealthy culture, and clear, everyday actions you can take to foster trust, respect, and psychological safety. Because culture is something you create moment by moment, not something you merely declare.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q9HGJ3_EkaabC5ZzePq86WUmejsVGJU-KpUjRNzuhT0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Aoife O’Brien 

-Connect with Aoife on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

- Follow Happier at Work on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/happieratworkpodcast

- Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

- Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@HappieratWorkHQ

- Follow on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@happieratwork

Guest Bonus: 10% Off Thriving Talent Book

In Thriving Talent, Aoife O’Brien challenges the idea that engagement and performance are trade-offs. Instead, she shows leaders how to create environments where people feel psychologically safe, aligned to meaningful work, and able to use their strengths every day. 

Blending research with practical tools, the book introduces a clear framework for building cultures that drive performance, engagement, and retention without relying on perks or pressure.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#teamdynamics #teamperformance #conflic #teamalignment #highperformingteams #workplacefriction #collaborationatwork #leadingteams #peoplemanagement #howteamswork

You’re stuck between two options, going back and forth, trying to figure out the “right” choice. Should you hire or not? Change systems or stay the same? Restructure or keep things as they are? The more you think about it, the more stuck you feel.

It’s easy to assume the answer is hidden somewhere between those two choices, but often, that’s the real problem. You’re treating a complex decision as if it only has two possible paths.

In this quick lesson, I share five practical strategies to help you break out of binary thinking and expand your options. 

By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to approach decisions more creatively, uncover better solutions, and move forward with greater confidence, without feeling stuck between “either” and “or.”

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CqY5XO5bUVxKGO8gxqEneN4DtYWGOoVykBuwYM6C1K4/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #DecisionMaking #ProblemSolving #StrategicThinking #LeadershipSkills #ManagerMindset #WorkplaceSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth #CriticalThinking #LeadershipHabits #TheModernManager

We often think our reactions at work are about what’s happening in the moment: a frustrating colleague, a difficult conversation, or a stressful situation.

But what if those reactions are actually coming from somewhere else?

For many managers, moments of irritation, defensiveness, or emotional overwhelm can feel confusing or even unprofessional. But these responses aren’t random and they’re not a sign that something is wrong with you.

Fortunately, this week’s guest explains how our past experiences shape our present-day interactions and how developing self-awareness can help us respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.

Nidhi Tewari is a therapist and leadership expert who helps individuals and organizations build emotional intelligence, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and create healthier, more connected workplaces.

In this conversation, we explore why certain people trigger us, how to recognize when your reaction is disproportionate to the moment, and a simple framework you can use to regulate your emotions and lead more effectively. We also discuss how to support team members through difficult moments without crossing the line into becoming their therapist.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ewlJYvzfKfIScl9mrdHqd61HTW_TuSJKoJGRGse6qEs/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Nidhi Tewari

- Follow Nidhi on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nidhitewarilcsw/?hl=en

- Visit her website:https://www.nidhitewari.com

- Check out her book Working Well:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788782/working-well-by-nidhi-tewari-msw-lcsw-foreword-by-amy-cuddy/

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

We spend most of our time indoors moving from screens to meetings to more screens without realizing the toll it’s taking on our focus, energy, and overall well-being.

For many managers, burnout and fatigue feel like a personal failing or just “part of the job.” But what if the real issue isn’t you… it’s your environment?

Fortunately, this week’s guest explains how reconnecting with nature isn’t just about wellness; it’s a powerful, science-backed way to improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and become a more effective leader.

Dr. John La Puma is a physician, author, and expert in lifestyle medicine who focuses on how nature, nutrition, and environment impact human performance and health. His work helps leaders rethink how their daily surroundings influence not just their well-being, but also their decision-making, creativity, and relationships at work.

In this conversation, we explore how nature affects the brain, why “green” and “blue” spaces improve collaboration and reduce stress, and practical ways managers can bring more outdoor experiences into their workdays and team routines.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hahKSaofgMpcW6ehwtJn6_L5zQiec4ftymnTfBp7mqs/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Dr. John La Puma

- Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlapuma/ 

- Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnlapuma/ 

- Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJohnLaPuma/ 

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drjohnlapuma/ 

- Visit his website: https://www.drjohnlapuma.com/ 

- Learn more about The Indoor Epidemic: https://www.drjohnlapuma.com/indoor-epidemic-by-dr-john-la-puma/ 

Guest Bonus: Free Guide: How To Talk To Your Doctor About A Natural Prescription

Dr. John is providing members of Podcast Plus with his guide, "How to Talk to Your Doctor about a Nature Prescription." This one-page guide offers a simple script and prescription layout so you can create your optimal nature prescription.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadershiptips #Burnout #WorkplaceWellbeing #Productivity #MentalHealthAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment #FocusAndProductivity #WorkplaceHealth #ManagerTips #FutureOfWork

Stress is something every manager experiences. Tight deadlines, constant decisions, competing priorities; it can feel like pressure is simply part of the job.

Most leaders treat stress like one big, unavoidable force. In reality, stress isn’t just one thing. It appears in different forms, and each requires a different response. When leaders don’t understand the source of their stress, they often try to solve the wrong problem or end up stuck in cycles of overthinking and burnout.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a practical framework for understanding stress and turning it into something leaders can actually manage.

Amy Leneker is a former C-suite executive, a leadership advisor to Fortune 100 companies, and the author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy. Her work focuses on helping leaders identify the sources of stress in their work and create simple systems to reduce it while increasing clarity and joy.

In this conversation, we explore the different types of stress leaders experience, how stress flows through teams, and practical ways managers can help their teams talk about stress more openly and productively.

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nZOOgSIPaHiVT4PukpfR74wy8Drp-Lzah9AHMhadf3s/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up with Amy Leneker

- Follow Amy on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/amy.leneker/

- Check out her book Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy.https://www.amazon.com/Cheers-Monday-Surprisingly-Simple-Method/dp/1394388802

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway 3 Copies of "Cheers to Monday"

Amy is giving away 3 copies of her new book, Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy. 

You must enter the drawing by April 17th.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #TeamLeadership #WorkplaceStress #LeadershipSkills #ManagementTips #LeadershipDevelopment #BurnoutPrevention #TeamManagement #ManagerTips #FutureOfWork

Empathy is often talked about as a “soft skill,” but in reality, it can be one of the most powerful leadership strategies for building trust, improving collaboration, and helping teams perform at their best.

When leaders understand the experiences and stories that shape how people think, communicate, and respond under pressure, they can lead in ways that make team members feel truly seen and supported. But empathy at work isn’t just about being kind or having surface-level conversations. It requires curiosity, listening, and taking action based on what you learn.

This week’s guest shares practical ways leaders can bring empathy into everyday workplace interactions, from asking better questions to creating small moments where team members can share their stories and build stronger connections.

Leilani Garrett spent more than two decades in corporate sales and leadership, navigating high-stakes environments, leading teams, and closing multi-million-dollar deals. Today, she’s a creative force redefining leadership, connection, and culture through storytelling. Her work bridges personal growth and organizational impact, helping leaders and teams break down silos, build trust, and show up more fully human.

In this conversation, we explore how empathy strengthens leadership, why curiosity is essential for understanding your team, and simple activities managers can use to create deeper trust and collaboration.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s24gnyedl7h6XumSMgQSaT9489bw661mUCOBlfqAgEQ/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Leilani Garrett

-Connect with Leilani on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilanigarrett/

- Follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lahhnee/

Guest Bonus: 20% Off Leilani’s Services

Leilani provides leaders and teams with tools to communicate more honestly, lead more empathetically, and thrive collectively. 

Learn more about her services here. 

Discount is available through August 2026.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #EmpathyInLeadership #ManagementSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #TheModernManager #MamieKanferStewart #LeadershipPodcast

Change is constant. But too often, leaders treat change as a project instead of a core leadership skill.

That’s when teams disengage, resistance grows, and initiatives stall. The problem isn’t the change itself. It’s how it’s led.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a powerful new approach to help leaders guide their teams through uncertainty, build trust, and turn resistance into meaningful progress.

Yvonne is a Change Management Strategist & Advisor, Founder of The Change Leadership, Author, and a Change Leadership Advocate with over 20 years of experience helping professionals and organizations lead and navigate change in today's disruptive environment.

In this conversation, we explore the difference between change leadership and change management, how empathy and adaptability drive adoption, and why resistance is one of the most valuable signals leaders can receive.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BO4nUYvWB6iEJDa1tMiJzBI-xL_d1TtcIVx53OS8fAs/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up with Yvonne Akpoveta

- Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonneakpoveta/

- Access free resources here:https://oliveblue.com/resources

- Visit her website:https://thechangeleadership.com/

Guest Bonus: Discount on your virtual or in-person ticket to Change Leadership Conference 2026

At this one-day event, you’ll gain practical strategies, build peer connections, and elevate your credibility as a change leader in a world of constant disruption.

Members get $150 off In-person tickets and $45 off Virtual tickets. Promo codes expire April 30th.

The Change Leadership Conference is on May 27, 2026.

Get your ticket here: https://thechangeleadership.com/change-leadership-conference-2026#tickets

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#ChangeLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #TeamLeadership #ResistanceIsAGift #TheModernManager #MamieKanferStewart #OrganizationalChange #FutureOfWork

Many leaders assume communication is about clarity. But the real challenge is getting people to truly understand, care, and take action.

Too often, managers jump straight into slides, updates, or instructions without thinking about the impact of their message. As a result, even important communication falls flat, creates confusion, or leaves teams unsure what to do next.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a simple yet powerful framework for making every message more intentional, engaging, and effective.

Andy Freed is the Chairman of Virtual Inc., a strategic consulting and professional services firm that supports mission-driven organizations across technology, healthcare, and financial services. With more than 30 years of experience leading teams through growth and transformation, Andy is known for helping leaders communicate in ways that spark alignment, action, and trust. He’s also the author of Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership.

In this conversation, we explore how leaders can craft messages that stick, why consistency matters more than novelty, and how to bring energy and authenticity into everyday communication.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the week’s episode's big idea delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cnls8gh0b00TR70jIO6KojI4WsaD_zaNslXfM1VQkx8/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up with ​​Andy Freed

- Connect with Andy on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfreed/

- Visit his website:https://andyfreed.com/

Guest Bonus: 3 Book Giveaways: Lead like the Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership

Following the arc of Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen's legendary stage performances, this book demonstrates how to communicate your ideas to your followers and colleagues in ways that are authentic, intentional, and effective.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipCommunication #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerSkills #ExecutiveCommunication #PublicSpeakingTips #BusinessCommunication #ManagementSkills #InfluenceAndPersuasion #ProfessionalCommunication #WorkplaceCommunication #PresentationSkills #PowerPointTips #StorytellingInBusiness #CommunicateClearly #LeadershipGrowth #FutureOfWork #AIInLeadership #ManagerTraining #TheModernManager

Many managers believe pressure drives performance. Others focus heavily on support. But high-performing teams don’t choose one or the other. They operate with both.

When expectations are high, but support is low, people become defensive, stressed, and disengaged. 

When support is high but expectations are low, performance suffers. The real challenge for managers is learning how to balance intensity with kindness so teams feel both challenged and supported.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a practical and grounded approach to building this balance. 

Evan Marks, a mental performance coach who has worked in high-stakes environments, explains why people don’t rise to the occasion but fall to their level of training. He also shares how structure, emotional regulation, and clear communication help teams perform under pressure.

In this conversation, we explore how to create psychological safety without lowering standards, how to shift from feedback to “feedforward,” and why leaders must model ownership and emotional control if they want their teams to do the same.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

💡Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+. Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zN2YyAMYJXogkS7Pv1zh_zTFLw19q_K5ZPwa20qq0GU/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmanagerpodcast

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Evan Marks

- Connect with Evan on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanmarks-m1/ 

- Explore website here: http://www.m1performancegroup.com/ 

📢 Guest Bonus: The 20-Minute Evening Reset

This 5-Step Evening Reset gives you the foundation for peak performance. This reset combines breathwork, journaling, goal setting, and clearing mental clutter so you wake up as your most focused, composed self.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Many teams struggle with the same invisible problem: unspoken norms that quietly undermine collaboration, performance, and trust. 

Even when leaders want better behaviors, more ownership, healthier boundaries, and stronger collaboration, change often stalls because no one has named what’s actually happening.

Fortunately, this week’s guest helps managers put language to the hidden norms shaping their teams and offers a practical way to replace judgment-based practices with norms that help people do their best work.

Nilofer Merchant is a bestselling author, speaker, and thought leader on innovation, collaboration, and organizational culture. In her work, she focuses on helping leaders identify the outdated norms holding teams back and redesign work in ways that unlock human potential. She is the author of Our Best Work and founder of The Intangible Labs.

In this conversation, we explore how managers can surface unspoken norms, talk about them without defensiveness, and create shared ownership for cultural change. We also discuss why real change requires choice, not control, and how small shifts in language and process can cascade into healthier team dynamics.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the week’s episode's big idea delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gi5EaI0UEf6AAUlTP56KXuQWU2Uv_tLNoq1ciyKI4Jg/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Nilofer Merchant

- Connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilofermerchant/ 

Guest Bonus: Early Access to the Growth Assessment

Intangibles now drive 84% of value creation, yet most managers are flying blind. This early access gives you visibility into the invisible drivers of growth and data on what actually happens when you address what matters. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #WorkplaceCulture #TeamCulture #OrganizationalCulture

Managing a team gets especially challenging when emotions run high.

Whether it’s you who regularly rides the emotional rollercoaster or a team member who explodes in meetings, shuts down during feedback, or feels unpredictable from one conversation to the next, many managers struggle with how to respond when emotions show up in the workplace.

Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a grounded framework for supporting emotional intensity at work without becoming a therapist and without ignoring what’s really happening.

Jordanna Eyre is the founder of Spiral Growth Systems and the creator of the Spiral Leadership Methodology, a transformational framework designed to help leaders work with time, energy, emotions, and growth in non-linear ways. Known as the Chief Sorceress of Life & Business, Jordanna helps leaders expand their capacity, regulate their nervous systems, and lead with greater presence and clarity.

In this conversation, we explore how leaders can hold space for emotions without fixing or minimizing them, when support crosses into referral, and how emotional safety creates stronger teams over time.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the week’s episode's big idea delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mSaEY2s0yvDn3oYir1bJvsteVVTQWght53jY0JR_Z_E/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Jordanna Eyre

- LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordannaeyre/ 

- Visit the website:https://spiralgrowthsystems.com/

Guest Bonus: Free VIP Upgrade for The 5-day Make Time Your Ally Challenge

Join the 5-day Make Time Your AllyChallenge to relieve leadership pressure holistically and sustainably by learning to navigate your time and energy with the natural laws of Creation. Modern Manager community members receive an exclusive upgrade to VIP, which includes access to the laser session area for direct support at the General Admission price!

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #ManagementSkills #ModernLeadership

#PeopleManagement #ManagingEmotions #WorkplaceEmotions #LeadershipMindset #LeadingTeams #TeamDynamics

Many organizations say they want to invest in people, but their hiring and talent practices often tell a very different story.

Degree requirements, limited benefits packages, and poor management practices continue to limit who gets access to opportunity and how teams perform. And the cost shows up everywhere: higher turnover, slower productivity, and missed potential.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings clear data and practical strategies that show how companies can do better for both people and performance.

Dr. Angela Jackson is a Workplace Futurist and ESG expert, founder of Future Forward Strategies, and a lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She works with entrepreneurs, F100s, and policymakers on the future of work. Dr. Angela holds a doctorate from Harvard University and serves on several boards, including Needham Bancorp. Her book, The Win-Win Workplace, became a New York Times, USA Today, and Los Angeles Times Best Seller

If you want to build stronger teams, reduce turnover, and boost performance inside your organization, this episode offers a practical roadmap.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the week’s episode's big idea delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O9rEV0xAVx6z2G3F9o6o3zcyLw5-dZOVj9wumxsSl34/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up with Angela Jackson

- Connect with her on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-jackson

- Follow her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/angela.jackson.48955/ 

- Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drangelajackson/

- Read her book here: https://www.readwinwinworkplace.com/

Guest Bonus: 1 Free registration to The Win-Win Workplace Summit

The Win-Win Workplace™ Summit is where visionary employers and workplace innovators gather to tackle real challenges. Grounded in research and a commitment to practice, the 2026 Summit is built to spark bold action. Come with real questions. Leave with new strategies, trusted advisors, and partnerships that last long after the event. This is where leaders stop going it alone—and start building what’s next, together.

MAY 4-5, 2026 | CHICAGO, IL

Learn more about the summit here:

https://www.winwinworkplacesummit.org/

If you’re not able to attend the summit, enter the drawing anyway, and you’ll be able to select another event to attend in the US.

Enter the drawing by February 27th, 2026.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #PeopleFirst #ModernManagement #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #TalentDevelopment #SkillsBasedHiring #ManagerTips #WinWinWorkplace

#HiringStrategy #TalentManagement #FutureOfWork #SkillsBasedHiring #LeadershipDevelopment #HRInnovation #AngelaJackson #WinWinWorkplace #EmployeeRetention

About 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, but research shows only 10–15% actually are. And that gap matters, especially for managers.

Self-awareness shapes how we communicate, make decisions, handle conflict, and interpret others’ behavior. When we don’t understand what’s driving our reactions or how our actions land, we risk creating friction, bias, and misunderstanding on our teams without realizing it.

Fortunately, this week’s guest helps us unpack what true self-awareness really is, where it comes from, and how managers can develop it in practical, grounded ways.

Dr. Helen Fagan is a leadership development expert and author of Lead Like People Matter. Drawing on neuroscience, intercultural research, and decades of coaching leaders, Helen explains how our values, cultural conditioning, and unconscious brain systems shape how we show up at work and what it takes to interrupt patterns that no longer serve us.

In this conversation, we explore how to notice emotional reactions before they hijack us, how to give feedback without attacking identity, and how managers can build self-awareness in themselves and their teams without it feeling awkward.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UYUZ9dQXgxgvbwBKbhAd5DmmwMBMQbEzT8v4UQRVIh4/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up With Dr. Helen Fagan

- Connect with Helen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/drhelenfagan/

- Visit her website:https://helenfagan.com

- Listen to the Because People Matter podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/because-people-matter/id1752004691

- Check out her new book, Lead Like People Matter:https://a.co/d/50tCCbw

Guest Bonus: 50% Discount on IDI Assessment and Debrief

Take the IDI Assessment, which is a psychometric assessment tool that we use for people to gain self-awareness for how they navigate human differences. Get the assessment, your results, and a meeting with one of our Qualified Administrators to better understand their results, as well as a development plan for how to use your results moving forward.

Normally priced at $400, get this incredible offer for only $225!

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

You already have a personal brand, whether you’ve chosen it or not. And every meeting, email, and interaction at work is quietly shaping it.

Many managers assume personal branding is about being visible online or promoting yourself. But in reality, it’s about how you show up, how others experience working with you, and what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s essentially your reputation.

This week’s guest helps us unpack what personal brand really means at work and how to be intentional about it without feeling inauthentic, salesy, or self-promotional.

Andy Storch is a keynote speaker, author of Own Your Career, Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career, and host of multiple podcasts. He works with leaders and managers to help them build reputations that earn trust, influence stakeholders, and attract opportunity. In this episode, we explore how your internal behaviors, external presence, and everyday choices combine to shape your brand and how small shifts can make a big difference over time.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

If you want more influence, stronger relationships, and greater career opportunities without becoming an “influencer,” this conversation will help you lead with clarity and intention.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CyrOt9hWfHFy54Dg6px0nJZOFChrfNcEXsZ0rF4k1Xg/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep Up with Andy Storch

🔸 Connect with Andy on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/

🔸 Visit Own Your Career, Own Your Life (book) here:https://ownyourbrandbook.com

🔸 Explore Andy’s work and podcast here:https://andystorch.com

Guest Bonus: FREE Digital Copy of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career

Andy Storch and Mike Kim—two seasoned experts in career development, personal branding, and thought leadership—show you how to position yourself for lasting success strategically. Drawing from decades of experience helping corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders around the world, they reveal how to:

→ Identify and clarify your unique value, story, and message

→  Build credibility and visibility inside and outside your organization

→  Use modern platforms and tools to share your expertise effectively

→  Create opportunities for promotions, career pivots, and business ventures

→ Stay authentic while amplifying your impact

Packed with real-world examples, step-by-step frameworks, and actionable exercises, this book will equip you to take control of your professional reputation and future—before someone else defines it for you.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#PersonalBrand #ReputationManagement #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceSuccess #InfluenceAtWork

Hiring a friend can feel both generous and like a leadership landmine waiting to explode.

Good intentions aren’t enough when power dynamics shift, boundaries blur, and personal relationships collide with professional expectations. The risk isn’t just losing a friendship; it’s undermining trust, fairness, and team culture if the situation isn’t handled thoughtfully.

Fortunately, this week’s guest helps us unpack how to navigate one of leadership’s most uncomfortable decisions with clarity and integrity.

Dr. Cindi Baldi is the founder and CEO of Culsure, a management science firm, co-host of the Management Muse podcast, and co-author of the Uncertainty Playbook. From blackjack dealer to PhD in organizational behavior, Cindi has seen the full spectrum of workplace behavior. Now she helps leaders across the country understand their people better through data and decades of consulting experience. Cindy explains when hiring a friend can work, when it absolutely won’t, and how to protect both the relationship and the organization if you decide to move forward.

You’ll learn how to say no to a friend without damaging the relationship, what boundaries must be set upfront if you do hire them, and why conflict style in friendships is a strong predictor of workplace behavior.

In the extended conversation, Cindy goes deeper into the hidden risks of managing friends, including what must be off-limits once a friend reports to you, how oversharing personal information can undermine fairness and trust, and how to lead with integrity when professional and personal lines start to blur.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bDdd0ol67WBTmohak12Nyi8XKXUOvWjVWfG4edyXDvo/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Cindi Baldi

🔸 Connect with Cindi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindibaldi 

🔸 Follow Management Muse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/management-muse-podcast/ 

🔸 Subscribe to Management Muse on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManagementMusePodcast 

🔸 Follow Management Muse on Instagram: https://instagram.com/managementmuse 

🔸 Follow Management Muse on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/managementmusepodcast 

Guest Bonus: 3 Book Giveaway: The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World

There is a blizzard of uncertainty—technological, geopolitical, demographic, climate-related, and more—impacting us at work today, and it is only accelerating.  Drawing on two decades of research and practice by organizational scientists Geoffrey Tumlin and Cindi Baldi, this book equips readers with essential strategies to grow and even flourish in unstable times.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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, clarity, and leverage, without damaging relationships or risking the offer.

John Gates is an author and founder of Salary Coach, where he helps C-suite executives and senior leaders negotiate higher compensation packages without risking their job offers or future relationships. John’s unique approach, born from his extensive experience in corporate recruiting, consistently helps his clients secure 10-20% more in their pay packages, even in challenging job markets.

In this episode, we explore the biggest mistakes candidates and managers make when discussing pay, how to respond to the dreaded “What are your salary expectations?” question, and how to negotiate thoughtfully before an offer is on the table. If you want to avoid losing great candidates and negotiate with confidence, this conversation is for you.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R7mD2jYo8pYIIohhkBWaoi9fHLnj1yp24F7bPl00-LY/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with John Gates

- Connect with John on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngates-salarycoach/

Guest Bonus: Free PDF download of Chapter 5 of his book: Use a Range, not a Number.

John is providing members of podcast+ a PDF download of Chapter 5 of his book: Use a Range, not a Number. In this chapter, he provides actionable advice and plug-and-play scripts for how to talk about a salary range so you avoid getting screened and don’t end up leaving money on the table.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#SalaryNegotiation #CareerGrowth  #JobSearchTips #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #SalaryExpectations #PayNegotiation #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #JobInterview

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.

Patrick Leddin is a global speaker, former Army Ranger, Vanderbilt professor, and bestselling author of Disrupt Everything and Win. He shares how managers can help their teams stay focused, take smart risks, communicate clearly, and build healthier relationships during periods of uncertainty.

If you want to lead with more clarity and confidence when change hits, this conversation gives you the tools to do it.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gn-X2Pv1G3algfHWZDD0Vf9hDscJxW6gIKfivGVUY9Y/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Patrick Leddin

- Follow him on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin/

- Visit his website:www.patrickleddin.com

Guest Bonus: 2 Book Giveaway!

Patrick is giving away two copies of his new book, Disrupt Everything and Win: Take Control of Your Future. Every day, we are confronted with sudden pivots at our workplace and in the job market, with changing technology such as artificial intelligence, unexpected crises, and a culture of chaos, and with that sinking feeling that we are losing control of our lives. This book is about taking back control. It's easy to follow and easy to turn into lifelong habits. It has been thoroughly researched and examined. 

You must enter the drawing by January 9th, 2026. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 helps managers move from self-doubt into genuine capability.

Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit, a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.

We explore why action transforms confidence faster than motivation ever could, how to stop perfectionism from stalling your growth, and how “possibility spotting” turns obstacles into opportunities for advancement. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not ready, not experienced enough, or not “the right fit,” this conversation will help you step forward as the leader you truly are.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDa7N-6PlvtCn8v2-Nvau0HB7Ljq7OzM5r3sutaU1Do/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Damon Lembi and The Learn-It-All Podcast

Guest Bonus (available to members of Podcast+): FREE Digital Version of Learn-It-All Leader

In The Learn-It-All Leader, Learnit CEO Damon Lembi shares:

With entertaining anecdotes and inspirational examples, The Learn-It-All Leader is a compelling guide to being your best and playing to win every time.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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#Leadership #Management #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceSkills #ManagerTips #BusinessMindset #GrowthMindset #ImposterSyndrome #ContinuousLearning #LeadershipMindset #TeamManagement #CareerAdvice

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 Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. Tessa is a cognitive scientist exploring how we work, learn, and innovate. She is a co-founder of Harvard's Next Level Lab and teaches Design Thinking and Innovation at Harvard, DCE, and Stanford D School. Rich is the founder and CEO of People Rocket, which helps leaders and teams overcome innovation hesitation; there, they guide clients through the innovation-ish approach, a flexible human-centered framework built on mindset shifts, small adaptive steps, and reflective practice he also teaches at Stanford D School.

In this episode, we're cutting through the myth of the "right-brained" innovator. You’ll learn how to integrate the six innovation mindsets into your work, overcome "innovation hesitation," and embrace your "whole brain" approach to problem-solving. This conversation offers practical tools to foster fresh thinking within your team, create space for ideas to thrive, and give you the concrete tools to move those ideas forward, no matter your role.

Plus, in the extended episode, Tessa and Rich share tips for normalizing failure and using “F-Up Nights” to build a culture that learns from failure.

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Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KFafl5klc5iycyAmqq_Mlqp3ARyogW-mCWto2HNGfNc/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨ Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Tessa Forshaw & Rich Braden

Guest Bonus: 1st Chapter ofInnovation-ish: How Anyone can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World

Innovation-ish is your no-nonsense guide to unlocking your innate creativity. This book shows you how to solve problems and generate solutions in a huge variety of personal and professional situations. Tessa and Rich demystify the myths that surround innovation, reveal the six mindsets that underlie innovation, and show how the moves you make drive innovation forward. And they share the latest relevant cognitive science research in a compelling and digestible way - no degree required.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a 

working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#DesignThinking  #Experimentation #ManagerTips #BetterDecisions #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceLearning

#Innovation #Creativity #CreativeThinking #InnovationMindset #Leadership #ProblemSolving #TeamInnovation #GrowthMindset #SkillBuilding #ProfessionalGrowth #ThinkSmart #LeadershipDevelopment

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 get stuck in overwhelm and how to shift back into clarity and confidence.

Rob Kalwarowsky is a world-renowned executive coach, author of the best-selling book Capitalizing on Chaos, and keynote & TEDx speaker. We explore the hidden parts of ourselves that shape our leadership, the subconscious fears that drive “DIY leadership,” people-pleasing, and imposter syndrome, and the practice that brings you back to center when everything feels too much.

If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling, overworking, micromanaging, avoiding decisions, or doubting your capability even when you're successful… this conversation will help you understand what’s happening inside your brain and what to do next.

Rob’s practical framework gives you the mental tools to lead yourself and your team with steadiness, self-awareness, and strength, even when everything feels uncertain.

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Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Take the Saboteur Assessment here 

Keep up with Rob Kalwarowsky

- Follow Rob on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/ 

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveCoachRobK 

- Check out his book Capitalizing on Your Strengths here: https://www.robkalwarowsky.com/capitalizing 

Guest Bonus: 10 Book Giveaway and Free Find Your Reason Worksheet

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

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#leadership #management #workplacewellbeing #professionaldevelopment #personaldevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #careeradvice #selfawareness #mindsetmatters #stressmanagement #emotionalintelligence #overcomingoverwhelm #performanceatwork #leadershipskills #workculture

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 consultant who helps neurodivergent professionals and their teams amplify their strengths and work more naturally. Her work focuses on neurodivergent leadership success, helping individuals and organizations embrace differences as a pathway to thriving.

In this episode, Rita and I explore what ADHD looks like in adults, why it’s often misunderstood, and how managers can support themselves and their teams through empathy, structure, and flexible systems. You’ll learn strategies for managing focus, energy, and motivation, plus how to build habits that sustain success over time.

In the extended episode, Rita shares how to approach conversations about ADHD respectfully, even when a team member hasn’t disclosed, and how to foster a collaborative, psychologically safe culture that supports everyone’s best work.

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📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Rita Ramakrishnan

- Follow Rita on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaram

- Visit Iksana here:https://www.iksana.com

Guest Bonus: 20% Off Coaching Services

Rita is offering members of Podcast+ 20% off her coaching services. She provides executive and team coaching specifically designed for neurodivergent leaders and the teams who work with them, helping executives leverage their cognitive differences as strategic advantages while creating psychologically safe, high-performing environments.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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#ADHDAtWork #NeurodiversityInTheWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveLeadership

#PeopleManagement #WorkplaceWellbeing #TheModernManagerPodcast

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 impact. Through tools like the LEAD Framework, MAP, the Influence Canvas, and the Confident Communicator GPT, she makes leadership concepts practical and accessible to professionals around the world. Her latest passion project is a rhyming illustrated book on leadership.

In this episode, Tami shares how to use the MAP Framework (Manifest, Assess, Promote) to move ideas forward, align your vision with others, and build relationships that lead to collaboration instead of resistance. We explore what to do when your ideas are dismissed, how to avoid losing your cool under pressure, and why influence is really about connection, not control.

In the extended conversation, Tami shares practical tools for managing crisis moments with calm, rallying allies before big decisions, and communicating risks in ways that help others listen and engage constructively.

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📚 Additional Resources:

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- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Tami Reiss

- Visit Tami’s website here:https://tamireiss.com

- Follow Tami on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamireiss

- Follow Tami on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/reisstami

- Subscribe to her Leader Within newsletter here:https://leaderwithin.substack.com

- Watch Tami’s YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/tamireiss

- View her speaker reel playlist here:https://www.youtube.com/tamireiss — get a peek into the energy she brings to audiences.

- Download the free M.A.P. Canvas here:https://learn.myleaderwithin.com/influence

- Read her blog here:https://learn.myleaderwithin.com/blog/

- Pre-order her upcoming book What Do Product Managers Do? A Primer for Aspiring PMs of All Ages here:https://mascotbooks.com/product/what-do-product-managers-do-a-primer-for-aspiring-pms-of-all-ages/

- Explore her custom GPT, The Leader Within: Tami from Miami, here:https://chatgpt.com/g/g-679afb821a6c81918edef32295c26b8b-the-leader-within-tami-from-miami

Guest Bonus: Mastering Executive Presence Online Course for $49

Mastering Executive Presence is a practical, high-impact course for leaders who’ve been told to “show up stronger” but were never shown how. You’ll learn and practice real behaviors across Awareness, Adaptability, Authenticity, and Authority to build trust, increase influence, and lead with confidence in every high-stakes moment. ($499 value) 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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#Leadership #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #CommunicationSkills #ManagerTips #WorkplaceInfluence #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SoftSkills #TeamManagement #CareerSuccess #LeadershipMindset #PeopleSkills #Collaboration #EffectiveCommunication #ManagerAdvice #OfficePolitics #LeadershipTools

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, including Bring Your Whole Self to Work and his latest, We’re All In This Together. For the past 25 years, Mike has been a sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach who delivers keynotes, workshops, and coaching programs for some of the top companies in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Walmart, eBay, Schwab, and many more.

In this episode, we delve into what it truly means to “bring your whole self to work,” examine why self-righteousness undermines connection, and explore how vulnerability cultivates trust and psychological safety. Mike shares his “authenticity equation” and practical ways managers can model openness without crossing professional boundaries.

In the extended conversation, Mike delves deeper into the art of authentic appreciation, why most people are uncomfortable receiving praise, how to cultivate a culture of gratitude on your team, and the key distinction between appreciation and recognition. He also shares a powerful team practice, “the appreciation seat,” that helps managers cultivate belonging and empathy at work.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Mike Robbins

- Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ 

- Follow Mike on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

- Visit Mike’s website here: https://mike-robbins.com/ 

- Follow Mike on X here: https://x.com/mikedrobbins 

- Follow Mike on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins 

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway: 3 Copies of We're All in This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust, and Belonging

In this book, corporate consultant Mike Robbins dives deep into the ways great businesses build trust, collaborate, and operate at their peak level. The book’s core principles include facilitating an environment of psychological safety, fostering inclusion and belonging, addressing and navigating conflict, and maintaining a healthy balance of high expectations and empathy. 

Throughout, Mike shares powerful exercises and tools he’s successfully utilized in the keynote speeches, group sessions, and corporate retreats that he delivers so that you and your team can communicate more authentically, give and receive feedback with skill, and create deeper connections.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #WorkplaceCulture #PsychologicalSafety #Vulnerability #TrustAtWork #Leadership #Management #TeamLeadership #WorkCulture #ProfessionalGrowth #HumanCenteredLeadership #FutureOfWork #TheModernManager

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 professional insight to help us all better appreciate the talents of neurodiverse team members. 

Clain Udy is reshaping the way society views autism by shifting our perspectives from deficit-focused to one that sees autism through a strengths-based lens. As the father of a high-functioning autistic adult son, Clain has spent over two decades researching and investigating what it takes to help his son and other autistic individuals have successful, fulfilling careers.

Clain’s new book, Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum, details his journey from initially thinking he had to “fix” his autistic son to wholeheartedly embracing his son’s beautifully unique strengths.

In this episode, we explore how autism shows up in the workplace, what managers often misunderstand about communication and performance, and practical ways to create environments where neurodiverse employees can do their best work.

In the extended conversation, Clain shares how managers can better understand social communication preferences, why “chasing normal” harms both managers and employees, and how reframing autism as a different but equally valid way of processing the world changes everything about inclusion.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Clain Udy

- Check out his website: https://autismelevated.com/

- Follow Clain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clainudy/

- Follow Clain on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Autism-Elevated/61559009841770/

- Follow Clain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismelevated/

Guest Bonus: 10 Book Giveaway:Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum

This insightful book is both a memoir and a practical guide that aims to dismantle the current assumptions and mindset around autism and empower parents, educators, and employers to recognize and nurture the inherent abilities of autistic individuals.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #FutureOfWork #TeamManagement #PsychologicalSafety #HumanCenteredLeadership #TheModernManager

#AutismAtWork #Neurodiversity #InclusiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #WorkCulture #Inclusion #WorkplaceInclusion #Leadership #Management #TeamLeadership #FutureOfWork #PeopleManagement #AutismAwareness

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 record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive.

In this episode, we explore what makes a bad boss (and how to avoid becoming one). Mita reveals common behaviors that erode trust, how to give feedback that empowers instead of intimidates, and why inclusive leadership is the foundation of a healthy culture. You’ll learn small, everyday actions that rebuild connection, create safety, and turn self-awareness into your most powerful leadership tool.

In the extended members-only conversation, Mita opens up about the “Nap Boss,” “Tony Soprano,” and “Sheriff” archetypes—real examples of toxic leadership behaviors that managers can learn from. She also shares practical ways to respond to bullying or bias at work, including how to use the “Five Ds” framework to intervene and support colleagues safely and effectively.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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Conversation Topics 

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cw9_72_BLtfr5vsjDbb-U2Nb5KuX56A5Jo6TSGmOaWc/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

✨Learn more about the 5Ds in episode 109 with Emily May: https://www.themodernmanager.com/podcast-109

Keep up with Mita Mallick

- Follow Mita on LinkedInhere

- Check out her book here

Guest Bonus: 10% off Book Consulting Services

If you’ve wanted to write a book, this is for you. Get hourly book consulting services from idea generation all the way to marketing your book and selling it to your audience. Priced at $750/hr, members of Podcast+ get a 10% discount. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #WorkCulture #ToxicWorkplace #BadBoss #GoodManager #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamLeadership #ManagerTips #WorkplaceCulture #SelfAwareness #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #ProfessionalGrowth #ManagerAdvice #LeadershipPodcast

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 workplaces that empower teams and enable performance. She is also co-host of the award-winning psychology podcast, Truth, Lies & Work. Breaking into the prestigious HubSpot Podcast Network in 2022. The show is dedicated to helping business leaders simplify the science of the workplace.

In this episode, Leanne explains how managers can approach layoffs thoughtfully, manage confidentiality effectively, communicate clearly, and care for both departing employees and the remaining team. She shares practical frameworks to make these tough conversations more human and less stressful.

In the extended members-only conversation, Leanne dives deeper into strategies for managers who are themselves being laid off and how to prepare for career transitions while maintaining professional composure.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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Conversation Topics 

📚 Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Leanne Elliot 

- Follow Leanne on LinkedIn here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne/

- Follow on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/truthlieswork/

- Learn more on her website here:https://truthliesandwork.com/

- Explore Oblong HQ here:https://oblonghq.com/

Guest Bonus: 1 FREE Career Transition Coaching Program

This free three-session coaching program helps you navigate career transitions with psychology-based tools and practical support. You’ll reflect on past experiences, clarify your values, and set clear goals for your future work.

Learn more about the program here.

Enter the drawing by November 7, 2025.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#Leadership #Management #Layoffs #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #ManagerTips #CareerTransitions #TeamManagement #ProfessionalGrowth

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 leadership coach, and a former CIO who now trains managers and business leaders around the world. His work blends real-world experience with practical tools to help managers lead projects with clarity, sustainability, and impact.

In this episode, James introduces his “eight lenses of project management” and reveals why prioritization is often the missing key to project success. He shares powerful ways to engage stakeholders, identify and manage risks, and avoid common mistakes in estimating time and effort. 

Along the way, James offers stories and frameworks that any manager, whether formally a project manager or not, can use to keep work on track and teams energized.

In the extended members-only conversation, James explains how to properly scope your projects and define quality, two notoriously tricky areas that can make or break your results.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with James Louttit

- Follow James on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here

- Join the IPM Community with a free 7-day trial here

Guest Bonus: Free Audio Book: Leading Impactful Teams and 3 FREE 1-Year Membership to IMP Community

Leading Impactful Teams is a lively exploration of the "lenses" of project management – Scope, Prioritisation, Time, Cost, Quality, Risks, Team and Stakeholders – that will enable the reader to develop a "sixth sense" for potential issues that could derail their project. It provides a practical toolkit to help you and your team deliver great project outcomes with minimum stress and maximum fun.

 
The IPM Community helps you deliver projects on time, on budget, and without burnout through bite-sized lessons, tactical tools and weekly peer support. Created by James Louttit, author of Leading Impactful Teams, it’s a no-jargon, no-exam space where professionals learn fast, share real challenges, and lead with confidence.  

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#ProjectManagement #Leadership #TeamManagement #TeamSuccess #ProjectPlanning #AgileLeadership #RiskManagement #ProjectManagementTips #LeadershipSkills #TeamPerformance

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 how these character strengths can transform our work and leadership.

Natalya Pestalozzi is a professional certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and a positive psychology expert with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology. She trains practitioners worldwide through the Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology program and coaches leaders in private equity, nonprofits, think tanks, and the federal government. Through her own journey in motherhood, she has a special passion for coaching parents before, during, and after pregnancy.

In this episode, Natalya shares how positive psychology goes beyond “toxic positivity” and equips us with the tools to flourish. She introduces the 24 VIA character strengths, explains how to spot and balance them in yourself and your team, and shows why cultivating these universal traits builds stronger trust, collaboration, and authentic leadership.

In the extended episode, Natalya reveals what to do when someone says they don’t want to change because they see it as inauthentic, and she shares the five character strengths most correlated with happiness and life satisfaction.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics:

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Natalya Pestalozzi: 

- Connect with Natalya on LinkedIn here 

- Take the VIAstrengths character assessment

- To discover more or enroll in CAPP, check out:

https://theflourishingcenter.com/natalya/ The program begins October 21st.

- Learn more www.natalyapestalozzi.com 

Guest Bonus: Masterclass in Positive Psychology and the Science of Flourishing Recording and Finding the Golden Mean PDF

The 60‑minute webinar recording explores the cutting‑edge science behind human flourishing—then translates it into simple, practical actions you can start using the same day. Through research‑backed insights and interactive micro‑exercises, you’ll discover how tiny shifts in mindset and behavior can ignite big gains in vitality, connection, and purpose. 

What You’ll Learn: Flourishing vs. Languishing: Spot where you (and those you serve) sit on the Mental Health Continuum—and how to move upward. 

Pathways to Peak Well‑Being: The six evidence‑based drivers of positivity, engagement, achievement, meaning, relationships, and vitality. 

Why Happiness Fuels Success: Break the myth that you must succeed first to be happy—see how positive emotions actually power performance. 

Taming the Negativity Bias: Simple brain‑based hacks to counter worry, rumination, and “what‑ifs.” 

Micro‑Interventions That Stick: Gratitude, savoring, kindness, and other two‑minute practices that measurably lift mood and resilience.

Prioritizing Positivity: Craft days that naturally generate more joy—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. 

The Golden Mean is using character strengths in a balanced way (optimal use). It is when you apply the right combination of character strengths, to the right degree, in the right situation. This PDF shows the underuse, overuse, and optimal use of character strengths

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

#PositivePsychology #CharacterStrengths #Leadership #WorkplaceSuccess #TeamCulture #FlourishAtWork

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 lifelong entrepreneur, he helps leaders unlock growth by mastering the art of documenting and delegating. Chris is also the bestselling author of The Business Playbook: How to Document and Delegate What You Do So Your Company Can Grow Beyond You. Beyond work, he’s a husband, father, and passionate Phoenix Suns fan.

In this episode, Chris shares frameworks and strategies to help managers create clarity, engage their teams in documentation, and free themselves up to focus on what matters most.

In the extended conversation, Chris explores how to turn documentation into a team sport, cascade delegation across levels, and troubleshoot when processes aren’t followed—revealing practical ways to finally stop doing it all yourself.

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Chris Ronzio

- Follow Chris on LinkedIn here

- Follow Trainual on Instagram here

- Learn more on his Website here

- Explore Trainual's platform here 

Guest Bonus: FREE PDF: The 4 Ps: What to Document

While not an exhaustive list, this extensive 4-page PDF will give you

a good starting point when deciding what policies you need to document first.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 is an associate professor of organizations and innovation at University College London’s School of Management, a researcher featured in outlets like Harvard Business Review and BBC, and the author of The Collective Edge. His work sheds light on how managers can structure and guide their teams to harness the true power of collaboration.

In this episode, Colin explores the dynamics that shape effective teamwork, from setting clear goals to designing the right team structure, establishing norms, and fostering psychological safety. 

Whether you’re leading a small project team or a large organization, you’ll gain practical insights on how to unlock your group’s collective potential.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Colin Fisher

- Follow Colin on X (Twitter)here

- Connect with Colin on LinkedInhere

- Follow Colin on Instagramhere

- Visit Colin’s websitehere

- Check out his book The Collective Edgehere

Bonus: Meeting Makeover guidebook

In lieu of a guest offer this week, I’m offering members of Podcast+ access to my brand-new Meeting Makeover guidebook. It’s a step-by-step workbook that empowers you to finally fix your bad meetings once and for all.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings decades of wisdom on how to do it well, sharing practical strategies for inclusive, effective leadership.

Stephanie Chung is an international bestselling author, strategic innovator, and expert in human capital management with more than 30 years of experience turning challenges into opportunities. 

She shares why understanding privilege isn’t about guilt but about using what you have to serve others, and how her ALLY framework (Ask, Listen, Learn, and Act Yourself) helps leaders embrace curiosity, build stronger relationships, and unlock the power of truly diverse teams.

✨In the extended episode for members, Stephanie goes deeper into the EARN approach and how to create engaged, high-performing, diverse teams.

Become a member of Podcast Plus for extended episodes, guest bonuses, and more at themodernmanager.com/more 

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=
✨Read the transcript here

Keep Up With Stephanie Chung
- Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn here
- Follow her on Instagram here
- Like her on Facebook here
- Follow her on TikTok here
- Learn more on her Website here
- Watch her speaker reel on YouTube Shorts:@thestephaniechung
- Subscribe to her Newsletter here

Guest Bonus: 3 Book Giveaway: Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You.
Stephanie is giving away three copies of her bookAlly Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You. This book is not just about traditional leadership; it's about revolutionizing leadership practices to be more effective in a rapidly changing corporate world. This issue transcends categories ofrace, gender, sexual orientation, different abilities, and age - it's a universal concern that affects everyone.

👉To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community: https://themodernmanager.com/more 

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 over 20 years of experience helping leaders amplify their influence, he specializes in equipping teams to communicate more effectively and harness the strengths of both introverts and extroverts.

In this episode, Salvatore shares how to design team practices that give introverts the space they need to thrive, including meeting structures, pre-work, and ways to balance workplace energy. You’ll also learn how to recognize and encourage quiet leadership, so managers of all styles can succeed.

In the extended conversation, Salvatore explores how to “break the seal” to engage introverts early, why metaphors can be a powerful communication tool, and additional strategies for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.

✨Get FREE episode mini-guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

👉http://www.themodernmanager.com/miniguides

Listen to the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

✨Read the transcript here

✨Check out Susan’ Cain’s book on introverts Quiet here

Keep up with Salvatore Manzi

- Connect with Salvatore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi/ 

- Get his book: https://www.salvatoremanzi.com/ccpb/ 

Guest bonus: 3 Free Consultations

Salvatore is giving away a free consultation to 3 members of Podcast+. This complimentary 75-minute virtual consultation (plus a 30-minute follow-up) is designed to help leaders address a real team challenge, whether it’s navigating feedback, introducing change, preparing a high-stakes presentation, or planning an off-site.

👉 To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community: https://themodernmanager.com/more 

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

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 speaker, and emotional intelligence specialist who has helped thousands of leaders increase their effectiveness through a proven emotional empowerment process.

In this episode, Jamelle explains what emotional intelligence really is, why it matters more than ever, and which EQ skills (empathy, assertiveness, self-awareness, and stress tolerance) drive results in leadership. He shares concrete tools, from structuring feedback so it lands to using simple reflection practices that build self-awareness, to help you lead with clarity and confidence.

In the extended members-only conversation, Jamelle goes deeper into building self-awareness, using the emotion wheel, balancing empathy and assertiveness, and embedding EQ skills into daily leadership practices.

✨ Podcast Plus members get access to an extended conversation with Jamelle, guest bonuses, and more. Become a member atthemodernmanager.com/more and get free mini-episode guides delivered to your inbox each week.

Join the conversation now!

Conversation Topics (Subscribers)

Additional Resources

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation= 

✨Read the transcript here

Keep up with Jamelle

- Follow Jamelle on LinkedIn here

- learn more on his Website here

- Watch his speaker reel on Vimeo here

Guest bonus: 10% off All Services

1. Emotional Intelligence Assessments & Debriefs

We use scientifically validated EQ assessment reports (such as the EQ-i 2.0®) to identify individual or team emotional intelligence strengths and gaps. The debrief process (60-90 minute virtual debrief session) translates the results of the EQ report into practical, real-world insights and action steps for improved leadership and workplace effectiveness.

2. Executive & Leadership Coaching

Our one-on-one coaching supports leaders in building emotional intelligence skills that drive influence, decision-making, and resilience. Each engagement is customized using our Emotional Empowerment Process™ to ensure measurable behavior change.

4. Keynote Speaking & Thought Leadership

I deliver inspiring, science-based keynotes on emotional intelligence, emotional empowerment, and leadership in the age of AI. Each session is designed to spark awareness and motivate audiences to unlock their full potential.

5. Workshops & Training Programs

Our experiential workshops help participants develop practical EQ skills in areas such as self-awareness, empathy, and conflict resolution. Programs are designed for all organizational levels and are fully customizable to strategic priorities.

👉 To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community: https://themodernmanager.com/more 

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 author, and the founder of Aperneo. He works with organizations to harness the power of neuroscience to shift mindsets, break through limiting beliefs, and create sustainable high performance.

In this episode, Larry explains the crucial difference between the brain and the mind, why predictability can actually work against leadership growth, and how to identify and replace the beliefs that hold you back. You’ll learn about neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to change—and how to apply practical “brain hacks” to transform your thinking and your results.

In the extended episode, Larry dives deeper into applying these insights in everyday leadership, including how to coach teams through change and build a culture of mindset mastery.

Podcast Plus members get access to the extended episode, guest bonuses, and more. Become a member atthemodernmanager.com/more and get free mini-episode guides delivered to your inbox each week.

Conversation Topics 

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep Up with Larry Olsen.

-Connect with him on LinkedIn here. 

- Visit his website for more here.

- Listen to his podcast & watch videos here.

- Get his book: Get a Vision and Live It here.

Guest Bonus: 20% off coaching with Larry. 

In these sessions, Larry will help you lead with values, shift your mindset, and create lasting success. You’ll gain tools to eliminate doubt, enhance happiness, parent effectively, and achieve more with ease and clarity.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Do you wait for the perfectmoment to speak up, only to have the conversation move on without you?

What if the secret to becoming a confident, impactful communicator wasn’t planning every word, but learning to improvise?

This week’s guest reveals how improvisation isn’tjust for the stage, but a powerful, everyday skill that can transform how you connect, influence, and lead.

Today’s guest is Jeff Mondoro. Jeff is an improviser, learning designer, executive coach, and a dad. He started his career in finance but discovered the world of improv in his mid-twenties and never looked back. 

In this episode, Jeff explains why improv isn’t about being funny, but it’s about building on others’ ideas, listening deeply, and embracing uncertainty. 

You’ll learn how micro-experiments in your meetings can create more space for collaboration, and how clarifying language early prevents misalignment.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jeff and I discuss why adopting a growth mindset is essential for success, how to encourage team members to share unpolished ideas, and why humor works best when it’s co-created.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out Jeff’s book recommendation Improvisation for the Theater here

 Keep up with Jeff Mondoro

- Follow Riff Consulting on LinkedIn

- Visit Riff Consulting for more information here

Free 1-hour Workshop: Intro to Improv with Riff Consulting

In this one-hour class, we'll explore some of the fundamental tenets of improvisation: presence, active listening with 'yes, and', and the ability to quickly pivot and build with your scene partners. The virtual course will be highly experiential and involve a series of paired and small-group exercises. We'll also debrief and discuss how you might apply each principle in your work as a manager.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific, 4pm British time)

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

What if the biggest threat to your team’s creativity and performance isn’t the workload but outdated ideas of what“professionalism” should look like?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of performative professionalism: obsessing over sounding smart, dressing the part, and following invisible rules about how “real professionals”should behave. But all that effort often masks the very things that fuel creativity, innovation, and productivity.

Today’s guest is here to flip the script on professionalism and show you how to bring more fun into work without being labeled unprofessional.

Meet Bree Groff. Bree is the author of TODAY WAS FUN: A Book About Work (Seriously) and a transformation expert who’s advised leaders at Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, and more.

In this episode, Bree reveals the difference between functional and performative professionalism, shares simple rituals that create psychological safety, and explains why micro acts of fun at work(whether you’re on site or fully remote)are actually strategicfor building team trust.

Plus, in the extended episode available exclusively to Podcast+ members, Bree shares practical tips on how to respond when someone calls you“unprofessional”and other small ways to infuse fun into the workday.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Bree Groff

- Follow Bree on LinkedInand Instagram

- Grab a copy of her book, Today Was Fun, here

- Subscribe to Bree’s Substack here

FREE 1-A-Day Calendar

Bree is giving Podcast+ members a 1-A-Day Calendar for free. This playful calendar provides 30 days of prompts—a quote, a provocation, or a little something to try—to help you love your days.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Self-distraction is one of the biggest productivity challenges we face today. 

It’s easy to get lost in the constant flow of thoughts. A simple “I need to remind Kevin to send me that document,” takes us away from our current activity, preventing us from completing the tasks that matter most. No wonder we feel overwhelmed and constantly rushing.

But here’s the good news: Today’s guest is on a mission to help managers and teams break free from this cycle of overwhelm and start getting things done effectively and efficiently.

Meet Mridu Parikh. Mridu is a productivity coach who helps busy professionals take control of their time, energy, and focus—so they can perform at their best without feeling overwhelmed. She empowers leaders and teams to reduce stress, prioritize effectively, and create lasting systems for success. She’s also the host of the top-ranked Productivity on Purpose podcast.

In this episode, we dive into Mridu’s ACTION framework—a seven-step approach to increasing productivity by minimizing distractions, committing to Power Hours, time blocking effectively, systemizing your approach, and more. 

Beyond individual productivity tips, we also cover how teams can build a culture of focus and how to respectfully say no (even to your boss).

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out OneTab here

 Keep up with Mridu Parikh

- Follow Mridu on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

- Subscribe to Mridu’s Productivity on Purpose Podcast here

- Grab a copy of her book, Accomplish It, here

30% Off A One-Hour Productivity Coaching Call

Mridu is offering 30% off a one-hour productivity coaching call to members of Podcast+.

During this call, Mridu will help you gain clarity, focus, and control over your time, so you can follow through on what matters most.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Do you walk out of meetings feeling more exhausted than empowered? Are toxic behaviors affecting your team? 

Navigating a workplace with individuals who show signs of narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy can be incredibly challenging. But understanding the root of these toxic behaviors is key to managing them effectively, and today’s guest is here to help us do just that.

Meet Dr. Sheela Reddy. Sheela has more than 25 years of experience in Trauma-Informed Leadership Psychology, a PhD in multicultural systems psychology, and a fellowship in trauma. She is a published author, speaker and coach. 

She loves conducting experiential learning workshops to increase EQ and develop empathy for diversity in teams for organizations. She is most passionate about increasing mind health, reversing the effects of trauma, and developing empowered, liberated, skilled & resilient diverse female leaders. 

In this episode, Sheela and I explore the core elements of narcissism, Machiavellism, and psychopathy, and how these often show up as manipulative or emotionally abusive behaviors at work.

She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and teaches how we can build distress tolerance to deal with toxic behaviors in high-pressure situations.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Sheela uncovers the surprising link between toxic behaviors and emotional intelligence.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Dr. Sheela Reddy

- Follow Sheela on Instagram

- Check out Rise Mind’s official website for more information here

Live LinkedIn Sessions: Your Bi-Weekly EQ Boost

Join Dr. Sheela Reddy every other Thursday at 12:30 PM ET or Friday at 12:00 PM ET for free live sessions on LinkedIn. Explore various EQ abilities and practical tips to help you manage stress, improve your mood, and strengthen your relationships. Connect with Sheela on LinkedIn to join!

Dive Deeper: Free Podcast on Self, Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

Continue your growth journey with Sheela’s podcast, RISEMIND - EQ Evolution,where you explore essential skills for developing a more empowered self, mastering interpersonal management, and honing your leadership abilities. 

FREE EQ Assessment and Tame the Tough Boss Article

Members of Podcast+ get two amazing bonuses from Sheela this week: a FREE EQ Assessment and Tame the Tough Boss Article

The first 20 members to sign up will receive a complimentary EQi 2.0 assessment (a $100 value!) followed by an exclusive group consultation. During this session, we'll delve into your personalized results, providing you with actionable tips to boost your EQ for personal and professional success.

And, get practical strategies to navigate challenging professional relationships with Sheela’s article: "Tired of Walking on Eggshells? How to Manage Your Difficult Boss (Without Getting Fired)." 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Are you struggling to form new habits that actuallystick?

If you’ve ever found yourself failing to break old habits, it’s likely because you’re using the wronghabit formation strategies. 

Thankfully, today’s guest is going to unlock the key to transformational behavior change so you and your team can successfully adopt new ways of working.

Today’s guest is Jason Hreha. Jason is a behavioral scientist and entrepreneur who, after studying at Stanford and working in BJ Fogg's Behavior Design Lab, developed the Behavioral Strategy framework for business challenges. 

As CEO of Persona, he combines behavioral science assessments with rigorous vetting to connect companies with exceptional talent. Previously, as Global Head at Walmart, he established the first Fortune 100 behavioral science team. Jason is also the author of Real Change, a book redefining habit formation and personal growth. 

In this episode, Jason shares a breakthrough approach to behavior change that will reshape the way you think about habits.

We explore the distinction between habits and transformative practices and why most people fail by choosing habits that are too complex or misaligned with their personality.

Jason also explains the importance of behavior matching and how it can help both individuals and teams adopt the right practices for lasting impact. 

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jason shares practical, human-centered strategies to break bad habits for yourself and your team.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Jason Hreha 

- Follow Jason on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram

- Follow Persona for more updates on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook

- Subscribe to The Behavioral Scientist on YouTube here

- Visit Persona Talent and The Behavioral Scientist for more information

FREE: First Half ofReal Change: Moving Beyond Habits to Achieve Lasting Transformation

Jason is providing members of Podcast+ with the first half of his bookReal Change: Moving Beyond Habits to Achieve Lasting Transformation,for free! This book debunks the myths of habit hacking and guides you towards meaningful, lasting transformation through the innovative Transformative Practice Path. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this book will empower you to create the meaningful life you’ve always desired.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Documentation isn’tjust a system—it’s a daily habit that you can master.

When was the last time you actually enjoyed documenting a meeting or your thought process?  For most of us, documentation feels tedious and intimidating. Just the idea of making things “official” can stir up fear that it might one day be used against us. 

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a fresh perspective on why documentation is worth embracing and mastering.

Today’s guest is Adrienne Bellehumeur. Adrienne is the owner of Risk Oversight, a consulting firm specializing in SOX, CSOX, internal control, and internal audit programs. She is also the author of The 24-Hour Rule—and Other Secrets for Smarter Organizations,which you can think of as the first “mass market” book on documentation best practices. She regularly speaks about documentation, workflow, and productivity best practices to professional groups and organizations of all sizes and industries.

In this episode, Adrienne breaks down the Big D vs. Little D concept, revealing why daily, individual habits matter more than fancy systems.

You’ll learn how simply processing meeting notes within 24 hours can save your team hours of frustration and rework.

We also explore practical strategies, such as using central repositories and establishing team-wide documentation standards. Additionally, we dive into the value of handwritten notes vs. digital tools, and how to avoid“Groundhog Day” meetings by writing things down.

If your team keeps having the same conversations or you’re buried in sticky notes, this episode is a must-listen.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out The Bullet Journal Method here

 Keep up with Adrienne Bellehumeur

- Follow Adrienne on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of her book here

- Check out Risk Oversight herefor more information

- Visit Adrienne’s official website here to keep up with her work

FREE 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation + Productivity as a Team Sport Workbook

Adrienne is giving members of Podcast+ 2 incredible PDFs. 

First, the 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation.Whatever your current go-to practices for personal productivity, information management, and documentation look like, these 6 steps will give you simple strategies to work smarter, faster, and better—for yourself, your team, and your whole organization.

And second, Productivity as a Team Sport Workbook.This workbook shares the 8 Super Secrets of Team Productivity that have been tested with organizations and professional groups across industries. The focus? Real, lasting results for knowledge workers that teams can apply immediately.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Do you constantly feel overwhelmed by your leadership role? Are you always reacting to everyone else’s agenda instead of creating your own?

What if you could reclaim your power and lead confidently through any situation? Today’s guest reveals exactly how to make that shift.

Meet Dr. Sharon Melnick. Sharon is recognized as a Marshall Goldsmith Top 50 executive coach and is the author of three books including In Your Power (2022), Success Under Stress,and Confidence When it Counts. Her mission is simple: Equip all leaders with the toolkit they need to claim their power and amplify it to achieve dramatically positive outcomes for all.

In this episode, Sharon redefines what realpower looks like in the workplace and shares practical strategies to help managers take back control, even in challenging situations.

She reveals how to shift from reactive to proactive leadership through tools like the “thermostat”metaphor and the “cooling breath” technique. Plus, she breaks down how to stop giving away your power to others’ expectations and how to lead from a place of strength.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Sharon Melnick

- Follow Sharon on LinkedInand Facebook

- Get your burnout-proof checklist here

- Check out Sharon’s official page herefor more

Book Giveaway: A Signed Copy of Her BookIn Your Power

Sharon is giving away a signed copy of her book In Your Power: React Less, Regain Control, Raise Others to one member of Podcast+

Whether dealing with an underperforming team member, an undervaluing boss, an undermining colleague, a difficult family member or partner, or the overwhelm of too much to do, we can find ourselves feeling“out of our power.” This book guides you through twelve Power Portals, giving you a new approach to stop reacting to others’ limitations and instead raise yourself and others to be limitless. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Leadership can feeloverwhelming, especially when the world around you is constantly changing. But what if small, science-backed changes in how you lead could create a bigger impact than you ever imagined? 

This week’s guests will explore key findings from their research on the nine science-based traits of effective leadership, enabling us to become better managers today.

Meet Margaret Moore and Jeffrey Hull. Margaret is the Founder of Wellcoaches Corporation, Co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, and a faculty member with the Harvard Medical School Office of Global Education. She has over twenty-five years of C-suite roles and experience coaching C-suite executives by blending leadership, coaching, and science.

Jeffrey is an Executive Director and Coach with the Institute of Coaching and Founder of Leadership Inc. He brings over 30 years of translating science into leadership as a consultant, psychologist, and teacher at New York University and Harvard Medical School.

Together, Margaret and Jeffrey co-authored the new book, The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact.

In this episode, they unpack the key findings on the essential leadership traits that define effective leadership today and how these traits can help managers respond to challenges while fostering a positive work environment.

They also explore actionable strategies, including the role of positive psychology, why intentional pauses in leadership matter, and how embracing flexibility can drastically improve your team’s performance.

Join the conversation now!

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Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the Gallup research here

 Keep up with our guests

- Follow Margaret on LinkedIn here

- Follow Jeffrey on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of Flex: The Art and Science of Leadership in a Changing World here

- Grab a copy of The Science of Leadership here

FREE Science of Leadership Assessment and Discussion Guide

Jeffrey and Margaret are providing members of Podcast+  an excerpt from The Science of Leadership that includes the nine capabilities assessment as well as a readiness to change assessment.

In addition, they’re giving members a discussion guide to easily explore the nine leadership capacities alone or with your team.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Do you feel like you’re drowning in your task list? 

You know delegation is important. You know your team wants to contribute. But still, something holds you back—whether it’s fear of mistakes or the lack of time to explain things.

You don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle.

Joining me today is Dallas Burnett. Dallas is the founder and CEO of Perforam and author of "Lift," "MOVE!" and "Caveman Delegation," He is a performance management expert dedicated to transforming how organizations unlock potential. He partners with senior executives to design unique people systems that reduce turnover, boost productivity, and increase profits.

In this episode, Dallas dives deep into the common fears that prevent managers from  delegating, such as the fear of failure and the belief that it’s quicker to do things themselves.

He introduces his simple yeteffective“Caveman Delegation”model, a four-step process that helps managers confidently delegate tasks, processes, and outcomes without micromanaging.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Dallas discusses how tools like the Enneagram can help you better understand your team’s personalities—so you can delegate in a way that sets everyone up for success.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Dallas Burnett

- Follow Dallas on LinkedInand X(formerly Twitter)

- Subscribe and listen to the ThinkMoveThrive podcast here

- Grab a copy of Caveman Delegation here

FREE Enneagram compatibility guide based on Caveman Delegation

Dallas is providing his Enneagram compatibility guide based on Caveman Delegation for free to members of Podcast+.

This guide helps you delegate effectively using Enneagram insights. Discover how to communicate, motivate, and match tasks to each Enneagram type’s strengths.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 reallymean 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 matter your position, today’s guest is here to unpack everything you need to know about being strategic.

Today’s guest is Rich Horwath, CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute. Over the past 20 years, Rich has helped more than one million managers around the world learn how to think, plan, and act strategically. He is a New York Times bestselling author of 8 books on strategy and his vision is to teach the world to be strategic.

In this episode, Rich shares his insights on how strategy is often misunderstood and why it’s crucial for everyone—from individual contributors to senior leaders—to think strategically.

He breaks down the difference between strategy and tactics, explaining how understanding the distinctions can lead to better decision-making. He also shares a practical framework for everyday strategic thinking and how to manage your time, allocate resources wisely, and pivot when necessary to stay on course

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Rich delves into what isn’tstrategic thinking and the tools that will help you act more strategically.

Join the conversation now!

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Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

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 Keep up with Rich Horwath

- Follow Rich on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here

- Listen to the Strategic Minds Podcast here

- Check out StrategicThinking Institute herefor more

Book Giveaway - 5 copies of Strategic AND Free White Paper on Delegation

Rich is giving away five copies of his book STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence, which Inc. Magazine described as “A top 4 must read business book to kick off the year.” In the book, Rich shares practical tools, tips, and techniques he’s developed over two decades that can help you think, plan, and act strategically in every area of your business.

And, members of Podcast+ can download Rich’s White Paper: Lead at Your Level, which addresses the importance of delegation to a leader’s success. In the article, Rich shares the four factors that are crucial to effective delegation and the ability to unlock dozens of hours of extra time each year.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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’tinnate—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 communication veteran. Her career has included being a speechwriter, press secretary, marketing consultant, and, for the last 15 years, communication coach and trainer. She is the author of Motivated Speaker with her co-authors and colleagues, Acacia Duncan and Blythe Coons.

In this episode, Ruth shares why speaking is a learned habit—not a natural gift— and why catching habits early in low-stakes settings sets the stage for success when the pressure is on.

You’ll learn why filler words, overtalking, and disorganized thoughts sabotage your message and how to fix them with practical, proven tools for you and your team.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Ruth breaks down how to stop saying“um” and reveals the six threshold concepts for learning to speak well.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Ruth Milligan

- Follow Ruth on LinkedIn here

- Grab a copy of her book, The Motivated Speaker, here

5 Book Giveaway

Ruth is giving away five copies of her book, The Motivated Speaker: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential, to members of Podcast+. In this book, you will discover practical and accessible approaches that will help you establish powerful habits in your speaking practice. You’ll understand what’s preventing you from being influential and persuasive, and build a new foundation toward being a highly effective communicator.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

What if the most valuable thing you can build in your career isn’ta 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 purposefulconnections.

Meet David Homan. David is the founder and CEO of Orchestrated Connecting, a global community of connectors; Orchestrated Opportunities, an impact-focused advisory firm; and SOAR CONNECT, a start-up focused on the strength of authentic relationships. He hosts a podcast called Orchestrated Relationships focused on developing relationship value. 

David has built a network reaching into the most private and incredible circles globally while maintaining a code of purposeful community building called Orchestrated Connecting.

In this episode, David unpacks what it means to build emotionally intelligent communities, drawn from his upcoming book Orchestrating Connection.

We explore how self-awareness, trust, and shared values are the true foundations of lasting, impactful relationships. We also discuss the difference between simply expanding your network and nurturingit, and why vulnerability and reciprocity are essential skills for today’s leaders. 

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we take a deeper look at how to ask for help from your network in a way that feels respectful and genuine—without making others feel used or taken for granted.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

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Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the book Leadership Pipeline here

 Keep up with David Homan

- Pre-order your copy of David’s book, Orchestrating Connectionhere

- Join the Orchestrated Connecting network here

Participate in a Modern Manager Exclusive Orchestrated Connecting Virtual Event

Join me and other members of the Modern Manager community to experience first hand the power of an intentional community. David will facilitate a virtual session that will strengthen the connections amongst members and foster new relationships that can benefit us all.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

We celebrate the wins. The promotions. The milestones.

But no one talks about the price tagthat 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 that tax really looks like and how to stop overpaying it.

Dana is a global executive-turned-coach, Radical Reset Expert, founder of FIX Coaching & Consulting, and author of FROM BURNOUT TO BADASS: Flip the Script on Your Work-Life Balance. She’s helped hundreds of women transition from exhaustion to empowered leadership. Her work integrates cultural wisdom, neuroscience, and strategies for sustainable success.

In this episode, Dana reveals how high-achieving individuals unknowingly pay a “success tax”that can hinder their health, relationships, and performance at work, and what we can do to avoid overpaying.

Dana shares her experience of facing burnout and provides actionable insights for managers and leaders on how to create work environments that prioritize well-being while still achieving exceptional performance.

She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, taking intentional time off, fostering a culture of empathy and support within teams, and more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Dana

- Follow Dana on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

- Visit her website herefor more information

- Grab a copy of her book, From Burnout to Badass,here

FREE Career Clarity Checklist + Positioned to Paid Assessment Calls

Dana is giving members of Podcast+ her Career Clarity Checklist and is offering a limited number of  Positioned to Paid™ Assessment Calls, all for FREE.

The Career Clarity Checklist is your first step to stop spiraling and start leading again. It will help you make sure you're aligned, visible, and ready for what's next.

The Positioned to Paid™ Assessment Call is a 30-minute private strategy session designed to help you clarify what’s next, uncover hidden value, and walk away with a custom roadmap.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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.

Today’s guest is James Turk. James is an executive coach, keynote speaker, facilitator, founder and CEO of The Turk Group, a boutique learning and development consulting firm, and author of The Giving Game – Becoming The Leader That Others Want To Follow. 

With more than twenty-five years of experience, James has expertly designed and delivered training and coaching programs and solutions in the areas of leadership development, sales, change management, and strategic planning for clients across a wide range of industries—including financial services, digital media, biotech, and more. His clients include Spotify, Squarespace, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Goldman Sachs, Equinox, and many more.

In this episode, James outlinesa step-by-step strategy for earning trust, clarifying expectations, and cultivating team alignment early on through consistent rituals like team meetings and one-on-ones.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we dive into the trickierscenarios, like managing former peers, inheriting a team someone else wanted to lead, and managing up when your boss isn’t showing up.

Whether you’re a first-time manager (or know someone who is), this conversation is packed with real-world insights to help you lead with confidence and intention—starting day one.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the book Leadership Pipeline here

 Keep up with James Turk

- Follow James on LinkedIn and Instagram

- Grab a copy of James’s book The Giving Game here

- Follow The Turk Group for updates on Instagramand Facebook

FREE: The F45 Playbook

James is providing members of Podcast+ with the F45 Playbook. Recognizing the first 45 days and the first year as critical for new managers, this playbook outlines exactly what to do in the first six weeks.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Have you ever sat down to work, only to be pulledin 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.

Today’s guest is Marcey Rader. Marcey is a speaker, coach, and author who helps individuals and companies reclaim their workdays with health-powered productivity™. As the founder of RaderCo, she’s worked with Fortune 500 companies and startups worldwide, inspiring sustainable habits to work well and play more.

In this episode, Marcey shares why so many of us are more distracted than ever—and what focus really looks like in today’s workplace. She also provides practical advice on how to use project management systems to streamline communication and how structured office hours can empower your team instead.

Lastly, for members of the Podcast+, Marcey reveals strategies for effective one-on-ones and a simple butpowerful Zoom trick to help you and your team stay focused during meetings.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Marcey Rader

- Follow Marcey on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of her book, Reclaim Your Workday, here

-  Power up your productivity here

- Visit her website for more information here

Exclusive Discounted Price for Powered Path Program

Members of Podcast+ get Marcey’s Powered Path Program at an exclusive discount.

The Powered Path Program is a one-hour productivity boost designed to help you and your team reflect, prioritize, and plan more effectively (without adding extra work to your plate). For managers, this program will help you: 

✅Streamline 1:1s to make them more efficient and action-driven 
✅Ensure wins aren’t forgotten by tracking progress throughout the year, not just at review time 
✅Make reflection and planning easier so you and your team stay focused on what matters most.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Do you feel like your team isn’treally 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 and influence. For over 20 years, she has empowered Fortune 500 leaders and teams to elevate their communication skills to build the trust and credibility needed to influence action. 

In addition to being a Hall of Fame speaker, executive coach, and business leader, Stacey is the author of three books, including her newly released book, Influence Elevated, which provides leaders with skills to manage employees and increase accountability in a hybrid work environment. 

Her Monday to Monday® philosophy empowers professionals to be impactful in every interaction, from presentations to everyday conversations, helping them drive action and achieve success.

In this episode, Stacey and I dive deep into how feedback, self-awareness, and understanding your influence style can drastically improve your leadership presence.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Stacey shares actionable strategies to elevate your influence and highlights common mistakes that can undermine it.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership game and truly connect with your team, tune in and start mastering your influence today!

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Stacey Hanke

- Follow Stacey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

-Subscribe to her YouTube channel here

- Visit her website for more information here

FREE Digital Copy of Influence Redefined

Stacey is giving members of Podcast+ a FREE digital copy of Influence Redefined. InInfluence Elevated: Maximizing Your Connection Monday to Monday®, Stacey unpacks what commonly interferes with our level of workplace influence. She shows leaders how to overcome the ongoing distractions that threaten employee relationships, workplace morale, and productivity. She offers readers actionable practices to create the momentum needed to achieve their goals and experience consistent success.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 withoutfeeling restricted.

Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator. She has been certified for AI and Business Strategy through MIT in 2023, and has been focused on flattening the AI learning curve for HR and other non-technical functions for almost 3 years. 

In addition to her company, peoplepower.ai, she is an adjunct professor of both AI in Business and HR Management for City College of NY - a CUNY institution, and volunteers as a mentor through All Tech is Human.

Today, Theresa shares smart, actionable ways to use AI without risking company data or personal privacy.

From educating your team to building clear, adaptable AI guidelines, she breaks down how to make AI a powerful tool for managers and their teams.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Theresa Fesinstine

- Follow Theresa on LinkedIn here

- Visit People Power AI for more information here 

FREE PDFPeople Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Work

Theresa is giving members of Podcast+ a copy of her People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Workfor free.

In this practical and forward-thinking guide, Theresa draws on decades of People & Culture expertise to help HR leaders confidently integrate AI into their everyday work. With real-world use cases, accessible frameworks, and a human-first lens, this book empowers HR professionals to unlock the potential of AI while staying grounded in empathy, ethics, and strategy.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 inclusive leadership thrives, leveraging over two decades of experience to drive meaningful progress.

In this week’s episode, Kelli and I explore what inclusive leadership reallylooks like, the traits that define it, and the role leaders play in making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.

Kelli also illustrates how inclusion isn’t just about people—it’s about ideas and perspectives, too. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, she dives deeper into five other inclusive leadership traits and shares how to navigate style differences without friction.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Kelli Lester

- Follow Kelli on LinkedIn here

- Achieve financial empowerment with Onyx Rising’s Money Matters here

- Visit Onyx Rising for more information here

FREE Inclusive Leadership Traits Assessment

Kelli is providing members of Podcast+ her Inclusive Leadership Traits Assessment. The PDF includes an overview of inclusive leadership traits and a self-assessment to help you identify areas for improvement.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Being a working parent shouldn’tfeel 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 leaving a career at Harvard to create her own firm, Anne draws on her significant training, research, and experience to champion women and working parents in leadership. 

She brings expertise in career development, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and women’s mental health to her work as a consultant, executive coach and psychologist. She supports organizations and individuals through one-on-one work, group coaching for working mothers, and workshops and talks.

In this episode, we dive into creating a workplace where parents and caregivers can navigate the many demands of them with greater ease. 

Learn how to“parent out loud”, build a culture of empathy, and leverage leadership skills parenting teaches. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Anne shares top tips on how to set yourself or your team up for success after parental leave, and how to be sensitive to individuals struggling with infertility.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Dr. Anne Welsh

- Follow Dr. Anne on LinkedInand Instagram

- Interested in working with Dr. Anne? Learn more here 

- Explore Dr. Anne’s partner organization here 

25% Off Working Mothers Lifeline

Anne is providing members of Podcast+ 25% off her Working Mother’s Lifeline, a 6-month coaching program for women who want to feel more connected and intentional in their lives- moving from just surviving to thriving in working motherhood, in a community of women who get it. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 Boss after burning out several times in early-stage startups, even losing his sense of smell for a season. He has taken all he has learned over the years to build a system to help others avoid the same mistakes and instead find their Highest Sustainable Pace, making more progress on their top priorities and experiencing more peace in their day-to-day schedule.

In this episode, Andrew shares game-changing insights on meeting overload, time boxing, and helping out your future self.

Plus, in the extended interview available to Podcast+ members, he shares his unique approach to helping your team members manage their time without you micromanaging them and why personal breaks are non-negotiable.

Join the conversation now!

And check out these 20 Best Team Building Podcasts here!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Consider using a tool like Sunsama to easily combine your calendar and your to-do list 

 Keep up with Andrew Hartman

- Follow Andrew on LinkedIn here

- Visit Time Boss for more information here

Special Price for Time Boss Digital Course - $49

Andrew is offering an incredible special price of $49 for his Time Boss Digital Course which contains everything you need to immediately upgrade your time habits. Access the Time Boss model in short, self-paced videos and templates to get immediate results in as little as 2 hours. By course end, you'll master getting more done with your time without stress or anxiety.

Learn more about the course here.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

How do you make your team members feel trulyseen 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 Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.

In this episode, Dr. Fleck explains that validation isn’t just about acknowledging someone’s work; it’s about showing genuine understanding and acceptance of them as individuals.

She also shares simple techniques that managers can use to validate their team members, especially when navigating difficult conversations or conflicts.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Dr. Fleck breaks down how validation can support behavior change.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out these 20 Best Team Building Podcasts here

 Keep up with Caroline Fleck

- Follow Caroline on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok

- Grab a copy of her book here

- Visit her website for more information here

Discount onValidation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life

Caroline is providing members of Podcast+ with a discount on her book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.

Full of captivating stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and actionable takeaways, Validation reveals how the science of seeing and being seen is the key to inner and interpersonal transformation.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 not productive. Her meetings lacked clarity, structure, and worst of all, real collaboration.

In this special on-air coaching session, Jill shares how she restructured her meetings around open agendas, clear objectives, and authentic team participation.

Learn how she used simple tools (like Google Docs and a consistent format) to shift her team meetings from chaos to clarity—creating a culture where team members engage, collaborate, and even look forward to meetings.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Jill Molee 

- Visit College Prep 360 here

FREE PDF: 2 Strategies for Assessing and Improving Your Meetings 

This step-by-step workbook walks you through two simple strategies that any manager can immediately implement to improve their meetings.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. 

He has shared his experience and insight on collaboration, leadership, change, communication, innovation, fun and passion at more than 2,500 events. His new book,“Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work,”is now available.

In this episode, you’ll discover practical ideas for bringing fun into the workplace—from skit nights to appreciation rituals–in ways that translate to greater collaboration every day. Joel and I also discuss why great leaders should focus on setting their teams up for success rather than simply directing them.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we talk about navigating change with an improv-inspired mindset.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Joel Zeff

- Follow Joel on LinkedIn here

- Grab a copy of his book Make the Right Choice here

- Visit his website for more information here

Free Excerpt on Teamwork from Make the Right Choice

Joel is providing members of Podcast+ with an excerpt on Teamwork from his book Make the Right Choice. 

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 Forbes Contributor and LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Career, she has been featured in HBR, The Atlantic, and on NBC, CBS, NPR, and more. Cynthia’s book, Don’t Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color, has cemented her as a foremost voice on career advancement, negotiation, and thought leadership.

In this episode, Cynthia shares how we can recognize and reframe limiting beliefs, such as the martyr complex, regretful thinking, and comparison bias, to step into our power with confidence.

Through real-world examples, you’ll learn actionable strategies to develop a growth mindset, set healthier work boundaries, and show up as your best self. 

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Watch this quick lesson on Imposter Syndrome

- Check out the Self-Compassion Skills Workbook 

 Keep up with Cynthia Pong

- Follow Cynthia on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

- Subscribe to her YouTube channel here

- Explore her work on Forbes here

FREE PDF: Overcome Negative Beliefs

Cynthia is giving members of Podcast+ a Free 10+ page PDF that includes activities to address the Martyr Complex, Locus of Control, and Comparison Bias to help you overcome negative beliefs.  

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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. Andrew is the CEO of Ping Group and an award-winning professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. He is the author Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication and was named one of Poets&Quants' “World’s 40 Best Business School Professors Under 40”. 

Andrew specializes in workplace technology, communication, and productivity, and today, he is going to share his science-backed strategies for communicating effectively through virtual modalities. 

We dive into why even in-office teams are communicating virtually more than ever, how different modes (like audio vs. video) affect perceived authenticity, and practical tips for setting communication norms in the workplace.

In the extended episode available to Podcast+, we explore the dangers of relying too heavily on AI to help you manage your communication and how to avoid misinterpretations in virtual communication.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Watch this episode on Brainstorming Hacks

Keep up with Andrew Brodsky

- Follow Andrew on LinkedIn here

- Grab a copy of his book here

FREE PDF: Virtual Communication Styles Tool

Andrew is providing members of Podcast+ his Virtual Communication Styles Tool. This tool will not only help you identify your virtual communication style but it will also help you adapt your communication approach to facilitate clearer exchanges, forge stronger connections in virtual settings, and achieve your communication goals.

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

You’ve probably heard that hiring the best talent is the key to building a high-performing team. But what if that’s only halfthe 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 collaboration. 

A skilled researcher and inspiring communicator, David is the bestselling author of five books about business and leadership. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages. Since 2017, David has been ranked multiple times as one of the world’s top business thought leaders. 

In this episode, David shares why the best teams aren’tnecessarily the most talented—they’re the ones with the strongest culture. He breaks down three key elements that make teams thrive, including the incredible story of Alan Mulally’s turnaround at Ford Motor Company.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we dive into practical ways to get your team actively involved in cultivating a strong culture.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with David Burkus

- Follow David on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to David’s YouTube channel here

- Grab a copy of his book Best Team Ever! Here

Free PDF Guides for Manual of Me and Team Charter 

David is providing members of Podcast+ with two guides -The Manual of Me and Team Charterwhich he speaks about in the extended episode. 

Originally conceived by Ben Dattner, Manual of Me is a really useful tool for showing people how they can best work with you.

The Team Charter is a living document that will be used to develop shared understanding and expectations about working together as a team moving forward.

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 & development professionals on the planet", she brings pragmatic solutions to the most complex workplace challenges. She is a trusted executive coach, dynamic facilitator, and advocate for flexible work. And she was recently recognized as a Top 10 DiSC Provider by ManageHR Magazine.

In this episode, Jen shares how the DiSC profile assessment can unlock your team’s potential through self-awareness and an understanding of different working styles.

Learn how DiSc categorizes behaviors into four main styles—Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness—and how managers can leverage this knowledge to delegate tasks, motivate employees, and resolve conflicts.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Jen Fox

- Follow Jen on LinkedIn here

- Visit Jen’s website here

20% OFF INDIVIDUAL DiSC ASSESSMENT

Jen is offering a 20% discount on any individual DiSC assessment. In addition, if you'd like to bring DiSC to your team meeting or offsite, you'll receive 20% off all assessments for your workshop as long as you book by April 30, 2025. 

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member ofThe Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.