In this episode of "Building Better Managers," host Wendy Hanson welcomes special guest Denise Brosseau to discuss the exciting world of AI tools in leadership. Denise shares her favorite tools, from Chat GPT to otter.ai, Canva, Grammarly, pi.ai, and perplexity.ai. Explore how these tools can be game-changers in content creation while navigating potential pitfalls with Denise's expert guidance. Gain valuable insights as Denise emphasizes the strategic use of AI for initial drafts,...

In this episode of Building Better Managers, co-founder of Better Manager, Wendy Hanson, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author Sam Horn. Together, they explore the intricate landscape of soft skills, focusing on effective communication and strategies for handling challenging conversations in the workplace. Sam shares valuable insights from her latest book, "Talking on Eggshells: Soft Skills for Hard Conversations," offering practical advice and real-life examples. ...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers" with your host, Wendy Hanson, and special guest John Topping, President & COO at BetterManager. In this episode, John shares the results of a recent ROI study conducted by BetterManager. The study focused on the impact of leadership development programs on organizations and their financial benefits. Wendy introduces John and highlights his impressive career, including his time at Google. The conversation begins with an overview of the study's...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Building Better Managers" with your host, Wendy Hanson, and our special guest, Cait Donovan. Today, we're diving deep into the world of burnout, how it affects us personally and professionally, and most importantly, how we can prevent it. Cait Donovan, an expert in burnout and acupuncture, will be sharing her wisdom and practical strategies to help you steer clear of burnout's grasp and lead a more balanced life. In this episode, we'll discuss...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," hosted by Wendy Hanson with special guest Meg Donovan. Today, we explore vulnerability in leaders, a concept popularized by Brene Brown. Our special guest, Meg Donovan, Chief People Officer at NextThink, shares her personal experience of vulnerability and empathy in the workplace. Meg's journey through personal challenges revealed the power of empathy, which forms the foundation for allowing teams to be vulnerable and fostering trust, loyalty, and...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Building Better Managers," the podcast hosted by Wendy Hanson. In today's engaging conversation, Wendy welcomes a special guest, Star Dargin, a seasoned coach and expert in the field of gratitude. Join Wendy and Star as they explore the remarkable impact of gratitude on workplace culture and leadership. Star Dargin, a professional coach with extensive experience and a deep passion for gratitude, shares her remarkable journey. She explains how her...

Welcome to Building Better Managers, the podcast that explores the important work of managers, hosted by Wendy Hanson. In this episode, Wendy takes center stage to discuss one of her favorite topics: gratitude, recognition, and appreciation. Join her as she delves into the heart of these essential values and their impact on creating a thriving workplace culture. Meet Wendy Hanson, co-founder of Better Manager. She's not only a seasoned coach and educator but also a firm advocate for...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," hosted by Wendy Hanson. In today's episode, we're privileged to have a thought-provoking conversation with Susan Freeman MBA PCC, a seasoned executive coach, team coach, author, and leadership consultant. Our focus today is on the profound impact of communication in leadership and how internal energy plays a pivotal role in transforming working relationships. Susan's unique perspective, drawn from over three decades of corporate, entrepreneurial, and...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," the ultimate podcast for ambitious leaders and managers. Hosted by Wendy Hanson, co-founder of BetterManager, this podcast is thrilled to welcome a special guest, Brian Smith, founder of IA Business Advisors, a renowned management consulting firm.  In this episode, Wendy and Brian explore the power of positive influence and effective communication, highlighting the importance of understanding one's individual area of influence. You will gain valuable...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," the podcast where Wendy Hanson, co-founder of BetterManager, interviews top leadership professionals to uncover strategies for creating a happier, highly engaged, and more productive workplace. In this episode, Wendy sits down with Liz Kislik, a management consultant and executive coach with a wealth of experience in developing high-performing leaders and workforces. As a leader, it's easy to put yourself last, but Wendy emphasizes the significance of...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers" the podcast that brings you insightful conversations and actionable strategies for creating an inclusive and thriving workplace. With your host, Wendy Hanson, and in today's episode, we have a very special guest, Sally Helgesen, joining us. Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords; they are essential for driving success in any organization. In this episode, we'll explore why cultivating a diverse workforce is so crucial. We'll uncover the...

Welcome to "Building Better Managers", today we will explore customer success and BetterManager's mission to help people thrive at work. In this episode, we interview key managers on our internal BetterManager team, Kate Rath, VP of Customer Success, Luis Vides and Rafael Tinoco, both passionate customer success managers. Discover their insights, experiences, and the exciting possibilities of fostering empathy, developing managerial skills, and creating positive workplace cultures. Get...

Join host Wendy Hanson and renowned speaker and coach Mike Robbins on the "Creating an Inclusive Workplace with Mike Robbins" podcast. Together, they explore the transformative power of diversity in the workplace. Discover practical strategies, inspiring stories, and expert insights on fostering psychological safety, creating an inclusive culture, and leveraging the strengths of diverse teams. Whether you're a manager, team member, or change advocate, this podcast equips you with the...

Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation on the critical role of people managers in times of change. Our guest, Tim Creasey, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience on how to lead with empathy and purpose during these challenging times. Through a memorable and easy-to-remember acronym, the CLARC method, Tim offers practical guidance on how to effectively manage change. Whether it's communicating change, being a liaison between different teams, advocating for your team,...

In today’s persistently challenging business environment, having a thought partner to help reframe feelings and reflect on experiences from a new perspective can be invaluable. At BetterManager, our top-rated community of coaches serve in this all-important role for managers and leaders at every level within organizations all over the globe. On this episode, Wendy is joined by BetterManager coaches David Andrews and Tommie English to discuss the latest insights and workplace trends they...

Being an ally and creating a more inclusive workplace culture is a responsibility for everyone, not just those who work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion roles. For organizations to get diversity and inclusion right, you need to build a culture that truly embraces difference, where everyone feels valued and heard. Only then can you truly begin to thrive. On our latest podcast, we are joined by Karen Catlin, acclaimed author of “Better Allies” and a recognized expert on diversity,...

While there is an abundance of research on the concept of psychological safety, there is limited practical information on how to create psychologically-safe, highly-engaged and healthier workplaces where one can speak up without the risk of punishment or humiliation. Join us as we welcome Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman, authors of The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human, to discuss proven and practical strategies to help leaders increase the...

Your company’s culture is either a headwind holding you back or a tailwind helping push you forward toward greater success and productivity. Which is yours? And if it’s not headed in the right direction, what’s the quickest way to turn it around? Our guest today, Simon D’Arcy, is an executive coach and partner at Evolution.team, a coaching, consulting and investment firm, where he focuses on helping companies scale – without losing their soul. As a culture-building consultant, Simon helps...

Every business is invested in growing and developing its leaders. If they can be taught, they can lead. And, good leadership has a ripple effect. While the need for greater leadership development has never been more critical, determining what kind of solution will best equip your team to lead successfully—today and into the future—remains a difficult task. The corporate learning industry is filled with different L&D offerings, but what really sets them apart? BetterManager practices...

The very best leaders and managers, at every level, carry a a presence about them. Whether among a small team or an entire organization, that presence can draw people to you. And your role as a leader, of course, is not just to bring people together through your actions and ideas, but to move them toward a common goal or cause. Being a thought leader is a time-tested, effective way of harnessing your expertise, experience, and your networks to influence others, but most companies have no...

At BetterManager, we consistently see the importance of interpersonal communication skills as the top topic being discussed in 1:1 coaching – no matter what role individuals and managers play within an organization. Developing the skills to persuade and influence others will open doors in your professional, as well as your personal life, as you’re able to better communicate with others and lead them with integrity toward your desired goals, as well as theirs. Stephen McGarvey is the...

The business world is in a state of great change and opportunity. With an ever-growing remote and hybrid workforce, an increasing emphasis on DEI, sustainability, and technology, the “command and control” style of leadership has become more or less obsolete. The future success of your company relies on managers that lead with values and vision, and work together as super-collaborators solving problems up, down and across your organization. Today’s guest, Daniel Truran is the Director...

Your first 30-to-90 days as a new leader in an organization can make or break you. It’s so easy to get caught up in “Here’s how I’m going to fix things!” But do you really know the situation well enough? It’s often much better to align with your team on a general vision and direction first, and use that first month to listen, observe, and assess why things are the way they are. This puts you in a great position to build and execute a successful plan based on what’s actually happening. This...

Remote and hybrid working environments, in some form, are here to stay. Understanding how to maintain well-being, increase employee engagement, and strengthen connections in professional contexts as our interactions become more and more remote can be a game changer for managers and leaders at any organization. Today’s guests, Dr. Amy Mednick and Dr. Diane Lennard are the authors of the deeply-researched new book, Humanizing the Remote Experience through Leadership and Coaching: Strategies...

People with invisible illnesses may look fine, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. When Harper Spero was diagnosed with an extremely rare immunodeficiency disorder, she was determined to create her own narrative. And not only has Harper learned to embrace her invisible illness, but now she’s on a mission to provide resources and hope to others who are silently struggling. Harper Spero is a business coach and consultant working with companies to create inclusivity and connection...