Are you micromanaging without realizing it? In this special episode, I share a guest appearance on the How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcast, where we explore how to spot the signs of micromanagement and take steps to overcome it.Key Topics Covered:Too Many Meetings? [0:00]How being in every meeting could be holding your team back.Decision Overload [6:12]Why making every decision for your team stifles their growth—and your time.Delegating Done Right [12:45]Tips to empower your team while stay...

Struggling with team members who hesitate to ask for help until it’s too late? In this episode, I introduce a three-step framework that empowers your team to frame their problems clearly and seek your guidance more efficiently. Discover how to foster proactive problem-solving, keep accountability with your team, and create a culture where they feel confident approaching you without taking up too much of your time. Whether you’re a manager or business owner, these strategies can transform how ...

Are you hesitant to invest in training for your team because you're worried about losing the investment if folks leave? In this episode, I discuss why upskilling isn’t just a perk—it’s essential for team growth, productivity, and even loyalty. Learn how proactive investment in your team can make a difference in outcomes, and discover what you risk by skipping it. Whether you're a business owner or team leader, this episode will show you how to turn training into a powerful tool for...

Wondering how to bring out the best in your team, even with tight deadlines and challenging client demands? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I’m joined by Alison Curtis, Head of Client Services, and Janessa Mason, Senior Creative Director at the creative agency Skona, as they share their strategies for creating harmony in a fast-paced agency environment. Learn how clear communication, aligning agendas, and a bit of fun can help build a motivated, successful team that’s ready for anyth...

Wondering when to jump in and stop a mistake, or let your team member learn the hard way? In this episode, I tackle one of the most common questions managers face: when to intervene and when to allow a team member to handle the consequences of their decisions. I’ll share a simple framework for assessing when to step in, how to offer guidance without taking over, and how to set your team up for future success. If you’ve ever struggled with letting go while still ensuring your team doesn’t falt...

When we watch sports, we often look at them as entertainment, but have you ever thought about what would happen if you managed your team like a professional sports team? If you want your team to perform at the highest level, it’s time to start thinking like a pro sports coach. In this episode, I break down three key lessons we can take from the sports world to increase performance, results, and team morale in any workplace.Tune in to learn how to pay for top talent, fully utilize your team’s ...

If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly leading people you used to work alongside, you know how complicated that can be. In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the trickiest leadership challenges—managing former peers, where I’ll share three essential strategies for managing former peers while keeping the relationship intact.Tune in to learn how to set boundaries, have tough conversations, and own your authority—without making things weird. Whether you’re a new manager or just looking to re...

As leaders, we often focus on giving feedback, but how often do we ask for it? In today’s episode, I’m diving into why asking for feedback from your team is just as important as giving it. By making feedback a two-way street, you build trust, create psychological safety, and foster stronger relationships with your team. I’ll share practical tips on how to ask for feedback effectively, what questions to ask, and how to keep the door open for ongoing conversations.Tune in to learn how asking fo...

Do you really know how your team is doing, or are you just kinda guessing? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a stat that really caught my attention—89% of managers think their team members are thriving, but only 24% of employees agree. That’s a 65% disconnect! In this episode, I dive into why leaders can be so out of touch with how their teams are really feeling and what to do to fix it.We’ll cover how to check in with your team, ask the right questions to understand what they need, and p...

When hiring new team members, the pressure is on. We want to get it right, but there are so many things to consider that it can be really overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! In today’s episode, I break down the key steps to hiring well—from defining what you need to set your new hires up for success. Find out how to assess candidates beyond their skills, ensure they align with your company’s values, and why offering competitive pay is key to retaining talent.Ready to make your next hire ...

In today’s episode, I tackle a common challenge for new managers: earning the respect of your team. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time, managing former colleagues, or navigating new team dynamics, getting your team on board can feel like an uphill battle. I’ll share practical tips on how to build genuine relationships, assert your authority, and set clear communication channels to help you lead with confidence.Tune in to learn how to turn the corner from struggl...

As leaders, we often struggle with delegating, telling ourselves that we’re protecting our team from burnout. But is that the real thing stopping us? In this episode, I dive into the reasons why we sometimes hesitate to delegate and how we can overcome these challenges. From setting the right context to building trust and having load-balancing conversations, I’ll share practical tips to help you delegate effectively while empowering your team.--WORK WITH LIA:How many times have you thought "I...

Ever find yourself repeating the same instructions to your team, wondering why they aren’t following through? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I dive into the root cause: lack of accountability. I’ll share practical strategies for building a culture where your team takes ownership and gets things done the first time. Learn how to effectively use task tracking systems, follow up consistently, and communicate the “why” behind every task so your team is motivated to deliver.Ready to stop...

We all have those team members we know we can rely on for that last minute request, to jump in and fix a problem no one was able to solve, even to remember those birthdays and special moments that create a strong team culture. But are all recognizing the importance of their contribution to the team?Sadly, these folks often run the risk of being held back in their careers because we don't see them as strategic, a trap I myself fell into in my early career. In this episode, I show you how to su...

The topic of burnout is constantly top of mind for team leaders and business owners, and let's face it, we all know it isn't solved with a spa day or even a 2-week vacation. In episode 133 of Managing Made Simple, I share concrete strategies for preventing yourself from burning out as a leader - because quitting your job or shutting down your business when everything feels like it's too much doesn't have to be the go-to thought. --WORK WITH LIA:How many times have you thought "I wis...

Employee turnover is EXPENSIVE. Not only from a time and money perspective, but for morale and motivation as well.... which ends up costing you money on the end anyway. The Gallup organization recently reported that 42% of employee turnover is preventable - so today I'm sharing three ways to keep the team members that you worked so hard to hire and onboard in the first place. Spoiler, all of these are things you can do TODAY. **WORK WITH LIA:How many times have you thought "I wish this whole ...

We're all trying to save money where we can right now - but when it comes to paying your team members, that's not the place to trim the fat. In this "hot take" episode of Managing Made Simple, I talk about why we need to pay our team members well if we want them to do good work - and remind you to ask the question when determining what to pay someone "would you do a good job, in this job, for this pay?" If the answer is no, then well, you have your answer. --WORK WITH LIA:How many times have ...

It's not everyday you get to interview someone who has inspired so much of your work, it so exciting to bring Brittany Driscoll, CEO and Co-Founder of Squeeze massage franchise onto the show. When it comes to building great teams and scaling businesses, no one does it better than Brit; and in the episode she shares insights in how she helped grow Drybar from $30M to $100M, why investing in your team unlocks their full potential, and the power of clear systems and processes to help businesses ...

We've all been there - we thought carefully about a piece of feedback, rehearsed how we were going to say it, even stress tested it with a colleague, and then... the feedback conversation still goes sideways. THIS right here is one of the reasons feedback is so hard, because even when we think we're doing it right, we still can get it wrong. In episode 129 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies to handle a feedback conversation real-time that is starting to spiral. These tips will...

Frustrated that you're the only person in your business who seems to be stressing about revenue and profitability? In this QUICK WIN episode, I share a case study of how I helped a client shift the mindset of her team members to take an active role in bringing in new business. This is an issue my clients share with me ALL OF THE TIME - and the solution is simpler than you think!--WORK WITH LIA:How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier"? ...

Time management - we all know we have to be better at it, any yet... It's one thing when we notice it, but when we get too overloaded to the point where our teams noticed, we have to do something about it. In episode 127 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies to save you time every single week so you can feel less overwhelmed and get back to focusing on the most important things. --WORK WITH LIA:How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little ...

What is one thing you can do everyday on your team that motivates people and costs you zero money? Recognizing people! Yes, my friends, saying THANK YOU in a way that is genuine, specific, and actionable goes incredible lengths to drive higher retention and fuel better results. And yet, we often get busy and forget to do it. In episode 126 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about meaningful ways to recognize and appreciate your team members in instances with where you can share financial in...

Boundary setting with our teams is one of those things that no matter how good we get at it, it keeps rearing it's ugly head. Doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, and certainly doesn't mean it's too late for your team or your business. It's just an opportunity to make some small shifts to free up time and space for yourself, while empowering your team members to step up as leaders.In episode 125 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies for setting boundaries on your te...

When something isn't going the way you want it to on your team or in your business, it can be tempting to want to roll out a new policy to get people to fall in line. But policies signify compliance, and while we want people to meet expectations, compliance isn't necessarily the vibe we're wanting to communicate. In episode 124 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about the difference between policies and working norms, and why working norms are often the right route to...