Delegating work isn’t just about handing off tasks—it’s about fostering growth, maximizing team productivity, and elevating your leadership impact. Yet, many managers find it challenging to delegate work while maintaining high standards for the deliverables. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw dives into the art of effective delegation and the mindset shifts needed to make it work. Join Ramona as she breaks down the strategies behind clear communication, trust-building,...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw is joined by Christian Muntean, business strategist, leadership advisor, and author of Train to Lead. Together, they explore what it means to develop leadership skills with a structured and intentional approach, much like how athletes train for success. For all of us in leadership roles, sooner or later, we come to realize that leadership is more than just acquiring skills—it's about personal growth, mindset shifts, and effective...

Today's workforce is experiencing a significant generational shift, with Gen Z expected to make up 30% of employees by 2030. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we examine the key differences, expectations, and needs of younger generations in the workplace. Join Ramona as she shares research-backed insights and practical approaches for building strong working relationships across generations. You'll walk away knowing how to adapt your leadership style to connect with and support...

Transitioning from managing individual contributors to leading other managers is a pivotal step in any leader’s journey. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we explore the complexities of this transition and the strategic shifts required to succeed at this higher level. Join Ramona as she discusses seven essential strategies for managing managers effectively, each designed to address common challenges and foster growth across your team. Key topics include: - Team Dynamics - Level...

Setting broad goals like "improve communication" or "get better at delegating" rarely leads to real progress. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains how to transform generic development goals into actionable plans that create lasting results. Ramona outlines how to shift your mindset before starting your development journey, convert vague "get better at" goals into specific, observable outcomes, and shares five unconventional approaches to accelerate your growth – from reverse mentoring to...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw talks with Charles Feltman, leadership coach and author of "The Thin Book of Trust." Ramona and Charles discuss how to make clear requests, delegate effectively, and rebuild trust after mistakes. They address the challenges leaders face in trusting their teams and offer solutions. Charles emphasizes that trust-building is a skill that can be learned and improved. This episode is valuable for leaders aiming to create high-trust...

Many people think office politics is bad, but it really is neither positive nor negative. It's all about how you use it. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains why office politics is important for your career and how to do it well. She talks about common mistakes to avoid and gives tips on how to build trust and influence at work. Ramona shows you how to spot key people who need wins and who have power in your workplace. She also talks about why it's important to talk to people across the...

Change is hard, but leaders can make it easier. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains why our brains resist change and shares practical ways for leaders to help their teams adapt. Learn how to communicate effectively during transitions, track progress, and keep your team motivated when things shift. This episode is a must-listen for any leader managing change or preparing for future transitions. Whether you're dealing with small team adjustments or major organizational changes,...

Picture this: You're captaining a ship, confidently steering towards your goals. But there's a catch – your ego is like a hidden underwater current, slowly pushing you off course without you even realizing it. In this episode, Ramona shows you how to spot when your ego is trying to take the wheel and reveals common traps where ego masquerades as productivity. Ramona also offers insights on evaluating your time management and realigning your priorities for better results. Throughout the...

Ever feel like remote leadership requires a whole new playbook? In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw speaks with Chris Dyer, a remote work and company culture expert. Chris shares unconventional approaches to leadership, challenging the traditional use of one-on-one meetings in remote or hybrid setups. He offers alternative strategies to improve team communication, decision-making, and cohesion. The discussion includes innovative meeting formats like "Cockroach"...

Do you worry that your technical skills are fading as you take on more leadership responsibilities? You are not alone!  In the latest episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona tackles this common concern for new and even advancing leaders. She shares practical insights on navigating the shift from being hands-on to focusing on leadership so you can continue to thrive without losing touch with your technical expertise. Tune in for advice on how to balance both worlds while climbing the...

In this heartfelt episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona sits down with Moe Carrick, an internationally recognized expert in workplace culture. Together, they explore the nuances of building genuine connections and relationships at work. Ramona and Moe discuss four key areas: people leadership, emotional stirring, authentic vulnerability, and creating teams that genuinely care. Moe shares her insights on what makes employees thrive versus disengage and touches on important patterns...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona explores the art of embracing opposition and shares practical strategies to transform conflict into a powerful leadership tool. Whether you're struggling with workplace disagreements or want to foster a more dynamic team environment, this episode offers valuable insights on how to leverage opposition for personal and professional growth. Check it out HERE. Watch it on YouTube HERE. — RESOURCES MENTIONED — - Learn how to turn your 1-on-1...

In this week’s episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona provides practical tips on how to interview for a management position and share 5 reasons why a hiring manager might not hire you into a leadership role. Whether you've applied for managerial roles that you didn't get and are wondering what you could do better next time, are preparing for future interviews, or if you are curious how to find good leaders for your team through the hiring process, you are going to get a lot of helpful...

Leaders face numerous challenges in building effective teams and fostering positive workplace dynamics. This week's episode of The Manager Track podcast addresses these issues with guest Lotus Buckner, an HR leader and author. Ramona and Lotus discuss key topics that often prevent leaders from performing at their best, particularly during difficult times. They examine how to make tough decisions and embrace discomfort in leadership roles. The conversation covers strategies for adapting to...

You won't have to share your answer with anyone but answer this honestly: - Do you think you're pretty capable and competent in your field of work? - Do you regularly second guess yourself or often doubt your skills or expertise? If you nodded your head to both of these questions then keep on reading. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona introduces the "confidence paradox" - the phenomenon where highly capable individuals often grapple with self-doubt. She explains the...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, host Ramona Shaw welcomes Shawn Stewart, an engineering leader and avid chess player, to explore parallels between chess and effective leadership. Shawn shares how chess principles and plays can enhance our strategic thinking and adaptability, and can even help us navigate office dynamics. He discusses anticipating changes, developing pattern recognition skills, and balancing initiative with patience in decision-making. This episode provides...

As leaders climb the ranks and take on more responsibilities, it becomes increasingly challenging to determine if they're focusing their limited time on what truly matters. This question often arises in coaching conversations, and it's a crucial aspect of effective leadership. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw discusses the factors to consider in how we spend our time, and the common pitfalls to avoid that distract our focus from what matters most. Ramona explores...

In this episode, Ramona Shaw tackles the victim mindset in leadership. She explores how feeling powerless and blaming external factors can hold leaders (and employees) back. Ramona shares real-life examples and practical tips to shift from feeling stuck to taking charge. This is going to address both how leaders get themselves out of a victim mindset and how they can help their direct reports who might have a tendency to blame others and avoid ownership. Learn how to recognize and overcome...

In this powerful episode, Ramona hosts a panel of experts to discuss the critical topic of mental health awareness for leaders in the workplace. Dr. Quevarra Moten, Graham Nicholls, and Clarice Colón share invaluable insights on creating supportive work cultures, recognizing signs of mental health struggles, and leading with empathy and vulnerability. This frank discussion highlights how essential it is for today's leaders to develop mental health awareness and create psychologically safe...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw expands on the art of executive communication. Building on the foundation laid in a previous episode about the executive mindset, Ramona provides valuable insights and practical tactics to enhance your communication with senior leaders and executives. Ramona tells the story of a pivotal moment in her career where a misstep in executive communication had lasting consequences. Based on everything she has experienced since that moment,...

In this episode of the Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw discusses the effective use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for enhancing people leadership tasks. She outlines eight specific use cases, including crafting personal user guides, improving interview questions, creating onboarding plans, setting goals, drafting weekly updates, problem-solving, preparing for conversations and presentations, and meeting preparation. Ramona emphasizes the importance of AI...

In this eye-opening episode, Ramona goes in-depth on the ongoing impact of patriarchal attitudes toward leadership in the workplace. She explains how qualities viewed as more "masculine," like assertiveness and decisiveness, are still prized over "feminine" strengths like empathy and collaboration. Using real-world examples and studies, Ramona points out the male-centric bias that underlies popular leadership books, corporate training programs, and organizational cultures. The ideas being...

Have you ever made a sound decision that turned out poorly, only to be harshly judged (or to harshly judge yourself) in hindsight? It's a common trap: we often evaluate decisions based on their outcomes, ignoring the quality of the decision-making process itself. But what if that unlucky choice was actually the best decision given the information available at the time? Making decisions is a core responsibility for leaders. Yet, many lack an intentional framework or methodology for how they...