Vulnerability is a key ingredient in nurturing meaningful personal relationships, but does it hold the same weight in a professional context? Brené Brown has popularized the idea of vulnerability, but how we act vulnerable in the workplace differs from how we show vulnerability in personal spaces. After all, work comes with its own set of challenges–from managing teams and pleasing customers to hitting tight deadlines, all laden with overtones of power dynamics. This week’s guest is here to...

When you think of a successful career, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not generosity–a term not often associated with the business world.  However, generosity in leadership is about giving of oneself–time, attention, and mentorship–for everyone’s gain. And that’s a powerful business strategy.  Generous leaders invest in their team’s growth and well-being. They cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration, where each team member’s potential is nurtured and celebrated. And...

How does it feel to work with somebody you'd rather avoid? Let's admit it: We all experience a fair share of difficult people at work. And many times, we just have to be around them whether we like it or not. However, there are a few things, that we can do to lessen their impact on us.  Today's workplace expert unpacks everything we need to know about working with difficult people. Amy Gallo is the author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), the HBR Guide to...

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked tasks for managers is hiring. While it may seem straightforward, hiring is an intricate process filled with challenges that can shake even the most seasoned manager.  In today’s competitive job market, where job postings can receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, distinguishing top candidates from the rest requires more than just reviewing resumes.  Thankfully, our guest will fill us in on what to do (and not do) to make your hiring...

Do you feel overwhelmed with your role as a manager? What exactly is your job?  Managers are key to organizational success. They act as a vital link between leaders' strategic vision and individual contributors' execution. This means we need to guarantee clarity during handoffs and cultivate a culture of accountability within our teams. Feel like a tall order? It doesn't need to be. Today’s guest is Matt Ley. Matt is the author of Manage Your Gaps: Reclaiming The Awesomeness of Management....

Do you ever wish there was a straightforward way to figure out how to be and do your best as a manager? Fortunately, there is.  Introducing the Modern Manager Framework. Whether you're trying to improve your time management, navigate conflict, or lead better team meetings, the Modern Manager Framework can help you achieve your goals. In this week's episode, we'll explore this framework in depth and discuss how it can help you be intentional in your managerial approach. We'll break down the...

What exactly is strategic thinking? Many of us often confuse strategic thinking with strategic planning and implementation. We know strategy is crucial in the business world and that strategic thinking skills are valued by senior executives. This week’s podcast guest says anyone can be a strategic thinker and explains how! Today’s guest is Dr. Julia Sloan. Julia is the author of the definitive book, Learning to Think Strategically, and is recognized for her pioneering work on the application...

Most people think that change at work is great. It has become the defining characteristic of successful organizations, teams, and individuals. But psychologically, change is HARD on humans–it’s a common source of stress for many of us.  When there’s change or uncertainty at work, it creates a degree of fear and anxiety. However, work rituals can help team members feel that sense of continuity amidst changes. So, how can leaders (and team members) effectively leverage rituals to foster...

When was the last time you effortlessly swayed someone's opinion? For leaders, it's likely that not everyone who works with you will embrace the ideas and decisions you make—and that's okay. But convincing people to rally behind your vision, sway their perspectives, and generate buy-in is part of the job. Conventional strategies have lost their effectiveness (if ever they were effective!), but today's guest has unlocked the secrets to mastering the art (and science) of changing people's...

Being a successful manager in today’s modern workplace is not a straightforward task. It requires delivering results and thinking strategically, all the while supporting team members’ growth and development.  Given these demands, it’s unsurprising that professional development may not be your top priority. Today’s guest thinks otherwise–you can make professional development a habit! Today’s guest is Skot Waldron. Skot is a communication strategist, coach, podcast host, and author of the...

A high performance culture is what often separates great teams from the rest. Culture is vital to your organization's success, but do managers really have that much influence on culture? This week’s guest says we do! Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry is a pioneering force in culture development and building high-performing teams. His journey began with a personal struggle with ADHD, which ultimately led him on a profound quest for understanding how emotions drive behavior. This exploration culminated in the...

Life is a series of choices. We make decisions every single day that affect how we live our lives–whether you’re picking what to have for lunch or steering a company strategy. For managers, effective decision-making skills at work are essential. So, how do you ensure you make the right decisions and stay on top of your game? In this week’s episode, we’ll explore the five (5) critical decision-making skills that can help you and your team members make effective decisions.  From mastering...

Your team members' motivation levels can greatly impact their productivity, engagement, morale, and, of course, the quality of their work. But motivating people is HARD.  Surprisingly, bigger paychecks are less effective than we think they are in motivating people to do good work and stick around. So, if money is not an adequate motivation tool, then what is? How do you motivate your people?  Today's guest is JC Bernstein. JC is a management coach and founder of The Management Mentor. She...

What comes to mind when you think about culture? Most of us believe that culture is related to national origin and ethnicity, but culture is so much more than that.  We may live in the same country, and yet it’s not uncommon to have different cultural preferences that influence how we show up at work and in life. And when we aren’t aware of these cultural differences, it can lead to awkward or frustrating situations and occasionally disastrous moments. For managers, developing cultural...

Have you taken a personality test for a new job or during a team-building exercise? A lot of folks enjoy the insights that come from assessments like these. They help us know ourselves and our colleagues by better understanding our preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Enter the Enneagram tool.  Today's guest is Tracy O'Malley. Tracy is an Enneagram expert success coach. Her candid journey of self-discovery via the Enneagram sparked an enlightening shift in her perspective, which has been...

With busy days and the fast pace of work, it's understandable why so many teams jump from idea to basic plan (maybe!) to action. In our desire to move quickly, we forget that when we do so, we risk making bad decisions, resulting in wasted resources and, ultimately, not achieving what we set out to do. This is where upstream work plays a crucial role in getting alignment and clarity, readying us for successful execution. Today's guest is Atif Rafiq. Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley...

Your business is only as strong as your employees. So, if you want to build a strong and thriving business, you need to hire top-notch people. But hiring them is only a part of the equation. You must bring them together and transform them from high-performing individuals to high-performing teams. This is where successful team building comes in. Team building comes in all shapes and sizes, and whether you love spending time building relationships with and amongst your team or find it a bit...

Workplace conflict is inevitable. When people with different opinions and risk tolerances collaborate on projects or tasks, it’s normal for conflict to arise.  As managers, we know all too well that conflict resolution in the workplace is vital for anyone hoping to nurture positive professional relationships and build a thriving, high-performing team.  Today’s guest is Carol Bowser. Carol is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, she founded Conflict...

Have you ever set goals but then struggled to achieve them? Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to stay on track? In the spirit of the new year, which many consider a fresh start, we’ll unpack the key elements in setting thoughtful and strategic goals and how to actually achieve them. Now, let’s all be clear: there’s no single approach to effective goal setting. In fact, there are dozens of them, and I’ve tried several of them over the years. However, I found that there are three consistent...

Why do you show up to work? Why do you do things you’re expected to do at work? The biggest factor of organizational success is determined by how embedded the company’s deep purpose is in its employees.  Today’s guest is Ranjay Gulati. He is the author of the book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies, an educator and researcher who is passionate about how to unlock organizational and individual potential. Ranjay and I talk about purpose: what organizational purpose...

Many professionals start their careers in the hope of eventually landing their dream job--that perfect position that checks off all the boxes on their list. But what really is a dream job? A big paycheck with a fancy title? A corner office with a million-dollar view? A good work-life balance? Well, what if I told you that it's time to let go of that dream job delusion and instead strive for something even better. Today’s guest is Lauren McGoodwin. Lauren is the CEO of Career Contessa—an...

Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members. While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master.  Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control, and two previous bestsellers. As the founder of People First Leadership Academy and president...

Transitioning from a team member to a manager is undoubtedly a significant leap. It's crucial to recognize the shifts that come with leadership roles and be prepared for them. The first and most apparent shift is recognizing that it's no longer just about you. The spotlight now turns to your team, and your success is intricately woven with theirs.  It's a transition that requires a daily commitment to putting your team's needs ahead of your own. Today’s guest is Ramona Shaw. Ramona Shaw is a...

Most of us think that sleeping equals resting. And yet, there are instances when getting more sleep doesn’t rejuvenate us at all. In these cases, sleep is actually the wrong type of rest and won't make up for what you actually need. So, knowing where you’re depleted and then refilling your batteries with the appropriate rejuvenation activities, not just more sleep, will ensure you’ve always got the energy to do your best.  Today’s guest is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. Dr. Saundra is a...