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The Modern Manager

The Modern Manager

Mamie Kanfer Stewart 417 episodes Latest May 26, 2026

Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Solo episodes are like mini-courses, providing actionable tips based on experience and research. Guest episodes are engaging conversations that elicit insights and suggestions for how to apply the ideas. Topics include effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountability, team competencies, productivity and collaboration technologies, and organizational culture.

Episodes

411: 3 Types of Team Conflict and How to Resolve Each One Jun 9, 2026 777 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
410: The Simple Coaching Habit That Changes How Teams Think with Laura and Dominic Ashley-Timms Jun 2, 2026 1897 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
409: The Feedback Conversation Managers Avoid (And How to Finally Have It) May 26, 2026 482 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
408: Why AI Makes Human Thinking More Valuable, Not Less with Dr. Vivienne Ming May 19, 2026 2060 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 c
407: Hidden Causes of Burnout (And How to Fix Them Before It’s Too Late) – Part 2 May 12, 2026 601 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 an
406: What to Do Instead of “Pushing Though” During Tough Times with Jay Abbasi May 5, 2026 2098 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 effectiv
405: The Hidden Causes Of Burnout (And How To Fix Them Before It's Too Late) - Part 1 Apr 28, 2026 656 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 trea
404: How to Spot and Stop Toxic Workplace Culture with Aoife O’Brien Apr 21, 2026 1821 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 or
403: How To Escape The Either/Or Trap And Make Better Decisions Apr 14, 2026 327 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 deci
402: The Missing Link Between Communication and Connection with Nidhi Tewari Apr 7, 2026 1995 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
401: How to Use Nature to Rewire Your Brain for Greater Focus, Creativity, and Energy with Dr. John La Puma Mar 31, 2026 2059 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 i
400: Tackle the Five Sources of Stress at Work with Amy Leneker Mar 24, 2026 2056 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

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