The Modern Manager
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
425: 4 AI Tools I Use Every Single Day (And the Friction They Remove)
Most AI tools promise to make you more productive, but few actually remove the friction hiding in your daily grind. This episode breaks down four AI tools used every single day, not for the novelty, but for the real bottlenecks they eliminate: typing, email triage, meeting notes, and building the small tool you always wished existed. If you want less busywork and more bandwidth for the pa
424: How to Manage Up, Down, and Across with Kristen Harcourt
Most leaders pour all their energy into managing the people who report to them and forget the other two-thirds of the job: managing up to their boss and across to the peers who can make or break a project. Skip those relationships and you end up stuck in silos, guessing what your boss actually wants, and wondering why cross-functional projects keep stalling. Here's the mindset shift and t
423: How AI Can Help Us Show Meaningful Appreciation (And Be More Human at Work)
Most of us have an instinctual positive response to great work.“This is amazing, thank you so much.” It feels warm and authentic, but could have been said about anyone or any work. The lack of specificity means those words are cheap and the positive impact they make is short-lived. Here's how to show authentic appreciation, using AI as a thinking partner (not a ghost writer) to pinpoint e
422: Turn Uncomfortable Conversations into Just Conversations with Amy Jacobson
That stomach-drop feeling before a hard conversation? It's not weakness. It's your brain doing exactly what it was designed to do. Emotional intelligence expert Amy Jacobson breaks down the neuroscience of avoidance, the exact questions to ask before you say anything difficult, and why the conversation you've been dreading might be the most important one you ever have.Guest BioAmy Jacobso
421: The Difference Between Consensus and Agreement That's Costing You Decisions
Picture a room stuck for three weeks on one sentence for a new policy. Half the team wants a rule tight enough to enforce, the other half wants it loose enough to survive real life. Nobody's wrong, and nobody's moving. This episode breaks down why chasing full agreement kills decisions, why forcing a vote kills them slowly in the background, and the three questions that get a group to som
420: The Hidden Force Pulling Your Team Apart (and How to Reverse It) with Matt Poepsel
Your team isn't falling apart because something went wrong. It's falling apart because that's what teams do by default, drifting toward disconnection unless someone actively counteracts it. Lucky for us, there are four forces that pull people back together. Discover the fast, free actions any manager can take this week to stop the drift before it costs you your best people.Guest BioMatt P
419: What It Really Means to Have Integrity
You say yes to the small stuff: the draft review, the book recommendation, the shampoo run. Then Thursday comes and none of it has happened. No one complains, but something quietly cracks. Every broken commitment, even the tiny ones, adds up to a trust tax you’re paying without realizing it. This episode breaks down the three-part structure that turns a yes into something people can actua
418: Insights on Effective Leadership from the LGBTQ+ Community with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown
Some of the best leadership lessons don't come from business books. Throughout history, different cultures have developed wisdom for how we can interact with and lead others. By exploring what different cultures value, we can identify insights into what might help us be better managers today.Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown is an attorney, executive leadership consultant, and author of The Souls o
417: Why Hitting Your Goal Doesn't Always Mean You Were Successful
Hitting the goal doesn’t always mean the project was a success.A project can finish on time, hit every target, and look like a clear win on the dashboard while quietly burning out the team, damaging trust, or leaving the same problems waiting to happen again.In this episode, I explain why outcomes alone don’t tell the full story of project success and introduce three measures every manage
416: Stop Difficult Conversations From Going Wrong (Before They Even Start)
Difficult conversations are rarely difficult because we don't know what to say.More often, they fall apart because we have the conversation at the wrong time, in the wrong way, or without realizing that the other person is experiencing the situation very differently than we are.Fortunately, this week's guest shares a practical framework for navigating challenging conversations without cre
415: The 30-Day Onboarding Plan Isn't a Welcome Packet
Most onboarding plans focus on helping new hires feel welcome and settled in their role.But the real purpose of onboarding isn't orientation; it's creating clarity before misunderstandings become habits and before small mistakes turn into difficult performance conversations.In this episode, I explain why the success or struggles you see three months after someone joins your team are often
414: How to Create Space for Strategic Thinking with Howard Tiebel
Most managers know they should spend more time thinking strategically. The problem is that strategy often gets crowded out by urgent tasks, endless decisions, and the pressure to solve today's problems.But strategic thinking isn't just about setting long-term goals. It's about creating the space to explore possibilities, challenge assumptions, and help your team think beyond what's immedi
413: What to Do When a Meeting Gets Heated
When a meeting becomes tense, your natural instinct might be to calm things down.But when emotions start rising, the real problem usually isn’t the conflict itself. It’s that something important is at stake, and the conversation has shifted from solving a problem to defending positions, competence, or credibility.In this episode, I explain why trying to smooth things over or bypass the ha
412: How Great Managers Create Accountability Without Micromanaging with Molly Rodau
Managers often say they want more accountability on their teams. But accountability often feels like micromanaging people, chasing updates, or constantly correcting mistakes.In fact, many accountability problems begin long before performance issues show up. They start with unclear expectations, missing resources, and assumptions that everyone interprets requests the same way.Fortunately,
411: 3 Types of Team Conflict and How to Resolve Each One
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
399: How to Build Radical Trust Through Better Listening with Leilani Garrett
Empathy is often talked about as a “soft skill,” but in reality, it can be one of the most powerful leadership strategies for building trust, improving collaboration, and helping teams perform at their best.When leaders understand the experiences and stories that shape how people think, communicate, and respond under pressure, they can lead in ways that make team members feel truly seen a
398: Become a Change Leader, Not Just a Change Manager with Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta
Change is constant. But too often, leaders treat change as a project instead of a core leadership skill.That’s when teams disengage, resistance grows, and initiatives stall. The problem isn’t the change itself. It’s how it’s led.Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a powerful new approach to help leaders guide their teams through uncertainty, build trust, and turn resistance into meaning
397: How to Communicate So People Listen, Care, and Take Action with Andy Freed
Many leaders assume communication is about clarity. But the real challenge is getting people to truly understand, care, and take action.Too often, managers jump straight into slides, updates, or instructions without thinking about the impact of their message. As a result, even important communication falls flat, creates confusion, or leaves teams unsure what to do next.Fortunately, this w
396: Mental Performance: Combining High Expectations and High Support with Evan Marks
Many managers believe pressure drives performance. Others focus heavily on support. But high-performing teams don’t choose one or the other. They operate with both.When expectations are high, but support is low, people become defensive, stressed, and disengaged. When support is high but expectations are low, performance suffers. The real challenge for managers is learning how to balance i
395: How Unspoken Norms are Quietly Sabotaging Your Team with Nilofer Merchant
Many teams struggle with the same invisible problem: unspoken norms that quietly undermine collaboration, performance, and trust. Even when leaders want better behaviors, more ownership, healthier boundaries, and stronger collaboration, change often stalls because no one has named what’s actually happening.Fortunately, this week’s guest helps managers put language to the hidden norms shap
394: How to Manage Big (and Small) Emotions at Work with Jordanna Eyre
Managing a team gets especially challenging when emotions run high.Whether it’s you who regularly rides the emotional rollercoaster or a team member who explodes in meetings, shuts down during feedback, or feels unpredictable from one conversation to the next, many managers struggle with how to respond when emotions show up in the workplace.Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a grounded
393: How to Build a Win-Win Workplace with Angela Jackson
Many organizations say they want to invest in people, but their hiring and talent practices often tell a very different story.Degree requirements, limited benefits packages, and poor management practices continue to limit who gets access to opportunity and how teams perform. And the cost shows up everywhere: higher turnover, slower productivity, and missed potential.Fortunately, this week
392: The Leadership Skill Everyone Thinks They Have (But Rarely Do) with Dr. Helen Fagan
About 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, but research shows only 10–15% actually are. And that gap matters, especially for managers.Self-awareness shapes how we communicate, make decisions, handle conflict, and interpret others’ behavior. When we don’t understand what’s driving our reactions or how our actions land, we risk creating friction, bias, and misunderstanding on our teams
391: How to Own Your Reputation and Build a Personal Brand with Andy Storch
You already have a personal brand, whether you’ve chosen it or not. And every meeting, email, and interaction at work is quietly shaping it.Many managers assume personal branding is about being visible online or promoting yourself. But in reality, it’s about how you show up, how others experience working with you, and what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s essentially
390: What Managers Need to Know Before Hiring a Friend with Dr. Cindi Baldi
Hiring a friend can feel both generous and like a leadership landmine waiting to explode.Good intentions aren’t enough when power dynamics shift, boundaries blur, and personal relationships collide with professional expectations. The risk isn’t just losing a friendship; it’s undermining trust, fairness, and team culture if the situation isn’t handled thoughtfully.Fortunately, this week’s
389: How to Lead Salary Negotiations Candidates Say Yes To with John Gates
Salary conversations are inherently complex and challenging, filled with hidden traps. They are high-stakes, deeply personal, and blend factors like budgets, fairness, expectations, and emotions. Since these discussions are infrequent, many managers lack the necessary practice, which adds to the difficulty.Fortunately, this week’s guest breaks down exactly how to navigate compensation con
388: How to Become a Positive Disruptor and Take Advantage of Change with Patrick Leddin
When disruption hits your team, confidence often drops, communication gets messy, and progress slows. But disruption isn’t the problem; how we respond to it is.Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a clear, practical framework for leading with steadiness even when everything around you is shifting. And just as importantly, he explains how we can become positive disruptors in order to faci
387: Why Managers Should Embrace a Learn-It-All Mindset With Damon Lembi
Ever feel like you should know more, be more confident, or have everything figured out by now?You’re not alone, and more importantly, you don’t need to be a “know-it-all” to be an exceptional leader.In fact, the strongest leaders today share one trait:They are learn-it-alls, people who grow through challenges instead of shrinking from them.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a powerful,
386: Unlock Your Creative and Analytical Skills to Drive Innovation with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden
In a world that constantly demands breakthrough solutions, do you ever feel like innovation is reserved for a select few, or that you’re simply not "creative enough"? This week’s guests are here to set the record straight: that we are all capable of creative thinking if we just give ourselves permission and a little guidance. Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden are the co-authors of Innovation-
385: The Hidden Habits That Quietly Destroy Your Leadership with Rob Kalwarowsky
When the world around you feels chaotic, leading a team can feel overwhelming, especially when your inner world is just as loud. Most managers try to push through, rely on willpower, or double down on doing more. But in reality, external chaos only becomes manageable when we learn to work with the internal chaos driving our emotions, reactions, and habits.Fortunately, this week’s guest he
384: What Managers Get Wrong About ADHD at Work (and How to Get It Right) with Rita Ramakrishnan
Managers play a crucial role in shaping how employees experience work. But when ADHD enters the mix, good intentions can backfire if not handled thoughtfully. With the right mindset and tools, you can create a space where everyone performs at their best.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings both personal and professional expertise to this conversation.Rita Ramakrishnan is an executive lea
383: How to Get People to Listen to Your Ideas (Even When You’re Not in Charge) with Tami Reiss
Have you ever had a great idea but struggled to get others on board?You don’t need a title to have influence; you need a strategy.Fortunately, this week’s guest knows exactly how to build credibility and momentum without formal power.Tami Reiss is an expert on influence-driven leadership. She’s a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and CEO of Leader Within, where she helps leaders master
382: How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work (Without Oversharing) with Mike Robbins
Are you showing up as your full, authentic self or just the version you think others expect?Authenticity isn’t a matter of oversharing or saying whatever’s on your mind. It’s about honesty balanced with humility and vulnerability, the kind that builds genuine trust and stronger teams.Thankfully, today’s guest brings both experience and expertise to this conversation. Mike Robbins is the a
381: How to Support Neurodiverse Employees and Unlock Hidden Talent with Clain Udy
At some point in your career, you’ve probably worked with someone who is on the autism spectrum, but you might not have known. There are many misconceptions about autism, which damage how we understand and therefore support these colleagues. Viewing autism through a new lens can help every manager unlock hidden potential and design environments where everyone thrives.Today’s guest brings
380: Why Good People Sometimes Turn Into Bad Bosses (and How to Change) with Mita Mallick
Most people don’t set out to be “bad bosses.” But good intentions aren’t enough when your habits unintentionally create frustration, fear, or disengagement.Thankfully, today’s guest helps us see what’s really happening beneath the surface. Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best-Selling author. She’s on a mission to fix what's broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate c
379: What Every Manager Should Know About Leading Through Layoffs with Leanne Elliott
Layoffs are some of the hardest moments a manager can face. How you handle them can shape not just the experience of the employees leaving but also the morale and trust of the team that remains.Today’s guest brings expert guidance on navigating these challenges with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.Leanne Elliot is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Consultant, and Coach with a p
378: How to Lead Projects and People without Chaos and Burnout with James Louttit
Why do so many projects spiral into stress, shifting priorities, and endless risks while others seem to flow smoothly toward success? What if the difference isn’t just about tools or methods, but about how you lead?Thankfully, today’s guest brings a fresh, human-centered approach to project management. James Louttit is the author of Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low Stress Success in
377: Unlock 24 Hidden Strengths to Transform Your Leadership & Work with Natalya Pestalozzi
What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re proven tools for resilience, performance, and deeper human connection.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings exa
376: How To Delegate And Unlock Growth With Chris Ronzio
Why do so many managers struggle to let go of tasks, even when they know that holding onto everything stifles their ability to scale? The secret is to document things so clearly that others can succeed without you.Fortunately, today’s guest is an expert at helping leaders let go. Chris Ronzio is the Founder and CEO of Trainual, a platform reshaping how businesses onboard, train, and scale
375: The Hidden Power of Groups That Makes Teams Succeed with Colin Fisher
Groups are the foundation of everything we accomplish in work and life. Yet, as every manager knows, collaborating with others can be both the greatest strength and one of the hardest challenges. What makes some teams thrive while others struggle with friction and disengagement?Fortunately, this week’s guest, Dr. Colin Fisher, has dedicated his career to uncovering the hidden processes th
374: How to Lead People Who Are Different From You with Stephanie Chung
What if your greatest strength as a leader isn’t your expertise but your ability to lead people who are completely different from you?In today’s diverse workplaces, managers can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding how to adapt your leadership to different personalities, backgrounds, and working styles is key to building high-performing teams because, let’s be honest, eve
373: How Thoughtful Leadership Helps Introverts Contribute Their Best at Work with Salvatore Manzi
Most workplaces are designed with extroverts in mind, with open offices, constant collaboration, and fast-paced discussions. But this often leaves introverts struggling to fully contribute, even though their insights can be some of the most valuable.Thankfully, today’s guest, Salvatore Manzi, brings clarity and solutions. Salvatore is a leadership communications coach and the author of Cl
372: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More Than Ever with Jamelle Lindo
What if the most important management skill you need today isn’t a tool or strategy? But the ability to read and respond to the people around you? In a world shaped by AI and constant disruption, emotional intelligence has become the competitive edge for leaders and managers.Thankfully, today’s guest brings practical and research-backed ways to build that edge. Jamelle Lindo is an executi
371: Rewire Your Brain for Leadership Success with Larry Olsen
What if understanding how your brain actually works was the key to unlocking higher performance, better decisions, and more resilient leadership? Many leaders focus on strategies and skills without realizing that lasting change starts by rewiring how we think.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings decades of experience helping leaders do just that. Larry Olsen is an expert in performance-d
370: Improv Techniques That Instantly Boost Your Communication Skills with Jeff Mondoro
Do you wait for the perfect moment to speak up, only to have the conversation move on without you?What if the secret to becoming a confident, impactful communicator wasn’t planning every word, but learning to improvise?This week’s guest reveals how improvisation isn’t just for the stage, but a powerful, everyday skill that can transform how you connect, influence, and lead.Today’s guest i
369: Make Work More Fun Without Losing Your Professional Edge with Bree Groff
What if the biggest threat to your team’s creativity and performance isn’t the workload but outdated ideas of what “professionalism” should look like?It’s easy to fall into the trap of performative professionalism: obsessing over sounding smart, dressing the part, and following invisible rules about how “real professionals” should behave. But all that effort often masks the very things th
368: The 7-Step Focus Formula Highly Productive People Swear By with Mridu Parikh
Self-distraction is one of the biggest productivity challenges we face today. It’s easy to get lost in the constant flow of thoughts. A simple “I need to remind Kevin to send me that document,” takes us away from our current activity, preventing us from completing the tasks that matter most. No wonder we feel overwhelmed and constantly rushing.But here’s the good news: Today’s guest is on
367: How to Deal with Toxic People at Work Without Quitting with Dr. Sheela Reddy
Do you walk out of meetings feeling more exhausted than empowered? Are toxic behaviors affecting your team? Navigating a workplace with individuals who show signs of narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy can be incredibly challenging. But understanding the root of these toxic behaviors is key to managing them effectively, and today’s guest is here to help us do just that.Meet Dr. S
366: Want to Build Habits That Stick? Forget Changing Who You Are with Jason Hreha
Are you struggling to form new habits that actually stick?If you’ve ever found yourself failing to break old habits, it’s likely because you’re using the wrong habit formation strategies. Thankfully, today’s guest is going to unlock the key to transformational behavior change so you and your team can successfully adopt new ways of working.Today’s guest is Jason Hreha. Jason is a behaviora
365: What Happens When You Start Documenting Everything with Adrienne Bellehumeur
Documentation isn’t just a system—it’s a daily habit that you can master.When was the last time you actually enjoyed documenting a meeting or your thought process? For most of us, documentation feels tedious and intimidating. Just the idea of making things “official” can stir up fear that it might one day be used against us. Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a fresh perspective on wh
364: Reclaim Your Power and Lead with Confidence with Dr. Sharon Melnick
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed by your leadership role? Are you always reacting to everyone else’s agenda instead of creating your own?What if you could reclaim your power and lead confidently through any situation? Today’s guest reveals exactly how to make that shift.Meet Dr. Sharon Melnick. Sharon is recognized as a Marshall Goldsmith Top 50 executive coach and is the author of thre
363: The Surprising Science of Great Leadership Revealed with Margaret Moore and Jeffrey Hull
Leadership can feel overwhelming, especially when the world around you is constantly changing. But what if small, science-backed changes in how you lead could create a bigger impact than you ever imagined? This week’s guests will explore key findings from their research on the nine science-based traits of effective leadership, enabling us to become better managers today.Meet Margaret Moor
362: Delegate with Confidence in 4 Simple Steps with Dallas Burnett
Do you feel like you’re drowning in your task list? You know delegation is important. You know your team wants to contribute. But still, something holds you back—whether it’s fear of mistakes or the lack of time to explain things.You don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle.Joining me today is Dallas Burnett. Dallas is the founder and CEO of Perforam and author of "Lift," "MOVE!" and "Cavem
361: Transform Your Strategy at Every Level with the 3 As Framework with Rich Horwath
Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions at work, unsure about the exact strategy to guide your decisions? This episode will change that.In the business world, the word “strategy” is quite the buzzword. But what does it really mean to think and lead strategically? And what can you do as a manager to get better at it?If you want to stop wasting time and start making powe
360: How to Train Your Brain to Speak Better in Any Setting with Ruth Milligan
You’re in a team meeting, someone starts talking… and keeps talking. They lose their train of thought, fill the air with “likes” and “ums”, and before long, the point is lost.Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. Because here’s the truth: verbal communication isn’t innate—it’s a learned skill. And this week’s guest has spent 35 years helping people master it.Meet Ruth Milligan. Ruth is a
359: Why Meaningful Relationships Are Your Superpower (And How To Build Them) with David Homan
What if the most valuable thing you can build in your career isn’t a product, a strategy, or even a list of accolades—but a community?We all know relationships matter. Yet most of us haven’t been taught how to build them with real intention. Today’s guest is here to help you and your team rethink what’s possible when we shift from collecting contacts to cultivating purposeful connections.
358: How to Win at Work Without Paying the Price with Dana L. Cox
We celebrate the wins. The promotions. The milestones.But no one talks about the price tag that comes with constantly performing at a high level.For Dana L. Cox, that price came quietly—missed family moments, sleepless nights, and a level of exhaustion that no amount of caffeine could fix. She calls it the “success tax”—the hidden costs we pay in pursuit of achievement. Thankfully, Dana’s
357: What Every New Manager Must Do in Their First 45 Days with James Turk
You’ve just stepped into a new manager role—congratulations! Now what?The first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. One day you’re a high-performing individual contributor, and the next, you’re expected to lead a team, set direction, and navigate complex dynamics—all while still figuring out what kind of leader you want to be.Thankfully, today’s guest is here to guide you through those c
356: Escape the Distraction Trap Before It Drains You with Marcey Rader
Have you ever sat down to work, only to be pulled in a dozen directions—emails, Slack messages, endless browser tabs—all demanding your attention? You’re not alone.All the technological advancements have made it almost impossible to focus. But what if it didn’t have to be this way?Fortunately, this week’s guest is here to share with us how you can be more focused at work and finally recla
355: Elevate Your Influence as a Manager Monday to Monday with Stacey Hanke
Do you feel like your team isn’t really listening to you? It might be time to rethink your influence.Many managers assume authority is enough. But real leadership—motivating people to take action—comes from influence. And this week’s guest believes that one of the most powerful ways to build it is by strengthening your communication skills.Today’s guest is Stacey Hanke. Stacey is a leadin
354: The Do’s and Don’ts of Using AI Tools at Work with Theresa Fesinstine
Are you overwhelmed by the rapid rise of AI in the workplace?AI tools are already being used by managers and teams in various forms. But what are the risks that come with using them? Today’s guest believes that clear guidelines and educational training can help everyone use AI wisely without feeling restricted.Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator.
353: How to Be a More Inclusive Leader with Kelli Lester
Are you struggling to get your team to perform at its best? Are you unsure about how to unlock the potential of each individual? This week’s guest says the key is inclusive leadership.Meet Kelli Lester. Kelli is co-founder and partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in
352: How to Create a Workplace that Truly Supports Working Parents with Dr. Anne Welsh
Being a working parent shouldn’t feel like a daily juggling act on the brink of disaster. If you truly want everyone on your team—parent or not—to thrive at work, you need a workplace that lets them show up as their best selves. And today’s guest is the perfect expert to discuss how to make work work for working parents.Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Welsh, a sought after thought leader on wor
351: How to Master Your Time and Crush Your Goals Without Burnout with Andrew Hartman
Ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone—managers know this struggle well. Fortunately, today’s guest has the time mastery secrets to help us take control of our time.Meet Andrew Hartman. Andrew is the founder of Time Boss, a training organization helping leaders and their teams master their week to get the results they want without over
350: Why Validation is the Missing Key to Stronger Relationships at Work with Caroline Fleck
How do you make your team members feel truly seen and heard at work?It’s a common struggle for many managers, but this week’s guest says there’s something even more powerful than praising your team.Joining me today is Dr. Caroline Fleck. Caroline is a licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University. She is the author of Validation: Ho
349: Turn Dull Virtual Meetings into High-Impact Sessions (On-Air Coaching Session with Jill Molee)
Have you ever left a virtual meeting thinking, “That could’ve been an email.”? Today’s guest used to feel the same.Meet Jill Molee. Jill is the Director of Counseling & College Advisor at College Prep 360. I’ve been lucky to have Jill as a client and I’m grateful she was willing to experiment with me for this on-air coaching call.As the director of a fully remote, client-facing team,
348: Master Collaboration and Leadership Using Improv Techniques with Joel Zeff
Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team.Meet Joel Zeff. Joel creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more th
347: 8 Toxic Thought Patterns That are Sabotaging You at Work (And How to Stop Them) with Cynthia Pong
We all have thought patterns that work against us—whether it’s feeling like an imposter, overextending ourselves at work, or assuming the worst in situations. Today’s guest breaks down eight negative mindsets that prevent professionals from thriving.Meet Cynthia Pong. Cynthia is an award-winning executive coach and speaker who empowers women of color leaders to advance their careers into
346: Elevate Your Virtual Communication with Science-Backed Strategies with Andrew Brodsky
Do you realize how important virtual communications are to your team’s effectiveness? Except for in-person meetings, all our communications with our colleagues happen virtually.This is true whether you’re fully remote, hybrid, or even in-office. But what if you could communicate clearly and authentically every time, no matter the virtual method? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here f
