Managing Made Simple

Managing Made Simple is a weekly leadership and management podcast for founders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and people managers who want to lead high-performing teams without falling back into the work themselves.

Each week, host Lia Garvin- team management export, TEDx speaker, and 3x bestselling author- breaks down the real, everyday challenges of leading teams, people management, team accountability, delegation, communication, culture, and performance with practical strategies you can implement immediately. Lia’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune.

With Lia, there’s no beating around the bush. No corporate jargon. Just actionable leadership insights that help you build your people management and leadership skills and get better results from your team.

If you’re asking leadership questions like:
• How do I get my team to take ownership and accountability for their work?
• Why do I have to repeat myself constantly as a manager?
• How do I know if I hired the wrong employee?
• How do I delegate effectively without things falling apart or micromanaging?
• How can managers tell if team members are overusing AI at work?
• What actually motivates employees today?
• How do I give feedback that actually moves the needle?
• How do I communicate vision, expectations, and strategy clearly?
• What are best practices for performance reviews, compensation, and growth conversations?

How do you lead a team through change, uncertainty, and rapid growth with confidence?

You’ll find the tools, frameworks, and leadership strategies you need to lead your team better, starting today.

Managing Made Simple:
✔ Founders & Business Owners scaling teams without burning people out
✔ Entrepreneurs balancing business strategy and people leadership
✔ Experienced leaders ready to modernize how they manage teams

✔ Corporate managers navigating continual change

New episodes drop every Tuesday, delivering leadership lessons, people management tools, and team-building strategies you can apply immediately.

Learn more at liagarvin.com

Last refreshed: April 28th, 2026 at 7:55 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

022: Practical tools for leading with empathy with Kerri Jacobs, Creator of the Leading with Empathy Program at Google

We've all heard about the importance of empathy in the workplace, but have we actually internalized what this means? In this conversation, I talk with Kerri Jacobs, creator of the Leading with Empathy program at Google about the signals the key signals team members look for to know they feel valued by their manager, how leaders can display and model empathy on their teams, the power of recognition and gratitude on teams, and why this important now more than ever. About Kerri: Kerri Jacobs has be...

Apr 07, 2023•33 min

021: How to create a culture of learning on your team with Abbie Mirata, L&D Executive

We consume information all of the time, but how much of that are we actually internalizing and learning? In my conversation with Abbie Mirata, Learning & Development Executive and Founder of The Intrapreneur Project, we discuss the importance of investing in learning in your organization, how to create a culture of learning and development in your team, and the power of "intrapreneurship" in empowering our team members to realize their full potential across their job and their passions. Abou...

Apr 06, 2023•35 min

020: Three pitfalls to avoid when delivering feedback

Feedback is both one of the most important skills to master as a manager... and one of the toughest. But in trying to make a tough situation easier, we sometimes make the mistake of assuming how the situation will go before before we enter the conversation - allowing ourselves to bias the situation. In this episode, I talk about three pitfalls to avoid when giving feedback to a team member and what to do instead. To get on the list for my upcoming Q&A sessions exclusive to my community, send...

Apr 04, 2023•15 min

019: Sunday Scaries: What to say when you don't have all the answers

As managers, founders, or small business owners, our teams are always coming to us with questions. But with so much uncertainty right now and so many questions we can't necessarily answer, this can be a source of Sunday Scaries. The good news is there is a way to answer and still engage with our teams when we don't have all of the answers, and in this episode, I share a simple three step framework for how to do that. To get on the list for my upcoming Q&A sessions exclusive to my community, ...

Apr 02, 2023•7 min

018: How to elevate your team through asking thoughtful questions with Albert Shum, former CVP of Design at Microsoft

When we've been managing for a long time, it can be easy to fall into the trap of telling and directing, but the truth is, there is nothing more powerful than a thoughtful question. In this conversation with Albert Shum, former Corporate Vice President of Design at Microsoft, we discuss how thoughtful questions empower teams, the importance of having a principled approach to leadership, and a framework for navigating and leading through change and uncertainty. About Albert: Albert was a consumer...

Mar 30, 2023•36 min

017: Focus on the HOW to achieve more of the WHAT

What's the secret to doing more with less? Focusing on the HOW. The easier we make it to get things done, the faster we can move and the more engaged our teams are. While this is important in any sized company, it's especially important for startups and small businesses. So if you're a Founder, Entrepreneur, or Small Business Owner with a small and growing team, you're going to want to tune in. In this conversation I cover 6 focus areas to think about and define for your team so everyone is on t...

Mar 28, 2023•16 min

016: Sunday Scaries: How to optimize your time in 3 steps

Sunday Scaries. We all get them. And yet as a manager, sometimes it feels twice as hard because we're thinking about all of the things we have to face, along with everything our team has coming their way. Each Sunday I'll be offering a quick tip to help combat the Sunday Scaries, today kicking off with calendar management and how to optimize your time and that of your teams'. To get my manager tip of the week and be the first to know about new offers I have just for my community, send the text M...

Mar 26, 2023•7 min

015: AMA - Dealing with difficult team members, managing up, and when to coach vs direct

It's our first Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, where I rapid-fire answer questions submitted by our listeners. Today's questions: How do I deal with difficult team members? How do I manage up? How do I when when it's right to coach vs direct? Related episodes mentioned in this show: Coaching as a manager superpower and how to use it BONUS: How to overcome unlucky situations as a manager How setting expectations can unlock more momentum on your team To submit your questions for future AMA episodes...

Mar 24, 2023•9 min

014: A whole-brained approach to being a more influential leader

What's the key to better understanding both ourselves and our teams - understanding the order in which our brain processes information. In this episode, Michelle King, HR executive and leadership coach, talks about the power of the HBDI assessment to understand how our brain processes information, especially during times of stress, and how to use this tool to give better feedback and have more influence as a leader. Michelle also talks about self-mastery, what it is and how we can achieve it as ...

Mar 23, 2023•30 min

013: How setting expectations can unlock more momentum on your team

Ever asked the question, "why isn't my team listening to me?" The answer is often found in one place: setting expectations. In this episode, I discuss the power of setting expectations to create more of a sense of ownership on your team so work gets done more effectively and efficiently, and everyone is on the same page about what success looks like. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my four core focuses for teams: Manager Developme...

Mar 21, 2023•13 min

012: How to overcome unlucky situations as a manager

When something goes wrong on your team, it can be easy to feel like you're unlucky. But the truth is, this is a perspective, and it's one that we can reframe. In this episode I talk about how to reframe your perspective from unlucky to one of possibility and potential, and then apply this to three common "unlucky" situations that happen to managers on teams, including: (1) Inheriting a low performing team member (2) Losing a headcount or budget for a key hire (3) One of your start players leaves...

Mar 17, 2023•12 min

011: How to empower your teams to own their magic with Rebecca Cafiero, Founder/CEO of The Pitch Club & Business Strategist

In this episode I interview Rebecca Cafiero, Founder & CEO of the Pitch Club and business strategist as she discusses her journey as a leader in the corporate world into entrepreneurship. Rebecca dives into the importance of transferrable skills in hiring, investing in your team members, creating space for wellbeing, and developing your team so they can step into the best versions of themselves. We also talk about the importance of aligning your team around your vision and the vision of your...

Mar 16, 2023•36 min

010: Three mistakes seasoned managers make and how to avoid them

When you've been managing for a while it can be easy to think you've got all of the nuts and bolts figured out, but as we move through uncertain times and a new generation enters the workforce, there is always an opportunity to reflect on how we can show up better for our teams. In this episode I explore three mistakes seasoned managers make: (1) Not getting the training they need (2) Not delegating and trying to do everything themselves (3) Not building a strong bench of leaders ...and how to a...

Mar 14, 2023•11 min

009: Managing through reorgs and layoffs with Jenn Liu, Product Executive & Coach

These uncertain times are calling for more from managers and leaders, but when wrestling our own relationship with all of the change, it can be hard to know how to best communicate with our teams. In this episode, I talk with Jenn Liu, product management executive and coach, and long time product leader within Google and a series of prominent startups, where she shares her lessons navigating reorgs and layoffs and strategies for how to communicate hard messages and what is next for your teams. A...

Mar 09, 2023•26 min

008: How to best support the women on your team, International Women's Day episode

It's International Women's Day, and what better moment to talk about how to best support the women on your team and fix the "broken rung" that exists on the corporate ladder. In this episode I dive into three places to better support women - providing more actionable feedback, having your radar out for opportunities and bringing visibility to their work, and being proactive about addressing disparities in pay and representation. Together, these strategies help repair the broken rung and provide ...

Mar 08, 2023•12 min

007: What's behind quiet quitting and how to stop it

TikTok trends like "quiet quitting" and "bare minimum Mondays" are all the rage these days, but they all center around one thing, people want to be appreciated for their work and know they matter. In this episode I talk about why these trends can cause more harm than good, what is behind them, and three ways to stop quiet quitting and reignite a sense of motivation and engagement on your team. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my fo...

Mar 07, 2023•8 min

006: The secrets to giving difficult feedback effectively

Giving difficult feedback can be one of the things managers dread the most. But we can make it a whole lot easier for ourselves and for the person on the receiving end if we establish empathy, take responsibility, and support that person in closing the gap. In this episode we will explore how to do these things when delivering a hard message, so you feel a little less stuck the next time you have to share difficult news or feedback. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagar...

Mar 02, 2023•10 min

005: How regulating your nervous system is the key to leading effectively with Laura Larios, nervous system expert & coach

Ready to reach your ultimate potential as a leader? It's time to understand your nervous system. In this episode, I interview nervous system expert and executive coach Laura Larios as she shares how understanding our nervous system is the future of mental fitness, burnout prevention, and sustainable business growth and revenue. Beyond sharing the why, she shares exercises to try when you find yourself in fight or flight mode, and how we can measure the impact of this work. About Laura: Laura Lar...

Mar 02, 2023•30 min

003: Coaching as a manager superpower and how to use it

Coaching is a skill that not only helps you bring out the best in your team, but helps you scale as a manager. It's literally a win win. In this episode we talk about the skills of Listening and Curiosity and how they help you become a better coach, and dive into a story of using coaching to help a team member identify the gaps they needed to close to get a promotion. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my four core focuses for teams:...

Feb 28, 2023•12 min

001: My story

What's my story and why this show? In this episode I share a little more about my background and why I am here, and what motivated me to create this podcast. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my four core focuses for teams: Manager Development - Micro to Macro Manager Development Program Employee Engagement - Focus Groups & Action Planning Workshops Retaining Women - Accelerate Group Coaching Program for Women For Entrepreneurs ...

Feb 28, 2023•7 min

004: How to effectively manage a former friend

Whether we have to manage someone we used to be colleagues with, or are hiring a friend into our business as an entrepreneur, hiring a former friend (or family member) changes the relationship. And if we're not careful, it can change it in a not-so-good way. In this episode we talk about the most important thing you can do when managing a former friend: having a conversation UP FRONT, when the tensions are low, recognizing that the relationship will be different now, how to give feedback, and ho...

Feb 28, 2023•8 min

002: What is your management style?

What is your management style? This is often something we think about long after we've taken the job, but what if we were to think about this upfront? As a manager, we get to set the tone for how we want to lead and manage, and in this episode I share questions to think through to set an intention about how you want to show up for your team. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my four core focuses for teams: Manager Development - Micr...

Feb 28, 2023•10 min

000: Managing Made Simple Show Trailer

Thank you for checking out the trailer for The Managing Made Simple Podcast! If you liked what you heard, please subscribe so you can get the latest episodes as they drop and leave a review so we can spread the love to more managers out there. -- Looking for support for your team? Reach out to hello@liagarvin.com to learn more about one of my four core focuses for teams: Manager Development - Micro to Macro Manager Development Program Employee Engagement - Focus Groups & Action Planning Work...

Feb 22, 2023•2 min

← Prev

Hosted on Buzzsprout

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android