If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly leading people you used to work alongside , you know how complicated that can be. In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the trickiest leadership challenges—managing former peers, where I’ll share three essential strategies for managing former peers while keeping the relationship intact. Tune in to learn how to set boundaries, have tough conversations, and own your authority—without making things weird. Whether you’re a new manager or just looking to ref...
Oct 08, 2024•19 min
As leaders, we often focus on giving feedback, but how often do we ask for it? In today’s episode, I’m diving into why asking for feedback from your team is just as important as giving it. By making feedback a two-way street, you build trust, create psychological safety, and foster stronger relationships with your team. I’ll share practical tips on how to ask for feedback effectively, what questions to ask, and how to keep the door open for ongoing conversations. Tune in to learn how asking for ...
Oct 01, 2024•12 min
Do you really know how your team is doing, or are you just kinda guessing? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a stat that really caught my attention—89% of managers think their team members are thriving, but only 24% of employees agree. That’s a 65% disconnect! In this episode, I dive into why leaders can be so out of touch with how their teams are really feeling and what to do to fix it. We’ll cover how to check in with your team, ask the right questions to understand what they need, and pre...
Sep 24, 2024•15 min
When hiring new team members, the pressure is on. We want to get it right, but there are so many things to consider that it can be really overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! In today’s episode, I break down the key steps to hiring well—from defining what you need to set your new hires up for success. Find out how to assess candidates beyond their skills, ensure they align with your company’s values, and why offering competitive pay is key to retaining talent. Ready to make your next hire a ...
Sep 17, 2024•19 min
In today’s episode, I tackle a common challenge for new managers: earning the respect of your team. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time, managing former colleagues, or navigating new team dynamics, getting your team on board can feel like an uphill battle. I’ll share practical tips on how to build genuine relationships, assert your authority, and set clear communication channels to help you lead with confidence. Tune in to learn how to turn the corner from strugglin...
Sep 10, 2024•15 min
As leaders, we often struggle with delegating, telling ourselves that we’re protecting our team from burnout. But is that the real thing stopping us? In this episode, I dive into the reasons why we sometimes hesitate to delegate and how we can overcome these challenges. From setting the right context to building trust and having load-balancing conversations, I’ll share practical tips to help you delegate effectively while empowering your team. -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I...
Sep 03, 2024•14 min
Ever find yourself repeating the same instructions to your team, wondering why they aren’t following through? In this episode of Managing Made Simple , I dive into the root cause: lack of accountability. I’ll share practical strategies for building a culture where your team takes ownership and gets things done the first time. Learn how to effectively use task tracking systems, follow up consistently, and communicate the “why” behind every task so your team is motivated to deliver. Ready to stop ...
Aug 27, 2024•15 min
We all have those team members we know we can rely on for that last minute request, to jump in and fix a problem no one was able to solve, even to remember those birthdays and special moments that create a strong team culture. But are all recognizing the importance of their contribution to the team? Sadly, these folks often run the risk of being held back in their careers because we don't see them as strategic, a trap I myself fell into in my early career. In this episode, I show you how to supp...
Aug 20, 2024•15 min
The topic of burnout is constantly top of mind for team leaders and business owners, and let's face it, we all know it isn't solved with a spa day or even a 2-week vacation. In episode 133 of Managing Made Simple, I share concrete strategies for preventing yourself from burning out as a leader - because quitting your job or shutting down your business when everything feels like it's too much doesn't have to be the go-to thought. -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whol...
Aug 13, 2024•15 min
Employee turnover is EXPENSIVE. Not only from a time and money perspective, but for morale and motivation as well.... which ends up costing you money on the end anyway. The Gallup organization recently reported that 42% of employee turnover is preventable - so today I'm sharing three ways to keep the team members that you worked so hard to hire and onboard in the first place. Spoiler, all of these are things you can do TODAY. ** WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whole m...
Aug 06, 2024•12 min
We're all trying to save money where we can right now - but when it comes to paying your team members, that's not the place to trim the fat. In this "hot take" episode of Managing Made Simple, I talk about why we need to pay our team members well if we want them to do good work - and remind you to ask the question when determining what to pay someone "would you do a good job, in this job, for this pay?" If the answer is no, then well, you have your answer. -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have y...
Jul 30, 2024•16 min
It's not everyday you get to interview someone who has inspired so much of your work, it so exciting to bring Brittany Driscoll, CEO and Co-Founder of Squeeze massage franchise onto the show. When it comes to building great teams and scaling businesses, no one does it better than Brit; and in the episode she shares insights in how she helped grow Drybar from $30M to $100M, why investing in your team unlocks their full potential, and the power of clear systems and processes to help businesses sca...
Jul 23, 2024•35 min
We've all been there - we thought carefully about a piece of feedback, rehearsed how we were going to say it, even stress tested it with a colleague, and then... the feedback conversation still goes sideways. THIS right here is one of the reasons feedback is so hard, because even when we think we're doing it right, we still can get it wrong. In episode 129 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies to handle a feedback conversation real-time that is starting to spiral. These tips will he...
Jul 16, 2024•17 min
Frustrated that you're the only person in your business who seems to be stressing about revenue and profitability? In this QUICK WIN episode, I share a case study of how I helped a client shift the mindset of her team members to take an active role in bringing in new business. This is an issue my clients share with me ALL OF THE TIME - and the solution is simpler than you think! -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier"? I've ...
Jul 11, 2024•6 min
Time management - we all know we have to be better at it, any yet... It's one thing when we notice it, but when we get too overloaded to the point where our teams noticed, we have to do something about it. In episode 127 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies to save you time every single week so you can feel less overwhelmed and get back to focusing on the most important things. -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little e...
Jul 09, 2024•18 min
What is one thing you can do everyday on your team that motivates people and costs you zero money? Recognizing people! Yes, my friends, saying THANK YOU in a way that is genuine, specific, and actionable goes incredible lengths to drive higher retention and fuel better results. And yet, we often get busy and forget to do it. In episode 126 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about meaningful ways to recognize and appreciate your team members in instances with where you can share financial incentives...
Jul 02, 2024•13 min
Boundary setting with our teams is one of those things that no matter how good we get at it, it keeps rearing it's ugly head. Doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, and certainly doesn't mean it's too late for your team or your business. It's just an opportunity to make some small shifts to free up time and space for yourself, while empowering your team members to step up as leaders. In episode 125 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies for setting boundaries on your team. ** WOR...
Jun 25, 2024•14 min
When something isn't going the way you want it to on your team or in your business, it can be tempting to want to roll out a new policy to get people to fall in line. But policies signify compliance, and while we want people to meet expectations, compliance isn't necessarily the vibe we're wanting to communicate. In episode 124 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about the difference between policies and working norms, and why working norms are often the right route to implement when wanting to crea...
Jun 18, 2024•11 min
Receiving feedback might just be harder than giving it... ok, it's totally harder. Especially as a leader. A lot of times our team members have gripes about things happening on our teams and in our businesses without having the full context - project strategy shifts, team changes, work assignments - making it easy to want to jump to the defense. But by practicing the strategies I talk about in today's episode of Managing Made Simple, we can improve our listening skills when it comes to feedback,...
Jun 13, 2024•14 min
"Can I give you some feedback?" I've said it before and I'll say it again - the six SCARIEST words someone can say to another person. Am I right? But feedback is critical information we need to be sharing with our teams on a regular basis so they can operate at their best. Feedback brings up all sorts of fears and misconceptions, that's why on episode 122 of Managing Made Simple I'm diving back into one of my favorite topics to make the act of giving feedback as whole lot easier. -- WORK WITH LI...
Jun 11, 2024•16 min
Today I'm launching a new type of episode, Wednesday Trendsday, where I will pop open Google News and break down a popular workplace trend. This week is all about "quiet vacationing"... um what?! Let's talk about what it is, why it's happening, and how to prevent it. -- WORK WITH LIA: Want a checklist of things you can do THIS week to become a better manager (and make your job easier)? Check out my Thriving Team Checklist for a list of quick actions you can take right away with your team: liagar...
Jun 05, 2024•10 min
When a team member isn't meeting their full potential, it can be frustrating as a manager and leader. We know they're capable of more, we feel like we've set them up for success, but something isn't quite there. When this happens, instead of jumping ship and assuming it's a lost cause, there is something you can do. In episode 120 of Managing Made Simple, I share three questions to ask yourself to understand what's getting in the way from your team member operating at their best. Spoiler - you m...
Jun 04, 2024•14 min
In trying to build connection with our team and get them to do something, we often use two fateful words that shoot ourselves in the foot: I NEED. Something that is an expectation of a role on your team isn't a need, it's an expectation. It's part of that person's job. By saying "I need," you are asking them to be accountable to you, almost as if they are doing you a favor, as opposed to being accountable to their job. In episode 118 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about how this shows up and wh...
May 28, 2024•9 min
When it comes to running a high performing virtual team, the Bara Agency has it figured out. In this week's episode of Managing Made Simple, I'm joined by Justin Benson, the CEO of Bara Agency, where we talk about the importance of living your team values, how to create meaningful in-person moments even when fully remote, building a culture of accountability, and beyond. About Justin: As the founder and leader of the Bara Agency, Justin is the place where problems come to die. Half nerd and half...
May 23, 2024•33 min
What do knowing how long work takes to get done, meetings ending on time, and work all being tracked in one place have in common? They ALL save you time and money and are part of healthy team operations. When I talk about team operations, people don't always understand what I mean off the bat - but it's the glue that holds all of the work that happens in your team and business together, and what's the difference between being profitable and closing the doors. In episode 117 of Managing Made Simp...
May 21, 2024•15 min
There comes a time for every leader when we just can't do everything ourselves. We might come to this realization quickly, or it might take us a while to get there - but it always happens. We're not able to have the level of oversight we want to have with the work, connect as much with our team members, and scale ourselves in the way we know is possible. And when that happens, it's time to hire another manager. In episode 116 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about the questions to think through w...
May 14, 2024•19 min
The funny thing about delegating is that it isn't just about handing over a bunch of work - it's about handing over the RIGHT set of work. In episode 115 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about how to figure out what that right set of work is, saving you time and making it so much easier to hand the task off. By asking this ONE question, you will save yourself countless hours of time, and someone else up for success in taking it on. What is that one question? Tune in to find out! -- Grab your copy...
May 07, 2024•15 min
When we're running a business or managing a team, every minute of productivity counts. And in a moment where we're all having to do more with less, getting a handle on the areas costing you the most money is game changing for your business. In episode 114 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about three things that cost your business money every single day - why they cost money, and how to avoid them. Best part: resolving these things will also be a huge morale booster for the team. -- Grab your copy...
Apr 30, 2024•16 min
Ever been up at night stressing about a team member who isn’t delivering? Today on Managing Made Simple, we dive into how to tackle this situation so you can get back to your beauty rest. And it’s not to just jump to hiring a new team member! Begin by setting crystal-clear expectations, then lean into an open conversation to suss out the hiccups. Often, that nudge nudges them right back on track. Invite them to share challenges - sometimes they just need a little support to shine. But hey, if pr...
Apr 23, 2024•16 min
Hiring new team members can feel like a gamble - and it's true, you can never really know if someone is the right fit until you start working with them. But we can get a hell of a lot closer to finding the right fit when we are intentional about the process. In this episode I talk about ONE thing you can do to dramatically improve the likelihood a team member will work out, saving you countless hours and dollars on having to rehire. -- Grab your copy of THE UNSTOPPABLE TEAM , your playbook for c...
Apr 16, 2024•12 min
