The Modern Manager - podcast cover

The Modern Manager

Mamie Kanfer Stewartwww.themodernmanager.com
Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Learn more at: https://themodernmanager.com/ 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. Learn more about effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountability, team competencies, productivity and collaboration technologies, organizational culture, and more. Be sure to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode!
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Episodes

333: Elevate Your Workday Well-Being with These Easy, Powerful Practices with Kristel Bauer

Your skills alone don’t determine your work performance–it’s also about being in the right physical, mental, and emotional state. That’s where wellness practices come in. In today’s episode, our guest will share powerful practices for incorporating wellness into the workday. Meet Kristel Bauer. Kristel is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the author of Wor...

Nov 19, 202431 min

332: Unlock High-Impact Team Performance with Simpler Delegation Tools with Brian Irwin

Do you struggle with giving your team members more ownership and authority? If you’ve ever wrestled with how to empower your team with confidence, today’s guest will tell you exactly what to do. Meet Brian Irwin. Brian is an author, speaker, coach, and mentor. He has a history of successfully leading management teams through complex transformations. Brian considers himself a "strategic simplifier" and has a passion for bringing humanity back into the workplace. He is also a recovering '80s hair ...

Nov 12, 202430 min

331: Essential Tips to Keep Managers Out of Legal Trouble with Peter Rahbar

Have you read your company handbook? As a manager, a simple decision at work could land you in hot water, so reading your company handbook is essential , especially for new managers. You must know not only how to lead effectively but also how to lead legally . That’s where our workplace legal expert comes in. Meet Peter Rahbar. Peter is a workplace legal expert who guides clients through the most important decisions of their professional lives. After almost twenty years of representing major int...

Nov 05, 202429 min

330: How to Build a System that Supercharges Your Productivity with Leslie Shreve

Are you feeling overwhelmed by tasks that never seem to end? What if I told you that you don’t need another productivity app to reclaim your time? Today’s guest is here to help us recover our time by working smarter. Meet Leslie Shreve. Leslie is a workload management and productivity expert, and the Founder and CEO of Productive Day®. She created Taskology®, a system that has helped hundreds of professionals from various industries increase efficiency and productivity by up to 300%, reclaim hou...

Oct 29, 202435 min

329: The Four Dimensions of Team Dynamics Every Leader Should Understand with Christopher Morrison

How well do you know your team? It’s not just about knowing each member’s personality; teams have a unique style, too, that shapes how the members collaborate and perform together. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Meet Christopher Morrison. Christopher is the co-founder of TeamDynamics, a pioneering platform designed to optimize team collaboration by providing actionable insights into team dynamics. With a rich background in top consulting firms like McKinsey and extensive experience in tech...

Oct 22, 202434 min

328: How to Effectively Manage Gen Z Employees at Work with Madeline Miller

Are Gen Zs really difficult to work with? As more Gen Z employees enter and advance in the workforce, it’s crucial for business leaders to understand this generation’s unique experiences–shaped by remote work, self-directed learning, and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. So, how should managers lead this new cohort? To help us navigate managing Gen Z and unlock their true potential, I spoke with today’s guest, Madeline Miller. Madeline is making executive coaching more accessible and inclu...

Oct 15, 202432 min

327: How to Fire Someone Without Feeling Like the Bad Guy with Jackie Koch

Have you ever had to fire someone and lost sleep over it? Firing someone isn’t as easy as saying, “You’re fired!” . If you’ve been through it, you know just how tough it can be–emotions run high, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re the bad guy. That’s why I sat down with an HR expert to get her best advice on how to fire someone thoughtfully. Today’s guest is Jackie Koch. Jackie has more than 15 years of experience hiring teams and leading human resources for Fortune 500 companies, startups, a...

Oct 08, 202431 min

326: Why Smart Leaders Embrace Disruption with Terence Mauri

Is disruption always bad, or can it be your greatest asset? In today’s world of relentless change–where the global talent pool is expanding and advancements in AI and machine learning are accelerating–disruption has become the new normal. But amidst this chaos, should we seek to disrupt ourselves even more instead of just being disrupted? Today’s guest says yes. Meet Terence Mauri. Terence is a global expert on the future of leadership, AI, and disruption. As founder of the future trends think t...

Oct 01, 202431 min

325: How to Hire from the Global Talent Pool with Confidence with Jonathan Romley

Hiring talent from another country can seem like a daunting task. Navigating different time zones, cultures and other factors can feel overwhelming at first. But here’s the truth : those initial challenges are small compared to the massive benefits of expanding your hiring options. To help you navigate this journey, today’s guest is here to share expert tips on how to effectively tap into the global talent pool and build a thriving team. Meet Jonathan Romley–one of the world’s foremost experts o...

Sep 24, 202423 min

324: How to Respectfully Disagree with Your Co-Workers with Justin Jones-Fosu

Have you ever found yourself nodding in agreement during a meeting while silently thinking, “This will never work.” ? You’re not alone. Too often, we hold back in disagreement, fearing conflict, which only leads to frustration down the line. But managing conflict is a crucial skill for both managers and employees. Today’s guest is here to teach us how to respectfully disagree with your co-workers. Meet Justin Jones-Fosu. At the helm of Work. Meaningful. Justin is the driving force and CEO behind...

Sep 17, 202433 min

323: 4 Tactics to Drive Results While Building a Thriving Team with Rachel Cooke

Is it possible to achieve high-quality business results while building a thriving team? Many leaders often believe they must choose between driving results and prioritizing their people. However, time and again, we’ve seen that choosing one over the other rarely leads to better outcomes. Thankfully, today’s guest brings a new perspective and practical strategies to help us achieve both at the same time. Today’s guest is Rachel Cooke. Rachel is a workforce activator, speaker, and facilitator. She...

Sep 10, 202428 min

322: How the Reset Mindset Aligns Managers and Teams for Success with Penny Zenker

Mindset is crucial for success, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Yet, many of us feel stuck and merely going through the motions. But what if I told you that a simple mindset shift could provide the clarity and focus you needed to move forward? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for. Today’s guest is Penny Zenker. Penny is known as “The Focusologist.” She’s a sought-after international keynote speaker and best-selling author. She is one of the leading experts in the psychology of p...

Sep 03, 202431 min

321: 7 Leadership Traits That Set Great Leaders Apart with Gaia van der Esch

When there’s great leadership, everyone flourishes. We’ve seen the outcomes of having great leaders at work countless times–high-performing teams, healthy workplaces, increased profitability, and happy employees, among other things. But what actually makes a great leader? What leadership traits create a lasting impact not just on organizations but also on the lives of the people you lead? Thankfully, our guest expert is here to help us broaden our view of what effective leadership truly looks li...

Aug 27, 202434 min

320: How to Convince Yourself to Do the Hard Things with Lei Wang

Imagine standing at the base of Mt. Everest, feeling the crushing weight of doubt and fear. Now, picture your toughest work challenge–where quitting feels like the best option. Would you push through or hit the quit button? Many of us struggle with the internal battle of wanting to avoid discomfort, even though deep down, we know that overcoming these challenges is essential for growth and success. For managers, this struggle is even more amplified. Our roles demand that we make difficult decisi...

Aug 20, 202430 min

319: The Hidden Reason Why People Are Unhappy at Work with Dr. Tessa West

Are you or your team members feeling unhappy at work? When discussing job dissatisfaction, people often point to issues like job title or compensation. However, we frequently overlook the fact that humans have complex emotions, and sometimes, we struggle to express what we truly feel. Thankfully, this week’s guest will help us explore what’s really going on beneath the surface and provide insights on how we can help ourselves and our team members reignite our passion for our careers. Today's gue...

Aug 13, 202431 min

318: How Body and Brain Awareness Can Make You a Better Manager with Amanda Blake

Imagine sensing the underlying emotions in a tense meeting or intuitively knowing when to steer a conversation in a more productive direction–all by tuning into your body’s signals . That’s how intelligent your body can be! Science says that your body knows more than you realize–it’s always sending you signals. Yet, we aren’t taught how to interpret these signals well, especially in a workplace setting. Thankfully, today’s guest is an expert in mind-body connection and will teach you how to deve...

Aug 06, 202433 min

317: Why Attributes Matter More Than Skills with Rich Diviney

Focus on attributes, not skills. So often, we are easily impressed by what we see on resumes or how someone performed during their last big project. But here’s the truth: skills are just one piece of the puzzle. If we focus too much on skills, we risk overlooking one of the most important drivers of human performance– attributes . Attributes play a key role not only in our daily tasks but also in navigating stress, challenges, and uncertainty when plans go awry. So, how can you leverage these at...

Jul 30, 202434 min

316: How to Spot and Outsmart a Narcissist at Work with Rebecca Zung

Are you struggling to deal with narcissistic personalities in your workplace? Working with a narcissist can feel like a never-ending battle. Their lack of empathy, manipulative skills, and constant need for admiration can easily create a tense atmosphere at work. So, how do you manage this type of toxic behavior and protect yourself and your team from the emotional turmoil brought on by a narcissist? Today’s guest might just have the best solution. Meet Rebecca Zung. Rebecca is a globally recogn...

Jul 23, 202436 min

315: Be a Better Leader By Embracing Radical Humility with Urs Koenig

As a manager, you are entrusted to lead and manage your team, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get things right. When you have power and authority, it can be challenging to own your shortfalls and mistakes. After all, you are someone that your team members look up to. But our guest thinks otherwise. He believes that showing up with radical humility builds trust, fosters connection, and creates a psychologically safe environment. So, how do you practice humility as a leader? Today’s guest is U...

Jul 16, 202431 min

314: Practical Tips for Better One-on-One Meetings with Steven Rogelberg

Have you ever felt that your one-on-one meetings aren’t as effective as they should be? Before you write them off your calendar, consider this: a Gallup study reveals that employees are three times more engaged when they experience regular one-on-ones. But let’s face it—one-on-ones take up a significant portion of your time. They aren’t as easy as asking your team members, “How are you?” . Fortunately, this week’s guest is here to help make your one-on-ones more valuable to you and your people. ...

Jul 09, 202431 min

313: How to Build Strong Relationships and Connections at Work with Patricia Bathory

As a manager, you have a lot on your plate. Investing in relational time can sometimes feel like a nice-to-have rather than a must-do. But making time to build strong relationships and connections at work should be your top priority. It’s the single most impactful thing you can do for your career. Why? Today’s guest explains it all. Today’s guest is Patricia Bathory. Patricia combines her roles as a seasoned psychotherapist and the founder of a thriving import/export business to offer unique ins...

Jul 02, 202429 min

312: 5 Delegation Tactics Every Leader Must Know

One of the toughest transitions for any leader is moving from doing the work to leading others who do the work. As a manager, it’s still expected that you’ll roll up your sleeves and get work done. However, as your role grows more complex, it becomes clear that effective leadership means empowering your team to take on more of those tasks. Delegating, however, isn’t as simple as it seems. Managers, often former high-performing contributors, can find it frustrating to hand off responsibilities, e...

Jun 25, 202415 min

311: 5-Step Powerful Framework for Mastering Project Management with Kory Kogon

When you think of project management , what first comes to mind? For many folks, it’s associated with getting certified to lead the execution of major projects. You can even hold the title of Project Manager in some businesses! Yet, much of what all managers do–setting goals, creating plans, managing teams–is essentially project management. We’ve quietly slipped into the project manager role, just without the official title. However, working intuitively in this capacity can lead to challenges. T...

Jun 18, 202436 min

310: How to Get Through A Stressful Conversation with Candice Elliott

Dealing with stressful conversations is never easy; whether you’re telling a client the project is delayed or relaying a bad performance review to a team member. But as managers, we can’t just avoid these conversations. Putting them off may protect us from our vulnerabilities, but they actually get in the way of having authentic and productive conversations with our teams. So, how do we navigate the emotional rollercoaster of a stressful conversation? How do we make sure they actually lead to so...

Jun 11, 202428 min

309: Proven Meeting Strategies That Boost Productivity with Yari Ising

Meetings are an important part of how we collaborate, but too often, they feel more like a waste of time rather than a productive engagement. How often have you left a meeting feeling like you’ve lost time and momentum? Our guest has found a way to reclaim your time and make every meeting count. Today’s guest is Yari Ising. Yari is the founder of The Ising Agency, a firm offering operations, recruiting, and admin support for stretched-thin in-house teams. With over 10 years of experience leading...

Jun 04, 202429 min

308: 3 Cs to Building a Winning Team with James Scouller

Teamwork makes the dream work. But does it? Most of us believe that being a team means nurturing teamwork, embracing camaraderie, and supporting each other emotionally. However, these factors, although very important, aren't essential for every type of team. Today’s guest will unpack what makes a team and how to build a strong one. Meet James Scouller. James is an executive coach, thought leader, former CEO, and expert in building teams. He is also the author of the trilogy How to Build Winning ...

May 28, 202438 min

307: How to Make the Transition Into a Manager Role with Eric Girard

Do you feel overwhelmed as you step into your first management role? Climbing up the corporate ladder can be exciting, but research shows that transitioning from an individual contributor into a manager role is one of the most challenging and stressful periods in a person’s career. Many new managers don’t easily make the psychological transition from an individual contributor paid to perform tasks to a manager entrusted with achieving results through others’ efforts. But that’s exactly what we n...

May 21, 202436 min

306: 4 AI Tools for Modern Managers to Skyrocket Your Productivity

Have you tried ChatGPT yet? AI is taking the business world by storm and AI tools have now become an integral part of daily workflows. While many businesses are already discovering ways to adopt and leverage AI, a lot of managers I speak with aren't sure how to take advantage of it. In this week's episode, I share my list of top picks of innovative AI tools that can dramatically boost your team's productivity. From AI-driven task generators that simplify project planning to advanced writing tool...

May 14, 202411 min

305: Be Vulnerable and Confident with Jacob Morgan

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 shed...

May 07, 202431 min

304: Become a Generous Leader with Joe Davis

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 our gue...

Apr 30, 202431 min
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