If you've ever felt tension with someone at work, and wasn't sure how to handle it, this episode is for you. First, I'll walk you through the foundation of all my work -- being Present, Curious, and Kind -- and why it's so effective in a range of situations. Then, I'll share an approach to tension at work that puts you in the position for being most influential and thinking strategically. It will help you be a more effective manager, and feel more confident even with dealing with discomfort and ...
Dec 26, 2022•23 min•Ep. 103
Have you been in a situation where someone asked you a question, and it felt weird? Maybe you weren't sure how to respond, or weren't certain of the person's intentions. Maybe you felt nervous and your mind went blank. When you're a new manager, you'll be asked questions a lot -- and you might think that your job is to answer quickly with the correct answer. But it's not! If that seems counter-intuitive, listen to learn a mindset and specific tactic for what to do instead. Let's discuss! After t...
Dec 19, 2022•21 min•Ep. 102
Back in November I taught a workshop on Boundaries with Love, and in today's episode you get to hear the replay. Just in time for the holidays. Great managers have a solid working understanding of boundaries, and know how to use them to create more trust (and keep themselves out of over working). You'll also use boundaries to create great relationships in your personal life, too. In this episode you'll learn more about boundaries with love and why it makes such a difference -- at work, and in yo...
Dec 12, 2022•38 min•Ep. 101
For the 100th episode, first we celebrate! Then I talk about Data, Story, and Emotion. When you understand how these three elements work together, you will become a more effective manager. Think in terms of how data, story, and emotion work and you will be more influential, a better communicator, and have more confidence in your own decisions and manager style. Let's discuss! After the episode: Book a consult for 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Learn more: https://kimnic...
Dec 05, 2022•22 min•Ep. 100
As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility, you may start to get feedback about "developing executive presence." If you've ever felt confused by what that means, you're not alone! It's rarely something we learn about early in our work life, and it's often not described in much detail. So it can seem elusive and ambiguous. In this episode, I break down how I think about Executive Presence and give some specific examples to help new managers think about what exactly it means, ...
Nov 28, 2022•23 min•Ep. 99
When you manage people, it can be hard to know if you're doing a good job! And if you're an achievement-oriented person, it's easy to feel frustrated or discouraged when you don't know how you're doing. In this episode, I walk you through a process for thinking about this. So you don't have to feel adrift and uncertain, and can keep track of how you're doing as a manager. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Join the email...
Nov 21, 2022•20 min•Ep. 98
Do you have a high performer on your team, and you aren't sure how you're supposed to manage them? In this episode you'll learn about three common pitfalls to be aware of: 1) Neglect 2) Self-Doubt, and 3) Over-Reliance. Plus, suggestions for what to do if your team member seems frustrated or impatient for a raise, or is looking to you for guidance on what to do next. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Join the email list: https://kimni...
Nov 14, 2022•23 min•Ep. 97
Being a new manager requires a new mindset: the way you think about your role, responsibilities, and challenges. There are three mindsets that new managers often adopt, that can be unintentionally limiting: 1) Do more of the same, 2) Do the opposite of what you've seen a bad manager do, or 3) Do what works best for you, personally. These will get in your way because: 1) What got you here won't get you there, 2) You don't want to base your management style on a bad experience, and 3) People vary,...
Nov 07, 2022•21 min•Ep. 96
Reflection Questions are not about having the "right" answer, or giving an answer that will gain the approval or praise of someone else. The beauty of Reflection Questions is they help you to think a bit differently about your own experience, so you can see your inner wisdom and gather your personal insight. In this episode I share 6 Reflection Questions that will help you think about your work and life, to prepare you to make strategic decisions as you move towards the end of the year. Let's di...
Oct 31, 2022•20 min•Ep. 95
Managing people isn't just about managing tasks and work -- it includes managing personalities, shielding your team, and more. There's a new level of emotional labor that comes with being a leader and people manager. It's also common to feel more isolated and lonely as you gain more responsibility, and feel like you have to be more guarded about what you share and who you can talk with. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultatio...
Oct 24, 2022•21 min•Ep. 94
Great managers learn how to be present. It helps you build trust, and stay grounded and calm so you can be responsive instead of reactive. Let's discuss! After the episode: Book a consult for 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation
Oct 17, 2022•22 min•Ep. 93
"What do other people think of me?" If you have a tendency to be a perfectionist (and, thus, very self-judging), high empathy or people-pleasing, this question may pop up a lot in your mind. It may activate your anxiety, and have you holding yourself back as a way to play it safe. But there's another way to look at this -- a small shift in perspective that can grow your confidence and focus. Let's discuss! After the episode: Book a consult to work with me 1:1: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consu...
Oct 10, 2022•22 min•Ep. 92
Leadership Orientation is on June 18:: https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ________________ Where does confidence come from? And if you receive feedback about being more confident at work, how do you do that? In this episode you'll learn the difference between Performative Confidence and Authentic Confidence, and why knowing where the basis of your confidence is, is so im...
Oct 03, 2022•25 min•Ep. 91
Bonus episode! "You don't get what you don't ask for." Learning how to ask is a skill. You can get better at it. Even if you're an introvert, conflict-avoidant, or just don't like asking anyone for anything. If you want to learn how to speak up for yourself at work, come to my free workshop on Monday October 3rd. Self-Advocacy 101: How to Speak Up for Yourself at Work. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/self-advocacy-101-tickets-427575879967...
Sep 28, 2022•5 min
Think you're in competition with a colleague? In this episode, a listener writes in to ask for guidance when they and their coworker are both up for promotion. And, as a manager, you might find yourself in a similar situation -- where two people on your team want a promotion, and you'll have to (1) make a decision about who and when, and (2) communicate the news. Let's discuss! After the show: Work with me 1:1, book a consult to get started: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Submit your...
Sep 26, 2022•16 min•Ep. 90
As a new manager, you might feel a tendency to people-please flare up. It can get in the way by causing you to overwork (by having no boundaries), communicate poorly (by avoiding conversations or not being direct), or creating more pressure and anxiety (by ruminating). In this episode, you'll see what creates the impulse to people-please, and what to do instead. So you can be intentional in making decisions, and use your people-pleasing awareness for the best. Let's discuss! After the show: For ...
Sep 19, 2022•25 min•Ep. 89
Leadership Orientation is on June 18:: https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ________________ What if you're a new manager who is managing people who are older than you, or who have more experience than you? One of my listeners wrote to me asking about this, and it's such a good question. In this episode I talk about the pressure you might feel, the importance of being clea...
Sep 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 88
Leadership Orientation is on June 18: https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ________________ Many new managers get feedback to be more assertive. What does that mean? How do you do it? Let's discuss! After the show: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/discovery-call Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/...
Sep 05, 2022•23 min•Ep. 87
Being a human means you have access to all the emotions -- as does everyone you work with! Becoming a manager will bring up everything from self-doubt, fear of failure, and frustration. . . to connection, inspiration, and confidence. The best part of work is when we feel proud, valued, and respected. The worst is when we feel a lack of trust, discouraged, or chronically frustrated. Understanding emotions are important for every manager (and human, lets be honest.) In this episode we walk through...
Aug 29, 2022•19 min•Ep. 86
When you start managing people, you will be making new decisions about how you use your time. Some of your time will be in strategic thinking and planning, some will be in execution, some in communicating, and other relationship management tasks. You must learn how to use your time well, rather than letting yourself feel overwhelmed -- which leads to avoidance, reactivity, and never feeling like you have a handle on things. Each week, take a moment to pause and ask yourself: What am I spending m...
Aug 22, 2022•20 min•Ep. 85
Leadership Orientation is on June 18: https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ________________ You're not managing people yet, but it's the next step and you want to start preparing. In this episode we'll talk about how you can start developing your mindset, before you shift from IC to people manager. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly....
Aug 15, 2022•24 min•Ep. 84
As a manager, part of your job is to speak up. But as a human, you might feel anxious or reluctant to do so. What holds us back from speaking up at work? And how can you learn to have more authentic confidence to speak up? Let's discuss. -- I'm taking new clients! To work with me 1:1, book a consult and we'll talk about where you are, where you want to be, and how we can work together to get you there. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Or go to my website for more: https:/...
Aug 08, 2022•21 min•Ep. 83
Leadership Orientation is on June 18: https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2: https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies ________________ One reason we hold on to anxiety and perfection is because of an underlying belief that you need them to be successful. You might think that perfection makes you detail oriented, and anxiety motivates you towards achievement -- and you may have been rewarded for them! In this ep...
Aug 01, 2022•23 min•Ep. 82
Having friends at work makes our work experience much more rewarding. In this episode, learn four things that great work friendships have. And learn how to think about balancing friendships with people who report to you. --- I'm accepting new clients! Book a consult here: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation
Jul 25, 2022•18 min•Ep. 81
There are three skills every manager needs: Advocacy, Giving Feedback, and Boundaries. Today we explore how they all connect. When you know what you want, the next step is to consider how to go about making happen. Is it something you need to advocate for? Do you need to give someone feedback, to create a desired change? Or is this a boundary issue that requires you to clarify an agreement with yourself? Let's discuss. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/ki...
Jul 18, 2022•13 min•Ep. 80
Being human means going through highs and lows. Let's talk about what that means for you as a manager. And: what happens when you realize you don't love what you do? In this episode you'll learn how a small shift in perspective can help you're feeling discouraged. To work with Kim 1:1, go to https://kimnicol.com/
Jul 11, 2022•17 min•Ep. 79
If you've managed child care for your family, then you have experience managing people. You've had to interview, hire, and onboard a new team member. You've had to manage schedules, evaluate performance, and give feedback. In this episode, let's talk about the connections between managing child care and being a manager at work. To work with me 1:1, go to: https://kimnicol.com/coaching/
Jul 04, 2022•17 min•Ep. 78
Many folks are uncomfortable setting boundaries because it can feel confrontational, like something you're putting against someone else. Or boundaries can feel like a rule you set for other people. But a boundary isn't about controlling other people. Here's a way to think about it instead. It may help you create boundaries more easily.
Jun 27, 2022•14 min•Ep. 77
Being overly self-critical and diminishing your skills and accomplishments is one way to keep yourself small. When you start to take up more space, it might feel weird -- like you're boasting, or being arrogant. There's another way to think about it. Rather than making yourself smaller or puffing yourself up into arrogance, this episode will give you a way to think about that let's you be "right" sized. To work with me, go to my website and sign up for my waitlist: https://kimnicol.com/coaching/...
Jun 20, 2022•9 min•Ep. 76
Being ambitious does not mean you need to be great at everything. And when you focus on what you're not good at, you're more likely to overlook and diminish what you are good at. In this episode we look at where this story comes from, how it effects you at work, and what to do instead. We'll talk about three types of family pressure and one common career pressure (especially if you are underrepresented at work), so you can identify these in your own life. To work with me for 1:1 coaching, go to ...
Jun 13, 2022•17 min•Ep. 75
