How do you get out of overwhelm? This episode walks you through the story of how one client found a path out. You'll hear how she first approached the challenge, what shifted after she started coaching, and what changed as a result. You'll learn more about human-centered leadership and why self-awareness and skill are so important to creating a sustainable solution. It must begin with you. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult here: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/cons...
Aug 14, 2023•18 min•Ep. 132
Every manager will face situations that create feelings of anxiety. Which is why Self-Care is so important, especially when it comes to human-centered leadership. In this episode you'll learn more about how to think about Self-Care, why it makes you a more effective manager, how connection reduces anxiety, and more. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult here: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Learn more about the Cartier Women's Initiative here: https://www....
Aug 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 131
If you avoid confrontation, you're not alone! Many new managers are uncomfortable with confrontation, especially if you've had success by keeping a low profile, keeping your head down, and working hard to keep the peace. Being an effective communicator means that sometimes you'll have to be direct -- even if you fear confrontation. In this episode, I'll break down what a confrontation really is, and then walk you through an approach to help you get past the habit of avoiding confrontations. So y...
Jul 24, 2023•19 min•Ep. 130
Being a great manager doesn't mean having all the answers. There are many times you will need to coach someone on your team, or get curious about why something isn't happening. You'll want to know how the other person is thinking, what their process is, and where they're going off course -- so you can understand how best to help. That's when to use this phrase: "Walk me through. . ." Listen to learn more about how and when to use this phrase to unlock more clarity, understanding, trust, and poss...
Jul 17, 2023•13 min•Ep. 129
If you look at your calendar and feel like you don't have enough boxes of time for all the things on your To Do list, this episode will help! Learn 5 ways to think about managing your time so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Each one is like a lens: 1) Energy, 2) Attention, 3) Emotions, 4) Decision Making, and 5) Communication. When you see a bit differently and develop your skills, it will change how you work with the time you have, and you'll be more effective in a way that works...
Jul 10, 2023•29 min•Ep. 128
To give effective feedback, there is one question you must ask yourself first. In this episode, learn more about giving effective feedback and why it's important to develop this skill in your career -- and the sooner, the better! Plus, if you're introvert or are just feeling a little more socially awkward these days, you'll get some ideas that will help you feel prepared for in-person events and gatherings. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com...
Jun 26, 2023•23 min•Ep. 127
Learn about the difference between Decision Making, Discretion, and Influence and what they can look like in the workplace. You will use them all throughout your career, and when you become a manager the way you think about them will begin to change. As a leader, you must become more aware of how you make decisions -- because it becomes a bigger part of your job, even (or especially) in times of uncertainty or imperfect information. The more you begin to understand about Discretion and Influence...
Jun 19, 2023•22 min•Ep. 126
One of the most-listened to episodes is about the Support & Authority Map. It's a framework that will help you be more effective by adjusting the amount of Support and Authority (like giving clear direction, making decisions, etc) you bring to any relationship or situation. A good manager knows how to be flexible, so you can work with a range of people and situations. This will give you a tool to help you understand what that can look like, and why you see certain patterns of behavior (in yo...
Jun 14, 2023•27 min•Ep. 125
One of the best ways to learn about how to be an effective manager is to be observant about your own experience -- just being a person and engaging with the world. In this episode you'll hear about my experience volunteering for something, and some key insights and examples I gathered about onboarding, managing people, and being a leader. After the episode: If you're in SF and want to join one of the clean-up events, check out the schedule here: https://www.mobilize.us/togethersf/ Join the newsl...
Jun 06, 2023•26 min•Ep. 124
Being more confident doesn't mean you never have doubts. It means that you can move forward even when they pop up. How? By recognizing the thoughts that hold you back, and then being curious about what might be possible anyway. In this episode you'll learn more about the sneaky thought, "What's the point?" and how to not let it stop you. And, you'll learn why now is the perfect time to ask about professional development at work. When you're a manager, you'll need to develop new skills and abilit...
May 29, 2023•17 min•Ep. 123
Communicating is not just about the words you say, but the way in which you say them. Let's discuss! After the episode: Sign up for class here . Join the mailing list for updates: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ Schedule a consult to discuss 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation...
May 22, 2023•14 min•Ep. 122
At some point you will think: "How do I get this person to. . .?" You might be thinking about your manager, and how to manage up. Or you might be wondering why a person on your team isn't changing, even though you've already given them feedback about something. When you start managing people, you need to think more about how to get work done through others -- it's no longer just about you doing a task. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kim...
May 15, 2023•24 min•Ep. 121
The topic of money will almost always bring up emotions. And when you're a manager, you are pretty much guaranteed to have more money conversations. It could be when someone on your team who wants a promotion or a raise, or when you're hiring someone new. Or it might be when you get promoted and are now managing your friends -- and now can see what everyone's salary is. In this episode you'll get some perspective and ideas that for how to feel more confident when you have money conversations as ...
May 01, 2023•24 min•Ep. 120
When you're a manager, you'll think about employee Engagement differently than when you were an IC. In this episode, learn why Engagement is so important, and how Mindset and Attitude play a role. When you have better understanding of what creates Engagement (or Disengagement!), you'll have a better idea of how you can address it with your team. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Join the mailing list: https://kimn...
Apr 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 119
Saying No is a leadership skill. If you want to get better at it, you're invited to my free class on The Gentle No . Many of my 1:1 clients work with me on how become more confident when and how to say No in a variety of situation. It's one of my favorite things to teach, and I can't wait to share more in class. I'll talk more about this topic later in the podcast, but if you want to join live for class then register here . To find out about future classes and workshops, follow me on LinkedIn: h...
Apr 21, 2023•1 min
This episode is about Mindfulness as a Skill of Attention and how it can help you as a manager. Specifically, using mindfulness to help you: (1) identify early signs that something is "off", so you can address small issues before they become big issues, (2) not take things personally, and (3) apply this to managing up, down, and across. Let's discuss! After the episode: Book a consult to talk about 1:1 coaching HERE Join the mailing list and learn more about the group program that starts in May ...
Apr 17, 2023•26 min•Ep. 118
When you're really good at something, and then start managing people, it's easy to forget that: 1) being a manager is a different job and 2) there is a learning curve. It's also easy to forget that what works with one person, situation, or team might not be effective in another -- because people vary. So if you try to be "perfect" from the start, you end up putting pressure on yourself, second-guessing yourself, and delaying decision making. Instead, think in terms of process (not perfection). I...
Apr 10, 2023•17 min•Ep. 117
A lot of stress and overworking comes from feeling not in control, and thinking that the only way to be in control is to just do everything yourself. This is hard when you realize there will always be more things to do. It becomes unsustainable, and can keep you stuck feeling overwhelmed, always behind, and responding just to whatever is happening in the moment. Instead, you want to take time to pause, take a step back, and get a bigger perspective. Think of it like pulling off the racetrack for...
Apr 03, 2023•19 min•Ep. 116
As a manager, you make a lot of decisions. When you're in a situation where things aren't going to plan, how do you decide what to do? One way is to ask yourself: Where is my growth? That will help you pause, take a more strategic perspective, and make a grounded decision. Let's discuss! After the episode: Join the email list to learn when the next group coaching program opens: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ Book a consult to talk with Kim about 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/con...
Mar 27, 2023•17 min•Ep. 115
When you're a manager, you might feel caught in the middle between leadership and your team. I think of this as the "squeeze", when you feel like everyone is unhappy and you can't figure out how to solve it. Your manager is pushing you for more, while your team is struggling with their workload, and you're hearing it from both sides. What to do? In this episode you'll learn more about what happens when you feel caught in the middle, and feel like a failure. Let's discuss! After the episode: For ...
Mar 13, 2023•22 min•Ep. 114
Ever been told you need to "toughen up" or be harder on yourself? Have you noticed how that approach tends to create more self-judgment, resistance, and stress? When being hard stops working, go to Compassion. Managing people is hard enough without the extra pressure from an internal critic. When you call in Compassion, it makes things easier so you can move forward with more ease. It's a more effective way to work, and more fulfilling way to live. Let's discuss! After the episode: To talk about...
Mar 06, 2023•17 min•Ep. 113
Being a great manager doesn't require you to be a hero. But sometimes I see my clients slip into that mindset. It often looks like perfectionism, and anxiety about how others see you. It leads to overworking, isolating, and being overly responsible. It also creates a lot of pressure, feeling like everything is on your shoulders and it's up to you to keep everything together (no mistakes allowed!). In this episode, you'll learn more about why the hero mindset is easy to slip into, and how it will...
Feb 27, 2023•21 min•Ep. 112
Ever feel like you need to "push back" but don't know how? When you're a manager, there are a lot of times this comes up: you might get a request from *your* leadership, or be in conversations with another team about who will do what. If you've ever felt like you didn't know how to push back, or you are just highly conflict avoidant, this episode will help you. A small shift makes a big difference. Let's discuss! After the episode: Schedule a consult to discuss 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com...
Feb 20, 2023•22 min•Ep. 111
When you feel frustrated, how you identify the problem is everything! Because the way you see the problem will limit the solutions you find. And when it comes to working with humans, it's important to not fall into the pattern of blaming people and personalities. It's easy to do, especially when it's a communication issue. But doing so will keep you stuck and feeling helpless. Instead, learn to think beyond your initial reaction -- and look at things in terms of process, system, and context. Thi...
Feb 13, 2023•22 min•Ep. 110
Feel like you're struggling as a manager? Are you doubting yourself, feeling like maybe it's not a great fit? In this episode we look at three things that can be a factor: your work environment, your sense of agency, and your autonomy. Work environment includes physical things (e.g., furniture, lighting, etc) as well as the culture of your organization. Agency is your capacity to take action in a situation. Autonomy is your bigger picture perspective on how much freedom you have to make decision...
Feb 06, 2023•23 min•Ep. 109
As you rise in leadership and managing people, you'll need to hone some specific communications skills. Advocacy (for self and others), speaking up, having tough conversations, being direct, giving feedback, and establishing boundaries. To do that, you need more than information about what to say -- you need to grow your mindset so that you will apply what you've learned in an authentic way. This has everything to do with understanding yourself, and recognizing the emotions that drive behaviors....
Jan 30, 2023•26 min•Ep. 108
Ever heard the saying, "You don't get what you don't ask for."? Many organizations are happy to pay for professional development for their people -- especially new managers. After all, when you learn how to be more confident and do your job better. . . you do your job better, and the organization directly benefits. But how exactly do you make that ask? A lot of my students feel uncertain about how to do this, at first. In today's episode, I walk you though the framework I've shared for years, th...
Jan 23, 2023•51 min•Ep. 107
What do you do when you need to have a tough conversation, but you're afraid of conflict? One of my listeners submitted this question, and it's something that many new managers struggle with. Today I'll walk you through two steps to think about, so you can move forward. Let's discuss! After the episode: Get all the details about my new group program! Go to: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ We start Feb 14 and early bird pricing is available until Jan 22. Register now to join!...
Jan 19, 2023•13 min•Ep. 106
Learning how to work with emotions is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a manager. It will make you better at managing up, managing your team, and managing clients. It's also a key to understanding why you might be avoiding tough conversations, or giving feedback -- because you're worried about the emotional response from the other person. In this episode you'll learn why emotions are valuable, and a few ideas for working with them. Let's discuss! After the episode: Book a consu...
Jan 09, 2023•14 min•Ep. 105
Being a great manager means developing your relational skills -- not just communication skills, but an understanding of how to effectively manage different personalities, have tough conversations, and think strategically. In this episode you'll get three questions to help you start the new year right. When you know when, why, and how to use them, you'll be better prepared for whatever comes your way this year. After the episode: Join my email list to learn about upcoming workshops and webinars: ...
Jan 02, 2023•20 min•Ep. 104
