The Modern Manager

How often do you send an email only to spend hours clarifying it later? Or find yourself rewriting a team member’s work to get it “right”? Mastering written communication–whether in emails, reports, proposals, or Slack messages–is more important than ever given how we collaborate today. Thankfully, today’s guest is here to share the ins and outs of effective writing. Meet Davina Stanley. Davina is the founder of the Clarity First Program, which helps C-suite executives and their teams better engage senior leaders and boards in complex ideas. In this episode, Davina and I dive into how strategic thinking and structured frameworks can transform written communication, enabling managers and teams to convey their ideas with clarity and impact. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we explore how managers can empower their teams to write impactful communications and how AI can be a powerful tool to improve your writing skills. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Davina Stanley - Follow Davina on LinkedIn here - Check out her written works and other services here 20% Off All Resources Davina is giving members of Podcast+ 20% off all her resources which includes her online courses and other tools to help managers and their teams clarify and convey complex ideas. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

When it comes to leadership, emotional intelligence often gets overlooked. For years, the American work culture has emphasized suppressing emotions in the workplace. But times are changing. Today, emotional intelligence is as crucial as any leadership skill–if not the most essential. Our guest is here to show us why it matters and how to manage our emotions effectively. Meet Roberta Fernandez. Roberta is a professional development consultant specializing in emotional intelligence and organizational cultural change. She holds a Master Practitioner certification in NLP and is a Board-certified Hypnotherapist, making her uniquely skilled in understanding human behavior. Roberta’s past clients form a diverse portfolio, including Kemps, Sam’s Club, Target, Optum, Pentair, governments, academic institutions, and private small businesses. In this episode, Roberta and I explore the transformative power of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Roberta shares how emotions influence behavior and introduces practical tools for managing team dynamics effectively. With practical tips on staying calm in heated situations, navigating tough conversations, and recognizing workplace emotions, this episode is packed with insights to improve your leadership and collaboration skills. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Roberta Fernandez - Follow Roberta on LinkedIn and Instagram - Visit her website for more information here FREE Emotional Intelligence Assessment and the Frame Tool Roberta is providing members of Podcast+ with access to her emotional intelligence assessment as well as “the frame” tool, which she explains in the extended episode. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Imagine a workplace where every decision begins with a single, powerful question, “How will this affect our people?”. This is the cornerstone of a people-first culture–a philosophy that integrates employee well-being into every facet of a company’s operations. But what does this look like in action? Thankfully, this week’s guest is here to share what he’s learned along the way of building people-first organizations. Today’s guest is Michel Falcon. With 15 years of experience building his own companies, consulting for some of the largest, and writing a bestselling book, Michel has the real-world experience to share what exactly makes high-performing teams, how to design and deliver never-seen-before customer experiences and build thriving companies in any market. As a speaker, Michel has been on stages around the world from Toronto and New York to Riyadh and Melbourne leaving audiences with ideas they can apply within their organizations and teams instantly. Michel reveals how a focus on employees, customers, and stakeholders can drive lasting success. With strategies like 3P framework–Purpose, Process, and Profit–Michel explains why treating everyone as your “best customer” changes everything. In the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Michel shares his unusual hiring process, including group interviews, detailed career descriptions, and special onboarding gift–all designed to set employees up for success. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics not Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Michel Falcon - Follow Michel on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn - Visit Teams by Michel Falcon for more information here - Grab a copy of Michel’s book People-First Culture here FREE Consultation with Michel Falcon Michel is offering a free consultation to one member of Podcast+. You can use this time to get advice or pick Michel’s brain on how to help you, your team, or your organization, foster a people-first culture. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Great workshops deliver clarity, improved collaboration, and actionable outcomes. Now, imagine if you and your team could approach every workday with the same high energy and focus as you feel during a great workshop. That’s exactly what today’s guest is here to help us achieve–building a workshop culture in the workplace. Meet Alison Coward. Alison is the founder of Bracket, a consultancy that partners with ambitious, forward-thinking companies to help them build high-performing team cultures. She is a team culture coach, workshop facilitator, trainer, keynote speaker, and author of “Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams That Thrive” and “A Pocket Guide to Effective Workshops”. Her clients include Google, Meta, Wellcome, and the V&A. With 20 years of experience working in, leading, and facilitating creative teams, Alison is passionate about finding the balance between creativity, productivity, and collaboration so that teams can thrive and do their best work together. In this episode, Alison and I discuss what a workshop culture is, how it differs from traditional workplace models, and how managers can become effective facilitators. She also shares insights into what it looks like for a team to adopt a workshop culture, the behavioral changes that come with this shift, tips for translating workshop principles–like creativity, collaboration, and inclusion—into everyday team practices, and more. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Alison Coward - Grab a copy of Alison’s book: “Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams that Thrive” here - Follow Alison on LinkedIn here - Visit Bracket for more information here Book Discount: 30% off “Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams That Thrive” Alison is providing members of Podcast+ 30% off her book “Workshop Culture: A Guide to Building Teams That Thrive”. This book will show you how to create a happy and engaged team through small actions which lead to big results. It features a practical and accessible toolkit to help improve your team’s performance and productivity. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

For many years, organizations have leaned on traditional performance management to improve team performance and drive results. However, in today’s fast-changing business world, regular performance feedback–though still important–isn’t enough. That’s where Silver Lining’s Silver Belt Action Plan (SBAP) comes in. Meet Carissa Reiniger. Carissa is the Founder & CEO of Silver Lining, a company with a mission to change the global economy, one small business at a time. Silver Lining is an advocate for economic justice and believes that small businesses are a fundamental element in creating a more just global economy. They work with Small Business Owners from all backgrounds and have the data to prove that when you give anyone, regardless of their demographic details, equal access and opportunity, they can succeed. In this episode, Carissa offers actionable strategies to empower your team, optimize performance, and make professional growth a shared priority. We talk in detail about SBAP, how they allocate human and financial resources for this process, how it influences promotions and raises at Silver Lining, and more. Listen in to discover how you can start implementing this system today. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics “tough conversation” Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Carissa Reiniger - Follow Carissa on LinkedIn here - Check out SLAP’s Small Business Growth Program here - Visit Silver Lining for more information here FREE Silver Lining SBAP templates Carissa is providing members of Podcast+ with the actual questions and template that Silver Lining uses for their process. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Did you know that many workplaces unintentionally exclude trans and non-binary individuals? Part of the reason for this is the widespread assumption that humanity only fits neatly into two categories: men and women. However, this perspective has never been universally true–and it’s time we challenge it at work. Fortunately, our guest is here to help us understand these gender terminologies and how to build a truly gender-inclusive workplace. Today’s guest is Davey Shlasko. Davey is the founder and director of Think Again Training & Consulting. For over two decades, Davey has cultivated a practice of facilitating adult learning to drive organizational and systemic change for equity and justice, with a unique niche in transgender inclusion. In this episode, Davey defines the different gender terminologies we should be aware of and shares practical strategies for creating workplaces where everyone feels respected. From understanding gender pronouns to designing trans-inclusive policies, this conversation has actionable insights for fostering gender inclusivity at work. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics shouldn’t isn’t Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Davey Shlasko - Follow Davey on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram - Grab a copy of Davey’s Trans Allyship Workbook here - Visit Think Again Training for more information here Free PDF Checklist on Inclusivity Best Practices Davey is providing members of Podcast+ with a PDF checklist that will help you identify practices that are beginning to work toward inclusion, better practices for inclusion, and finally, “best practices.” To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Onboarding sets the tone for an employee’s success. It’s more than just paperwork and introductions–it’s about creating the foundation for engagement, productivity, and belonging. But how can you set your new hires up for success even before their first day of work? Today’s guest will walk us through how to onboard a new employee from start to finish. Meet Dr. Tiffany E. Slater. Tiffany is the Founder & CEO of HR TailorMade - THE human resource solution for small businesses and nonprofits. HR TailorMade partners with nonprofits and small businesses to provide seamless Fractional HR support for their teams. Dr. Tiffany has been an HR professional for over 25 years with experience in all aspects of human resources. She also has experience in a variety of sectors, including union and non-union, PK-12 public education, property management, manufacturing, and casino industries, to name a few. In this episode, Tiffany and I discuss the essential onboarding steps–from pre-start logistics like swag boxes and tech setup to embedding a culture of feedback and performance management. Learn how to keep your new employee engaged, productive, and excited from day one and gain practical tips you can implement immediately. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics really Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Dr. Tiffany E. Slater - Follow Dr. Tiffany on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook - Visit HR TailorMade’s website for more information here Free Download: Anatomy of a Difficult Conversation Tiffany is giving members of Podcast+ access to her PDF - Anatomy of a Difficult Conversation. This checklist helps prepare all of the information so that the conversation flows smoothly and you are able to answer questions and provide facts when needed. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. Kristel and I dive into why the traditional work-life balance model no longer works and explore practical tips for blending work with personal fulfillment. From intentional morning routines to micro-breaks and building trust within your team, Kristel highlights how small, powerful changes can transform how you show up at work daily. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Kristel Bauer - Follow Kristel on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter - Listen to Live Greatly podcast here - Subscribe to her YouTube channel here FREE Stress Management Checklist Kristel is providing her Stress Management Checklist for FREE to members of Podcast+. This PDF includes tips and examples of six approaches Kristel recommends to help you incorporate stress management practices into your life. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 band guitarist. In this week’s episode, Brian reveals his framework for unlocking hidden potential in every team member. His approach revolves around simple, effective tools that empower employees by defining decision-making authority, mapping team competencies, and identifying the hidden costs that hinder productivity. Join the conversation now and learn how to maximize your team’s impact through smarter yet simpler delegation tactics! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics isn’t Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Brian Irwin - Follow Brian on LinkedIn here - Download his book here - Visit his official website for more information here FREE Hidden Cost Assessment Engagement Brian is offering one member of Podcast+ a hidden costs assessment, usually priced at $10,000. Brian will interview your team members and produce a custom report that includes quotes and a breakout of hidden costs by category. Prior engagements have identified an average of $50,000 per person in hidden costs identified! To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 international corporate clients in high-profile matters, including over a decade as the chief employment attorney for a major global media company, Peter founded The Rahbar Group, a boutique employment law practice based in New York City. Peter specializes in representing individuals, including C-Suite executives, media personalities, and other professionals working in finance, media, sports, real estate, fashion, and tech. In this episode, Peter shares essential legal tips for managers: understanding company policies, maintaining professional boundaries, and handling complaints properly. He discusses why managers should avoid treating their teams like a family, how to respond to health disclosures and accommodations, and more. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics familycan’t Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Peter Rahbar - Connect with Peter on LinkedIn and Instagram - Visit the Rahbar Group’s official website here FREE 30-minute Consultation with Peter Peter is offering a free 30-minute consultation for one member of Podcast+. To enter the drawing, you must be a member and submit your name by Wednesday, November 27th. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 hours in their workday, and reduce time spent in their email inbox. Leslie's work has been featured in outlets like Fast Company, The Huffington Post, and Business Management Daily. In this episode, Leslie shares her game-changing strategies for creating a comprehensive workload management system that ties together task, time, email, and information management. You’ll learn why task management, not project management, is the key to personal productivity and how to break down your tasks into small, manageable actions. We also talk about strategies for protecting your time, mastering your inbox, and getting more done in a day with less stress. Tune in now and discover how to build a workload system that works for you. Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Hintwon’t Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Leslie Shreve - Follow Leslie on LinkedIn and Facebook - Subscribe to her YouTube channel here - Take the productivity quiz now here - Sign up for a FREE 52-week productivity audio series here - Get the special report on Seven Surprising Secrets to Saving Time here - Visit her website for more information here FREE Video on Taskology® Task Management + 20% Off the Full Course Leslie is giving members of Podcast+ a FREE Video on Taskology® Task Management + 20% Off the Full Course. When you dive into the first video in the series for Taskology® Task Management, you'll discover the 3 essentials for getting more accomplished in less time with less stress. You'll also discover the Top 6 Benefits of using a central, digital task list and why this type of list will support you in working more proactively and less reactively, in addition to giving you more clarity, confidence, and control in your workday. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 technology startups, Christopher developed TeamDynamics to address the limitations of traditional personality tests. His innovative framework, grounded in research and practical experiments, focuses on four key dimensions of team interaction to enhance organizational performance and foster successful, collaborative teams. Today, Christopher explains how TeamDynamics helps leaders enhance collaboration, make better decisions, and improve execution. Plus, in the extended episode available only to Podcast+ members, he offers practical advice on what to do when your team’s preferences don’t align with your leadership style. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics better worse aren’t what you want how your team works Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Christopher Morrison - Reach out to Christopher at christopher@teamdynamics.io - Visit TeamDynamics for more information here 10% Off TeamDynamics Pro Christopher is providing members of Podcast+ 10% Off TeamDynamics Pro. Invite your team to complete the assessment and receive a guide for understanding how modern teams work together, personalized for your team. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 inclusive for Gen Z and Millennials through her Dream Career Accelerator coaching program. As a coach, Madeline is known for helping her clients build the strongest career foundation possible by aligning their work and values, increasing visibility and influence through effective communication, and dismantling limiting self-beliefs that lead to perfectionism, people-pleasing, or despondency. In this episode, Madeline shares practical insights on how managers can step up to support their young team members in developing the skills they need to succeed. From redefining professionalism to fostering ownership and modeling effective communication, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics isn’t Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Madeline Miller - Follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok - Visit her website for more information here FREE Communications Style Tutorial and Worksheet Madeline is providing a Free Communications Style Tutorial and Worksheet. The short video introduces the different communication styles and provides a short exercise you can do to reduce communicating poorly when under pressure. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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, and small businesses. She launched People Principles in 2020 where she helps founders scale and lead their teams with HR and recruiting services. She's also the host of the World's Greatest Boss podcast. In this episode, Jackie and I talk about the dos and don’ts of firing someone from your team. We dive into how to determine if firing is the right decision, and the steps managers should take to prepare for these difficult conversations. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jackie discusses the legal aspects of firing, what to do (and what not to do) to protect yourself and your organization, and how to manage the aftermath with your team. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics never Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Jackie Koch - Follow Jackie on LinkedIn and Instagram - Check out her website for more information here - Subscribe to her podcast, World’s Greatest Boss here 5 Complimentary HR Audits Jackie is generously offering five free HR audits to members of Podcast+. Normally priced at $249, the HR Audit includes a self-assessment and a 60-minute call with Jackie or her business partner to review everything and talk through suggested changes to implement. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 tank Hack Future Lab, he helps leaders find the upside of disruption and rethink leadership for a post-AI world. He has been described as “an influential and outspoken expert on the future of leadership” by Thinkers50, the global authority on today’s top business thinkers. Today, Terence and I discuss why disruption shouldn’t be feared and how we can reframe it as an opportunity rather than a threat. We’ll also dive into practical strategies for reducing complexity within organizations, how to democratize change, unlocking your inner disruption muscle, and more. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Terence Mauri - Connect with Terence on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram - Subscribe to his YouTube channel here - Grab a copy of his book here - Visit his official website for more information here Book Discount: The Upside Of Disruption: The Path To Leading And Thriving in the Unknown Terence is providing members of Podcast+ with a discount on his book The Upside Of Disruption: The Path To Leading And Thriving in the Unknown. In the book, you'll find the future-ready insights and tools you need to lead for today and prepare your organization for tomorrow. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 on global talent management and the future of work. Recognized as a leading authority in navigating the complexities of international talent acquisition, Jonathan is the founder of Lundi, a global talent firm specializing in innovative strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing top talent across borders. In this episode, Jonathan and I discuss why companies of all sizes should consider hiring internationally. He also shares key components for hiring remote talent and emphasizes that global hiring should be a strategic decision, not just a cost-cutting measure. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jonathan reveals how to set yourself up for a successful hire. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Jonathan Romley - Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn here - Tap into the global talent pool here - Grab a copy of Jonathan’s book: Winning the Global Talent War here - Get insights on winning the global talent war here Book Giveaway: 5 copies of Winning the Global Talent War Jonathan is giving away 5 copies of his book Winning the Global Talent War. This book is your ultimate guide to mastering global talent acquisition and employee management. This compelling leadership development guide intertwines meticulous analysis, poignant case studies, and expert perspectives, empowering you to seamlessly traverse the intricate terrain of today's workforce dynamics. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 a movement that empowers organizations across the globe, delivering over 50 keynote addresses a year on the pivotal topics of meaningful work and inclusion. His mission is to ignite a transformation in corporate culture, guiding organizations and individuals to ascend to their peak potential through mastery of mindset, purpose, and performance. Justin and I talk about strategies for handling disagreements at work respectfully and productively–without compromising relationships. He shares the “Power of Three,” a technique that digs deep into conversations, ensuring both sides feel heard. Plus, we explore how practicing respectful disagreement can actually lead to better ideas, more innovation, stronger teams, and more. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Upskill your team here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Justin Jones-Fosu - Follow Justin on LinkedIn here - Grab a copy of Justin’s book here - Check out his website for more information here - Check out Justin’s book recommendation - Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together here FREE PDF: Tips for the Modern Manager to Respectfully Disagree Justin is providing members of Podcast+ with a free PDF that includes Tips for the Modern Manager to Respectfully Disagree. In this 20-page PDF, you will find a series of 10 Quick Tips from Work Meaningful for individuals, leaders, and those navigating the political divide. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 is the Founder of Lead Above Noise - a firm specializing in activating teams - and the host of the Modern Mentor podcast. In this episode, Rachel and I dive deeper into the common misconception that results and engagement are at odds. She shares insightful, real-world examples of how small, incremental changes can transform both your business outcomes and your teams’ well-being. Plus, in the extended episode available to members of Podcast+, we talk about navigating pushbacks when implementing changes and fostering team cohesion through compromise and understanding. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Level up your skills here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Rachel Cooke - Subscribe to Rachel’s The Modern Mentor podcast here - Follow her on LinkedIn here - Check out her website for more information here FREE: Leader Activation Worksheet Rachel is providing members of Podcast+ with free access to her Leader Activation Worksheet. It's a compliment to the conversation we just had about the four pillars of activation - what it is, why it matters, and how to achieve it. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 productivity to eliminate distraction, perfectionism, and self-sabotage to maximize results personally and professionally. And, she just released her newest book, The Reset Mindset: Get Unstuck, Focus on What Matters Most, and Reach Your Goals Faster. Penny shares a powerful strategy for real-time resets, ensuring you’re always aligned with your most important goals, even during the chaos. She explains the difference between a reset mindset and a growth mindset, the benefits of practicing a reset mindset, how managers can make it a part of their team culture, and more. Whether you’re a manager looking to boost your team’s performance or simply someone who wants to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters, this episode is a must-listen. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Build your team’s skills here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here - Listen to Mamie on the Take Back Time podcast talking about productive meetings here Keep up with Penny Zenker - Follow Penny on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram - Subscribe to her YouTube channel here - Catch her on the Take Back Time podcast here - Grab a copy of her book here FREE 125 Daily Planner Download Penny is providing her 135 Daily Planning workshop for free to members of Podcast+. Most to-do lists get you lost in the little stuff. The 135 Daily Planner helps you balance what is urgent and important so you can focus on what matters most. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

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 like. Today’s guest is Gaia van der Esch. Gaia is an author, CEO, and policy expert. Above all, though, she sees herself as a change-maker. Gaia is currently the managing director of a large international foundation working to halt climate change, poverty, and exclusion, and previously served as the G20 Sherpa on gender equality. Her new book “Leading Our Way: How Women Are Redefining Leadership” was released recently by Wiley. Amongst others, she was nominated by Forbes in their 30under30 list. In this episode, Gaia and I discuss what great leadership actually entails. Drawing on examples from influential women like Christina Figueres and Gloria Steinem, Gaia dives into how leaders can cultivate empathy, embrace vulnerability, and shift from hierarchical to circular leadership models. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Gaia reveals the transformative effect of embracing your authentic leadership style and offers insights on how to help your team members do the same. Tune in to discover how you can lead your way. Join the conversation now! Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Conversation Topics with over Additional Resources: - Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month - Read the full transcript here - Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here - Build your team’s skills here - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here Keep up with Gaia van der Esch - Connect with Gaia on LinkedIn and Instagram - Grab a copy of her book here - Visit Gaia’s website for more information here 20% Off Leading Our Way: How Women Are Redefining Leadership In this book, Gaia shares an inspiring collection of leadership stories from seven iconic women around the world. These stories explore new leadership models, concepts, and tools to inspire action and solve global challenges. To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community. --------------------- The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done. Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!