Many of us fall into the perfectionist trap. Whether it’s because of strict bosses, high academic standards, or just self-motivation, perfectionism is more common than you’d think. While it’s important and healthy to strive to do our best work, at some point all managers have to acknowledge that people will make mistakes and good enough can truly be good enough. 
 Today’s guest is Thomas Curran. Thomas is a professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and author of a landmark study that the BBC hailed as “the first to compare perfectionism across generations.” His TED Talk on perfectionism has received more than three million views. His research has been featured in media ranging from the Harvard Business Review to New Scientist to CNN and he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. 
 Thomas and I talk about, no surprise, perfectionism. He shares the problems that come from being a perfectionist and working in a perfectionist culture, what’s really driving perfectionist tendencies, how to identify someone struggling with perfectionism, and of course, what to do to manage perfectionist tendencies in yourself and how to help others. Members of the Modern Manager community get a chance to win 1 of 5 copies of “The Perfection Trap”.  
Get it when you join the Modern Manager community. 
 Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. 
 Read the related blog article: Stop Perfectionism From Impeding Your Team’s Success 
 KEEP UP WITH THOMAS Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Trap-Embracing-Power-Enough/dp/1982149531 Read the Full Transcript. 
 Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:53 What is perfectionism?04:20 What are the harms of always striving for perfection?06:57 A story of unhealthy perfectionism09:29 How can managers give feedback to perfectionists?11:02 How to shift out of perfectionism thinking20:59 Creating a work environment that doesn’t set a perfectionist standard28:31 A great manager Thomas worked for30:45 Keeping up with Thomas31:50 [Extended episode only] Is it true that some aspects of perfectionism lead to success?39:12 [Extended episode only] What is the link between perfectionism and procrastination?
Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $15 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks 


266: The Truth About Perfectionism (And What To Do About It) with Thomas Curran

Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Learn more at: https://themodernmanager.com/

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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 guest offers profound insights into this leadership style. 
 Today’s guest is Joe Davis. Joe is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he has been for 37 years. His new book, ‘The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain,’ reflects his passion for people and his desire to support their development and inspire teams to work better than they thought possible. 
 Joe shares what it means to be a generous leader and how you can become one in seven simple ways. We also discuss how a generous leader listens and communicates to support their team, the power of doing small acts for your team, and much 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(00:00) Intro(01:41) What is a generous leader?(03:29) Seven characteristics of a generous leader(06:35) What deep listening looks like(13:21) Strategies to create a more welcoming work environment(16:25) How to ensure your team members understand what you’re communicating(19:21) What is a generous action ally (23:19) Example of how a manager can be a generous action ally to their team members(26:43) A great manager Joe has worked for(28:48) Keep up with Joe(30:29) [Extended Episode Only] Small acts that have a big impact(33:14) [Extended Episode Only] How to incorporate small yet powerful acts into your day and week
 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 
 Keep up with Joe Davis 
 - Grab a copy of his book, The Generous Leader, here - Follow Joe on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram  - Check out his website for more information here 
 Giveaway - 5 Copies of “The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain” 
 Joe Davis’s book, The Generous Leader, is an innovative and insightful 7-part guide to heartfelt and collaborative actions that transform the reader into a generous leader. It is for anyone seeking to elevate their heart, lead with humanity, and live a life of deep integrity. You must enter the drawing by Wednesday, May 8. 
 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! 


304: Become a Generous Leader with Joe Davis

How does it feel to work with somebody you'd rather avoid? Let's admit it: We all experience a fair share of difficult people at work. And many times, we just have to be around them whether we like it or not. However, there are a few things, that we can do to lessen their impact on us.  
 Today's workplace expert unpacks everything we need to know about working with difficult people. 
 Amy Gallo is the author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review. She is also the co-host of HBR’s popular Women at Work podcast, which examines the struggles and successes of women in the workplace. 
 In this episode, Amy shares the eight types of difficult people we usually encounter at work and how to deal with them effectively. We also talk about the challenges of written communication, checking our own behavior, and so much 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(00:00) Intro(02:27) 8 kinds of difficult co-workers most people work with(05:45) Personality clash vs. productive conflict (07:32) How to deal with problematic behavior at work(14:36) The manager’s role in solving work conflict(16:23) Is confronting a colleague with their bad behaviors a good strategy?(20:10) How to appropriately respond to difficult written communications(29:16) A great manager Amy has worked for(31:03) Keep up with Amy(32:32) [Extended Episode Only] The role of biases in judging someone’s behavior(36:11) [Extended Episode Only] How managers should intervene when team members have issues working together
 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 
 Keep up with Amy Gallo 
 - Follow Amy on LinkedIn here - Listen to her podcast here - Grab a copy of her book here - Check out her other works here 
 Book Giveaway:  2 Signed Copies of “Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)” 
 Amy is giving away 2 copies of her book, Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) to members of Podcast+. In this book, Amy identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers and provides strategies tailored to dealing constructively with each one. She also shares principles that will help you turn things around, no matter who you're at odds with. You must enter the drawing by Wednesday, May 1. 
 To get 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! 


303: How to Work With Difficult People with Amy Gallo

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked tasks for managers is hiring. While it may seem straightforward, hiring is an intricate process filled with challenges that can shake even the most seasoned manager.  
 In today’s competitive job market, where job postings can receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, distinguishing top candidates from the rest requires more than just reviewing resumes.  
 Thankfully, our guest will fill us in on what to do (and not do) to make your hiring process successful. 
 Today’s guest is Vicky Brown. After two decades of leadership roles in the corporate world, Vicky founded her own HR consultancy, Idomeneo Enterprises, in 2001. Her Leaders Journey Experience is an education program specifically designed to equip entrepreneurs and business professionals with the tools, guidance, and confidence to navigate the sometimes complex world of HR. 
 Vicky shares invaluable insights on the ins and outs of a hiring process. She shares tips and tricks on writing effective job descriptions, evaluating a resume, what questions to ask during the interview to uncover deeper insights into a candidate, the recommended interview format and processes, 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(00:00) Intro(02:05) Why hiring feels increasingly difficult(04:40) How to write effective job descriptions(09:13) Interviewing techniques to uncover deeper insights into candidates(22:29) Recommended number of interviews and interview format(25:57) How to read and evaluate resumes(28:18) A great manager Vicky has worked for(31:16) Is there anything a candidate should or shouldn’t ask in an interview?(33:36) Keep up with Vicky(34:25) [Extended Episode Only] What should you do when you’re undecided about a candidate?(39:08) [Extended Episode Only] The truth about reference checks
 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 - Join the Skills Accelerator Program here - use code CELEBRATE300 for 30% off when you join before May 1, 2024 
 To get guest bonuses 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! 


302: How to Avoid Hiring the Wrong Person with Vicky Brown

Do you feel overwhelmed with your role as a manager? What exactly is your job?  
 Managers are key to organizational success. They act as a vital link between leaders' strategic vision and individual contributors' execution. 
 This means we need to guarantee clarity during handoffs and cultivate a culture of accountability within our teams. Feel like a tall order? It doesn't need to be. 
 Today’s guest is Matt Ley. Matt is the author of Manage Your Gaps: Reclaiming The Awesomeness of Management. His work focuses on helping organizations and individuals get management right. 
 Matt discusses the unique roles and responsibilities that managers play using his EP!C Framework. He also shares some practical tips on how to be a great manager, overcome the most challenging responsibility of a manager, strategically leverage individual contributors on a team, and much 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(00:00) Intro(01:38) What does it mean to be a manager?(04:00) The EP!C framework for management success (12:32) The most challenging responsibility of a manager(17:09) What happens when there’s a lack of clarity around processes and expectations during handoff(23:32) The importance of an optimized handoff process(27:43) Tips for managers on how to be great with their roles(30:00) A great manager Matt has worked for(31:35) Keep up with Matt(32:29) [Extended Episode Only] How managers can help their team members evolve(39:23) [Extended Episode Only] Advice on how to better leverage your team’s rising stars and rock stars
 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 - Join the Skills Accelerator Program here - use code CELEBRATE300 for 30% off when you join before May 1, 2024 
 Keep up with Matt Ley 
 - Follow Matt on LinkedIn here - Visit his website for more information here 
 50-Page Workbook for EP!C Management Program 
 Matt is providing the workbook that accompanies his 12-week EP!C Management Training Program. At 50 pages, the goal of this workbook is to help you understand how to set up your environment, measure performance to drive success, understand your identity, and get clear on the role of communication. 
 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! 


301: The Unique Roles and Responsibilities of Managers with Matt Ley

Do you ever wish there was a straightforward way to figure out how to be and do your best as a manager? Fortunately, there is.  
 Introducing the Modern Manager Framework. Whether you're trying to improve your time management, navigate conflict, or lead better team meetings, the Modern Manager Framework can help you achieve your goals. 
 In this week's episode, we'll explore this framework in depth and discuss how it can help you be intentional in your managerial approach. 
 We'll break down the essential components of the Modern Manager Framework, guide you on activating the right mindset, habits, and behaviors to leverage this framework effectively, its practical applications in real-life work scenarios, and much more.  
 Join me for this insightful discussion 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(00:00) Intro(02:25) 3 basic components of the Modern Manager Framework(02:57) How your mindset can help or hinder you(03:57) Questions to reflect on to activate your ideal mindset(04:46) Forming the right behaviors and habits as a manager(05:42) The three circles of the Modern Manager Framework (09:20) How I use the Modern Manager Framework(15:12) [Extended Episode Only] 3 simple approaches to changing your behaviors(16:59) [Extended Episode Only] The framework in action - How to show appreciation
 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 
 30% Off The Modern Manager Skills Accelerator 
 The Skills Accelerator is my signature program for managers to help you build your skills in a supportive community. Each month, we focus on one skill or responsibility, and this month is accountability. If you want to master this skill and other modern manager skills, join our Skills Accelerator program and use the code CELEBRATE300 to get 30% off when you join before May 1st. Join the Skills Accelerator Program here. 
 The Modern Manager Framework Workbook 
 Apply the Modern Manager Framework to help develop your managerial skills. This workbook provides an overview of the framework, questions for reflection, and examples of frameworks for various skills/areas of focus.  
 To get this workbook and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community or join the Skills Accelerator. 
 --------------------- 
 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! 


266: The Truth About Perfectionism (And What To Do About It) with Thomas Curran

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