Building Better Managers

Welcome to 2024 and our first episode of the year with your host, Wendy Hanson, and our very special guest, Sonja Lutz, New Level Work (formerly BetterManager), CMO.

In this episode, we will introduce the idea behind re-naming the company and the exciting focus of our marketing in the future.

New Level Work is a tech-enabled coaching solution that provides a unique leadership framework, focusing on mindset, engagement, productivity, and results. The platform offers an impact dashboard for HR and L&D leaders to assess the effectiveness of their leadership development programs. The company differentiates its approach by identifying three groups of managers: emerging managers, accelerators, and drivers, each with specific developmental needs. The goal is to empower HR and L&D leaders to demonstrate the value of their work and drive change within their organizations.

Meet Sonja:

Sonja Lutz is a multilingual performance marketing and e-commerce dynamo, boasting an MBA and over two decades of global go-to-market (GTM) experience in sectors ranging from tech and SaaS to luxury industries. At her core, Sonja is a storyteller with a rich history of scaling meaningful businesses to unprecedented heights.

Sonja stands as a veteran overseer of sales, marketing, and partnership strategies, garnering respect as a leader, mentor, and partner. Her extensive skill set encompasses the development and scaling of revenue-generating sales and marketing programs. Recognized as a successful team builder, Sonja is deeply committed to nurturing talent and fostering motivation and drive within her organization, consistently steering teams toward success with her guiding hand.

© 2019 - 2024 New Level Work

Join Wendy Hanson and Melissa Looney on "Building Better Managers" for a lively exploration of AI and humor. Melissa, a learning professional and doctoral candidate, unveils the evolving role of AI in higher education, spotlighting the curiosity around generative AI like ChatGPT.

Delve into the profound impact of humor in instructional settings, where Melissa underscores its innate connection to human communication. Wendy and Melissa engage in a thoughtful discussion on the nuanced benefits of infusing humor into AI applications, enhancing likability and influence.

Don't miss this insightful episode as Wendy and Melissa envision a bridge between academic research and practical application, bringing funny chatbots out of the lab into real-life scenarios. Discover the potential of AI in creating engaging and humorous content. Join the laughter with Wendy Hanson and Melissa Looney on "Building Better Managers" as they usher in the new year with AI and entertainment.

Meet Melissa:

• Director of Learning, Development, and Engagement Strategies at Bentley University
• Strategic and passionate learning professional with 13 years of experience in higher education
• Doctoral candidate at the University of Central Florida, focusing on humor in instructional contexts and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance interpersonal interactions

Melissa's Contact Info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamlooney/

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

In this episode of "Building Better Managers," host Wendy Hanson welcomes special guest Denise Brosseau to discuss the exciting world of AI tools in leadership. Denise shares her favorite tools, from Chat GPT to otter.ai, Canva, Grammarly, pi.ai, and perplexity.ai.

Explore how these tools can be game-changers in content creation while navigating potential pitfalls with Denise's expert guidance. Gain valuable insights as Denise emphasizes the strategic use of AI for initial drafts, preserving the authenticity of your unique voice.

But that's not all! Dive into the world of AI newsletters with an exclusive section featuring handpicked tools:

• Superhuman by Zain Kahn: https://superhuman.beehiiv.com/
• Future Tools: www.futuretools.io/news and www.futuretools.io
• The AI Break: https://theaibreak.substack.com/
• AI Tool Report: https://aitoolreport.beehiiv.com/subscribe
• The Rundown by Rowan Cheung: https://www.therundown.ai
• The Prompt by Rosemary Brisco: https://totheweb.com/the-prompt-signup-for-chatgpt/
• Inside My Head - Linus Ekenstam: https://linusekenstam.substack.com/subscribe

Join Wendy and Denise as they navigate the exciting and cautious integration of AI in thought leadership, offering valuable insights and tips for leveraging these tools effectively.

Meet Denise:

• Thought Leadership Lab CEO: Denise accelerates leaders' journey to thought leadership at Thought Leadership Lab.
• Best-selling Author and Educator: Author of "Ready to Be a Thought Leader?" and co-instructor of Stanford's first thought leadership course. Her LinkedIn Learning courses have reached 500,000+ viewers globally.
• Tech Industry Veteran and Women's Advocate: With a Wellesley degree and Stanford MBA, Denise's tech career includes roles at Motorola and Kensington. As Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (now Watermark) CEO, she led it to become the nation's top organization for women-led start-ups, championing more women leaders.

Denise's Contact Info:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoughtleadrlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisebrosseau/ Website: http://www.thoughtleadershiplab.com

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

In this episode of Building Better Managers, co-founder of Better Manager, Wendy Hanson, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned author Sam Horn. Together, they explore the intricate landscape of soft skills, focusing on effective communication and strategies for handling challenging conversations in the workplace. Sam shares valuable insights from her latest book, "Talking on Eggshells: Soft Skills for Hard Conversations," offering practical advice and real-life examples.

Join Wendy and Sam as they delve into the importance of empathy, the power of language, and the art of being a proactive force for good. Whether you're a leader, team member, or aspiring manager, this episode provides actionable tips to create a more harmonious, engaged, and productive work environment.

Meet Sam Horn:

Prolific Author and CEO: Sam Horn, CEO of Intrigue Agency, is a renowned author with ten books, including "Tongue Fu" and "Someday is Not a Day in the Week."

Communication Skills Specialist: As the founder of TongFu Training Institute, Sam imparts a trademark communication skills approach, teaching people how to give and get respect in various aspects of life.

Media-Featured Expert: Sam's expertise in communication has earned her features in major publications like the New York Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. A sought-after speaker, she has appeared on every major network, sharing insights on effective communication.

Sam's Contact Info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samhornintrigue Twitter: https://twitter.com/samhornintrigue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhorn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samhornintrigue Website: https://samhorn.com/

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to "Building Better Managers" with your host, Wendy Hanson, and special guest John Topping, President & COO at BetterManager. In this episode, John shares the results of a recent ROI study conducted by BetterManager.

The study focused on the impact of leadership development programs on organizations and their financial benefits. Wendy introduces John and highlights his impressive career, including his time at Google.

The conversation begins with an overview of the study's goals and participants. Here are the key findings:

1. For every dollar invested in leadership development, there's a $7 return on investment.
2. Leadership development is linked to increased sales revenue, with 42% attributing revenue growth to these programs.
3. Over 85% reported higher employee satisfaction, performance, and promotion opportunities.

Despite economic challenges, the study revealed that 99% of professionals plan to maintain or increase spending on leadership development in the next 12 months.

Tune in to discover the incredible impact of leadership development on organizations!

But the conversation is just the beginning of our journey! If you're excited to explore more, we encourage you to download our FREE ROI study. Inside, you'll uncover the strategies that drive financial success and gain the insights you need to make informed decisions about your investment in leadership development. It's a valuable resource waiting for you, so let's continue this learning adventure together!

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Building Better Managers" with your host, Wendy Hanson, and our special guest, Cait Donovan. Today, we're diving deep into the world of burnout, how it affects us personally and professionally, and most importantly, how we can prevent it.

Cait Donovan, an expert in burnout and acupuncture, will be sharing her wisdom and practical strategies to help you steer clear of burnout's grasp and lead a more balanced life.

In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of setting boundaries, the impact of resentment on our well-being, and how managers can support their teams in these challenging times. We'll also explore the critical concept of psychological safety in the workplace and how it can make a world of difference in preventing burnout. So, get ready to unlock valuable insights and actionable tips that will not only improve your professional life but also enhance your overall well-being.

Meet Cait

Cait has always delivered practical strategies and insights to help individuals, organizations, and leaders recognize and combat burnout. With over 200 podcast episodes, her show "Fried. The Burnout Podcast" is a valuable resource in the quest for work-life balance and psychological safety. Cait's engaging approach fosters a culture of well-being and resilience. Cait is also a dedicated Burnout Recovery Coach, providing 1:1 coaching services to individuals who find themselves in the throes of burnout. Her 3-month programs are designed to kickstart the recovery journey, offering valuable tools and a roadmap for navigating burnout with grace.

Cait's Contact Info:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/friedtheburnoutpodcast LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/caitdonovanspeaks Instagram: https://instagram.com/caitdonovanspeaks Website Address: https://caitdonovan.com Podcast: https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," hosted by Wendy Hanson with special guest Meg Donovan. Today, we explore vulnerability in leaders, a concept popularized by Brene Brown. Our special guest, Meg Donovan, Chief People Officer at NextThink, shares her personal experience of vulnerability and empathy in the workplace. Meg's journey through personal challenges revealed the power of empathy, which forms the foundation for allowing teams to be vulnerable and fostering trust, loyalty, and commitment.

Leaders who embrace humility and curiosity, acknowledge their mistakes and demonstrate empathy pave the way for authentic connections with their teams. This episode delves into how vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a key to building stronger, more resilient teams. So, join Wendy and Meg as they discuss the transformative power of vulnerability in leadership.

Meet Meg Donovan:

• Experienced Leader: Over 15 years of leadership experience in high-growth, technology-oriented businesses.
• Driving Employee Excellence: Currently serving as the Chief People Officer at Nexthink, a global leader in digital employee experience management.
• Passionate About Development: Committed to fostering optimal end-user experiences and partnering with Better Manager to provide coaching and professional development for managers and team members.

Meg's Contact Info:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MegNexthinker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megdonovan/

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Building Better Managers," the podcast hosted by Wendy Hanson. In today's engaging conversation, Wendy welcomes a special guest, Star Dargin, a seasoned coach and expert in the field of gratitude. Join Wendy and Star as they explore the remarkable impact of gratitude on workplace culture and leadership.

Star Dargin, a professional coach with extensive experience and a deep passion for gratitude, shares her remarkable journey. She explains how her personal gratitude practice transformed her life and business, highlighting the profound effects it had on her perspective during a challenging period. Star's journey ultimately led her to explore the intersection of gratitude and business, where she discovered its immense potential.

In this episode, you'll gain insights into the neuroscience of gratitude, understanding how it shifts our brain from survival mode to one of open engagement, curiosity, and positivity. Wendy and Star discuss the transformative power of gratitude in creating a culture of compassion, recognition, and appreciation at work.

Meet Star Dargin:

Star is an accomplished author, having written "Leading with Gratitude" and numerous articles for Forbes, and she's set to release her next book in 2024, addressing the challenges of gratitude in modern workplaces.

As the founder of Star Leadership LLC, Star is dedicated to promoting gratitude's profound impact on leadership and organizational success. With a rich background in coaching, delivering engaging workshops, and conducting extensive research on gratitude, Star is passionate about helping leaders and companies create thriving workplaces through the power of appreciation.

Star's Contact Info:

Website: http://www.starleadership.com Website: https://leadingwithgratitude.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starleadershipllc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratefulstarleaders/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/starleadershipllc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8AtkVf6rssIflhsk9z-1UA

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to Building Better Managers, the podcast that explores the important work of managers, hosted by Wendy Hanson. In this episode, Wendy takes center stage to discuss one of her favorite topics: gratitude, recognition, and appreciation. Join her as she delves into the heart of these essential values and their impact on creating a thriving workplace culture.

Meet Wendy Hanson, co-founder of Better Manager. She's not only a seasoned coach and educator but also a firm advocate for creating a positive workplace environment. Wendy wears many hats, and one of her most important roles is being the Chief of Culture and Community at Better Manager. This episode gives you an inside look into her passion and commitment to fostering growth, camaraderie, and appreciation.

In this special solo episode, Wendy shares the captivating story of how Better Manager's journey began back in 2017. It all started with their coaching team – a tight-knit community where gratitude, recognition, and appreciation were at the core. Over time, these values spread like wildfire, infusing the entire company with a spirit of mutual support and celebration. Wendy's storytelling style takes you behind the scenes, revealing the heartwarming impact these values have had on Better Manager's incredible journey.

Meet Wendy Hanson:

• Leading Leadership Coach: Wendy Hanson, co-founder of Better Manager, excels as a leadership coach. Her focus on growth, management skills, and team appreciation drives her impact.
• Chief of Culture & Community: Wendy leads as Chief of Culture & Community at Better Manager, shaping collaborative workplaces through strategic insights.
• Gratitude Advocate: Wendy champions gratitude and recognition's impact on engagement and productivity. Her influence is felt through dynamic narratives and unwavering advocacy.

For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.co/podcast

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager

Welcome to "Building Better Managers," hosted by Wendy Hanson. In today's episode, we're privileged to have a thought-provoking conversation with Susan Freeman MBA PCC, a seasoned executive coach, team coach, author, and leadership consultant. Our focus today is on the profound impact of communication in leadership and how internal energy plays a pivotal role in transforming working relationships.

Susan's unique perspective, drawn from over three decades of corporate, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit experience, offers a fresh take on leadership development. Her recent book, "Interswitch: Seven Timeless Principles to Transform Modern Leadership," is a testament to her innovative approach, integrating Eastern wisdom from her extensive yoga and yogic philosophy studies.

For those striving to be visionary leaders or seeking to create a more connected, compassionate, and effective workplace, this episode is a valuable resource. Join us as we dive deep into the heart of leadership transformation, and welcome Susan Freeman, as she shares her insights, wisdom, and inspiring journey on this episode of "Building Better Managers."

Meet Susan

• Experienced Leadership Development Consultant: Leveraging her MBA and professional coaching certifications, Susan S. Freeman empowers entrepreneurs and investors with valuable insights, fostering leadership skills that drive success.
• Expert Team Coach: With a passion for cultivating high-performing teams, Susan guides curious leaders, helping them harness the collective potential of their teams and achieve remarkable results.
• Author and Dynamic Speaker: Susan is not only a respected author but also an engaging speaker, sharing her wisdom on leadership, coaching, and unleashing the potential of individuals and businesses.

Downloads & Resources

Follow Susan on LinkedIn, Twitter, and at susansfreeman.com. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

© 2019 - 2023 BetterManager