A positive workplace culture can be the difference between a thriving and barely surviving team; between people staying because they love their job and people eagerly searching to work somewhere else. When managers create an environment that is welcoming, trusting, and encourages creativity and feedback, people will find more overall satisfaction in their work. But how does a manager actually create this type of culture, especially on remote teams? 
Today’s guest is Abhishek Nayak. As a co-founder and CEO of four startups, one of which was funded by Sequoia Capital, Abhishek is well-versed in the art of starting and scaling a business. But during a stint as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Accel, he discovered how much time engineers spend building internal applications, so he and two co-founders created Appsmith to put customizable app tools directly into developers’ hands. The once-small, open-source project is now used by over 10,000 teams, employs people in sixteen countries, and has raised over $51 million in capital.
Abishek and I talk about how he’s built an incredible team and culture for his fully remote business. He shares the lessons he’s learned and steps he’s taken to support his people along the journey from a small co-located team, through the disruption of COVID, to a fully remote, global company with over 120 employees.
Members of the Modern Manager community get a Template and Guidelines for Requesting Feedback. This internal document is used by Appsmith to guide employee feedback. Outlining feedback guidelines and questions for specific feedback outcomes, this resource can help any manager give and receive more valuable feedback. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.
 
Subscribe to my newsletter to get episodes, articles and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox. 
 
Read the related blog article: Do These Five Things to Effectively Manage a Remote Team
 
KEEP UP WITH ABHISHEK
Website: Appsmith.com
Twitter: twitter.com/arey_abhishek
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/abhisheknayak/
Email: abhishek@appsmith.com 
 
Key Takeaways:

Know the advantages of remote work, including more focus time, a larger talent pool, and better customer service availability.
Invest in technology

243: Lessons Learned from Building a Strong Team Environment with Abhishek Nayak

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

Solo episodes are like mini-courses, providing actionable tips based on experience and research. Guest episodes are engaging conversations that elicit insights and suggestions for how to apply the ideas.

Learn more about effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountability, team competencies, productivity and collaboration technologies, organizational culture, and more.

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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! 


243: Lessons Learned from Building a Strong Team Environment with Abhishek Nayak

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