Managing Made Simple

By Lia GarvinBusiness Management

Managing Made Simple episodes

April 22, 2025176: This ONE Mistake Is Costing Your Team Thousands Every Week
When budgets tighten, what’s the first thing to go? Training, coaching, and team support. But as leadership expert Lia Garvin reveals in this episode of The New Manager Playbook, that’s one of the most expensive mistakes a business can make.
Lia breaks down the true cost of inaction—from poor delegation and team inefficiencies to low morale, preventable turnover, and lost revenue. Drawing on real stories from small businesses and corporate teams, she shows how failing to invest in your team’s growth silently drains your profits.
Whether you’re a founder, people manager, or team lead, this episode is a wake-up call: doing nothing costs you everything.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Why cutting back on team support and training costs more than it saves
The hidden financial impact of poor delegation and miscommunication
What 4–5 hours of wasted time a week really costs your business
Real-world case studies showing how inaction can cost up to six figures
Simple shifts to begin addressing team inefficiencies TODAY
How to prevent turnover and disengagement through proactive support
Why training even low performers is still a smart investment

This episode is your wake-up call — there’s nothing more expensive than doing nothing.
📘 Ready to take action? Grab your copy of The New Manager Playbook and start equipping your managers and team leads to thrive.
👉 Visit: https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook
📩 Need direct help improving team performance or leadership training? Contact: [email protected]
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe for more management strategies to build high-performing, motivated teams.
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/

Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
12 min
April 15, 2025 175: You Got Promoted—How to Manage Former Peers Without Losing Control
Feeling awkward or unsure about managing friends or former teammates?

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out the hard way. In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, Lia Garvin breaks down one of the toughest leadership transitions—going from peer to boss—and shares real stories, hard lessons, and actionable strategies to help you lead with confidence, authority, and empathy.

Whether you're a first-time manager, newly promoted, or coaching others through this tricky leadership shift, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
✅ Why managing a former peer or friend is harder than it seems
✅ The 3 BIGGEST mistakes new managers make (and how to avoid them)
✅ How to set boundaries and expectations without damaging relationships
✅ Why downplaying your promotion hurts you—and your team
✅ The exact conversation to have when roles shift from peer to manager
✅ How to reset the working dynamic while building trust and buy-in

If you’ve recently been promoted or are preparing to take the next step in your career, this episode will equip you with the mindset and tools to thrive as a new manager.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes of The New Manager Playbook with Lia Garvin

📤 Share this episode with a colleague who's stepping into leadership!

📘 Grab the Book:
Lia’s The New Manager Playbook is packed with practical tools, mindset shifts, and scripts to help you lead with confidence from Day One.
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
14 min
April 08, 2025174: How to Keep Your Best Team Members During Uncertain Times
Are you constantly losing top talent and left wondering why? You're not alone—but you can prevent it. In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, Lia Garvin uncovers the hard truth about preventable employee turnover and shows managers exactly how to stop being blindsided when team members quit.
With research-backed insights and real-world strategies, you'll learn how to recognize the early signs of disengagement, have meaningful check-ins, and hold career development conversations that retain your high performers. Lia breaks down the true cost of turnover (hint: it's higher than you think) and gives you the management tools to build a loyal, high-performing team that sticks around.
If you're a new manager, team leader, or business owner struggling to keep top performers on board, this episode is for you!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why 42% of turnover is preventable—and what to do about it
How to recognize disengaged employees before it’s too late
The real reason high performers are leaving silently
Strategies to reduce employee turnover and improve retention
Open-ended questions that get real feedback
Career conversations that build loyalty, not fear
How investing in your team builds trust and prevents surprise exits
The long-term cost of not taking action
Subscribe to The New Manager Playbook for practical leadership tips and strategies every week.

📩 Need support? Email Lia at: [email protected]
👍 Like, comment, and share if this episode helped you prevent a resignation!
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
12 min
April 01, 2025 173: Still Doing Everything Yourself? Here’s the Real Reason You Can’t Let Go
Think your team isn’t ready or you just don’t have time to delegate? Think again.
In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, leadership coach and author Lia Garvin reveals the surprising truth behind why delegation is so hard—and spoiler: it’s not a workload problem, it’s a trust issue.

If you're a new or overwhelmed manager feeling like you have to do everything yourself, this is your wake-up call. Learn how to overcome hidden trust barriers, manage up effectively, and set your team—and yourself—up for scalable success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ Why delegation fails even when you have a capable team
✅ How fear of judgment from your manager blocks real delegation
✅ The 3 types of trust issues hiding behind “I don’t have time”
✅ How to manage up and delegate down to reduce stress
✅ The simple framework for setting expectations that builds trust
✅ How to use tools like Loom to create task SOPs in minutes
✅ Why “doing it all” makes you less effective—not more valuable

Real-Life Story:
Lia shares a powerful story of delegating a high-stakes event (she hated planning!) to a team member—and how managing up the right way not only freed her up, but built stronger trust across the board. This is a must-listen for any leader trying to scale themselves without burning out.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights from The New Manager Playbook

📧 Want help solving your team’s delegation bottlenecks? Email Lia: [email protected]
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
14 min
April 01, 2025 172: You Got Promoted… Now What? The Truth About Leading for the First Time
Think becoming a manager is just doing your old job—with people? Think again.
In the very first episode of The New Manager Playbook, author and leadership coach Lia Garvin breaks down the biggest misconception new managers face: believing it’s the same job with extra meetings. Spoiler alert—it’s not.
Whether you were just promoted, leading peers for the first time, or feeling like you're “faking it till you make it,” this episode will hit home.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ The #1 mindset shift new managers must make to lead effectively
✅ How misunderstanding your new role creates friction, burnout, and low team trust
✅ Real talk about managing former peers (especially when they wanted the job!)
✅ Why intention and predictability are the foundation of trust
✅ How to lead with transparency—even when you can’t share everything
✅ Tools to define your leadership style and anchor to it when things get tough
✅ What the “player-coach” model really means—and why it sets you up to fail
If you’re a new manager, this episode will help you go from reactive to intentional.
If you’re about to become one, this will help you start strong.
And if you’ve been leading for years, it’s a reset worth hearing.
📘 Grab the Book:
Lia’s The New Manager Playbook is packed with practical tools, mindset shifts, and scripts to help you lead with confidence from Day One.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly leadership strategies for new managers
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/

Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
12 min
March 25, 2025 171: The RIGHT WAY to use AI as a leader to get out of the weeds
"ChatGPT gave me the PERFECT step-by step plan to fix my team! I'll be out of the weeds by tomorrow!" We've said it, we've hoped for it, we've wanted it to be true. And... without these critical human steps, this approach is destined to fail.
In this episode, I share the tale of an agency leader who thought AI would instantly solve his team management challenge that so many of us face - being deep in the weeds, unable to rely on our teams to step up as proactive owners - and what would have happened if he implemented this strategy without getting his team aligned first.
Discover the three-step framework to successfully implement any leadership change - frankly, this works whether it's AI-generated or not - that ensures people get on board instead of jump off the boat. Learn why the conversation BEFORE you deploy your plan is actually more important than the plan itself, and how this approach can get you the results you're looking for without losing your team in the process. The robots are helpful, but they can't replace this essential leadership skill!
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
18 min
March 18, 2025 170: Why thinking you HAVE to micromanage is keeping you stuck
"But if I don't micromanage, nothing gets done correctly!"
Yeah, no.... we've got to leave that myth in the past right now, because the truth is, it's only keeping you stuck and your team feeling disempowered.
In this episode, I talk about why micromanagement is NEVER the answer (even when it feels like your only option). Learn the two powerful alternatives that transformed both a frustrated business owner and an overwhelmed corporate manager from exhausted micromanagers into strategic leaders.
Discover the mindset shift and conversation starters that will save you literally 10+ hours weekly while empowering your team to step up as owners instead of box-checkers. The solution is simpler than you think - and it's not hiring new people!
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
13 min
March 11, 2025 169: Positive feedback isn’t just being nice - it’s they key to high performance
"Where do I even stand on this team?" This simple question is what every team member secretly wonders - and yet... 78% of leaders wait until big milestones to provide recognition.
In this week's episode, I share why "pouring gas on what's going well" transforms average performers into team champions, how to avoid the ole' "compliment sandwich," and the language to use when giving effective praise that drives real behavior change (without sounding like you're handing out participation awards). Research shows that the more positive feedback we give, the more receptive folks are to the constructive.
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
13 min
March 04, 2025 168: Dealing with the worst case situations of giving feedback
"I'm going to HR!" - the four words that strike fear into every manager's heart... four words that might lead us to avoiding giving feedback altogether. Hey, I've been there too.
In this week's episode of Managing Made Simple, I share a story of feedback gone wrong and break down exactly how to handle defensive responses, people threatening to quit, and the worst of all, a team member threatening to go to HR.
For leaders who want to stop walking on eggshells and start having real conversations that drive results- this is for you. Because here's the truth: avoiding feedback is WAY more dangerous than giving it 🎤
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
14 min
February 25, 2025 167: Don’t give your team member feedback until you’ve done THIS
We've prepared a clear message, we've blocked out ample time for the conversation, and then our feedback conversation still goes sideways? We can wonder what the heck went wrong.
That's why in today's episode, I'm breaking down the most important step to do BEFORE giving feedback: emotional regulation.
When we have to give feedback about something we're frustrated about, sometimes we don't realize that frustration is showing up all over our face. Letting yourself take a beat, or checking in to make sure your emotions are regulated allows you to approach the conversation with clarity and helps your team member be so much more receptive.
Tune in for how to do it!
--
WORK WITH LIA:
How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"?

I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with confidence and ease is now available!

Grab your copy today!
https://www.liagarvin.com/newmanagerplaybook/
Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy

CONNECT WITH LIA:
Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/
Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin
--
© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple
12 min

About Managing Made Simple

From the publisher's feed

Managing Made Simple is a weekly leadership and management podcast for people managers, business owners, and founders who want to lead high-performing teams without falling back into the work themselves.