Modern Manager podcast

When you think about changing your reputation, most advice focuses on what you can do — adjust your behavior, refine your message, embody the qualities you want to be known for. And while that matters, there’s a built-in challenge: when you’re the source, people may question your motives. After all, of course you want to look good.

In this episode, we explore a strategy that overcomes that challenge: having others change your reputation for you. You’ll learn how to identify stories that authentically showcase who you are, and how to share them in ways that inspire others to repeat them — amplifying your reputation in a way that feels credible and lasting.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Legacy Leaders cling to their own version of reality, dismissing others who don’t see them “correctly.” Modern Managers understand that reputation lives in the perceptions of others — and they intentionally shape those perceptions through authentic stories that others can carry forward.

🎧 Tune in to discover how to turn your colleagues and network into storytellers who naturally strengthen your reputation.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

When you think about reputation, the advice often sounds discouraging: “Once people think a certain way about you, it’s set in stone.” But reputations aren’t really fixed — they’re reflections of the stories people tell about you, and stories can be reshaped.

In this episode, we explore how to change your reputation: why it’s hard but not impossible, how to identify the qualities you want to be known for, and the daily practices that gradually shift how others perceive you.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Legacy Leaders shrug off negative perceptions, believing it’s everyone else’s problem if they can’t see the “real me.” Modern Managers understand that reputation shapes opportunity — and they take intentional steps to align how others see them with the values and value they bring.

🎧 Tune in to learn three practical strategies you can start using right away to reshape your reputation and open new doors.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

When you think about first impressions, the advice usually circles around appearances and formalities—your clothes, your handshake, your posture. But impressions aren’t really about the surface. They’re about how people feel underneath..

In this episode, we explore the deeper side of first impressions: why appearances are only the beginning, why people will always find a reason to say no if they don’t feel aligned with you, and how Modern Managers focus on meeting emotional and situational needs to truly connect.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Legacy Leaders see first impressions as manipulation—crafting an image to get what they want. Modern Managers see them as the first move in building a relationship based on trust and connection.

🎧 Tune in to learn three practical strategies to make your first impression count and get results.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

When everything is collapsing around you, it’s tempting to grip tighter and try to control every detail. But true equanimity doesn’t come from clinging—it comes from releasing.

In this episode, we explore the advanced practice of letting go: why control is an illusion, a daily practice that prepares you for blow-ups, and why leaders who let go lead with greater calm, clarity, and compassion.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Legacy Leaders cling harder when things go wrong, but Modern Managers know that letting go of what can’t be controlled frees energy to lead effectively in the moments that matter most.

This episode wraps up our three-part series on Equanimity, one of the Six Degrees of Executive Presence.

🎧 Tune in to discover how to handle explosive situations at work without getting caught in the blast.

Note: Special thanks to Michael Singer, author of “The Untethered Soul” and host of the podcast, “The Michael Singer Podcast,” whose work inspires me and played a pivotal role in this episode.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Why do some leaders lose their composure in a crisis, while others inspire trust and calm? In this episode, we explore Equanimity 201: Focusing on what you can control—a key step in mastering executive presence.

We break down why panic thrives when you fixate on the uncontrollable, and how narrowing your focus to your response can anchor your team and help restore order in even the most chaotic of situations.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Leaders who focus on what’s within their control reduce overwhelm, build trust, and empower their teams to take meaningful action—even when everything seems to be falling apart.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for shifting your mindset from panic to purpose in high-pressure moments.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Why do some leaders panic under pressure, and how does it affect the people around them? In this episode, we explore Equanimity—the ability to stay calm when everything seems to be falling apart—and why it’s a critical component of executive presence.

We dive into the science of the nervous system, how intentional breathing can shift you from panic to clarity, and why staying grounded in a crisis inspires trust and followership.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Leaders who remain calm under pressure provide clarity, direction, and confidence—qualities that empower teams and transform stressful situations into opportunities for growth.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for maintaining composure and leading with presence, even in the toughest moments.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Have you ever thought you were doing a great job as a manager—only to realize you were actually failing miserably? That was me with the very first team I was asked to lead. I had all the right intentions, but no real connection. Things got so bad my boss considered taking the team away from me entirely.

What followed was one of the hardest moments of my career—and also one of the most important. It forced me to face the uncomfortable truth that good management isn’t about proving you’re smart or right. It’s about focusing on what your team really needs to thrive, even when it means setting aside your own ego.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: A modern manager prioritizes being effective over being right. By shifting the spotlight from themselves to their team, they are able to uncovering the real problem and building a better path forward.

🎧 Tune in to hear the story of my very worst management moment—and how it reshaped my approach to leadership forever.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Have you ever walked into a meeting knowing it might blow up your career? My client once faced two senior executives—one of them the CEO—who were determined to pin the blame for a disappointing outcome squarely on my client. Outnumbered and outranked, my client had little chance of winning by arguing. Even if my client managed to “win” the argument, it would have been a Pyrrhic victory—ending with damaged relationships and limited career prospects.

We explore what happens when instead of arguing and defending, you seek to connect and understand. We see how presenting a shared version of events gets a much better response. In the end, the “bomb” didn’t explode—and while they weren’t unscathed, my client walked out of the meeting with better relationships and a clearer path forward.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: The most important information in any conflict isn’t the “what”—it’s the “why.” Great managers don’t just battle—they blend, learning why others have a problem, even in high-stakes moments.

🎧 Tune in to discover how to handle explosive situations at work without getting caught in the blast.

More Resources

🔔 Subscribe to the Modern Manager newsletter for updates and bonus insights:

🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Why do some bosses seem disengaged, even when you’re doing great work? In this episode, we explore why even the most seasoned employees can struggle to get their boss’s attention—and how to change the dynamic. My client’s 1:1s were constantly cancelled or cut short, not because of performance issues, but because a key component was missing from the interaction.

We explore the subtle forces that influence how leaders show up, why people might disengage from you, and the small but powerful changes that can transform your relationships. Once this approach was applied, meetings not only stopped being cancelled—they started running over.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: Understanding how to engage the people around you—and how they want to engage—can be a game changer for your team and your career.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for turning a disengaged boss into a true partner in success.

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🌱 Learn more about Everybody Thrives: https://everybodythrives.podia.com

📚 Explore Joe’s favorite and most impactful reads here: joekwonjoe.com/bookme

Welcome to The Modern Manager, where we explore the leadership principles and practices you need to succeed in today’s diverse, dynamic, and global workforce. I’m Joe Kwon, The Connection Counselor.

In this episode, we tackle a common challenge: How do you raise your profile at work—especially if self-promotion feels uncomfortable or you’re waiting for your manager to notice you? Drawing from my own experience, I share a simple yet powerful strategy that anyone can use to stand out and get recognized… and it only takes about 60 seconds.

Using the example of a typical company town hall, I’ll show you how asking the right question—at the right moment—can boost your visibility, grow your network, and build your executive presence. I break down the approach into four easy steps that anyone can master, with a real-world example about building trust across cultures.

If you’re ready to stop fading into the background and start showing up as the leader you’re meant to be, this episode is for you.

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