In the final episode of our special series, The Manager Crisis, I sit down with Ashley Kera, a workplace strategist, leadership coach, and former manager of 100+ early-career professionals to unpack what the data misses and what real managers are facing on the ground.

With a background in clinical psychology and a decade leading talent operations, Ashley brings clarity to the messy middle: the tension between performance expectations and actual human needs.

We talk about the limits of policy, why retention can’t be solved by perks, and how culture is felt in everyday interactions, not just all-hands slogans.

From burnout to bandwidth, Ashley shares practical insight for anyone tasked with leading people through pressure, change, and growth. If you’ve ever been the one “holding it all together,” this episode is for you.

Let’s close out this series with the honesty it deserves.