The Manager Track

Warren Buffett once famously said, 'If you can't communicate, it's like winking at a girl in the dark - nothing happens.'

This humorous analogy holds a valuable lesson, especially when it comes to numbers.

No matter what industry you are in, chances are high that at some point in your career you will have to convey complex information through numbers.

While not everyone is naturally adept at this, the good news is that effective communication with numbers is a skill that can be developed with a little practice. In this episode, I'll be sharing some key tips on how to improve your communication when it comes to sharing numerical information.

Be sure to check it out here: www.ramonashaw.com/171-communication

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

— CHAPTERS —

00:01:00 Analytical professionals need to learn communication skills.

00:04:47 Training and practice make leaders successful.

00:09:38 Simplify numbers for non-experts, clarify relevance.

00:11:53 References, comparisons, and relatable examples make communication easier.

00:14:19 Invest in communication skills, seek advice.

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of team engagement in your remote and hybrid work environments, then you are not alone!

Despite your efforts to encourage collaboration, you may be encountering disengaged or siloed team members.

It's time to address these challenges head-on by intentionally implementing effective strategies to boost team engagement in your remote and hybrid teams.

If that sounds like something you should be paying attention to, then tune into this week's episode of The Manager Track podcast as my guest, Sally Loftis, shares her valuable insights on how to navigate team engagement challenges (and controversial pay disparities!) that plague many teams today.

In this episode, we talked about:

Sally Loftis is the Managing Director of Loftis Partners. Sally and her firm have played instrumental roles in mirroring strategy, people, facilitation, and pay justice to more than 54 clients worldwide. From her roots in North Carolina to addressing global work cultures, Sally's remarkable dexterity lies in recognizing and addressing the unique needs of varied workplaces, navigating organizational structures and building effective teaming strategies that drive engagement and collaboration.

Website: https://www.loftispartners.com/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/loftis-partners

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyloftisloftis/

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

Click here to listen in: https://www.ramonashaw.com/170-teaming-and-pay-equity

— CHAPTERS —

00:00:00 - Teaming in a Hybrid World and Pay Equity

00:02:52 - Common Challenges in Team Engagement

00:06:14 - Creating Team Agreements

00:08:08 - Managing Expectations and Productivity Tools

00:11:12 - Building Strong Team Bonds

00:14:23 - Team Engagement and Expectations

00:19:29 - Pay Equity and Manager's Role

00:23:18 - Long-Term Perspective on Pay Equity

00:26:42 - Retaining Exceptional Employees

00:28:01 - Introduction and Ways to Connect

00:28:38 - Teaming in a Hybrid World

00:28:53 - Show Notes and Conclusion

00:29:21 - Additional Resources

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

Traditional models of leadership are often presented as cookie-cutter frameworks, but the reality is that true leadership isn't so clear-cut. In fact, the best way to lead lies within the gray zone, the middle ground along the spectrum of two different leadership models.

The key realization for leaders is that there is no single "right" way to lead. It's about finding a give-and-take, striking a balance, and recognizing the spectrum of approaches that may be needed depending on the situation.

In this episode, we will explore four common dual models of leadership that are important to consider. By understanding and embracing these models, you'll be equipped to recognize which situations call for a shift to the left or to the right on the spectrum, while staying true to your authentic leadership style.

Be sure to check it out here: www.ramonashaw.com/169-dual-models

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

Have you ever wondered questions like, "Should I leave or should I stay?" "Would it be better if I had a different job?" "When can I finally get promoted?"

Well, you are not alone. With the great reshuffle in full force, it seems like those questions are common for many, and even if you haven't thought about it, one of your directs might have.

So in this episode I want to dig deeper into the theme of "wanting better" to help you not only understand what the root cause may be but also process your thoughts in a productive way and figure out what best meets your career goals.

You can check it out online here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/168-wanting-better 

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw talks about the importance of creating 'Calendar White Space' and its impact on leadership effectiveness. She explains why it's crucial for leaders to carve out this space for strategic thinking and cross-departmental projects, offers concrete strategies for doing so, and shares the benefits this practice brings.

Check it out here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/167-calendar-white-space 

— ACTION STEPS —

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

— CHAPTERS —

[00:00] Introduction to Episode 167: Calendar White Space

[00:50] Concept Explanation: What is Calendar White Space?

[01:44] Challenge Explanation: How Being Busy Impacts Leadership

[02:55] Contextual Understanding: Why White Space is Important for Leaders

[03:40] Remote Work Implications: Challenges of Finding White Space

[04:35] Drawbacks: The Effect of Constant Reactivity on Leaders

[05:40] Mindset Transition: Shifting from Immediate to Long-Term

[07:10] Strategy Building: How to Create Time for Strategic Thinking

[09:20] Importance of Discipline: Sticking to Time Blocks for Strategic Projects

[11:30] Overcoming Discomfort: Managing Self During Behavior Change

[12:20] Mindset Shift: From Executors to Curiosity and Learning

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

"Toxic" isn't just a buzzword, it's a very real way to describe behaviors and situations that are detrimental, both in and out of the workplace. This has been one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. Since so many people have found it helpful, I thought I should share it again as a re-release. As more and more people begin to return to the office, this may even be a good one to share with a friend that may find it helpful.

___________________________________

The vast majority, let’s say 95% of people are good, caring people who have no intentions to hurt anyone. But then there are a few people who demonstrate behaviors that are hurtful towards others. They may be intentionally hurtful. They may intentionally push people’s buttons. Or exclude people and make them feel less than, or insecure.

Now I use quotation marks around the word “toxic” in this title because I strongly believe that there are no “toxic people”, but there are most certainly toxic behaviors or toxic dynamics, like toxic relationships.

And in my experience, it is inevitable that at some point in our careers, we find ourselves in a toxic situation or exposed to toxic behaviors.

And when you do, I want you to be equipped with tools to better handle the situation and with support to ensure you’re getting out of it with your confidence and wellbeing still intact.

For this reason, this podcast episode is about…

If you’re currently dealing with a “toxic” person at work and it’s impacting your confidence or wellbeing, and you’re ready to get help and finally get a handle on it, then let’s talk. Schedule a call with me here: www.ramonashaw.com/apply

You can listen to this episode on the web here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/70-how-to-deal-with-toxic-people-at-work/

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

In this episode of The Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw discusses the concept of 'Overdone Strengths' and how it impacts leadership effectiveness. She offers insights on why it's critical to understand this concept for self-awareness and leadership development, provides concrete examples, and shares some strategies for recognizing and managing those overdone strengths.

Check it out on the web here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/165-overdone-strengths/

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— ACTION STEPS —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

— CHAPTERS —

[00:00] Introduction to Episode 165: Overdone Strengths

[00:50] Concept Explanation: What is an Overdone Strength?

[01:44] Analogy Explanation: Music Volume and Overdone Strengths

[03:15] Overdone Strengths: Why it's Hard to Identify and its Effects on Leadership

[04:06] Perception Differences: How Overdone Strengths are Received by Others

[05:14] Importance of Increasing Self-Awareness in Leadership Development

[05:54] Balancing Overdone Strengths: Competitive and Supportive Leadership Traits

[07:24] Exploring Examples: Adaptable Leadership and Supportive Leadership

[12:25] Personal Case Study: Overdoing Quick Decision-Making

[14:17] Wrapping up: Scheduling Strategy Call and Overview of the APS Method for Leadership Development

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

Imagine this...

Emma, a leader of a product team, was known for her exceptional leadership skills and her unwavering commitment to her team's success. She possessed a unique quality that set her apart from other leaders—assertiveness.

In team meetings, Emma always made it a point to actively listen to her colleagues' ideas and opinions. However, she didn't shy away from expressing her own thoughts and expectations. Emma understood that assertiveness meant advocating for what was best for the team and the organization as a whole. Her team members loved her ability to speak up confidently and ask for resources and support from higher management for their ideas and initiatives.

One day, a challenging project landed on Emma's desk. The deadline was tight, and the scope was extensive. Emma knew she had to rally her team and assertively negotiate for additional resources.

She scheduled a meeting with her superiors and presented a compelling case, outlining the potential risks of proceeding without sufficient support. Through her assertiveness, Emma convinced the higher-ups to allocate the necessary resources, ensuring the project's success and her team's well-being.

Her team members felt comfortable voicing their concerns and ideas, knowing that Emma would actively listen and address them constructively. Her leadership style became a beacon of inspiration for others, encouraging them to embrace assertiveness as a means to drive positive change.

This example of Emma shows how beneficial it can be for a leader to lean into assertiveness when called for.

Yet, many people (and maybe you can relate...) worry about being seen as "too assertive" or simply don't feel comfortable and confident enough to demonstrate assertiveness.

If that sounds like you, then I encourage you to check out this week's episode on The Manager Track podcast.

I'll share some questions to think about that will help you identify where you stand on the assertiveness spectrum and provide actionable steps you can implement right away to enhance your assertiveness skills.

Click here to listen in: https://www.ramonashaw.com/164-being-assertive

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for --> ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

This is a re-release of one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. If you've ever struggled with things analysis paralysis, overthinking, or just plain 'ol stinkin' thinkin' then this episode is for you.

____________________________________________

When we think something over and over again, our thoughts quickly become patterns and those patterns then turn into beliefs.

Now beliefs can either be positive beliefs (things that will actually help us and support us and make us feel more confident and be more effective), or they can be negative beliefs that can make us doubt ourselves, be less effective, and fail to create the results that we really want. The problem is that they’re not that easy to uncover.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 6 most common thinking patterns that many of us have running around in our minds, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Check it out here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/43-is-your-thinking-helping-or-hurting-you/

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

If you've been leading people for a while then you've been through some ups and downs as a manager.

And you know that to expand your scope of impact and influence in your career, you need to continuously and consistently strengthen your ability to lead yourself and others.

This includes…

For mid-level managers, there are 4 critical aspects of leadership to consider and to keep pushing forward.

They are...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we will chat about these 4 aspects that makes up your distinctive and personal leadership DNA!

Check it out here: https://www.ramonashaw.com/162-develop-leadership

Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AmoSoMi8i-E

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling new book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don't forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

— CHAPTERS —

00:00 Preview

01:00 Introduction

02:20 Skills for People Leadership and Managing a Team

08:49 Four Areas of Leadership

09:52 1. Self Leadership

10:37 2. Leading a direct report

11:27 3. Leading a team

13:04 4. Leading up & across

15:06 Recap & Reflection Questions

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.