You’ve just stepped into a new manager role—congratulations! Now what?

The first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. One day you’re a high-performing individual contributor, and the next, you’re expected to lead a team, set direction, and navigate complex dynamics—all while still figuring out what kind of leader you want to be.

Thankfully, today’s guest is here to guide you through those critical first 45 days.

Today’s guest is James Turk. James is an executive coach, keynote speaker, facilitator, founder and CEO of The Turk Group, a boutique learning and development consulting firm, and author of The Giving Game – Becoming The Leader That Others Want To Follow. 

With more than twenty-five years of experience, James has expertly designed and delivered training and coaching programs and solutions in the areas of leadership development, sales, change management, and strategic planning for clients across a wide range of industries—including financial services, digital media, biotech, and more. His clients include Spotify, Squarespace, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Goldman Sachs, Equinox, and many more.

In this episode, James outlines a step-by-step strategy for earning trust, clarifying expectations, and cultivating team alignment early on through consistent rituals like team meetings and one-on-ones.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we dive into the trickier scenarios, like managing former peers, inheriting a team someone else wanted to lead, and managing up when your boss isn’t showing up.

Whether you’re a first-time manager (or know someone who is), this conversation is packed with real-world insights to help you lead with confidence and intention—starting day one.

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) Introduction
• (02:00) Why transitioning to a managerial role is hard
• (08:40) How to assess your leadership skills
• (10:53) Starting strong: earning credibility with your new team
• (12:52) Building trust as a new manager from day one
• (16:59) A real-life coaching story from Buzzfeed
• (23:04) How to spend your first 45 days as a new manager
• (28:37) A great manager James has worked for
• (30:57) Keep up with James
• (31:47) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate friendships when you become the boss
• (36:03) [Extended Episode Only] Managing someone who was passed over for your role
• (38:31) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when your boss isn’t showing up for you

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the book Leadership Pipeline here

 Keep up with James Turk

- Follow James on LinkedIn and Instagram

- Grab a copy of James’s book The Giving Game here

- Follow The Turk Group for updates on Instagram and Facebook

FREE: The F45 Playbook

James is providing members of Podcast+ with the F45 Playbook. Recognizing the first 45 days and the first year as critical for new managers, this playbook outlines exactly what to do in the first six weeks.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Have you ever sat down to work, only to be pulled in a dozen directions—emails, Slack messages, endless browser tabs—all demanding your attention? You’re not alone.

All the technological advancements have made it almost impossible to focus. 

But what if it didn’t have to be this way?

Fortunately, this week’s guest is here to share with us how you can be more focused at work and finally reclaim your workday.

Today’s guest is Marcey Rader. Marcey is a speaker, coach, and author who helps individuals and companies reclaim their workdays with health-powered productivity™. As the founder of RaderCo, she’s worked with Fortune 500 companies and startups worldwide, inspiring sustainable habits to work well and play more.

In this episode, Marcey shares why so many of us are more distracted than ever—and what focus really looks like in today’s workplace. She also provides practical advice on how to use project management systems to streamline communication and how structured office hours can empower your team instead.

Lastly, for members of the Podcast+, Marcey reveals strategies for effective one-on-ones and a simple but powerful Zoom trick to help you and your team stay focused during meetings.

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) Introduction
• (01:49) Why people are more distracted than ever
• (07:48) The hard truth about multitasking
• (11:37) How to stay focused at work
• (16:23) Setting boundaries with work emails
• (19:52) Can slow replies build independence?
• (22:01) How to prevent email from derailing your day
• (29:13) A great manager Marcey has worked for
• (30:43) Keep up with Marcey
• (31:15) [Extended Episode Only] How to make one-on-ones more engaging and productive
• (34:54) [Extended Episode Only] #1 Zoom trick to avoid distractions during meetings

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Marcey Rader

- Follow Marcey on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of her book, Reclaim Your Workday, here

-  Power up your productivity here

- Visit her website for more information here

Exclusive Discounted Price for Powered Path Program

Members of Podcast+ get Marcey’s Powered Path Program at an exclusive discount.

The Powered Path Program is a one-hour productivity boost designed to help you and your team reflect, prioritize, and plan more effectively (without adding extra work to your plate). For managers, this program will help you: 

✅Streamline 1:1s to make them more efficient and action-driven 
✅Ensure wins aren’t forgotten by tracking progress throughout the year, not just at review time 
✅Make reflection and planning easier so you and your team stay focused on what matters most.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Do you feel like your team isn’t really listening to you? It might be time to rethink your influence.

Many managers assume authority is enough. But real leadership—motivating people to take action—comes from influence. And this week’s guest believes that one of the most powerful ways to build it is by strengthening your communication skills.

Today’s guest is Stacey Hanke. Stacey is a leading expert in communication and influence. For over 20 years, she has empowered Fortune 500 leaders and teams to elevate their communication skills to build the trust and credibility needed to influence action. 

In addition to being a Hall of Fame speaker, executive coach, and business leader, Stacey is the author of three books, including her newly released book, Influence Elevated, which provides leaders with skills to manage employees and increase accountability in a hybrid work environment. 

Her Monday to Monday® philosophy empowers professionals to be impactful in every interaction, from presentations to everyday conversations, helping them drive action and achieve success.

In this episode, Stacey and I dive deep into how feedback, self-awareness, and understanding your influence style can drastically improve your leadership presence.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Stacey shares actionable strategies to elevate your influence and highlights common mistakes that can undermine it.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership game and truly connect with your team, tune in and start mastering your influence today!

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) Introduction
• (02:15) Defining influence: What it is (and isn’t)
• (04:06) Why consistency is key to building influence
• (08:51) The power of video feedback
• (13:22) Improving communication style to influence more effectively
• (17:35) Different styles of influence and their strengths
• (20:52) Aligning influence style with team goals
• (23:57) A look at my personal influence style in action
• (27:41) A great manager Stacey has worked for
• (29:09) Keep up with Stacey
• (30:39) [Extended Episode Only] How to elevate your influence
• (34:54) [Extended Episode Only] Common mistakes people make that jeopardize their influence

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Stacey Hanke

- Follow Stacey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

-Subscribe to her YouTube channel here

- Visit her website for more information here

FREE Digital Copy of Influence Redefined

Stacey is giving members of Podcast+ a FREE digital copy of Influence Redefined. In Influence Elevated: Maximizing Your Connection Monday to Monday®, Stacey unpacks what commonly interferes with our level of workplace influence. She shows leaders how to overcome the ongoing distractions that threaten employee relationships, workplace morale, and productivity. She offers readers actionable practices to create the momentum needed to achieve their goals and experience consistent success.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Are you overwhelmed by the rapid rise of AI in the workplace?

AI tools are already being used by managers and teams in various forms. But what are the risks that come with using them? Today’s guest believes that clear guidelines and educational training can help everyone use AI wisely without feeling restricted.

Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator. She has been certified for AI and Business Strategy through MIT in 2023, and has been focused on flattening the AI learning curve for HR and other non-technical functions for almost 3 years. 

In addition to her company, peoplepower.ai, she is an adjunct professor of both AI in Business and HR Management for City College of NY - a CUNY institution, and volunteers as a mentor through All Tech is Human.

Today, Theresa shares smart, actionable ways to use AI without risking company data or personal privacy.

From educating your team to building clear, adaptable AI guidelines, she breaks down how to make AI a powerful tool for managers and their teams.

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) Introduction
• (01:52) The truth about AI in the workplace
• (08:58) How to set AI policies that actually work
• (11:16) Using AI to enhance your management skills
• (21:30) How to avoid biases when using AI tools for team management
• (23:26) A great manager Theresa has worked for
• (25:35) Keep up with Theresa 
• (26:28) [Extended Episode Only] How to talk to your team about what AI tools they’re already using
• (32:03) [Extended Episode Only] Is using AI at work considered cheating?

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Theresa Fesinstine

- Follow Theresa on LinkedIn here

- Visit People Power AI for more information here 

FREE PDF People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Work

Theresa is giving members of Podcast+ a copy of her People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Work for free.

In this practical and forward-thinking guide, Theresa draws on decades of People & Culture expertise to help HR leaders confidently integrate AI into their everyday work. With real-world use cases, accessible frameworks, and a human-first lens, this book empowers HR professionals to unlock the potential of AI while staying grounded in empathy, ethics, and strategy.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Are you struggling to get your team to perform at its best? Are you unsure about how to unlock the potential of each individual? This week’s guest says the key is inclusive leadership.

Meet Kelli Lester. Kelli is co-founder and partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in fostering environments where inclusive leadership thrives, leveraging over two decades of experience to drive meaningful progress.

In this week’s episode, Kelli and I explore what inclusive leadership really looks like, the traits that define it, and the role leaders play in making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.

Kelli also illustrates how inclusion isn’t just about people—it’s about ideas and perspectives, too. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, she dives deeper into five other inclusive leadership traits and shares how to navigate style differences without friction.

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) Introduction
• (02:13) What is inclusive leadership?
• (06:18) Inclusive leadership begins with self-awareness
• (08:49) What an inclusive workplace really looks like
• (14:04) Inclusion goes beyond people—it’s about ideas, too
• (19:35) Why inclusive leadership matters
• (23:13) A real-life story of inclusion at work
• (27:53) A great manager Kelli has worked for
• (30:17) Keep up with Kelli
• (30:43) [Extended Episode Only] Other inclusive leadership traits that every manager can embody
• (37:34) [Extended Episode Only] Navigating style differences without friction

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Kelli Lester

- Follow Kelli on LinkedIn here

- Achieve financial empowerment with Onyx Rising’s Money Matters here

- Visit Onyx Rising for more information here

FREE Inclusive Leadership Traits Assessment

Kelli is providing members of Podcast+ her Inclusive Leadership Traits Assessment. The PDF includes an overview of inclusive leadership traits and a self-assessment to help you identify areas for improvement.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Being a working parent shouldn’t feel like a daily juggling act on the brink of disaster. 

If you truly want everyone on your team—parent or not—to thrive at work, you need a workplace that lets them show up as their best selves. And today’s guest is the perfect expert to discuss how to make work work for working parents.

Today’s guest is Dr. Anne Welsh, a sought after thought leader on working parenthood. After leaving a career at Harvard to create her own firm, Anne draws on her significant training, research, and experience to champion women and working parents in leadership. 

She brings expertise in career development, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and women’s mental health to her work as a consultant, executive coach and psychologist. She supports organizations and individuals through one-on-one work, group coaching for working mothers, and workshops and talks.

In this episode, we dive into creating a workplace where parents and caregivers can navigate the many demands of them with greater ease. 

Learn how to “parent out loud”, build a culture of empathy, and leverage leadership skills parenting teaches. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Anne shares top tips on how to set yourself or your team up for success after parental leave, and how to be sensitive to individuals struggling with infertility.

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) Introduction
• (02:27) Unique challenges working parents face at work
• (04:22) How COVID blurred work-life balance
• (06:56) The mental load of working parents 
• (08:21) Normalizing parenting at work
• (14:52) The five P’s of parenting leadership skills
• (20:21) Advocating for better workplace policies for working parents
• (23:55) Why workplace empathy is crucial to working parents
• (26:03) A great manager Anne has worked for
• (27:13) Keep up with Anne
• (27:46) [Extended Episode Only] How to set yourself or your team up for success after parental leave
• (35:02) [Extended Episode Only] Supporting team members struggling to become parents

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Dr. Anne Welsh

- Follow Dr. Anne on LinkedIn and Instagram

- Interested in working with Dr. Anne? Learn more here 

- Explore Dr. Anne’s partner organization here 

25% Off Working Mothers Lifeline

Anne is providing members of Podcast+ 25% off her Working Mother’s Lifeline, a 6-month coaching program for women who want to feel more connected and intentional in their lives- moving from just surviving to thriving in working motherhood, in a community of women who get it. 

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done? You’re not alone—managers know this struggle well. Fortunately, today’s guest has the time mastery secrets to help us take control of our time.

Meet Andrew Hartman. Andrew is the founder of Time Boss, a training organization helping leaders and their teams master their week to get the results they want without overwhelm. 

Andrew founded Time Boss after burning out several times in early-stage startups, even losing his sense of smell for a season. He has taken all he has learned over the years to build a system to help others avoid the same mistakes and instead find their Highest Sustainable Pace, making more progress on their top priorities and experiencing more peace in their day-to-day schedule.

In this episode, Andrew shares game-changing insights on meeting overload, time boxing, and helping out your future self.

Plus, in the extended interview available to Podcast+ members, he shares his unique approach to helping your team members manage their time without you micromanaging them and why personal breaks are non-negotiable.

Join the conversation now!

And check out these 20 Best Team Building Podcasts here!

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) Introduction
• (01:54) The truth about time and calendars
• (06:53) Balancing proactive vs. reactive work
• (10:07) How to deal with meeting overload
• (16:31) Treat your tasks like meetings
• (19:27) Using time studies to track your time
• (26:39) A success story on effective time management
• (30:29) A great manager Andrew has worked for
• (31:37) Keep up with Andrew
• (32:17) [Extended Episode Only] Empowering your team members by helping them manage their time and priorities
• (36:03) [Extended Episode Only] The power of time boxing and planning personal breaks

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Consider using a tool like Sunsama to easily combine your calendar and your to-do list 

 Keep up with Andrew Hartman

- Follow Andrew on LinkedIn here

- Visit Time Boss for more information here

Special Price for Time Boss Digital Course - $49

Andrew is offering an incredible special price of $49 for his Time Boss Digital Course which contains everything you need to immediately upgrade your time habits. Access the Time Boss model in short, self-paced videos and templates to get immediate results in as little as 2 hours. By course end, you'll master getting more done with your time without stress or anxiety.

Learn more about the course here.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

How do you make your team members feel truly seen and heard at work?

It’s a common struggle for many managers, but this week’s guest says there’s something even more powerful than praising your team.

Joining me today is Dr. Caroline Fleck. Caroline is a licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University. She is the author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.

In this episode, Dr. Fleck explains that validation isn’t just about acknowledging someone’s work; it’s about showing genuine understanding and acceptance of them as individuals.

She also shares simple techniques that managers can use to validate their team members, especially when navigating difficult conversations or conflicts.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Dr. Fleck breaks down how validation can support behavior change.

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) Introduction
• (01:51) Validation vs. praise: what’s the difference?
• (04:54) The three components of validation
• (06:37) Techniques for validating when empathy is difficult
• (09:12) The impact of intuition in understanding others’ feelings
• (10:49) How to recover when you get validation wrong
• (13:09) Why validation is the most crucial quality in relationships
• (14:54) An example of validation strengthening a manager-employee relationship
• (19:06) How to validate without agreeing
• (28:02) A great manager Caroline has worked for
• (29:24) Keep up with Caroline
• (30:07) [Extended Episode Only] How to use validation to support behavior change
• (36:20) [Extended Episode Only] The power of validation in meetings

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out these 20 Best Team Building Podcasts here

 Keep up with Caroline Fleck

- Follow Caroline on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok

- Grab a copy of her book here

- Visit her website for more information here

Discount on Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life

Caroline is providing members of Podcast+ with a discount on her book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life.

Full of captivating stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and actionable takeaways, Validation reveals how the science of seeing and being seen is the key to inner and interpersonal transformation.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Have you ever left a virtual meeting thinking, “That could’ve been an email.”? Today’s guest used to feel the same.

Meet Jill Molee. Jill is the Director of Counseling & College Advisor at College Prep 360. I’ve been lucky to have Jill as a client and I’m grateful she was willing to experiment with me for this on-air coaching call.

As the director of a fully remote, client-facing team, her calendar was packed—but not productive. Her meetings lacked clarity, structure, and worst of all, real collaboration.

In this special on-air coaching session, Jill shares how she restructured her meetings around open agendas, clear objectives, and authentic team participation.

Learn how she used simple tools (like Google Docs and a consistent format) to shift her team meetings from chaos to clarity—creating a culture where team members engage, collaborate, and even look forward to meetings.

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) Introduction
• (01:35) Meet Jill Molee of College Prep 360 
• (03:31) Managing a fully virtual team
• (04:04) Jill’s meeting strategies that work
• (06:10) Tips on how to manage time and prioritize better
• (08:15) Encouraging participation in meetings
• (12:07) Building community in a virtual team
• (15:08) Types of meetings Jill runs
• (18:18) Knowing when to end meetings early
• (21:19) Encouraging attendance in optional meetings
• (24:07) Celebrating collaboration outside of meetings
• (25:08) Leadership lessons and takeaways
• (27:26) [Extended Episode] Bonus Tips for Improving Meetings

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Jill Molee 

- Visit College Prep 360 here

FREE PDF: 2 Strategies for Assessing and Improving Your Meetings 

This step-by-step workbook walks you through two simple strategies that any manager can immediately implement to improve their meetings.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!

Most workplaces focus too much on structure and not enough on fun. But what if the secret to a thriving team was something unexpected—like improv? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to break down everything you need to know about improv and how it can benefit you and your team.

Meet Joel Zeff. Joel creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. 

He has shared his experience and insight on collaboration, leadership, change, communication, innovation, fun and passion at more than 2,500 events. His new book, “Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work,” is now available.

In this episode, you’ll discover practical ideas for bringing fun into the workplace—from skit nights to appreciation rituals–in ways that translate to greater collaboration every day. Joel and I also discuss why great leaders should focus on setting their teams up for success rather than simply directing them.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we talk about navigating change with an improv-inspired mindset.

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) Introduction
• (02:49) How improv principles improve teamwork and leadership
• (05:31) Examples of improv games and their workplace implications
• (13:07) Why fun at work matters (and how to introduce it)
• (17:15) Building “team currency” through shared experiences
• (22:07) The best question a leader can ask
• (26:10) How to facilitate an improv game with your team
• (30:53) A great manager Joel has worked for
• (34:49) Keep up with Joel
• (36:33) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate change with an improv mindset
• (43:07) [Extended Episode Only] The one thing you can’t do in improv (and why it matters for teams)

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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

 Keep up with Joel Zeff

- Follow Joel on LinkedIn here

- Grab a copy of his book Make the Right Choice here

- Visit his website for more information here

Free Excerpt on Teamwork from Make the Right Choice

Joel is providing members of Podcast+ with an excerpt on Teamwork from his book Make the Right Choice. 

To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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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!