The Modern Manager

Have you taken a personality test for a new job or during a team-building exercise? A lot of folks enjoy the insights that come from assessments like these. They help us know ourselves and our colleagues by better understanding our preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Enter the Enneagram tool. 

Today's guest is Tracy O'Malley. Tracy is an Enneagram expert success coach. Her candid journey of self-discovery via the Enneagram sparked an enlightening shift in her perspective, which has been a lifeline to many. She uses this transformative tool uniquely, focusing on understanding motives and fears to help individuals feel seen, heard, and valued, consequently leading to personal and professional transformation. 

Tracy and I talk about the Enneagram as a tool to better understand ourselves and our team members. She shares a comprehensive overview of the nine personality types, how we can use this information to help ourselves and team members grow into our best selves, how managers can leverage these Enneagram insights to enhance connections with team members, plus so much more.

Join the conversation now!

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Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:19) What is the Enneagram?
• (05:56) The nine Enneagram personality types
• (15:51) Understanding the Enneagram tool to help you connect better with your team members
• (21:34) A success story on leveraging Enneagram lessons for managing a team
• (25:10) How we can show up as the best version of ourselves
• (29:00) A great manager Tracy has worked for
• (30:20) Keep up with Tracy
• (31:58) [Extended Episode Only] How to use the Enneagram to help build cohesion or collaboration amongst a team
• (33:58) [Extended Episode Only] Using Enneagram for workplace conflict resolution
• (38:49) [Extended Episode Only] Working with complementary Enneagram types within a team

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

Keep up with Tracy O’Malley

- Follow Tracy on Instagram here

- Subscribe to her podcast show here

- Check out her website for more information here

FREE 2024 Monthly Planner

Download a 2024 monthly planner to help you stay organized this year! Each month has a section to write notes, goals, main highlights of the month, lessons learned, things you’re grateful for, and areas of growth.

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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!

With busy days and the fast pace of work, it's understandable why so many teams jump from idea to basic plan (maybe!) to action. In our desire to move quickly, we forget that when we do so, we risk making bad decisions, resulting in wasted resources and, ultimately, not achieving what we set out to do. This is where upstream work plays a crucial role in getting alignment and clarity, readying us for successful execution.

Today's guest is Atif Rafiq. Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon and Yahoo!, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He rose to the President level in the Fortune 500 and has led thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.

Atif and I talk about his approach for upstream work, which he calls decision sprints, that help teams and organizations prepare for effective execution. He explains the difference between upstream and downstream activities, the three phases of upstream work, the importance of psychological safety in organizations, and more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:04) What is a decision sprint?
• (03:50) Significance of psychological safety in upstream work
• (07:58) The role of questions in innovation, strategy, and growth
• (10:08) Examples of how and when to ask  questions
• (13:46) Why alignment matters for execution
• (16:30) What do meetings look like when you are trying to come to an alignment?
• (20:55) Decision meetings as work accelerators 
• (23:19) How to make better decisions at a team level
• (26:37) A great manager Atif has worked for
• (28:34) Keep up with Atif
• (30:24) [Extended Episode Only] How to integrate decision sprint workflows into your team or organization
• (35:18) [Extended Episode Only] Ways to determine what questions don't need answering
• (36:53) [Extended Episode Only] Big lessons from McDonald’s

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

Keep up with Atif Rafiq:

- Follow Atif on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his newsletter here

- Visit Decision Sprint for more information here

50% Discount on Decision Sprint Workshops

Members get a 50% discount on Decision Sprint workshops. These are 1-2 day workshops, virtual or in person, where your team or organization will get to experience the decision sprint workflows directly, enabling you to accomplish work together during the training as well as prepare to integrate the method going forward.

Get these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Your business is only as strong as your employees. So, if you want to build a strong and thriving business, you need to hire top-notch people. But hiring them is only a part of the equation. You must bring them together and transform them from high-performing individuals to high-performing teams. This is where successful team building comes in.

Team building comes in all shapes and sizes, and whether you love spending time building relationships with and amongst your team or find it a bit silly or inefficient, doing team building right can significantly impact your team's productivity and morale. How can you maximize the power of team building?

Today’s guest is Michael Alexis. Michael is the CEO of teambuilding.com, an industry leader in virtual, hybrid, and in-person team-building experiences. He has been leading remote workforces for almost a decade.

Michael and I talk about all things team building–its various forms and why it's important. We also explore how you can incorporate it into your regular workday, how to do amazing events virtually and in person, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:39) Is team building really fun and engaging?
• (03:09) How important is team building
• (05:20) The different types of team building
• (08:32) Incorporating team building into the regular workday
• (11:30) How to do team building virtually
• (15:49) Examples of fun and quirky  team building events
• (19:32) Factors to consider when planning a team building event
• (23:19) Is polling your team necessary when planning for such an event?
• (25:48) Should managers and senior leaders give their team time to bond without them?
• (28:13) A great manager Michael has worked for
• (29:33) Keep up with Michael
• (30:40) [Extended Episode Only] What do you do when something goes sideways during a team building activity?
• (34:57) [Extended Episode Only] Benefits of hiring an outside expert to plan your team building 
• (39:08) [Extended Episode Only] What are the things not to do in a team building event?

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

Keep up with Michael Alexis

- Follow Michael on LinkedIn here

- Check out his website for more here

Free Download: “How to Run a Great Virtual Icebreaker: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet”

Download a PDF with tips for running great icebreakers, an extensive (but not exhaustive) list of icebreaker questions, and links to other resources, including blog articles and example icebreaker games.

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Workplace conflict is inevitable. When people with different opinions and risk tolerances collaborate on projects or tasks, it’s normal for conflict to arise. 

As managers, we know all too well that conflict resolution in the workplace is vital for anyone hoping to nurture positive professional relationships and build a thriving, high-performing team. 

Today’s guest is Carol Bowser. Carol is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, she founded Conflict Management Strategies when she realized a lawsuit couldn’t deliver the level of resolution and satisfaction that is gained when people are actively involved in creating solutions to their workplace conflict.

With over two decades of professional experience, she has identified common patterns in workplace conflict and is passionate about imparting wisdom on how people can strengthen their conflict resolution muscles.

In this episode, Carol and I delve into the intricacies of conflict, exploring its root causes, strategies to reframe our thinking around conflict, how to deal with workplace conflict effectively, plus more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:55) Is it possible for people to have a good reaction to conflict?
• (04:35) How healthy is healthy workplace conflict
• (07:14) How managers should approach conflict resolution when they’re a part of it
• (15:15) Common things managers say that worsen a conflict 
• (20:45) How to deal with workplace conflict when parties involved have different risk tolerances 
• (26:58) A great manager Carol has worked for
• (29:20) Keep up with Carol
• (30:51) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when people become emotional during a conflict 

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

Keep up with Carol Bowser

- Follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook

- Check out her website for more here

Guest Bonus: Free Grounding Exercise Worksheet

Download this FREE Grounding Exercise worksheet from Conflict Management Strategies. It walks you through specific steps you can take before a meeting (or whenever you need to feel more grounded!).

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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 set goals but then struggled to achieve them? Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to stay on track? In the spirit of the new year, which many consider a fresh start, we’ll unpack the key elements in setting thoughtful and strategic goals and how to actually achieve them.

Now, let’s all be clear: there’s no single approach to effective goal setting. In fact, there are dozens of them, and I’ve tried several of them over the years. However, I found that there are three consistent components to crafting a highly achievable goal. And that’s what we’ll explore in this week’s special solo episode, plus a bonus worksheet when you become a Podcast+ or Skills Accelerator member.

Whether you’re setting personal or professional goals, today’s podcast episode will give you a strong head start in making your vision a reality. 

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:42) The truth about goal setting
• (03:05) The first thing you need to do when setting goals
• (04:08) Why you must have clarity on what success looks like
• (07:15) How to get clear with your goals
• (07:51) Brainstorm what could go wrong
• (10:10) [Extended Episode Only] How to get better at following through with your goals
• (11:50) [Extended Episode Only] Make time for your wildly important goals (WIGS)
• (12:26) [Extended Episode Only] How accountability keeps your goals alive

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

Get guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Why do you show up to work? Why do you do things you’re expected to do at work? The biggest factor of organizational success is determined by how embedded the company’s deep purpose is in its employees. 

Today’s guest is Ranjay Gulati. He is the author of the book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies, an educator and researcher who is passionate about how to unlock organizational and individual potential.

Ranjay and I talk about purpose: what organizational purpose is, how powerful it is, how to connect individual purpose to the organization, and the impact it has when employees consider work not a chore but a calling.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Join the Skills Accelerator before 11:59 pm Eastern 12/31/31 and get your first month for $50 and lock in the 2023 pricing!

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:18) What is a company purpose, and why do organizations need to have one?
• (02:34) The power of the why question
• (04:28) How purpose needs to be translated into the organization
• (07:16) The redemption of Etsy
• (10:05) What managers can do at all levels to start creating purpose in their own teams
• (14:51) How managers can help their team members discover what they do matters
• (17:38 How to start a conversation with your team on deep purpose
• (20:55) The importance of an organization having a clear, deep purpose
• (22:49) A great manager Ranjay has worked with
• (24:15) Keep up with Ranjay
• (25:51) [Extended Episode Only] What does a good mission statement look like?
• (26:28) [Extended Episode Only] Example of a well-crafted team mission statement
• (27:08) [Extended Episode Only] How to craft a compelling team mission or purpose statement

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Ranjay

- Follow Ranjay on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of Deep Purpose here

Get guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Many professionals start their careers in the hope of eventually landing their dream job--that perfect position that checks off all the boxes on their list. But what really is a dream job? A big paycheck with a fancy title? A corner office with a million-dollar view? A good work-life balance? Well, what if I told you that it's time to let go of that dream job delusion and instead strive for something even better.

Today’s guest is Lauren McGoodwin. Lauren is the CEO of Career Contessa—an online career resource with content, career coaching, jobs, a salary database, and online training. She is also a speaker, author of Power Moves, and host of The Career Contessa Podcast.

In this episode, Lauren and I talk about the myth of the dream job and what you should actually be seeking, which is the "good enough" job. We get into the factors of creating a happy working environment, the role of managers in creating such, what managers can do to support struggling team members, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:38) Debunking the myth of the dream job
• (03:54) Is finding your dream job still worth it?
• (06:29) Why a good enough job is better than a dream job
• (11:43) The role of managers in creating a good enough job environment
• (14:29) An example of letting go of a dream job for a good enough job
• (18:45) How to create an environment that helps people become impact players
• (22:33) What managers can do to support struggling team members
• (26:55) The truth about the 2-year work tenure rule
• (29:28) A great manager Lauren has worked with
• (30:11) Keep up with Lauren
• (31:29) [Extended Episode Only] The significance of doing one-on-ones with team members
• (34:53) [Extended Episode Only] The rule of thumb when doing one-on-ones
• (40:18) [Extended Episode Only] Final tips for creating a good enough work environment

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Lauren McGoodwin

- Follow Lauren on LinkedIn here

- Check her out on Instagram here

- Listen to the Career Contessa podcast here

- Visit Career Contessa for more information here

Giveaway: 3 Copies of Power Moves

Power Moves teaches women how to pivot, reboot, and build a career of purpose. Learn how to use the Power Moves approach to ditch the dream career myth, become your own career coach, and reclaim your life from work. 

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members.

While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master. 

Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control, and two previous bestsellers. As the founder of People First Leadership Academy and president of People First Productivity Solutions, Deb’s work focuses on leadership development and team effectiveness. She’s a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge® and a certified executive coach. Deb was named one of the "65 Most Influential Women in Business" and was formerly an HR Director with a Fortune 500 company. In addition, Deb’s research and methodologies have been published globally in academic journals.

In this episode, Deb and I talk about the art of asking better questions. She shares the eight types of questions we should be asking, what happens when we ask sub-optimal questions, and provides alternatives to some common questions managers ask that really aren’t helpful. 

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:57) The problem with asking poorly-crafted questions
• (03:24) What a sub-optimal question looks like
• (06:29) 8 types of questions that managers should be asking
• (18:10) A better alternative to a why question
• (21:19) Alternatives to some common questions managers ask that aren’t helpful
• (27:57) A great manager Deb has worked with
• (29:21) Keep up with Deb
• (31:03) [Extended Episode Only] Benefits of asking good questions and why you should put more thought into it
• (34:55) [Extended Episode Only] How managers can help team members ask better questions
• (36:48) [Extended Episode Only] How to encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and ask questions
• (40:00) [Extended Episode Only] The best model for presenting information and asking questions to accommodate different personality types

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Deb Calvert:

- Follow Deb on LinkedIn here

- Check out her company’s website here

- Learn more about her training programs and courses here

- Grab a copy of Deb’s book here

Guest Bonus: Discounted 3-Part Masterclass and Signed Book

Members can get an autographed copy of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control and access to a 3-part masterclass series to amp up your conversational skills for a total of $35. This is a savings of almost $100 compared to their individual list prices!

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Transitioning from a team member to a manager is undoubtedly a significant leap. It's crucial to recognize the shifts that come with leadership roles and be prepared for them.

The first and most apparent shift is recognizing that it's no longer just about you. The spotlight now turns to your team, and your success is intricately woven with theirs.  It's a transition that requires a daily commitment to putting your team's needs ahead of your own.

Today’s guest is Ramona Shaw. Ramona Shaw is a Certified Professional Leadership Coach, podcast host, and best-selling author of “The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role.” She is passionate about helping new and mid-level managers become leaders people love to work for by strengthening their leadership and communication skills, raising their confidence and resilience, and increasing their focus and emotional intelligence. Ramona specializes in delivering coaching and training programs for leaders at fast-growing startups and companies such as Twitch, UBS, Google, Dropbox, Lionsgate, Asana, Stitch Fix, Sequoia Capital, and dozens of others.

Ramona and I talked about the mental shifts you have to make when moving from an individual contributor role to a manager role. 

Whether you've been managing people for years, or just started your first team leadership position yesterday, these mental shifts are ones that we could all use a refresher on.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.  

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:06) 4 main shifts for individual contributors transitioning to management roles
• (09:19) The productivity mindset for managers
• (13:12) How to approach delegation
• (21:21) Using a coaching approach in leadership and team management
• (28:39) A great manager Ramona has worked with
• (29:48) Keep up with Ramona
• (30:50) [Extended Episode Only] Delegation, accountability, and tracking deadlines
• (35:16) [Extended Episode Only] The APS method for leaders
• (35:31) [Extended Episode Only] How to create your principles as a manager 

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here 

- Read the related blog article here 

- Follow me on Instagram here  

- Visit my website for more here 

Keep up with Ramona Shaw: 

The Manager Track Podcast

Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Youtube: Ramona Shaw Leadership Coaching - YouTube

Giveaway: PDF: Your First 30 Days as a New Manager

Your first 30 days offer a great opportunity to make a positive impression and begin building credibility with your new team members. This resource includes 4 practical tools to have a successful start with your team and your stakeholders alike. 

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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 of us think that sleeping equals resting. And yet, there are instances when getting more sleep doesn’t rejuvenate us at all. In these cases, sleep is actually the wrong type of rest and won't make up for what you actually need. So, knowing where you’re depleted and then refilling your batteries with the appropriate rejuvenation activities, not just more sleep, will ensure you’ve always got the energy to do your best. 

Today’s guest is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. Dr. Saundra is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician and work-life integration researcher. She is the founder of Restorasis, a professional development agency dedicated to restoring well-being in the workplace through its proprietary framework to help companies support their employees with work-life integration and burnout prevention strategies. 

Dr. Saundra and I talk about the seven types of depletion and rest, what we can do to assess what type of rest we need, how to talk to our team members about helping them rejuvenate so they can be at their best, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Intro
• (01:57) What is rest? (Hint: it’s more than just sleep)
• (03:59) The seven types of rest and how to incorporate more restorative practices
• (13:17) The benefit of knowing the type of rest you need 
• (16:43) How to assess what type of rest you need
• (20:15) The truth about rest deficit
• (22:16) Key factors that affect rest deficit
• (23:51) How managers can help their team members rejuvenate
• (28:31) A great manager Dr. Saundra has worked for
• (29:23) Keep up with Dr. Saundra
• (30:36) [Extended Episode Only] Practical ways managers can incorporate each of the seven types of rest in the workplace
• (37:29) [Extended Episode Only] How to start your day with the most energy

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:

- Follow Dr. Saundra on LinkedIn here

- Visit her website for more information here

- Take the rest assessment here

Giveaway: 1 Copy of Sacred Rest

One member will receive a copy of Dr. Saundra’s best-selling book, “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.” The winner will be able to choose either an ebook, audiobook, or paperback copy. But you must enter the drawing by December 4th.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!