The Modern Manager

Is your team safe enough at work? Just like physical safety in the workplace, we also need psychological safety if we want people to do their best at work.

Psychological safety is about creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing their thoughts or ideas, and making mistakes without worrying about ridicule, punishment, or exclusion. And today’s guest is just the right person to talk about psychological safety at work.

Today’s guest is Rich Fernandez. Rich is the CEO of SIY Global and a former Executive Director for People Development at Google. His Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University, as well as his extensive background in senior leadership for multiple Fortune 500 companies, has made him an unmatched thought leader in the industry of workplace psychology. Rich is an expert in cultivating workplace environments that foster emotional intelligence and mindfulness from the top down. 

In this episode, Rich and I talk about psychological safety and the interplay between trust, inclusion, belonging, and safety. He also shares why psychological safety at work matters and how you can foster more of it within your team.

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
• (01:41) What is psychological safety, and how is it different from trust?
• (05:43) How psychological safety and trust go hand-in-hand
• (07:26) An example of psychological safety in Rich’s team  
• (10:02) How do you know if you’re fostering psychological safety in your team
• (13:03) Two ways for managers to create psychological safety at work
• (17:18) How to create an atmosphere where all team members can freely share their perspectives
• (19:10) How to handle dissenting views without scaring off your team members
• (22:34) Challenges that managers need to overcome when cultivating psychological safety in the team
• (29:17) A great manager that Rich has worked for
• (32:52) Keep up with Rich
• (34:24) [Extended Episode Only] The role of emotional intelligence in fostering psychological safety
• (39:10) [Extended Episode Only] First step in developing emotional intelligence

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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 Rich:

- Follow Rich on LinkedIn here

- Visit SIY Global for more information here

Free eBook: Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness at Work

Rich Fernandez is happy to offer a free eBook to The Modern Manager membership community: Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness at Work: Why Human-Centered Skills are Essential to Future-Proof Your Organization. 

In this eBook, you will find the latest research conducted by SIY Global and experts around the impact of emotional intelligence and mindfulness on 4 key organizational trends: 1. Why current levels of stress and burnout are costly and unstable; 2. How connection and belonging in a disconnected world are essential for team performance; 3. The emerging demands for human-centered leadership; 4. The need for resilience and agility to innovate and adapt.

Get this free eBook and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager 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 ever wish you could accomplish more of your goals personally and professionally?

Many people believe that accomplishing goals is about time management when, in fact, it’s about holding yourself accountable.

But why is it hard for people to be accountable?

Joining me in this week’s episode are two guests who live and breathe accountability.

Today’s guests are Tasha Howland and Cheron Porter. Tasha and Cheron are passionate about helping individuals reach their highest potential both personally and professionally through accountability coaching, which they do through their business AQ partners.

Today, Tasha, Cheron, and I talk about all things accountability. We discuss why it’s hard to be accountable and the strategies to increase accountability for yourself and your team members.

We also dive into what a good accountability partnership looks like, how to support your team members to be accountable, 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
• (01:45) Why is it hard to hold people accountable
• (03:13) #1 reason why people avoid self-accountability
• (06:51) Explaining the chances of reaching your goals
• (09:32) How to manage accountability during uncertain times
• (11:51) What does it look like to have an accountability partner
• (15:15) Factors that are essential in making a good accountability partner
• (18:34) Formula in setting goals
• (20:25) The power of specificity
• (21:58) Tips for doing effective weekly accountability conversations
• (26:41) Great managers that Tasha and Cheron have worked for
• (29:50) Keep up with Tasha and Cheron
• (31:04) [Extended Episode Only] How to find an accountability partner
• (37:24) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when the other person always seems to make excuses
• (41:02) [Extended Episode Only] How to make progress when accountability isn’t enough

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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 Cheron and Tasha

- Follow Cheron on LinkedIn here

- Follow Tasha on LinkedIn here

- Check out The AQ Partners on LinkedIn here

- Visit their website to learn more here

50% Off One-Hour Strategy Session

The AQ Partners will offer a one-hour strategy session designed to help you break down your big-picture goal into small, actionable steps and craft a massive plan of action tailored to your lifestyle. This dynamic roadmap will guide you and help serve as a foundation when you encounter inevitable struggles and setbacks so you can focus on success. 

The cost is typically $300, but you can book a strategy session for $150. 

Get this discount and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager 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 becoming a bad boss? What are the signs that you’re turning into one? 

Bad boss behaviors can range from micromanagement and poor communication to lack of appreciation and unreasonably high expectations for their employees.

The good thing is that bad boss behaviors can be changed. And we’ve invited someone to help us explore today’s topic.

Today’s guest is Rob Kalwarowsky. Rob is a High-Performance Leadership Coach and TEDx Speaker whose quiet realizations give his audience loud transformations. Rob shares wise insights about toxic leadership, mental health, and finding purpose in life. 

In this week’s episode, Rob and I talk about the six different types of bad bosses, how to avoid accidentally becoming a bad boss, and how to deal with someone with bad boss behaviors.

Whether you might be unintentionally using bad boss behaviors or are currently dealing with a toxic boss, tune in now for an insightful conversation.

Let’s get started!

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
• (02:05) What is a bad boss?
• (03:27) 6 archetypes of bad bosses
• (10:06) The first step on how not to be a bad boss
• (15:52) How to determine that you’re being a bad boss
• (19:24) Rob’s own experience of dealing with a toxic boss
• (23:17) Tips on how to start changing your bad boss behaviors
• (27:36) A great manager Rob has worked for
• (28:41) Keep up with Rob
• (30:30) [Extended Episode Only] How to deal with a bad boss
• (38:01) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when your bad boss’s behaviors fit your style?

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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 Rob Kalwarowsky

- Follow Rob on LinkedIn here

- Check Rob out on Instagram here

- Visit Elite High Performance for more here

- FREE How to Deal with A**hole Boss eBook here

- Get $50 Off promo code for the How to  Deal with A**hole Boss program here

(Use the code MODERNMANAGER)

*Members of The Modern Manager community get a FREE Elite High Performance’s Purpose Playbook (Usually at $99).

Elite High Performance’s Purpose Playbook program supports people in becoming clear on their core values and uncovering their innate gifts so they can tap into their sweet spot and create more purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in their lives. 

Get this discount and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager 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 had the opportunity to use ChatGPT or other AI tools in your work yet? Have you considered harnessing these tools to improve your communication skills? This conversation might convince you to do so.

Today’s guest is Helen Dayen. Helen is an executive coach with over 15 years of experience in leadership development, relationship management, business development, and executive coaching. She specializes in elevating influential leadership, honing executive presence, building teams, and fostering stronger professional relationships.

In this episode, Helen and I uncover how you can effectively use AI tools like ChatGPT to help you become a better communicator and manager. 

We talk about how to craft better prompts for more appropriate responses, use ChatGPT to help you better prepare for actual conversations, and leverage its features to improve your strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

If you want to learn more about AI and how it can improve your communications, make sure to tune in to this week’s episode to learn more!

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

Key Takeaways:

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:07) AI as a tool for becoming a better manager
• (03:58) How to use AI to be a better communicator
• (06:56) The secret to writing good AI prompts
• (10:09) How AI can help you communicate better in actual conversations
• (15:36) The disadvantages of using AI as a communication tool
• (20:36) How to use AI in meetings to improve the group’s decision making
• (22:25) How to get your team to use AI to improve their communication skills
• (26:33) A great manager Helen has worked for
• (28:12) Keep up with Helen
• (29:48) [Extended Episode Only] How AI can help you in decision making
• (33:34) [Extended Episode Only] Tips for avoiding getting bad responses from AI
• (36:25) [Extended Episode Only] The MOA influencing model explained

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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 Helen Dayen

- Follow her on Instagram here

- Check her out on LinkedIn here

- Visit her website for more information here

*Members of The Modern Manager community can schedule a complimentary coaching session with Helen. In addition, you can receive a 10% discount on all coaching packages.

Get this discount and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager 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!

Throughout millions of years of evolution, our brains became formidable tools of innovation, helping us transcend from agricultural to industrial. However, as the world of work underwent radical changes, we mostly found ourselves facing new challenges that our brains were not initially designed to handle.

Today’s guest is Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. Gabriella is an author, entrepreneur, executive, and startup advisor trained as an MD. She has served as Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Product Officer at BetterUp, as well as the founding CEO of Lifelink. Her expertise spans the future of work, behavior change, leadership, well-being, productivity, and behavioral health.

In this episode, Gabriella and I explore the critical skills required to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving work environment. She shares how we can tap into our brain’s evolutionary insights to meet the demands of the modern workplace.

From enhancing creativity to fostering trust and collaboration, Gabriella offers practical advice for cultivating these vital skills so you can become a better manager.

Tune in now to learn more!

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

Key Takeaways:

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:26) The evolution of the human brain 
• (06:21)  Five skills that are important for success in today’s modern world 
• (13:33)  How to help your team feel that they and their works matter
• (21:11)   How to get your team in the mindset of creativity  & innovation
• (23:23) The four different types of creativity
• (26:55) Two ways to help your team tap into their strengths
• (29:43) A great manager Gabriella has worked for
• (31:18)  Keep up with Gabriella
• (32:49) [Extended episode only] How to become a more resilient leader
• (35:34) [Extended episode only] What can managers do to help their team members become resilient
• (41:53) [Extended episode only] The different faces of resilience

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman

- Follow Gabriella on Instagram here

- Check Gabriella out on LinkedIn here
- Learn more about Gabriella’s book Tomorrowmind here

* Members of the Modern Manager community get a chance to own a signed copy of Dr. Kellerman’s book, “Tomorrowmind”.

Get it when you join The Modern Manager 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!

For decades, the office served as the central hub of the business ecosystem until the pandemic. Remote work became a trend, and virtual meetings became the standard for collaboration with our teams and facilitating communication. 

However, along with the convenience of work-from-home setups, a new challenge arose–how can managers effectively convey their thoughts and ideas and become excellent digital communicators?

Today’s guest is Ty Hoesgen. Ty is a top communication coach, #1 best-selling author, and the Founder of Advanced Growth Institute. He helps professionals from around the world communicate with confidence, charisma, and clarity — so they can get more respect, become stronger leaders, and advance their careers.

In today’s episode, Ty and I discuss how you can be an excellent communicator using digital mediums - like virtual meetings and emails. 

We get into the small things you can do to make yourself appear more trustworthy and engaged on the camera, how to write better emails, and more.

You don’t want to miss this. Tune in 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.

Key Takeaways:

• (00:00) Intro
• (02:34) How to make proper eye contact during video calls
• (06:15) Getting your body position right when on Zoom
• (09:02) A great tip you can do at every beginning of a call
• (11:45) The importance of proper lighting
• (13:50) Natural vs. virtual backgrounds
• (16:50) How to get your team to follow good video setups
• (19:03) Email writing hacks
• (27:03) A great manager Ty has worked for
• (29:23) Keeping up with Ty
• (31:22) [Extended episode only] How to effectively convey your ideas or thoughts to your team
• (32:34)[Extended episode only] The PREP framework explained
• (39:14) [Extended episode only] Ty’s final tips

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager 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 Ty Hoesgen

- Follow Ty on Instagram here

- Check Ty out on TikTok here  

- Check out his latest updates on LinkedIn here

- Access Ty’s FREE course: 5 Science-Backed Video Call Secrets Every Professional Needs to Know. 

* Members of the Modern Manager community get a FREE digital copy of Ty’s Elite Communication Skills: How to Get More Respect, Make Your Work Life Easier, and Rapidly Advance Your Career. 

*PLUS 20% off coaching with Ty if you want to speak with confidence and clarity - and finally, stop being overlooked and undervalued. 

Get all of these when you join The Modern Manager 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 of us fall into the perfectionist trap. Whether it’s because of strict bosses, high academic standards, or just self-motivation, perfectionism is more common than you’d think. While it’s important and healthy to strive to do our best work, at some point all managers have to acknowledge that people will make mistakes and good enough can truly be good enough.

Today’s guest is Thomas Curran. Thomas is a professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and author of a landmark study that the BBC hailed as “the first to compare perfectionism across generations.” His TED Talk on perfectionism has received more than three million views. His research has been featured in media ranging from the Harvard Business Review to New Scientist to CNN and he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs.

Thomas and I talk about, no surprise, perfectionism. He shares the problems that come from being a perfectionist and working in a perfectionist culture, what’s really driving perfectionist tendencies, how to identify someone struggling with perfectionism, and of course, what to do to manage perfectionist tendencies in yourself and how to help others.

Members of the Modern Manager community get a chance to win 1 of 5 copies of “The Perfection Trap”. 

Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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

Read the related blog article: Stop Perfectionism From Impeding Your Team’s Success

KEEP UP WITH THOMAS

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfection-Trap-Embracing-Power-Enough/dp/1982149531

Read the Full Transcript.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:53 What is perfectionism?
• 04:20 What are the harms of always striving for perfection?
• 06:57 A story of unhealthy perfectionism
• 09:29 How can managers give feedback to perfectionists?
• 11:02 How to shift out of perfectionism thinking
• 20:59 Creating a work environment that doesn’t set a perfectionist standard
• 28:31 A great manager Thomas worked for
• 30:45 Keeping up with Thomas
• 31:50 [Extended episode only] Is it true that some aspects of perfectionism lead to success?
• 39:12 [Extended episode only] What is the link between perfectionism and procrastination?

Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $15 per month. 

[email protected]

instagram.com/mamieks

Do you ever feel stuck in the middle? Middle managers have a unique opportunity to understand the high-level objectives of an organization and touch the day-to-day activities that accomplish those goals. However, middle managers can often feel pulled in two different directions, answering to their superiors and the employees below them. How can middle managers effectively balance their time and attention to be their best selves at work?

Today's guest is Emily Field. Emily helps organizations establish a talent-first approach, instilling a high-performance culture, and adopting effective people-analytics approaches. Her new book Power to the Middle focuses on how organizations can empower their middle managers who are uniquely positioned close to the daily work AND overall business strategy. 

Emily and I talk about the important role that middle managers play, what it is they are uniquely suited to do, and how they can start to shift their role to do more of what’s essential and less of what isn’t!

Five members of the Modern Manager community can get a copy of Emily’s book, Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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

Read the related blog article: How to Tap the Hidden Value of Middle Managers

KEEP UP WITH EMILY

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilykfield/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Middle-Managers-Hold-Future/dp/1647824850/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:56 Why middle managers are the secret ingredient in organizations
• 03:24 What aspects of the managerial role make it essential?
• 07:58 A manager’s unique ability to reallocate work
• 10:31 A manager’s unique ability to connect people with roles (supermarket story)
• 13:00 How can managers advocate for appropriate compensation and professional development dollars?
• 24:46 Tools and frameworks to help managers be better in their role
• 27:17 A great boss Emily has worked for
• 29:41 Keeping up with Emily
• 30:50 [Extended episode only] What’s the role of a senior manager in this context?
• 32:40 [Extended episode only] Client story: Bank managers
• 36:09 [Extended episode only] What is the impact of hiring and promoting managers well?

Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month. 

[email protected]

instagram.com/mamieks

Teams are the backbone of all workplaces. When teams are functioning properly, organizations can thrive; and in order for teams to function properly, people must be good teammates. Success often comes down to the ability of individuals to work together effectively. But how do people continue to be good team members in today’s ever-changing workforce?

Today’s guest is Lance Loya, best-selling author and authority on the mindset of a good teammate. His most recent book, The WE Gear, made Forbes’ list of “20 Books to Make You a Better Coach or Mentor.” He is also the founder and CEO of The Good Teammate Factory and the creator of National Be a Good Teammate Day.

Lance and I talk about what it means to be a good team member. He breaks down the ALIVE model and explains the five factors that every person and manager can embody to be a superstar teammate.

Members of the Modern Manager community get 50% off Lance’s professional team development course, The Good Teammate Factory. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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

Read the related blog article: The Five Qualities of A Good Teammate Anyone Can Achieve 

KEEP UP WITH LANCE

Website: http://www.coachloya.com/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:07 What is the “we gear” concept?
• 05:49 Five components of the ALIVE model: put the “we gear” mindset into action
• 10:11 What did Lance discover in his research about great teammates?
• 11:46 How do leaders show they are truly invested in their teams?
• 16:23 The importance of simply waving hello
• 20:48 How to confront people who aren’t being good team members
• 26:38 A great manager Lance has worked for
• 28:26 Keeping up with Lance
• 30:00 [Extended episode only] The five teammates that each person needs
• 34:37 [Extended episode only] Which of the five roles should the manager be?
• 37:12 [Extended episode only] How can we be a good ‘buddy’ with our colleagues without crossing a boundary?

Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month. 

[email protected]

instagram.com/mamieks

EPISODE 263: NAVIGATE EMOTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE WITH JEN HOPE

Whether you find yourself grappling with stress, loneliness, or irritation—or simply seeking to cultivate a more positive and productive work environment—managers must learn to navigate the intricate landscape of emotional regulation. Feelings of all sorts make their way into our daily work experience. The challenge is that when they’re negative or really strong, they can quickly throw us and our teams off track.

Today’s guest is Jen Hope. Jen is an accomplished leadership coach with over a decade of experience in helping entrepreneurs and tech leaders thrive. With her unique process that utilizes data to create deeper levels of self-awareness, Jen is committed to promoting compassion and kindness while teaching highly-effective research-backed tools and frameworks to help clients achieve their goals.

Jen and I talk about emotions and their impact on us, how we can process our emotions, the integration of emotional and rational thinking, strategies for staying calm and moving forward when your emotions spike and so much more.

Members of the Modern Manager community get a major discount on two “Accelerate Your Growth” Strategy Sessions with Jen. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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

Read the related blog article: 4 Steps to Manage Your Emotions at Work

KEEP UP WITH JEN

Website: https://heyjenhope.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjenhope

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyjenhope/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:14 Why do we experience emotions?
• 03:38 Why do some people seem to be less emotional?
• 08:23 The skill of acknowledging what you’re feeling
• 10:43 Strategies we can use to name our emotions
• 21:26 How can we support our team members through emotional experiences?
• 27:00 A great boss Jen has worked for
• 28:21 Keeping up with Jen
• 29:00 [Extended episode only] Tangible tips to prepare for emotional conversations

Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month. 

[email protected]

instagram.com/mamieks