The Modern Manager

Some team conflicts seem to get resolved quickly.

Others keep resurfacing in meeting after meeting, leaving everyone frustrated and no closer to a solution.

In this episode, I explain why certain disagreements are so difficult to resolve and introduce a simple framework for identifying the three types of conflict that show up on nearly every team: process conflict, perspective conflict, and personality conflict.

You'll learn how to recognize which type of conflict you're dealing with, why different conflicts require different responses, and the practical steps managers can take to help conversations move forward instead of going in circles.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer way to diagnose team disagreements, reduce unnecessary friction, and help your team navigate conflict more productively.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Why smart teams get stuck in unresolved disagreements
• (00:54) The three types of conflict hiding inside one conversation
• (03:06) Type #1: Process conflict and clarity on how work gets done
• (04:23) Type #2: Perspective conflict driven by values, experience, and expertise
• (05:19) Type #3: Personality conflict and clashing work styles
• (06:20) Move #1: Identify the type of conflict before solving it
• (06:49) Move #2: Resolve process conflict by clarifying decision rights and expectations
• (08:29) Move #3: Resolve perspective conflict by naming trade-offs and decision criteria
• (10:30) Move #4: Manage personality conflict through translation, reframing, and team norms
• (12:03) [Extended] Why managers often misdiagnose conflict when they are part of it 
• (13:19) [Extended] How to recognize when you're acting like a player instead of a referee.
• (14:22) [Extended] A simple technique for reducing bias during difficult team disagreements.

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/15h40eVFr8x2Mk9kW9gn53rbZQQpxjBmkxkE19BmLTxM/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

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!

#Leadership #Management #PeopleManagement #TeamConflict #ConflictResolution #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #TeamLeadership #WorkplaceCommunication #TheModernManager

Most managers think their job is to have the answers.

But the managers who create the strongest teams often do the opposite: they ask better questions.

The challenge is that under pressure, most of us default to fixing, advising, and jumping in with solutions. And while that may feel efficient in the moment, it can unintentionally shut down ownership, confidence, and independent thinking on our teams.

Fortunately, this week’s guests explain why coaching doesn’t have to mean hour-long development conversations or formal mentoring sessions. Instead, they share how small “coachable moments” in everyday work conversations can transform the way people think, learn, and perform.

Laura Ashley-Timms and Dominic Ashley-Timms are leadership experts, executive coaches, and authors of The Answer Is A Question. Their work focuses on helping managers use operational coaching techniques to develop more confident, capable, and engaged teams through the power of purposeful inquiry.

In this conversation, we explore how to identify coachable moments, the kinds of questions that build confidence and critical thinking, and why managers who stop rushing to provide answers often unlock far greater performance from their teams.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:14) Why managers default to giving answers instead of coaching
• (05:27) What makes a moment “coachable”
• (08:43) How operational coaching builds confidence and ownership
• (12:08) The difference between helpful questions and advice disguised as questions
• (14:31) The Ques-Gen framework for asking better questions
• (18:21) How purposeful inquiry creates new insights and learning
• (19:27) Questions that unintentionally shut people down
• (22:20) How to share your ideas without dominating the conversation
• (24:38) The leadership shift from problem-solver to talent developer
• (30:10) [Extended Episode Only] How to decide if a situation is truly coachable
• (33:36) [Extended Episode Only] Why small coaching moments create long-term team growth
• (35:17) [Extended Episode Only] The growing pressure managers face today
• (37:24) [Extended Episode Only] Why “accidental managers” are burning out
• (38:56) [Extended Episode Only] Reframing management as enabling others to succeed

📚 Additional Resources:

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

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nDydcM3ozLY1UtVNN7O0AqMJr1rs5JkuWe8KDq6EdQE/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Laura Ashley-Timms and Dominic Ashley-Timms

- Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/laura-ashley-timms

- Connect with Dominic on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dominic-ashley-timms

- Listen to the STAR® Manager Podcast: https://STARmanager.global/podcast

- Check out their book The Answer Is A Question: https://www.amazon.com/Answer-Question-Superpower-Everything-Transform/dp/0117093912

Guest Bonus: 10 Free Audiobooks of The Answer is A Question

This book provides a step-by-step walk-through of their ground-breaking STAR® model. Packed with invaluable insights, examples, and mini-missions, you’ll learn precisely how to make some immediate changes that will yield fast and exciting results and revolutionise how you manage forever.

The first 10 members to sign up will receive the audiobook.

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!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #CoachingSkills #PeopleManagement #LeadershipCommunication #ManagerTips #WorkplaceLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamLeadership #CoachingConversations #ManagerTraining #FutureOfWork #LeadershipGrowth #EmployeeDevelopment #OperationalCoaching

Most managers think difficult feedback conversations are hard because they don’t know what to say.

But often the real problem is that the conversation they’re preparing for is the wrong one.

In this episode, I break down why feedback conversations become so emotionally exhausting, why managers keep delaying them, and how unclear expectations quietly damage trust long before feedback is ever delivered.

You’ll learn why feedback only works when there’s a shared understanding of standards first, how to shift from a “feedback conversation” to a “clarity conversation,” and four practical moves that make difficult conversations more productive and less emotionally charged.

In the extended version, I also explore what to do when the conversation still doesn’t work, how to identify whether the real issue is clarity, capability, motivation, or systems constraints, and why repeating the same conversation louder rarely fixes the problem.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a practical framework for approaching difficult conversations with more clarity, less avoidance, and a much better chance of creating real change.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) The parking garage moment managers know too well
• (01:32) Why feedback conversations feel so difficult
• (02:28) The hidden problem: unclear standards and assumptions
• (03:39) Why feedback is really a clarity conversation
• (04:54) Move #1: Name the conversation before it starts
• (05:50) Move #2: Lead with the observable gap, not emotions
• (07:00) Move #3: Make the conversation collaborative, not a verdict
• (07:00) Move #4: End with recommitment and accountability
• (07:00) [EXTENDED ONLY] Why discomfort doesn’t always mean the conversation failed 
• (08:02) [EXTENDED ONLY] The difference between capability, will, and systems gaps 
• (09:22) [EXTENDED ONLY] Why repeating the same feedback conversation louder rarely works 
• (10:17) [EXTENDED ONLY] Reframing feedback as alignment instead of judgment 

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iw4Ci7hYzU-1kSC8biwCp7opAjCuXcJJSRH7oP69PGk/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

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!

#Leadership #Management #Feedback #CommunicationSkills #ManagerTools #WorkplaceCommunication #LeadershipDevelopment #TheModernManager

AI can now answer questions faster, cheaper, and sometimes better than humans. So where does that leave managers and teams?

For many leaders, the instinct is to use AI to speed up execution and automate tasks. But the bigger challenge isn’t getting faster answers. It’s learning how to ask better questions, navigate uncertainty, and create environments where people are encouraged to think critically, experiment, and complement AI.

Fortunately, this week’s guest explains why the future of work won’t belong to the people who always have the right answers but to the teams that know how to explore problems with AI as their partner.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author of Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People. Her work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, human potential, and innovation, helping organizations understand which uniquely human skills become even more valuable in an AI-driven world.

In this conversation, we explore the difference between well-posed and ill-posed problems, why curiosity and intellectual humility matter more than expertise, and how managers can build teams that think more creatively alongside AI instead of becoming dependent on it.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (03:42) Why AI excels at “well-posed” problems
• (07:00) The kinds of problems humans still solve best
• (10:41) Why uncertainty makes managers uncomfortable
• (13:20) How AI can create the illusion of understanding
• (15:13) The human skills that become more valuable in an AI-driven world
• (19:37) What “hybrid intelligence” between humans and AI looks like
• (23:18) Why curiosity and intellectual humility outperform expertise alone
• (27:12) How productive disagreement improves team thinking
• (32:19) [Extended Episode Only] Building resilience, curiosity, and learning through failure
• (35:48) [Extended Episode Only] Why rewarding “productive mistakes” matters
• (40:56) [Extended Episode Only] Using constructive criticism to generate better ideas

📚 Additional Resources:

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

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jDqGUcP6zMtset2bPAkMNxaa40MQc4yuhK8kcgY-8KU/edit?usp=sharing

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Dr. Vivienne Ming and SOCoS

- Visit SOCoS here: https://socos.org/

- Check out the book Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People: https://socos.org/robot-proof 

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway: Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People

Dr. Vivienne Ming helps readers grasp the ugly and the amazing of how individuals, companies, and societies will respond to the changes that are already taking hold due to the advent of AI. With poignant insight and delicate care to keep us grounded in the human perspective, Robot-Proof is an entertaining and thought-provoking read for all individuals seeking to understand the next steps in a new and completely unprecedented world.

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!

#ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #AIatWork #CriticalThinking #InnovationCulture #Curiosity #WorkplaceLearning #LeadershipSkills #DigitalTransformation #CreativeThinking #ProblemSolving #HumanSkills #Management #AILeadership

Most managers assume burnout is caused by one thing: workload.

But in reality, burnout is rarely that simple. It’s usually the result of multiple hidden workplace dynamics that quietly drain energy over time, long before anyone officially burns out.

In this episode, I break down six overlooked causes of burnout that show up in everyday leadership decisions, from lack of work-life balance and micromanagement to toxic culture, lack of support, recognition gaps, and monotonous work.

You’ll also hear how these patterns show up in real teams, how they quietly erode engagement, and what you can do as a manager to start shifting them in practical, sustainable ways.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how burnout actually builds over time and what small leadership shifts can prevent it from taking hold in your team.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Why burnout often goes unnoticed until disengagement becomes visible
• (01:19) Why burnout is more than just workload.
• (02:55) Cause #1: Lack of work-life balance and always being “on.”
• (04:14) Cause #2: Micromanagement and lack of trust.
• (05:04) Cause #3: Toxic workplace culture and psychological safety.
• (06:06) Cause #4: Lack of support from leadership and unclear communication.
• (07:31) Cause #5: Lack of recognition and its emotional impact.
• (08:58) Cause #6: Monotonous work and loss of engagement.
• (10:45) Why burnout prevention is about small, consistent changes, not big overhauls.
• (08:58) [EXTENDED ONLY] Personal burnout recovery strategies.
• (10:45) [EXTENDED ONLY] How to recognize your own overload patterns as a leader.
• (10:45) [EXTENDED ONLY] Deeper reflection on sustainable leadership habits.

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zaYWIxLEy6HrcMOgFBKRwyMMyV9JmZo15b6gcxr3Y-0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

✨ Check out Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/KLXNolHCz_0

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!

#LeadershipDevelopment #BurnoutPrevention #ManagementSkills #WorkplaceCulture #TeamLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #PeopleManagement #LeadershipTips #PsychologicalSafety #WorkLifeBalance #HighPerformanceTeams #ModernLeadership #TheModernManager

Resilience is often framed as pushing through, staying positive, and powering past challenges.

But that version of resilience can backfire, especially for managers trying to support their teams. When leaders jump too quickly into problem-solving or positivity, they can unintentionally make people feel unheard, dismissed, or disconnected.

Fortunately, this week’s guest shares a more effective approach to building resilience, one that starts with acknowledging what people are actually experiencing and then guides them toward solutions.

Jay Abbasi is a leadership coach and former executive who helps individuals and organizations develop resilience, improve performance, and lead through challenges with greater awareness and intention.

In this conversation, we explore how to support resilience in others without falling into toxic positivity, practical coaching techniques that help people find their own solutions, and how to lead teams through difficult moments by creating space, trust, and honest dialogue.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:18) Rethinking resilience beyond “just pushing through.”
• (05:46) Why positivity can sometimes make things worse
• (09:12) The importance of acknowledging what people are experiencing
• (12:34) Coaching instead of fixing: helping others find their own solutions
• (16:08) Powerful coaching questions that shift perspective
• (19:27) Asking permission before giving advice
• (22:41) Creating psychological safety through active listening
• (26:15) Supporting individuals without becoming their therapist
• (29:38) Leading teams through uncertainty and difficult news
• (32:56) [Extended Episode Only] Supporting team resilience in real time
• (33:44) [Extended Episode Only] Why “I hear you” matters more than solutions
• (36:44) [Extended Episode Only] Coaching techniques to unlock better thinking
• (40:14) [Extended Episode Only] How to lead team conversations during tough moments

📚 Additional Resources:

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

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YIXQtsAmWSuIXfl4ZDdfJ0INFUN2W5w8OA6yZrIC004/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Jay Abbasi

- Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/

- Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/

- Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast

Guest Bonus: Free PDF: 7 Strategies To Build Unshakable Resilience 

This PDF offers guidance on how to support your own resilience.

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!

#leadershipcommunication #peoplemanagement #managertips #emotionalintelligence #workplacecommunication #leadershipskills #coachingleadership#psychologicalsafety #teamleadership #resilienceatwork

Most managers assume burnout is caused by one thing: workload.

But in reality, burnout is rarely that simple. It’s usually the result of multiple hidden workplace dynamics that quietly drain energy over time long before anyone officially burns out.

In this episode, I break down six overlooked causes of burnout that show up in everyday leadership decisions, from false urgency and unfair treatment to relentless change, limited growth, and feeling undercompensated.

You’ll also learn how to recognize early warning signs of burnout, understand what’s really driving disengagement, and take simple, practical steps to prevent it from escalating.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see how burnout actually develops beneath the surface and what you can do as a manager to stop it before it spreads across your team.

Conversation Topics

(00:00) Why burnout is often misdiagnosed as just workload

(01:19) The difference between productive stress and destructive drain

(02:34) Cause #1: False urgency and constant crisis mode

(03:55) Cause #2: Unfair treatment and its ripple effect on trust

(05:36) Cause #3: Relentless change without explanation

(06:26) Cause #4: Excessive workload and lack of support

(07:07) Cause #5: Limited growth opportunities

(08:43) Cause #6: Feeling undercompensated

(10:01) Why burnout is usually a combination of multiple causes

(11:15) [EXTENDED ONLY] How to talk to team members about burnout risk.

(12:35) [EXTENDED ONLY] Difference between stress vs burnout progression.

(13:51)[EXTENDED ONLY]  How to intervene early and prevent escalation.

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0E7D-LtllycG5WsQqnUkCGLdrfP_iXHln44vO1pUPE/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

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!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #BurnoutPrevention #WorkplaceCulture #TeamLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #PeopleManagement #LeadershipTips #HighPerformanceTeams #WorkLifeBalance #EmotionalIntelligence #ModernLeadership #TheModernManager

Toxic workplaces come in many different forms that we might not always notice. 

And because we aren’t all affected in the same ways, even the most well-meaning managers can unintentionally contribute to an unhealthy culture if they aren't paying close attention. 

Aoife O’Brien is an organizational psychologist, leadership expert, and author of Thriving Talent. Her work focuses on helping organizations create environments where people feel psychologically safe, aligned to meaningful work, and able to perform at their best.

In this conversation, we explore what actually makes a workplace toxic, practical ways to spot the early warning signs of an unhealthy culture, and clear, everyday actions you can take to foster trust, respect, and psychological safety. Because culture is something you create moment by moment, not something you merely declare.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:21) Types of Toxic Workplaces (and How They Develop)
• (06:17) Why Toxic Cultures Persist and How to Start Changing Them
• (10:06) A Framework for Building Thriving Workplaces
• (13:17) Fostering Psychological Safety at Every Level
• (17:58) Understanding What Actually Drives People at Work
• (21:05) Meeting Individual Needs
• (25:54) One Thing Managers Can Do Tomorrow
• (28:12) Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendations
• (31:04) [Extended Only] Gaining Awareness of Your Strengths
• (34:07) [Extended Only] Managing Conflicting Strengths on Teams
• (37:35) [Extended Only] Structuring Collaboration So Different Strengths Shine

📚 Additional Resources:

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

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q9HGJ3_EkaabC5ZzePq86WUmejsVGJU-KpUjRNzuhT0/edit?usp=sharing 

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep up with Aoife O’Brien 

- Connect with Aoife on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

- Follow Happier at Work on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/happieratworkpodcast

- Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

- Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappieratWorkHQ

- Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happieratwork

Guest Bonus: 10% Off Thriving Talent Book

In Thriving Talent, Aoife O’Brien challenges the idea that engagement and performance are trade-offs. Instead, she shows leaders how to create environments where people feel psychologically safe, aligned to meaningful work, and able to use their strengths every day. 

Blending research with practical tools, the book introduces a clear framework for building cultures that drive performance, engagement, and retention without relying on perks or pressure.

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

---------------------

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!

#teamdynamics #teamperformance #conflic #teamalignment #highperformingteams #workplacefriction #collaborationatwork #leadingteams #peoplemanagement #howteamswork

You’re stuck between two options, going back and forth, trying to figure out the “right” choice. Should you hire or not? Change systems or stay the same? Restructure or keep things as they are? The more you think about it, the more stuck you feel.

It’s easy to assume the answer is hidden somewhere between those two choices, but often, that’s the real problem. You’re treating a complex decision as if it only has two possible paths.

In this quick lesson, I share five practical strategies to help you break out of binary thinking and expand your options. 

By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to approach decisions more creatively, uncover better solutions, and move forward with greater confidence, without feeling stuck between “either” and “or.”

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Why either-or thinking keeps you stuck in tough decisions
• (00:59) How binary thinking limits better, more creative solutions
• (01:30) Strategy 1: Generate “options within options” to expand your choices
• (03:03) Strategy 2: Challenge the assumptions behind your choices
• (03:58) Strategy 3: Sequence decisions instead of treating them as permanent
• (04:20) [Extended Episode] Strategy 4: Create hybrid solutions that combine the best of both options
• (04:44) [Extended Episode] Strategy 5: Reframe decisions from different stakeholder perspectives
• (05:20) How to recognize when you’re stuck in either-or thinking
• (05:40) Your challenge: Apply one strategy to a current decision
• (06:00) Why better decisions come from expanding, not narrowing, your options

📚 Additional Resources

✨ Read the transcript:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CqY5XO5bUVxKGO8gxqEneN4DtYWGOoVykBuwYM6C1K4/edit?usp=sharing 

✨ Follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/leadershipwithmamie/ 

✨ Visit my website for more:

https://www.mamieks.com/ 

✨ Level up your skills:

https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle 

✨ Subscribe to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 

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!

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #DecisionMaking #ProblemSolving #StrategicThinking #LeadershipSkills #ManagerMindset #WorkplaceSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth #CriticalThinking #LeadershipHabits #TheModernManager

We often think our reactions at work are about what’s happening in the moment: a frustrating colleague, a difficult conversation, or a stressful situation.

But what if those reactions are actually coming from somewhere else?

For many managers, moments of irritation, defensiveness, or emotional overwhelm can feel confusing or even unprofessional. But these responses aren’t random and they’re not a sign that something is wrong with you.

Fortunately, this week’s guest explains how our past experiences shape our present-day interactions and how developing self-awareness can help us respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.

Nidhi Tewari is a therapist and leadership expert who helps individuals and organizations build emotional intelligence, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and create healthier, more connected workplaces.

In this conversation, we explore why certain people trigger us, how to recognize when your reaction is disproportionate to the moment, and a simple framework you can use to regulate your emotions and lead more effectively. We also discuss how to support team members through difficult moments without crossing the line into becoming their therapist.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:41) The Science of Attunement: How We Sync With Others
• (03:38) Body Language, Energy, and Emotional Contagion
• (05:11) Attuning to Organizational Culture and Unspoken Norms
• (06:37) Case Study: Supporting Neurodivergent Teams
• (08:28) The CHECK-IN Framework for Difficult Conversations
• (13:32) Attunement in Remote Work: What Changes
• (15:56) Spotting Behavioral Shifts and Subtle Signals
• (17:18) Connection Gaps: Why Conversations Break Down
• (23:27) From Fixer to Explorer + A Story of Great Leadership
• (32:41) [Extended Episode Only] How to support employees while maintaining boundaries
• (36:52) [Extended Episode Only] The importance of normalizing and validating emotions
• (39:21) [Extended Episode Only] The right way to refer employees to additional support

📚 Additional Resources:

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

✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ewlJYvzfKfIScl9mrdHqd61HTW_TuSJKoJGRGse6qEs/edit?usp=sharing 

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Keep up with Nidhi Tewari

- Follow Nidhi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nidhitewarilcsw/?hl=en

- Visit her website: https://www.nidhitewari.com

- Check out her book Working Well: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788782/working-well-by-nidhi-tewari-msw-lcsw-foreword-by-amy-cuddy/

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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.

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