The Modern Manager

What if understanding how your brain actually works was the key to unlocking higher performance, better decisions, and more resilient leadership? 

Many leaders focus on strategies and skills without realizing that lasting change starts by rewiring how we think.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings decades of experience helping leaders do just that. 

Larry Olsen is an expert in performance-driven neurology, a best-selling author, and the founder of Aperneo. He works with organizations to harness the power of neuroscience to shift mindsets, break through limiting beliefs, and create sustainable high performance.

In this episode, Larry explains the crucial difference between the brain and the mind, why predictability can actually work against leadership growth, and how to identify and replace the beliefs that hold you back. You’ll learn about neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to change—and how to apply practical “brain hacks” to transform your thinking and your results.

In the extended episode, Larry dives deeper into applying these insights in everyday leadership, including how to coach teams through change and build a culture of mindset mastery.

Podcast Plus members get access to the extended episode, guest bonuses, and more. Become a member at themodernmanager.com/more and get free mini-episode guides delivered to your inbox each week.

Conversation Topics 

• (00:00) Introduction to the Power of Neuroscience
• (00:19) Meet Larry Olsen: Performance-Driven Neurology Specialist
• (01:13) Understanding Neuroscience Performance
• (03:40) The Brain vs. The Mind
• (07:07) The Brain's Predictability and Leadership Challenges
• (10:08) The Importance of Changing Beliefs
• (13:38) Neuroplasticity and Changing Your Mindset
• (18:09) Practical Applications and Brain Hacks
• (25:32) Wrapping Up: Insights and Resources
• (27:02) [Extended Episode Only] Coaching teams through mindset change
• (29:16) [Extended Episode Only] Building a culture of neuroscience-based leadership

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 Larry Olsen.

- Connect with him on LinkedIn here. 

- Visit his website for more here.

- Listen to his podcast & watch videos here.

- Get his book: Get a Vision and Live It here.

Guest Bonus: 20% off coaching with Larry. 

In these sessions, Larry will help you lead with values, shift your mindset, and create lasting success. You’ll gain tools to eliminate doubt, enhance happiness, parent effectively, and achieve more with ease and clarity.

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 wait for the perfect moment to speak up, only to have the conversation move on without you?

What if the secret to becoming a confident, impactful communicator wasn’t planning every word, but learning to improvise?

This week’s guest reveals how improvisation isn’t just for the stage, but a powerful, everyday skill that can transform how you connect, influence, and lead.

Today’s guest is Jeff Mondoro. Jeff is an improviser, learning designer, executive coach, and a dad. He started his career in finance but discovered the world of improv in his mid-twenties and never looked back. 

In this episode, Jeff explains why improv isn’t about being funny, but it’s about building on others’ ideas, listening deeply, and embracing uncertainty. 

You’ll learn how micro-experiments in your meetings can create more space for collaboration, and how clarifying language early prevents misalignment.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jeff and I discuss why adopting a growth mindset is essential for success, how to encourage team members to share unpolished ideas, and why humor works best when it’s co-created.

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
• (01:56) What improv really is and isn’t?
• (07:42) Applying improv to meetings
• (14:09) From shaking with nerves to speaking with ease
• (17:00) Simple practices to build your improv skills
• (24:07) How to help your team become better listeners
• (26:31) A great manager Jeff has worked for
• (28:00) Keep up with Jeff
• (29:06) [Extended Episode Only] The surprising link between growth mindset and improv
• (35:54) [Extended Episode Only] How to bring humor to the workplace without offending anyone

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 Jeff’s book recommendation Improvisation for the Theater here

 Keep up with Jeff Mondoro

- Follow Riff Consulting on LinkedIn

- Visit Riff Consulting for more information here

Free 1-hour Workshop: Intro to Improv with Riff Consulting

In this one-hour class, we'll explore some of the fundamental tenets of improvisation: presence, active listening with 'yes, and', and the ability to quickly pivot and build with your scene partners. The virtual course will be highly experiential and involve a series of paired and small-group exercises. We'll also debrief and discuss how you might apply each principle in your work as a manager.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific, 4pm British time)

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!

What if the biggest threat to your team’s creativity and performance isn’t the workload but outdated ideas of what “professionalism” should look like?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of performative professionalism: obsessing over sounding smart, dressing the part, and following invisible rules about how “real professionals” should behave. But all that effort often masks the very things that fuel creativity, innovation, and productivity.

Today’s guest is here to flip the script on professionalism and show you how to bring more fun into work without being labeled unprofessional.

Meet Bree Groff. Bree is the author of TODAY WAS FUN: A Book About Work (Seriously) and a transformation expert who’s advised leaders at Microsoft, Google, Pfizer, and more.

In this episode, Bree reveals the difference between functional and performative professionalism, shares simple rituals that create psychological safety, and explains why micro acts of fun at work (whether you’re on site or fully remote) are actually strategic for building team trust.

Plus, in the extended episode available exclusively to Podcast+ members, Bree shares practical tips on how to respond when someone calls you “unprofessional” and other small ways to infuse fun into the workday.

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
• (01:23) Understanding functional vs. performative professionalism
• (06:20) The problem with wearing “business masks”
• (10:17) How to balance client expectations 
• (15:22) What real professionalism looks like in practice
• (21:07) How to talk about professionalism with your team
• (25:04) The impact of human-first leadership
• (27:35) A great manager Bree has worked for
• (29:30) Keep up with Bree
• (30:19) [Extended Episode Only] How to respond when someone says you’re unprofessional
• (35:32) [Extended Episode Only] Other ways to bring more joy and fun into the workplace

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 Bree Groff

- Follow Bree on LinkedIn and Instagram

- Grab a copy of her book, Today Was Fun, here

- Subscribe to Bree’s Substack here

FREE 1-A-Day Calendar

Bree is giving Podcast+ members a 1-A-Day Calendar for free. This playful calendar provides 30 days of prompts—a quote, a provocation, or a little something to try—to help you love your days.

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!

Self-distraction is one of the biggest productivity challenges we face today. 

It’s easy to get lost in the constant flow of thoughts. A simple “I need to remind Kevin to send me that document,” takes us away from our current activity, preventing us from completing the tasks that matter most. No wonder we feel overwhelmed and constantly rushing.

But here’s the good news: Today’s guest is on a mission to help managers and teams break free from this cycle of overwhelm and start getting things done effectively and efficiently.

Meet Mridu Parikh. Mridu is a productivity coach who helps busy professionals take control of their time, energy, and focus—so they can perform at their best without feeling overwhelmed. She empowers leaders and teams to reduce stress, prioritize effectively, and create lasting systems for success. She’s also the host of the top-ranked Productivity on Purpose podcast.

In this episode, we dive into Mridu’s ACTION framework—a seven-step approach to increasing productivity by minimizing distractions, committing to Power Hours, time blocking effectively, systemizing your approach, and more. 

Beyond individual productivity tips, we also cover how teams can build a culture of focus and how to respectfully say no (even to your boss).

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 surprising reason most of us are overwhelmed
• (04:02) How to get things done using the ACTION framework
• (16:26) Tips for getting everything out of your head
• (18:42) Start small with focused work blocks
• (20:45) Using technology to stay focused, not distracted
• (22:49) How to say no to a team member and even your boss
• (27:43) Why time planning is important
• (28:27) A great manager Mridu has worked for
• (29:36) Keep up with Mridu
• (29:55) [Extended Episode Only] Time blocking vs. time planning
• (33:12) [Extended Episode Only] How to build a productive culture as 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

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out OneTab here

 Keep up with Mridu Parikh

- Follow Mridu on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

- Subscribe to Mridu’s Productivity on Purpose Podcast here

- Grab a copy of her book, Accomplish It, here

30% Off A One-Hour Productivity Coaching Call

Mridu is offering 30% off a one-hour productivity coaching call to members of Podcast+.

During this call, Mridu will help you gain clarity, focus, and control over your time, so you can follow through 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 walk out of meetings feeling more exhausted than empowered? Are toxic behaviors affecting your team? 

Navigating a workplace with individuals who show signs of narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy can be incredibly challenging. But understanding the root of these toxic behaviors is key to managing them effectively, and today’s guest is here to help us do just that.

Meet Dr. Sheela Reddy. Sheela has more than 25 years of experience in Trauma-Informed Leadership Psychology, a PhD in multicultural systems psychology, and a fellowship in trauma. She is a published author, speaker and coach. 

She loves conducting experiential learning workshops to increase EQ and develop empathy for diversity in teams for organizations. She is most passionate about increasing mind health, reversing the effects of trauma, and developing empowered, liberated, skilled & resilient diverse female leaders. 

In this episode, Sheela and I explore the core elements of narcissism, Machiavellism, and psychopathy, and how these often show up as manipulative or emotionally abusive behaviors at work.

She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and teaches how we can build distress tolerance to deal with toxic behaviors in high-pressure situations.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Sheela uncovers the surprising link between toxic behaviors and emotional intelligence.

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
• (01:26) Understanding the Dark Triad in the workplace 
• (05:42) The effects of toxic behaviors in team dynamics
• (09:17) Unpacking the root causes of toxic workplace behaviors
• (12:49) What to do if you recognize unhealthy patterns in yourself
• (15:04) How to handle negative emotions in a productive way
• (18:45) Strategies for managing interactions with toxic colleagues
• (25:38) A great manager Sheela has worked for
• (29:37) Keep up with Sheela
• (30:24) [Extended Episode Only] The surprising link between toxic behaviors and emotional intelligence

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. Sheela Reddy

- Follow Sheela on Instagram

- Check out Rise Mind’s official website for more information here

Live LinkedIn Sessions: Your Bi-Weekly EQ Boost

Join Dr. Sheela Reddy every other Thursday at 12:30 PM ET or Friday at 12:00 PM ET for free live sessions on LinkedIn. Explore various EQ abilities and practical tips to help you manage stress, improve your mood, and strengthen your relationships. Connect with Sheela on LinkedIn to join!

Dive Deeper: Free Podcast on Self, Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

Continue your growth journey with Sheela’s podcast, RISEMIND - EQ Evolution, where you explore essential skills for developing a more empowered self, mastering interpersonal management, and honing your leadership abilities. 

FREE EQ Assessment and Tame the Tough Boss Article

Members of Podcast+ get two amazing bonuses from Sheela this week: a FREE EQ Assessment and Tame the Tough Boss Article

The first 20 members to sign up will receive a complimentary EQi 2.0 assessment (a $100 value!) followed by an exclusive group consultation. During this session, we'll delve into your personalized results, providing you with actionable tips to boost your EQ for personal and professional success.

And, get practical strategies to navigate challenging professional relationships with Sheela’s article: "Tired of Walking on Eggshells? How to Manage Your Difficult Boss (Without Getting Fired)." 

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 form new habits that actually stick?

If you’ve ever found yourself failing to break old habits, it’s likely because you’re using the wrong habit formation strategies. 

Thankfully, today’s guest is going to unlock the key to transformational behavior change so you and your team can successfully adopt new ways of working.

Today’s guest is Jason Hreha. Jason is a behavioral scientist and entrepreneur who, after studying at Stanford and working in BJ Fogg's Behavior Design Lab, developed the Behavioral Strategy framework for business challenges. 

As CEO of Persona, he combines behavioral science assessments with rigorous vetting to connect companies with exceptional talent. Previously, as Global Head at Walmart, he established the first Fortune 100 behavioral science team. Jason is also the author of Real Change, a book redefining habit formation and personal growth. 

In this episode, Jason shares a breakthrough approach to behavior change that will reshape the way you think about habits.

We explore the distinction between habits and transformative practices and why most people fail by choosing habits that are too complex or misaligned with their personality.

Jason also explains the importance of behavior matching and how it can help both individuals and teams adopt the right practices for lasting impact. 

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jason shares practical, human-centered strategies to break bad habits for yourself and your team.

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
• (01:55) Habits vs. transformative practices
• (05:46) The problem with habit-forming strategies
• (08:15) Why behavior matching is more effective
• (10:47) Respecting individual strengths and weaknesses
• (17:31) How managers can introduce new team practices effectively
• (21:01) Exploring new behaviors as a way of growth
• (24:44) A great manager Jason has worked for
• (27:18) Keep up with Jason
• (28:09) [Extended Episode Only] How to break a bad habit for yourself or a team member 
• (35:49) [Extended Episode Only] Embracing personality traits for effective behavior change

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 Jason Hreha 

- Follow Jason on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram

- Follow Persona for more updates on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook

- Subscribe to The Behavioral Scientist on YouTube here

- Visit Persona Talent and The Behavioral Scientist for more information

FREE: First Half of Real Change: Moving Beyond Habits to Achieve Lasting Transformation

Jason is providing members of Podcast+ with the first half of his book Real Change: Moving Beyond Habits to Achieve Lasting Transformation, for free! This book debunks the myths of habit hacking and guides you towards meaningful, lasting transformation through the innovative Transformative Practice Path. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this book will empower you to create the meaningful life you’ve always desired.

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!

Documentation isn’t just a system—it’s a daily habit that you can master.

When was the last time you actually enjoyed documenting a meeting or your thought process?  For most of us, documentation feels tedious and intimidating. Just the idea of making things “official” can stir up fear that it might one day be used against us. 

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a fresh perspective on why documentation is worth embracing and mastering.

Today’s guest is Adrienne Bellehumeur. Adrienne is the owner of Risk Oversight, a consulting firm specializing in SOX, CSOX, internal control, and internal audit programs. She is also the author of The 24-Hour Rule—and Other Secrets for Smarter Organizations, which you can think of as the first “mass market” book on documentation best practices. She regularly speaks about documentation, workflow, and productivity best practices to professional groups and organizations of all sizes and industries.

In this episode, Adrienne breaks down the Big D vs. Little D concept, revealing why daily, individual habits matter more than fancy systems.

You’ll learn how simply processing meeting notes within 24 hours can save your team hours of frustration and rework.

We also explore practical strategies, such as using central repositories and establishing team-wide documentation standards. Additionally, we dive into the value of handwritten notes vs. digital tools, and how to avoid “Groundhog Day” meetings by writing things down.

If your team keeps having the same conversations or you’re buried in sticky notes, this episode is a must-listen.

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
• (01:47) Big D vs. little D: What you need to know about documentation
• (04:08) Common manager struggles with meeting notes
• (08:05) The 24-hour rule explained
• (12:23) How client audits benefit from quick documentation
• (18:03) How to capture and present a big chunk of information
• (22:25) Handwritten notes vs. digital tools: Which works better?
• (27:19) Keep up with Adrienne
• (28:18) [Extended Episode Only] How to effectively organize digital documents 
• (34:52) [Extended Episode Only] When to get feedback to avoid rewriting your draft

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 Bullet Journal Method here

 Keep up with Adrienne Bellehumeur

- Follow Adrienne on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of her book here

- Check out Risk Oversight here for more information

- Visit Adrienne’s official website here to keep up with her work

FREE 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation + Productivity as a Team Sport Workbook

Adrienne is giving members of Podcast+ 2 incredible PDFs. 

First, the 6 Steps of Dynamic Documentation. Whatever your current go-to practices for personal productivity, information management, and documentation look like, these 6 steps will give you simple strategies to work smarter, faster, and better—for yourself, your team, and your whole organization.

And second, Productivity as a Team Sport Workbook. This workbook shares the 8 Super Secrets of Team Productivity that have been tested with organizations and professional groups across industries. The focus? Real, lasting results for knowledge workers that teams can apply immediately.

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 constantly feel overwhelmed by your leadership role? Are you always reacting to everyone else’s agenda instead of creating your own?

What if you could reclaim your power and lead confidently through any situation? Today’s guest reveals exactly how to make that shift.

Meet Dr. Sharon Melnick. Sharon is recognized as a Marshall Goldsmith Top 50 executive coach and is the author of three books including In Your Power (2022), Success Under Stress, and Confidence When it Counts. Her mission is simple: Equip all leaders with the toolkit they need to claim their power and amplify it to achieve dramatically positive outcomes for all.

In this episode, Sharon redefines what real power looks like in the workplace and shares practical strategies to help managers take back control, even in challenging situations.

She reveals how to shift from reactive to proactive leadership through tools like the “thermostat” metaphor and the “cooling breath” technique. Plus, she breaks down how to stop giving away your power to others’ expectations and how to lead from a place of strength.

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
• (01:17) What does power truly mean
• (03:49) What throws us off our game and makes us feel powerless
• (06:42) Thermometer vs. thermostat metaphor for leadership
• (09:57) Ways to step into your power or regain it after losing it
• (13:25) The importance of setting a clear “horizon point”
• (15:22) A quick technique to calm down a situation
• (18:15) How seeking approval from others gives away your power
• (27:29) The relation between burnout and power
• (29:22) Keep up with Sharon
• (30:12) [Extended Episode Only] How to help your team members step into their power 

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 Sharon Melnick

- Follow Sharon on LinkedIn and Facebook

- Get your burnout-proof checklist here

- Check out Sharon’s official page here for more

Book Giveaway: A Signed Copy of Her Book In Your Power

Sharon is giving away a signed copy of her book In Your Power: React Less, Regain Control, Raise Others to one member of Podcast+

Whether dealing with an underperforming team member, an undervaluing boss, an undermining colleague, a difficult family member or partner, or the overwhelm of too much to do, we can find ourselves feeling “out of our power.” This book guides you through twelve Power Portals, giving you a new approach to stop reacting to others’ limitations and instead raise yourself and others to be limitless. 

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!

Leadership can feel overwhelming, especially when the world around you is constantly changing. But what if small, science-backed changes in how you lead could create a bigger impact than you ever imagined? 

This week’s guests will explore key findings from their research on the nine science-based traits of effective leadership, enabling us to become better managers today.

Meet Margaret Moore and Jeffrey Hull. Margaret is the Founder of Wellcoaches Corporation, Co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, and a faculty member with the Harvard Medical School Office of Global Education. She has over twenty-five years of C-suite roles and experience coaching C-suite executives by blending leadership, coaching, and science.

Jeffrey is an Executive Director and Coach with the Institute of Coaching and Founder of Leadership Inc. He brings over 30 years of translating science into leadership as a consultant, psychologist, and teacher at New York University and Harvard Medical School.

Together, Margaret and Jeffrey co-authored the new book, The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact.

In this episode, they unpack the key findings on the essential leadership traits that define effective leadership today and how these traits can help managers respond to challenges while fostering a positive work environment.

They also explore actionable strategies, including the role of positive psychology, why intentional pauses in leadership matter, and how embracing flexibility can drastically improve your team’s performance.

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
• (01:54) The alarming state of managers today
• (07:00) The Science of Leadership explained
• (11:00) Why leadership agility is essential in today’s world
• (19:31) The power of pauses in leadership
• (25:18) How positivity in leadership can boost creativity
• (29:26) Great managers Margaret and Jeffrey have worked for
• (34:58) [Extended Episode Only] How to stay optimistic amidst today’s disruptions
• (39:39) [Extended Episode Only] The 5 kinds of psychological capital

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 Gallup research here

 Keep up with our guests

- Follow Margaret on LinkedIn here

- Follow Jeffrey on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of Flex: The Art and Science of Leadership in a Changing World here

- Grab a copy of The Science of Leadership here

FREE Science of Leadership Assessment and Discussion Guide

Jeffrey and Margaret are providing members of Podcast+  an excerpt from The Science of Leadership that includes the nine capabilities assessment as well as a readiness to change assessment.

In addition, they’re giving members a discussion guide to easily explore the nine leadership capacities alone or with your team.

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 you’re drowning in your task list? 

You know delegation is important. You know your team wants to contribute. But still, something holds you back—whether it’s fear of mistakes or the lack of time to explain things.

You don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle.

Joining me today is Dallas Burnett. Dallas is the founder and CEO of Perforam and author of "Lift," "MOVE!" and "Caveman Delegation," He is a performance management expert dedicated to transforming how organizations unlock potential. He partners with senior executives to design unique people systems that reduce turnover, boost productivity, and increase profits.

In this episode, Dallas dives deep into the common fears that prevent managers from  delegating, such as the fear of failure and the belief that it’s quicker to do things themselves.

He introduces his simple yet effective “Caveman Delegation” model, a four-step process that helps managers confidently delegate tasks, processes, and outcomes without micromanaging.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Dallas discusses how tools like the Enneagram can help you better understand your team’s personalities—so you can delegate in a way that sets everyone up for success.

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) The stigma associated with delegation
• (04:59) Overcoming the fear of failure when delegating
• (07:27) Debunking the myth that delegation takes too much time
• (09:06) The Caveman Delegation model explained
• (17:16) Delegating tasks vs. processes vs. outcomes
• (26:21) Why risk and reversibility analysis matter in delegation
• (29:11) A great manager Dallas has worked for
• (31:05) Keep up with Dallas
• (31:31) [Extended Episode Only] Enhancing delegation through personality types
• (35:13) [Extended Episode Only] How the Enneagram supports smarter delegation

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 Dallas Burnett

- Follow Dallas on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter)

- Subscribe and listen to the ThinkMoveThrive podcast here

- Grab a copy of Caveman Delegation here

FREE Enneagram compatibility guide based on Caveman Delegation

Dallas is providing his Enneagram compatibility guide based on Caveman Delegation for free to members of Podcast+.

This guide helps you delegate effectively using Enneagram insights. Discover how to communicate, motivate, and match tasks to each Enneagram type’s strengths.

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!