Remember: Title and Role are not the same thing.

What if you're a new manager who is managing people who are older than you? Or has more experience than you do? That's the subject of Bonus Friday episode, which was first released as episode 88 on Sept. 12, 2022.

**After the Episode**

For private coaching, focused on your professional growth and personal goals: https://kimnicol.com/

Get notified of upcoming dates for Communication Strategies for Managers:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Workplace dynamics are multifaceted. In this episode, what starts as a question about communication skills with Gen Z becomes a more layered look at different factors that might be in play.

After the Episode

Get private coaching: https://kimnicol.com/

Hone your foundational communication skills:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Today's Bonus Friday episode is about what you can do, before you start managing, that will prepare you for that role.

Originally aired in 2022 as Episode 84, you'll get ideas you can use today that will develop your skills of observation, learning from those around you, and gaining clarity about your own manager philosophy and leadership style.

**After the Episode**

Get future dates for my upcoming Communication Strategies course:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Get private coaching to help you succeed in your specific goals and situation:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Many managers struggle to let go of IC work. The thought might be, "It's easier if I just do it," or "It's faster if I do it -- plus, I know it will be done to my standards." If you'd rather do it yourself instead of explaining what needs to be done, coaching or training someone, or writing out SOPs. . . you're not alone!

A recent study about how the brain learns can also shed some light on what's going on. Having this awareness may prevent you from getting into the weeds of IC work. It can also help you understand why your team is resistant to change. (Because the brain likes to do what it knows how to do!)

Read more about the study:

https://www.sainsburywellcome.org/web/research-news/scientists-discover-new-way-brain-learns

**After the Episode**

Get notified of future course dates:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Discuss private coaching:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Being a manager means dealing with emotions: yours, your team, even your boss(es). Today's Bonus Friday reaches into the archives for another look at this topic: Identify the Real Problem. When emotions are in the mix, you want to be sure you're solving the right thing.

What's Bonus Friday? It's where I share gems that you might have missed.

**After the Episode**

Get future dates for my upcoming Communication Strategies course:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Get private coaching to help you succeed in your specific goals and situation:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Every manager makes decisions based on a combination of facts, feelings, and how they're interpreting things. Next time you're facing a problem at work, try this: separate out the facts and feelings. Then, identify the Interpretation Layer (what the facts mean).

You'll get more clarity as to how you're viewing the situation and how you're defining the problem -- and possible solutions.

Going through this process will also increase your self awareness, and give you space to think clearly about how you'd like to respond (rather than reacting out of habit or impulse).

**After the Episode**

Get future dates for my upcoming Communication Strategies course:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Get private coaching, focused on your specific goals and situation:

https://kimnicol.com/

See the schedule of Live sessions on Insight Timer:

https://insighttimer.com/kimnicol/events

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

It's hard to keep track of all the conversations about AI in the workplace. So don't feel bad if you find yourself getting overwhelmed or lost in it all.

I recently listened to an interview with Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist and author of the book Empire of AI.

One thing she said that I wanted to share with you is:

“AI is such an interesting word because it’s sort of like the word transportation in that you have bicycles, you have gas guzzling trucks, you have rocket ships. They're all forms of transportation, but they all serve different purposes and they have different cost-benefit trade-offs."

It's a good reminder. When you're thinking about AI in the work place, take a moment to clarify the conversation and what, specifically, people are talking about when they're talking about AI.

Listen to Karen Hao's interview on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

What conversations are you having -- or not having -- about AI at work? Tell me in the comments, or message me on LI or my website.

**After the Episode**

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

Contact me for private coaching, and get support focused on who you are, your goals and your situation:

https://kimnicol.com/

Join the waitlist for Communication Strategies:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Take a mindful lens to the question of work-life balance.

Let's start with the idea that you are a human (first), and that work is one venue (place) where you do life.

Then, consider three frames:

1. Balance as an active relationship between dynamic forces (like breathing)
2. Balance like cross-training for function (not every day is leg day)
3. Ask: What part of this is personal vs cultural?

Consider your current life stage, season, and circumstances.

Just because it doesn't look the same, doesn't mean it's there.

**After the Episode**

For private coaching focused on you, your goals, and your situation:

https://kimnicol.com/

Join the next Communication Strategies for Managers:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

For the lawyers: The Role of Attorney Wellbeing in Your Legal Practice

https://www.lawline.com/course/the-role-of-attorney-wellbeing-in-your-legal-practice

Emotions are part of being human. So naturally, they are a big part of the workplace! Learn the difference between feeling an emotion and reacting to one.

You'll become more effective at work -- more grounded and less reactive to the emotions of others. And, you'll get better at motivating and inspiring your team and colleagues.

Deepen your learning in Communication Strategies for Managers:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

Get private coaching:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/

This week I unbox and review "Where Should We Begin? At Work", a card deck with conversation prompts for relationships and culture at work.

This deck is a collaboration between relationship expert Esther Perel and Culture Amp, an employee experience platform. I've been a fan of Esther's work for years, so I was super curious to see what she'd created for workplace relationships and I bought this deck as soon as it was released.

Watch the video:

https://youtu.be/l3NqtnB28wE

Buy the deck:

https://game.estherperel.com/products/where-should-we-begin-at-work

Sign up for Leadership Orientation:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation

Enroll in Communication Strategies:

https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies

For private coaching or to learn how I can help your organization:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/