Today we revisit one of the most popular episodes from the past year: Working with Difficult People.

At some point in your career, you're going to find yourself in this situation. It can be frustrating. How you choose to respond is everything.

**After the Episode**

Register for Communication Strategies for Managers and learn the essential skills that will help you feel more calm and confident every day:

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

Reach out for 1:1 coaching on your specific situation and goals:

https://kimnicol.com/

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Too many meetings on your calendar? Welcome to being a manager. Expect to have more meetings, including: 1:1s with your team, plus team meetings, meetings with your manager and other leadership and project meetings. . .

It's worth it to take a step back and make a plan.

Listen to this bonus mini episode for three questions to ask yourself to have better meetings and 1:1s.

For more support, register for Communication Strategies for Managers:

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

Volume pricing is available when you buy 2 or more seats, if you want to register with a colleague or team.

The Dishwasher Dilemma uses an everyday task to illustrate just how much nuance and thought goes into delegating tasks -- and what happens when things don't go the way you expected.

Managers spend a lot of time on : 1) Making decisions, and 2) Communicating. Those are foundational for managing relationships and emotions, whether you want to build trust, influence without authority, engage or motivate your team.

When you take time to develop foundational skills and mindset, it makes everything else easier.

**After the Episode**

Enrollment for the April 2025 cohort is now open!

Register for Communication Strategies for Managers:

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

Your work might have budget to cover the cost -- and your boss might be delighted that you're taking initiative and owning your professional development.

Special pricing is available for 2+ or more, so ask me if you want to register with your team or colleague.

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

For private coaching or sessions with your team, contact me through me website:

https://kimnicol.com/

Nothing can fully prepare you for the reality of managing people. Different personalities, priorities, and communication styles can shake any new manager's confidence, and leave you wondering: "Am I really cut out for this?"

If being a manager is activating frustration and imposter syndrome, this episode will help!

**After the Episode**

Enrollment for the April 2025 cohort is now open!

Sign up for Communication Strategies for Managers:

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

Use the code EARLYBIRD at checkout and save.

Consider asking your work to cover the cost -- they might be delighted that you're taking initiative and owning your professional development!

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

For private coaching or private sessions for your team, contact me through my website:

https://kimnicol.com/

Managers deal with a lot of change. Some of it you have no say about -- leadership simply makes a decision that you now have to communicate to your team. Other times, you will be the one initiating change -- and you'll have to figure out how to get a person or your team on board.

Here are seven tips to help managers facilitate change.

People want to know about:

1. Meaning: What does this change mean for them?
2. Timing: When will this change happen?
3. Context: What is happening, and why?

To facilitate change, you will manage:

1. Emotions: How people feel.
2. Expectations: What people think will happen.
3. Attention: What people focus on.
4. Actions: What behaviors you want to see.

**After the Episode**

Get future course dates:

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

Reach out for private coaching:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

Being a people manager means developing the soft skills you need to manage a range of people. You'll encounter people with different personalities and work styles, and a range of communication skills. Each person may have different priorities and motivations.

"Soft skills" can be hard to get right, depending on your situation.

This episode starts with some prompts to get you thinking about the role of dignity in your work relationships, and how it fits with the soft skills that every manager needs to develop.

** After the Episode**

For more about the book Dignity by Dr Donna Hicks, visit;

https://drdonnahicks.com/

Get the next cohort dates for Communication Strategies for Managers:

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

For private coaching, or to discuss a workshop or training for your team:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

Every day you get examples of communication. You're surrounded by it! When you think about the people you work with, who stands out as being a great communicator? Why? What are they doing -- or not doing?

This deceptively simple practice will activate your powers of observation and curiosity. You will become more intentional and less reactive, when you start where you are and learn from your direct experience of the communication around you.

In this episode you'll hear an excerpt from my course, Communication Strategies for Managers. A small idea can create big change, especially when it comes to how you communicate at work.

**After the Episode**

Sign up to hear about future cohorts:

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

Reach out to discuss private coaching, or a workshop for your team:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

A lot of new managers tell me they're conflict avoidant and struggle to communicate directly when it feels like there's conflict brewing.

If that's you, then this episode is for you.

I've been reading a book, Dignity: The Essential Role It Plays in Resolving Conflict. The author is Dr. Donna Hicks, an Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. She has worked as a conflict resolution specialist for years.

In her book, she talks about dignity violations and describes these ten essential elements of dignity:

In today's episode you'll get introduced to these elements. I highly recommend reading her book in full! I've found it to be a helpful model for thinking in a new way about conflict, and how to heal from conflict.

Dignity: The Essential Role It Plays in Resolving Conflict

https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-Essential-Role-Resolving-Conflict/dp/030026142X/

Dr. Donna Hicks

https://drdonnahicks.com/

**After the Episode**

Join my course, Communication Strategies for Managers

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

For private coaching:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

Do you know the Eisenhower Matrix? It's a classic framework for organizing tasks and clarifying priorities. In this episode, I walk you through the basics, adding a Neurodiverse lens that makes this framework even more useful.

This is also the 200th episode of The New Manager Podcast. Wow! Thank you for listening, and being part of this.

In this episode I also share an announcement: that I will be taking a break. After 200 episodes, it's time to pause and take some time to think about what to create next for you and this show.

**After the Episode**

More about the Eisenhower Matrix:

https://untools.co/eisenhower-matrix/

Register for Communication Skills for Managers or get on the wait list:

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

Get private coaching, or ask about a workshop for your team:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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

If you're conflict avoidant, or grew up as the peace-maker in your family or friend group, then save this episode! You probably have a gut sense that conflict is bad, and must be prevented. But did you know that conflict can actually be an indicator of psychological safety?

Conflict is a normal part of human relationships. What's important is what kind of conflict it is, and how you handle it. Let's discuss!

**After the Episode**

Register for Communication Strategies for Managers:

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

Ask about private coaching or team sessions:

https://kimnicol.com/

Follow me on LinkedIn:

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