You're the Boss, Now What? | Team Emotional Intelligence for Managers and Leaders

New managers don’t need another hack, they need sleep that supports leadership. Sleep coach Morgan Adams shares simple circadian rhythm habits so you show up clear-minded, calm, and confident at work.

Last week we talked about building trust and holding employees accountable with effective one-on-ones. This week, we’re zooming out: your energy and focus start long before the meeting, while you sleep.

Struggling to lead with confidence because you’re exhausted, foggy, or short-tempered? New managers often try more coffee, later nights, and weekend catch-up. That’s not Coaching for Managers, it’s burnout on repeat.

Here’s the fix: strengthen your circadian rhythm. In this Leadership Podcast for New Managers, sleep coach Morgan Adams breaks down manager-friendly habits that reduce 3 a.m. wakeups, stabilize energy, and help you run better team meetings, hold employees accountable, and handle conflict without snapping.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:
 • Why “bright days, dark nights” is the simplest way to reset your sleep and leadership focus
 • The MEQ chronotype quiz and how to schedule team meetings for better Team Dynamics
 • Seven daily habits that improve sleep quality and office performance: morning light, dim evenings, consistent wake time (even on weekends), smart napping rules, cool-dark-quiet bedroom setup, five-minute “mindfulness snacks,” and a high-protein breakfast to stabilize glucose
 • How social jet lag wrecks Monday mornings (and what to do instead)
 • When blue-light glasses help, when they don’t, and what to buy to avoid cheap knockoffs
 • How steady glucose curbs afternoon crashes so you can lead effective team meetings and coach Difficult Employees without losing your patience

Key Takeaways
 • Consistency beats hacks: a regular sleep-wake window improves decision-making, patience, and How to Be a Better Manager.
 • Align work with people: know your team’s chronotypes to reduce burnout, improve Team Dynamics, and How to Lead Effective Team Meetings.
 • Stabilize energy: protein-forward mornings and fewer spikes help you hold employees accountable and handle conflict at work as a manager.

Up next: I read Glucose Revolution so you don’t have to—how steady glucose gives new managers more all-day energy and calmer leadership. Follow the show so you don’t miss it.

Social Media CTA
 What habit are you trying first? Share your takeaway, tag me on Instagram @desireepetrich, and leave a quick review to help more first-time managers find the show.

Guest & Additional Links
 Morgan Adams, Sleep Coach
Free guide: Awake Again at 3 a.m.
MEQ chronotype quiz
Blue-light glasses (evening use) – Morgan’s vetted brands
Related episode: Using the 5 Love Languages at Work to Build Loyal Teams 

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Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

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This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

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Last week we talked about accountability and why trust is the foundation for holding employees accountable. This week, let’s get practical.

The problem? One-on-ones often feel awkward, get canceled, or turn into quick status updates. Managers end up doing all the talking, rushing through them, or skipping them entirely until annual reviews roll around. The result? Frustration, missed opportunities, and a team that doesn’t feel supported.

The solution? Structure your one-on-ones so they build trust, create connection, and drive accountability. In this episode, I walk you through what managers get wrong — and 5 simple steps you can use to make your meetings actually matter.

Key Takeaways

• One-on-ones are for coaching and trust, not status updates
• A repeatable 5-step structure turns awkward meetings into growth conversations
• Written commitments at the end create accountability without micromanaging

Subscribe and Follow for new manager tips, coaching for managers, and strategies on how to lead effective team meetings. If you found this episode helpful, leave a quick review so other new managers can find this leadership podcast.

Episode Links 

• The Trust About Employee Engagement - 3 Tools to Engage Your Team 
• I Read "Death By Meeting" So You Don't Have To 

Coaching for Managers, Desiree Petrich, First-Time Manager Podcast, Leadership Podcast for New Managers, Team Dynamics, How to Build Trust as a Manager, How to Hold Employees Accountable, How to Be a Better Manager, How to Lead Effective Team Meetings, New Manager Tips.

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Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

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Ever feel like managing a team means carrying everyone’s mistakes, conflicts, and missed deadlines on your shoulders? You’re not alone. Many first-time managers fall into people-pleasing, micromanaging, or doing the work themselves instead of coaching their team. That weight leads to burnout, toxic culture, and imposter syndrome in leadership.

But managing isn’t about fixing, it’s about building. In this episode, Desiree Petrich unpacks how to build a team that feels like a community: one built on trust, productive conflict, real commitment, and shared accountability. You’ll learn how to apply Patrick Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, why the Platinum Rule matters for team dynamics, and how to overcome the fears that keep managers from holding employees accountable.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• Why new managers avoid accountability conversations—and the exact scripts to use instead
• How to apply trust, conflict, and commitment to build accountability that sticks
• Ways to use the Platinum Rule to adapt your leadership style to different team members

Additional Links:
• Self-Awareness Assessments to use in Team Development

• Listen to the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team Recap episode 

• Listen to the 5 Love Languages Episode 

Sign up for Desiree's Weekly newsletter

Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Do you ever feel like posting on LinkedIn is only for job seekers or entrepreneurs?

That belief is holding you back. The truth is, your presence online is your modern-day resume, and the confidence it builds spills into every corner of your leadership.

In this conversation with Liam Darmody, founder of Liam’s Brandstand, we dig into why building your personal brand is less about “playing the algorithm” and more about learning who you are as a leader. You’ll hear how Liam went from reluctant poster to confident thought leader—and how that same shift can happen for you.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• Why building a personal brand matters even if you’re not looking for a new job
• How posting regularly helps you grow self-confidence and visibility at work
• What happens when you stop following “the rules” and start showing up authentically

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t just what you do in the office, it’s also how you show up in the world.

Connect with Liam
liamsbrandstand.com

Liam Darmody's LinkedIn 

Sign up for Liam's Newsletter 

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

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Do you ever feel like a theme or lesson keeps showing up in your life on repeat—almost like déjà vu? That’s been me lately with words like honesty, integrity, and self-trust.

In this episode, I’m diving into Ryan Leak’s book Leveling Up. I thought it would be just personal development, but halfway through I realized: personal development and leadership development are the same conversation. This book held up a mirror and forced me to ask some hard questions I think every new manager needs.

We’ll cover:

• The Self-Awareness Question – “What is it like to be on the other side of me?”
• The Vision Question – “What is my definition of success?”
• The Humility and Integrity Questions – “What mistakes can I own?” and “Am I being honest with myself?”
• The Fun Question – “Am I enjoying it?”

I get really vulnerable in this one. From realizing I wasn’t being as honest with myself about small things (like tracking food) to admitting I wasn’t showing up as the mom or leader I wanted to be, this episode is all about how self-integrity connects directly to the way you lead your team.

Because leadership isn’t built on perfection. It’s built on honesty, humility, and the courage to ask better questions.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• Why feedback is more powerful than grace when it comes to growth
• How to define your own version of success so you don’t climb the wrong ladder
• Why admitting mistakes builds more trust than pretending to be perfect
• How joy and enjoyment fuel culture more than toxic positivity ever could

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• How to Set Boundaries, Unplug After Work, and Move Your Body Even When You're Exhausted 
  • Diving Into the Question around Rest 
• Leveling Up by Ryan Leak
  
  
• The Ryan Leak Podcast
  
  
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  
  

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Take the 5 Love Languages Assessment (for free!) 

Do you ever feel like your appreciation isn’t landing with your team?

New managers often rely on the “golden rule”, treat others how you want to be treated. But that approach leaves gaps, frustrates employees, and creates disengagement. The better approach? Learn how your team wants to be appreciated, and match your recognition style to theirs.

In this episode, Desiree breaks down the five love languages at work, show you how to adapt them to your leadership style, and share the three biggest mistakes that ruin even the best intentions.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• Why mismatched appreciation creates disengagement, burnout, and toxic culture
• The three most common mistakes managers make when showing appreciation
• How to use love languages to build trust, handle conflict, and lead more effectively

The 5 Love Languages (translated into the language of Work!)

Words of affirmation → Verbal praise and specific recognition

Quality time → One-on-one attention and active listening

Acts of service → Helping remove obstacles or pitching in

Gifts → Small, thoughtful tokens of appreciation

Physical touch → Professional gestures like handshakes or high fives

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Feeling stuck, complacent, or burned out at work? In this episode, Jason Barnaby shares how to reignite your fire, overcome fear, and create meaningful culture through intentional action.

In this episode, we're shifting gears into something every new manager and leader wrestles with,  how do you keep your spark alive when comfort zones and fear want to hold you back?

I’m joined by Jason Barnaby, Chief Fire Starter of Fire Starters Inc., who has made it his mission to help people and organizations reignite hope and torch fear. Together, we unpack what it really means to show up as the leader you want to be and how culture isn’t a top-down mandate, it’s the sum of how we each lead ourselves.

Jason shares his powerful framework (Find your fire, Fan your flame, Ignite your life), the dangers of letting “what if abouts” (those sneaky negative thoughts and doubts) keep you stuck, and why your tribe matters more than you realize. Whether you’re feeling uninspired at work, stuck in complacency, or struggling with imposter syndrome, this episode will remind you that change starts with striking just one match.

Key Takeaways

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why the difference between being content and being complacent could make or break your leadership.
• How to overcome your “what if abouts” and start seeing possibilities instead of barriers.
• The role of intentional tribes and small actions in building momentum and reigniting your fire.

Additional Links 

Connect with Jason Barnaby on LinkedIn

Read Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Guest: Tessa Kampen - Team Engagement Catalyst

Why are Gen Z and millennials avoiding leadership? In this conversation with Tessa, we unpack the future of leadership, bridging generations, and what new managers must do to create trust, mentorship, and lasting influence.

Additional Links 

• A New Kind of Diversity by Tim Elmore 
• The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
• How the Right Frameworks Turn Fear into Confidence | Craig Denison

Why don’t younger generations want to be leaders? The answer isn’t that they lack ambition,  it’s that they don’t want the kind of leadership they see modeled today. Long hours, toxic cultures, fear-driven managers, and positional power aren’t inspiring the next wave of leaders.

We'll dive into generational leadership, mentorship, and the shift from positional power to true influence. You’ll hear why Gen Z and millennials are still deeply interested in leadership, but on their own terms.

We’ll also talk about how senior leaders can mentor and share knowledge without fear of being replaced, and why leadership is a verb, not a title.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• Why younger generations are rethinking traditional leadership roles
• How to bridge the generational leadership gap through mentorship and trust
• Why leadership is influence,  and how to make it a verb, not just a title

SEO Optimization

This episode is packed with new manager tips, insight on team dynamics, and practical advice on how to build trust as a manager. We’ll also cover how to mentor across generations, how to prevent a toxic culture, and why leadership development for new managers requires more than positional power.

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Discover how to grow your head, heart, and gut intelligence to strengthen emotional intelligence, build trust, hold employees accountable, and create a thriving team culture as a new manager.

In this episode you’ll learn how to identify your dominant center (even without a personality assessment) and practical ways to grow all three so you can:

• Build trust and credibility with your team
• Hold employees accountable without micromanaging
• Handle conflict with confidence
• Lead effective team meetings that drive results
• Repair or prevent a toxic culture

By the time you finish listening, you’ll know how to balance clear thinking, relational connection, and decisive action to improve team dynamics and shape the culture you want to be part of.

Key Takeaways:

• The role of emotional intelligence in leadership success
• How to identify your dominant center of intelligence
• Practical ways to grow your head, heart, and gut skills daily

Additional Links:

• Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment + free 20-minute debrief with Desiree 

SEO Keywords:
Coaching for Managers, Desiree Petrich, First-Time Manager Podcast, Leadership Podcast for New Managers, Team Dynamics, Difficult Employees, How to Build Trust as a Manager, How to Fix a Toxic Culture, How to Handle Conflict at Work as a Manager, How to Hold Employees Accountable, How to Be a Better Manager, How to Lead Effective Team Meetings, New Manager Tips

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...

Guest - Heather Italiano, High-Energy Speaker and Facilitator
Book - The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell 

 Are your employees following you because they want to, or because they have to? In this episode, Heather Italiano unpacks the Five Levels of Leadership and how new managers can build trust, increase influence, and avoid falling into the trap of positional leadership.

Have you ever felt like your team only listens because they have to, not because they want to?

That’s the reality for many first-time managers. In this Leadership Podcast for New Managers, guest Heather Italiano joins me to explore how to build trust as a manager and move beyond positional leadership into real influence. We’re talking about team dynamics, managing up, and the moment your title stops being enough.

Heather breaks down John Maxwell’s Five Levels of Leadership and explains how even experienced leaders can fall back to level one when trust erodes. Plus, she shares her practical CARES framework to help you connect with your team in a way that builds loyalty, commitment, and results.

If you’re trying to fix a toxic culture, handle conflict at work as a manager, or simply become a better leader, this episode is your blueprint.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll learn:

• The difference between positional leadership and people-first leadership
• How to rebuild trust after it’s been lost
• A simple, 5-part framework to increase your influence as a new leader

 If you loved this conversation with Heather, scroll down and leave a 5-star rating and review! Then share it with a colleague or friend who’s trying to grow their confidence as a new manager.

Guest & Additional Links:
Check out the People Warriors Podcast 
Listen to the episode The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
 

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Take the DISC or Working Genius Assessment and get a FREE 20 minutes debrief with Desiree 

Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead

Connect:  Linked In | Instagram | Website

This podcast for managers is here to help you:

• Grow your leadership development
 • Navigate team management with confidence
 • Learn how to handle conflict at work
 • Apply real, practical leadership tips

If this episode helped you:

Share it with anoth...