Biz The #1 Skill Every Team Manager Needs Right Now
Being a team manager isn't just about hitting targets - it's about helping your team grow and getting them ready for what's coming next. And right now, the skill that matters most is coaching!
Let's be honest - most new managers feel like they're drowning. Everything's coming at them, everyone's coming at them, and they're stuck in that old-school "delegate and instruct" mode that leaves everyone frustrated. But here's the thing: coaching isn't some mystical two-hour journey exploration. It can be a five-minute conversation with four simple questions.
This week, we break down why coaching is the unlock that transforms you from a micromanager into someone who actually develops their team. They're sharing the practical, no-nonsense approach that builds trust, develops independence, and helps you step back without stepping away.
What you'll learn:
• Why coaching beats the old "tell people what to do" management style every time
• The difference between coaching, mentoring, and managing (and when to use each)
• Five game-changing questions you can use right now - no certification required
• How to resist your "hero complex" and let your team actually solve problems
• The art of "snap coaching" - coaching in the moment when it matters most
• When NOT to coach (because sometimes you just need to give direction)
Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem.
Learna is Lisa’s microlearning app for practical people skills at work. Expert-led lessons to build confidence, solve challenges, and work smarter - in under 7 minutes. Get it on Apple or Google Play.
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Resources Mentioned:
Learna:
'Start coaching in the moment' - Learna
'Stop being the team fixer' - Learna
'Empower people with coaching' - Learna
Books:
Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stainer
The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stainer
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Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au. You can remain anon!
SENIOR PRODUCER: Sophie Campbell
AUDIO PRODUCER: Leah Porges
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
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