This week on the Expert Voices podcast, Randy Wootton, CEO of Maxio, speaks with Matt Tresidder, Co-founder and CEO of Leadr, a software company dedicated to enhancing personal and professional development. He is also the author of the thought-provoking book, "Management is Dead: There's a Better Way." Randy and Matt discuss the evolving landscape of management, exploring why traditional management methods are becoming obsolete in today's hybrid and generationally diverse workplace. Matt also sheds light on the various shifts affecting today's workplace—particularly the challenges of leading hybrid teams and the differing needs of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z employees.

 Quotes

• "I like the sales analogy of moving from an IC to a manager because I think it's quite binary. People understand the act of selling, the act of managing, but it's apples and oranges. It literally is apples and oranges to say that someone's really good at selling and then say that they're just magically going to be able to teach someone else how to do it. It's not the same thing” -Matt Tresidder [04:08]

• “NPS is a very quantitative example. So, we have a pulse survey tool built within our platform called Leadr Insights, and it's literally doing what you just did. So, it's sending out a pulse survey anonymously to all your employees every single month. That allows me to stack rank the health of my managers based on what the employees would rate their experience at the company being.” -Matt Tresidder [27:59]

Expert Takeaways 

• Management Evolution: The shift from autocratic, top-down leadership to more empowering, developmental approaches.
• Hybrid Workforce Challenges: Balancing autonomy, freedom, and access to maintain an engaging work environment for both in-office and remote employees.
• Generational Differences: Understanding and adapting to the varying management styles preferred by Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.
• Importance of Regular One-on-Ones: The critical role of effective one-on-ones in fostering employee engagement and mitigating misunderstandings.
• Integration of Tech and Services: How Leader’s software, paired with tailored services, helps managers develop their teams and drive organizational health.

Timestamps

(00:15) From Sales to CEO: Matt Tresidder's Journey and Insights

(03:03) The Crucial Difference Between Knowledge and Experience in Management

(06:09) Challenges of Managing Hybrid Teams and Generational Differences

(11:54) Balancing Autonomy and Community in Hybrid Work Environments

(17:48) Clarity in Communication Prevents Workplace Misunderstandings

(19:45) Transforming Managers into Coaches for Better Employee Development

(29:24) Innovative SaaS Models: Integrating Services to Drive Adoption

(35:30) Balancing Efficient Growth and Visionary Leadership in Tech Startups

(39:41) Understanding Team Dynamics Through Working Genius and Insights

Links

Maxio

Upcoming Events

Maxio Institute Report

Randy Wootton LinkedIn 

Matt Tresidder LinkedIn