The Modern Manager

Andy Storch, a keynote speaker and author specializing in personal branding, joins to delve into the essence of reputation at work. He highlights that everyone has a personal brand shaped by daily interactions rather than online presence. Storch shares real-life examples of how small behaviors impact careers, the balance between humility and visibility, and the importance of self-reflection. He offers actionable tips on consistent behaviors, humanizing your brand, and making intentional choices to attract opportunities without feeling inauthentic.

Dr. Cindi Baldi, an organizational behavior expert and founder of Culsure, dives into the complexities of hiring friends. She explores when it can work—emphasizing qualifications and fairness—and when it can lead to disaster. Baldi offers insights on setting boundaries to preserve both friendship and professional integrity. She highlights the power dynamics at play and warns against biases in hiring. Additionally, she suggests having a 'prenup' conversation to clarify expectations and avoid misunderstandings, helping leaders navigate this tricky terrain.

In this insightful discussion, John Gates, founder of Salary Coach and expert in salary negotiations, shares his extensive experience helping executives secure higher compensation. He highlights the complexities and fears surrounding salary conversations, emphasizing the importance of preparation. John provides strategies for negotiating compensation before offers are made and discusses the significance of non-monetary benefits like bonuses and remote work options. His unique insights promise to empower managers and candidates alike to navigate these challenging discussions with confidence.

In this enlightening discussion, Patrick Leddin, a former Army Ranger and Vanderbilt professor, shares powerful insights on navigating disruption with confidence. He redefines disruption as an opportunity, emphasizing the importance of mindset and proactive engagement. Patrick introduces the five roles of positive disruptors, such as trailblazers and firefighters, and outlines a four-step leadership cycle to harness disruptions effectively. His strategies empower managers to foster resilience and collaboration, transforming challenges into pathways for growth.

Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit and host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, shares his expertise on adopting a learn-it-all mindset for effective leadership. He contrasts the traits of know-it-alls with those of learn-it-alls, emphasizing humility and curiosity. Damon introduces a 4C framework—Character, Curiosity, Confidence, Courage—that empowers managers to take action and build confidence. The conversation also delves into fostering a learning culture, turning failures into opportunities, and overcoming self-doubt to unlock genuine leadership potential.

Tessa Forshaw, a cognitive scientist and co-founder of Harvard's Next Level Lab, teams up with Rich Braden, founder of People Rocket, to explore accessible innovation. They debunk the myth that creativity is a rare gift, emphasizing that everyone can be innovative with the right guidance. The duo introduces their 'innovation-ish' concept, discusses the six essential mindsets for fostering creativity, and shares practical strategies to overcome 'innovation hesitation.' They also highlight the importance of saying no as a form of progress in the innovation process.

Rob Kalwarowsky, an executive coach and author of *Capitalizing on Chaos*, dives into the interplay between internal and external chaos in leadership. He highlights how unresolved internal turmoil can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and ineffective leadership. Rob introduces the concept of the 'DIY leader' and shares practical frameworks to shift mindset and foster effective delegation. He emphasizes understanding inner parts of ourselves, reframing fears, and cultivating empathy to enhance leadership and team engagement.

Managers play a crucial role in shaping how employees experience work. But when ADHD enters the mix, good intentions can backfire if not handled thoughtfully. With the right mindset and tools, you can create a space where everyone performs at their best.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings both personal and professional expertise to this conversation.Rita Ramakrishnan is an executive leadership coach and consultant who helps neurodivergent professionals and their teams amplify their strengths and work more naturally. Her work focuses on neurodivergent leadership success, helping individuals and organizations embrace differences as a pathway to thriving.In this episode, Rita and I explore what ADHD looks like in adults, why it’s often misunderstood, and how managers can support themselves and their teams through empathy, structure, and flexible systems. You’ll learn strategies for managing focus, energy, and motivation, plus how to build habits that sustain success over time.In the extended episode, Rita shares how to approach conversations about ADHD respectfully, even when a team member hasn’t disclosed, and how to foster a collaborative, psychologically safe culture that supports everyone’s best work.Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction: Why ADHD awareness matters for managers(01:02) Meet today’s guest: Rita Ramakrishnan(03:04) How ADHD shows up in adults, and why many go undiagnosed(06:16) The connection between neurodiversity, performance, and burnout(09:28) Building psychological safety for employees with ADHD(12:47) Shifting from fixing people to redesigning work(17:11) The right way to talk about ADHD (and what not to say)(22:08) Supporting focus, follow-through, and accountability on your team(25:11) Managing ADHD Team Members(30:22) [Extended Episode Only] Raising sensitive topics with empathy and care(33:35) [Extended Episode Only] Redesigning roles and work for energy and well-being📚 Additional Resources:- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month- Read the full transcript here- Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more here- Upskill your team here- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel hereKeep up with Rita Ramakrishnan- Follow Rita on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaram- Visit Iksana here: https://www.iksana.comGuest Bonus: 20% Off Coaching ServicesRita is offering members of Podcast+ 20% off her coaching services. She provides executive and team coaching specifically designed for neurodivergent leaders and the teams who work with them, helping executives leverage their cognitive differences as strategic advantages while creating psychologically safe, high-performing environments.To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.---------------------The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#ADHDAtWork #NeurodiversityInTheWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveLeadership#PeopleManagement #WorkplaceWellbeing #TheModernManagerPodcast

Tami Reiss, an expert in influence-driven leadership and CEO of Leader Within, discusses how to make your ideas resonate, even without formal authority. She introduces the MAP Framework (Manifest, Assess, Promote) to help align visions and build relationships. Tami emphasizes the power of language changes, like using 'would you' over 'can you', to increase buy-in. She also shares strategies for navigating dismissals, managing crises with calm, and leveraging social capital for greater impact. Empowering insights for anyone wanting to lead from wherever they are!

Mike Robbins, an executive coach and author known for his expertise in authenticity and team culture, joins the discussion on being your true self at work. He shares his 'authenticity equation' and the impact of vulnerability in building trust. Mike emphasizes the need to avoid self-righteousness and explores how to cultivate a gratitude culture within teams. The conversation highlights practical strategies like the 'appreciation seat' to encourage genuine connections, while also addressing the discomfort surrounding giving and receiving praise.