The Modern Manager

Ruth Milligan, a communication veteran and author of 'Motivated Speaker,' discusses the art of effective verbal communication learned through practice. She emphasizes that speaking is a skill, not a gift. Ruth highlights common pitfalls like filler words and disorganization that can sabotage your message. She shares practical strategies for mastering communication habits and the importance of supportive leadership in fostering growth. Tune in for insights on overcoming public speaking anxiety and enhancing team dynamics!

David Homan, founder of Orchestrated Connecting and host of the Orchestrated Relationships podcast, dives into the art of building meaningful relationships. He emphasizes that true success stems from cultivating intentional communities rather than merely expanding networks. Homan highlights the importance of self-awareness, trust, and vulnerability as vital components of impactful connections. He also shares insights from his upcoming book, discussing how personal passions, like playing Dungeons & Dragons, can foster camaraderie, and how leaders can embrace humility to enhance team dynamics.

Dana L. Cox, a global executive-turned-coach and author, shares her journey from burnout to empowerment. She introduces the concept of the 'success tax'—the hidden costs of high achievement like missed family moments and exhaustion. Dana emphasizes the need for boundaries and self-care to foster well-being at work. She discusses empathetic leadership and practical strategies for supporting team dynamics. With insights from her book, she provides actionable tools to combat burnout and achieve a balanced work-life, encouraging managers to cultivate healthier environments.

James Turk, an executive coach and CEO of The Turk Group, shares invaluable insights on stepping into a management role. He outlines a strategic approach for new managers to earn trust and set clear expectations in their first 45 days. Key topics include building team alignment, fostering psychological safety, and the importance of consistent rituals like one-on-ones. He also navigates the complexities of managing former peers and aligning team goals, making this discussion a must-listen for anyone looking to lead effectively.

Marcey Rader, a renowned speaker and coach, empowers individuals and companies to enhance productivity while prioritizing health. In this conversation, she explores the reasons behind our increasing distractions at work and debunks the myth of multitasking. Marcey shares practical strategies for effective team communication using project management systems and emphasizes the importance of structured office hours. She also offers tips for mastering email efficiency, enabling listeners to reclaim their workdays and focus on what truly matters.

Stacey Hanke, a renowned expert in communication and influence, empowers leaders and teams to enhance their impact. In this discussion, she emphasizes the importance of influence over mere authority, sharing how strong communication skills can foster trust and motivate action. Hanke explores the significance of self-awareness and feedback in leadership, and introduces different influence styles for effective management. She also discusses the necessity of visual engagement in virtual settings, providing practical strategies to enhance influence in all interactions.

Are you overwhelmed by the rapid rise of AI in the workplace?AI tools are already being used by managers and teams in various forms. But what are the risks that come with using them? Today’s guest believes that clear guidelines and educational training can help everyone use AI wisely without feeling restricted.Meet Theresa Fesinstine. Theresa is a 25-year HR executive turned AI educator. She has been certified for AI and Business Strategy through MIT in 2023, and has been focused on flattening the AI learning curve for HR and other non-technical functions for almost 3 years. In addition to her company, peoplepower.ai, she is an adjunct professor of both AI in Business and HR Management for City College of NY - a CUNY institution, and volunteers as a mentor through All Tech is Human.Today, Theresa shares smart, actionable ways to use AI without risking company data or personal privacy.From educating your team to building clear, adaptable AI guidelines, she breaks down how to make AI a powerful tool for managers and their teams.Join the conversation now!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.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(01:52) The truth about AI in the workplace(08:58) How to set AI policies that actually work(11:16) Using AI to enhance your management skills(21:30) How to avoid biases when using AI tools for team management(23:26) A great manager Theresa has worked for(25:35) Keep up with Theresa (26:28) [Extended Episode Only] How to talk to your team about what AI tools they’re already using(32:03) [Extended Episode Only] Is using AI at work considered cheating?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 here Keep up with Theresa Fesinstine- Follow Theresa on LinkedIn here- Visit People Power AI for more information here FREE PDF People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of WorkTheresa is giving members of Podcast+ a copy of her People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Work for free.In this practical and forward-thinking guide, Theresa draws on decades of People & Culture expertise to help HR leaders confidently integrate AI into their everyday work. With real-world use cases, accessible frameworks, and a human-first lens, this book empowers HR professionals to unlock the potential of AI while staying grounded in empathy, ethics, and strategy.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!

Are you struggling to get your team to perform at its best? Are you unsure about how to unlock the potential of each individual? This week’s guest says the key is inclusive leadership.Meet Kelli Lester. Kelli is co-founder and partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in fostering environments where inclusive leadership thrives, leveraging over two decades of experience to drive meaningful progress.In this week’s episode, Kelli and I explore what inclusive leadership really looks like, the traits that define it, and the role leaders play in making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.Kelli also illustrates how inclusion isn’t just about people—it’s about ideas and perspectives, too. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, she dives deeper into five other inclusive leadership traits and shares how to navigate style differences without friction.Join the conversation now!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.Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(02:13) What is inclusive leadership?(06:18) Inclusive leadership begins with self-awareness(08:49) What an inclusive workplace really looks like(14:04) Inclusion goes beyond people—it’s about ideas, too(19:35) Why inclusive leadership matters(23:13) A real-life story of inclusion at work(27:53) A great manager Kelli has worked for(30:17) Keep up with Kelli(30:43) [Extended Episode Only] Other inclusive leadership traits that every manager can embody(37:34) [Extended Episode Only] Navigating style differences without frictionAdditional 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 here Keep up with Kelli Lester- Follow Kelli on LinkedIn here- Achieve financial empowerment with Onyx Rising’s Money Matters here- Visit Onyx Rising for more information hereFREE Inclusive Leadership Traits AssessmentKelli is providing members of Podcast+ her Inclusive Leadership Traits Assessment. The PDF includes an overview of inclusive leadership traits and a self-assessment to help you identify areas for improvement.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!

Dr. Anne Welsh, a thought leader on working parenthood and former Harvard professional, shares insights on creating supportive workplaces for parents. She discusses the importance of empathy and small adjustments by managers to help parents thrive. Anne emphasizes the complexities of caregiving and how workplace flexibility has evolved, especially post-COVID. The conversation reveals practical strategies for open communication and the value of recognizing unique parenting skills that enhance team effectiveness. She also offers tips for a smooth transition back from parental leave.

In this discussion with Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss and expert in time management, he shares how his journey through burnout sparked his passion for helping others avoid similar pitfalls. Andrew reveals strategies to combat meeting overload, emphasizing the importance of proactive vs. reactive work. He introduces time boxing, a tactic that can transform task management. Plus, he stresses the significance of personal breaks and equips leaders with tools to empower their teams without micromanagement, ensuring they achieve goals sustainably.