The Modern Manager

EPISODE 262: CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING WITH DR. SAM ADEYEMIDecision-making has been somewhat of a hot topic for leaders lately, and for good reason. Each decision we make, whether big or small, plays a role in either accomplishing our goals or straying from them. But how do we learn to make better decisions, and how do we teach our team members to do the same?Today’s guest is Dr. Sam Adeyemi. Sam is a leadership coach, global speaker, and strategic leadership expert, who is focused on shifting people’s mindsets so they can see possibilities and become those possibilities. And, he is the author of Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership.Sam and I talk about creative problem solving and decision-making. He shares the special ingredients to bringing a group together to creatively tackle challenges and make strong decisions.Members of the Modern Manager community get a 30 Day free trial to Dr. Sam’s Reset Program for Leaders. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community. Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email. Read the related blog article:  How to Creatively Solve Problems and Make Decisions as a Team KEEP UP WITH DR. SAMTwitter: https://twitter.com/sam_adeyemiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesamadeyemi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesamadeyemi Website: https://samadeyemi.com/Read the Full Transcript. Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:50 Creative problem solving in a team06:07 Harnessing ideas through brainstorming09:46 Mind-mapping and other tools for brainstorming15:43 Using our intuition to make decisions16:28 A story on intuitive decision-making21:01 Four lenses for decision-making25:31 A great manager Sam has worked for28:01 Keeping up with Sam30:00 [Extended episode only] Extreme Ownership: What it is, and what does it look like in action?34:52 [Extended episode only] How do we shift our work culture to encourage extreme ownership?Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month. mamie@mamieks.cominstagram.com/mamieks

Do you ever feel like you can see the end in sight, but you don’t know how to get there? Having a vision is important—having clear processes and procedures to accomplish your goals is just as important. In fact, creating and sticking to work processes can be the difference between a team that is chaotic and unorganized versus a team that works together seamlessly to get work done. Today’s guest is Racheal Allen. Racheal is a Lean Six Sigma certified consultant, coach and CEO with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and C-suite executive. Racheal specializes in helping her clients operationalize their visions by leveraging systems, automation and delegation strategies. Racheal and I talk about how to establish work processes that get the ideas out of your head and onto paper in a way that doesnt feel like micromanaging. We get into the role of technology to support ways of working, the importance of setting the team up for effective information flow, and so much more! Members of the Modern Manager community get access to an exclusive “Multiplying Your Time” workshop facilitated live by Racheal. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: Improve Your Team’s Operations With the Right Technology   KEEP UP WITH RACHEAL Website: http://www.rachealallen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachealallen/   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:57 What does it mean to create an operational system in your team? 04:04 What’s the right amount of structure in an organization? 06:41 Setting the tone for team infrastructure. 10:43 Systems and processes that are fundamental for any team 12:43 The role of technology and automation 19:09 Best practices for documenting processes 24:17 Onboarding to a tool versus maintaining use of a tool  29:18 A great manager Racheal has worked for 32:04 Keeping up with Racheal 33:00 [Extended episode only] How do we encourage people to maintain operational systems? 37:11 [Extended episode only] Best practices for keeping to-do lists updated 40:31 [Extended episode only] Supporting our team members in what works best for them Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Do you ever feel like the world is against you? Many leaders have risen to the top of their industries by working hard, trying to prove themselves against all odds. But surprisingly, those who have found the greatest success have seen themselves as partners with the world. This deep, sometimes unconscious mindset colors everything from the decisions you make to the habits you form. The question is: do you believe the world will help you get what you want? Today’s guest is Dr. Stephen Barden. Stephen is an accomplished coach-mentor and author specializing in developing top-level leaders and organizational cultures. He has a decade of experience in the media, technology, and communications sectors, including ten years as a CEO. Stephen brings a unique perspective on leadership and business, and he is the author of the rigorously researched book, How Successful Leaders Do Business with Their World.  Stephen and I talk about his Navigational Stance concept that depicts how leaders see themselves in relation to the world around them. We get into the Navigational Compass, in which he shares some of the behaviors and mindsets that great managers possess.  Members of the Modern Manager community get a slide deck with the SOVOS approach to help you prepare for difficult conversations. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: Proven Mindsets for the Successful Leader   KEEP UP WITH STEPHEN Book: https://www.amazon.com/Successful-Leaders-Business-Their-World/dp/0367564114  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbarden/ Website: https://www.stephenbarden.org/   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:57 What is the Navigational Stance mindset?  05:21 How do people come to believe the world is for or against them? 10:19 Compass Point: Holism – see all the linkages mindset 15:50 Compass Point: Triangular challenge - explore assumptions mindset 22:29 Compass Point: Pragmatism - Do the best possible mindset 27:42 A great manager Stephen has worked for 29:03 Keeping up with Stephen 30:45 [Extended episode only] How do we identify potential leaders within our organizations? 37:42 [Extended episode only] Holding a partnering mindset with our team members Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? The people in our circles can have a large impact on the work we do and the career decisions we make. But how do we get people in our circles in the first place, and keep them there? Networking. An essential skill for managers, networking allows you to build relationships with people in and out of your industry, learn about new opportunities, and find mentors who can help you advance your career.  Today’s guest is Megan Burke Roudebush. Megan is the Founder + CEO of keepwith, a technology that is helping the world network better. Megan speaks globally, has appeared on other well-followed podcasts, has written articles on networking topics for national publications, including Fast Company, Thrive, TLNT and Law360.com, and has been featured in global publications for her networking expertise. Megan and I talk all things networking. What it is, how to do it well, how to support your team members to network, and so much more. Members of the Modern Manager community get 50% off a 1-year subscription of keepwith. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: How to Network Your Way to Success   KEEP UP WITH MEGAN Website: www.keepwith.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepwithnetworking Twitter: www.twitter.com/keepwithnetwork LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/18768126/admin/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/keepwithnetworking/ Email: megan@keepwith.com   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:45 What is networking and how do you maintain relationships? 04:17 The first step (which we often get wrong!) 07:01 Building authentic, not transactional, relationships 09:32 Client story: Meeting Taylor Swift 10:34 Networking in vs. outside your company 16:05 How to construct a networking conversation 18:31 How can managers support their peoples’ networking journeys? 21:15 When to say “no” 24:28 Develop your networking strategy 27:25 A great manager Megan has worked for 28:26 Keeping up with Megan 29:30 [Extended episode only] What to do during your strategic networking time  33:21 [Extended episode only] How do you network with strangers? 35:12 [Extended episode only] The key is humility Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Of all the learning resources available, sometimes the best one is another person. No matter how much we know about a certain topic or industry, there is likely someone who knows a bit more. Mentorship allows people to grow and learn directly from another person, who shares their wisdom, guidance, motivation, and knowledge. But how frequently is mentorship used in the workplace, and what can we do about it? Today’s guest is Scott Jeffrey Miller. Scott is a highly sought-after speaker, author, and podcast host. He is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and currently serves as FranklinCovey’s senior advisor on thought leadership. Prior to his advisor role, Scott was a twenty-¬five-year FranklinCovey associate, serving as the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President. He hosts On Leadership With Scott Miller, the world’s largest weekly leadership podcast. Scott is a partner in Gray+Miller, a speaking, literary, and talent agency. We talk about mentorship, why it's important to find yourself a mentor and how to be one, as well as what to do and what not to do.  We also cover the difference between mentoring and coaching and whether managers can mentor their staff, plus a whole lot more. Members of the Modern Manager community get a digital card deck for mentoring sessions. To complement his book, Scott created a set of handy, quick reference cards to use in your mentoring sessions. The cards highlight key insights from each of the 13 roles, as well as questions, watchouts, and phrases to progress your mentoring success. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: How to Use Mentorship To Change Your Life   KEEP UP WITH SCOTT Great Mentorship Website: http://www.greatmentorship.com/ Gray + Miller Website: http://www.graymilleragency.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottjeffreymiller/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottmillerj1 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franklincovey-on-leadership-with-scott-miller/id1391164389   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:27 How is mentorship different from coaching? 05:07 Why do we need mentors? 08:32 Key roles mentors can play 11:05 Role 2: The Boundary Setter 15:32 Role 8: The Visionary 21:34 How to find the right mentor 24:22 How to ask for mentorship so the person will say yes. 27:41 A great manager Scott has worked for 29:50 Keeping up with Scott 31:07 [Extended episode only] Role 1: The Revealer 34:50 [Extended episode only] The one thing never to do as a mentor 36:01 [Extended episode only] Role 11: The Activator Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

While we may not realize it, stories are constantly underlying our thinking. We formed stories about ourselves when we were younger, we interpret messages through our pre-existing stories, and we tell ourselves stories to help us understand the world around us. These stories have a great influence on how we relate to the people around us. So, how can we recognize the impact stories have on us and learn how to utilize them more effectively when communicating with others? Today’s guest is Chuck Wisner. Chuck is a sought-after thinker, coach, and teacher in organizational strategy, conversational dynamics, and leadership excellence. He has spent twenty-five years as a business and personal consultant and a trusted advisor to leaders in high-profile companies across industries including Google, Apple, Tesla, Ford, DTE Energy, General Motors, and others. He is author of The Art of Conscious Conversations. Chuck and I talk about the stories we tell ourselves and how they can get in the way of productive conversations with our colleagues, and also help or hinder us in general. We touch on how to unpack our own thoughts, how to better understand our team member’s perspectives, and a whole lot more. Members of the Modern Manager community get a discount on a speaking engagement if you would like Chuck to speak at your corporate or community event. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: Confront the Stories in Your Head that Hold Your Team Back   KEEP UP WITH CHUCK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuck_wisner/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-wisner/Website: https://www.chuckwisner.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuckwisnerconsulting   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:52 Stories are the foundation of our thoughts 03:11 An example of how stories can serve us 04:46 How do we become more conscious of the beliefs we embody? 06:43 Exercise: “Left-hand column” 11:13 How do we help our team members shift their consciousness?  15:30 Facts vs. opinions 19:12 Example of a client who has gone through this process 27:00 A great boss Chuck has worked for 28:25 Keeping up with Chuck 29:15 [Extended episode only] The next stage of conversation: What comes after storytelling? 31:14 [Extended episode only] How can we commit to more effective conversations? 35:27 [Extended episode only] Making better commitments Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  Additional Resources: Download the PDF introduction to Chuck’s book, The Art of Conscious Conversations, on his website. Book a free, 30-minute consultation/advising session if you are interested in understanding more about Chuck’s work and how you could work together. Via his contact link, send an email, letting Chuck know you came from The Modern Manager. mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Each person brings their values and perspectives to group decision-making. But what happens when those perspectives seem to be conflicting? We need to be cost conscious, and we also need high quality. We need honesty, and we also need kindness and grace. We need structure, and we also need flexibility. When we feel like we’re stuck between conflicting options or mindsets, it might be a moment for both/and thinking. Having a better understanding of polarities can help us leverage the best of both worlds. Today’s guest is Ronni Hendel. Ronni works as a coach and facilitator with individual leaders, teams, and organizations. She supports her clients in building their capacity to achieve results through others and to navigate through increased complexity. She helps them move beyond self-awareness into being able to consistently respond with grace and clarity under pressure. Ronni and I talk about what polarities are, how they show up in the workplace and create tension or conflict, and how to embrace them using a both-and mindset. We get into the polarities map and how it can be a tool to help your team find a better path forward. Members of the Modern Manager community get a guide to leveraging polarities including how to identify when a polarity is at play. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: The Magic of Both/And Thinking and Exploring Polarities   KEEP UP WITH RONNI Website: www.insightoutleadership.com   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:01 What are polarities? 07:56 How to collaborate instead of choose sides 12:37 Introducing the idea of polarities to colleagues 14:56 Understanding the polarity map 18:46 The vulnerability of letting go 22:59 How to find a middle ground 25:12 A great manager Ronni has worked for 26:49 Keeping up with Ronni 27:30 [Extended episode only] The difference between ‘complex’ and ‘complicated’ 32:55 [Extended episode only] Common situations that managers mislabel 35:25 [Extended episode only] How polarities show up in complex versus complicated situations Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager community for just $5 per month.  mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

How can a manager help their team members grow if they aren’t aware of their skillsets, dreams, and roadblocks? Managers play a critical role in supporting their people’s growth, and in order to do this, they need a better understanding of how to help each person. The best way to make this happen is one-on-ones.  Today’s guest is Jason Wick. Jason is a Director of Product Development with nearly a decade of management experience in a variety of industries. His passion lies in managing and guiding others to reach higher levels in their professional performance, both as individuals and as teams. He is also the host of the Leadership Voyage podcast. Jason and I talk about the infamous one-on-ones: what these meetings are all about, how you can use them to strengthen your team, what everyone should be doing to prepare for a productive conversation, and so much more.  Members of the Modern Manager community get a one-pager with 1-1 reflection questions and 8 ways to ruin (or restore) your 1-1s. Members also get the extended interviews and other benefits! Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: How To Have One-on-Ones That Center What Your Employee Needs   KEEP UP WITH JASON LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonallenwick/   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:50 What are one-on-ones all about? (Your team member is your customer!) 06:45 How often should we hold one-on-ones? 11:45 Can canceling one-on-ones really be hurtful to our team members? 13:59 How should managers properly prepare for a one-on-one? 19:00 The 10/10/10 approach, and other ways to focus on employee growth 21:19 How should team members properly prepare for a one-on-one? 23:55 Receiving and encouraging employee feedback 27:06 A great manager Jason has worked for 28:19 Keeping up with Jason 29:25 [Extended Interview] How do you serve employees who don’t want to engage in one-on-ones? 34:20 [Extended Interview] Other processes for performance reviews and relationship building mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the way we work. From hybrid work to workplace culture; from motivation to burnout; from work-life balance to communication; the pandemic changed nearly everything about the workforce. Not only did employees have to navigate these changes, but managers had to drastically adjust the expectations for their teams—and many are still adapting today. Today’s guest is Mia Russell. Mia has served in various roles across nonprofit, academic, and corporate sectors. Currently, as a lecturer in the Center for Leadership Education at Johns Hopkins University, she teaches leadership and management courses, and her research focuses on the sustainability of well-being, specifically family economic well-being and career/work-related well-being. We talk about the expectations about work that are changing. We touch on quiet quitting, what employers or bosses can reasonably ask of their people, how all of this ties to burnout and the need to create a healthy balance in life, and so much more. Five members of the Modern Manager community can get a 30-minute call with Mia to help them identify strategies to reduce organizational factors that promote burnout. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: It’s Not Quiet Quitting: What’s Really Going On With Your Team   KEEP UP WITH MIA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miabrussell   Timestamps & Topics: 00:00 Intro 01:49 Three categories of “Quiet Quitting” 06:17 How are pre-pandemic work expectations different from current expectations? 10:03 How do we meaningfully engage our team members? 15:03 The importance of healthy motivation 17:50 How can we set boundaries to avoid burnout? 23:26 Understanding your values around work and time 27:17 A fantastic boss Mia has worked for 29:09 Keeping up with Mia 30:20 [Extended episode only] How can managers identify team members on the verge of burnout? 38:47 [Extended episode only] Physical versus emotional burnout mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Setting healthy productivity habits is crucial for our overall well-being. When we are productive, we feel good about ourselves and our accomplishments; we are also more likely to achieve our goals. However, if we are not careful, an excessive emphasis on productivity without boundaries can lead to burnout. We can experience overwhelm as extreme physical and mental exhaustion which keeps us from being our best. So, how do we find the balance of a productive yet fulfilling approach to work? Today’s guest is Byron Morrison, the author of "Maybe You Should Give Up - 7 ways to get out of your own way and take control of your life". He is also a mindset and performance coach, who for close to a decade has worked with CEOs, business leaders and entrepreneurs in 15 different countries to take control and become more effective in their role. Byron and I talk about managing your time and energy to be most productive and effective. He shares some counterintuitive approaches to dealing with overwhelm, stress and more. Members of the Modern Manager community get access to Byron’s “Amplify” Course for free with the purchase of his book. This course is the ultimate productivity, time, and energy management course for CEOs and business leaders. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Read the related blog article: Better Manage Your Time and Energy to Reduce Overwhelm   KEEP UP WITH BYRON Website: byronmorrison.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorbyronmorrison/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbyronmorrison Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbyronmorrison   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:43 “Someone who is overwhelmed is just under-planned” 03:36 Strategy to get through mental overwhelm (brain dump) 05:29 What are push days vs. pull days? 09:42 How to structure push days and pull days 11:03 Byron’s approach to reducing task-associated stress 15:31 Recommendations for daily planning 17:33 How do teams collectively become more productive? 19:52 Client story on accountability 21:52 Byron’s stress de-compounding approach 27:26 A great manager Byron has worked for 28:48 Keeping up with Byron 30:00 [Extended episode only] Setting boundaries in your planning 35:28 How do we stay involved while setting boundaries? mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks