The Modern Manager

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

Collaboration is essential for success in today's workplace. No matter how much intelligence and creativity any individual possesses, collaboration between team members always leads to better results. Collaboration allows team members to pool their ideas and expertise, leading to more creative, diverse, and innovative solutions while leveraging each person’s strengths. Plus, team members who experience successful collaborations feel more engaged and satisfied at work. Today’s guest is Deb Mashek. Deb is a social psychologist who helps business leaders navigate the relationship headwinds that tank timelines, bottom lines, and well-being. An experienced business advisor, professor, and nonprofit executive, her writing appears in MIT-Sloan Management Review, Fortune, ReWorked, The Hechinger Report, and Psychology Today. Deb has been an invited speaker on collaboration and viewpoint diversity at leading organizations including the United Nations and the American Psychological Association. She is the international bestselling author of Collabor(h)ate. We talk about how to foster successful collaborations within your team and organization. What are different ways we work together that we might call collaboration, what are the factors that go into collaboration, and how do you improve each of them or deal with it when things aren’t going well. Members of the Modern Manager community get a recording of Deb’s 1-Hour Workshop on Deep Collaboration, which will equip you to identify and overcome the collaboration headwinds that are holding back your organization. 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 Build Strong Collaborations (Even When Your Team Can’t Stand Each Other)   KEEP UP WITH DEB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-mashek/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@debmashek Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebMashek Instagram: www.instagram.com/debmashek/   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:00 What counts as collaboration? 03:32 What does ‘successful’ collaboration mean? 05:07 The importance of relationships 10:08 How integrated should we be with our co-workers? 11:50 Four quadrants of collaboration, with examples 19:52 How to increase the quality of your relationships 26:51 A great manager Deb has worked for 28:47 Keeping up with Deb 30:00 [Extended episode only] How to increase interdependence 31:19 [Extended episode only] Creating a strong collaborative ecosystem 34:47 [Extended episode only] What skills and competencies can we develop to become better collaborators? 37:25 [Extended episode only] Software and tools for effective collaboration mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Being productive is a skill that comes naturally to some people, but it can be more difficult for others, especially those with learning differences or other challenges. Depending on your attention span, level of motivation, executive functioning skills, and environment, you may struggle to find success with traditional productivity advice. It’s important to remember that everyone’s mind is different, and with the right tools and mindset, you and each of your team members are capable of productivity greatness! Today’s guest is Sandra Halling. Sandra is a marketing systems and technology consultant who has a passion for finding smart, efficient ways of working so you can let go of the hustle. Sandra is a systems expert on platforms like Notion and ConvertKit but her real priority is helping you develop better work habits by achieving Aligned Productivity — that is to say, aligning your work with your values so you feel calm, confident, and can prioritize what matters to you. Sandra and I talk about different approaches to planning and staying organized that work for different styles of thinking. She shares her thoughts on what productivity is all about and how to navigate differences in productivity approaches, and a whole lot more. Members of the Modern Manager community get two bonuses this week! The first is 1 Free Month of Aligned Productivity Membership, which helps highly sensitive entrepreneurs and professionals feel more productive, without the hustle or overwhelm that comes from traditional productivity. The second is a set of Free Productivity Reflection Templates. Get these 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. Get 25% off The Modern Manager Skills Accelerator through April 30, 2023. The Skills Accelerator is designed to help you gain the skills, mindset and habits needed to effectively manage your team and yourself so that everyone gets to be their best selves and do their best work.   Read the related blog article: Productivity Approaches That Reduce Stress and Increase Accomplishment   KEEP UP WITH SANDRA Website: https://sandrahalling.com/ Membership Website: https://feelmoreproductive.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrahalling/   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Why do we feel pressure to be so productive? 05:46 Do we set ourselves up for failure? 07:59 How to acknowledge what we’ve accomplished 10:34 Tip for neurodivergent listeners: breaking down tasks 12:30 Why different approaches work for different people 18:30 What happens when your preferred method doesn’t match your co-workers’? 24:05 Tools for team productivity 29:43 About a great manager Sandra has worked for 31:28 Keeping up with Sandra 33:00 [Extended episode only] Getting started with “aligned productivity” 38:40 [Extended episode only] How to align your daily tasks with larger goals Additional Resources: Join the Skills Accelerator (which includes a Patron level membership) this month to get 25% off to celebrate my 250th episode. Go to themodernmanager.com/milestone250 for details and the discount. mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks

Welcome to episode 250 of The Modern Manager! Phew! I’m so excited to reach this milestone, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has listened to and supported the podcast along the way. Thank you for being here; here’s to 250 more! For this episode, I decided to take a look back at some key ideas that I’ve learned from my amazing guests over the past year or so. While every guest shares something insightful, I chose 5 key takeaways that, for me, stood out in some way. Members of the Modern Manager community get a massive discount on a 360 process facilitated by me. This includes a survey of up to 10 of your colleagues to gather feedback on their experience working with you, your strengths and where you can improve. You’ll receive a full written report plus a 1-hour debrief session with me to review the findings and plan next steps. This special pricing of $250 (instead of upwards of $1,000) is available to 10 members. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.    Get 25% off when you join the Modern Manager Skills Accelerator before 11:59pm Eastern April 30, 2023.   Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.   Subscribe to my newsletter to get episodes, articles, and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox.    Read the related blog article: 5 Quick Actions for Managers to Improve Their Leadership   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:26 The four temperaments that shape our core values (from episode 219) 03:05 Excerpt from episode 219 05:21 Mamie’s takeaways from episode 219 06:25 Mental toughness (from episode 229) 06:45 Excerpt from episode 229 08:34 Mamie’s takeaways from episode 229 10:00 How the seeds you plant can grow (from episode 237) 10:20 Excerpt from episode 237 11:39 Mamie’s takeaways from episode 237 12:40 Acknowledging emotions during times of change (from episode 193) 13:03 Excerpt from episode 193 15:43 Mamie’s takeaways from episode 193 16:30 Addressing conflict head on (from episode 228) 16:44 Excerpt from episode 228 20:11 Mamie’s takeaways from episode 228 mamie@mamieks.com instagram.com/mamieks