The Modern Manager

Rachel Cooke, a workforce activator and founder of Lead Above Noise, shares her insights on achieving exceptional business results while nurturing a thriving team environment. She dispels the myth that results and people engagement are mutually exclusive, emphasizing how small, incremental changes can foster both. With real-world examples and strategies, Rachel discusses balancing performance with team dynamics, enhancing communication, and addressing common pain points to drive engagement and productivity. Tune in for actionable tips that transform workplaces!

Mindset is crucial for success, especially in today’s fast-paced world.Yet, many of us feel stuck and merely going through the motions.But what if I told you that a simple mindset shift could provide the clarity and focus you needed to move forward? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for.Today’s guest is Penny Zenker. Penny is known as “The Focusologist.” She’s a sought-after international keynote speaker and best-selling author. She is one of the leading experts in the psychology of productivity to eliminate distraction, perfectionism, and self-sabotage to maximize results personally and professionally. And, she just released her newest book, The Reset Mindset: Get Unstuck, Focus on What Matters Most, and Reach Your Goals Faster.Penny shares a powerful strategy for real-time resets, ensuring you’re always aligned with your most important goals, even during the chaos.She explains the difference between a reset mindset and a growth mindset, the benefits of practicing a reset mindset, how managers can make it a part of their team culture, and more.Whether you’re a manager looking to boost your team’s performance or simply someone who wants to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters, this episode is a must-listen.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) Intro(01:31) What is a reset mindset?(03:01) Understanding reset moments in our everyday lives(04:52) Growth mindset vs. reset mindset(08:06) How practicing a reset mindset can benefit managers and their teams(11:21) Three steps to developing a reset mindset(26:33) A great manager Penny has worked for(28:04) Keep up with Penny(28:49) [Extended Episode Only] Fostering a reset mindset as part of your team culture(36:37) [Extended Episode Only] Practical tips for using reset moments during meetingsAdditional 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- Build your team’s skills here- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here- Listen to Mamie on the Take Back Time podcast talking about productive meetings hereKeep up with  Penny Zenker- Follow Penny on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram- Subscribe to her YouTube channel here- Catch her on the Take Back Time podcast here- Grab a copy of her book hereFREE 125 Daily Planner DownloadPenny is providing her 135 Daily Planning workshop for free to members of Podcast+. Most to-do lists get you lost in the little stuff. The 135 Daily Planner helps you balance what is urgent and important so you can focus on what matters most. To get this guest 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!

Gaia van der Esch, an influential author and CEO, specializes in transformative leadership traits. In this discussion, she explores how empathy, vulnerability, and circular leadership models can revolutionize workplaces. By reflecting on the impact of leaders like Christina Figueres and Gloria Steinem, Gaia emphasizes the power of emotional authenticity. She advocates for a cultural shift towards inclusive practices that promote collaboration and share power, ultimately leading to greater team dynamics and positive change in organizations.

In this discussion, Lei Wang, a renowned motivational speaker and the first Asian woman to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam, shares her inspiring journey from a city girl in Beijing to an extreme adventurer. She explores the mental toughness needed to tackle both personal challenges and leadership roles. Topics include the importance of self-reliance, understanding your deeper 'why,' and the value of tough love in fostering resilience. Lei also highlights the power of honest communication in building strong team dynamics.

Are you or your team members feeling unhappy at work? When discussing job dissatisfaction, people often point to issues like job title or compensation. However, we frequently overlook the fact that humans have complex emotions, and sometimes, we struggle to express what we truly feel.Thankfully, this week’s guest will help us explore what’s really going on beneath the surface and provide insights on how we can help ourselves and our team members reignite our passion for our careers.Today's guest is Dr Tessa West. Tessa is a professor of psychology at New York University, where she is a leading expert on the science of social relationships. Her academic research and writing for the media focuses on how to improve communication between employees, bosses and hiring professionals across workplace settings. She has over 100 academic publications and is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal. Her first book, Jerks at Work published to rave reviews, and her latest book, Job Therapy, is what we discussed today. Tessa and I dive into the deep psychological reasons behind job dissatisfaction, exploring how our careers can sometimes feel like challenging relationships. She shares practical tools and strategies to help diagnose and address these issues.Are you ready to transform your work life and have a more fulfilling and productive career?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) Intro(01:43) Why people are unhappy with their jobs (Hint: it’s not about the structural factors)(03:21) How job therapy tools can identify specific issues causing unhappiness at work(05:49) Why you should treat your career as a relationship (08:10) Purpose-driven work could be making you miserable(10:16) How to spot hidden issues in employee behavior(15:13) What managers can do to address employee unhappiness(20:06) Real stories of how people handle job dissatisfaction(25:03) What happens when people find the perfect career for themselves(27:11) A great manager Tessa has worked for(28:44) Keep up with Tessa(29:34) [Extended Episode Only] How to effectively deal with busyness at work(33:41) [Extended Episode Only] Practical approach to managing task-switching and work interruptionsAdditional 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- Build your team’s skills here- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel hereKeep up with Tessa- Take Tessa’s career quiz here- Learn more about her research here- Grab a copy of Tessa’s Job Therapy book hereBook Giveaway: FREE 10 Copies of Tessa’s Job TherapyTessa is giving away 10 copies of her latest book Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works For You. This book helps you figure out the real reason you're unhappy and shows you how to find a new position in which you'll thrive, whether in a different role, company or new industry altogether. You must be a member of Podcast+ to enter the drawing and do so before Friday, August 31.To get this guest 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!

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Amanda Blake, an expert in the mind-body connection, shares her wisdom on harnessing embodied intelligence for effective management. She emphasizes how tuning into bodily signals enhances workplace communication and decision-making. Amanda discusses the profound impact of life experiences on our perceptions and behaviors. Listeners can explore practical techniques for cultivating body awareness to improve emotional intelligence, assert boundaries, and foster meaningful interactions in their professional lives.

Rich Diviney, a bestselling author and retired Navy SEAL commander, emphasizes the critical role of attributes over skills in achieving optimal performance. He discusses how resilience and adaptability are vital in high-pressure situations, highlighting their importance in effective teamwork. Rich shares insights on the nature of courage and how personal attributes can enhance team dynamics. He also outlines strategies for personal growth through focusing on developing attributes, offering practical steps for improvement in both individuals and teams.

Rebecca Zung, a negotiation and communication expert, shares tips on handling narcissists at work. She discusses spotting different types of narcissists, intervening with team members showing narcissistic behavior, dealing with narcissistic blindness, and protecting yourself. Learn practical strategies to navigate toxic behaviors and win negotiations with narcissistic personalities.

Urs Koenig, a former UN military peacekeeper, discusses radical humility in leadership. He emphasizes self-awareness, relational leadership, and a growth mindset. The importance of empowering team members and building trust is highlighted. Urs also breaks down five mental shifts every leader must make for success.

Dr. Steven Rogelberg, an expert in one-on-one meetings, shares practical tips to enhance these interactions. He discusses the benefits of regular one-on-ones, effective questioning techniques, and feedback strategies for managers. Learn how to make your meetings more valuable and impactful.