The Modern Manager

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.

As a manager, you have a lot on your plate. Investing in relational time can sometimes feel like a nice-to-have rather than a must-do. But making time to build strong relationships and connections at work should be your top priority. It’s the single most impactful thing you can do for your career. Why? Today’s guest explains it all.Today’s guest is Patricia Bathory. Patricia combines her roles as a seasoned psychotherapist and the founder of a thriving import/export business to offer unique insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and leaders.Join Patricia and me as we talk about why investing in building strong workplace relationships and connections is vital, how to communicate expectations clearly, and the importance of empathy and understanding in the workplace.Whether you’re working with 5 to 500 colleagues, this episode is packed with insights on improving your relational skills even with people you may not necessarily like or agree with.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(02:05) Why invest in strong relationships at work?(05:02) How to evaluate your workplace relationships(06:18) Recognizing your “way” is just one of many(11:13) The role of expectations in staying connected to people(14:53) Tips for handling workplace conflict(18:15) The art of seeing something from someone else’s perspective(24:55) A great manager Patricia has worked for(26:20) Keep up with Patricia(26:53) Final thoughts(27:36) [Extended Episode Only] What does it mean to be 50% of a relationship?(35:21) [Extended Episode Only] How to cope with feelings of betrayalAdditional 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- Grab The Modern Manager Skills Accelerator Bundle hereKeep up with Patricia- Follow Patricia on LinkedIn here- Check out her other works hereGet 10% off Connected: Building Relationships to Achieve Success and Make a Lasting ImpactIn Connected, Patricia Bathory reveals the importance of building a strong network of relationships (our village) to support us as we pursue our dreams. Drawing from her business experience, research into successful people’s relationships, and therapy practice, she shows readers how to master the art of connecting to lead healthier, happier, and more meaningful livesTo 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!

Learn the 5 S's of effective delegation for leaders - Set Free, Sandbox, Safety Net, Scaffolding, Safety. Understand the importance of aligning skills with task difficulty. Explore tactics like autonomy with safety nets, sandbox approach, and providing guidance.

Experienced project management expert, Kory Kogon, shares a 5-step framework for mastering project management. She discusses the importance of combining value, people, and process for project success, emphasizes intuitive project management skills from personal lives, and offers practical tips for effective project management.