Management Development Unlocked - Management & Leadership Training

Eric Girard
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May 20, 2025 • 20min

The Secret to Lasting Behavior Change with Heather Burright

On today’s episode of Management Development Unlocked, Eric sits down with Heather Burright, a nonprofit learning and development consultant. Heather specializes in helping organizations improve performance and skill change through learning and development. She also hosts a private community for nonprofit learning and development professionals. Heather is the host of the podcast Learning for Good.Eric is currently on the job market. He is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Behavior change as a component of L&D to create impact.L&D’s role as an essential part of the employee or customer experience.Organizational response to a need for behavior change and why training isn’t always the answer.The science behind behavior change and what it looks like in action.Why Heather recommends ABS (awareness, buy-in, skills, social support, and prompts) for a behavior change method at work.How people managers often deal with their team members’ behavior–both good and bad.Connect with Heather Burright:LinkedInLearning for Good podcast---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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May 13, 2025 • 29min

The No-BS Approach to Aligning Your Career with Diana Alt

Eric sits down with career coach Diana Alt on today’s Management Development Unlocked. Diana is a no-BS career growth strategist for leaders, primarily in tech. Her ethos is helping people make work feel good because work shouldn’t be a long, slow march to oblivion. Diana helps with everything from career transition and job search to career development, planning, leadership growth, and executive coaching.Eric is currently on the job market. He is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Diana Alt’s background as a career growth strategist for leaders, primarily in tech.Using CliftonStrengths as a leader to help team members remain engaged and effective.How Diana coaches others to learn their professional and personal strengths and superpowers.The four cornerstones of an aligned career: the right work, leaders, environment, and culture.Two aspects of values in action.Work-life balance and what it really looks like.Diana’s favorite leadership books, “Song of Significance” and “The No Asshole Rule.”What her coaching business offers prospective clients.Connect with Diana Alt:Diana Alt Coaching and ConsultingIs it time to walk?LinkedIn“The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams”“The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t”“The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results”---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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May 6, 2025 • 23min

Translating Numbers into Stories with Geoff Schmidt

Today’s episode of Management Development Unlocked features Geoff Schmidt, a finance director with decades of experience playing with numbers and turning those numbers into stories to help the agencies and companies where he works better understand their businesses. Geoff couples strong leadership skills with and vision to get results. He strives to build productive, connected teams and is an enthusiastic leader.Eric is currently on the job market. He is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Geoff Schmidt’s work as a finance director with decades of experience leading teams.The General George Patton quote that guides Geoff’s leadership style.What he looks for when building a team and why customer service is at the top of the list.Some of Geoff’s biggest challenges at work and being willing to meet your team members where they are.How parenting techniques can bleed over into team development and leadership styles.Eric’s advice for Geoff based on what Eric knows about him.Connect with Geoff Schmidt:LinkedIn“The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever”---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Apr 29, 2025 • 26min

Leading Remote and Hybrid Teams Like a Pro with Adam Hickman

On this episode of Management Development Unlocked, Eric welcomes Adam Hickman, Vice President of Organization Employee Development for Partners FCU, a sponsor of The Walt Disney Company. With more than 23 years of experience in HR operations, education, training, and organizational development and culture, Adam is a visionary leader and innovator who delivers growth and profit through innovations in technology, customer experience, leadership development, and networking. He is also the author of the book “Grit and Gratitude: The Science and Art of a Successful Career and Life.”Eric is currently on the job market. He is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Adam Hickman’s take on using AI to be more efficient and effective.Why he doesn’t believe AI will replace humans and what it lacks.The current trends in hybrid and remote work and the push for return-to-office.Offering remote workers the tools they need to do their work without micromanagement.Adam’s tips for leading hybrid and remote teams effectively.The one question you can end a meeting with to build team connections.His new book, “Grit and Gratitude: The Science and Art of a Successful Career and Life” and what you can expect to take away from it.Connect with Adam Hickman:LinkedIn“Grit and Gratitude: The Science and Art of a Successful Career and Life”---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Apr 22, 2025 • 19min

The Human-Centric Future of Work with Cheryl Fields Tyler

On today’s episode of Management Development Unlocked, Eric sits down with Cheryl Fields Tyler, owner, founder, and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting. Cheryl’s business has been in operation for 18 years, using her expertise on the people side of business to develop leaders and managers at every stage of their careers. Blue Beyond Consulting also works with organizations to build resilient, effective, and agile ways to create great leadership and management pipelines within their organizations.Eric is currently on the job market. He is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Cheryl Fields Tyler’s background as the owner, founder, and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting and what her company does.Her recent report on the pivotal role of people managers and some of the takeaways from that report regarding leadership.How knowledge workers and people managers feel about management and company leadership.Elevating the practice of management in an organization and the importance of trust and expectations.Prioritizing building the capabilities of people managers.Learning, training, upskilling, and career development for people managers.Addressing the imbalance between excelling in a role and more tasks than a manager can effectively manage.The paradigm shift Cheryl believes needs to occur in how we perceive management.Cheryl’s study, "Winning on the People Side of Business: Research, Insights, and Recommendations,” and what you can gain from it.Connect with Cheryl Fields Tyler:Blue Beyond Consultingcheryl@bluebeyondconsulting.com“Winning on the People Side of Business: Research, Insights, and Recommendations”LinkedIn---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Apr 15, 2025 • 26min

Zoom-Proof Your Management Skills with Kameko Leung

On this episode of Management Development Unlocked, Kameko Leung sits down with Eric to discuss how to create meaningful relationships virtually. Kameko is a learning and development expert with over a decade of experience. She is the owner of Bloom Mindset Consulting and is also the Leadership Development Lead at Pinterest.Eric is currently in the job seeker seat, and he and Kameko also discuss what’s different about this job market and how he’s rising to the challenge.Eric is seeking a role as a senior manager of learning and development, focusing on leadership and management development in tech. If you know anyone hiring, let Eric know.In this episode, you’ll hear:Kameko Leung’s background in learning and development, her consulting company Bloom Mindset, and her current role at Pinterest.The differences between managing remotely versus in person, and the importance of building a “board of directors” you can rely upon.Tips for building meaningful relationships virtually and with intentionality.The best work relationship Kameko ever had, which developed online, and how they developed that connection.Understanding your individual team members’ work styles and preferences to help your team work better together.What it means to be a culture carrier for your team and the importance of emotional intelligence.Three ways you can build your EQ in a virtual environment.Eric’s biggest challenge as a job seeker.Connect with Eric Girard here:Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!Connect with Kameko Leung:LinkedIn---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Apr 8, 2025 • 23min

Building Bridges Across Cultures with Csenge Fazekas

On today’s episode of Management Development Unlocked, Eric sits down with Csenge Fazekas, an intercultural trainer and team development consultant who helps global teams and curious individuals make their next move. Csenge specializes in helping people better understand multicultural perspectives and cultural differences and decipher everything that comes with that. Csenge is the founder of Cultural Origami and is currently based in Madrid, Spain.In this episode, you’ll hear:Csenge Fazekas’s role as an intercultural trainer and team development consultant.The importance of culture in managing international teams and its influence on how a team functions.Some of the challenges that new managers face when leading multicultural teams.Using “fast teaming” to combine the cultures of a team into one cohesive culture.What it means to be culturally fluent and learn that cultural differences can be superpowers.Language as a tool in intercultural communications and why communication doesn’t stop with words.How Csenge implements experiential learning and improv in her workshops.Using Global DISC to create understanding between team members.The most common mistakes new managers make when they take on diverse teams.What Csenge offers in her business, Cultural Origami.Connect with Csenge Fazekas:WebsiteLinkedInGlobal DISC---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Apr 1, 2025 • 28min

A Dash of Naughtiness with Steph Edusei

Today’s episode of Management Development Unlocked features Steph Edusei, Chief Executive of Saint Oswald’s Hospice in North East England. Steph is also a mom and a leader who has worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years. She is also Chair of Eliot Smith Dance, a coach, speaker, and podcast host of Black All Year. Eric and Steph delve into what she’s learned from her many years spent in leadership.In this episode, you’ll hear:Steph Edusei’s role as Chief Executive of Saint Oswald’s Hospice, a large adult and children’s hospice in North East England.Why Steph would like people to come to hospice earlier than they think they need to make the most of their remaining time.The purpose of leadership and why it’s about creating the right environment for your team to thrive.Tackling challenges at work while remaining supportive and providing accountability with direct conversations.Overcoming self-doubt, reframing imposter syndrome, and learning to believe in yourself.Implementing positive self-talk into your daily affirmations.Being authentic in how you look and act in a leadership position.The one piece of advice Steph has for managers and leaders.What Eric has learned not to do as a leader.Connect with Steph Edusei:LinkedInPodcastInstagramThreadsSt. Oswald's Hospice---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Mar 25, 2025 • 30min

The Science of Productivity with Michelle Risinger

This episode of Management Development Unlocked features Michelle Risinger, founder and CEO of the DC-based social innovation strategy firm Rising Solutions. Michelle spent most of her career in the social sector, and after 10 years of doing direct humanitarian assistance overseas, she transitioned into an R&D technical role. Four years ago, she opened Rising Solutions to support organizations, governments, and corporations in launching new ideas, products, and services. Rising Solutions only works on concepts with a double bottom line: a financial return and a quantifiable social return. In this episode, you’ll hear:Michelle Risinger’s role as the founder and CEO of a DC-based social innovation strategy firm and what she loves about it.What the future of work means and how Michelle began her research on the topic.Chronobiology and how it impacts your work.The history of the eight-hour workday and why there’s been a burnout epidemic in the modern workplace.The secret to human productivity.The product Michelle is building to help people find their chronobiology indicators.The art of thought and its four phases.Michelle’s tips for managers to incorporate chronobiology and neuroscience into their work.Eric’s take on how using chronobiology in Silicon Valley would work.Connect with Michelle Risinger:LinkedInRising Solutions---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!
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Mar 18, 2025 • 33min

Maximizing the HR-Manager Relationship with Lotus Buckner

In this episode of Management Development Unlocked, Eric sits down with Lotus Buckner, the bestselling author of “The Joy of HR.” Lotus is the founder and CEO of LB Talent Solutions, where she executes fractional work in addition to consulting and executive coaching. Lotus is an HR expert, and you’ll hear her thoughts on why it’s so important to partner with HR rather than viewing them as an adversary you have to deal with.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why companies need great HR and great leadership in collaboration to create success.The most common misconceptions about HR and why they’re incorrect.Processes that are in place to protect leadership–not just the company.Reaching out to HR early to support team development and employee success.What you may not be aware HR can assist you with, including payroll, benefits, learning and development, and more.How a proactive partnership with HR can help you nip problems in the bud before you have to put out a fire.Lotus Buckner’s new book, “The Joy of HR,” and what you can learn from it.Eric’s perception of HR during his career and some of his experiences.Connect with Lotus Buckner:LinkedIn“The Joy of HR” bookTalent Remix---Head over to girardtrainingsolutions.com to take a look at the 20+ courses I offer for new and experienced managers! Get your copy of the Amazon #1 Bestseller and #1 New Release Lead Like a Pro - The Essential Guide for New Managers while you’re there!Connect with me on LinkedIn.Please subscribe and comment!

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