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The Modern Manager

Mamie Kanfer Stewart

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Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Learn more at: https://themodernmanager.com/ Solo episodes are like mini-courses, providing actionable tips based on experience and research. Guest episodes are engaging conversations that elicit insights and suggestions for how to apply the ideas. Learn more about effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountab ...
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show series
 
Imagine standing at the base of Mt. Everest, feeling the crushing weight of doubt and fear. Now, picture your toughest work challenge–where quitting feels like the best option. Would you push through or hit the quit button? Many of us struggle with the internal battle of wanting to avoid discomfort, even though deep down, we know that overcoming th…
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When there’s great leadership, everyone flourishes. We’ve seen the outcomes of having great leaders at work countless times–high-performing teams, healthy workplaces, increased profitability, and happy employees, among other things. But what actually makes a great leader? What leadership traits create a lasting impact not just on organizations but …
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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…
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Imagine sensing the underlying emotions in a tense meeting or intuitively knowing when to steer a conversation in a more productive direction–all by tuning into your body’s signals. That’s how intelligent your body can be! Science says that your body knows more than you realize–it’s always sending you signals. Yet, we aren’t taught how to interpret…
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Focus on attributes, not skills. So often, we are easily impressed by what we see on resumes or how someone performed during their last big project. But here’s the truth: skills are just one piece of the puzzle. If we focus too much on skills, we risk overlooking one of the most important drivers of human performance–attributes. Attributes play a k…
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Are you struggling to deal with narcissistic personalities in your workplace? Working with a narcissist can feel like a never-ending battle. Their lack of empathy, manipulative skills, and constant need for admiration can easily create a tense atmosphere at work. So, how do you manage this type of toxic behavior and protect yourself and your team f…
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As a manager, you are entrusted to lead and manage your team, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get things right. When you have power and authority, it can be challenging to own your shortfalls and mistakes. After all, you are someone that your team members look up to. But our guest thinks otherwise. He believes that showing up with radical humil…
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Have you ever felt that your one-on-one meetings aren’t as effective as they should be? Before you write them off your calendar, consider this: a Gallup study reveals that employees are three times more engaged when they experience regular one-on-ones. But let’s face it—one-on-ones take up a significant portion of your time. They aren’t as easy as …
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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 i…
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One of the toughest transitions for any leader is moving from doing the work to leading others who do the work. As a manager, it’s still expected that you’ll roll up your sleeves and get work done. However, as your role grows more complex, it becomes clear that effective leadership means empowering your team to take on more of those tasks. Delegati…
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When you think of project management, what first comes to mind? For many folks, it’s associated with getting certified to lead the execution of major projects. You can even hold the title of Project Manager in some businesses! Yet, much of what all managers do–setting goals, creating plans, managing teams–is essentially project management. We’ve qu…
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Dealing with stressful conversations is never easy; whether you’re telling a client the project is delayed or relaying a bad performance review to a team member. But as managers, we can’t just avoid these conversations. Putting them off may protect us from our vulnerabilities, but they actually get in the way of having authentic and productive conv…
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Meetings are an important part of how we collaborate, but too often, they feel more like a waste of time rather than a productive engagement. How often have you left a meeting feeling like you’ve lost time and momentum? Our guest has found a way to reclaim your time and make every meeting count. Today’s guest is Yari Ising. Yari is the founder of T…
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Teamwork makes the dream work. But does it? Most of us believe that being a team means nurturing teamwork, embracing camaraderie, and supporting each other emotionally. However, these factors, although very important, aren't essential for every type of team. Today’s guest will unpack what makes a team and how to build a strong one. Meet James Scoul…
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Do you feel overwhelmed as you step into your first management role? Climbing up the corporate ladder can be exciting, but research shows that transitioning from an individual contributor into a manager role is one of the most challenging and stressful periods in a person’s career. Many new managers don’t easily make the psychological transition fr…
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Have you tried ChatGPT yet? AI is taking the business world by storm and AI tools have now become an integral part of daily workflows. While many businesses are already discovering ways to adopt and leverage AI, a lot of managers I speak with aren't sure how to take advantage of it. In this week's episode, I share my list of top picks of innovative…
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Vulnerability is a key ingredient in nurturing meaningful personal relationships, but does it hold the same weight in a professional context? Brené Brown has popularized the idea of vulnerability, but how we act vulnerable in the workplace differs from how we show vulnerability in personal spaces. After all, work comes with its own set of challenge…
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When you think of a successful career, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not generosity–a term not often associated with the business world. However, generosity in leadership is about giving of oneself–time, attention, and mentorship–for everyone’s gain. And that’s a powerful business strategy. Generous leaders invest in their team’s g…
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How does it feel to work with somebody you'd rather avoid? Let's admit it: We all experience a fair share of difficult people at work. And many times, we just have to be around them whether we like it or not. However, there are a few things, that we can do to lessen their impact on us. Today's workplace expert unpacks everything we need to know abo…
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One of the most crucial yet often overlooked tasks for managers is hiring. While it may seem straightforward, hiring is an intricate process filled with challenges that can shake even the most seasoned manager. In today’s competitive job market, where job postings can receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, distinguishing top candidate…
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Do you feel overwhelmed with your role as a manager? What exactly is your job? Managers are key to organizational success. They act as a vital link between leaders' strategic vision and individual contributors' execution. This means we need to guarantee clarity during handoffs and cultivate a culture of accountability within our teams. Feel like a …
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Do you ever wish there was a straightforward way to figure out how to be and do your best as a manager? Fortunately, there is. Introducing the Modern Manager Framework. Whether you're trying to improve your time management, navigate conflict, or lead better team meetings, the Modern Manager Framework can help you achieve your goals. In this week's …
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What exactly is strategic thinking? Many of us often confuse strategic thinking with strategic planning and implementation. We know strategy is crucial in the business world and that strategic thinking skills are valued by senior executives. This week’s podcast guest says anyone can be a strategic thinker and explains how! Today’s guest is Dr. Juli…
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Most people think that change at work is great. It has become the defining characteristic of successful organizations, teams, and individuals. But psychologically, change is HARD on humans–it’s a common source of stress for many of us. When there’s change or uncertainty at work, it creates a degree of fear and anxiety. However, work rituals can hel…
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When was the last time you effortlessly swayed someone's opinion? For leaders, it's likely that not everyone who works with you will embrace the ideas and decisions you make—and that's okay. But convincing people to rally behind your vision, sway their perspectives, and generate buy-in is part of the job. Conventional strategies have lost their eff…
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Being a successful manager in today’s modern workplace is not a straightforward task. It requires delivering results and thinking strategically, all the while supporting team members’ growth and development. Given these demands, it’s unsurprising that professional development may not be your top priority. Today’s guest thinks otherwise–you can make…
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A high performance culture is what often separates great teams from the rest. Culture is vital to your organization's success, but do managers really have that much influence on culture? This week’s guest says we do! Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry is a pioneering force in culture development and building high-performing teams. His journey began with a personal …
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Life is a series of choices. We make decisions every single day that affect how we live our lives–whether you’re picking what to have for lunch or steering a company strategy. For managers, effective decision-making skills at work are essential. So, how do you ensure you make the right decisions and stay on top of your game? In this week’s episode,…
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Your team members' motivation levels can greatly impact their productivity, engagement, morale, and, of course, the quality of their work. But motivating people is HARD. Surprisingly, bigger paychecks are less effective than we think they are in motivating people to do good work and stick around. So, if money is not an adequate motivation tool, the…
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What comes to mind when you think about culture? Most of us believe that culture is related to national origin and ethnicity, but culture is so much more than that. We may live in the same country, and yet it’s not uncommon to have different cultural preferences that influence how we show up at work and in life. And when we aren’t aware of these cu…
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Have you taken a personality test for a new job or during a team-building exercise? A lot of folks enjoy the insights that come from assessments like these. They help us know ourselves and our colleagues by better understanding our preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Enter the Enneagram tool. Today's guest is Tracy O'Malley. Tracy is an Enneagr…
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With busy days and the fast pace of work, it's understandable why so many teams jump from idea to basic plan (maybe!) to action. In our desire to move quickly, we forget that when we do so, we risk making bad decisions, resulting in wasted resources and, ultimately, not achieving what we set out to do. This is where upstream work plays a crucial ro…
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Your business is only as strong as your employees. So, if you want to build a strong and thriving business, you need to hire top-notch people. But hiring them is only a part of the equation. You must bring them together and transform them from high-performing individuals to high-performing teams. This is where successful team building comes in. Tea…
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Workplace conflict is inevitable. When people with different opinions and risk tolerances collaborate on projects or tasks, it’s normal for conflict to arise. As managers, we know all too well that conflict resolution in the workplace is vital for anyone hoping to nurture positive professional relationships and build a thriving, high-performing tea…
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Have you ever set goals but then struggled to achieve them? Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to stay on track? In the spirit of the new year, which many consider a fresh start, we’ll unpack the key elements in setting thoughtful and strategic goals and how to actually achieve them. Now, let’s all be clear: there’s no single approach to effective…
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Why do you show up to work? Why do you do things you’re expected to do at work? The biggest factor of organizational success is determined by how embedded the company’s deep purpose is in its employees. Today’s guest is Ranjay Gulati. He is the author of the book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies, an educator and resear…
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Many professionals start their careers in the hope of eventually landing their dream job--that perfect position that checks off all the boxes on their list. But what really is a dream job? A big paycheck with a fancy title? A corner office with a million-dollar view? A good work-life balance? Well, what if I told you that it's time to let go of tha…
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Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members. While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master. Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Q…
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Transitioning from a team member to a manager is undoubtedly a significant leap. It's crucial to recognize the shifts that come with leadership roles and be prepared for them. The first and most apparent shift is recognizing that it's no longer just about you. The spotlight now turns to your team, and your success is intricately woven with theirs. …
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Most of us think that sleeping equals resting. And yet, there are instances when getting more sleep doesn’t rejuvenate us at all. In these cases, sleep is actually the wrong type of rest and won't make up for what you actually need. So, knowing where you’re depleted and then refilling your batteries with the appropriate rejuvenation activities, not…
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Whether we acknowledge it or not, power is at play in the workplace. The key is to understand your own power and the power dynamics so you and your team can accomplish great things together. But how do you start a conversation on such a sensitive and often awkward topic? Today’s guest is Catherine Bell. Catherine is a Professional Certified Coach, …
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In the fast-paced world of work, sometimes we forget to pause and take the time to be curious. But curiosity is an essential part of building relationships and solving problems. So, how can we tap into our natural curiosity? Today’s guest is Scott Shigeoka. Scott is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author. He is known fo…
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95% of our choices every day are made by our autopilot. And your mindset is the remarkable force shaping your autopilot system. So, how do you make sure that your autopilot is actually serving you and your team–helping you run at your optimal potential? Our guest expert has a lot to say on this topic. Today’s guest is Susan Hobson. Susan is a High-…
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Performance management enables employees to learn and grow in service of being and doing their best. It traditionally happens through one-on-ones, weekly meetings, and annual performance reviews. However, for many managers and direct reports, performance management feels like a chore. Thankfully, today's guest has figured out how to easily and effe…
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Have you tried journaling? Well, it’s time to be intentional about it and make it a habit. Journaling is more than just writing down your life experience. According to this week's podcast guest, journaling can actually help improve your leadership skills. Today’s guest is Antonio Garrido. Antonio has over twenty-five years in senior leadership posi…
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When we think of iconic leaders in our history, many people think of impactful figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, or Susan B. Anthony. But defining what leadership is and what leaders really do can be challenging. So today, my guest will walk us through her definition of leadership to help us all thrive at work. Today’s guest is T…
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Have you ever made a comment in a meeting that was met with silence? A silence that felt like hours, and you had no option but to wait for that awkward moment to be over? We’ve all been there. But having awkward moments at work doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, this week's guest says we can use those good awkward moments to make us more huma…
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Top athletes in any sport have at least one coach, sometimes multiple, because they want to perform at their best. Turns out, managers aren't so different from athletes! In order for us to be the best leaders we can be, we need others to help us see our blindspots, push us to think and act in different ways and cheer us on when we’re unsure. In sho…
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What is your career goal as a manager? Managers play an essential role across all types of companies, and there are many levels for managers within an organization. But knowing which management level is right for you and how to advance your career isn't always clear. Fortunately, our guest has all the answers to your career path questions. Today's …
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We don’t come into this world with particular biases. We pick them up from our experiences with the people and world around us over time. And these biases affect how we show up every day (and not in a good way!) So, today’s guest is here to share her wisdom on what managers can do to have a more inclusive workplace where everyone thrives. Today’s g…
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