Being a people manager is kind of the best. But it's kind of the worst too, right? I mean between questions like, “how do I know what to talk about in a 1:1 meeting?” to “how do I give difficult feedback without being awkward?” to “how do I avoid becoming a micromanager?” – managing teams can be really overwhelming. Not anymore. The Managing Made Simple Podcast is your roadmap and compass to help you navigate life as a people manager. Chock full of fun stories from the trenches, concrete too ...
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137: But I'm the boss, this was supposed to be easier!
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In today’s episode, I tackle a common challenge for new managers: earning the respect of your team. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time, managing former colleagues, or navigating new team dynamics, getting your team on board can feel like an uphill battle. I’ll share practical tips on how to build genuine relationships…
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136: Are you protecting your team's time... or avoiding delegating?
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As leaders, we often struggle with delegating, telling ourselves that we’re protecting our team from burnout. But is that the real thing stopping us? In this episode, I dive into the reasons why we sometimes hesitate to delegate and how we can overcome these challenges. From setting the right context to building trust and having load-balancing conv…
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135: How to stop repeating yourself and start holding people accountable
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Ever find yourself repeating the same instructions to your team, wondering why they aren’t following through? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I dive into the root cause: lack of accountability. I’ll share practical strategies for building a culture where your team takes ownership and gets things done the first time. Learn how to effectivel…
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134: How to retain your unsung hero team members
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We all have those team members we know we can rely on for that last minute request, to jump in and fix a problem no one was able to solve, even to remember those birthdays and special moments that create a strong team culture. But are all recognizing the importance of their contribution to the team? Sadly, these folks often run the risk of being he…
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133: How to stop from burning out as a leader
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The topic of burnout is constantly top of mind for team leaders and business owners, and let's face it, we all know it isn't solved with a spa day or even a 2-week vacation. In episode 133 of Managing Made Simple, I share concrete strategies for preventing yourself from burning out as a leader - because quitting your job or shutting down your busin…
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132: Three ways to lower the chances great team members will quit
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Employee turnover is EXPENSIVE. Not only from a time and money perspective, but for morale and motivation as well.... which ends up costing you money on the end anyway. The Gallup organization recently reported that 42% of employee turnover is preventable - so today I'm sharing three ways to keep the team members that you worked so hard to hire and…
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131: Yes, we have to be paying our team members more
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We're all trying to save money where we can right now - but when it comes to paying your team members, that's not the place to trim the fat. In this "hot take" episode of Managing Made Simple, I talk about why we need to pay our team members well if we want them to do good work - and remind you to ask the question when determining what to pay someo…
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130: Why investing in your team is the secret to scale with Brittany Driscoll, CEO & Co-Founder of Squeeze
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It's not everyday you get to interview someone who has inspired so much of your work, it so exciting to bring Brittany Driscoll, CEO and Co-Founder of Squeeze massage franchise onto the show. When it comes to building great teams and scaling businesses, no one does it better than Brit; and in the episode she shares insights in how she helped grow D…
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129: How to prevent tough feedback conversations from going badly
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We've all been there - we thought carefully about a piece of feedback, rehearsed how we were going to say it, even stress tested it with a colleague, and then... the feedback conversation still goes sideways. THIS right here is one of the reasons feedback is so hard, because even when we think we're doing it right, we still can get it wrong. In epi…
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128: QUICK WIN - How to get your team members to bring in more revenue
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Frustrated that you're the only person in your business who seems to be stressing about revenue and profitability? In this QUICK WIN episode, I share a case study of how I helped a client shift the mindset of her team members to take an active role in bringing in new business. This is an issue my clients share with me ALL OF THE TIME - and the solu…
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127: How to better manage your time as a leader
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Time management - we all know we have to be better at it, any yet... It's one thing when we notice it, but when we get too overloaded to the point where our teams noticed, we have to do something about it. In episode 127 of Managing Made Simple, I share simple strategies to save you time every single week so you can feel less overwhelmed and get ba…
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126: How to recognize great work when budgets are tight
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What is one thing you can do everyday on your team that motivates people and costs you zero money? Recognizing people! Yes, my friends, saying THANK YOU in a way that is genuine, specific, and actionable goes incredible lengths to drive higher retention and fuel better results. And yet, we often get busy and forget to do it. In episode 126 of Manag…
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125: Easy ways to set boundaries with your team
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Boundary setting with our teams is one of those things that no matter how good we get at it, it keeps rearing it's ugly head. Doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, and certainly doesn't mean it's too late for your team or your business. It's just an opportunity to make some small shifts to free up time and space for yourself, while empowering …
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124: Help! Should I make this a new company policy?
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When something isn't going the way you want it to on your team or in your business, it can be tempting to want to roll out a new policy to get people to fall in line. But policies signify compliance, and while we want people to meet expectations, compliance isn't necessarily the vibe we're wanting to communicate. In episode 124 of Managing Made Sim…
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123: Feedback 101 - Receiving feedback as a leader... and in your life
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Receiving feedback might just be harder than giving it... ok, it's totally harder. Especially as a leader. A lot of times our team members have gripes about things happening on our teams and in our businesses without having the full context - project strategy shifts, team changes, work assignments - making it easy to want to jump to the defense. Bu…
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122: Feedback 101 - Giving feedback so your team can take meaningful action
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"Can I give you some feedback?" I've said it before and I'll say it again - the six SCARIEST words someone can say to another person. Am I right? But feedback is critical information we need to be sharing with our teams on a regular basis so they can operate at their best. Feedback brings up all sorts of fears and misconceptions, that's why on epis…
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121: Wednesday Trendsday - what is “quiet vacationing” and how do we prevent it?
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Today I'm launching a new type of episode, Wednesday Trendsday, where I will pop open Google News and break down a popular workplace trend. This week is all about "quiet vacationing"... um what?! Let's talk about what it is, why it's happening, and how to prevent it. -- WORK WITH LIA: Want a checklist of things you can do THIS week to become a bett…
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120: What to do when a team member isn't meeting their full potential
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When a team member isn't meeting their full potential, it can be frustrating as a manager and leader. We know they're capable of more, we feel like we've set them up for success, but something isn't quite there. When this happens, instead of jumping ship and assuming it's a lost cause, there is something you can do. In episode 120 of Managing Made …
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119: Two words that are PREVENTING your team from being accountable
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In trying to build connection with our team and get them to do something, we often use two fateful words that shoot ourselves in the foot: I NEED. Something that is an expectation of a role on your team isn't a need, it's an expectation. It's part of that person's job. By saying "I need," you are asking them to be accountable to you, almost as if t…
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118: The keys to a high performing remote team, with Justin Benson, CEO of the Bara Agency
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When it comes to running a high performing virtual team, the Bara Agency has it figured out. In this week's episode of Managing Made Simple, I'm joined by Justin Benson, the CEO of Bara Agency, where we talk about the importance of living your team values, how to create meaningful in-person moments even when fully remote, building a culture of acco…
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117: Operations aren’t boring, they’re the secret to higher profits
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What do knowing how long work takes to get done, meetings ending on time, and work all being tracked in one place have in common? They ALL save you time and money and are part of healthy team operations. When I talk about team operations, people don't always understand what I mean off the bat - but it's the glue that holds all of the work that happ…
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116: How to know it's the right time to hire a another manager
19:08
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There comes a time for every leader when we just can't do everything ourselves. We might come to this realization quickly, or it might take us a while to get there - but it always happens. We're not able to have the level of oversight we want to have with the work, connect as much with our team members, and scale ourselves in the way we know is pos…
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115: This one question will save you time and make delegating easier
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The funny thing about delegating is that it isn't just about handing over a bunch of work - it's about handing over the RIGHT set of work. In episode 115 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about how to figure out what that right set of work is, saving you time and making it so much easier to hand the task off. By asking this ONE question, you will sav…
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114: Three things costing your business money everyday
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When we're running a business or managing a team, every minute of productivity counts. And in a moment where we're all having to do more with less, getting a handle on the areas costing you the most money is game changing for your business. In episode 114 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about three things that cost your business money every single …
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113: How to course correct when someone isn't delivering results
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Ever been up at night stressing about a team member who isn’t delivering? Today on Managing Made Simple, we dive into how to tackle this situation so you can get back to your beauty rest. And it’s not to just jump to hiring a new team member! Begin by setting crystal-clear expectations, then lean into an open conversation to suss out the hiccups. O…
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112: This ONE THING will save you time and money when hiring new people
11:38
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Hiring new team members can feel like a gamble - and it's true, you can never really know if someone is the right fit until you start working with them. But we can get a hell of a lot closer to finding the right fit when we are intentional about the process. In this episode I talk about ONE thing you can do to dramatically improve the likelihood a …
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111: Inspiring human brilliance and peak performance with Shaun Peet, NASCAR Pit Crew Coach
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What do you get when you combine crystal clear expectations, fostering a culture where vulnerability is strength, and igniting the brilliance within each team member? A NASCAR pit crew that can jack up a car, change 4 tires, and refuel it in 8 seconds. On episode 111 of Managing Made Simple, I’m joined by Shaun Peet, NASCAR Pit Crew Coach & Chief C…
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110: Micromanaging isn't about WHAT, it's about WHEN
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Every day I hear the same concern from business owners and leaders - I want to give feedback and set expectations, but I don't want to come across as a micromanager. If you've shared this same concern, you're not alone. But today I'm going to let you in on a little secret: micromanaging is not about WHAT, it's about WHEN. In today's episode, I talk…
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109: The number one thing you can do to support middle managers in delegating
12:35
12:35
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What if I told you that it's likely that there's something you're doing that might be making it harder for your middle managers or team members to delegate? In this episode I share the MOST important thing managers can do to support their managers in delegating effectively - it's the thing you have to do first to set them up for success, then you c…
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108: Three ways to overcome an "us vs them" mentality on your team
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Are conflicting motivations creating friction in your team? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, we delve into the keys to aligning your team's values and priorities, breaking down barriers between departments, and fostering collaboration. Learn how to transform "us versus them" mindsets into a cohesive, productive environment. Tune in and take…
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107: How to create a strong culture on my team
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Today I'm answering a question I get at least once a week: how do I create a strong culture on my team? Culture can feel abstract, ethereal even. But there are specific things you can do on your team or in your business to foster and fuel a culture that will lead not only to higher retention, but better results. In this episode, I talk about things…
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106: Just liking people doesn't make you a great manager
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I'm going to tell you something you might not want to hear... Being a "well-liked" manager doesn't make you a GOOD manager. Many managers think that being someone who loves people, loves mentoring, and loves developing their team members makes them a good manager all by itself, and while that's a huge portion of the job...that's not enough. Luckily…
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105: THE UNSTOPPABLE TEAM book launch - about the book and how it will help you
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This week on the pod, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my new book, The Unstoppable Team. In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind the book and how it offers practical solutions for business owners, managers, and team leaders. Drawing from my experience working with business owners and leading team operations in big tech, I share …
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104: Yes you need a coverage plan, and here’s what goes into it
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Do you have an emergency plan in place that your team can "break the glass" on when you are absent from the office? If not, then you need a coverage plan! If you aren't familiar, a coverage plan is something you put together to make sure that if you can't make it into work for any reason and for any amount of time, your team will be able to functio…
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103: What the heck is a team whisperer, and how will it help you?
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If you've ever wondered, "why can't I get through to my team?" - the issue might not be you, and it might not be your team - there's just a disconnect in the message where things are getting lost in translation. But there are ways to bridge this gap so you can get back on the same page, AND people who specialize in just that. If you've been followi…
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"How do I make my team members respect me as a manager?" Spoiler alert...you can't. Respect isn't automatic, and it can't be forced. Your team isn't going to respect you just because you're "in charge"...but there are things you can do to earn that respect! We want to show our team members that we aren't out of reach or out of touch. We want to sho…
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101: Being a bottleneck is costing you thousands of dollars a month
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What if I told you that one of the people costing you the most money in your business...is you? What are you doing to cost yourself all that cash? Are you not doing enough? Do you need to work harder? Do you need to be more involved with the team’s work? Actually, it’s exactly the opposite: you need to be less involved. Because when you’re too hand…
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100: The secrets to being a great manager: game-changing tips from our top interviews
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I've got an exciting announcement... This episode marks the accomplishment of a truly mind-blowing milestone: today, we're celebrating 100 EPISODES of Managing Made Simple! WOOHOO! We're going to kick this celebration off by revisiting some of our "top plays" of the podcast, featuring advice on leadership from six of our favorite interviews from MM…
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099: How to understand the status of work without being overbearing
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Have you ever looked at all the projects your team is working on and realized that you have absolutely no clue how any of them are going...but you're afraid to reach out and ask for an update? You're not alone. Many managers struggle with the fear of becoming a micromanager, or being perceived as one, because they've had a micromanager themselves. …
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098: Team member just quit? Here's your game plan
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It's a new year. That means a new quarter, new goals, new ideas... And, for many people, it may mean a new job. When a team member leaves abruptly, it can throw us all for a loop. And as much as we want to support that team member in their transition and celebrate them flourishing in their career...we also have to immediately begin working on damag…
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097: 3 secrets to rolling out changes effortlessly on your team
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One of the most difficult parts of managing a team is trying to implement a change to team operations. When you want to make a shift in how work gets done, no matter how beneficial it may be for the team, people are going to resist it. No one likes change. But if we can simplify the process of implementing changes and finally get our operations shi…
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096: Help! Is it too late to fix my team?
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There's one question I get from business owners and managers that absolutely breaks my heart: "Is it too late for my team?" First of all, the answer is NO—it is not too late for your team, no matter how hopeless or stuck you might feel, no matter how unmotivated they seem, no matter how unwilling they are to change. Even if you think you've tried e…
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095: A simple framework for setting goals for the new year
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Eager to set meaningful goals for the new year, but not quite sure where to start? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I share a simple two-part framework for setting goals around what you want to ACHIEVE and how you want to FEEL by the end of the year, so you can accomplish whatever you set out to in your business or career without burning ou…
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094: How to get people to stop rolling their eyes at the word "process"
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There is a phrase that I have been hearing over the last few weeks that has left me a bit mind-boggled… “Process for process’s sake.” This phrase actually came up in a workshop I was leading for a corporate client around optimizing time. I heard teams saying, “I don’t want there to be process for process’s sake,” or, “It feels like this is just us …
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093: 3 ways to turn your team members into profit-generating machines
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Let me see if this story sounds familiar... We hire great people. We pay them well. We inspire them to do great work... And yet, more often than not, they come in and do the bare minimum expected of them. This isn’t the same as neglecting their responsibilities—they’re accomplishing their tasks, kind of—but we often know that they have more potenti…
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092: Spoiler: If you're a business owner with a team, you are a manager
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Spoiler alert, my beloved business owner friends... If you're a business owner with people working under your supervision...guess what? You're a manager. Congratulations on your new (well, new-ISH) title! In all seriousness...this is actually something I see a lot of business owners run into. They don't realize that when they have a team, they're n…
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091: 10 things to make your life easier as a manager
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This week, I want to equip you with a tool you can use to simplify your team operations almost immediately: the Thriving Team Checklist! As managers, it's easy for small things (or big things that don't necessarily fall into the realm of our day-to-day responsibilities!) to slip through the cracks. This doesn't mean we're doing a poor job, or that …
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090: How gratitude increases profitability
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What better time to talk about the importance of gratitude than on Thanksgiving week (for those of us based in the US) - but the truth is, we should be appreciating our team members ALL of the time. In episode 90 of Managing Made Simple, I talk about what happens on our teams without a regular practice of recognition, appreciation, and gratitude, a…
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089: Yes, you need 1:1 meetings...and here's how to do them right
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There is one simple, easy-to-implement tool you can use to reduce turnover, streamline workflows, and boost team morale... One-on-one meetings. If you didn't know that one-on-ones are a necessity for a thriving team, that's all right—not many do! But after an experience I had with a mentee, I came to realize just how crucial one-on-one meetings wit…
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There's one question that I know you've probably asked yourself at least once... "Why can't my team members just read my mind?" No, I haven't been reading YOUR mind - I've just been there! In fact, I'd hazard a guess that EVERY manager has been there at one time or another. We all sometimes wish that we could hire a clone of ourselves to work on ou…
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