The New Manager Podcast

Think about your career and work as being part of an ecosystem. It will give you a useful perspective for addressing problems you face as a manager and leader. Let's discuss!

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Bonus episode with *video* and an invitation!

There will be times at work when you wonder, "WTF are they doing?!?"

When you're a manger you might wonder this about someone on your team who reports to you, or your own manager and leadership team.

Instead of saying that out loud, however, try asking this question instead: "What are you trying to solve for?"

You want a better picture of how this person is thinking and seeing -- because that is what drives their choices and actions. Using this question will help you illuminate their intentions and the perspective behind their behaviors.

This episode breaks down why that question is so effective, especially when you're working with someone who might get defensive easily or who might be in a position of formal power over you.

Instead of feeling confused or frustrated, try using this question instead and see what happens.

Other episodes referenced:

• Ep. 129 - "Walk me through"
• Ep. 110 - Identify the Problem

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As an individual contributor, your role is to be good at your specific task or function. As a manager and leader, your role shifts -- and now you're making more decisions. When you understand how to make decisions, you'll feel more confident and less drained.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Signs you might be avoiding a decision
• The real cost of "keeping your options open"
• Why the freedom of making a decisions feels better than the freedom of not deciding

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Your health and well-being make a difference in how you show up as a manager and leader. And, your work can also effect your health and well-being. So in today's episode, you'll learn an easy framework to help organize your thinking about this. It will enable you to recognize what you do well, and identify areas you'd like to nurture. Let's discuss!

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To work effectively and sustainably, you want to think about what support you need. This might be new if you're extremely self-reliant. Your first impulse might be to say, "I'm good, I don't need any support." You might also do this if you feel that asking for support somehow makes you look bad. But being able to identify and advocate for resources is a leadership skill, and one that will benefit both you and your team. Let's discuss!

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In the course of your career you will want to develop a well-nurtured network. This will help you navigate your career, as well as manage and lead more effectively. In this episode you will learn more about why you should care about growing and nurturing your network, as well as gain some specific, simple steps for how to do that. Let's discuss!

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Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation and goals, and learn about my coaching program:

In this episode I talk with listener Adrian Bond about lessons learned as a new manager. We discuss: managing peers ("Who am I to tell these people what to do?"), the key difference between being a manager and a leader, how work stress can affect your home life, the importance of redefining success ("recognize what to STOP doing"), and the importance of training before you move up into a manager role.

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How do you manage change effectively? First, you must expect there to be resistance. When you understand what might be creating resistance or avoidance, you will be better at creating a plan to address it. And one of the best places to start is with yourself. Let's discuss!

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Schedule a consult to talk about 1:1 coaching:

The more aware you are of how to work with emotions, the more effective you will be as a communicator and leader. Especially when it comes to disappointment. This one emotion is often behind why we avoid conversations, or don't ask for what we need.

Instead of trying to avoid disappointment at all costs, try: 1) Accepting it is a human emotion, and let yourself feel it 2) Identify the unmet expectation, 3) Learn from it, and 4) Be curious about what's next. Let's discuss!

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Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and 1:1 coaching:

Managing people and being a leader means people look to you for direction. Realize that you can be direct, directive, and clarify direction (the vision towards which you want people to go) -- and, importantly, you can do all this in a way that is kind and clear. There are examples of this all around you, when you start to look for them!

In this episode you'll also learn how making decisions and experiencing discomfort come with the territory. The episode ends with three reflection questions to help you this week. Let's discuss!

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The next group program starts February 6th. Register here:

A good foundation makes everything easier, and it is never too late to revisit your foundation and make some improvements. In this episode you'll learn about Strategic Failure, and why so many new managers worry about whether they are doing a good job. Let's discuss!

The next Group Program for New Managers starts February 6, and enrollment is open now.

What do new managers need to know about working with HR? And what can you do to create great relationships at work -- with your manager, your team, and internal clients?

This episode covers all that and more, with special guest Maggie Reyes. Before becoming a Master Certified Life Coach and expert in marriage and relationships, Maggie worked in HR. In this episode she shares her wisdom, strategic perspective, and practical tips to help you manage more effectively and lead more authentically.

Happy New Year! Getting a fresh perspective is like looking with new eyes at a familiar scene. You will find new opportunities and possibilities. In this episode you will learn a simple framework to help you get a fresh perspective, so you can make micro-adjustments. Small changes add up, and can be easier to implement in the moment so you build up momentum.

Whether you are a first-time manager, an aspiring manager, or simply want a new approach to managing and leading others, this episode will help you.

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When you care about your team and want to do a good job as a manager and leader, it's easy to over-give and always put others first. If you being self-reliant is one of your strengths, you might not have much practice in self-care and asking for support. But as you grow in your career and gain more responsibility, it becomes more important. When more people depend on you, tending to your own self-care will help you be your best. Let's discuss!

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As a leader, you have more people looking to you -- and depending on you. You might feel more pressure and notice more fear of making mistakes. In this episode you'll learn how to recover from failure, and how your perspective will determine what happens next. Let's discuss!

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Work doesn't happen in a vacuum. When you're a new manager, there are two things that you'll want to identify in order to be more effective: Systems and Environment. These are often relational, making them tacit and invisible. And yet they are everywhere. In this episode, I'll talk about a few specific systems you'll want to identify, and some aspects of the larger environment you want to be aware of. Let's discuss!

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In this Listener Spotlight episode I talk with Amberlee, a new manager of a small team with big wisdom and insights to share. We talk about: self-care, perfectionism, identity, culture and intersectionality, and the role of vulnerability and transparency in being a human-centered leader and manager. You will learn so much from her!

When your to-do list is long enough, try the "To Be" list. This is a simple concept that can simplify your life as a new manager. When you feel overwhelmed, or are not sure what to do, the "To Be" list will help. Practice it regularly and you will see real change in your confidence as a leader, and the level of calm you feel in the moment.

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Being a manager comes with plenty of challenges, but being a leader means finding ways to stay calm and grounded when you face them. In today's episode, you'll learn a simple framework that can help you in a wide range of situations. No matter what's happening, or how you're feeling, you will feel more calm and grounded when you try this out.

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Most time management issues are not really about managing time, but about managing other things. If you've ever felt resentful about the number of meeting requests you get, or if you put a lot of pressure on yourself and feel like you're always behind, this episode is for you. Let's discuss!

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Being a manager comes with more responsibility, and more decisions. How you make those decisions is up to you. So much about leadership and being a manager is in your hands. What kind of leader do you want to be? What's important to you, as you manage people and make decisions that affect others? In this episode you'll hear a bit about my perspective on leadership, as well as the distinction between being arbitrary and realizing how much is within your discretion. Let's discuss!

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We're coming up on the end of the year -- the next 2 months will go by faster than you expect! In this episode you'll get my Q4 Checklist, with three simple questions every new manager should ask at this point in the year. It will help you feel grounded, calm, and confident as you approach year-end.

Plus, you'll hear why this is the perfect time in the year to ask *your* manager about professional development.

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Work-life is often focused on actions and what you do. But it's important to remember the value in being, as well. So if you find yourself overwhelmed by your To Do list, or feel like you're Not Doing Enough, or you're wondering, "What should I do?" -- this episode will help. Actions and doing is not the most important thing. Let's discuss!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Great managers are good at being resourceful and resilient, making things work even under challenging circumstances. If you've had to make due throughout your life, then it's easy to take that approach as a default. But just because you *can* make it work, doesn't mean you have to. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at a situation with fresh eyes -- and then decide what you want to do. Let's discuss!

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If you're feeling a lot of pressure to do a great job as a new manager, this episode is for you.

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Being conflict averse makes it hard to speak up and share your ideas. Maybe disagreements feel uncomfortable, like something bad is going to happen. Or you worry about being wrong so you stay quiet until you feel your idea is unassailable. When you're a manager, there are times you must be direct. And, I want you to have a few options so that you can participate more readily without feeling confrontational.

In this episode you'll get some specific language to use, that will help you feel more comfortable speaking up. And if you manage a team where some folks tend to be more vocal while others are more reserved, this will help you to facilitate group conversations so that all voices can be heard. Let's discuss!

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To know if you're doing a good job as a manager, you need to ask yourself: What does success look like? In this episode you'll learn 4 markers to look for: internal, external, intangible, and tangible. When you take time to define success, and know how to identify it, then success won't be a mystery and failure won't be a surprise. You'll feel more grounded and calm because you'll know how you're doing. And you'll feel more confident in how you communicate what's going on to your manager, and others. Let's discuss!

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Being a manager is a different job than whatever you did before. Expect there to be a learning curve. You'll have to learn what the job is, and how to do it, all at the same time. In this episode you learn one pitfall to watch out for, and three things that will help you learn to be a great manager. Let's discuss!

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This week's episode features a special guest: Kirby Nicol, my Dad. We talk about leadership and what he's learned through a long and varied career, including being a coach at the Olympics, and serving as Executive Director for The Wharf to Wharf Race.

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Part of your job as a manager is to give feedback. And yet, if your work has never given you guidance or training on how to do it well, you're not alone! In this episode you'll learn why it's important to have an intentional approach and strategy, and how communication skills and confidence come into play. Let's discuss!

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"Control the control-ables." "Focus on your sphere of influence." How does this help you be a great manager? It reminds you to look for agency. In this episode you'll gain insight to why this matters, and a few key examples to get you thinking about your own situation.

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How do you get out of overwhelm? This episode walks you through the story of how one client found a path out. You'll hear how she first approached the challenge, what shifted after she started coaching, and what changed as a result. You'll learn more about human-centered leadership and why self-awareness and skill are so important to creating a sustainable solution. It must begin with you. Let's discuss!

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Every manager will face situations that create feelings of anxiety. Which is why Self-Care is so important, especially when it comes to human-centered leadership. In this episode you'll learn more about how to think about Self-Care, why it makes you a more effective manager, how connection reduces anxiety, and more. Let's discuss!

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If you avoid confrontation, you're not alone! Many new managers are uncomfortable with confrontation, especially if you've had success by keeping a low profile, keeping your head down, and working hard to keep the peace. Being an effective communicator means that sometimes you'll have to be direct -- even if you fear confrontation. In this episode, I'll break down what a confrontation really is, and then walk you through an approach to help you get past the habit of avoiding confrontations. So you can feel more prepared and confident, and worry less. Let's discuss!

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Being a great manager doesn't mean having all the answers. There are many times you will need to coach someone on your team, or get curious about why something isn't happening. You'll want to know how the other person is thinking, what their process is, and where they're going off course -- so you can understand how best to help. That's when to use this phrase: "Walk me through. . ." Listen to learn more about how and when to use this phrase to unlock more clarity, understanding, trust, and possibilities at work. After the episode: Meet me at Transform 2024! More information here. Send me a note through my website or on LinkedIn to let me know if you'll be there.

If you look at your calendar and feel like you don't have enough boxes of time for all the things on your To Do list, this episode will help! Learn 5 ways to think about managing your time so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Each one is like a lens: 1) Energy, 2) Attention, 3) Emotions, 4) Decision Making, and 5) Communication. When you see a bit differently and develop your skills, it will change how you work with the time you have, and you'll be more effective in a way that works for you.

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To give effective feedback, there is one question you must ask yourself first. In this episode, learn more about giving effective feedback and why it's important to develop this skill in your career -- and the sooner, the better! Plus, if you're introvert or are just feeling a little more socially awkward these days, you'll get some ideas that will help you feel prepared for in-person events and gatherings. Let's discuss!

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Learn about the difference between Decision Making, Discretion, and Influence and what they can look like in the workplace. You will use them all throughout your career, and when you become a manager the way you think about them will begin to change. As a leader, you must become more aware of how you make decisions -- because it becomes a bigger part of your job, even (or especially) in times of uncertainty or imperfect information. The more you begin to understand about Discretion and Influence, the more you'll see ways to manage up. Let's discuss!

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One of the most-listened to episodes is about the Support & Authority Map. It's a framework that will help you be more effective by adjusting the amount of Support and Authority (like giving clear direction, making decisions, etc) you bring to any relationship or situation. A good manager knows how to be flexible, so you can work with a range of people and situations. This will give you a tool to help you understand what that can look like, and why you see certain patterns of behavior (in yourself, and others). Let's discuss!

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One of the best ways to learn about how to be an effective manager is to be observant about your own experience -- just being a person and engaging with the world. In this episode you'll hear about my experience volunteering for something, and some key insights and examples I gathered about onboarding, managing people, and being a leader.

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Being more confident doesn't mean you never have doubts. It means that you can move forward even when they pop up. How? By recognizing the thoughts that hold you back, and then being curious about what might be possible anyway. In this episode you'll learn more about the sneaky thought, "What's the point?" and how to not let it stop you. And, you'll learn why now is the perfect time to ask about professional development at work. When you're a manager, you'll need to develop new skills and abilities. Let's discuss!

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Communicating is not just about the words you say, but the way in which you say them. Let's discuss!

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At some point you will think: "How do I get this person to. . .?" You might be thinking about your manager, and how to manage up. Or you might be wondering why a person on your team isn't changing, even though you've already given them feedback about something. When you start managing people, you need to think more about how to get work done through others -- it's no longer just about you doing a task. Let's discuss!

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The topic of money will almost always bring up emotions. And when you're a manager, you are pretty much guaranteed to have more money conversations. It could be when someone on your team who wants a promotion or a raise, or when you're hiring someone new. Or it might be when you get promoted and are now managing your friends -- and now can see what everyone's salary is. In this episode you'll get some perspective and ideas that for how to feel more confident when you have money conversations as a manager. Let's discuss!

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Book a consultation to discuss 1:1 coaching:

When you're a manager, you'll think about employee Engagement differently than when you were an IC. In this episode, learn why Engagement is so important, and how Mindset and Attitude play a role. When you have better understanding of what creates Engagement (or Disengagement!), you'll have a better idea of how you can address it with your team. Let's discuss!

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