Episodes

  • 324: How to Respectfully Disagree with Your Co-Workers with Justin Jones-Fosu

    324: How to Respectfully Disagree with Your Co-Workers with Justin Jones-Fosu
    Sep 17 2024

    Have you ever found yourself nodding in agreement during a meeting while silently thinking, “This will never work.”? You’re not alone.


    Too often, we hold back in disagreement, fearing conflict, which only leads to frustration down the line. But managing conflict is a crucial skill for both managers and employees. Today’s guest is here to teach us how to respectfully disagree with your co-workers.


    Meet Justin Jones-Fosu. At the helm of Work. Meaningful. Justin is the driving force and CEO behind a movement that empowers organizations across the globe, delivering over 50 keynote addresses a year on the pivotal topics of meaningful work and inclusion. His mission is to ignite a transformation in corporate culture, guiding organizations and individuals to ascend to their peak potential through mastery of mindset, purpose, and performance.


    Justin and I talk about strategies for handling disagreements at work respectfully and productively–without compromising relationships.


    He shares the “Power of Three,” a technique that digs deep into conversations, ensuring both sides feel heard. Plus, we explore how practicing respectful disagreement can actually lead to better ideas, more innovation, stronger teams, and more.


    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) Introduction
    • (01:56) Disrespectful agreement vs. respectful disagreement
    • (04:14) Using the Power of Three in workplace conflict resolution
    • (07:49) How the Power of Three works in real-life
    • (11:27) Agree to disagree isn’t always the answer
    • (14:16) How to provide feedback and differing views without hurting relationships
    • (24:38) Getting team members to support decisions they didn’t agree with
    • (28:02) A great manager Justin has worked for
    • (36:27) [Extended Episode Only] How to proactively approach conflict using the 5 pillars model


    Additional 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

    - Upskill your team here

    - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


    Keep up with Justin Jones-Fosu


    - Follow Justin on LinkedIn here

    - Grab a copy of Justin’s book here

    - Check out his website for more information here

    - Check out Justin’s book recommendation - Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together here


    FREE PDF: Tips for the Modern Manager to Respectfully Disagree


    Justin is providing members of Podcast+ with a free PDF that includes Tips for the Modern Manager to Respectfully Disagree. In this 20-page PDF, you will find a series of 10 Quick Tips from Work Meaningful for individuals, leaders, and those navigating the political divide.


    To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.


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    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!
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    33 mins
  • 323: 4 Tactics to Drive Results While Building a Thriving Team with Rachel Cooke

    323: 4 Tactics to Drive Results While Building a Thriving Team with Rachel Cooke
    Sep 10 2024

    Is it possible to achieve high-quality business results while building a thriving team?


    Many leaders often believe they must choose between driving results and prioritizing their people. However, time and again, we’ve seen that choosing one over the other rarely leads to better outcomes. Thankfully, today’s guest brings a new perspective and practical strategies to help us achieve both at the same time.


    Today’s guest is Rachel Cooke. Rachel is a workforce activator, speaker, and facilitator. She is the Founder of Lead Above Noise - a firm specializing in activating teams - and the host of the Modern Mentor podcast.


    In this episode, Rachel and I dive deeper into the common misconception that results and engagement are at odds. She shares insightful, real-world examples of how small, incremental changes can transform both your business outcomes and your teams’ well-being.


    Plus, in the extended episode available to members of Podcast+, we talk about navigating pushbacks when implementing changes and fostering team cohesion through compromise and understanding.


    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
    • (02:15) The tension between business results vs. people engagement
    • (03:25) Results and engagement are not separate conversations
    • (04:13) The rowing team analogy: How small strategies improve results and morale
    • (07:36) Four pillars for driving both results and team engagement
    • (16:23) How small changes can have a big impact
    • (21:52) Engaging teams in identifying pain points and solutions
    • (24:49) A great manager Rachel has worked for
    • (26:19) Keep up with Rachel
    • (26:21) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate different perspectives and pushback when implementing changes
    • (30:57) [Extended Episode Only] Fostering team cohesion through compromise and understanding


    Additional 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

    - Level up your skills here

    - Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


    Keep up with Rachel Cooke


    - Subscribe to Rachel’s The Modern Mentor podcast here

    - Follow her on LinkedIn here

    - Check out her website for more information here


    FREE: Leader Activation Worksheet


    Rachel is providing members of Podcast+ with free access to her Leader Activation Worksheet. It's a compliment to the conversation we just had about the four pillars of activation - what it is, why it matters, and how to achieve it.


    To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.


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    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!
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    28 mins
  • 322: How the Reset Mindset Aligns Managers and Teams for Success with Penny Zenker

    322: How the Reset Mindset Aligns Managers and Teams for Success with Penny Zenker
    Sep 3 2024
    Mindset is crucial for success, especially in today’s fast-paced world.Yet, many of us feel stuck and merely going through the motions.But what if I told you that a simple mindset shift could provide the clarity and focus you needed to move forward? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here for.Today’s guest is Penny Zenker. Penny is known as “The Focusologist.” She’s a sought-after international keynote speaker and best-selling author. She is one of the leading experts in the psychology of productivity to eliminate distraction, perfectionism, and self-sabotage to maximize results personally and professionally. And, she just released her newest book, The Reset Mindset: Get Unstuck, Focus on What Matters Most, and Reach Your Goals Faster.Penny shares a powerful strategy for real-time resets, ensuring you’re always aligned with your most important goals, even during the chaos.She explains the difference between a reset mindset and a growth mindset, the benefits of practicing a reset mindset, how managers can make it a part of their team culture, and more.Whether you’re a manager looking to boost your team’s performance or simply someone who wants to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters, this episode is a must-listen.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(01:31) What is a reset mindset?(03:01) Understanding reset moments in our everyday lives(04:52) Growth mindset vs. reset mindset(08:06) How practicing a reset mindset can benefit managers and their teams(11:21) Three steps to developing a reset mindset(26:33) A great manager Penny has worked for(28:04) Keep up with Penny(28:49) [Extended Episode Only] Fostering a reset mindset as part of your team culture(36:37) [Extended Episode Only] Practical tips for using reset moments during meetingsAdditional 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 here- Listen to Mamie on the Take Back Time podcast talking about productive meetings hereKeep up with Penny Zenker- Follow Penny on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram- Subscribe to her YouTube channel here- Catch her on the Take Back Time podcast here- Grab a copy of her book hereFREE 125 Daily Planner DownloadPenny is providing her 135 Daily Planning workshop for free to members of Podcast+. Most to-do lists get you lost in the little stuff. The 135 Daily Planner helps you balance what is urgent and important so you can focus on what matters most. 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!
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    31 mins
  • 321: 7 Leadership Traits That Set Great Leaders Apart with Gaia van der Esch

    321: 7 Leadership Traits That Set Great Leaders Apart with Gaia van der Esch
    Aug 27 2024
    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 also on the lives of the people you lead? Thankfully, our guest expert is here to help us broaden our view of what effective leadership truly looks like.Today’s guest is Gaia van der Esch. Gaia is an author, CEO, and policy expert. Above all, though, she sees herself as a change-maker. Gaia is currently the managing director of a large international foundation working to halt climate change, poverty, and exclusion, and previously served as the G20 Sherpa on gender equality. Her new book “Leading Our Way: How Women Are Redefining Leadership” was released recently by Wiley. Amongst others, she was nominated by Forbes in their 30under30 list.In this episode, Gaia and I discuss what great leadership actually entails. Drawing on examples from influential women like Christina Figueres and Gloria Steinem, Gaia dives into how leaders can cultivate empathy, embrace vulnerability, and shift from hierarchical to circular leadership models. Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Gaia reveals the transformative effect of embracing your authentic leadership style and offers insights on how to help your team members do the same.Tune in to discover how you can lead your way.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(02:13) The problem with women embracing traditional leadership style(07:05) Why leaders must have a hard back with a soft front approach to leadership(12:29) Crying in the workplace isn’t a sign of weakness(17:26) Leadership is power with people and NOT power over people(20:22) The pros and cons of co-leadership(25:46) Iconic women leaders and their leadership styles (31:36) Keep up with Gaia(32:35) [Extended Episode Only] Tips in navigating people’s responses when you embrace your own authentic leadership style(36:58) [Extended Episode Only] How to empower your team members to embrace authentic leadershipAdditional 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 Gaia van der Esch- Connect with Gaia on LinkedIn and Instagram- Grab a copy of her book here- Visit Gaia’s website for more information here20% Off Leading Our Way: How Women Are Redefining LeadershipIn this book, Gaia shares an inspiring collection of leadership stories from seven iconic women around the world. These stories explore new leadership models, concepts, and tools to inspire action and solve global challenges.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!
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    34 mins
  • 320: How to Convince Yourself to Do the Hard Things with Lei Wang

    320: How to Convince Yourself to Do the Hard Things with Lei Wang
    Aug 20 2024
    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 these challenges is essential for growth and success. For managers, this struggle is even more amplified. Our roles demand that we make difficult decisions, provide tough feedback, and guide our teams through challenging situations. But how do we convince ourselves and our teams to do the hard things? Today’s guest will teach us how to build the mental toughness we all need.Meet Lei Wang. Lei is a renowned international motivational speaker and executive coach, celebrated for her historic achievement as the first Asian woman to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam, which involves conquering the highest peak on each continent and skiing to both the North and South Poles. Through her incredible journey, Lei has developed a unique perspective on resilience, leadership, and personal growth, empowering individuals and organizations to reach new heights and achieve extraordinary success. In this episode, Lei shares her journey from being a “typical city girl” in Beijing to becoming an extreme adventurer. We explore the mental strength it takes to overcome adversity, the power of finding and holding on to your deeper why, the role of tough love in helping your team grow stronger, and more.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(01:54) Meet Lei Wang and her bigger-than-life goal(07:15) The mindset shift that gets you to show up even when you don’t want to(13:03) Trusting your own strength when the going gets tough(18:00) How managers can help their team push through(21:03) Introducing the Mighty Mouse framework(22:29) One key action to take if you want to play big(25:24) A great manager Lei has worked for(27:29) Keep up with Lei(28:09) [Extended Episode Only] How to support a team member through tough times(30:48) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when you make excuses to avoid hard tasksAdditional 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 Lei Wang- Follow Lei on LinkedIn here- Invite Lei to speak to your next event here- Join Lei’s coaching program hereFREE Leadership Assessment Workbook: Uncover Your Mighty Leadership PotentialLei is providing members of Podcast+ her Leadership Assessment Workbook: Uncover Your Mighty Leadership Potential for FREE. This downloadable workbook offers practical exercises and insights designed to help aspiring executives identify strengths, bridge gaps, and create a strategic plan for career advancement.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!
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    30 mins
  • 319: The Hidden Reason Why People Are Unhappy at Work with Dr. Tessa West

    319: The Hidden Reason Why People Are Unhappy at Work with Dr. Tessa West
    Aug 13 2024
    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!
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    31 mins
  • 318: How Body and Brain Awareness Can Make You a Better Manager with Amanda Blake

    318: How Body and Brain Awareness Can Make You a Better Manager with Amanda Blake
    Aug 6 2024
    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 these signals well, especially in a workplace setting. Thankfully, today’s guest is an expert in mind-body connection and will teach you how to develop sensory awareness so you can be a better manager.Meet Dr. Amanda Blake. Amanda is an internationally celebrated educator and executive coach with a pedigree spanning more than 25 years and 35,000 students in companies, non-profits, colleges and universities, professional associations, and more. She has shown people in over 50 countries how they can enjoy life more while making a bigger contribution and has reached many thousands more as a top-rated podcast guest with her award-winning book Your Body is Your Brain. She is a Master Somatic Coach and her primary research areas are the neurobiology of embodied learning, applied ethics, and leadership effectiveness.Today, Amanda explains what embodied intelligence is and explores the different sources of intelligence within our bodies. She also offers practical tips for building greater body awareness.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(02:33) What is embodied intelligence?(04:16) Different sources of intelligence in our bodies(08:08) How childhood experiences influence embodied cognition(13:56) Why improving your sensory awareness matters(16:01) Practical tips for building greater body awareness(19:53) Client transformation stories using the mind-body connection(26:38) Quick recap(29:26) A great manager Amanda has worked for(30:28) Keep up with Amanda(31:16) [Extended Episode Only] How the body impacts the mind(35:48) [Extended Episode Only] Applying bodily awareness in stressful work situationsAdditional 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 Amanda Blake- Follow Amanda on LinkedIn here- Grab a copy of her book Your Body is Your Brain here- Join the Centering Challenge here- Visit Embright for more resources hereBook Giveaway: 2 FREE Copies of Your Body is Your BrainAmanda is giving away 2 FREE copies of her book, Your Body is Your Brain: Leverage Your Somatic Intelligence to Find Purpose, Build Resilience, Deepen Relationships and Lead More Powerfully. In this book, you’ll learn to strengthen your social and emotional intelligence by cultivating your innate somatic intelligence. This powerful mind-body science applies in the workplace and beyond. To enter the drawing, you must be a member of Podcast+ and submit your entry by August 23, 2024.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!
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    33 mins
  • 317: Why Attributes Matter More Than Skills with Rich Diviney

    317: Why Attributes Matter More Than Skills with Rich Diviney
    Jul 30 2024
    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 key role not only in our daily tasks but also in navigating stress, challenges, and uncertainty when plans go awry. So, how can you leverage these attributes to improve your own or your team’s performance? Fortunately, today’s guest will help us unpack all there is to know about attributes.Meet Rich Diviney. Rich is a bestselling author, leadership and human performance expert, and retired Navy SEAL commander. As the officer in charge of training for the elite SEAL Teams, Rich was intimately involved in the highly specialized selection process, which pared down a group of already exceptional candidates to a small cadre of the most elite optimal performers. During this work, he gained insight and passion for writing about the innate qualities we all possess, resulting in his first book, “The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers to Optimal Performance.” which is what we discuss today.In this episode, Rich explains the differences between attributes and skills, the types of attributes essential to optimal performance, and tips on how you or your team can improve them.Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Rich reveals the attributes best suited for managerial roles and shares some tips on designing an interview process to assess a candidate’s attributes.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(01:58) What are attributes and how are they different from skills?(06:02) How to assess an individual’s attributes(10:05) An example of why determining someone’s real attributes is important(12:29) The different types of attributes(17:52) Balancing attributes for peak team performance(21:14) Three components to improving an attribute(23:56) How managers can help their team members improve an attribute(27:35) A great manager Rich has worked for(29:52) Keep up with Rich(30:47) Final thoughts(31:47) [Extended Episode Only] Attributes that are best suited for managerial roles(36:36) [Extended Episode Only] Using attributes for effective leadership succession planning(38:19) [Extended Episode Only] How to design an interview process to assess a candidate’s attributesAdditional 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 Rich Diviney- Follow Rich on Instagram here- Grab a copy of Rich’s book here- Take The Attributes Assessment here15% off The Attributes AssessmentRich is providing members of Podcast+ 15% off The Attributes Assessment. This digital tool unlocks a deeper understanding of your individual strengths by delving into your 41 Attributes levels and giving you invaluable insights into your top 5 (strengths) and bottom 5 (areas for potential development).To 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!
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    34 mins