Episodes

  • 391: How to Own Your Reputation and Build a Personal Brand with Andy Storch

    391: How to Own Your Reputation and Build a Personal Brand with Andy Storch
    Jan 20 2026
    You already have a personal brand, whether you’ve chosen it or not. And every meeting, email, and interaction at work is quietly shaping it.Many managers assume personal branding is about being visible online or promoting yourself. But in reality, it’s about how you show up, how others experience working with you, and what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s essentially your reputation.This week’s guest helps us unpack what personal brand really means at work and how to be intentional about it without feeling inauthentic, salesy, or self-promotional.Andy Storch is a keynote speaker, author of Own Your Career, Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career, and host of multiple podcasts. He works with leaders and managers to help them build reputations that earn trust, influence stakeholders, and attract opportunity. In this episode, we explore how your internal behaviors, external presence, and everyday choices combine to shape your brand and how small shifts can make a big difference over time.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.If you want more influence, stronger relationships, and greater career opportunities without becoming an “influencer,” this conversation will help you lead with clarity and intention.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) You already have a personal brand(02:07) What a personal brand really is (and why it matters at work)(04:54) Internal vs external brand: how reputation is formed(07:01) How small behaviors quietly shape how others see you(10:29) The balance between humility and visibility(12:50) How to assess your current brand with self-reflection and feedback(17:49) Why building your brand isn’t fake; it’s intentional(22:01) Appearance, perception, and owning your choices(27:11) What great leaders are remembered for long-term(35:27) [Extended Episode] Using values to guide what you share publicly(36:08) [Extended Episode] How celebrating your team strengthens your leadership brand(38:12) [Extended Episode] Networking, relationship-building, and long-term opportunity📚 Additional Resources:✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CyrOt9hWfHFy54Dg6px0nJZOFChrfNcEXsZ0rF4k1Xg/edit?usp=sharing ✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ ✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ ✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle ✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 Keep Up with Andy Storch🔸 Connect with Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/🔸 Visit Own Your Career, Own Your Life (book) here: https://ownyourbrandbook.com🔸 Explore Andy’s work and podcast here: https://andystorch.comGuest Bonus: FREE Digital Copy of Own Your Brand, Own Your CareerAndy Storch and Mike Kim—two seasoned experts in career development, personal branding, and thought leadership—show you how to position yourself for lasting success strategically. Drawing from decades of experience helping corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders around the world, they reveal how to:→ Identify and clarify your unique value, story, and message→ Build credibility and visibility inside and outside your organization→ Use modern platforms and tools to share your expertise effectively→ Create opportunities for promotions, career pivots, and business ventures→ Stay authentic while amplifying your impactPacked with real-world examples, step-by-step frameworks, and actionable exercises, this book will equip you to take control of your professional reputation and future—before someone else defines it for you.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!#PersonalBrand #ReputationManagement #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceSuccess #InfluenceAtWork
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    33 mins
  • 390: What Managers Need to Know Before Hiring a Friend with Dr. Cindi Baldi

    390: What Managers Need to Know Before Hiring a Friend with Dr. Cindi Baldi
    Jan 13 2026
    Hiring a friend can feel both generous and like a leadership landmine waiting to explode.Good intentions aren’t enough when power dynamics shift, boundaries blur, and personal relationships collide with professional expectations. The risk isn’t just losing a friendship; it’s undermining trust, fairness, and team culture if the situation isn’t handled thoughtfully.Fortunately, this week’s guest helps us unpack how to navigate one of leadership’s most uncomfortable decisions with clarity and integrity.Dr. Cindi Baldi is the founder and CEO of Culsure, a management science firm, co-host of the Management Muse podcast, and co-author of the Uncertainty Playbook. From blackjack dealer to PhD in organizational behavior, Cindi has seen the full spectrum of workplace behavior. Now she helps leaders across the country understand their people better through data and decades of consulting experience. Cindy explains when hiring a friend can work, when it absolutely won’t, and how to protect both the relationship and the organization if you decide to move forward.You’ll learn how to say no to a friend without damaging the relationship, what boundaries must be set upfront if you do hire them, and why conflict style in friendships is a strong predictor of workplace behavior.In the extended conversation, Cindy goes deeper into the hidden risks of managing friends, including what must be off-limits once a friend reports to you, how oversharing personal information can undermine fairness and trust, and how to lead with integrity when professional and personal lines start to blur.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.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) The hidden risks and rewards of hiring a friend(03:03) Why friendships change once power dynamics enter the picture(06:00) Using social capital responsibly when recommending friends(12:42) What you can legitimately vouch for when referring someone(15:11) When hiring a friend actually makes strategic sense(17:03) The bias trap leaders fall into with people they like(20:25) How to protect fairness when making the hiring decision(22:36) Setting expectations before your friend starts the job(27:02) Power dynamics that make hiring a friend a bad idea(30:31) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when your friend applies but isn’t a good fit(36:29) [Extended Episode Only] Preventing personal boundaries from bleeding into work📚 Additional Resources:✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bDdd0ol67WBTmohak12Nyi8XKXUOvWjVWfG4edyXDvo/edit?usp=sharing ✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ ✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ ✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle ✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 Keep up with Cindi Baldi🔸 Connect with Cindi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindibaldi 🔸 Follow Management Muse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/management-muse-podcast/ 🔸 Subscribe to Management Muse on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManagementMusePodcast 🔸 Follow Management Muse on Instagram: https://instagram.com/managementmuse 🔸 Follow Management Muse on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/managementmusepodcast Guest Bonus: 3 Book Giveaway: The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic WorldThere is a blizzard of uncertainty—technological, geopolitical, demographic, climate-related, and more—impacting us at work today, and it is only accelerating. Drawing on two decades of research and practice by organizational scientists Geoffrey Tumlin and Cindi Baldi, this book equips readers with essential strategies to grow and even flourish in unstable times.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
  • 389: How to Lead Salary Negotiations Candidates Say Yes To with John Gates

    389: How to Lead Salary Negotiations Candidates Say Yes To with John Gates
    Jan 6 2026
    Salary conversations are inherently complex and challenging, filled with hidden traps. They are high-stakes, deeply personal, and blend factors like budgets, fairness, expectations, and emotions. Since these discussions are infrequent, many managers lack the necessary practice, which adds to the difficulty.Fortunately, this week’s guest breaks down exactly how to navigate compensation conversations with confidence, clarity, and leverage, without damaging relationships or risking the offer.John Gates is an author and founder of Salary Coach, where he helps C-suite executives and senior leaders negotiate higher compensation packages without risking their job offers or future relationships. John’s unique approach, born from his extensive experience in corporate recruiting, consistently helps his clients secure 10-20% more in their pay packages, even in challenging job markets.In this episode, we explore the biggest mistakes candidates and managers make when discussing pay, how to respond to the dreaded “What are your salary expectations?” question, and how to negotiate thoughtfully before an offer is on the table. If you want to avoid losing great candidates and negotiate with confidence, this conversation is for you.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.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction(02:05) Why salary conversations feel so intimidating(05:48) The biggest mistake candidates make early in the process(08:41) How recruiters decide whether to move you forward(12:10) A smarter way to answer “What are your salary expectations?”(17:06) Why giving a range protects your leverage(21:42) The danger of accepting an offer too quickly(26:09) Common fears that stop people from negotiating(30:12) How effective negotiation actually works(33:16) [Extended] The exact script for handling salary screeners(37:59) [Extended] Gender differences in negotiation fears(45:02) [Extended] Using trade-offs and benefits to close compensation gaps📚 Additional Resources:✨Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R7mD2jYo8pYIIohhkBWaoi9fHLnj1yp24F7bPl00-LY/edit?usp=sharing ✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ ✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ ✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle ✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 Keep up with John Gates- Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngates-salarycoach/Guest Bonus: Free PDF download of Chapter 5 of his book: Use a Range, not a Number.John is providing members of podcast+ a PDF download of Chapter 5 of his book: Use a Range, not a Number. In this chapter, he provides actionable advice and plug-and-play scripts for how to talk about a salary range so you avoid getting screened and don’t end up leaving money on the table.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!#SalaryNegotiation #CareerGrowth #JobSearchTips #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #SalaryExpectations #PayNegotiation #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #JobInterview
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    35 mins
  • 388: How to Become a Positive Disruptor and Take Advantage of Change with Patrick Leddin

    388: How to Become a Positive Disruptor and Take Advantage of Change with Patrick Leddin
    Dec 25 2025

    When disruption hits your team, confidence often drops, communication gets messy, and progress slows. But disruption isn’t the problem; how we respond to it is.


    Fortunately, this week’s guest offers a clear, practical framework for leading with steadiness even when everything around you is shifting. And just as importantly, he explains how we can become positive disruptors in order to facilitate a brighter future.


    Patrick Leddin is a global speaker, former Army Ranger, Vanderbilt professor, and bestselling author of Disrupt Everything and Win. He shares how managers can help their teams stay focused, take smart risks, communicate clearly, and build healthier relationships during periods of uncertainty.


    If you want to lead with more clarity and confidence when change hits, this conversation gives you the tools to do it.


    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.


    Join the conversation now!


    Conversation Topics

    • (00:00) Rethinking disruption as opportunity rather than threat
    • (02:17) Why mindset shapes everything
    • (03:30) How disruptions show up at work and in life
    • (09:59) The danger of avoidance, “waiting it out,” and living in survival mode
    • (11:11) What it means to be a positive disruptor
    • (14:27) The 5 Positive Disruptor Roles
    • (24:10) The 4-step disruptive leadership cycle
    • (26:30) The 16 disruptive strengths
    • (31:03) Keep up with Patrick
    • (38:20) [Extended] Creating conditions for positive disruption inside your team’s culture
    • (39:08) [Extended] Clarifying decision authority so your team knows when they can act
    • (40:35) [Extended] Disrupting unhealthy workplace relationships


    📚 Additional Resources:


    ✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month


    ✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gn-X2Pv1G3algfHWZDD0Vf9hDscJxW6gIKfivGVUY9Y/edit?usp=sharing

    ✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/


    ✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/


    ✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle


    ✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1


    Keep up with Patrick Leddin

    - Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin/

    - Visit his website: www.patrickleddin.com


    Guest Bonus: 2 Book Giveaway!


    Patrick is giving away two copies of his new book, Disrupt Everything and Win: Take Control of Your Future. Every day, we are confronted with sudden pivots at our workplace and in the job market, with changing technology such as artificial intelligence, unexpected crises, and a culture of chaos, and with that sinking feeling that we are losing control of our lives. This book is about taking back control. It's easy to follow and easy to turn into lifelong habits. It has been thoroughly researched and examined.


    You must enter the drawing by January 9th, 2026.


    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
  • 387: Why Managers Should Embrace a Learn-It-All Mindset With Damon Lembi

    387: Why Managers Should Embrace a Learn-It-All Mindset With Damon Lembi
    Dec 9 2025
    Ever feel like you should know more, be more confident, or have everything figured out by now?You’re not alone, and more importantly, you don’t need to be a “know-it-all” to be an exceptional leader.In fact, the strongest leaders today share one trait:They are learn-it-alls, people who grow through challenges instead of shrinking from them.Fortunately, this week’s guest brings a powerful, actionable framework that helps managers move from self-doubt into genuine capability.Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit, a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.We explore why action transforms confidence faster than motivation ever could, how to stop perfectionism from stalling your growth, and how “possibility spotting” turns obstacles into opportunities for advancement. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not ready, not experienced enough, or not “the right fit,” this conversation will help you step forward as the leader you truly are.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.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction: Why imposter syndrome spikes when stepping into leadership(01:12) What imposter syndrome really is (and why nearly everyone experiences it)(05:42) Why we undervalue ourselves when taking on bigger roles(08:30) Confidence through action, not waiting to feel ready(11:18) Building leadership skills through mentors, reps, and learning(13:44) Why difficult conversations trigger self-doubt for new managers(15:56) Owning your gaps to build credibility(18:03) Asking for help and advocating for your development(22:58) Finding opportunities inside constraints(25:57) [Extended Only] Why everyone has imposter syndrome(26:45) [Extended Only] Damon’s 4-step framework for overcoming imposter syndrome(34:05) [Extended Only] Turning obstacles into an advantage📚 Additional Resources:✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDa7N-6PlvtCn8v2-Nvau0HB7Ljq7OzM5r3sutaU1Do/edit?usp=sharing ✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ ✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ ✨Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle ✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 Keep up with Damon Lembi and The Learn-It-All PodcastConnect with Damon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembiFollow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembiFollow him on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/damonlembiSubscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@learnittrainingListen to The Learn-It-All Podcast: TheLearnItAllLeader.comExplore Learnit: Learnit.comCheck out his book The Learn-It-All Leader: https://a.co/d/5oebQ6aGuest Bonus (available to members of Podcast+): FREE Digital Version of Learn-It-All LeaderIn The Learn-It-All Leader, Learnit CEO Damon Lembi shares:How being a "Learn-it-All" vs "Know-it-All will set you up for success and get you invited to more happy hours!A three-step approach to overcoming imposter syndromeHow to use Purposeful Awfulizing to overcome fear and build resilienceDiscover why treating your employees as a team rather than as family can lead to greater successWhy you should choose potential over experience in the hiring processWhat the “Trust Tax” is and why it’s worth payingHow a leader's personal model of integrity is crucial to creating trust and a thriving workplaceA proven model for building great teamsHow implementing a culture of continuous learning & professional development helps attract & retain talentWhy you should focus on elevating strengths over improving weaknessesWith entertaining anecdotes and inspirational examples, The Learn-It-All Leader is a compelling guide to being your best and playing to win every time.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!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#Leadership #Management #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceSkills #ManagerTips #BusinessMindset...
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    27 mins
  • 386: Unlock Your Creative and Analytical Skills to Drive Innovation with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden

    386: Unlock Your Creative and Analytical Skills to Drive Innovation with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden
    Dec 2 2025
    In a world that constantly demands breakthrough solutions, do you ever feel like innovation is reserved for a select few, or that you’re simply not "creative enough"? This week’s guests are here to set the record straight: that we are all capable of creative thinking if we just give ourselves permission and a little guidance. Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden are the co-authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. Tessa is a cognitive scientist exploring how we work, learn, and innovate. She is a co-founder of Harvard's Next Level Lab and teaches Design Thinking and Innovation at Harvard, DCE, and Stanford D School. Rich is the founder and CEO of People Rocket, which helps leaders and teams overcome innovation hesitation; there, they guide clients through the innovation-ish approach, a flexible human-centered framework built on mindset shifts, small adaptive steps, and reflective practice he also teaches at Stanford D School.In this episode, we're cutting through the myth of the "right-brained" innovator. You’ll learn how to integrate the six innovation mindsets into your work, overcome "innovation hesitation," and embrace your "whole brain" approach to problem-solving. This conversation offers practical tools to foster fresh thinking within your team, create space for ideas to thrive, and give you the concrete tools to move those ideas forward, no matter your role.Plus, in the extended episode, Tessa and Rich share tips for normalizing failure and using “F-Up Nights” to build a culture that learns from failure.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.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction – Why experimentation beats opinion-driven decision-making(01:18) The root of spiraling: fear, assumptions, and cognitive bias(04:02) Why small experiments create big clarity(07:10) The danger of optimizing parts of a system instead of the whole(10:42) A real-world case study: redesigning a supply chain through small tests(15:45) Why most ideas fail and why that’s a good thing(18:04) How emotional attachment to ideas sabotages good decisions(21:30) Cognitive caution: What your brain is really doing when you avoid failure(25:14) Practicing emotional regulation while testing ideas(28:33) Creating a culture where testing > guessing(30:20) [Extended only] How leaders can use data to reduce conflict and opinion-driven debate(36:24) [Extended only] Normalizing failure and learning from it as a team(40:18) [Extended only] Global “F-Up Nights” and how leaders can model healthy failure📚 Additional Resources:✨ Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month✨ Read the full transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KFafl5klc5iycyAmqq_Mlqp3ARyogW-mCWto2HNGfNc/edit?usp=sharing ✨ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/ ✨ Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/ ✨ Upskill your team: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle ✨ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1 Keep up with Tessa Forshaw & Rich BradenFollow Tessa on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaforshaw/Follow Rich on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcoxbraden/Get a copy of Innovation-ish here: https://a.co/d/5Dhg9wHGuest Bonus: 1st Chapter of Innovation-ish: How Anyone can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real WorldInnovation-ish is your no-nonsense guide to unlocking your innate creativity. This book shows you how to solve problems and generate solutions in a huge variety of personal and professional situations. Tessa and Rich demystify the myths that surround innovation, reveal the six mindsets that underlie innovation, and show how the moves you make drive innovation forward. And they share the latest relevant cognitive science research in a compelling and digestible way - no degree required.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!#DesignThinking #Experimentation #ManagerTips #BetterDecisions #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceLearning#Innovation #Creativity #CreativeThinking #InnovationMindset #Leadership #ProblemSolving #TeamInnovation #GrowthMindset #SkillBuilding #ProfessionalGrowth #ThinkSmart #LeadershipDevelopment
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    31 mins
  • 385: The Hidden Habits That Quietly Destroy Your Leadership with Rob Kalwarowsky

    385: The Hidden Habits That Quietly Destroy Your Leadership with Rob Kalwarowsky
    Nov 25 2025
    When the world around you feels chaotic, leading a team can feel overwhelming, especially when your inner world is just as loud. Most managers try to push through, rely on willpower, or double down on doing more. But in reality, external chaos only becomes manageable when we learn to work with the internal chaos driving our emotions, reactions, and habits.Fortunately, this week’s guest helps us unpack exactly why leaders get stuck in overwhelm and how to shift back into clarity and confidence.Rob Kalwarowsky is a world-renowned executive coach, author of the best-selling book Capitalizing on Chaos, and keynote & TEDx speaker. We explore the hidden parts of ourselves that shape our leadership, the subconscious fears that drive “DIY leadership,” people-pleasing, and imposter syndrome, and the practice that brings you back to center when everything feels too much.If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling, overworking, micromanaging, avoiding decisions, or doubting your capability even when you're successful… this conversation will help you understand what’s happening inside your brain and what to do next.Rob’s practical framework gives you the mental tools to lead yourself and your team with steadiness, self-awareness, and strength, even when everything feels uncertain.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.Join the conversation now!Conversation Topics(00:00) Introduction – Leading through internal and external chaos.(01:07) How self-awareness impacts leadership and team dynamics.(04:14) The DIY Leader—When doing everything holds you back.(07:44) TA tool for acknowledging stress and building empathy.(10:25) Understanding internal leadership behaviors.(16:21) Using self-awareness to improve interactions and decision-making.(19:41) Applying the “Parts Framework” to enhance collaboration.(22:50) How your internal state affects team morale.(24:41) Recognizing and managing energy-draining saboteurs.(30:39) [Extended only] Team strategies for shared language and stress signals.(32:56) [Extended only] Using vulnerability and playful cues to improve team communication.📚 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- Take the Saboteur Assessment here Keep up with Rob Kalwarowsky- Follow Rob on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kalwarowsky/ - Subscribe to his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveCoachRobK - Check out his book Capitalizing on Your Strengths here: https://www.robkalwarowsky.com/capitalizing Guest Bonus: 10 Book Giveaway and Free Find Your Reason WorksheetThe Find Your Reason worksheet (PDF Download) is designed to clarify your goals and to support you in overcoming any subconscious resistance to taking action. Studies show that writing down your goals increases your probability of achieving them to 42% and sharing them with me increases it even further to 70%. Who wouldn’t spend a few minutes to dramatically improve their chances of success?10 book giveaway of Capitalizing On Chaos: The Executive’s Guide to Succeed in Disruption. We all have the capacity to demonstrate ineffective and even harmful behaviors, creating our own version of chaos. But we also have the capacity to change. To find our true selves inside of the uncertainty. And to move forward by moving beyond our circumstances to proven leadership strategies for organizational growth. Capitalizing on Chaos is the handbook on bringing order and clarity to the future of work.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!---------------------------------------------------------------#leadership #management #workplacewellbeing #professionaldevelopment #personaldevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #careeradvice #selfawareness #mindsetmatters #stressmanagement #emotionalintelligence #overcomingoverwhelm #performanceatwork #leadershipskills #workculture
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    32 mins
  • 384: What Managers Get Wrong About ADHD at Work (and How to Get It Right) with Rita Ramakrishnan

    384: What Managers Get Wrong About ADHD at Work (and How to Get It Right) with Rita Ramakrishnan
    Nov 18 2025

    Managers play a crucial role in shaping how employees experience work. But when ADHD enters the mix, good intentions can backfire if not handled thoughtfully. With the right mindset and tools, you can create a space where everyone performs at their best.


    Fortunately, this week’s guest brings both personal and professional expertise to this conversation.


    Rita Ramakrishnan is an executive leadership coach and consultant who helps neurodivergent professionals and their teams amplify their strengths and work more naturally. Her work focuses on neurodivergent leadership success, helping individuals and organizations embrace differences as a pathway to thriving.


    In this episode, Rita and I explore what ADHD looks like in adults, why it’s often misunderstood, and how managers can support themselves and their teams through empathy, structure, and flexible systems. You’ll learn strategies for managing focus, energy, and motivation, plus how to build habits that sustain success over time.


    In the extended episode, Rita shares how to approach conversations about ADHD respectfully, even when a team member hasn’t disclosed, and how to foster a collaborative, psychologically safe culture that supports everyone’s best work.


    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.


    Join the conversation now!


    Conversation Topics

    • (00:00) Introduction: Why ADHD awareness matters for managers
    • (01:02) Meet today’s guest: Rita Ramakrishnan
    • (03:04) How ADHD shows up in adults, and why many go undiagnosed
    • (06:16) The connection between neurodiversity, performance, and burnout
    • (09:28) Building psychological safety for employees with ADHD
    • (12:47) Shifting from fixing people to redesigning work
    • (17:11) The right way to talk about ADHD (and what not to say)
    • (22:08) Supporting focus, follow-through, and accountability on your team
    • (25:11) Managing ADHD Team Members
    • (30:22) [Extended Episode Only] Raising sensitive topics with empathy and care
    • (33:35) [Extended Episode Only] Redesigning roles and work for energy and well-being


    📚 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 Rita Ramakrishnan

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    29 mins