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 Podcast

• Connect with Damon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi
• Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi
• Follow him on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/damonlembi
• Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@learnittraining
• Listen to The Learn-It-All Podcast: TheLearnItAllLeader.com
• Explore Learnit: Learnit.com
• Check out his book The Learn-It-All Leader: https://a.co/d/5oebQ6a

Guest Bonus (available to members of Podcast+): FREE Digital Version of Learn-It-All Leader

In 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 syndrome
• How to use Purposeful Awfulizing to overcome fear and build resilience
• Discover why treating your employees as a team rather than as family can lead to greater success
• Why you should choose potential over experience in the hiring process
• What the “Trust Tax” is and why it’s worth paying
• How a leader's personal model of integrity is crucial to creating trust and a thriving workplace
• A proven model for building great teams
• How implementing a culture of continuous learning & professional development helps attract & retain talent
• Why you should focus on elevating strengths over improving weaknesses

With 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!

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#Leadership #Management #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceSkills #ManagerTips #BusinessMindset #GrowthMindset #ImposterSyndrome #ContinuousLearning #LeadershipMindset #TeamManagement #CareerAdvice

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 Braden

• Follow 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/5Dhg9wH

Guest Bonus: 1st Chapter of Innovation-ish: How Anyone can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World

Innovation-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

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 Worksheet

• The 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

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

- Follow Rita on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaram

- Visit Iksana here: https://www.iksana.com

Guest Bonus: 20% Off Coaching Services

Rita is offering members of Podcast+ 20% off her coaching services. She provides executive and team coaching specifically designed for neurodivergent leaders and the teams who work with them, helping executives leverage their cognitive differences as strategic advantages while creating psychologically safe, high-performing environments.

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!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#ADHDAtWork #NeurodiversityInTheWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveLeadership

#PeopleManagement #WorkplaceWellbeing #TheModernManagerPodcast

Have you ever had a great idea but struggled to get others on board?

You don’t need a title to have influence; you need a strategy.

Fortunately, this week’s guest knows exactly how to build credibility and momentum without formal power.

Tami Reiss is an expert on influence-driven leadership. She’s a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and CEO of Leader Within, where she helps leaders master influence and maximize impact. Through tools like the LEAD Framework, MAP, the Influence Canvas, and the Confident Communicator GPT, she makes leadership concepts practical and accessible to professionals around the world. Her latest passion project is a rhyming illustrated book on leadership.

In this episode, Tami shares how to use the MAP Framework (Manifest, Assess, Promote) to move ideas forward, align your vision with others, and build relationships that lead to collaboration instead of resistance. We explore what to do when your ideas are dismissed, how to avoid losing your cool under pressure, and why influence is really about connection, not control.

In the extended conversation, Tami shares practical tools for managing crisis moments with calm, rallying allies before big decisions, and communicating risks in ways that help others listen and engage constructively.

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 Influence Without Authority Matters
• (02:09) The MAP Framework: Manifest, Assess, Promote
• (05:06) Why Influence is About Connection, Not Power
• (09:15) Manifesting a Vision That Inspires Buy-In
• (12:38) Assessing Stakeholders and Building Relationships
• (17:02) Promoting Your Ideas Authentically
• (21:19) Managing Pushback and Reframing Resistance
• (25:26) Lessons from Great Managers: Buy-In vs. Being Right
• (29:03) Connect with Tami Reiss
• (30:35) [Extended Episode Only] Staying Calm and Building Allies in Crisis
• (34:24) [Extended Episode Only] The “Meeting Before the Meeting” to Gain Real Support

📚 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 Tami Reiss

- Visit Tami’s website here: https://tamireiss.com

- Follow Tami on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamireiss

- Follow Tami on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/reisstami

- Subscribe to her Leader Within newsletter here: https://leaderwithin.substack.com

- Watch Tami’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/tamireiss

- View her speaker reel playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/tamireiss — get a peek into the energy she brings to audiences.

- Download the free M.A.P. Canvas here: https://learn.myleaderwithin.com/influence

- Read her blog here: https://learn.myleaderwithin.com/blog/

- Pre-order her upcoming book What Do Product Managers Do? A Primer for Aspiring PMs of All Ages here: https://mascotbooks.com/product/what-do-product-managers-do-a-primer-for-aspiring-pms-of-all-ages/

- Explore her custom GPT, The Leader Within: Tami from Miami, here: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-679afb821a6c81918edef32295c26b8b-the-leader-within-tami-from-miami

Guest Bonus: Mastering Executive Presence Online Course for $49

Mastering Executive Presence is a practical, high-impact course for leaders who’ve been told to “show up stronger” but were never shown how. You’ll learn and practice real behaviors across Awareness, Adaptability, Authenticity, and Authority to build trust, increase influence, and lead with confidence in every high-stakes moment. ($499 value) 

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 #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #CommunicationSkills #ManagerTips #WorkplaceInfluence #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SoftSkills #TeamManagement #CareerSuccess #LeadershipMindset #PeopleSkills #Collaboration #EffectiveCommunication #ManagerAdvice #OfficePolitics #LeadershipTools

Are you showing up as your full, authentic self or just the version you think others expect?

Authenticity isn’t a matter of oversharing or saying whatever’s on your mind. It’s about honesty balanced with humility and vulnerability, the kind that builds genuine trust and stronger teams.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings both experience and expertise to this conversation. 

Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including Bring Your Whole Self to Work and his latest, We’re All In This Together. For the past 25 years, Mike has been a sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach who delivers keynotes, workshops, and coaching programs for some of the top companies in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Walmart, eBay, Schwab, and many more.

In this episode, we delve into what it truly means to “bring your whole self to work,” examine why self-righteousness undermines connection, and explore how vulnerability cultivates trust and psychological safety. Mike shares his “authenticity equation” and practical ways managers can model openness without crossing professional boundaries.

In the extended conversation, Mike delves deeper into the art of authentic appreciation, why most people are uncomfortable receiving praise, how to cultivate a culture of gratitude on your team, and the key distinction between appreciation and recognition. He also shares a powerful team practice, “the appreciation seat,” that helps managers cultivate belonging and empathy at 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 Authenticity Matters at Work
• (01:03) The Challenge of Showing Up Authentically
• (01:46) The Authenticity Equation Explained
• (03:14) Removing Self-Righteousness from Your Leadership
• (06:55) The Subtle Ways Self-Righteousness Shows Up in Coaching
• (10:21) Lowering the Waterline on the Iceberg
• (16:24) The Art of Appropriate Disclosure
• (18:53) Navigating Grief and Personal Struggles at Work
• (22:30) Authenticity, Identity, and Belonging
• (26:11) The Power of Sweaty Palm Conversations
• (30:18) Connect with Mike Robbins
• (31:07) [Extended Only] The art of appreciation: how to give and receive it authentically
• (37:38) [Extended Only] Recognition vs. appreciation—what every manager should know

📚 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 Mike Robbins

- Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ 

- Follow Mike on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

- Visit Mike’s website here: https://mike-robbins.com/ 

- Follow Mike on X here: https://x.com/mikedrobbins 

- Follow Mike on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedrobbins 

Guest Bonus: Book Giveaway: 3 Copies of We're All in This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust, and Belonging

In this book, corporate consultant Mike Robbins dives deep into the ways great businesses build trust, collaborate, and operate at their peak level. The book’s core principles include facilitating an environment of psychological safety, fostering inclusion and belonging, addressing and navigating conflict, and maintaining a healthy balance of high expectations and empathy. 

Throughout, Mike shares powerful exercises and tools he’s successfully utilized in the keynote speeches, group sessions, and corporate retreats that he delivers so that you and your team can communicate more authentically, give and receive feedback with skill, and create deeper connections.

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!

#AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #WorkplaceCulture #PsychologicalSafety #Vulnerability #TrustAtWork #Leadership #Management #TeamLeadership #WorkCulture #ProfessionalGrowth #HumanCenteredLeadership #FutureOfWork #TheModernManager

At some point in your career, you’ve probably worked with someone who is on the autism spectrum, but you might not have known. There are many misconceptions about autism, which damage how we understand and therefore support these colleagues. Viewing autism through a new lens can help every manager unlock hidden potential and design environments where everyone thrives.

Today’s guest brings both personal experience and professional insight to help us all better appreciate the talents of neurodiverse team members. 

Clain Udy is reshaping the way society views autism by shifting our perspectives from deficit-focused to one that sees autism through a strengths-based lens. As the father of a high-functioning autistic adult son, Clain has spent over two decades researching and investigating what it takes to help his son and other autistic individuals have successful, fulfilling careers.

Clain’s new book, Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum, details his journey from initially thinking he had to “fix” his autistic son to wholeheartedly embracing his son’s beautifully unique strengths.

In this episode, we explore how autism shows up in the workplace, what managers often misunderstand about communication and performance, and practical ways to create environments where neurodiverse employees can do their best work.

In the extended conversation, Clain shares how managers can better understand social communication preferences, why “chasing normal” harms both managers and employees, and how reframing autism as a different but equally valid way of processing the world changes everything about inclusion.

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 – Understanding how neurodivergent brains enrich the workplace
• (02:03) The hidden prevalence of autism in professional environments
• (04:38) Dispelling misconceptions and shifting from deficit-based thinking
• (07:16) Recognizing the strengths of autistic individuals
• (12:34) Adapting environments for sensory and cognitive needs
• (13:43) Communication strategies that support neurodivergent team members
• (20:12) Strength-based management and inclusive leadership
• (25:14) Real stories of inclusive managers in action
• (29:18) [Extended Episode Only] Building authentic relationships with neurodivergent employees
• (34:54) [Extended Episode Only] Designing communication to meet different social needs

📚 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 Clain Udy

- Check out his website: https://autismelevated.com/

- Follow Clain on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clainudy/

- Follow Clain on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Autism-Elevated/61559009841770/

- Follow Clain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismelevated/

Guest Bonus: 10 Book Giveaway: Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum

This insightful book is both a memoir and a practical guide that aims to dismantle the current assumptions and mindset around autism and empower parents, educators, and employers to recognize and nurture the inherent abilities of autistic individuals.

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!

#Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #FutureOfWork #TeamManagement #PsychologicalSafety #HumanCenteredLeadership #TheModernManager

#AutismAtWork #Neurodiversity #InclusiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagerTips #WorkCulture #Inclusion #WorkplaceInclusion #Leadership #Management #TeamLeadership #FutureOfWork #PeopleManagement #AutismAwareness

Most people don’t set out to be “bad bosses.” But good intentions aren’t enough when your habits unintentionally create frustration, fear, or disengagement.

Thankfully, today’s guest helps us see what’s really happening beneath the surface. 

Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best-Selling author. She’s on a mission to fix what's broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change-maker with a track record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive.

In this episode, we explore what makes a bad boss (and how to avoid becoming one). Mita reveals common behaviors that erode trust, how to give feedback that empowers instead of intimidates, and why inclusive leadership is the foundation of a healthy culture. You’ll learn small, everyday actions that rebuild connection, create safety, and turn self-awareness into your most powerful leadership tool.

In the extended members-only conversation, Mita opens up about the “Nap Boss,” “Tony Soprano,” and “Sheriff” archetypes—real examples of toxic leadership behaviors that managers can learn from. She also shares practical ways to respond to bullying or bias at work, including how to use the “Five Ds” framework to intervene and support colleagues safely and effectively.

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: What makes a “bad boss”?
• (00:51) Meet Mita Mallick and her leadership journey
• (02:40) The myths we believe about being a good boss
• (05:12) Why well-intentioned leaders can still be toxic
• (08:43) Understanding inclusion as a leadership skill
• (12:25) How to recognize your own blind spots
• (17:18) Building trust and psychological safety
• (21:36) Giving feedback with care and clarity
• (25:49) The small habits that make a big difference
• (29:10) Keep up with Mita
• (31:46) [Extended Episode Only] The Nap, Tony, and Sheriff bosses’ workplace impact
• (36:18) [Extended Episode Only] How to intervene: The Five Ds model

📚 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/1Cw9_72_BLtfr5vsjDbb-U2Nb5KuX56A5Jo6TSGmOaWc/edit?usp=sharing

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

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

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle

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

✨Learn more about the 5Ds in episode 109 with Emily May: https://www.themodernmanager.com/podcast-109

Keep up with Mita Mallick

- Follow Mita on LinkedIn here

- Check out her book here

Guest Bonus: 10% off Book Consulting Services

If you’ve wanted to write a book, this is for you. Get hourly book consulting services from idea generation all the way to marketing your book and selling it to your audience. Priced at $750/hr, members of Podcast+ get a 10% discount. 

To get this 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!

#Leadership #Management #WorkCulture #ToxicWorkplace #BadBoss #GoodManager #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamLeadership #ManagerTips #WorkplaceCulture #SelfAwareness #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #ProfessionalGrowth #ManagerAdvice #LeadershipPodcast

Layoffs are some of the hardest moments a manager can face. How you handle them can shape not just the experience of the employees leaving but also the morale and trust of the team that remains.

Today’s guest brings expert guidance on navigating these challenges with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.

Leanne Elliot is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Consultant, and Coach with a proven track record of building workplaces that empower teams and enable performance. She is also co-host of the award-winning psychology podcast, Truth, Lies & Work. Breaking into the prestigious HubSpot Podcast Network in 2022. The show is dedicated to helping business leaders simplify the science of the workplace.

In this episode, Leanne explains how managers can approach layoffs thoughtfully, manage confidentiality effectively, communicate clearly, and care for both departing employees and the remaining team. She shares practical frameworks to make these tough conversations more human and less stressful.

In the extended members-only conversation, Leanne dives deeper into strategies for managers who are themselves being laid off and how to prepare for career transitions while maintaining professional composure.

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
• (01:59) Layoffs vs Firings
• (03:15) Managing Confidentiality and Clear Communication
• (04:51) A Manager's Role in Layoff Decisions
• (07:30) Supporting Remaining Team Members After a Layoff
• (12:05) Practical Frameworks for The Tough Conversation
• (16:40) Creating a Compassionate Layoff Process
• (20:15) Key Behavioral Science Insights for Managers
• (24:50) Maintaining Team Morale and Trust
• (29:07) Connect with Leanne 
• (31:23) [Extended Episode Only] Supporting Your Team After a Layoff
• (34:05) [Extended Episode Only] If You Are the One Being Laid Off

📚 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 Leanne Elliot 

- Follow Leanne on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne/

- Follow on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/truthlieswork/

- Learn more on her website here: https://truthliesandwork.com/

- Explore Oblong HQ here: https://oblonghq.com/

Guest Bonus: 1 FREE Career Transition Coaching Program

This free three-session coaching program helps you navigate career transitions with psychology-based tools and practical support. You’ll reflect on past experiences, clarify your values, and set clear goals for your future work.

Learn more about the program here.

Enter the drawing by November 7, 2025.

To get this 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!

#Leadership #Management #Layoffs #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #ManagerTips #CareerTransitions #TeamManagement #ProfessionalGrowth

Why do so many projects spiral into stress, shifting priorities, and endless risks while others seem to flow smoothly toward success? What if the difference isn’t just about tools or methods, but about how you lead?

Thankfully, today’s guest brings a fresh, human-centered approach to project management. 

James Louttit is the author of Leading Impactful Teams: Achieving Low Stress Success in Project Management, a leadership coach, and a former CIO who now trains managers and business leaders around the world. His work blends real-world experience with practical tools to help managers lead projects with clarity, sustainability, and impact.

In this episode, James introduces his “eight lenses of project management” and reveals why prioritization is often the missing key to project success. He shares powerful ways to engage stakeholders, identify and manage risks, and avoid common mistakes in estimating time and effort. 

Along the way, James offers stories and frameworks that any manager, whether formally a project manager or not, can use to keep work on track and teams energized.

In the extended members-only conversation, James explains how to properly scope your projects and define quality, two notoriously tricky areas that can make or break your results.

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 to Project Management
• (01:44) The Eight Lenses of Project Management
• (03:13) The Importance of Prioritization
• (07:54) Agile vs. Waterfall Project Management Approaches
• (10:23) Engaging Stakeholders Effectively
• (17:20) Managing Risks in Projects
• (24:09) Time Management and Estimating Effort
• (30:40) Keep Up with James
• (31:30) [Extended Episode Only] How To Properly Scope Your Projects
• (33:10) [Extended Episode Only] Defining Quality In Project Management

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 James Louttit

- Follow James on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here

- Join the IPM Community with a free 7-day trial here

Guest Bonus: Free Audio Book: Leading Impactful Teams and 3 FREE 1-Year Membership to IMP Community

Leading Impactful Teams is a lively exploration of the "lenses" of project management – Scope, Prioritisation, Time, Cost, Quality, Risks, Team and Stakeholders – that will enable the reader to develop a "sixth sense" for potential issues that could derail their project. It provides a practical toolkit to help you and your team deliver great project outcomes with minimum stress and maximum fun.

 
The IPM Community helps you deliver projects on time, on budget, and without burnout through bite-sized lessons, tactical tools and weekly peer support. Created by James Louttit, author of Leading Impactful Teams, it’s a no-jargon, no-exam space where professionals learn fast, share real challenges, and lead with confidence.  

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!

#ProjectManagement #Leadership #TeamManagement #TeamSuccess #ProjectPlanning #AgileLeadership #RiskManagement #ProjectManagementTips #LeadershipSkills #TeamPerformance

What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? 

Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. 

These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re proven tools for resilience, performance, and deeper human connection.

Fortunately, this week’s guest brings exactly the expertise we need to show how these character strengths can transform our work and leadership.

Natalya Pestalozzi is a professional certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and a positive psychology expert with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology. She trains practitioners worldwide through the Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology program and coaches leaders in private equity, nonprofits, think tanks, and the federal government. Through her own journey in motherhood, she has a special passion for coaching parents before, during, and after pregnancy.

In this episode, Natalya shares how positive psychology goes beyond “toxic positivity” and equips us with the tools to flourish. She introduces the 24 VIA character strengths, explains how to spot and balance them in yourself and your team, and shows why cultivating these universal traits builds stronger trust, collaboration, and authentic leadership.

In the extended episode, Natalya reveals what to do when someone says they don’t want to change because they see it as inauthentic, and she shares the five character strengths most correlated with happiness and life satisfaction.

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
• (02:32) How positive psychology differs from toxic positivity
• (06:53) The PERMA model and the role of strengths in engagement
• (10:20) Examples of VIA character strengths in the workplace
• (14:20) Why it’s sometimes hard to use our strengths at work
• (17:40) Overuse and underuse of strengths
• (19:27) Practical ways to grow and show strengths as managers
• (23:41) Which strengths are particularly helpful for managers
• (27:23) A story of a great manager and early career mentorship
• (33:41) [extended episode] Aligning strengths and values for authentic growth
• (37:11) [extended episode] Ideas for weaving these strengths into team culture

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 Natalya Pestalozzi: 

- Connect with Natalya on LinkedIn here 

- Take the VIA strengths character assessment

- To discover more or enroll in CAPP, check out:

https://theflourishingcenter.com/natalya/ The program begins October 21st.

- Learn more www.natalyapestalozzi.com 

Guest Bonus: Masterclass in Positive Psychology and the Science of Flourishing Recording and Finding the Golden Mean PDF

The 60‑minute webinar recording explores the cutting‑edge science behind human flourishing—then translates it into simple, practical actions you can start using the same day. Through research‑backed insights and interactive micro‑exercises, you’ll discover how tiny shifts in mindset and behavior can ignite big gains in vitality, connection, and purpose. 

What You’ll Learn: Flourishing vs. Languishing: Spot where you (and those you serve) sit on the Mental Health Continuum—and how to move upward. 

Pathways to Peak Well‑Being: The six evidence‑based drivers of positivity, engagement, achievement, meaning, relationships, and vitality. 

Why Happiness Fuels Success: Break the myth that you must succeed first to be happy—see how positive emotions actually power performance. 

Taming the Negativity Bias: Simple brain‑based hacks to counter worry, rumination, and “what‑ifs.” 

Micro‑Interventions That Stick: Gratitude, savoring, kindness, and other two‑minute practices that measurably lift mood and resilience.

Prioritizing Positivity: Craft days that naturally generate more joy—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. 

The Golden Mean is using character strengths in a balanced way (optimal use). It is when you apply the right combination of character strengths, to the right degree, in the right situation. This PDF shows the underuse, overuse, and optimal use of character strengths

To get this 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!

#PositivePsychology #CharacterStrengths #Leadership #WorkplaceSuccess #TeamCulture #FlourishAtWork