The Modern Manager

Latest Episodes:

288: How to Effectively Deal with Workplace Conflict with Carol Bowser Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Workplace conflict is inevitable. When people with different opinions and risk tolerances collaborate on projects or tasks, it’s normal for conflict to arise.

As managers, we know all too well that conflict resolution in the workplace is vital for anyone hoping to nurture positive professional relationships and build a thriving, high-performing team.

Today’s guest is Carol Bowser. Carol is a workplace conflict expert. After practicing Employment Law for several years, she founded Conflict Management Strategies when she realized a lawsuit couldn’t deliver the level of resolution and satisfaction that is gained when people are actively involved in creating solutions to their workplace conflict.

With over two decades of professional experience, she has identified common patterns in workplace conflict and is passionate about imparting wisdom on how people can strengthen their conflict resolution muscles.

In this episode, Carol and I delve into the intricacies of conflict, exploring its root causes, strategies to reframe our thinking around conflict, how to deal with workplace conflict effectively, plus more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:55) Is it possible for people to have a good reaction to conflict?
(04:35) How healthy is healthy workplace conflict
(07:14) How managers should approach conflict resolution when they’re a part of it
(15:15) Common things managers say that worsen a conflict
(20:45) How to deal with workplace conflict when parties involved have different risk tolerances
(26:58) A great manager Carol has worked for
(29:20) Keep up with Carol
(30:51) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when people become emotional during a conflict

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

Keep up with Carol Bowser

- Follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook

- Check out her website for more here

Guest Bonus: Free Grounding Exercise Worksheet

Download this FREE Grounding Exercise worksheet from Conflict Management Strategies. It walks you through specific steps you can take before a meeting (or whenever you need to feel more grounded!).

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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!

287: How to Set Strategic Goals and Achieve Them Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever set goals but then struggled to achieve them? Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to stay on track? In the spirit of the new year, which many consider a fresh start, we’ll unpack the key elements in setting thoughtful and strategic goals and how to actually achieve them.

Now, let’s all be clear: there’s no single approach to effective goal setting. In fact, there are dozens of them, and I’ve tried several of them over the years. However, I found that there are three consistent components to crafting a highly achievable goal. And that’s what we’ll explore in this week’s special solo episode, plus a bonus worksheet when you become a Podcast+ or Skills Accelerator member.

Whether you’re setting personal or professional goals, today’s podcast episode will give you a strong head start in making your vision a reality.

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:42) The truth about goal setting
(03:05) The first thing you need to do when setting goals
(04:08) Why you must have clarity on what success looks like
(07:15) How to get clear with your goals
(07:51) Brainstorm what could go wrong
(10:10) [Extended Episode Only] How to get better at following through with your goals
(11:50) [Extended Episode Only] Make time for your wildly important goals (WIGS)
(12:26) [Extended Episode Only] How accountability keeps your goals alive

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Get guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

Inspire Employees Through Deep Purpose with Ranjay Gulati (A Replay) Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

Why do you show up to work? Why do you do things you’re expected to do at work? The biggest factor of organizational success is determined by how embedded the company’s deep purpose is in its employees.

Today’s guest is Ranjay Gulati. He is the author of the book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies, an educator and researcher who is passionate about how to unlock organizational and individual potential.

Ranjay and I talk about purpose: what organizational purpose is, how powerful it is, how to connect individual purpose to the organization, and the impact it has when employees consider work not a chore but a calling.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Join the Skills Accelerator before 11:59 pm Eastern 12/31/31 and get your first month for $50 and lock in the 2023 pricing!

Conversation Topics

(00:00) Intro
(01:18) What is a company purpose, and why do organizations need to have one?
(02:34) The power of the why question
(04:28) How purpose needs to be translated into the organization
(07:16) The redemption of Etsy
(10:05) What managers can do at all levels to start creating purpose in their own teams
(14:51) How managers can help their team members discover what they do matters
(17:38 How to start a conversation with your team on deep purpose
(20:55) The importance of an organization having a clear, deep purpose
(22:49) A great manager Ranjay has worked with
(24:15) Keep up with Ranjay
(25:51) [Extended Episode Only] What does a good mission statement look like?
(26:28) [Extended Episode Only] Example of a well-crafted team mission statement
(27:08) [Extended Episode Only] How to craft a compelling team mission or purpose statement

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Ranjay

- Follow Ranjay on LinkedIn here

- Get a copy of Deep Purpose here

Get guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

286: Debunking the Myth of the Dream Job and What to Pursue Instead with Lauren McGoodwin Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Many professionals start their careers in the hope of eventually landing their dream job--that perfect position that checks off all the boxes on their list. But what really is a dream job? A big paycheck with a fancy title? A corner office with a million-dollar view? A good work-life balance? Well, what if I told you that it's time to let go of that dream job delusion and instead strive for something even better.

Today’s guest is Lauren McGoodwin. Lauren is the CEO of Career Contessa—an online career resource with content, career coaching, jobs, a salary database, and online training. She is also a speaker, author of Power Moves, and host of The Career Contessa Podcast.

In this episode, Lauren and I talk about the myth of the dream job and what you should actually be seeking, which is the "good enough" job. We get into the factors of creating a happy working environment, the role of managers in creating such, what managers can do to support struggling team members, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:38) Debunking the myth of the dream job
(03:54) Is finding your dream job still worth it?
(06:29) Why a good enough job is better than a dream job
(11:43) The role of managers in creating a good enough job environment
(14:29) An example of letting go of a dream job for a good enough job
(18:45) How to create an environment that helps people become impact players
(22:33) What managers can do to support struggling team members
(26:55) The truth about the 2-year work tenure rule
(29:28) A great manager Lauren has worked with
(30:11) Keep up with Lauren
(31:29) [Extended Episode Only] The significance of doing one-on-ones with team members
(34:53) [Extended Episode Only] The rule of thumb when doing one-on-ones
(40:18) [Extended Episode Only] Final tips for creating a good enough work environment

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Lauren McGoodwin

- Follow Lauren on LinkedIn here

- Check her out on Instagram here

- Listen to the Career Contessa podcast here

- Visit Career Contessa for more information here

Giveaway: 3 Copies of Power Moves

Power Moves teaches women how to pivot, reboot, and build a career of purpose. Learn how to use the Power Moves approach to ditch the dream career myth, become your own career coach, and reclaim your life from work.

Get this guest bonus and many other member benefits when you join 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!

285: 8 Types of Questions Managers Should Ask Their Team Members with Deb Calvert Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Is there such a thing as a bad question? Asking questions is essential at work, and knowing how to ask better questions can help improve conversations with your team members.

While it may sound like an easy concept, asking better questions is a craft that takes time and effort to master.

Today’s guest is Deb Calvert. Deb is the author of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control, and two previous bestsellers. As the founder of People First Leadership Academy and president of People First Productivity Solutions, Deb’s work focuses on leadership development and team effectiveness. She’s a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge® and a certified executive coach. Deb was named one of the "65 Most Influential Women in Business" and was formerly an HR Director with a Fortune 500 company. In addition, Deb’s research and methodologies have been published globally in academic journals.

In this episode, Deb and I talk about the art of asking better questions. She shares the eight types of questions we should be asking, what happens when we ask sub-optimal questions, and provides alternatives to some common questions managers ask that really aren’t helpful.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:57) The problem with asking poorly-crafted questions
(03:24) What a sub-optimal question looks like
(06:29) 8 types of questions that managers should be asking
(18:10) A better alternative to a why question
(21:19) Alternatives to some common questions managers ask that aren’t helpful
(27:57) A great manager Deb has worked with
(29:21) Keep up with Deb
(31:03) [Extended Episode Only] Benefits of asking good questions and why you should put more thought into it
(34:55) [Extended Episode Only] How managers can help team members ask better questions
(36:48) [Extended Episode Only] How to encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and ask questions
(40:00) [Extended Episode Only] The best model for presenting information and asking questions to accommodate different personality types

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Deb Calvert:

- Follow Deb on LinkedIn here

- Check out her company’s website here

- Learn more about her training programs and courses here

- Grab a copy of Deb’s book here

Guest Bonus: Discounted 3-Part Masterclass and Signed Book

Members can get an autographed copy of DISCOVER Questions® for Connections, Clarity & Control and access to a 3-part masterclass series to amp up your conversational skills for a total of $35. This is a savings of almost $100 compared to their individual list prices!

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

284: 4 Key Mindset Shifts for Individual Contributors Transitioning To Management Roles Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Transitioning from a team member to a manager is undoubtedly a significant leap. It's crucial to recognize the shifts that come with leadership roles and be prepared for them.

The first and most apparent shift is recognizing that it's no longer just about you. The spotlight now turns to your team, and your success is intricately woven with theirs. It's a transition that requires a daily commitment to putting your team's needs ahead of your own.

Today’s guest is Ramona Shaw. Ramona Shaw is a Certified Professional Leadership Coach, podcast host, and best-selling author of “The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role.” She is passionate about helping new and mid-level managers become leaders people love to work for by strengthening their leadership and communication skills, raising their confidence and resilience, and increasing their focus and emotional intelligence. Ramona specializes in delivering coaching and training programs for leaders at fast-growing startups and companies such as Twitch, UBS, Google, Dropbox, Lionsgate, Asana, Stitch Fix, Sequoia Capital, and dozens of others.

Ramona and I talked about the mental shifts you have to make when moving from an individual contributor role to a manager role.

Whether you've been managing people for years, or just started your first team leadership position yesterday, these mental shifts are ones that we could all use a refresher on.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(02:06) 4 main shifts for individual contributors transitioning to management roles
(09:19) The productivity mindset for managers
(13:12) How to approach delegation
(21:21) Using a coaching approach in leadership and team management
(28:39) A great manager Ramona has worked with
(29:48) Keep up with Ramona
(30:50) [Extended Episode Only] Delegation, accountability, and tracking deadlines
(35:16) [Extended Episode Only] The APS method for leaders
(35:31) [Extended Episode Only] How to create your principles as a manager

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Keep up with Ramona Shaw:

The Manager Track Podcast

Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Youtube: Ramona Shaw Leadership Coaching - YouTube

Giveaway: PDF: Your First 30 Days as a New Manager

Your first 30 days offer a great opportunity to make a positive impression and begin building credibility with your new team members. This resource includes 4 practical tools to have a successful start with your team and your stakeholders alike.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

283: 7 Types of Rest and How to Practice Them to Avoid Burnout Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Most of us think that sleeping equals resting. And yet, there are instances when getting more sleep doesn’t rejuvenate us at all. In these cases, sleep is actually the wrong type of rest and won't make up for what you actually need. So, knowing where you’re depleted and then refilling your batteries with the appropriate rejuvenation activities, not just more sleep, will ensure you’ve always got the energy to do your best.

Today’s guest is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. Dr. Saundra is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician and work-life integration researcher. She is the founder of Restorasis, a professional development agency dedicated to restoring well-being in the workplace through its proprietary framework to help companies support their employees with work-life integration and burnout prevention strategies.

Dr. Saundra and I talk about the seven types of depletion and rest, what we can do to assess what type of rest we need, how to talk to our team members about helping them rejuvenate so they can be at their best, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:57) What is rest? (Hint: it’s more than just sleep)
(03:59) The seven types of rest and how to incorporate more restorative practices
(13:17) The benefit of knowing the type of rest you need
(16:43) How to assess what type of rest you need
(20:15) The truth about rest deficit
(22:16) Key factors that affect rest deficit
(23:51) How managers can help their team members rejuvenate
(28:31) A great manager Dr. Saundra has worked for
(29:23) Keep up with Dr. Saundra
(30:36) [Extended Episode Only] Practical ways managers can incorporate each of the seven types of rest in the workplace
(37:29) [Extended Episode Only] How to start your day with the most energy

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:

- Follow Dr. Saundra on LinkedIn here

- Visit her website for more information here

- Take the rest assessment here

Giveaway: 1 Copy of Sacred Rest

One member will receive a copy of Dr. Saundra’s best-selling book, “Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.” The winner will be able to choose either an ebook, audiobook, or paperback copy. But you must enter the drawing by December 4th.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

282: Understanding Power in the Workplace and How It Impacts Workplace Dynamics with Catherine Bell Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

Whether we acknowledge it or not, power is at play in the workplace. The key is to understand your own power and the power dynamics so you and your team can accomplish great things together. But how do you start a conversation on such a sensitive and often awkward topic?

Today’s guest is Catherine Bell. Catherine is a Professional Certified Coach, facilitator, and nonprofit consultant who has spent two decades working collaboratively with people to unleash their power as change-makers. She specializes in coaching for antiracist leadership, as well as career development, navigating challenging interpersonal and team dynamics, and nonprofit leadership and management.

Catherine and I talk about power in the workplace–what the sources of power are, where power dynamics show up and how we can navigate power differences, how we can own and expand our power while helping our team members own and grow theirs, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(02:08) What is power, specifically power in the workplace?
(07:33) Various types of informal power
(11:31) Does power depend on context?
(17:36) How to help your team understand the power they hold
(23:29) How to reduce the risks of power differential
(27:14) A great manager Catherine has worked for
(28:27) Keep up with Catherine
(29:22) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate the uncomfortable dynamics of unearned power
(31:32) [Extended Episode Only] Catherine’s first-hand experience in acknowledging unearned power and how it played out
(35:31) [Extended Episode Only] Navigating the power dynamics with unearned power

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Connect with Catherine:

- Follow Catherine on LinkedIn here

- Visit her website for more information here

Free 2-Pager PDF: “Resources for Understanding Power in the Workplace”

Download a free PDF that has resources and tips for learning about and navigating power in the workplace. It also includes links to helpful articles to help you learn even more.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

281: How Curiosity Can Help Managers Build Better Teams with Scott Shigeoka Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

In the fast-paced world of work, sometimes we forget to pause and take the time to be curious. But curiosity is an essential part of building relationships and solving problems. So, how can we tap into our natural curiosity?

Today’s guest is Scott Shigeoka. Scott is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author. He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his popular courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Scott implements his curiosity practices in the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood, media organizations, education institutions, and small businesses.

Today, Scott and I talk about all things curiosity–why curiosity is important, how to be curious through his DIVE model, the different types of curiosity, how to encourage your team to be more curious, and so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(02:04) What is shallow vs. deep curiosity?
(05:50) What keeps us from being curious?
(10:04) The three directions of deep curiosity
(11:21) What does it look like to be curious at work?
(14:17) The concept of quicksand and what it does
(18:58) What are the components of the DIVE model?
(21:08) How to bring curiosity into the workplace
(27:21) Tips to encourage your colleagues to be more curious themselves
(33:20) A great manager Scott has worked for
(35:48) Keep up with Scott
(37:28) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate when someone asks you a question that pushes up against your boundaries
(42:40) [Extended Episode Only] Quick phrases on how to introduce a boundary to someone
(45:12) [Extended Episode Only] Tips in dealing with predatory curiosity or difficult questions

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Connect with Scott:

- Follow Scott on Instagram here

- Grab a copy of his book here

FREE Divergent-Convergent Inquiry Cheat Sheet

Get Mamie’s cheat sheet on divergent-convergent inquiry. Questions are a key component of exploring curiosity. This PDF will help you ask better questions based on your goals and situation. It also includes suggested resources to further your understanding of curiosity and question-asking.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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!

280: How Mindset Impacts Everything You Do as a Manager with Susan Hobson Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

95% of our choices every day are made by our autopilot. And your mindset is the remarkable force shaping your autopilot system. So, how do you make sure that your autopilot is actually serving you and your team–helping you run at your optimal potential? Our guest expert has a lot to say on this topic.

Today’s guest is Susan Hobson. Susan is a High-Performance Leadership Coach, Founder/CEO of Elite High Performance Inc., host of “The Leadership Launchpad Project” podcast, author, and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council.

Today, Susan and I talk about all things mindset–its importance and how it impacts everything you do as a manager. To dive deeper, Susan and I get into the different mindset beliefs and how they help or hinder us, how to engage your team in shifting mindsets, what leadership 2.0 is all about, plus so much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-sketchnotes 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
(01:47) What is mindset architecture?
(05:38) Example of mindsets that are running on autopilot
(09:47) Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
(13:34) How can managers help their teams embrace a growth mindset
(16:36) How to shift to a growth mindset when you think you’re already good at something
(19:14) The Leadership 2.0
(23:28) How to introduce mindset and all its concepts to your team
(26:05) A great manager Susan has worked for
(27:58) Keep up with Susan
(29:35) [Extended Episode Only] The connection between emotional intelligence and mindset
(35:02) [Extended Episode Only] How to get to know your emotions
(36:42) [Extended Episode Only] Effective technique on how to shift your mindset

Additional Resources:

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

- Read the full transcript here

- Read the related blog article here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

Connect with Susan:

- Follow Susan on LinkedIn here

- Connect with Susan on Instagram here

- Become an Elite High Performance 2.0 Leader here

Free 30-minute Self-Awareness Awakening Session

Susan is offering 5 members of Podcast+ a free 30-minute self-awareness awakening session with one of the Elite High Performance coaches to help them turn up the high beams on their self-awareness.

Get all of these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join 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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