Hey, you are a human first. (Sometimes that seems to get lost in all of the conversations about leadership and how to be a good manager.) So in today's episode, I'm sharing three prompts to shift the conversation -- to center you as a human person, first.
Who you are as a person, and how you're doing in your life, will absolutely influence how you lead.
**After the Episode**
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Why would a kind person start micromanaging people, even when they care deeply and want to do a good job? It happens more often than you might think! And it's often by accident.
Managing people is a different job than being an Individual Contributor (IC). It requires a different mindset and skills -- "what got you here won't get you there," as the saying goes. Anyone can drift towards micromanaging. In today's episode, find out why this happens, and what you can do about it.
**After the Episode**
Enrollment in Communication Strategies for Managers:
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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
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Become a more calm and confident leader:
https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work
Today I'm sharing some audio from my new course on Insight Timer: Mindfulness for Managers at Work.
Having the right mindset and clear intentions can steady you through change and uncertainty. It will help you feel grounded, calm, and authentically confident.
Save this for anytime you need a reminder!
See the full course here:
https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work
Check out my other content on Insight Timer:
https://insighttimer.com/kimnicol
**After the Episode**
Enroll in Communication Skills for Managers:
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Disengaged. Doing the bare minimum. Quietly looking to make a move. These are all signs of being disengaged.
It happens, and if you notice it in your team (or in yourself!) this episode will give you some clarity, perspective, and ideas.
A recent Gallup survey identified four areas that contribute to low employee engagement numbers. They also listened to what employees say they want most from leadership.
I recommend saving this one, and listening to it again towards the end of the year.
**After the Episode**
Read the article on low employee engagement here:
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/692954/anemic-employee-engagement-points-leadership-challenges.aspx
Enrollment is now open for the September cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:
https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies
Register now and use promo code EARLYBIRD to save $75.
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Did you know that your values inform your strategy and the way you make decisions? If you value harmony in relationships, you might decide to delay a tough conversation. If you value pitching in and helping, you might choose to be over-available and over work instead of establishing a boundary. Today we revisit Episode 57, taking a fresh look at how the way you do feedback is guided by your strategy and underlying values.
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When you're an IC, you're making decisions about your work. When you're a manager, you're making decisions about other people: communicating priorities, allocating work, and maybe even conveying how work needs to get done, and by when. This requires looking at problems strategically, so you can make decisions with a bigger picture in mind. Let's discuss!
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Today we revisit Ep. 89: People Pleasing. As a new manager, you might feel a tendency to people-please flare up. It can get in the way by causing you to overwork (by having no boundaries), communicate poorly (by avoiding conversations or not being direct), or creating more pressure and anxiety (by ruminating).
In this episode, you'll see what creates the impulse to people-please, and what to do instead. So you can be intentional in making decisions, and use your people-pleasing awareness for the best.
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People are human. They have emotions. If you care how people feel, you might over-identify with their feelings (or how you think they will feel) -- and then try to manage their emotions with people-pleasing or avoidance. So today, we're going to clarify what empathy is, and where to start so you can work with emotions better at work.
**After the Episode**
For private coaching on your situation and goals:
Get notified of upcoming dates for Communication Strategies for Managers course:
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Thanks for listening!
And *thank you* for leaving a rating or review. It really does make a difference!
Remember: Title and Role are not the same thing.
What if you're a new manager who is managing people who are older than you? Or has more experience than you do? That's the subject of Bonus Friday episode, which was first released as episode 88 on Sept. 12, 2022.
**After the Episode**
For private coaching, focused on your professional growth and personal goals: https://kimnicol.com/
Get notified of upcoming dates for Communication Strategies for Managers:
https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/
Workplace dynamics are multifaceted. In this episode, what starts as a question about communication skills with Gen Z becomes a more layered look at different factors that might be in play.
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Today's Bonus Friday episode is about what you can do, before you start managing, that will prepare you for that role.
Originally aired in 2022 as Episode 84, you'll get ideas you can use today that will develop your skills of observation, learning from those around you, and gaining clarity about your own manager philosophy and leadership style.
**After the Episode**
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Many managers struggle to let go of IC work. The thought might be, "It's easier if I just do it," or "It's faster if I do it -- plus, I know it will be done to my standards." If you'd rather do it yourself instead of explaining what needs to be done, coaching or training someone, or writing out SOPs. . . you're not alone!
A recent study about how the brain learns can also shed some light on what's going on. Having this awareness may prevent you from getting into the weeds of IC work. It can also help you understand why your team is resistant to change. (Because the brain likes to do what it knows how to do!)
Read more about the study:
https://www.sainsburywellcome.org/web/research-news/scientists-discover-new-way-brain-learns
**After the Episode**
Get notified of future course dates:
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Being a manager means dealing with emotions: yours, your team, even your boss(es). Today's Bonus Friday reaches into the archives for another look at this topic: Identify the Real Problem. When emotions are in the mix, you want to be sure you're solving the right thing.
What's Bonus Friday? It's where I share gems that you might have missed.
**After the Episode**
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Every manager makes decisions based on a combination of facts, feelings, and how they're interpreting things. Next time you're facing a problem at work, try this: separate out the facts and feelings. Then, identify the Interpretation Layer (what the facts mean).
You'll get more clarity as to how you're viewing the situation and how you're defining the problem -- and possible solutions.
Going through this process will also increase your self awareness, and give you space to think clearly about how you'd like to respond (rather than reacting out of habit or impulse).
**After the Episode**
Get future dates for my upcoming Communication Strategies course:
https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies
Get private coaching, focused on your specific goals and situation:
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It's hard to keep track of all the conversations about AI in the workplace. So don't feel bad if you find yourself getting overwhelmed or lost in it all.
I recently listened to an interview with Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist and author of the book Empire of AI.
One thing she said that I wanted to share with you is:
“AI is such an interesting word because it’s sort of like the word transportation in that you have bicycles, you have gas guzzling trucks, you have rocket ships. They're all forms of transportation, but they all serve different purposes and they have different cost-benefit trade-offs."
It's a good reminder. When you're thinking about AI in the work place, take a moment to clarify the conversation and what, specifically, people are talking about when they're talking about AI.
Take a mindful lens to the question of work-life balance.
Let's start with the idea that you are a human (first), and that work is one venue (place) where you do life.
Then, consider three frames:
Consider your current life stage, season, and circumstances.
Just because it doesn't look the same, doesn't mean it's there.
**After the Episode**
For private coaching focused on you, your goals, and your situation:
Join the next Communication Strategies for Managers:
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For the lawyers: The Role of Attorney Wellbeing in Your Legal Practice
https://www.lawline.com/course/the-role-of-attorney-wellbeing-in-your-legal-practice
Emotions are part of being human. So naturally, they are a big part of the workplace! Learn the difference between feeling an emotion and reacting to one.
You'll become more effective at work -- more grounded and less reactive to the emotions of others. And, you'll get better at motivating and inspiring your team and colleagues.
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This week I unbox and review "Where Should We Begin? At Work", a card deck with conversation prompts for relationships and culture at work.
This deck is a collaboration between relationship expert Esther Perel and Culture Amp, an employee experience platform. I've been a fan of Esther's work for years, so I was super curious to see what she'd created for workplace relationships and I bought this deck as soon as it was released.
Watch the video:
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https://game.estherperel.com/products/where-should-we-begin-at-work
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Someone asked me how listeners find this show. I told them the truth: "I don't really know." My best guess is that you went looking for a podcast for new managers, because you had some questions about something happening at work. Or, maybe someone shared it with you after *they* stumbled upon it.
In any case, you are here, listening, because you care about doing a good job. And so you've found a resource to help you do that.
That is a big deal! So in this week's episode, let's focus on appreciation and giving yourself credit. I'll also share my thoughts on why it's so common for organizations to fall short of supporting their managers.
Leadership Orientation is on June 18, sign up here:
https://maven.com/kimnicol/leadership-orientation
Communication Strategies for Managers starts July 2, enroll here:
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Save 20% when you sign up with a colleague.
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Leadership Orientation is on June 18. If you feel anxious wondering "Am I doing a good job?", register for Leadership Orientation and let's clear that up.
You will:
Through this process you'll discover more of your personal leadership style.
Managers deserve more support than they get. Sometimes you just need to take matters into your own hands.
Sign up here:
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For private coaching, visit:
