The Modern Manager Mamie Kanfer Stewart

Teamwork makes the dream work. But does it?

Most of us believe that being a team means nurturing teamwork, embracing camaraderie, and supporting each other emotionally. However, these factors, although very important, aren't essential for every type of team. Today’s guest will unpack what makes a team and how to build a strong one.

Meet James Scouller. James is an executive coach, thought leader, former CEO, and expert in building teams. He is also the author of the trilogy How to Build Winning Teams Again and Again and Again, the first series of handbooks to explain the psychology, principles, and road maps behind team success.

Known for his expertise in leadership and team dynamics, James discusses what truly defines a team, highlighting his 3 Cs model–Commit, Combust, Combine–and how it builds winning teams. 

He also provides real-world examples of different types of teams at work, explains how managers can support their teams through the stages of effective team formation, emphasizes the importance of trust and clear unifying goals, and much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(01:26) What makes a team?(02:18) Pseudo teams vs. performance teams(07:47) What does a “real” team look like in the workplace?(11:24) Determining the right type of team for your work(16:44) Building a winning team using the 3 Cs(30:16) How to encourage people to prioritize the team first over personal needs(32:12) A great manager James has worked for(35:09) Keep up with James(36:43) [Extended Episode Only] The dual forces concept and how it disrupts team formation(42:43) [Extended Episode Only] Tips for helping team members with their mindset and behavioral shift(44:39) [Extended Episode Only] How to craft a positive narrative for your team
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
- Build your team’s skills here

Keep up with James

- Follow James on LinkedIn and Twitter
- Grab a copy of his book here
- Visit Leadership Mastery Suite here

3 Exclusive Bonuses For Podcast+ Members

James is providing 3 amazing bonuses to members of Podcast+:
A PDF download of his “Rapid Team Rater” tool, which lets you assess your team within 10-15 minutes using a framework based on the Seven Principles team building model. An entire folder consisting of James’ sophisticated suite of tools called “Team Fixer”. The tools help you figure out your team’s top psychological issue and then zero in on the actions you’ll need to apply.A free hour of consultation with James, where you can use the Rapid Team Rater tool to discuss the specifics of your team.To get these guest bonuses 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!

Do you feel overwhelmed as you step into your first management role?

Climbing up the corporate ladder can be exciting, but research shows that transitioning from an individual contributor into a manager role is one of the most challenging and stressful periods in a person’s career.

Many new managers don’t easily make the psychological transition from an individual contributor paid to perform tasks to a manager entrusted with achieving results through others’ efforts. But that’s exactly what we need to do.

Meet Eric Girard. Eric is the CEO of Girard Training Solutions and the author of Lead Like a Pro: The Essential Guide for New Managers. He has over 30 years of experience helping improve the performance of managers and employees. He specializes in the development of new managers, focusing on their successful transition to their new role and on their team management skills.

Eric and I talk about the key skills and mindset shift that new and not-so-new managers need to succeed in building a strong, thriving team. 

Join the conversation now!
Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(01:53) Biggest challenges new managers run into(03:31) What’s the job of a manager?(06:28) How to coach someone to navigate their own challenges(08:46) Why managers need to learn to delegate(11:10) How new managers can build trust with their team(17:35) The four different stages of team formation(20:35) Tips and tricks for navigating through all the four stages of team formation(25:00) How managers can help their team members work through times of change(30:05) A great manager Eric has worked for(33:50) Keep up with Eric(34:43) [EXTENDED EPISODE ONLY] A new way of using the SWOT analysis to help yourself and your team become better(40:32) [EXTENDED EPISODE ONLY] How to effectively set goals as a team 
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 Eric:

- Follow Eric on LinkedIn here
- Join Eric’s Lead Like a Pro Workshop here
- Grab a copy of his book, Lead Like a Pro here- Build your team’s skills here

Giveaway: 4 Copies of “Lead Like a Pro”

Eric is giving away 4 signed copies of his book, Lead Like a Pro: An Essential Guide For New Managers. This book is your roadmap to becoming a successful manager people will want to work with. As Eric explains, anyone who wants to thrive in a new management position, get the most from their teams, and contribute to their organization’s success must transform themselves from an individual contributor who can manage tasks into someone who’s great at managing people.

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

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Have you tried ChatGPT yet?  

AI is taking the business world by storm and AI tools have now become an integral part of daily workflows. While many businesses are already discovering ways to adopt and leverage AI, a lot of managers I speak with aren't sure how to take advantage of it.

In this week's episode, I share my list of top picks of innovative AI tools that can dramatically boost your team's productivity. From AI-driven task generators that simplify project planning to advanced writing tools that improve your writing and communication skills, I have it all covered just for you.

Whether you're a seasoned team manager or just someone looking to elevate your skills with AI, this episode is packed with information.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(00:46) Take advantage of task generators(02:20) Leveraging AI writing tools(03:58) How AI-powered meeting notes work(06:39) Boost productivity with task planners(08:41) Reminders when using AI tools(10:20) [Extended Episode Only] My #1 AI productivity tool 
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

My Personal Task Management System (Behind-the-Scenes)

Members of Podcast+ get a behind-the-scenes look at my personal task management system where I share all my tips and tricks for how I capture tasks, plan my day, and use Asana and Akiflow to keep myself organized and on track.

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!

Vulnerability is a key ingredient in nurturing meaningful personal relationships, but does it hold the same weight in a professional context?

Brené Brown has popularized the idea of vulnerability, but how we act vulnerable in the workplace differs from how we show vulnerability in personal spaces. After all, work comes with its own set of challenges–from managing teams and pleasing customers to hitting tight deadlines, all laden with overtones of power dynamics. This week’s guest is here to shed some light on why and how we should be vulnerable and confident at work.

Today’s guest is Jacob Morgan. Jacob is the best-selling author of five books, including his most recent, Leading With Vulnerability, which is based on over 100 CEO interviews and a survey of 14,000 employees. He is also a professionally trained futurist and speaker.

Jacob unpacks the simple yet effective equation of vulnerability + leadership, and how by combining these two ingredients, you can lead your team effectively.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(01:39) What does leading with vulnerability mean?(06:45) The right and wrong way to approach vulnerability in the workplace(13:30) Real-life scenarios showing vulnerability at work(19:59) Three paths to becoming a vulnerable leader(23:53) Why some people avoid leading with vulnerability(26:57) A great manager Jacob has worked for(28:10) Keep up with Jacob(29:23) [Extended Episode Only] What do to when you’re being vulnerable and it lands wrong(35:55) [Extended Episode Only] The power of “I” statements and real emotions
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 Jacob Morgan

- Follow Jacob on LinkedIn and Twitter
- Listen to his podcast here
- Grab a copy of his book here
- Visit his website for more information here

Free Sample of “Leading With Vulnerability”

Jacob Morgan is happy to offer a 23-page sample of his book, “Leading With Vulnerability”. Based on over 100 CEO interviews and a survey of nearly 14,000 employees, Jacob shares candid stories and original research that shows how leaders can tap into vulnerability to transform themselves, their teams, and their organizations. 

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

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

When you think of a successful career, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not generosity–a term not often associated with the business world. 

However, generosity in leadership is about giving of oneself–time, attention, and mentorship–for everyone’s gain. And that’s a powerful business strategy. 

Generous leaders invest in their team’s growth and well-being. They cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration, where each team member’s potential is nurtured and celebrated. And our guest offers profound insights into this leadership style.

Today’s guest is Joe Davis. Joe is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he has been for 37 years. His new book, ‘The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain,’ reflects his passion for people and his desire to support their development and inspire teams to work better than they thought possible.

Joe shares what it means to be a generous leader and how you can become one in seven simple ways. We also discuss how a generous leader listens and communicates to support their team, the power of doing small acts for your team, and much more.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(01:41) What is a generous leader?(03:29) Seven characteristics of a generous leader(06:35) What deep listening looks like(13:21) Strategies to create a more welcoming work environment(16:25) How to ensure your team members understand what you’re communicating(19:21) What is a generous action ally (23:19) Example of how a manager can be a generous action ally to their team members(26:43) A great manager Joe has worked for(28:48) Keep up with Joe(30:29) [Extended Episode Only] Small acts that have a big impact(33:14) [Extended Episode Only] How to incorporate small yet powerful acts into your day and week
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 Joe Davis

- Grab a copy of his book, The Generous Leader, here
- Follow Joe on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram 
- Check out his website for more information here

Giveaway - 5 Copies of “The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain”

Joe Davis’s book, The Generous Leader, is an innovative and insightful 7-part guide to heartfelt and collaborative actions that transform the reader into a generous leader. It is for anyone seeking to elevate their heart, lead with humanity, and live a life of deep integrity. You must enter the drawing by Wednesday, May 8.

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

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

How does it feel to work with somebody you'd rather avoid? Let's admit it: We all experience a fair share of difficult people at work. And many times, we just have to be around them whether we like it or not. However, there are a few things, that we can do to lessen their impact on us. 

Today's workplace expert unpacks everything we need to know about working with difficult people.

Amy Gallo is the author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review. She is also the co-host of HBR’s popular Women at Work podcast, which examines the struggles and successes of women in the workplace.

In this episode, Amy shares the eight types of difficult people we usually encounter at work and how to deal with them effectively. We also talk about the challenges of written communication, checking our own behavior, and so much more. 

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.
Conversation Topics
(00:00) Intro(02:27) 8 kinds of difficult co-workers most people work with(05:45) Personality clash vs. productive conflict (07:32) How to deal with problematic behavior at work(14:36) The manager’s role in solving work conflict(16:23) Is confronting a colleague with their bad behaviors a good strategy?(20:10) How to appropriately respond to difficult written communications(29:16) A great manager Amy has worked for(31:03) Keep up with Amy(32:32) [Extended Episode Only] The role of biases in judging someone’s behavior(36:11) [Extended Episode Only] How managers should intervene when team members have issues working together
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 Amy Gallo

- Follow Amy on LinkedIn here
- Listen to her podcast here
- Grab a copy of her book here
- Check out her other works here

Book Giveaway:  2 Signed Copies of “Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People)”

Amy is giving away 2 copies of her book, Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) to members of Podcast+. In this book, Amy identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers and provides strategies tailored to dealing constructively with each one. She also shares principles that will help you turn things around, no matter who you're at odds with. You must enter the drawing by Wednesday, May 1.

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

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!