Building Better Managers

New Level Work
Building Better Managers

People leave managers, not companies. The Building Better Managers podcast provides interviews with leadership professionals on topics including leadership development, leadership coaching, leadership training, productivity, employee retention, communication, culture, and accountability. People come to work every day with a whole host of personal and professional challenges. How can you help create a highly productive workplace where people are engaged, involved, and constantly learning? Join Wendy and find out! NewLevelWork Co-Founder and Chief of Culture and Community, Wendy Hanson is an executive coach, author, podcaster, and speaker. Her expertise is in helping businesses develop positive and productive cultures and communities. Wendy has over 21 years experience in management and executive coaching helping numerous start-ups and innovative businesses, including eight years coaching Google executives. She holds an M.Ed. in Organization & Management, and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPCC).

  1. 4D AGO

    Navigating Workplace Drama Effectively with Marlene Chism (Encore)

    In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages with Marlene Chism to explore the complexities of conflict in the workplace. They discuss the importance of developing conflict capacity, emotional integrity, and leadership clarity. Marlene emphasizes the need for leaders to confront their inner narratives and the impact of organizational culture on conflict resolution. Key takeaways: Conflict capacity involves skills development, inner game, and culture. Drama in the workplace is inevitable but can be managed. Emotional integrity means owning your experience and feelings. Changing your narrative can shift your perspective on conflict. Leadership identity must align with organizational goals. Clarity in leadership roles is essential for effective management. Workplace culture influences how conflict is addressed. Self-awareness is key to navigating personal and professional conflicts. Leaders should encourage open communication to reduce drama. Courage is necessary to engage in difficult conversations. Meet Marlene: Marlene is the author of four books, including Stop Workplace Drama, No-Drama Leadership, 7 Ways to Stop Drama in Your Healthcare Practice, and From Conflict to Courage: How to Stop Avoiding and Start Leading. She's also an expert on the LinkedIn Learning platform, offering courses in Anger Management, Difficult Conversations, Difficult Conversations for Managers, and Working with High Conflict People as a Manager. Marlene has a degree in Communications from Drury University and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University. She’s an advanced practitioner in Narrative Coaching. Follow Marlene: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenechism/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenechismconsulting/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marlenechism Website - https://www.marlenechism.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform! Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    33 min
  2. JUL 1

    Self-Care Strategies for Leaders with Liz Kislik (Encore)

    In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson discusses the importance of self-care for leaders with management consultant Liz Kislik. They explore effective time management strategies, the distinction between empathy and compassion, and the structural solutions that can support self-care in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to model self-care, manage their time effectively, and navigate conflicts with compassion and action. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps to improve their leadership and team dynamics. Key takeaways: Self-care is essential for effective leadership. Good calendar management helps reduce stress. Meetings should allow for breaks and reflection. Empathy is about feeling; compassion is about action. Structural changes can support self-care in organizations. Conflict avoidance can lead to increased stress. Taking small steps can lead to significant changes. Walking meetings can enhance creativity and reduce stress. Focus on positive outcomes to foster a better environment. Leaders should model self-care for their teams. Meet Liz: Liz is an accomplished management consultant and executive coach with over 30 years of experience in developing high-performing leaders and workforces. Known for her expertise in conflict resolution and improving workplace dynamics, Liz is a respected thought leader and contributor to renowned publications such as Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies including American Express, Girl Scouts, Staples, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Highlights for Children, Liz serves as a valued advisor, leveraging her wealth of experience to drive their success. Follow Liz: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizkislik/ Website - http://www.lizkislik.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform! Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    35 min
  3. JUN 3

    Personal Connections: The Heart of Sales and Leadership with Chris Wells (Encore)

    In this episode of Building Better Managers, host Wendy Hanson engages in a deep conversation with Chris Wells, VP of EMEA at New Level Work, about the intersections of sales, HR, and learning and development. They explore the importance of personal connections in sales, the similarities between HR and sales professionals, and the common blind spots in leadership development programs. The discussion also highlights the evolving approaches to leadership development, the challenges faced by HR leaders, and the future of sales in the context of leadership development. Chris shares valuable insights and advice for both HR leaders and salespeople, emphasizing the need for trust and understanding in their relationships. Key takeaways: Building relationships is crucial in sales and HR. Understanding personal challenges can lead to better sales outcomes. HR and sales professionals share similar traits and skills. Engagement is key to serving internal customers effectively. Successful leadership development relies on storytelling and transformation. Continuous development is essential for leadership effectiveness. Budget constraints challenge HR leaders in development initiatives. Innovative solutions are needed to keep up with changing demands. Personalization in learning is becoming increasingly important. Trust is fundamental in the relationship between sales and HR leaders. Meet Chris: Chris leads New Level Work’s European division and brings nearly three decades of experience in learning and leadership development. With a passion for helping organizations unlock the full potential of their people, Chris partners globally to create leadership programs that don’t just impact employees, but extend beyond the workplace—positively influencing families, friends, and entire communities. Follow Chris: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjwells Website - https://www.newlevelwork.com/ Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform! Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    34 min
  4. MAY 20

    The Role of AI in Modern Leadership with Kristine Ellis (Encore)

    Host Wendy Hanson engages with Kristine Ellis, Director of Talent Development at GuideWell, to explore the complexities of leadership in the healthcare sector. They discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare leaders, the innovative use of AI in management, and the importance of coaching and collaboration in fostering a supportive work environment. The conversation also highlights strategies for navigating change, supporting mental health, and ensuring employee well-being, all while emphasizing the core values that drive GuideWell's mission to transform healthcare. Key takeaways: Healthcare leadership requires adaptability to unique challenges. AI can enhance efficiency and creativity in healthcare management. Understanding team dynamics is crucial during times of change. Coaching is essential for personal and professional development. Fostering collaboration is key in a geographically diverse workforce. Employee wellbeing is a priority for effective leadership. Building trust through relationships enhances team resilience. Values should be lived and not just displayed on walls. Recognizing signs of burnout is vital for team support. Effective communication is essential for navigating change. Meet Kristine: Kristine Ellis is the Director of Talent Development for GuideWell, a $30 billion not-for-profit, mission-driven enterprise focused on transforming health care. At GuideWell, she leads an Employee and Executive Leadership Development team which has received the Association for Talent Development Best Award 10 times and is currently ranked twelfth on ATD’s global Best Awards list. Kristine works with employees, leaders, and executives on topics such as communication, competency development, strategic thinking, personal branding, and work-life balance. She is a well-known expert in her field and has spoken nationally on a variety of leadership topics at ATD events and other conferences for educators, and healthcare and finance professionals. In her own leadership and in her world-class programs, she combines passion with extensive leadership development experience and a unique coaching approach that emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and empathic communication. Follow Kristine: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-ellis-med-mpc-pcc Website https://www.guidewell.com/who-we-are/our-businesses Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform! Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    38 min
  5. MAY 6

    Navigating Career Development in Modern Workplaces with Julie Winkle Giulioni (Encore)

    In this encore episode of Building Better Managers, Wendy engages with Julie Winkle Giulioni, a renowned expert in career development. They discuss the evolution of career conversations, the importance of psychological safety, and the impact of remote work on employee growth. Julie emphasizes the need for continuous dialogue about career development rather than relying on annual reviews. The conversation also explores the role of AI in enhancing career growth while highlighting the irreplaceable value of human interaction. As the workplace continues to evolve, leaders must adapt their strategies to foster an environment where employees feel valued and supported in their career journeys. Key takeaways: Career development is essential for employee engagement and retention. Conversations about career growth should happen regularly, not just annually. Psychological safety is crucial for open and honest career conversations. Leaders should focus on asking questions rather than providing answers. Remote work requires more intentionality in career development efforts. Recognizing and appreciating employees' strengths fosters motivation. AI can support career development but cannot replace human interaction. Creating equitable development opportunities is vital in a hybrid work environment. Leaders should confront their proximity bias to ensure fair development. The future of career development will focus on self-driven growth and diverse experiences. Meet Julie: Julie Winkle Giulioni is a champion for workplace growth and development and helps executives and leaders optimize talent and potential within their organizations. One of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 speakers, she’s the author of "Promotions Are So Yesterday: Redefine Career Development. Help Employees Thrive" and the co-author of the international bestseller, "Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go: Career Conversations Organizations Need and Employees Still Want," translated into seven languages. Julie is a regular columnist for Training Industry Magazine and SmartBrief and contributes articles on leadership, career development, and workplace trends to numerous publications including Fast Company and The Economist. You can keep up with Julie through her blog and LinkedIn. Follow Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewinklegiulioni/ Website: https://www.juliewinklegiulioni.com/ Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    41 min
  6. APR 22

    AI: A Game Changer for Coaches with David Evans (Encore)

    In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with David Evans, VP of Product at New Level Work, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in leadership development. They discuss the definitions of AI, its applications in product development, and successful integrations in the industry. David shares insights on how AI can enhance coaching, streamline administrative tasks, and foster stronger human relationships. Key takeaways: AI is not a replacement but a tool for enhancement. Understanding AI is crucial for future job security. AI can create value by helping leaders thrive. Narrow AI focuses on specific tasks, while AGI aims for human-like intelligence. AI can recommend personalized learning and coaching options. Generative AI can assist in content creation and marketing. AI can help streamline administrative tasks for coaches. Leadership Oracle provides tailored answers based on best practices. AI can analyze 360 data for personalized development plans. Ethics and privacy are paramount in AI development. Meet David: David Evans is the Vice President of Product at New Level Work (formerly BetterManager). In this role, David is responsible for overseeing the product vision and strategy for the company, helping it to achieve its mission of making thriving at work the norm by developing better leaders. Prior to joining New Level Work as VP Product, David led Talent Success at Amplitude where he supported the growth of managers and their teams, scaling company culture as the business scaled. David has coached tech leaders and their teams for over 15 years, from baby startups to Fortune 100s, through capital raisings, M&A transactions, and public listings.David was previously Technical Director at Adopt-a-Pet.com and Founder & CEO of two tech companies, which resulted in one exit and a 9-figure acquisition deal that went south; life's an adventure! David's biggest and most important growth challenge so far: co-parenting 2 young kids. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeditrainer/ Email: david.evans@newlevelwork.com Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    34 min
  7. APR 8

    Kate Rath, Luis Vides & Rafael Tinoco on Building a Culture of Collaboration (Encore)

    In this episode, host Wendy Hanson talks with the customer success team at Better Manager, discussing their roles, the importance of customer success, and the collaborative culture they foster. The conversation highlights the team's commitment to helping clients thrive at work, the lessons learned in their journey, and their vision for the future of customer success. Key takeaways: Customer success is about understanding unique client needs. Empathy and emotional intelligence are crucial in customer success roles. Building a customer success team requires proactive engagement. Feedback loops enhance organizational learning and improvement. Creating a collaborative culture fosters trust and transparency. Investing in employee development leads to better business outcomes. Assuming good intentions improves interpersonal interactions. A strong company culture enhances team performance. Remote work can still foster strong team connections. Customer success teams act as extensions of their clients' teams. Meet Kate Rath Kate Rath is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in leadership development, international public health, communications, and the arts. Holding a Master's of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as VP of Customer Success at BetterManager, where she is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering positive workplace cultures. Meet Luis Vides Luis Vides is a highly experienced Customer Success Manager with over 12 years of expertise in various industries, including call center BPO, real estate, outsourcing, and leadership development. With a well-rounded skill set and a commitment to driving growth and delivering exceptional results, Luis brings a passionate and customer-centric approach to his role at BetterManager. His diverse background as a corporate trainer, senior trainer, training manager, recruiting manager, property manager, account manager, solutions architect, and customer success manager allows him to provide valuable insights and support to clients, helping them thrive in their work environments. Meet Rafael Tinoco Rafael Tinoco Hernandez is a dedicated and driven professional with a genuine passion for driving customer success. With a background in business and finance, Rafael has made significant contributions as a Key Account Manager and Customer Success Manager in multiple startup ventures. Leveraging his skills and experience, Rafael actively works towards the success and advancement of organizations. His collaborative nature and strong problem-solving abilities enable him to build meaningful relationships with clients and deliver exceptional results. With a focus on creating positive workplace cultures, Rafael strives to empower managers and inspire transformation in work environments. Follow Kate, Luis & Rafael: Kate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-rath-5b6a2243/ Luis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levides/ Rafael LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-tinoco-hernandez/ Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    32 min
  8. MAR 25

    Dr. Julie Pham: Building Better Relationships Through Respect (Encore)

    In this encore episode, host Wendy Hanson engages with Dr. Julie Pham, founder of CuriosityBase, to explore the critical role of respect in relationships, particularly in the workplace. They discuss the seven forms of respect — procedure, punctuality, information, candor, consideration, acknowledgement, and attention — and how understanding these can enhance communication and collaboration within teams. Key takeaways: Good processes require positive relationships to be effective. Respect is a key component in both personal and professional relationships. The seven forms of respect help articulate needs and expectations. Procedure involves adhering to established norms and rules. Punctuality reflects respect for others' time. Information should be shared openly to foster inclusion. Candor is essential for constructive feedback and growth. Consideration involves anticipating others' needs and wants. Acknowledgement reinforces positive contributions and builds morale. Attention is crucial for effective communication and respect. Meet Dr. Julie Pham: Dr. Julie Pham is the founder and the CEO of CuriosityBased, an organizational development firm based in Seattle. She is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work. Dr. Pham has been recognized with numerous awards for her community leadership. She has applied her community building approach to building strong, collaborative and curious teams.  She was born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Seattle. Dr. Pham earned her PhD in history at Cambridge University as a Gates Cambridge Scholar and she graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Berkeley as a Haas Scholar. She earned her real life MBA by running her family’s Vietnamese language newspaper during the 2008-2010 recession. She has worked as a journalist, historian, university lecturer, marketer, nonprofit executive, and management consultant. Follow Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2 Website: https://curiositybased.com/ Do you enjoy our show? One of the best ways to help us out is leave a 5-star review on your platform of choice! It's easy - just go here: https://www.newlevelwork.com/review For more information, please visit the New Level Work website. https://www.newlevelwork.com/category/podcast © 2019 - 2025 New Level Work

    37 min
5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

People leave managers, not companies. The Building Better Managers podcast provides interviews with leadership professionals on topics including leadership development, leadership coaching, leadership training, productivity, employee retention, communication, culture, and accountability. People come to work every day with a whole host of personal and professional challenges. How can you help create a highly productive workplace where people are engaged, involved, and constantly learning? Join Wendy and find out! NewLevelWork Co-Founder and Chief of Culture and Community, Wendy Hanson is an executive coach, author, podcaster, and speaker. Her expertise is in helping businesses develop positive and productive cultures and communities. Wendy has over 21 years experience in management and executive coaching helping numerous start-ups and innovative businesses, including eight years coaching Google executives. She holds an M.Ed. in Organization & Management, and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPCC).

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