Manage Self, Lead Others: Emotional Intelligence and Leadership for Managers

Nina Sunday
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Manage Self, Lead Others is the leadership podcast for people who want to lead with impact — not ego. Smart, grounded, and always relevant, this is your space to reflect, reframe, and rise. Hosted by Nina Sunday CSP and Hall of Fame speaker, each episode features real conversations with leadership thinkers, industry leaders and workplace experts who share practical ideas and bold insights to help you lead with emotional intelligence, clarity and purpose. Are you committed to growing yourself to better lead others? Tune in. You'll walk away with strategies you can apply immediately — whether you're a new manager, team leader, or seasoned professional. Subscribe and join the movement to lead with more humanity.  

  1. 2D AGO

    180 Creative Velocity — Leslie Grandy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  2. JAN 27

    REPUBLISHED 153 HR: From Hire to Fire — Natasha Hawker

    Natasha Hawker is co-founder of Employee Matters, your in-house HR and recruitment experts coming in and out of your business as and when you need them.   A finalist in the Australian 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards, Natasha Hawker is author of From Hire to Fire, Managing the Employee Life Cycle, Higher, Manage, Wellbeing and Exit.   Soundbites [2:50] Difficult conversations in management and key questions managers should ask themselves.   [3:10] Importance of normalizing feedback in everyday business to prevent difficult conversations from escalating.   [3:43] The importance of having regular one-on-ones with employees to facilitate open communication.   [3:57] Approach to daily huddles and how they improve accountability, communication, and listening skills, especially in remote teams.   [5:55] Why managers avoid difficult conversations, highlighting the lack of formal training for managers on handling performance discussions.   [6:12] Three key areas managers need to improve: hiring better, managing better, and exiting better. Structured feedback can prevent performance issues from escalating.   [7:19] Personal experiences of avoiding feedback, explaining how unaddressed small issues can snowball over time.   [8:08] Shift in business. Introducing private one-on-ones to create a space for open conversations before issues arise.   [8:40] Vulnerability in leadership, encouraging managers to seek feedback from their teams.   [9:50] Challenge of employees reacting emotionally to feedback, with de-escalation techniques from Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss.   [11:29] Advice on acknowledging emotions during difficult conversations and using pauses to allow employees to express their feelings.   [12:19] Role of social sensitivity in effective teams. Reading nonverbal cues and responding appropriately.   [12:46] Recommendation to prepare employees for tough feedback conversations by framing them as growth opportunities.   [13:48] Suggestion for a direct approach to sharing feedback, allowing employees to correct assumptions and engage in open dialogue.   [14:10] Introduction to the topic of exit interviews, explaining their value in identifying trends, retention risks, and leadership challenges.   [15:09] Concept of stay interviews—proactively engaging employees to understand what would keep them in the company.   [16:17] Exploration of the benefits of an alumni program and how staying connected with former employees can lead to new business opportunities.   [17:09] Shift in discussion to onboarding, explaining how poor onboarding increases turnover, emphasizing the need for structured induction programs.   [20:38] Identification of a critical gap—many businesses underutilize their management teams, missing opportunities to increase productivity and profitability.   [21:30] Information on how Employee Matters helps small to medium businesses with HR and recruitment, emphasizing that strong HR practices provide a competitive advantage. CONTACT NATASHA HAWKER Contact Employee Matters at employeematters.com.au to learn more about their HR and recruitment services.   https://www.natashahawker.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashahawker/   ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY CSP   "Download from Nina Sunday's book a free chapter titled, Lead From The Front, an insightful deep dive into effective leadership.   1.    Why “People Don't Quit Companies; They Quit Managers.” 2.    The 8 Good Behaviors of a Manager. 3.    Lead From the Front to Motivate Your Team. Grab your free PDF here https://www.ninasunday.com/workplace-wisdom-lead-from-the-front === Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min

  3. JAN 20

    179 AI Is No Longer Optional — Jim Gitney

    Jim Gitney issues a clear warning to every consultant, advisor, and professional service firm: if AI is not a foundational part of your offering, relevance will erode faster than you think.   In this episode, we explore why AI is no longer just a tool but a thinking partner, how human judgment becomes more valuable not less, and what leaders must do now to stay indispensable in 2026 and beyond.   Experience our episodes in a whole new way—watch every video version on our YouTube channel. Subscribe now to be the first to catch our next release. https://www.youtube.com/@manageselfleadotherspodcast?sub_confirmation=1   Soundbites [0:02] Why professional service providers without an AI-integrated strategy will struggle from 2026 onwards. [1:35] If AI supplies strategy, how humans stay indispensable through judgment, context, and decision-making. [2:17] Treating AI as a co-worker and thinking partner through a hybrid human-AI model. [2:31] How AI accelerates discovery, data analysis, and solution development across professional services. [3:07] Real examples of AI generating strategies instantly, from investments to book marketing plans. [3:51] Creating AI-powered boards of advisors by synthesising insights from admired business thinkers. [5:27] The skill of refining AI outputs through better questions as the heart of the hybrid model. [6:33] How professional service firms will need fewer analysts but stronger AI capability. [7:31] The growing impact of AI in legal research, contract analysis, and evidence gathering. [7:58] Why human skills like motivation, listening, and managing fear matter more as AI adoption increases. [9:02] Implementation and change management as the new differentiator for professional service firms. [10:41] Why firms focused only on analysis and research face greater risk of irrelevance. [11:16] The emerging role of the Chief AI Officer and responsibility for enterprise-wide AI strategy. [12:03] Rolling out AI through pilots, change management, and capability building across organisations. [13:23] Cobotics explained as the intersection of people, process, and technology. [14:51] Why organisations will move away from siloed structures to horizontal, process-led models. [16:52] How AI and technology backbones will reshape leadership roles and organisational design. [17:02] The warning for professional services firms whose strategic plans do not embed AI as foundational. [18:44] AI adoption in medicine and healthcare as proof that no profession is immune. [19:17] Why neither ignoring AI nor relying solely on it works without human judgment. [19:56] Using AI to transform an existing framework into an operational system through precise prompting. [21:50] Where to explore further work, resources, and future releases related to AI and professional services.   JIM GITNEY https://www.group50.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgitney/ https://strategyrealized.com/   ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠ You can read any Kindle eBook on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device.  === To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au... === To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ === To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of the page to register Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min

  4. JAN 13

    178 Candor Takes Courage — John Baldoni

    John Baldoni brings calm, clarity, and uncommon wisdom to leadership in a world defined by volatility. In this conversation, you will hear why innovation stalls when fear is left unchecked, how leaders create real psychological safety, and what grace under pressure actually looks like when decisions matter most. Experience our episodes in a whole new way—watch every video version on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe now to be the first to catch our next release. https://www.youtube.com/@manageselfleadotherspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  Sound Bites [2:16] How leaders embed innovation into culture and why innovation starts with removing fear, not adding tools. [3:04] What leaders must stop doing before asking for change. [4:05] Fear of judgment, silence in meetings, and how unsafe cultures shut down innovation. [5:01] Innovation as applied creativity. Small process changes that unlock productivity and fresh thinking. [8:27] Grace under pressure. How leaders maintain composure and connection during volatility and crisis. [8:53] The leadership pillars of connection, candor, commitment, courage, and community. [10:11] Why culture must be shared and lived, not worshipped, to truly scale leadership. [11:32] Grace as forgiveness. Letting go of mistakes in yourself and others to move forward. [11:56] Candor versus artificial harmony. Why truth telling strengthens teams. [13:52] Conversational equality. Drawing out quiet voices and balancing dominant speakers. [15:23] Language of influence. Disagreeing without blame through curiosity and respectful challenge. [17:23] Gemba leadership. Going to where the work happens to gain real insight. [17:59] Leading in volatility. The reflection practice of asking what is happening and what is not happening. [18:49] Using real time reflection as a team exercise to influence action. [20:04] Reading the white space. Why noticing what is not said builds strategic awareness. [20:30] Political savvy and influence. Understanding where real power and momentum live in organizations. JOHN BALDONI https://www.johnbaldoni.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaldoni/   ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback or kindle. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can read any Kindle eBook on your PC, laptop or phone; you don’t need a Kindle device.  === To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au...⁠ === To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninasunday/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠=== To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of the page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  5. JAN 6

    REPUBLISHED Ep 147 Performance Conversations-Bruce Sullivan

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    177 More Sales, Less Marketing — Frances Pratt

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    REPUBLISHED 124 - Unmasking Leadership --Dan Silberberg

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    176 Mystery Shopping: CX Secrets—Michelle Pascoe

    In this episode with Michelle Pascoe, we lift the lid on mystery shopping and what it really reveals about leadership, service, and customer experience. From why traditional surveys fail, to how insight-based mystery shopping exposes what leaders never see when they are not present, this conversation explores how organisations can turn observation into improvement. We also look at generational expectations, the role of robotics, and why human connection still matters more than ever. SOUNDBITES Mystery shopping explained beyond the myths.Why surveys fail when feedback goes nowhere.What leaders miss when they are not on site.How insight-based reports outperform tick-box scores.The role of human connection alongside robotics.What Gen Z expects from seamless service.Why Net Promoter Score needs context to matter.Turning customer data into real improvement. ABOUT MICHELLE PASCOE Contact: https://www.michellepascoe.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepascoe/ Renowned for her expertise in the hospitality industry and backed by over three decades of experience, Michelle Pascoe is a Mystery Shopping expert, a Certified Speaking Professional delivering conference keynotes on the Customer Experience as well as workshops on Customer Service Excellence to frontline teams. ABOUT PODCAST HOST, NINA SUNDAY Nina Sunday’s latest book, ‘’Manage Self, Lead Others: Constructive Conversations, True Self-Leadership, and Culture You Can’t Fake’’ now on Amazon - paperback, Kindle or audiobook. Amazon USA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/3WaplI9⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Australia ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.asia/d/0KwghaM⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you would be willing to leave a review so others know it’s a good read, Nina would appreciate it. === Brainpower Training Australia To learn more about face-to-face training programs with Nina Sunday or one of her experienced Facilitators from Brainpower Training Pty Ltd in Australia Pacific, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/signature-programs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Speaking site: NinaSunday.com To visit Nina Sunday's speaker site for global in-person speaking bookings visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ninasunday.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === LinkedIn: Connect with Nina Sunday on LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ === Blog To subscribe to Nina Sunday's blog go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.brainpowertraining.com.au/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and scroll to bottom of page to register. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min
See All (187)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Manage Self, Lead Others is the leadership podcast for people who want to lead with impact — not ego. Smart, grounded, and always relevant, this is your space to reflect, reframe, and rise. Hosted by Nina Sunday CSP and Hall of Fame speaker, each episode features real conversations with leadership thinkers, industry leaders and workplace experts who share practical ideas and bold insights to help you lead with emotional intelligence, clarity and purpose. Are you committed to growing yourself to better lead others? Tune in. You'll walk away with strategies you can apply immediately — whether you're a new manager, team leader, or seasoned professional. Subscribe and join the movement to lead with more humanity.  

Information

You Might Also Like