Management Material

Catherine Van Der Laan
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to Management Material. My name is Catherine Van Der Laan. I started my career at the bottom as an assistant and worked my way up to become the boss’s boss in 8 years. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that what got you to where you are now won’t get you to where you want to be. This podcast is for top performers who want to be amazing managers. I’ve coached lots of talented people to get them from entry-level to recognized top performers to new managers to seasoned executives. I challenge deeply held beliefs and change how people see the world. Management is all about leadership. The best managers were developed leaders long before they had any direct reports. Here's one thing that most people won't tell you: Management is a skill. Management is a skill you can learn, just like the hard skills that got you to where you are now. Management Material is about developing you into the best manager you can be. Let’s turn YOU into management material. 

  1. 09/24/2025

    Lead with Vision

    Send us a text Welcome back to Management Material with Catherine Van Der Laan! In this episode, Catherine discusses the critical importance of leading with a clear and inspiring vision, especially in today's rocky and inconsistent world. She shares insights on how a well-defined vision can motivate your team, attract the right talent, and transform your organization's performance.  Learn how to articulate a vision that gives people purpose, fosters commitment, and drives success, even when facing challenges like a disengaged workforce or rapid technological changes such as AI. Catherine uses real-world examples, including an executive coaching client struggling with high employee turnover, to illustrate how a vague vision like "grow" can lead to disengagement and a lack of direction.  Discover how to identify your audience, define the specific change you aim to make, and filter that up into a guiding vision that serves as your North Star. This episode offers practical advice on how to make your mission obvious, keep your team motivated, and attract people who are genuinely interested in contributing to your organization's impactful change in the world. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    19 min

  2. 09/17/2025

    Getting Hired and Social Media: Your Digital Footprint

    Send us a text In this episode, host Catherine Van Der Laan discusses the critical role your social media plays in getting hired. She explains that many hiring managers now scrutinize candidates' online presence to determine if they are an asset or a liability to the company.  Catherine provides a three-step process to "scrub" your social media, ensuring it presents a professional image that aligns with what hiring managers seek. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and championing what you truly believe in, rather than being fake.  This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to land a new job and leverage their online presence effectively. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    14 min

  3. 09/10/2025

    Building an AI-Proof Resume and Cover Letter

    Send us a text This video provides an in-depth guide on creating an AI-proof resume and cover letter. The speaker, Catherine Van Der Laan, shares insights on how AI and recruiters typically screen job applications, emphasizing the importance of tailoring your resume and cover letter with relevant keywords and action verbs. She advises against directly copying job descriptions and discusses how to present your experience and education in a strategic manner. Additionally, she shares a successful tactic for bypassing AI systems by networking and securing referrals from within the target company. The video aims to equip job seekers with strategies to increase their chances of landing interviews and ultimately securing desired positions. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    17 min

  4. 05/29/2024

    Get a New Full-Time Job: Find Your Full-Time Fit

    Send us a text We're starting a 7-part series entitled "Get a New Full-Time Job." This series mimics the more in-depth group program called "Get a New Full-Time Job." You can find out more about the group program here: https://www.saverstreet.com/service-page/find-a-new-ft-job-group-coaching-session Class 1: Find Your Full-Time Fit Class 2: Create an AI-Proof Resume and Cover Letter Class 3: Cultivate a Professional Online Presence  Class 4: Network Without Desperation Class 5: Interview Like a Boss Class 6: Negotiate Your Salary Offer Class 7: Set Yourself Up for Success This podcast episode includes a few stories about finding the best full-time fit for your industry and department.  Finding your fit is about marrying your personality, skills and future skills, and passions. Let's talk about what that looks like and how to find your next best-fit job. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    13 min

  5. 04/29/2024

    Leadership vs. Management: What's the Difference Between a Manager and a Leader?

    Send us a text "People don't leave jobs; they leave managers." - a common managerial proverb Getting the title of "manager" doesn't automatically qualify you as a leader. Most managers (at least 58%, according to one study) are so bad at leadership that their employees call them "toxic" and leave.  If that doesn't sound an alarm for you, I don't know what would. In today's podcast episode, we'll tackle the distinct difference between being a manager and a leader. I go into my first foray into management and the stupid stuff I did right out of the gate.  Don't do what I did. Listen to this podcast episode so you can dodge some of the most common management mistakes and grow as a leader before you fail as a manager. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    19 min

  6. 04/22/2024

    Rebuilding Trust and Mastering Transparent Communication in Leadership

    Send us a text Ever wondered how to piece back together the fragile puzzle of trust once it's fallen apart? That's what we conquer on today's Management Material, as I share the transformative journey of a leadership development client navigating the treacherous waters of office politics and slander.  You'll be privy to our intense discussions on accountability and the power of transparent communication, all vital in stitching the seams of broken professional relationships.  It's like reconstructing a bridge while crossing it, and you'll gain invaluable insights on how to hold the hammer. Fears of vulnerability often handcuff leaders, but we're snapping those chains. Listen as I recount the story of a client who embraced their boss's challenge to improve communication, only to unearth leadership potential they never knew they had.  You'll get a front-row seat to an honest look at the role ego plays in our professional engagements, setting the stage for a revealing tale about a confrontation with my own boss that's coming up in a future episode.  It's not just about talking the talk; it's about walking the walk with your head held high and your communication lines wide open. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    23 min

  7. 04/16/2024

    Mastering the Art of Feedback: A Leadership Journey to Support and Success

    Send us a text In this episode, we cover the fine-tuned art of giving feedback so it's received well.  It's not easy to give feedback. Most of us have had at least one experience with giving feedback and seeing it blow up in our faces.  If you like to avoid conflict, like me, it might seem like giving feedback to a colleague is a lose-lose situation.  Let's turn giving feedback into a win-win situation.  This podcast episode puts the "sandwich" method where it belongs (in the trash) and dives into what it takes for your feedback to be received well and acted on.  Let's make you a better leader - a leader people want to follow. Let's turn you into management material. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    24 min

  8. 03/26/2024

    Steering Through Uncertainty: Strategies for Inspiring and Re-Engaging Your Team

    Send us a text Unlock the secrets to revitalizing your team's passion and productivity with me, Catherine Van Der Laan, as we navigate the storm of today's workplace challenges.  In this episode, I share my personal journey and the strategies that have transformed teams facing the threat of financial instability and job insecurity. You'll learn about the three-step process that can shift your team's focus from fear to flourishing—a method that has proven vital in my own leadership experiences during times of layoffs and reorganizations. Discover the importance of personal connection and how genuine engagement with both people and goals can create a resilient and motivated workforce. Leadership isn't just about managing—it's about inspiring and aligning your team towards a common vision.  This conversation goes beyond theories as I provide practical advice on managing stress, leading empathetically, and harnessing personal growth to build a proactive team environment.  We'll explore overcoming the 'amygdala hijack', career mapping, and the immense value of helping others as a pathway to sharpen your own leadership skills.  If you're ready to take the helm and steer your team towards a culture of engagement and professional progress, grab your headphones, and let's set sail together. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at catherine@managementmaterialcoaching.com to ask a question or get in touch. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/managementmaterialcoaching Find out more about Management and Leadership Coaching at https://managementmaterialcoaching.com/

    25 min
See All (64)

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Management Material. My name is Catherine Van Der Laan. I started my career at the bottom as an assistant and worked my way up to become the boss’s boss in 8 years. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that what got you to where you are now won’t get you to where you want to be. This podcast is for top performers who want to be amazing managers. I’ve coached lots of talented people to get them from entry-level to recognized top performers to new managers to seasoned executives. I challenge deeply held beliefs and change how people see the world. Management is all about leadership. The best managers were developed leaders long before they had any direct reports. Here's one thing that most people won't tell you: Management is a skill. Management is a skill you can learn, just like the hard skills that got you to where you are now. Management Material is about developing you into the best manager you can be. Let’s turn YOU into management material. 

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Van Der Laan
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Management Material
  • Show Website
    Management Material