Manager to Manager

Kamaria Scott

Manager to Manager isn’t just another leadership podcast—it’s real talk for real people leaders. Join host Kamaria Scott as she sits down with managers from all walks of life to explore the highs, lows, and lessons of leading teams. These candid conversations aren’t about theories or expert advice—they’re about the authentic experiences, challenges, and strategies that managers face every day. Whether you’re navigating tricky team dynamics, building trust, or celebrating wins, you’ll find relatable stories, actionable insights, and a sense of community to help you lead with confidence and impact.

  1. 5D AGO

    Managing a Solopreneur

    What does it mean to be a manager when you’re the only one in your business? In this episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Lauren Gibson, Founder of Letters Launched and writer of the Connections newsletter, to explore what happens when creative entrepreneurs become people leaders for the first time. Lauren shares the real lessons she’s learned from hiring — and letting go of — virtual assistants, balancing delegation with direction, and discovering that being “the first manager” is as much about mindset as it is about skill. Together, she and Kamaria unpack how the fundamentals of leadership apply just as powerfully to solopreneurs as to corporate managers. This conversation explores how entrepreneurs can: Shift from doing the work to leading the work when building their first team Hire for outcomes, not hours — and design fair, value-based relationships with contractors Create structure through simple routines, one-on-ones, and clear expectations Recognize when to seek an “architect,” not a “carpenter,” to bring their vision to life Build sustainable momentum by managing people, not just processes Lauren reminds us that growth doesn’t just come from scaling revenue — it comes from learning to lead well. Whether you’re a founder hiring your first assistant, a creative building a small team, or a manager rethinking what leadership looks like in the new world of work, this episode offers relatable, real-world insights to help you manage with clarity and care. Show Notes: Connect with Lauren Gibson on LinkedIn | Subscribe to her newsletter Connections  Connect with Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn | managermomentum.com

    37 min
  2. 09/23/2025

    Building Trust as a Manager

    What if the most powerful thing a manager can do isn’t setting goals or tracking metrics, but simply caring about the people behind the work? In this episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Zachary Wright, founder of Grapevine and longtime strategy and operations leader, to explore how human-centered leadership transforms performance and culture. Zachary shares his journey from being micromanaged early in his career to discovering his own leadership style—one that prioritizes treating people as people, not cogs in a system. Through personal stories of helping underperformers become top contributors, navigating the challenges of being a first-time founder, and leading teams through uncertainty, Zachary demonstrates why relationships and results are inseparable in effective management. This conversation explores how managers can: Unlock performance by aligning employees’ personal goals with organizational objectives Build trust and influence through genuine curiosity and consistent one-on-ones Set the tone as a founder or leader, recognizing that every action ripples across the team Distinguish between positional power and true leadership rooted in respect and care Use technology, including AI, to support managers rather than replace them Zachary reminds us that leadership is more than positional authority—it’s the daily choice to balance optimism with realism, influence with empathy, and results with relationships. Whether you’re leading inside a startup, managing contractors across time zones, or working to redefine your own leadership style, this episode offers practical and inspiring insights to help you lead with greater clarity and care. Show Notes: Follow Zachary Wright on LinkedIn and explore Grapevine at grapevinesoftware.io Follow Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn | managermomentum.com

    39 min
  3. 09/09/2025

    Manager’s Guide to Parental Leave

    What if one of the most defining moments of trust between a manager and their team member isn’t about performance at all—but about how you respond when they share the news of a new baby? In this heartfelt and practical episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Arianna Hillis, founder of Shoshanna’s Daughter, to explore how managers can support employees before, during, and after parental leave. Drawing on her personal experience as both a corporate leader and a mother of three, Arianna shares why managers play a pivotal role in shaping an employee’s sense of safety, belonging, and success during this transition. Together, Kamaria and Arianna uncover how thoughtful leadership in these moments can strengthen trust, increase retention, and create a culture where employees thrive at work and at home. This conversation explores how managers can: Respond authentically and supportively when a team member announces they’re expecting Partner with employees to create transition action plans before leave begins Use tools like keep-in-touch strategies, phased returns, and return-to-work buddies to ease reintegration Recognize the mental health milestones where new parents may need extra care Advocate for policies, resources, and best practices that set both managers and teams up for success Arianna emphasizes that parental leave isn’t just a logistical challenge—it’s an opportunity for managers to demonstrate empathy, flexibility, and genuine care. And when managers get it right, the payoff is lasting loyalty and stronger team performance. Whether you’ve navigated parental leave on your team before or are preparing for it in the future, this episode offers actionable strategies and a compassionate perspective that every people leader needs. Show Notes: Follow Arianna Hillis on LinkedIn and visit Shoshanna’s Daughter Follow Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn | managermomentum.com

    39 min
  4. Why Every Manager Is Already a Project Manager

    08/26/2025

    Why Every Manager Is Already a Project Manager

    What if the difference between a struggling team and a high-performing one isn’t more motivation, but stronger project management skills? In this results-focused episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Michele Badie, PMP Certified Program Manager, whose career spans legal services, financial services, non-profits, higher education, and retail. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked reality that every people leader—whether officially certified or not—is already a project manager. Michele shares how project management goes far beyond tools and timelines. It’s about fostering collaboration, building trust, and creating the clarity teams need to succeed. She explains how results and relationships are inseparable, and why successful execution begins with curiosity, communication, and sustained collaboration. This conversation explores how managers can: Recognize the role of project management in everyday leadership—even without the title or certification Balance results with relationships to create psychological safety and open communication Apply simple yet powerful frameworks like RACI and Agile to bring order and adaptability to projects Manage stakeholder expectations with transparency while fostering long-term trust Stay curious, keep learning, and invest in yourself as both a leader and project manager From tackling accountability to organizing teams without a formal PMO, Michele and Kamaria highlight practical strategies managers can use to execute with confidence while empowering their people. Whether you’re leading a small team juggling multiple responsibilities or working inside a complex organization, this episode offers actionable insights for turning project chaos into clarity—and for reminding every manager that execution is just as human as it is technical. Show Notes: Follow Michele Badie on [LinkedIn] Follow Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn | managermomentum.com

    39 min
  5. 08/14/2025

    How Managers Shape the New Engagement Promise

    What if the solution to management burnout isn’t better time management, but a complete rethink of how we structure leadership roles? In this follow-up episode, Kamaria Scott and David Rice, host of the People Managing People podcast, continue their lively, two-way conversation about the impossible position we’ve put modern managers in. Picking up where Part 1 left off, Kamaria and David trade stories, compare experiences, and challenge each other’s thinking on how organizations unintentionally overload managers. They dig into how the decline of long-term job security and traditional benefits has shifted expectations—often leaving managers to “duct tape” systemic problems they didn’t create. Together, they explore: How engagement is shaped by the conscious choices employees make about where to direct their energy The hidden costs of emotional labor for managers, and what can be done to reduce it The gap between generational expectations and current organizational realities Strategies for building team trust when institutional trust is low The conversation flows from structural issues to personal stories, touching on why 82% of young professionals say they don’t want management roles, and why—even as AI evolves—human managers remain essential for context, judgment, and belief in their people. Whether you’re navigating management challenges yourself or rethinking how your organization supports its leaders, this episode offers practical takeaways and a reminder that no manager should have to hero their way through systemic problems alone. Show Notes: Part 1 of this conversation: Redefining Engagement in a Post-Trust Era Follow David Rice: LinkedIn | peoplemanagingpeople.com Follow Kamaria Scott: LinkedIn | managermomentum.com

    47 min
  6. 07/22/2025

    Finding Impact Beyond the Numbers

    What if the key to exceptional leadership isn't about hitting every metric, but about creating lasting impact that goes far beyond the numbers? In this thought-provoking episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Kim Detera, a seasoned leader with 12 years of management experience across FinTech, telecommunications, and financial organizations. Kim shares his unconventional approach to leadership—one that prioritizes strategic thinking over transactional metrics and empowers teams to create meaningful impact even when traditional targets aren't met. Drawing from his unexpected background in journalism, Kim reveals how asking the right questions became his superpower as a leader. Key takeaways from this conversation: The conversation explores how leaders can drive meaningful impact by: Moving beyond rigid metrics to focus on strategic outcomes and long-term organizational value Asking the right questions to uncover the real intentions and pain points behind client goals Creating structured development plans that prepare team members for increasing autonomy Balancing direction with space, allowing teams to innovate while maintaining accountability Kim offers practical insights on telling success stories through multiple lenses, managing client expectations when targets aren't met, and building team capabilities that enable leaders to step back strategically. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that productivity doesn't equal impact and that empowering your team ultimately creates the succession planning foundation every leader needs. Whether you're struggling with the pressure of hitting every metric or looking to develop a more strategic leadership approach, this episode provides valuable frameworks for creating lasting impact while building stronger, more capable teams. Show Notes:  Follow Kim Detera on LinkedIn Follow Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn

    44 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Manager to Manager isn’t just another leadership podcast—it’s real talk for real people leaders. Join host Kamaria Scott as she sits down with managers from all walks of life to explore the highs, lows, and lessons of leading teams. These candid conversations aren’t about theories or expert advice—they’re about the authentic experiences, challenges, and strategies that managers face every day. Whether you’re navigating tricky team dynamics, building trust, or celebrating wins, you’ll find relatable stories, actionable insights, and a sense of community to help you lead with confidence and impact.