Your brain wants certainty, because it feels like safety.  If you find that you're in a pattern of holding yourself back, it can help to think of it as a desire for safety rather than "self-sabotage."  When you're aware of the underlying reasoning, you can start working *with* yourself rather than against yourself.  Let's talk about it more in this episode.  

Changes in leadership can be difficult.  I'm sharing my favorite metaphor for this situation, and the questions that can help you think strategically when you need to communicate about the change.

In this episode I share the talk I gave at ICF Converge 2021.  You'll learn more about how I think about manager development from a holistic perspective, and will come away with insights you can apply in your own work life.  You'll also hear three powerful questions to ask yourself, your team, or your manager. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

Making decisions is a skill, and an important part of being an effective manager.  Your mindset will influence how you make decisions, and how you show up at work.  Most of us learn that it's important to be right -- but that can come with adverse outcomes that you might not even realize.  What happens if you're willing to be wrong?  Let's talk about it.

Is your work culture fast-paced?  Or is it actually reactive, frenetic, and anxious?  Let's talk about the difference, and what you can do. 

In today's episode you'll meet Adam Hesch, a Navy veteran who has worked in startups and global companies.  Adam has great insights and stories to share about leadership, people management, and how to effectively create a sense of team connection.  You'll learn about the power of ritual and how structure can enhance creativity.  Plus, the value of being intentionally invisible so others can shine.  I know you'll come away with ideas that can help you at work!

How do you make decisions?  In this episode I share a simple framework that can help you think about how you're making decisions -- and can also be a good way to understand the basis for how other's think about making decisions.  You'll find ideas you can use at work, and also in your career and life.  The resource mentioned is:  The Management Center.  Visit them at managementcenter.org to learn more about PTRs.

What, specifically, can you do as a manager to create great relationships at work?  In this episode I talk with Ross Swalve about manager lessons learned over more than a decade in the construction industry.  He has great insights and perspectives that I know will help you, so get ready to take some notes! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

Let's talk about why it's so important to see and respect your value -- even when your manager or workplace doesn't recognize it.

Ever lost sleep from anxiety, thinking, "I don't know what I'm doing!"?  Let's talk about it!  Being a manger means you're in a higher visibility role, which can feel like more pressure, and more fear about messing up.  In this episode I'll share where that anxiety comes from, and what you can do about it. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Join the email list: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/

I can’t wait for you to meet my next guest, Lawrence Patrick! In this episode he shares stories and insights about how to work with different personalities, how to manage up, and what happens when your team is about to mutiny. Get ready to take notes, you’ll want to savor all the wisdom and brilliance he shares about managing people. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

In this episode I review the two skills every manager needs — and I share one more: decision making! How you make decisions is so important. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

If you try to be perfect at managing people, it will trip you up in a big way. In this episode I share what to watch out for, and offer a few perspectives that may be more useful.

In this episode I share a concept that has helped me organize my thinking, level-up my communication skills, and de-escalate conflict. Plus! Celebrating 10,000 plays.

This week, two ideas for keeping track of the value you bring to work.

I’m excited for you to meet my first guest, career coach Michelle Karver! Listen in as we talk about confidence and how to know your value at work. Learn more about Michelle at her website, http://michellekarver.com

Three stories about when to leave a company or career, ideas for how to think about your choices, and what to do with the emotions that will come up.

This episode is about the distinction between leadership and management, and why it’s useful to be clear about how they are different. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

Let’s talk about Confidence. We’ll go beyond performative displays to connecting with your own self-trust, no matter what.

In this episode I share three stories about promotions. You were peers and friends, but now you’re promoted to their manager. Scope creep on the job. Elevating others. Plus an observation that ties it all together.

Feel like you messed up? This episode is for you. I share three stories from my own career journey, of mistakes real and imagined. And I give you some ideas for how to think about it when it happens in your own human life.

A story about a toaster reveals some powerful insights about trust and how we work together.

In this episode I introduce the concept of Immeasurable Assets, and we explore one in particular: Trust. It’s an important element in creating high-performing teams and functional relationships, especially at work.

This question holds so much insight that can help you as a manager and a leader. We all get into avoidance from time to time. What are you avoiding? And how can you move forward? Take time with this one, there are a few angles to explore!

In this episode I share a practice to help develop your thinking about being a manager — so that you know what to do next. This will help you become more flexible, authentic, and effective at work.

In this episode I talk about your Value Story, measurable and immeasurable value, and how to think more expansively about the value you bring. This is something you’ll use in conversations with your own manager. It’s a great time of year to reflect on your Value Story, and acknowledge all the ways you make a positive contribution to your team and workplace.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes being a great manager is about asking questions and listening. In this episode you’ll learn how to use one of my favorite questions to create more engagement, collaborations, and responsibility with your team.

Remembering that people are selfish can help you be a better manager and leader. It might seem counterintuitive, but it can inspire you to be more thoughtful and a better communicator. In this episode I’ll share some stories and ideas that you can use at work.

The seasons have changed, can you feel it? In this episode I get into why it’s important to manage your energy, and how relationships play a part.

Quick episode with a reminder to TRUST yourself. Everyone is figuring this out as they go. Deep breath. You’ve got this.

It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s really important that you know when to slow down and NOT get into solving all the problems. Let’s talk about Individual contributor vs Manager & Leadership mindset.

In this episode I share thoughts about job change — which can be exhausting under the best of circumstances. Our work relationship is tied to our identity, feeling of belonging, and our financial well-being. So any change can have a big effect in our lives.

In this episode I talk about the concept of Inner Weather and Micro Climates at work, and how you can use them to find more power and influence. This is especially useful when you’re responsible for managing outcomes, but don’t have direct reports — when you have to manage by influence.

Ever had a feedback sandwich? Most of my students are tired of them, but not really sure what other options they have. So in this episode I share some ideas to help you serve up feedback that people will want to receive. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

It’s July, and that means mid-year reviews. So let’s talk about feedback, it’s the topic my students ask about most. In this episode I talk about behaviors vs judgements, and why being specific builds more trust than being general. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

This is one of my favorite topics! I’ll walk you through three ways to use this question to help grow your perspective and get ideas for how to be a better manager for your team. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

You don’t need to “solve a problem” in order to help, but there are a few things to consider when you want to be supportive. I’ll walk you through. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

You won’t always know what to do. Instead, try asking yourself: Who do I want to be? After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

Humans are great, but can be so frustrating. Sometimes when we feel in conflict at work, it’s because we forget that everyone is looking through a different lens. This comes up a lot with cross-functional teams. This episode will help. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

MBTI, Strengths Finder, Enneagram... Should you be using these kinds of assessment tools at work? Let’s talk about how can they help, and how they can get in the way. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

This is the framework I use to organize how we think about the “soft skills” you need as a manager. It’s simple, but really useful! The map has four places: three tend to be most familiar, and one will take a little work. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

You might be surprised at how much support is available to you at work for your career growth and training. I chat with my friend Teresa Torres from Product Talk about how to ask your work to pay for your professional development. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠

Being a human means we tend to take things personally! I do it, you do it, and the people on your team do, too. Problem is that it really gets in the way. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠⁠⁠

When you neglect self-care you’re not going to be as effective as a manager. In this episode I breakdown 4 levels that will help you get clear on what to focus on in your own life, so you can show up as a better leader for your team. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠⁠

You don’t have to be perfect. Let’s talk about a better way to think about the job of being a manager. After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: ⁠https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/⁠