The New Manager Podcast

What do new managers need to know about working with HR? And what can you do to create great relationships at work -- with your manager, your team, and internal clients? This episode covers all that and more, with special guest Maggie Reyes. Before becoming a Master Certified Life Coach and expert in marriage and relationships, Maggie worked in HR. In this episode she shares her wisdom, strategic perspective, and practical tips to help you manage more effectively and lead more authentically.Follow Maggie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaggiereyes/To work with Maggie, go to: ⁠https://maggiereyes.com/⁠Listen to The Marriage Life Coach Podcast: https://maggiereyes.com/podcast/Buy her book, the Questions for Couples Journal: 400 Questions to Enjoy, Reflect, and Connect with Your Partner**After the Episode**Enroll in Communication Skills for Managers:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Private coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a more calm and confident leader:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠⁠⁠

Time Management may seem boring, but to me it is a sacred practice.  Because when you make decisions about what is on your calendar, you are making decisions about how to spend your life.  Making decisions about your time is also tied into bigger topics -- like your values, your fears, and what else is happening in your life right now.  There will always be more things to do than time (or energy) for it.  Let's talk about it.  **After the Episode**Enroll in Communication Skills for Managers:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠⁠⁠For private coaching:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠⁠Become a more calm and confident leader:⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠

Talking about the intersection of personal growth and professional development, being a new manager, and how unconscious bias shows up at work.

There are five aspects of trauma-informed care that make good sense for the workplace:Safety / Psychological SafetyTrustworthinessChoice / AutonomyCollaborationEmpowerment / Motivation + EngagementPeople are human. The experiences we have in life shape how we perceive risk, make decisions, communicate, and work with others. Learning a bit about trauma-informed care makes it easier to bring out the best in yourself -- and the people you work with....After the EpisodeBecome a more calm, confident leader by honing your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

When I was first promoted to a manager role, I thought that maybe there would be meetings with other people managers where we discussed how to be good managers, and address challenges in doing the job. Nope! I began to realize that everyone was just figuring it out along the way.Three things to keep in mind as you start the year:Everyone is making it up as they go.Be observant. Pay attention and learn from the people around you.Be kind and compassionate with yourself. This is not an easy job. There's a lot of new things to learn when it comes to leadership and managing humans....After the EpisodeEnroll now to strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

This is the last episode of 2025, so our focus will be VISION. First, we reflect on the year. Then, we set intentions for the year ahead. The heart of it all? You. Your vision of yourself -- as a leader, and as a person.I use Year Compass to help me reflect on my year, and set intentions for the year ahead. Get your own copy -- it's free, and probably offered in your preferred language:https://yearcompass.com/en/...After the EpisodeEnroll now to hone your communication and strategic thinking:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Working with and leading a diverse team takes skill. Developing any skill takes intentional practice -- whether you're learning a new language, a new dance step, or honing your communication skills and leadership mindset. Communication Strategies for Managers starts in January. Here's what you need to know, to get the most out of it....After the EpisodeEnroll now to start the New Year strong, with structure and support to help you hone your Communication skills:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

"Instead of thinking in terms of using AI, think about it as managing AI. Manage it like you would a person." This is one of the ideas shared at the Responsibly Human AI Summit last week, where leaders in HR, People Ops, and Employee Engagement gathered to discuss and learn about how to use AI at work.Here's my initial take....After the EpisodeEnroll now for Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Shout out to my fellow Swifties! According to Spotify Wrapped, Taylor Swift is the top artist you listened to in 2025 (same!). I also learned that you're listening to this show in 87 countries --wow! And, the top episode this year was Ep. 2: The Two Essential Skills Every New Manager Needs.So this week, we're revisiting that episode. Thank you for being here! And thank you for making The New Manager Podcast one of the MOST SHARED shows of 2025....After the EpisodeEnroll now for the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Burnout creeps up on you, and sometimes it's only when you reach the end of the year that you realize just how heavy the exhaustion has become. In this episode you'll learn the 3 components of burnout, so you can check for yourself how you're doing with each one. Then, I'll walk you through 3 lenses for how look at your situation, so you can see what's in your hands (and what's not) that can help you feel more protected....After the EpisodeEnroll now for the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Does it seem like things are changing faster? As the world of work changes with AI and different generational expectations, managers will need to adapt as well. This includes becoming good at change management, and strengthening foundational skills for structural change, and managing relationships throughout your organization....After the EpisodeEnroll in the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

I've noticed a pattern with my clients when it comes to getting stuck in the weeds. It happens sometimes: losing sight of the big picture, not doing the strategic work, and getting sucked down into the details of the work your team is doing.In this episode I'll walk you through five common reasons why this happens, and point you towards a way out....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As a manager, part of your job is to speak up.  But as a human, you might feel anxious or reluctant to do so.  Here's what might hold you back from speaking up at work -- and how can you learn to have more authentic confidence to speak up.  Let's discuss!This episode originally aired as Ep. 83: Speaking Up....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Being observant and adaptive are two skills that will serve you well as a leader. You'll become more present and capable in responding to the moment and any challenges that arise. In this episode, I walk you through a simple practice that I used to teach in my Essential Skills for Managers course. You'll gain more clarity of mind and action as you reflect and make a list of your observations. It's a great activity to do at the end of the year....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility, you may start to get feedback about "developing executive presence."  If you've ever felt confused by what that means, you're not alone!  It's rarely something we learn about early in our work life, and it's often not described in much detail.  So it can seem elusive and ambiguous.  In this episode, I break down how I think about Executive Presence and give some specific examples to help new managers think about what exactly it means, and how to get it.  Let's discuss!This episode was originally published in 2022 as Episode 99. ...After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility in your career, at some point you're likely to get feedback about your executive presence. Let's start with recognizing you already have a presence, and that it has an effect on those around you. In this episode you'll gain a better understanding of what presence is, and how to recognize it in others. It's the first step to cultivating your own executive presence and wielding it in a useful way at work....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠~⁠⁠⁠Into meditation? This is for you:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠

Being a great manager doesn't require you to be a hero.  But you might slip into that mindset.  It can look like perfectionism, and anxiety about how others see you.  It leads to overworking, isolating, and being overly responsible.  It also creates a lot of pressure, feeling like everything is on your shoulders and it's up to you to keep everything together (no mistakes allowed!).  In this episode, you'll learn more about why the hero mindset is easy to slip into, and how it will hold you back from being an effective leader.  You'll also learn why seeing yourself as a whole human is the key to managing yourself and your own wellbeing.  Let's discuss!The book referenced in this episode is Persephone Returns by Tanka Wilkinson...After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠~⁠⁠⁠Into meditation? This is for you:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠

The way you define a problem will point you towards a certain set of solutions. When you reframe the problem, you will start to see new kinds of solutions. It can be kind of magical. Let's discuss!...After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠~⁠⁠⁠Into meditation? This is for you:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠

If you're conflict avoidant, or grew up as the peace-maker in your family or friend group, then save this episode! You probably have a gut sense that conflict is bad, and must be prevented. But did you know that conflict can actually be an indicator of psychological safety?Conflict is a normal part of human relationships. What's important is what kind of conflict it is, and how you handle it. Let's discuss!...After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠~⁠⁠⁠Into meditation? This is for you: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Confidence is not all or nothing -- it's not something you have or you don't. It's also not something that's rock solid or non-existent. Instead, see it as a dynamic quality inside you that can help keep you steady through uncertainty and change. Learn to identify it in yourself, so that you can access it when needed....After the Episode:Join the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠