Manager to Manager

Are you stepping into a people leader role and feeling the weight of responsibility? You're not alone. In this insightful episode of Manager to Manager, we welcome Eric Girard, a leadership development expert with a wealth of experience in guiding new managers through the complexities of modern leadership. In our candid and enlightening conversation, Eric draws on his extensive background to share invaluable lessons for emerging leaders. He emphasizes the critical role of empathy in management, not as a soft skill but as a key driver of team engagement and performance. Eric also shares his personal journey from team member to team leader, revealing the challenges and triumphs he encountered along the way. But it's more than just personal growth; Eric shares practical strategies for self-care and managing change. He highlights how to effectively support your team during transitions, using empathy and understanding to foster a resilient and adaptive work environment. Eric also shares his insights on the nuances of leadership versus management, offering guidance on how to lead with fairness, kindness, and a focus on results. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the new terrain of leadership. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a leader and how to make a positive impact in your managerial role.   Show notes: Connect with Eric Girard on LinkedIn Learn more about Girard Training Solutions Get Lead Like a Pro: The Essential Guide for New Managers  

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we dive deep into the power of authenticity with Dani DeLorme, an extraordinary people leader whose unique journey and vibrant personality challenge traditional leadership norms. Dani shares how her personal experiences shaped her inclusive leadership style, emphasizing the importance of bringing your whole self to work—and inviting others to do the same. We explore: Why self-expression and individuality are vital for building trust and psychological safety. How to challenge preconceived notions in hiring and embrace a "culture add" mindset over "culture fit." Practical tips for helping teams thrive by fostering genuine connections. The ripple effect of showing up authentically and inspiring others to do the same. Dani's insights remind us that leadership is more than just managing tasks—it's about building relationships, celebrating uniqueness, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. Tune in to reflect on your own leadership approach: Are you bringing your whole self to work? Are you encouraging your team to do the same?   Show Notes Connect with Dani DeLorme on LinkedIn

Are you looking to elevate your internship program and develop future leaders? Join Kamaria in this enlightening episode of Manager to Manager as she welcomes Isabella Johnston, the Intern Whisperer, who shares her expertise in developing innovative approaches to internship success. In this episode, you will learn: Strategic Intern Integration: Techniques for seamlessly integrating interns into your team, aligning their projects with both educational outcomes and organizational goals. Mentorship Mastery: Insights from Isabella on how to mentor effectively, ensuring mutual growth and learning. Creating Impactful Projects: Guidelines for designing intern projects that are both challenging and beneficial, helping interns make tangible contributions to your company. Isabella combines her educational expertise with business acumen to explore the transformative potential of internships. She offers strategies for avoiding common pitfalls and creating a nurturing environment that promotes both intern growth and organizational productivity. Whether you're initiating a new internship program or refining an existing one, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you create a win-win scenario. Tune in to transform how you manage and benefit from internships.   Show Notes: Connect with Isabella Johnston on LinkedIn Visit Employers 4 Change

Are you new to leading a veteran team? Find out how to avoid common leadership pitfalls and earn your team's trust and respect! In this insightful episode of "Manager to Manager," Kamaria chats with Milista Anderson, a seasoned leader currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at a recruiting and solutions firm. Milista shares the nuances of stepping into leadership positions within established teams and offers valuable advice for new leaders, encapsulating her experience into three memorable guidelines: Avoiding the "I've come to save the day" mentality Refraining from making unkeepable promises  Be cautious when approached by eager volunteers aiming for the second-in-command position. She stresses the importance of taking a consultative approach, engaging with team members to understand their perspectives and leveraging their insights to drive positive change.  The discussion also touches on the personal growth and self-awareness that come with leadership roles. Milista reflects on her continuous learning journey, emphasizing the importance of leaving a positive impact on the teams and individuals she encounters. By sharing her experiences and the lessons she's learned, Milista aims to inspire current and aspiring leaders to approach their roles with humility, respect, and a genuine desire to improve their teams and themselves.

Tired of conflict stifling your team's potential? Discover the transformative power of healthy disagreement in this enlightening episode of "Manager to Manager." Join host Kamaria Scott and guest Phillip Sparrow, a veteran HR professional and conflict resolution expert, as they discuss the art of turning workplace discord into a catalyst for innovation and growth. This episode offers a roadmap for leaders eager to foster a culture where diverse perspectives thrive. Kamaria and Phillip share how to create a psychologically safe space for open dialogue, understand different conflict styles, and employ strategies that balance assertiveness with empathy. They provide practical tips for improving team dynamics and harnessing the creative potential of conflict. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and build stronger teams. Tune in now to transform the way you and your team navigate challenges, propelling your organization towards unprecedented innovation and success. Show Notes: Connect with Phillip Spearo on LinkedIn  

Are you ready to discover the secrets of influence and change? In this captivating episode of Manager to Manager, we are joined by special guest Allison Winters, a dynamic leader in finance and banking. Get ready to learn from her valuable journey of going from intern to leading two departments. Allison will be sharing her experiences and insights on: - The importance of building personal connections to truly understand and influence those around you. - How influence is the key to driving performance and getting things done. - Effective approaches to build relationships and gain influence within your own team. - Strategies for influencing and collaborating effectively with teams outside of your own. - The power of curiosity and understanding generational differences in the workplace. - Creating a psychologically safe environment of trust and reciprocity. - Celebrating wins and inspiring others through successful stories. Join us as we discuss the strategies and mindsets needed to help others navigate change and achieve outstanding results.    Show notes:  Connect with Allison Winters on LinkedIn   

"Feedback is a gift" is a common phrase, but as leaders, are we truly open to receiving feedback ourselves? In this captivating episode of Manager to Manager, Marjorie Williamson shares her insights and advice on how we can all improve our feedback receptivity.   Marjorie reveals how feedback has propelled her growth, even when it was initially challenging to hear. She stresses the importance of trust in the feedback process, and how it's easier to receive feedback from someone who has a vested interest in our success. Marjorie's wisdom shines through as she shares how she navigates the emotional challenges of feedback, evaluates its validity, and makes necessary adjustments.   Additionally, we discuss the delicate balance of embracing feedback, especially when we think we're doing well, and the significant impact of leading by example to create a culture of open feedback and vulnerability for our teams. This is where innovation thrives, and success knows no limits. Join us for this informative, inspiring, and encouraging conversation on how we can all better receive the gift of feedback.  Show notes:  Connect with Marjorie Williamson on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for practical strategies for leading with care, awareness and empathy? Then you won't want to miss this insightful conversation between Dr. Pat Baxter, an emotional intelligence expert and coach.     In this episode, Dr. Pat Baxter shares her experiences and expertise on emotional intelligence and the importance of empathy in effectively managing teams. She highlights the challenges faced by managers and provides practical strategies for self-care, setting boundaries, and expressing care without experiencing empathy fatigue.    But that's not all! In the heart of the conversation Dr. Pat provides valuable insight into the need for self-awareness, personal expressions of care, and the impact of emotional well-being on effective leadership in a virtual world. She also encourages managers to be expressive and engage with their team members to create a sense of community and foster connections.  Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to develop meaningful connections and truly build a thriving, emotionally intelligent team. Tune in now and transform the way you lead!  Show Notes  Connect with Dr. Patricia (Pat) Baxter on LinkedIn  Smarter Emotions   

Are you struggling to create a happy and productive team? If so, there's a lot to learn from Woody Walker, the North America Sales Enablement Lead for Avanade. In this inspiring episode of Manager to Manager, Woody shares her secrets to building a strong and thriving team. Woody discusses leading a team of 35 early talent professionals, called the Digital Sales team, and how she approaches treating them as whole people, not just sales professionals. She uses a range of techniques, including Gallup strengths and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, to develop her team members and help them overcome their blind spots. The impact of these techniques is clear, with team members reporting feeling more confident and less like impostors within six months of joining the program. But it's not just about individual development. Woody also shares how she believes in creating a culture of mentorship and group growth. By creating mini-groups and mentors for everyone, her team members have a support system that allows them to develop their coaching and mentoring skills, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and productive team. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to create a culture of growth and development within your team. Show Notes: Connect with Woody Walker on Linkedin

We often talk about what happens when managers get it wrong, but what happens when they get it right?  In this delightful conversation, author and chief research officer of Lighthouse Research and Advisory, Ben Eubank, shares insights highlighting the positive impact managers can have on their teams and their perceptions of the company as a whole. He discusses the importance of being able to match the individual needs of team members and shares rich examples that illustrate the resulting outcomes.  As a bonus, you’ll hear Ben and I discuss:  The challenges of transitioning people into leadership roles and helping them develop over time.  The importance of delegation and letting go of control as a manager.  How to leverage your individual styles and strengths to become a great people leader.  Don't miss the valuable insights shared in this conversation! If you're interested in "getting it right” for your team, this is the episode for you.   Show Notes:  Connect with Ben on LinkedIn  Listen to Ben’s Podcast: We're Only Human and our episode togther Get Ben’s Book: Talent Scarcity: How to Hire and Retain a Shrinking Workforce  Check out Ben’s event: HR Summer School 

Do you want to know the secret to leading an inclusive team? Think big and start small! In this episode of Manager-to-Manager, Neema Jha shares how she uses this approach to make diversity, equity and inclusion real for her team. Join us in this thought-provoking conversation where Neema explains how being an inclusive leader goes beyond acknowledging differences to creating a safe space for people to share their experiences and ideas. She also provides practical tips on how to leverage personal vulnerability and trust to make that happen.   Show Notes: Neema Jha | LinkedIn

In this episode of Manager to Manager, Kacie Walters shares insights from her personal experience and her book “Succeed from the Middle: A middle manager's guide to stop being pulled apart and start balancing your team, your boss and you”. She provides an insightful view on what managers can do to overcome their own struggles with receiving feedback and how we can use questions to provide better feedbacks to our teams. As an added bonus, she shares tips for successfully navigating feedback conversation with your own manager.   Show Notes: Kacie Walters | LinkedIn Kaciewalters.com – Website of author Kacie Walters Succeed from the Middle: A middle manager's guide to stop being pulled apart and start balancing your team, your boss and you

Managers learn more about values and leadership behavior from those around them than from any formal learning experience. In this episode, Larry Appel, former CEO of The Fresh Market, discusses how his role models demonstrated the value of caring, honesty, and empowering people and how he pulled those lessons into his personal leadership. He also shares why it’s important for organizations to embrace metrics that indicate leadership effectiveness and gives stellar advice on how managers can continue their own development If you’re a manager thinking about the values the drive your own leadership and how you bring those to life, this episode is for you.   Show Notes: Larry Appel | LinkedIn  

I could talk about myself. I was a really good individual contributor who had great subject knowledge expertise and then suddenly was in a position where I was put in charge of a team and told get that team to do what you can do. And not having a lot of support around the how to do it. And the huge change in my day-to-day where it was going from, you know, 80% involved in the work, 20% maybe involved in affinity groups and fun stuff, and stretch projects to 80% focusing on the work of other people, giving up the work that I did that I was really good. That that was really tough. Johannah Simon, Global Readiness Lead, ProServe L&D Manager to Manager - Episode 1 Transitioning from a high-performing individual contributor to a new manager can be hard. In our first episode of Manager to Manager, Johanna Simon reflects on two areas where new managers can struggle - experiencing an identity crisis and learning to be vulnerable as a leader. She shares how she overcame these struggles to become purposeful in determining how she shows up as a people leader. In this episode you'll also hear why it's important for managers to lead from a place of vulnerability and examples of what that looks like in practice.  She'll also share what organizations can do to support managers navigating these important challenges.   Show Notes Johannah (Lipscher) Simon | LinkedIn

What would happen if we talked to managers instead of talking about them? Would we learn what it takes to lead engaged, healthy and high performing teams? Manager to Manager provides a peak into what it's really like to be a people leader and celebrates those who do it well.  This weekly podcast features Kamaria having real, in-depth conversations with previous and current managers who are willing to share what it takes to be successful, lessons they've learned along the way, and what organizations can do to help them realize their full potential as leaders. 

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

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

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

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

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