The Manager Track
Episodes
How to Tell If Your Boss Is Blocking Your Career (And What to Do) (Ep.306)
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve been told to work harder, be more patient, and wait your turn. So you did. You kept delivering strong results, volunteered for extra projects...
How to Give Your Manager Feedback (Without Damaging the Relationship) (Ep.305)
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people calculate the risk of giving their boss feedback and decide that silence is safer. The math seems obvious: speak up and you might dam...
The 3 Identity Barriers Holding High-Performers Back (Ep. 304)
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You work hard, you care about your team, and you’re good at your job, yet somehow you keep running into the same limits.Feedback repeats, your calen...
Exec Communication: How to Speak So Senior Leaders Actually Listen (Ep. 303)
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ramona opens this episode with a pattern she has observed across years of coaching leaders at every level: the most technically sharp person in the ro...
Creating Leadership Alignment When Priorities Are Unclear - With Betsy Kauffman (Ep. 302)
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How much of your week is spent "firefighting"?If you’re like most managers, you start the week with a strategy, but by Tuesday afternoon, a "drop ev...
Why Good Managers Still Lose Great People (Ep. 301)
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve heard it a thousand times. It’s practically gospel in leadership circles:“People don’t leave jobs, they leave managers.”It’s a catc...
From IC to Manager: Hard Truths About First-Time Leadership (Ep. 300)
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people think moving into leadership is about a title, a pay raise, and reaching that next career step of finally "leading a team."But as anyone w...
How to Rebuild a Bad Work Reputation (Ep. 299)
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Once a reputation sticks at work, it can feel impossible to change.You’re trying to do better and you’re showing up differently.But people still s...
How to Build Trust Fast as a New Leader (Ep. 298)
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what they told you: "Trust takes time. Keep your head down, prove yourself, and eventually they'll trust you."Wrong.Research shows that a good ...
Skip Level Meetings: Best Practices for Managers and Leaders (Ep. 297)
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You know that sinking feeling when you find out your boss grabbed coffee with one of your team members and you had no idea it was happening?Yeah. Not ...
AI for Managers in 2026 (Ep.296)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re a manager, you’ve probably seen this play out. One person on your team is trying every new tool. Another hasn’t touched it. Meanw...
Why Leaders Must Build Their Own Frameworks to Scale Impact (Ep.295)
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many capable leaders hit a ceiling not because they lack skill or experience, but because their thinking lives only in their heads.In this episode of ...
Want to Achieve Big Goals? The Two Critical Factors Most People Miss
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Setting big goals feels productive. It gives you a hit of clarity and a sense of control.But most goals don’t fail because you lacked clarity or mot...
The Self-Sacrificing Manager: Breaking the Cycle of Doing Everyone's Work
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a re-release of Ep 274, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back with a new episode on January 6, ...
What Leaders Can Learn From NASA’s Culture - With Brady Pyle.mp3
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I sat down with Brady Pyle, former HR leader at NASA and now CHRO at Space Center Houston. Brady spent nearly thirty years building teams, ...
Performance vs. Potential: A Better Approach to Assessing Your People
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Review season can feel like another task on the calendar, but it’s actually one of the most valuable leadership moments of the year. When done ...
Promoted But Not Prepared: What You're Underestimating (And How to Prepare)
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The promotion feels like a win, and it certainly is. It means people see your potential. But it also kicks off one of the hardest transitions of your ...
Beyond High Performance : What Are You Really Capable Of With Jason Jaggard
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many leaders still treat high performance as the destination. They double down on output, visibility, and achievement, convinced that hitting tho...
5 Steps to Prepare for Your Year-End Review
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too many managers walk into their year-end review hoping their work speaks for itself.But it rarely does. The meeting moves fast, details get lost,...
The Business Mindset Managers Need But Rarely Learn
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Manager Track podcast, we're talking about one of the biggest role misunderstandings in management. Most managers think their job is ...
Walking on Eggshells What to Do When Your Boss Has a Fragile Ego
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever tiptoed around a leader's ego, reworded feedback ten different ways, or held back a good idea just to avoid a blow-up, this episode is ...
The End of “Nice Leadership”: How to Be Direct, Kind, and Respected
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all want to be seen as kind leaders. But too often, we confuse kindness with niceness.In this week's episode of The Manager Track, I talk with lead...
Received Though Feedback? Now What?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Manager Track podcast, we're tackling a moment nearly every leader will face: receiving hard-to-hear feedback. Not the kind you can b...
9 Counterintuitive Habits of Effective Managers
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us enter leadership with a quiet script already playing in our heads.Be calm. Be confident. Be likable. Never micromanage. Always have the ans...
What's Happening to Leadership Public vs. Private Sector Leadership
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you noticed the widening gap between how we expect leaders to behave in the public sphere versus in corporate organizations?In episode 283, Ramon...
Leadership Lessons from a CEO Who Built a Culture by Design - With Lawrence R. Armstrong
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You want to grow as a leader, but your team can’t function without you.You’re stuck in the weeds because delegating feels risky.You know you shoul...
Are You Overexplaining When Leaders Should (and Shouldn't) Justify Themselves.mp3
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You reschedule a meeting and feel the need to explain exactly what happened.You set a boundary, then wrap it in 3 paragraphs of justification.You say ...
The 5 Gaps Undermining Your Executive Presence
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When two equally capable managers get very different outcomes… We’ve all seen it (maybe lived it, too). Two people with:Similar skillsSimilar...
The Behaviors That Make or Break Team Performance
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When the “real meeting” happens after the meeting… We've all been there (likely on all sides of this story): People nod along in the t...
Lonely at the Top: Why Leadership Feels Isolating
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We don't talk about it much, but most leaders eventually feel it: That shift in team dynamics after your promotion.The conversations that stop th...
Frustrated at Work? How to Lead Without Blowing Up or Bottling Up
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We don't like to admit it, but every leader has been there: That Friday afternoon email from your boss.The team member who “forgets” a deadli...
Biohacking Executive Presence: Signals That Shape Perception - With Scott Hutcheson
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Executive presence isn’t about faking confidence; it’s about sending the right signals.And no, that doesn’t mean standing like a superhero befor...
From Engineer to Manager: The 4 Changes That Blindside Most New Engineering Managers
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You were confident in your role as an engineer solving problems, writing code, and being the go-to person when things broke. Then the promotion came, ...
The Self-Sacrificing Manager : Breaking the Cycle of Doing Everyone's Work.mp3
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
But when you’re the one staying late, fixing mistakes, and picking up the slack, that “helpfulness” becomes a leadership trap.And if you don’t...
Behind the Scenes of Growth: Coaching Insights for Leaders on the Rise
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’re succeeding on paper... rising through the ranks, trusted by leadership, seen as reliable and driven. But under the surface, there’s fatigue...
Behind the Mask : The Hidden Drivers of Workplace Behavior
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You nod in meetings even if you'd like to call BS. You say “no problem” when your plate’s already full. You follow along while wonderi...
When Time Management Is a Culture Problem, Not a Calendar One
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You block your calendar.You try to stay focused.You tell yourself today’s the day you’ll finally catch up.But then the messages roll in. Someone n...
What it was like to be a new manager with Lisa, Susan and Dave
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping into leadership is a big shift. You go from being great at your job and knowing how to succeed to being asked to do a whole new job with diff...
The Problem with Being Right How Certainty Limits Your Growth
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever notice how being certain about something can feel really good? You've got the answer. You're confident in your decision. You know exactly wh...
Striking the Balance Between Empathy and Accountability - With Elise Boggs Morales
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever held back from giving feedback because someone already seemed on edge…Or struggled to say no because you didn’t want to disappoin...
Caught in the Middle: Leading When You Disagree
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever been told to roll out a new initiative or share a message that felt... off?Not illegal. Not dramatic. Just something that didn’t sit right with...
Horizontal Leadership Creating Teams That Own Their Work
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What changes when you stop seeing your team as "below" you and start seeing everyone as equals working beside you? In this episode, Ramona explor...
When Innovation Requires Disappointment AI Strategies and Leadership - With Kate O Neill
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does this sound familiar? You're in a leadership meeting and someone asks, "What's our AI strategy?" or "How should we be using ChatGPT?" If...
What Kind of Leader Are You, Really The 7 Manager Archetypes.mp3
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some parts of leadership come easily. Others? Not so much. Maybe you’re the one who keeps everything moving but you find it hard to delegate. Or you...
Build a Team Culture You’re Proud Of - Even When the Company’s Isn’t
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right as a manager, but the broader company culture is off and it impacts your team. Maybe leadership ta...
Build a Team Culture You’re Proud Of — Even When the Company’s Isn’t
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right as a manager, but the broader company culture is off and it impacts your team. Maybe leadership ta...
Decision Fog When Impostor Syndrome Clouds Your Judgement
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know that moment when it’s time to act, but something holds you back? Telling you that you need to think about it more or that you ned to collec...
The First-Time Manager Experience
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becoming a first-time manager is a big deal, and honestly, it can feel like a lot. One day, you're the go-to person getting things done, and the next ...
How Leaders Are Actually Using AI Today
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's be honest... keeping up with AI can be a bit of a pain. New modules dropping left and right, your inbox flooded with "groundbreaking"...
Going from Corporate to Startup: Challenges, Mindset Shifts, and Strategies
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Making the switch from a large corporation to a startup sounds exciting until you realize how different everything feels. No more departments to lean ...
Resilience at Work: The Leadership Skill You Can’t Ignore
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Workplace stress isn’t going anywhere and neither is the pressure that comes with leadership.This week on The Manager Track Podcast, Ramona Shaw zoo...
Team Leadership with Alison Coward
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember that last team workshop maybe it was a strategy session or a team-building activity during an offsite where everything just clicked?The energ...
Networking Without the "Ugh!": Relationship-Building for Leaders
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If the word “networking” makes you want to disappear into the nearest houseplant - you’re not alone.Whether you’re introverted, short on time,...
The Leadership Identity Shift: From Executor to Influencer
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping into a leadership role means shifting your focus from completing tasks to creating results with and through others.It’s normal to feel unea...
The Perfectionist Leadership Trap
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While often praised as a strength and justified as "having high standards," holding onto perfectionism as you advance and your job gets bigger, could ...
The Conflict Playbook: Strategies Every Manager Should Know
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us don't wake up in the morning looking to get into conflict at work, yet it happens all the time - from small irritations to full-blown disag...
Managing Up with Melody Wilding
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Managing up isn't about being the office suck-up. It's about creating conditions for your success at work. In this episode, executive coach and best-s...
Understanding Different Communication Styles
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some people tune in. Others check out. Same message, different reactions. There's a reason for that, and it’s not about who cares more.In this episo...
Decision-Making for Managers: The Fallacy of Consensus
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many leaders believe that it's important for them to get agreement from others before making a decision. Yet this consensus-focused approach often res...
Why “Figure It Out” Doesn’t Work: The Cost of Untrained Managers
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember your first time leading a team? That mix of excitement and uncertainty, wondering if you're making the right calls. For most of us, it meant ...
From Director to VP: How to Build an Executive Mindset for a Promotion
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership promotions don’t reward competence - they demand reinvention.In this Manager Track episode, Ramona Shaw reveals why about two-thirds of t...
Mental Traps That Keep Leaders Stuck
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, the hardest barriers to growth aren’t the challenges we face on the outside - they’re the silent battles in our own minds.In this episo...
Beyond Values - Creating Explicit Leadership Expectations
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For all our coffee lovers, imagine your organization’s leadership culture as a finely brewed cup of coffee. When done right, it tastes rich, distinc...
Reading The Room
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been in a meeting where something felt off, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it, and everyone else seemed to ignore it too? Or ...
Working With People You Don't Like
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's be honest – working with people we don’t click with can be draining. Day in and day out, we have to chat with them, get things done with the...
Changing Behaviors and Achieving Goals
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a re-release of Ep 196, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back next week, January 7th with a fre...
Difficult People at Work
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a re-release of Ep 187, one of the most popular episodes of The Manager Track podcast. We'll be back Tuesday, January 7th with a new e...
Fostering a Growth Mindset: Learning Strategies for Leaders
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just like building a LEGO masterpiece, learning new skills and acquiring knowledge as a manager isn’t about collecting as many pieces as possible—...
Why Leaders Should Rethink Employee Departures - With Robert Glazer
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your star employee walks into your office, closes the door, and says those dreaded words: 'Do you have a minute?' with a concerned and nervous look on...
AI-Powered People Leadership
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How we lead teams will change as GenAI becomes integral to our work. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw shares how ma...
Delegating: It's Actually About Managing Yourself
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Delegating work isn’t just about handing off tasks—it’s about fostering growth, maximizing team productivity, and elevating your leadership impa...
From Sports to Leadership: How Athletic Principles Elevate Leaders - With Christian Muntean
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw is joined by Christian Muntean, business strategist, leadership advisor, and author of Train...
How to Lead Gen Z in the Workplace
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's workforce is experiencing a significant generational shift, with Gen Z expected to make up 30% of employees by 2030. In this episode of The Ma...
How to Manage Managers
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Transitioning from managing individual contributors to leading other managers is a pivotal step in any leader’s journey. In this episode of The Mana...
How to Set Growth Goals That Actually Drive Results
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Setting broad goals like "improve communication" or "get better at delegating" rarely leads to real progress. In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains ho...
Trusting Your Team & Your Team Trusting You - With Charles Feltman
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw talks with Charles Feltman, leadership coach and author of "The Thin Book of Trust."Ramona a...
If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many people think office politics is bad, but it really is neither positive nor negative. It's all about how you use it.In this episode, Ramona Shaw e...
How to Lead Your Team Through Uncertainty and Change
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Change is hard, but leaders can make it easier.In this episode, Ramona Shaw explains why our brains resist change and shares practical ways for leader...
When The Ego Dictates Priorities
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Picture this: You're captaining a ship, confidently steering towards your goals. But there's a catch – your ego is like a hidden underwater current,...
Making Remote & Hybrid Teams Work - With Chris Dyer
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like remote leadership requires a whole new playbook?In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw speaks with Chris Dyer, a rem...
Feeling Guilty About Your Technical Skills Fading
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you worry that your technical skills are fading as you take on more leadership responsibilities? You are not alone! In the latest episode of T...
How to Actually Connect & Build Relationships at Work - With Moe Carrick
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this heartfelt episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona sits down with Moe Carrick, an internationally recognized expert in workplace culture. ...
Embracing Opposition
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona explores the art of embracing opposition and shares practical strategies to transform conflict in...
Why I Wouldn't Hire You - 5 Reasons Hiring Managers Decline Candidates for Leadership Roles
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona provides practical tips on how to interview for a management position and share 5 reason...
Optimizing Work Dynamics - With Lotus Buckner
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders face numerous challenges in building effective teams and fostering positive workplace dynamics. This week's episode of The Manager Track podca...
The Confidence Paradox - Why Capable People Doubt Themselves
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You won't have to share your answer with anyone but answer this honestly:- Do you think you're pretty capable and competent in your field of work?- Do...
Chess-Inspired Strategies for Better Strategic Thinking
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, host Ramona Shaw welcomes Shawn Stewart, an engineering leader and avid chess player, to explore paralle...
Spending Your Time on the Right Things
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As leaders climb the ranks and take on more responsibilities, it becomes increasingly challenging to determine if they're focusing their limited time ...
How to Spot & Overcome a Victim Mindset
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ramona Shaw tackles the victim mindset in leadership. She explores how feeling powerless and blaming external factors can hold leader...
Mental Health Awareness for Leaders - A Panel Discussion
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Ramona hosts a panel of experts to discuss the critical topic of mental health awareness for leaders in the workplace. Dr. Q...
Executive Communication
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw expands on the art of executive communication. Building on the foundation laid in a previous...
GenAI for Managers
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw discusses the effective use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for...
Challenging Patriarchal Norms in Leadership
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this eye-opening episode, Ramona goes in-depth on the ongoing impact of patriarchal attitudes toward leadership in the workplace. She explains how ...
Deciding About Deciding
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever made a sound decision that turned out poorly, only to be harshly judged (or to harshly judge yourself) in hindsight?It's a common trap: ...
How to Transform Good Teams Into Excellent Ones with Rusty Komori
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona sits down with Rusty Komori, an Executive Coach and former head tennis coach who has redefined wh...
3 Feedback Models Every Leader Should Master
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Feedback is a cornerstone of effective leadership.Your ability to provide constructive criticism and recognition is crucial for team improvement, enga...
Executive Mindset
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are multiple inflection points throughout our careers, but one of the most significant is the move from an IC to a management role. Another crit...
Tricky Relationships at Work
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Workplace relationships can be challenging.It takes time to get to know people at work, understand their often differing styles, and to develop trust....
Navigating Perfectionism in Leadership
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need everything to be perfect before moving forward?Perfectionism can be a powerful motivator for leaders, but it can also hinder productivity,...
Your Future Role (With AI)
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), might be changing the role of managers? It's an interesting thought experiment but it...