Real Talk: Leading Small Teams

230: It's not you, it's not your team, it's your systems

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

"I don't want to feel corporate." It's something I hear from almost every business owner I work with. And then in the same breath,...

229: What are you willing to tolerate... and what is that actually costing you?

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday in a client session, something came up that I had to bring straight to the show. A business owner with multiple thriving locations told me h...

228: The tough realities of being a leader... that make you so much better at it

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When is the last time you looked at a situation on your team and thought "I shouldn't have to deal with this"? Earlier today? Then this...

227: Getting your team to care about customer service

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After a pretty rough experience at Lenscrafters, Lia gets into one of the most common challenges small business owners face: how do you get your team ...

226: Giving feedback without it being a laundry list

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You've got feedback to give. A lot of it. But every time you try, it either comes out as a running list of corrections or it never comes out at a...

225: How to stop being the bottleneck on decisions

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You hired talented people, asked them to lead, and yet they're still coming to you for final approval on *everything*. It feels like you're ...

224: Dealing with team members that bug us

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You know the feeling.Their name pops up on your calendar and your stomach drops just a little.They are not low performers. They are actually deliverin...

223: What should I be paying people to attract top talent?

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You find the perfect senior hire. They have the résumé. The experience. The track record. But the salary makes your stomach drop.Do you stretch and...

222: What investing in your team could cost you OR earn you

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the cost of waiting too long to address a problem on your team?In this episode, we’re breaking down the key actions that separate leadershi...

221: I want to hand off work to my team, but the clients want ME, what do I do?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You built a reputation for being the best. So why does it feel like your success is the very thing keeping you stuck?If clients keep asking for you by...

220: I hired managers- why am I still in the details?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You finally hired managers… so why are you still stuck in every decision, every issue, every fire?If you feel like promoting managers was supposed t...

219: Did I make a bad hire? How do I know? What do I do?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hiring is exhausting, and nothing messes with your confidence faster than wondering, “Did I just make a really expensive mistake?”In this episode,...

218: How to get out of the friend-zone with your team members?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You didn’t mean to become the “cool boss.”But now feedback feels awkward, boundaries are blurry and accountability keeps slipping.In this episod...

217: This question will 10x your impact as a leader and grow your revenue

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're a corporate leader or small business owner, there’s one question I want you to ask yourself this week:👉 What am I avoiding ri...

216: Why your team isn't following through... and how to fix it

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re the one offering all the solutions, thinking of all the ideas, and your team is just nodding along — you don’t have an accountability ...

215: Let's Talk Entitlement on Your Team

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling like your team is acting entitled? This episode of pod breaks down why that might not be the real issue.I share real client stories and offer ...

214: How to give the feedback you should have given sooner

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You meant to say something... and didn’t. Now it feels like the moment’s passed.But the truth is: feedback is still possible, and necessary.In thi...

213: Talking about money with your team without over or underpromising | Part 3 of 3

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 3 in the Communicating with Confidence series, and we’re getting into the conversation leaders dread most: money.Compensation conversat...

212: Avoiding the biggest pitfalls with tough feedback | Part 2 of 3

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feedback is one of the hardest parts of leadership, and one of the most avoided.When managers dodge uncomfortable conversations, the fallout shows up ...

211: How to communicate vision so your team buys-in | Part 1 of 3

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Part 1 of our Communicating with Confidence series: three essential conversations that make or break your leadership in 2026.In this episod...

210: Training while compromised: how to lead when you're already tired

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you wouldn’t show up to a HYROX race without training, why do we expect leaders to step into management cold?In this episode of The New Manager P...

209: Perception vs. reality: why communication is everything

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Uncertainty isn’t a phase anymore, it’s the baseline. And leaders who keep waiting for a return to “normal” are falling behind.In this episode...

208: The human qualities on a team that AI can't replace

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone is taking about AI and automation in the workplace right now, and many of us are wondering how to strike the right balance on our teams. In ...

207: The simple action that will increase retention on your team

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the saying: People don't leave companies, they leave managers. So, if I’m the biggest factor causing turnover, shouldn’t I be the...

206: How to incentivize your team, even amidst cutbacks

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your top performer didn’t get the raise. Your high-potential hire is still waiting on that promotion. It seems like all of the incentives you have a...

205: Handling setbacks in a way that propels you forward

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You know that moment. An email drops, a meeting gets scheduled, and your stomach sinks. As a manager, it’s not just your reaction that matters, it’...

204: Manager questions on the front page of Reddit - and what they reveal about leadership

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re in a moment of weird contradictions in the workplace: you’re supposed to set clear expectations, but not micromanage; delegate, but not let ...

203: The one meeting guaranteed to increases engagement and retention on your team

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a top performer leaves, the line often sounds the same: “I just wanted something different.”But the truth is, they probably didn’t see what...

202: The leadership skill that INSTANTLY makes you more influential

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As managers, we’re trained to look downward (at our team) and outward (at the organization), but if you’re not also managing up, you’re missing ...

201: What most leaders get wrong when talking about change (and how to get it right)

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to talking about all of the change going on at work right now, many of us get so worried about saying the wrong thing, that we don'...

200: Leading through fear- why "gritty hope" is the new must-have for managers

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Layoffs, reorgs, AI disruption- fear is at an all-time high in the workplace. And managers? They’re caught in the middle.In this milestone episode, ...

199: Why no one likes being a manager- and how to fix that

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to admit: most people hate being managers. And not because they don’t care, but because they weren’t set...

198: How to get team members to show up to trainings

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You spent time building an interactive, funny, team-building training—but when the start time arrived… no one showed up. Heartbreak, frustration, ...

197: The Gen Z vs Gen AI battle every manager needs to win

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's a battle brewing in the workplace between Gen Z and Gen AI, and if we don't get ahead of it, we might end up with a workforce that c...

196: How to get your team members to Lock In

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

September is here, and with it comes what Gen Z has dubbed “The Great Lock-In”, a post-summer push to refocus, reenergize, and finish the year str...

195: What GenZ wants from their jobs - and how to get them to stick around

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your team isn’t burned out, they’re just over it?In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, I sit down with Grace Lee, our new GenZ bran...

194: Your team member isn't *bad*, they just haven't gotten feedback

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling like your team member is dropping the ball? Before you rewrite the job description or mentally fire them, hit play on this episode.This week o...

193: Quiet Cracking- Why Your A-Players Are Pulling Back (and What to Do)

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quiet quitting made headlines, but it’s time to talk about a deeper threat: Quiet Cracking.This episode is all about what happens when your most rel...

192: The consequence of team members feeling UNDERUTILIZED

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A LinkedIn report says 58% of employees feel underutilized. That’s more than half of your team wondering if they could be doing more somewhere else....

191: Avoid the Biggest Onboarding Mistakes That Derail New Hires

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Onboarding can make, or break, a new hire’s success. In this episode of The New Manager Playbook Podcast, I reveal the two biggest onboarding mistak...

190: Three Simple Mistakes That Wreak Havok on Hiring

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hiring mistakes are expensive—and avoidable. Learn how to hire well and protect your team. Subscribe for weekly manager tips!In this episode of the ...

189: The Hidden Cost of AI Leadership- Why Shortcuts Hurt Your Team

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you using AI in leadership or just hiding behind it? Discover how shortcuts like AI video clones and ChatGPT strategies are killing trust. Subscri...

188: Three Keys to Manage Contractors Without the Headache

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your freelancer blew the deadline—now what? Learn how to manage freelancers the right way. Subscribe for more leadership tips!What You’ll Learn:Wh...

187: Feel Like Your Team Doesn't Care Anymore? Here's How to Solve It.

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the New Manager Playbook, Lia Garvin tackles the growing frustration managers face—disengaged teams, missed deadlines, and a lack...

186: Your Team’s Overdoing it With AI- Here's What to Do

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI tools can help—but what happens when your team leans on them too much? Discover how new managers can regain control, set clear expectations, and ...

185: AI Isn’t the Solution Unless You Know the Problem First

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Too many leaders are jumping into AI hoping it’ll fix their workflows—but without clarity on what needs fixing, it might just make things worse.Wh...

184: Are Managers the Easiest Role to Automate? Think Again

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, Lia Garvin takes on a bold claim made by Sergey Brin — that managers are the easiest roles to automate....

183: How to Build a Culture of Accountability Without Micromanaging

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Missed deadlines, unclear expectations, and endless meetings? These aren’t random problems—they’re symptoms of a deeper issue: lack of accountab...

182: Still Drowning in Meetings? Here’s How Smart Managers Reclaim Their Time

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Still Drowning in Meetings? Here’s How Smart Managers Reclaim Their TimeFeeling overwhelmed? Here's how managers can reclaim 5+ hours every wee...

181: The #1 Reason Teams Get Burned Out That No One Talks About

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is constant change in your team leaving everyone confused, frustrated, or burned out? In this Ask Me Anything episode of The New Manager Playbook, Lia...

180: How to Lead Through Uncertainty Without Losing Your Team

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stressed about layoffs, burnout, or quiet quitting? Learn how to lead with clarity when everything feels chaotic. Subscribe for weekly manager tips!In...

179: The Secret to Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a New Leader

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every new manager faces it—that creeping feeling of "Am I really cut out for this?" If you've recently stepped into a leadership role...

178: Stop Sugarcoating- How Real Leaders Give Feedback That Actually Works

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, leadership expert Lia Garvin tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in the workplace: giving feedba...

177: Stop Waking Up at 3AM Worried About Your Team- Do This Instead

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wake up at 3AM worrying if your team is on track? You're not alone—and better yet, you don't have to live like that anymore.In this g...

176: This ONE Mistake Is Costing Your Team Thousands Every Week

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When budgets tighten, what’s the first thing to go? Training, coaching, and team support. But as leadership expert Lia Garvin reveals in this episod...

175: You Got Promoted—How to Manage Former Peers Without Losing Control

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling awkward or unsure about managing friends or former teammates? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out the hard way. In this...

174: How to Keep Your Best Team Members During Uncertain Times

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you constantly losing top talent and left wondering why? You're not alone—but you can prevent it. In this episode of The New Manager Playbo...

173: Still Doing Everything Yourself? Here’s the Real Reason You Can’t Let Go

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think your team isn’t ready or you just don’t have time to delegate? Think again.In this episode of The New Manager Playbook, leadership coach and...

172: You Got Promoted… Now What? The Truth About Leading for the First Time

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think becoming a manager is just doing your old job—with people? Think again.In the very first episode of The New Manager Playbook, author and leade...

171: The RIGHT WAY to use AI as a leader to get out of the weeds

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"ChatGPT gave me the PERFECT step-by step plan to fix my team! I'll be out of the weeds by tomorrow!" We've said it, we've ho...

170: Why thinking you HAVE to micromanage is keeping you stuck

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"But if I don't micromanage, nothing gets done correctly!" Yeah, no.... we've got to leave that myth in the past right now, becau...

169: Positive feedback isn't just being nice - it's they key to high performance

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Where do I even stand on this team?" This simple question is what every team member secretly wonders - and yet... 78% of leaders wait until...

168: Dealing with the worst case situations of giving feedback

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"I'm going to HR!" - the four words that strike fear into every manager's heart... four words that might lead us to avoiding givin...

167: Don’t give your team member feedback until you’ve done THIS

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've prepared a clear message, we've blocked out ample time for the conversation, and then our feedback conversation still goes sideways? W...

166: How the "Let Them Theory” helps you be a better manager

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two sentences into Mel Robbins' new book "The Let Them Theory" and I was hooked - not just because it applied immediately to my life, b...

165: Return to office is coming... here's how to set your team up for success

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not a week goes by where a company isn't announcing new return to office plans. Whether you are in favor of it or not, as a manager, if your comp...

164: How to hold a high bar for your team without micromanaging

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there... we want to hold a high bar for our teams, but we're also worried we're coming across too nitpicky. What do you...

163: BOOK LAUNCH DAY! The New Manager Playbook is here!

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to finally feel a sense of ease when it comes to managing your team?Then look no further because today is launch day for The New Manager Playboo...

162: How to nail leading a team outside your area of expertise

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever found yourself managing a team where you don't have direct experience in their field? I've been there, and I know how nerve-wracking it...

161: The real reason people are quitting your team... and how to stop it

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever had a boss who made you dread coming to work? It happens more than we like to admit. But here’s the good news: Being a great manager isn’t ab...

160: Inside The New Manager Playbook - The secret to balancing team demands and leadership pressure

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Managing a team is hard, but managing in the middle—between the needs of your team and the demands of leadership—can feel like you’re walking a ...

159: Boost productivity by removing this hidden time-waster

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder why your to-do list never gets done? The answer might surprise you—it’s context switching.In Episode 159, I unpack how constantly jump...

158: Inside The New Manager Playbook - How to delegate and get your time back

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like you’re drowning in tasks with no time to breathe? In Episode 158 of Managing Made Simple, I dive into how to get your time back by de...

157: Balancing promotion ambitions against the current workload

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do we do when our team member is eager to get to their promotion, so they start moving away from their current responsibilities, thinking those w...

156: Inside The New Manager Playbook - How people pleasing costs us respect on our team

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to be liked - it's human nature! But when we lean on this too hard as a manager, it can actually work against us, leading to having a...

155: Where we go wrong with managing up, and how to do it right

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Could the way you're advocating for your team actually be working against you?Spoiler: yes, the answer is yes.When we're under a lot of pres...

154: Inside The New Manager Playbook - The secret to building trust with your team

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trust is everything when it comes to managing teams, but building it takes intention and consistency. In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I share...

153: One of the easiest tools for driving higher engagement and retention

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get your team to invest more in their work?It's actually really simple. You show them you're invested in *them*. As we approach...

152: Inside The New Manager Playbook - Your team will be more inspired when you do THIS

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Motivating your team (and yourself) is one of the hardest challenges in management. In this episode, I share actionable strategies for identifying wha...

151: The MOST important step of holding people accountable that you're probably missing

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a good chance you're missing the MOST important step in holding your teams accountable. Most managers are. What's that step, y...

150: Inside The New Manager Playbook - Why you need this book

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I share why I wrote The New Manager Playbook and how it’s designed to support new managers and seasoned leaders alike. From my own ...

149: Your job titles might be leading to high turnover. How to fix it.

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder why job titles matter so much to your team? It's more than just a nameplate—titles shape clarity, recognition, and growth paths in ...

148: Want to avoid feedback conversations from going off the rails? Do this.

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do when feedback doesn’t land the way you’d hoped? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I dive into a common challenge for manager...

147: Three signs you’re micromanaging (and how to stop)

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you micromanaging without realizing it? In this special episode, I share a guest appearance on the How to Be Awesome at Your Job podcast, where we...

146: Helping your team ask for help without wasting your time

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Struggling with team members who hesitate to ask for help until it’s too late? In this episode, I introduce a three-step framework that empowers you...

145: The investment to make that will ALWAYS pay off

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you hesitant to invest in training for your team because you're worried about losing the investment if folks leave?  In this episode, I dis...

144: Secrets to motivating and aligning your team: Insights from leaders at Skona

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering how to bring out the best in your team, even with tight deadlines and challenging client demands? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I...

143: The right moment to step in to avoid a big failure on your team

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering when to jump in and stop a mistake, or let your team member learn the hard way? In this episode, I tackle one of the most common questions m...

142: Are you stuck with the "we're a family" metaphor? Here's why that’s a problem

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When we watch sports, we often look at them as entertainment, but have you ever thought about what would happen if you managed your team like a profes...

141: How to avoid the landmines of managing former friends

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever found yourself suddenly leading people you used to work alongside, you know how complicated that can be. In today’s episode, we’r...

140: Your team has feedback for you - here's how to ask for it

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, we often focus on giving feedback, but how often do we ask for it? In today’s episode, I’m diving into why asking for feedback from yo...

139: How to tell if your team members are *really* thriving

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you really know how your team is doing, or are you just kinda guessing? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down a stat that really caught my atte...

138: How to hire the right way - keys to building a great team

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When hiring new team members, the pressure is on. We want to get it right, but there are so many things to consider that it can be really overwhelming...

137: But I'm the boss, this was supposed to be easier!

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I tackle a common challenge for new managers: earning the respect of your team. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role...

136: Are you protecting your team's time... or avoiding delegating?

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, we often struggle with delegating, telling ourselves that we’re protecting our team from burnout. But is that the real thing stopping us...

135: How to stop repeating yourself and start holding people accountable

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever find yourself repeating the same instructions to your team, wondering why they aren’t following through? In this episode of Managing Made Simpl...

134: How to retain your unsung hero team members

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all have those team members we know we can rely on for that last minute request, to jump in and fix a problem no one was able to solve, even to rem...

133: Ready to waive the white flag? Here's how to prevent burning out as a leader

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The topic of burnout is constantly top of mind for team leaders and business owners, and let's face it, we all know it isn't solved with a s...

132: Three ways to lower the chances great team members will quit

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Employee turnover is EXPENSIVE. Not only from a time and money perspective, but for morale and motivation as well.... which ends up costing you money ...

131: Yes, we have to be paying our team members more

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're all trying to save money where we can right now - but when it comes to paying your team members, that's not the place to trim the fat....