Real Talk: Leading Small Teams

130: Why investing in your team is the secret to scale with Brittany Driscoll, CEO & Co-Founder of Squeeze

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's not everyday you get to interview someone who has inspired so much of your work, it so exciting to bring Brittany Driscoll, CEO and Co-Found...

129: How to prevent tough feedback conversations from going badly

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there - we thought carefully about a piece of feedback, rehearsed how we were going to say it, even stress tested it with a collea...

128: QUICK WIN - How to get your team members to bring in more revenue

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Frustrated that you're the only person in your business who seems to be stressing about revenue and profitability? In this QUICK WIN episode, I s...

127: How to better manage your time as a leader

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Time management - we all know we have to be better at it, any yet... It's one thing when we notice it, but when we get too overloaded to the poin...

126: Simple ways to recognize great work even when you don't have budget

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is one thing you can do everyday on your team that motivates people and costs you zero money? Recognizing people! Yes, my friends, saying THANK Y...

125: Easy ways to set boundaries with your team

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Boundary setting with our teams is one of those things that no matter how good we get at it, it keeps rearing it's ugly head. Doesn'...

124: Help! Should I make this a new company policy?

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When something isn't going the way you want it to on your team or in your business, it can be tempting to want to roll out a new policy t...

123: Feedback 101 - Receiving feedback as a leader... and in your life

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Receiving feedback might just be harder than giving it... ok, it's totally harder. Especially as a leader. A lot of times our team membe...

122: Feedback 101 - Giving feedback so your team can take meaningful action

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Can I give you some feedback?" I've said it before and I'll say it again - the six SCARIEST words someone can say to anot...

121: Wednesday Trendsday - what is “quiet vacationing” and how do we prevent it?

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm launching a new type of episode, Wednesday Trendsday, where I will pop open Google News and break down a popular workplace tren...

120: What to do when a team member isn't meeting their full potential

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When a team member isn't meeting their full potential, it can be frustrating as a manager and leader. We know they're capable of mo...

119: Two words that are PREVENTING your team from being accountable

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In trying to build connection with our team and get them to do something, we often use two fateful words that shoot ourselves in the foot: I ...

118: The keys to a high performing remote team, with Justin Benson, CEO of the Bara Agency

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to running a high performing virtual team, the Bara Agency has it figured out. In this week's episode of Managing Made Sim...

117: Operations aren’t boring, they’re the secret to higher profits

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do knowing how long work takes to get done, meetings ending on time, and work all being tracked in one place have in common? They ALL sav...

116: How to know it's the right time to hire a another manager

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There comes a time for every leader when we just can't do everything ourselves. We might come to this realization quickly, or it might ta...

115: This one question will save you time and make delegating easier

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The funny thing about delegating is that it isn't just about handing over a bunch of work - it's about handing over the RIGHT set of...

114: Three things costing your business money everyday

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 When we're running a business or managing a team, every minute of productivity counts. And in a moment where we're all having to...

113: How to course correct when someone isn't delivering results

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever been up at night stressing about a team member who isn’t delivering? Today on Managing Made Simple, we dive into how to tackle this sit...

112: This ONE THING will save you time and money when hiring new people

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hiring new team members can feel like a gamble - and it's true, you can never really know if someone is the right fit until you start wor...

111: Inspiring human brilliance and peak performance with Shaun Peet, NASCAR Pit Crew Coach

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do you get when you combine crystal clear expectations, fostering a culture where vulnerability is strength, and igniting the brilliance ...

110: Micromanaging isn't about WHAT, it's about WHEN

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every day I hear the same concern from business owners and leaders - I want to give feedback and set expectations, but I don't want to c...

109: The number one thing you can do to support middle managers in delegating

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that it's likely that there's something you're doing that might be making it harder for your middle manager...

108: Three ways to overcome an "us vs them" mentality on your team

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are conflicting motivations creating friction in your team? In this episode of Managing Made Simple, we delve into the keys to aligning your t...

107: How to create a strong culture on my team

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm answering a question I get at least once a week: how do I create a strong culture on my team?Culture can feel abstract, ether...

106: Just liking people doesn't make you a great manager

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm going to tell you something you might not want to hear...Being a "well-liked" manager doesn't make you a GOOD manager....

105: THE UNSTOPPABLE TEAM book launch - about the book and how it will help you

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the pod, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my new book, The Unstoppable Team. In this episode, we dive into the inspira...

104: Yes you need a coverage plan, and here’s what goes into it

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have an emergency plan in place that your team can "break the glass" on when you are absent from the office?If not, then you ...

103: What the heck is a team whisperer, and how will it help you?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wondered, "why can't I get through to my team?" - the issue might not be you, and it might not be your team...

102: How to earn respect from your team

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"How do I make my team members respect me as a manager?"Spoiler alert...you can't.Respect isn't automatic, and it can&apos...

101: Being a bottleneck is costing you thousands of dollars a month

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that one of the people costing you the most money in your business...is you?What are you doing to cost yourself all that ca...

100: The secrets to being a great manager: game-changing tips from our top interviews

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I've got an exciting announcement...This episode marks the accomplishment of a truly mind-blowing milestone: today, we're celebratin...

099: How to understand the status of work without being overbearing

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever looked at all the projects your team is working on and realized that you have absolutely no clue how any of them are going...but...

098: Team member just quit? Here's your game plan

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's a new year. That means a new quarter, new goals, new ideas...And, for many people, it may mean a new job.When a team member leaves a...

097: 3 secrets to rolling out changes effortlessly on your team

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most difficult parts of managing a team is trying to implement a change to team operations.When you want to make a shift in how wor...

096: Help! Is it too late to fix my team?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's one question I get from business owners and managers that absolutely breaks my heart:"Is it too late for my team?"First...

095: A simple framework for setting goals for the new year

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eager to set meaningful goals for the new year, but not quite sure where to start?In this episode of Managing Made Simple, I share a simple t...

094: How to get people to stop rolling their eyes at the word "process"

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a phrase that I have been hearing over the last few weeks that has left me a bit mind-boggled…“Process for process’s sake.”Th...

093: 3 ways to turn your team members into profit-generating machines

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let me see if this story sounds familiar...We hire great people. We pay them well. We inspire them to do great work...And yet, more often than...

092: Spoiler: If you're a business owner with a team, you are a manager

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Spoiler alert, my beloved business owner friends...   If you're a business owner with people working under your supervision...guess what...

091: 10 things to make your life easier as a manager

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I want to equip you with a tool you can use to simplify your team operations almost immediately: the Thriving Team Checklist!As man...

090: How gratitude increases profitability

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What better time to talk about the importance of gratitude than on Thanksgiving week (for those of us based in the US) - but the truth is, we ...

089: Yes, you need 1:1 meetings...and here's how to do them right

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is one simple, easy-to-implement tool you can use to reduce turnover, streamline workflows, and boost team morale...One-on-one meetings....

088: The power of clear expectations

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's one question that I know you've probably asked yourself at least once..."Why can't my team members just read my mi...

087: Two pitfalls to avoid when setting priorities for your team

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With 2024 rushing toward us at breakneck speed, it's time to start deciding what we're going to prioritize in our businesses to fini...

086: Reframing delegating to save you time, money, and stress

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that it only takes one simple mindset reframe to save you a heap of time, money, and stress?Reframing people's perspec...

085: How nailing the basics of managing solves your HR issues with Jackie Koch, Founder/CEO of People Principles and HR expert

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to being a manager it can feel like there are so many things you have to get right. But when you cover off on the basics, you&a...

084: The simple truth about onboarding (no, it’s not just for new employees!)

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's a reason that onboarding is the very first thing we talk about inside my Ops Playbook.When we don't onboard our employees th...

083: How a focus on innovation fuels high performance in teams with Andrew Barry, L&D Expert and Founder & CEO of Curious Lion

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having innovative and creative teams is something we all strive for, but we don't always know how to foster these qualities on our team...

082: Stuck in a rut: how to break free from burnout

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's what it feels like to be stuck in a rut as a manager or business owner:You feel like work follows you everywhere - even at home.Yo...

081: How reframing productivity as meaning achieves better results with Tamara Myles, Author, Speaker, Instructor at UPenn

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we hear the word “productivity,” we often think about getting more done, but that definition is incomplete.In this episode of Managin...

080: Clear-cut communication: the simple solution to team operations

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we try to ignore the small issues in our team operations, they WILL grow into huge disasters...and at that point, it's going to be t...

079: Leaning into lessons from sales to be a better leader with Jillian Murphy, Sales & Business Coach

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is one of the biggest leadership lessons that applies both to managers in the corporate world and entrepreneur space? Investing in your ...

078: Don't write off your team members until you've tried this

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all had those days when it feels like nothing is going right on your team. I mean "come on people!" But before you write ...

077: Simple strategies for navigating the stickiest situations as a manager with Robyn Rapp Leadership Coach & Facilitator

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Being a manager comes with a whole set of challenges - but is there anything harder than managing a former friend or even family member? Es...

076: A simple way to optimize your meetings and save $2000 a month

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ah meetings. Love them or hate them, they're a part of working life. Depending on what industry you work in, you might even find yourself...

075: The connection between healthy team operations and healthy finances with Bridgette Boucha, Fractional CFO, Speaker, and Author

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know conceptually that inefficiencies in our team can cost us money, but we don’t always dive into see what this really looks like. But a...

074: Your “doing everything yourself” is crushing your team

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know we can't do *everything* ourselves in our teams and in our businesses, but sometimes doesn't it just feel like things would ...

074: Your “doing everything yourself” is crushing your team

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know we can't do *everything* ourselves in our teams and in our businesses, but sometimes doesn't it just feel like things would go faste...

073: How to save money and time every week by tracking work

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To track or not to track? That is the question so many business owners and team leaders ask me when wrestling with how to have a better sense...

072: How to unlock high performance mindset with Danya Douglass Hunt, Money mindset coach for entrepreneurs

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remember that time when you got super frustrated about something that happened on your team that had NOTHING to do with that situation? We&apo...

071: How to make performance conversations not scary

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ah the performance review. It means well, but in reality it often created a whole lot of stress for both managers and team members without a t...

070: The power of a great onboarding experience in driving better results on your team with Jess Heller, Executive & Leadership Coach

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When someone is new to a role, you’re catching them at their most excited and engaged. Your role as a manager is to keep them there.In this ...

069: The key to load balancing easily and effectively

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Load balancing is something we need to continually do as a manager, but are we handling these conversations as effectively as we can be?Whe...

068: Beating burnout and building more resilient teams with Corene Phelps, Hypnotherapist & somatic success coach for entrepreneurs and business leaders

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers and leaders, we're no strangers to sprinting marathons. But there comes a time when we have to take a step backwards and ask ...

067: Three working norms that will save you 5 hours a week

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wanna save an extra 5-10 hours THIS WEEK? It's simpler than you think. In today's episode of Managing Made Simple, I share three w...

066: The power of recognizing your strengths and hiring stars for all the rest with Staci Millard, Fractional CFO and Business Mentor

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As team leaders or business owners, sometimes we get stuck in the belief that we have to be good at everything to be successful. But the trut...

065: How to delegate effectively in three easy steps

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rationally, we all know that if we were able to delegate effectively we'd be able to get more done and scale ourselves as leaders, and y...

064: Navigating the complicated dynamics of managing teams with Jack Kelly, Senior Contributor at Forbes, CEO of Compliance Search Group & WeCruitr

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers, we're often thrown into the role, expected to just figure things out as we go along. This makes things way harder than they ...

063: Three signs you're micromanaging and what to do about it

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No one ever *wants* to be a micromanager, and yet, there are those days where you realize you're so deep in the weeds you should have ...

062: How knowing your team members makes you a better leader, with Vashti Boyce, Founder/CEO of Wild Iris Consulting

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders, our primary role is to serve our teams. And yet how many times have we had that manager or leader who doesn't really know wha...

061: How reflecting on wins makes you a better manager

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How many of us have had those weeks where it feels like NOTHING is going right? When we have back to back weeks like this, it can start to chi...

060: Transforming teams through roles, responsibilities, and expectations with Susan Ramirez Founder & CEO of The National Angels

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers, it's on us to make sure our team members understand how their roles fit into the bigger picture, and there's no better ...

059: How to turn your team into proactive problem solvers

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers and business owners, we're no stranger to problems being thrown our way. But one of the biggest questions I hear from team le...

058: How your personal brand shapes you as a leader with Hannah Nieves, Personal Brand and PR Consultant and CEO of HN Haus and This Hudson Studio

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes it can feel like we have our own identity, and then our identify as "business owner" or "boss" - but the truth ...

057: The most important question to ask before giving feedback

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to find a topic more fraught than 'feedback' when it comes to the workplace. Why? Because it brings up all sorts of f...

056: How to make your 1 to 1 meetings more effective

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know you *should* have 1:1 meetings with your team members, but let's be honest, when they turn into a laundry list of status updates...

055: Leaning into self-awareness and authenticity as a leader, with Charlie Ruiz Founder/CEO of CLR Connection High Performance Coaching

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As leaders navigating so much change and uncertainty right now, none of us have it all figured out. And isn't that kind of liberating to ...

054: What to solve for BEFORE we start the RTO conversation

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many workplaces right now, the issue of the moment is RTO - and as with most complicated issues, there is no one size fits all solution...

053: Bringing out the inner superhero in our team members with Cory Charles, Founder of The SuperHero Mindset

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers and leaders, we have the power to show our team members their full potential - and as they say, "with great power comes grea...

052: Setting expectations isn’t just telling people what to do

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there - we were super specific on what we wanted our team to do, and then some time goes by and the thing doesn't ...

051: Nailing the basics of being a great manager with Kristen Hartley, Learning & Development Leader at Workday

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's often the little things that add up over time that make us great managers and leaders, and the difference between good and great man...

050: How to roll out new processes without losing the essence of your team culture

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There comes a point in every team or company where we have to bring more rigor to the way we are working. But this doesn't mean we have t...

049: Building the company you want to be a part of with Bridgitte Mallinson, Founder/CEO of GutPersonal & Business Mentor

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When leading a team or running a small business, you're no stranger to living outside of your comfort zone. But to be able to sustain ...

048: How to empower your team to help grow your business

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a business owner or manager, how many times have you said the words, "I feel like I'm the only one caring about building this bus...

047: How to support your neurodivergent team members with Margaux Joffe, Co-Founder of The Great ADHD Reset Program

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At least 20% of the workforce is neurodivergent, and yet it's something most managers don't understand or know how to support. In t...

046: How to ask for feedback as a manager

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all heard that feedback has to be a two way street between managers and team members, but how we do we setup the conversation for s...

045: Improving team engagement through leading with love, with Chris Hartley VP of Sales and children’s book author

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to creating safety for vulnerability and trust on a team, as a leader, you have to go first. You have to open the door and set...

044: How making fewer decisions makes you a better manager

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sure we all want to make good decisions, but sometimes as a manager or business owner, the best thing we can do is make FEWER decisions.In thi...

043: Sunday Scaries - You have a new hire starting and no onboarding plan

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You have a new team member starting tomorrow and no plan for what to do. No big deal, right?Welllll.... In this episode, I talk about the imp...

042: Rising to the challenge of leading during this moment w/ Farah Bernier HR & Central Executive Ops Leader in Tech

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Right now in the workplace, change is the only constant, and it's requiring managers and team leaders to be intentional about how they sh...

041: Understanding your employees' previous jobs is more important than you think

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bringing people together from different professional background can get your team thinking in new ways and innovating better than ever - but i...

040: Sunday Scaries - 20 simple and meaningful actions to become a better manager

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to be better managers - but *how* to do that is easier said than done. Wouldn't it be awesome if someone made you a list of...

039: AMA - Venting vs needing help, unmet expectations, manager thrash

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back with another Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, answering three questions you've submitted over the past few weeks. In this AMA (first...

038: Why you need to understand the enneagram to be a better leader w/ Tracy O'Malley, Enneagram Expert and Leadership Coach

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know that feeling when you're talking to one of your team members and you can see it's just going in one ear and out the other? ...

037: How to stop yourself from problem solving

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers, we're trained problem solvers, making it oh so tempting to jump in with solutions when a team member is stuck or needs help...

036: Sunday Scaries - What to do when you have an unhappy employee?

07 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there: we have that employee who we know isn't happy, but we have so much on our plates already that it's hard t...

035: Tools for amplifying and elevating your team members w/ Rachel Smith Director of Strategy & Operations at Google

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do the importance of personal development, finding a sense of purpose in our work, and the sad reality that impostor feelings never quite...

034: Three ways to build more inclusive teams (Inclusion is more than a happy hour)

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most common things I hear from managers is that you want to build an inclusive team, you know it's important, but... you don&a...

033: Sunday Scaries - What to do when motivation is low on your team

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When motivation is low and it feels like our team members aren't bought in, it can make us dread managing because we worry that this lac...

032: Building a strong culture on a remote team with Audrey Saccone, CEO & Founder of Audrey Digital

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As managers or business owners, the ultimate goal is to hire great people so we can both learn from them and step out of the way and let them...