Manager to Manager

Are you ready to explore the deeper dimensions of leadership that extend beyond conventional management? Dive into a transformative discussion in this episode of "Manager to Manager," where Kamaria welcomes Dr. Jason James, an expert in leadership and organizational development.
This episode unpacks the critical role of humanity in leadership, especially in the context of the changes brought by recent global challenges. Learn how embracing your humanity can profoundly impact how you lead and interact with your team:
Integrating Personal Growth: Understanding how self-awareness and self-love are foundational to effective leadership, as shared by Dr. James.
Humanity in Action: Strategies for applying principles of empathy, compassion, and love within the workplace, transforming everyday management tasks.
The Leadership Journey: Dr. James shares a deep dive into his personal experiences that shape approaches to managing teams, highlighting the continuous need for leaders to evolve and adapt.
Dr. James enlightens us on the intersection of theoretical knowledge and practical application in leadership. He discusses how aligning personal values with professional conduct can lead to more authentic and sustainable team dynamics.
Reflecting on his own journey and the evolution of leadership styles over time, the conversation reveals how today's leaders can foster an environment where humanity is at the core of corporate culture, promoting not just productivity but also genuine fulfillment and well-being within teams.
Join us for a compelling discussion that will inspire you to rethink your leadership approach, emphasizing the power of humanity in creating more resilient and cohesive teams. Whether you are a seasoned manager or aspiring to lead, this episode offers valuable perspectives on nurturing leadership qualities that truly resonate with and empower your team.
 
Show Notes
Connect with Dr. James on LinkedIn

Feeling like there's more to leadership than just your job title? Ready to discover how to build genuine influence and guide your team to success?
In this thought-provoking episode of "Manager to Manager," Kamaria sits down with Ned Parks, a distinguished leadership coach with an extensive background in guiding teams through transformational change, both in military and civilian contexts.
Ned unveils the intricacies of leading without leaning on the crutch of positional power, presenting three pivotal strategies for new and seasoned leaders alike:
Embracing Vulnerability: How showing your human side can build stronger, trust-based relationships within your team.
The Art of Clear Expectations: Why setting and communicating clear guidelines is foundational to team alignment and success.
Valuing Every Voice: Learning to listen and incorporate the diverse perspectives and skills of your team, including the unique strengths veterans bring to the civilian workforce.
Ned emphasizes the shift from a directive to a consultative leadership style, encouraging leaders to engage deeply with their team members to unearth and utilize their insights for collective growth and improvement.
The conversation also delves into Ned's personal journey of growth and self-discovery in leadership roles. Reflecting on his experiences, he highlights the continuous path of learning and the significant impact leaders can have on their teams and individual lives by adopting a mindset of service and support.
Through sharing his insights and personal lessons, Ned aims to motivate current and aspiring managers to redefine their approach to leadership. It's not about commanding from the front but walking alongside your team, guiding them with humility, understanding, and a shared vision for success.
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Ned Parks on LinkedIn

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 navigating the challenging journey of transitioning from being a top performer in your field to leading a team for the first time? In this episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Jen Rohne, a seasoned Operations Director at Avery Dennison, to discuss the transformative journey from technical expert to inspirational leader over three decades.
Jen opens up about the challenges and triumphs of moving from an engineer role into various leadership positions, managing multiple manufacturing facilities. She debunks the myth that being excellent in a technical job naturally translates into effective people leadership. Instead, she highlights the need for a different set of skills and a mindset shift from executing tasks to guiding teams.
Throughout the conversation, Jen shares invaluable lessons on setting clear expectations, fostering accountability, and adapting leadership styles to meet the diverse needs of team members in various roles. She recounts how she helped an employee craft compelling business cases and supported an engineer transitioning to a team leadership position, offering insights into the importance of active listening and personalized management approaches.
A significant part of the discussion is dedicated to understanding and meeting individual team members' needs, promoting a culture of curiosity over judgment, and the critical role of empathy in leadership. Jen emphasizes the importance of acknowledging personal mistakes and learning from them, showcasing the power of vulnerability in building trust and respect within a team.
This episode is a deep dive into the nuances of leadership that go beyond traditional management theories, providing listeners with practical strategies and heartfelt advice from Jen's extensive experience. Join us for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to embrace the journey of becoming a more effective and empathetic leader.

Are you as a manager or leader striving to create a win-win scenario where your team members' personal goals and skills not only align but also propel your organization's objectives forward? In this enlightening episode of Manager to Manager, we have the pleasure of welcoming Ana Montoya, who shares her insights on achieving this harmonious balance.
Join us as Ana recounts her unique journey as a first-generation Colombian-American, a former player with the Colombian national soccer team, and a participant in two World Cups and the 2012 London Olympics. Transitioning from the athletic world to corporate America, Ana began in technology sales before ascending to lead a global sales team across Latin America.
Throughout our conversation, Ana reveals how her diverse experiences have molded her leadership style and the ways she empowers her team. She explores the delicate yet powerful process of aligning individual goals with the broader vision of the organization, demonstrating how this alignment is key to both personal satisfaction and corporate success.
Ana also dives deep into the importance of listening and understanding the dynamics within a team, underscoring these abilities as essential for cultivating a thriving and unified workforce. She emphasizes the need to establish a strong fundamental foundation, equipping team members with the skills and mindset necessary to excel in their careers. Ana's story is a compelling testament to the impact of diverse experiences in enriching leadership qualities and achieving outstanding results across various fields.

 Are you a people leader looking to unlock the full potential of your team? If so, you'll want to hear what Charlene Bunting has to say. She's a seasoned leader in software engineering management with extensive experience in fostering effective team dynamics and nurturing cross-functional collaboration and we're thrilled to welcome here to the Manager-to-Manager podcast. 
Join us as Charlene takes us through her diverse journey, encompassing roles such as business analyst, systems analyst, project manager, and more, leading up to her current position as the Senior Director of Software Engineering at Workiva. She highlights the significance of viewing an organization as a cohesive unit, where success is achieved not in silos but through concerted effort across various functions.
Throughout our dialogue, Charlene illustrates her unique "Curiosity Mission" approach, a method that involves understanding team interactions, uncovering interdependencies, and addressing collective challenges. She shares an enlightening story from her career that underscores the importance of creating psychological safety and resolving friction between teams.
Moreover, Charlene discusses her strategies for fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their challenges, thus aiding in identifying and addressing blind spots. Her focus on building and maintaining relationships within and across teams is a testament to her empathetic and inclusive leadership style.
Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode offers practical advice on building a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Charlene on LinkedIn
 
Charlene's Recommended Books:
The Like Switch
Leadership and Self Deception

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