129 - Mindy Flanigan

Ever wonder why some leaders earn trust effortlessly, while others seem to struggle no matter how hard they try? In this week's episode of The Authentic Leader Show, I sat down with HR inspirer Mindy Flanigan to talk about the real traits that make leaders effective . . . and no, it's not about titles or tactics. We get into: * Why emotional awareness is a strategic leadership tool * How to hold high standards without micromanaging * A smarter way to develop future managers, before you promote them * The role of HR in shaping (not policing) workplace culture Mindy doesn't sugarcoat it, and I don't either. If you're committed to building a team that performs without you hovering, this episode will give you the clarity and tools to lead with confidence.

The Key to Thriving Teams: Preparing Leaders Before They Take the Role About This Episode In this episode of The Authentic Leader Show, I share a challenge many organizations face: promoting star performers into management roles without preparing them for leadership. Drawing from personal experience and proven strategies, I share how to equip new managers with the skills they need to succeed in their roles. What You'll Learn: * Why promoting star performers can sometimes backfire. * Critical skills new managers must develop. * Four actionable steps to prepare future leaders for success. Episode Highlights: * Recognizing the Challenge: Star performers don't always make great managers without proper preparation. * Four Steps for Success: 1. Identify potential early, looking beyond performance metrics. 2. Delegate small leadership tasks before formal promotions. 3. Invest in training and development, like the New Leader Lab program. 4. Understand the "why" behind career aspirations. Growing leaders is like nurturing a garden. You must give it time, care, and the right environment. An Actionable Tip: Schedule a one-on-one with a star performer this week to discuss their career goals and test their leadership potential.

Season 2 of The Authentic Leader Show is here! In this introductory episode, Christopher R. Jones reflects on lessons from Season 1 and introduces the new focus for Season 2. This season is designed to help: Leaders of management teams apply tools and systems to transform their managers into effective leaders. HR professionals and executives of fast-growing companies develop high-performing teams. New and struggling managers learn the foundational principles of leadership. Christopher shares actionable strategies, personal stories, and a sneak peek into the framework that will shape this season: Episode Highlights: Why leadership is a choice, not a title. The core principles of management and leadership that many new managers miss. A preview of how this season will equip listeners to lead with confidence. Take the Next Step If this episode resonates with you, here's how you can get involved: Subscribe to The Authentic Leader Show Stay updated on future episodes filled with actionable insights. Share This Episode Share this episode with one person in your network who could benefit—and let them know why you thought of them. Send Us Your Feedback Have questions or suggestions for future episodes? Reach out! I'd love to hear from you. For more resources and leadership insights, visit my website: ChristopherRJones.com.

Do you volunteer your time and expertise? Are you a leader in your professional or volunteer organization? This episode includes insights for volunteers and volunteer leaders. In this episode, you'll learn: The professional benefits of volunteering: Discover how volunteering your time can develop transferable skills that apply directly to your day job, including communication, delegation, relationship building, strategic thinking, and networking. The importance of clear expectations and accountability:  Learn why successful volunteer teams succeed on clear expectations and how to create an environment of accountability that engages the entire team. The top reasons delegation fails (and how to fix them):  Unclear expectations, lack of skills, and undefined deadlines are just a few reasons delegation goes wrong. This episode provides a simple 3-step process to ensure successful task assignments within your committee or team. The power of actionable feedback:  Effective leaders of volunteer groups provide clear and timely feedback. Discover how to deliver feedback that focuses on solutions and empowers individuals to take action. Turning learnings into action: Attending conferences and training programs is valuable, but the true impact comes from putting what you learn into practice. Learn a simple framework to commit to actions and achieve results. Whether you're a seasoned board member, volunteer leader of committees, or just starting your involvement in an association or organization, this episode offers insights and practical tips to: Enhance your leadership skills through volunteering. Foster successful and accountable volunteer teams. Transfer your volunteer work to your professional environment. Share your experience. Have you ever been part of a high-performing volunteer team? What did you learn from the experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!   Ready to gain practical leadership tips? Listen to this episode now!

Dr. Boyd brings a unique perspective to the table as the former dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business and currently serves as a Professor of Finance at VCU's School of Business.  Her experiences and insights offer a wealth of knowledge for leaders at all levels. This interview was recorded in front of a live audience and my once-a-quarter Authentic Interview Event.    Dr. Boyd shares her personal journey of transitioning from the world of classical ballet to becoming a prominent academic leader.    As a newcomer to her role as dean, Dr. Boyd encountered challenges, including perceptions that intimidated some.    Dr. Boyd discusses the importance of providing radical candor in leadership and communication.  Unapologetically, Dr. Boyd describes what she believes are the long-term effects of the pandemic on students and the education system. 

I chat with Terry Monroe, the Executive Director of the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) and President of Association Management Services with Eisenman and Associates. I'm also excited to announce that I'll be presenting at the VSAE morning seminar and association lunch on March 7th. We'll touch on that program during this episode, but first, dive into Terry's insights: What's cooking at VSAE? Terry unpacks the strategic thinking behind their popular programs, including the morning seminars and luncheons. From new association manager to leader: New association managers, this one's for you! Terry sheds light on the unique challenges you might face in your transition and offers valuable advice. The future of association leadership: What trends are shaping the landscape? Terry shares his expert perspective on what's ahead. Real talk: Terry doesn't shy away from his own experiences. He opens up about the hurdles he faced early in his career, offering relatable lessons for all of us. Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom and practical takeaways!

I am thrilled to bring you my interview with Scott Love, an award-winning recruiter, speaker, author, and host of The Rainmaking Podcast. After my recent appearance on Scott's Rainmaking Podcast, we had such a great conversation that I invited him to join me for an Authentic Interview. Here are some key insights Scott shared in this interview. * Scott shares his thoughts about being "followable", earning trust, and becoming someone others want to follow. * He shares practical tips for new attorneys (or managers) on managing both external and internal relationships within the firm. * Scott provides details about why people are naturally attracted to those who can effectively solve problems. * We had an interesting discussion on the strategic placement of a Montessori school next to a hospice center and its implications. * Scott emphasizes the importance of discipline through consistent rituals and shares how they contribute to success. What are your key takeaways from the interview? * Do you agree with Scott's opinion that job changes are influenced by either strategy or leadership? * What problems do you solve for others, and do you believe people are attracted to problem solvers? * What are the rituals that contribute to your success? Tune in to the episode now to gain valuable insights and practical tips from Scott Love!

This interview is recorded in front of a live audience who had just finished lunch at the Independence Golf Clubhouse. We had a terrific audience of business leaders who you will hear in the background during the interview. Since the last live Authentic Interview event 5 years ago, I turned those first interviews into this podcast The Authentic Leader Show and interviewed 70 additional people. This interview with Boomer Muth, CEO and Co-founder of Koalafi (formally WestCreek Financial). Kaoalfi has partnerships with local and national Fortune 100 retailers. Their rapid growth has been acknowledged by Deloitte and Forbes has recognized Koalafi as one of the best startup employers. Here is just a sample of what we discuss in this interview: Boomer's first management experience Boomer's leadership style and how it's directed by a code that he lives by. How aspiring to be a rock star has led to Boomer's eventual start of a business and becoming CEO? Why your business should not be a family. How Boomer is using AI and how AI affects your cognitive load. I share my story of one of my biggest failures when providing my services. And it happened with Koalafi.

In this podcast episode, we challenge the common practice of promoting top performers into managerial roles and highlight the potential pitfalls of this assumption. We explore five segments that dive into the complexities of transitioning from being an outstanding individual contributor to a successful manager. The Assumption of Top Performers as Easy Choices There is a routine but often incorrect assumption that top performers will seamlessly transition into managerial roles. I share my personal example that underscores how this assumption can lead to disappointment and underperformance. Identifying Interest and Providing Exposure It's important to assess a top performer's genuine interest in managing teams. I share the significance of conducting one-on-one meetings, offering low-risk assignments, and providing constructive feedback to help top performers gain valuable experience before promotion. I address the value of providing exposure to management and leadership skills. The Critical First Steps in New Management Roles It's critical to establish momentum at the beginning of a new management role. Training and coaching are essential to provide direction, eliminate guesswork, and prevent unnecessary failure. I share some valuable tips and strategies for new managers, emphasizing role clarity, advice-seeking, communication development, and what it means to be a role model. Resources for Business Leaders Organizational leadership plays an important role in setting new managers up for success. It's important to identify and prioritize managerial and leadership skill gaps. The Leadership Diagnostic Tool for New Managers is an effective tool for this assessment. The New Leader Lab 2-day workshop is also an important resource to equip new managers with foundational tools. The Importance of Supportive Leadership Senior leaders and mentors also play a critical role in supporting new managers. I share a compelling story of how a skilled software engineer successfully transitioned into a managerial role with the support of proactive leadership development. It's important to foster a culture of mentorship and continuous learning within organizations. This podcast episode encourages us to rethink our approach to promoting and supporting leaders. By considering individual readiness, providing necessary resources, and fostering a culture of mentorship, organizations can ensure that top performers thrive in managerial roles and contribute to overall business success.

Welcome to "The Authentic Leader Show." The podcast for Leaders of Managers as they transform their New Managers into Authentic Leaders of Teams. In today's episode, we're tackling a topic that resonates with countless leaders: "Mastering the Transformation - Six Essential Skills New Managers Need." If you're a new manager navigating the often turbulent waters of leadership, or if you lead management teams, this episode is made for you. The Managerial Transition: Becoming a manager is an achievement in itself, but the transition from being an individual contributor to leading a team is a journey with challenges and self-discovery. Many new managers find themselves realizing that the skills that earned them their promotion are not the same skills that will ensure their success as a leader. It's a transformation that's simple but far from easy. As we explore this transformation today, we'll uncover the six essential skills that every new manager needs to steer their teams toward high performance. The Six Essential Skills: This episode revolves around the ability to communicate effectively with team members, peers, and superiors, including delivering clear messages, building consensus, and active listening. Prioritization, delegation, and efficient workload management are vital to a manager's success. How new managers must motivate, inspire, set positive examples, and provide guidance to their teams. Identifying issues, crafting action plans, and implementing solutions are central to overcoming the myriad challenges new managers face. Building meaningful relationships with team members, peers, and senior managers, which involves empathy, active listening, conflict management, and genuine care for others' success. How new managers must make informed and timely decisions, gather and analyze data, consider various perspectives, and involve their teams in the decision-making process. Embrace the Transformation: Mastering the transition from manager to leader is a journey that starts with honing these six skills. It demands continuous practice, self-reflection, and a willingness to learn and adapt. We encourage you to seek opportunities to develop these skills and seek guidance and feedback along the way.