161. Understanding Perfection and Micromanaging

"Instead of thinking in terms of using AI, think about it as managing AI. Manage it like you would a person." This is one of the ideas shared at the Responsibly Human AI Summit last week, where leaders in HR, People Ops, and Employee Engagement gathered to discuss and learn about how to use AI at work.Here's my initial take....After the EpisodeEnroll now for Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Shout out to my fellow Swifties! According to Spotify Wrapped, Taylor Swift is the top artist you listened to in 2025 (same!). I also learned that you're listening to this show in 87 countries --wow! And, the top episode this year was Ep. 2: The Two Essential Skills Every New Manager Needs.So this week, we're revisiting that episode. Thank you for being here! And thank you for making The New Manager Podcast one of the MOST SHARED shows of 2025....After the EpisodeEnroll now for the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Burnout creeps up on you, and sometimes it's only when you reach the end of the year that you realize just how heavy the exhaustion has become. In this episode you'll learn the 3 components of burnout, so you can check for yourself how you're doing with each one. Then, I'll walk you through 3 lenses for how look at your situation, so you can see what's in your hands (and what's not) that can help you feel more protected....After the EpisodeEnroll now for the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Does it seem like things are changing faster? As the world of work changes with AI and different generational expectations, managers will need to adapt as well. This includes becoming good at change management, and strengthening foundational skills for structural change, and managing relationships throughout your organization....After the EpisodeEnroll in the upcoming cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Secret-ish message for my listener community: save 25% on all courses on Maven -- including Communication Strategies for Managers -- when you register by November 24th.View the syllabus, course description, and enroll here:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies?promoCode=FAST25If communication skills are part of your leadership development goals and you want to start the new year strong and supported, join us!

I've noticed a pattern with my clients when it comes to getting stuck in the weeds. It happens sometimes: losing sight of the big picture, not doing the strategic work, and getting sucked down into the details of the work your team is doing.In this episode I'll walk you through five common reasons why this happens, and point you towards a way out....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As a manager, part of your job is to speak up.  But as a human, you might feel anxious or reluctant to do so.  Here's what might hold you back from speaking up at work -- and how can you learn to have more authentic confidence to speak up.  Let's discuss!This episode originally aired as Ep. 83: Speaking Up....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Being observant and adaptive are two skills that will serve you well as a leader. You'll become more present and capable in responding to the moment and any challenges that arise. In this episode, I walk you through a simple practice that I used to teach in my Essential Skills for Managers course. You'll gain more clarity of mind and action as you reflect and make a list of your observations. It's a great activity to do at the end of the year....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility, you may start to get feedback about "developing executive presence."  If you've ever felt confused by what that means, you're not alone!  It's rarely something we learn about early in our work life, and it's often not described in much detail.  So it can seem elusive and ambiguous.  In this episode, I break down how I think about Executive Presence and give some specific examples to help new managers think about what exactly it means, and how to get it.  Let's discuss!This episode was originally published in 2022 as Episode 99. ...After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

As you rise into higher levels of responsibility and visibility in your career, at some point you're likely to get feedback about your executive presence. Let's start with recognizing you already have a presence, and that it has an effect on those around you. In this episode you'll gain a better understanding of what presence is, and how to recognize it in others. It's the first step to cultivating your own executive presence and wielding it in a useful way at work....After the EpisodeJoin the next cohort of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Reach out for private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠~⁠⁠⁠Into meditation? This is for you:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/mindfulness-for-managers-at-work⁠⁠