Episode five is a solo episode where I share some of the strategies I’ve used to help managers during change. Here are the following standout
Author: Hayley
10 powerful coaching questions effective managers use
Recent research of over 35 million job postings indicates a shift in effective people management from a traditional, authoritative style to one focusing on coaching, collaboration, and coordination, especially in innovation-driven organizations. Many managers still struggle with the need to provide solutions, potentially leading to burnout and disempowered teams. Studies suggest that managerial coaching fosters self-awareness, behavioral change, and performance enhancement, with essential skills like asking open questions, active listening, and holding silence being critical in facilitating a productive coaching environment.
How to have productive conflict [podcast summary]
In episode four of the podcast “Manage with Confidence,” host Dr. Hayley Lewis interviews organizational psychologist Liane Davey, focusing on her book “The Good Fight.” The episode explores productive versus unproductive conflict, using metaphors like yoga stretching and tooth flossing to illustrate the importance of managing conflict as a habit. Key insights include techniques for de-escalation, such as understanding each person’s stakes and avoiding the pitfalls of the Devil’s Advocate approach. The discussion offers valuable coaching questions for navigating workplace challenges.
How to help two team members in conflict [podcast summary]
I remember one of the toughest workplace conflict cases I ever worked on. It was a project team made of members from four different organisations.
How to get comfortable with uncertainty and not knowing as a leader
Many managers feel pressured to have all the answers, creating an exhausting culture of overreliance on them. This can hinder team self-sufficiency and drive burnout. Embracing humility and admitting uncertainty can strengthen teams, fostering innovation and problem-solving. Five practical strategies for leaders include maintaining a “Things I don’t know” notebook, encouraging team discussions about unknowns, asking meaningful questions, reversing hierarchical structures for better expertise access, and modeling openness by saying “I don’t know.” These approaches can lead to healthier, more productive work environments.
How to transform feedback conversations into breakthrough moments [Podcast summary]
In episode two of Manage with Confidence, psychologist Caroline “Caz” Katz discusses the nuances of feedback. The episode emphasizes the importance of relationships in delivering effective feedback, distinguishing between low-stakes task feedback and high-stakes personal feedback, which can deeply impact self-esteem. Katz introduces the concept of ‘unthought knowns’, highlighting how subconscious knowledge affects feedback reactions. She stresses the necessity of active listening and external input for self-awareness, underscoring that personal understanding requires feedback from others to achieve alignment.