In this insightful conversation, host Chris Asper chats with Larysa Lisnyak - a seasoned manager with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry and currently a senior manager of Technical Sales at Dell Technologies.  Larysa shares invaluable advice and practical tips tailored for first-time managers who are seeking to enhance their leadership skills especially in challenging times.  Her insights span a broad spectrum of leadership skills including managing remote teams, building a diverse and inclusive culture, performance improvement plans, and maintaining a high-performing team.  Larysa stresses the importance of genuine connection with team members, highlighting that empathy, communication, and understanding can lead to a successful leadership journey. Links Mentioned:  Larysa's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/larysa-l-3731249b/ Learn more abut Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com Connect with Chris Asper (host) on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Episode Guide and Timestamps: 01:13 - Guest's Journey to Leadership 03:18 - Transition from Individual Contributor to Leader 06:43 - Challenges of Leading in Uncertain Times 08:04 - Keeping Teams Motivated 12:48 - Building Trust and Culture in Remote Teams 20:18 - Adapting to Hybrid Work Environment 21:09 - Managing Hybrid Teams: Ensuring Inclusion and Seamless Experience 22:07 - The Role of Empathy in Remote Leadership 22:21 - Building a High Performing Hybrid Team: Key Elements 22:36 - The Importance of Culture in Remote and Hybrid Teams 23:41 - Clarity in Objectives: A Leader's Responsibility 25:09 - Adapting on the Fly: Advice for New Managers 25:35 - The Power of Networking and Mentorship in Leadership 27:09 - Handling Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) in Leadership 30:27 - Continuous Growth and Development as a Leader 34:27 - Top Pieces of Advice for First Time Managers

In this episode of "You Can Manage That," host Chris Asper sits down with renowned leadership strategist and award-winning author, Dan Pontefract.  They dive deep into strategies for nurturing your team and helping them thrive and flourish in the workplace.  Dan discusses his latest book, "Work Life Bloom," which explores how leaders can create an environment where both work and life can thrive.   With his wealth of experience and notable accomplishments, Dan Pontefract enlightens us on the significance of recognizing personal factors beyond work and cultivating genuine connections within our organizations. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledgement, appreciation, and purpose in fostering a thriving work environment. If you want to create a workplace where your team can truly bloom, this episode is a must-listen.  Tune in now to gain invaluable insights from one of the most influential voices in leadership. Links:  Dan Pontefract’s Website:  https://www.danpontefract.com Dan’s new book “Work-Life Bloom:  How to Nurture a Team That Flourishes”: www.worklifebloom.com  Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com  Connect with Chris on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Subscribe to the You Can Manage That YouTube Channel:  @youcanmanagethat

I sit down with Andie Colleen, a renowned self-sabotage coach, to delve into overcoming self-sabotaging behaviours and cultivating self-worth as a first-time manager. Andie shares her expertise on how self-sabotage can hinder personal and professional growth, discussing the destructive power of shame, guilt, and isolation. Drawing from her experiences and extensive work helping clients overcome self-sabotage patterns, Andie highlights how many intelligent individuals miss their patterns, often attributing their shortcomings to their detriment. She emphasizes the need to address shame and guilt head-on and improve self-worth to break free from the cycle of self-sabotage. As the conversation unfolds, Andie provides valuable insights into how organizations and systems focusing solely on external value measures perpetuate self-sabotaging patterns. She advocates building self-worth from the inside out, encouraging listeners to understand and confront the roots of fear and ego that often drive actions to prove one's value. Links:  Andie Colleen’s Website:  https://www.andiecolleen.com/ Andie’s IG:  @andiecolleen  Andie’s Podcast:  Mindset Magic with Andie Colleen Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com  Connect with Chris on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Subscribe to the You Can Manage That YouTube Channel:  @youcanmanagethat

Do you want to level-up your executive presence and develop leadership and management skills?  Join host Chris Asper as he dives into a fascinating conversation with renowned speaker, coach, and thought leader Salima Valji.  With her extensive background in multinational corporations and passion for equality, Salima shares invaluable strategies for success in the corporate world.  Discover her "flashlight tool" technique and get inspired by her inspiring stories of overcoming adversity. Plus, learn how to leverage your strengths, build relationships, network confidently, and use Harvey J. Coleman’s PIE framework to appear professional online and in person!  Episode Guide and Timestamps:     02:07 - Overcome self-doubt to improve executive presence. 05:09 - Individual obstacles: gender, role, hierarchy, perception, belonging. 07:55 - Believe in uniqueness, embrace the power of being “the only.” 13:35 - Pay attention to internal thoughts; use the flashlight tool. 14:46 - Focus on others to overcome internal dialogue. 18:22 - Childhood experiences shaped identity. Career success requires PIE. 24:16 - Investing in relationships improved work performance. 27:59 - Network importance: build relationships, seize opportunities, succeed. 32:18 - Be intentional in a virtual, hybrid world; executive presence matters. 35:51- Unleash Forward:  Newsletter, Coaching, and Leadership program. Links & Resources Mentioned:  Unleash Forward:  https://www.unleashforward.com/  Connect with Salima on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimavalji/ Article:  “Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome” by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey. Harvard Business Review, February 11, 2021. Book: Empowering Yourself by Harvey J. Coleman Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com  Connect with Chris on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Subscribe to the You Can Manage That YouTube Channel:  @youcanmanagethat

“What are the key strategies for effective leadership in today's volatile and complex world?” “Why do highly skilled individual contributors often struggle when transitioning into leadership roles?” “How can I adopt an adaptable and flexible leadership style to navigate uncertain situations?” … if you ever said those phrases out loud, this episode is for you. In this episode, I interview Brett Campbell, a former military officer, pastor, and current corporate trainer with Dale Carnegie. Listeners will gain insight into Brett’s leadership development and team-building approach.  Key Takeaways: Relationships are crucial to effective leadership. As Brett notes, "The role of relationships, I think, is inextricably linked to leadership." Leaders must prioritize building healthy and effective relationships with their team members. Servant leadership is a powerful approach. By focusing on serving and developing their team members, leaders can create a more motivated and committed team. As Brett explains, "The benefit of serving leadership to the team is that that team is...going to know that their leader is committed to them, that their leader has their best interests at heart." Resiliency and effort are key traits for leaders. Finding one's purpose and achieving goals requires effort and perseverance. Leaders must also be resilient during challenging times and be willing to bounce back from failure. Episode Highlights: Brett's incredible journey: military to corporate to pastoring to Dale Carnegie. Engaging direct reports and developing effective relationships: crucial for all leaders. Key strategies for effective leadership in a VUCA world. Adaptability and flexibility: essential qualities for successful leadership. Why skilled individual contributors often struggle as leaders. The critical mindset of a Servant Leader: unlocking leadership potential. Dale Carnegie's Formula for Performance Change: driving tangible results. Developing leadership skills even when time is limited. Knowing your purpose and living with intention: essential for effective leadership. Resources Mentioned Connect with Brett Campbell (guest) on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettcampbellpa/  Connect with Dale Carnegie: https://www.dalecarnegie.com/ Book:  Essentialism by Greg McKeown Connect with Chris Asper (host) on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Learn more about Chris Asper:  https://www.chrisasper.com Connect with Chris about being a podcast guest:  https://calendly.com/chrisasper/podcastintro 

"Between work and personal life, I don't have any time left for my development." "Why is dealing with certain team members so difficult? It's driving me up the wall." "I wish I could lead a team that's engaged, performs at its best, and enjoys their work." … if you ever said those phrases out loud, this episode is for you. In this episode, I interview Shawn Bakker, a psychologist with Psychometrics Canada who specializes in workplace assessments.  We discuss the challenges of leadership, leading a team, and stress the importance of prioritizing and focusing on what matters most.   Key Takeaways: Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership. Recognizing our strengths, weaknesses, and the impact of our behaviour on others is crucial. Personality-based assessments provide valuable insights into our leadership style. Consider taking a personality assessment like the Work Personality Index to gain an objective understanding. Bridging the gap between intentions and impact allows leaders to build strong relationships and achieve shared goals with their team. Role modelling is a powerful tool for leaders. Tackle uncomfortable situations like conflict resolution and be quick to engage but slow to make decisions. Assessing skills and identifying gaps are essential for growth. Personality-based assessments offer impartial feedback and help leaders understand their strengths and opportunities for development. Episode Highlights: Introduction to the challenges of leadership and the importance of prioritization. Exploring self-awareness as the starting point for effective leadership. The benefits of personality-based assessments for gaining insights into leadership style. Recommendations for using assessments like the Work Personality Index. Bridging the gap between intentions and impact for stronger relationships and goal achievement. The power of role modelling in leadership. Embracing uncomfortable situations and conflict resolution. The significance of assessing skills and identifying growth opportunities. Practical tips and exercises for developing self-awareness as a leader. Resources and Links Mentioned: Connect with Shawn (guest) on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-bakker/ Connect with Psychometics Canada: https://www.psychometrics.com Connect with Chris (host) on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Learn more about Chris:  https://www.chrisasper.com

The episode delves into the significance of identifying and addressing mental health challenges in the workplace, particularly for managers and leaders. Michelle Anhang, a certified leadership and mental health coach, stresses the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where employees can feel comfortable discussing their mental health issues. She recommends taking the Mental Health First Aid course, which equips participants with the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of declining mental health or substance use problems and provides knowledge and information to support individuals and direct them to professional help if necessary. The episode also sheds light on common mental health issues that managers and leaders may encounter in their team members, such as lack of motivation, exhaustion, anxiety, and fear, and emphasizes the need for education and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health. Resources mentioned: Learn more about Michelle: https://michelleanhang.com/ Learn more about Chris: https://www.chrisasper.com/

Discover how to overcome limiting beliefs and find your leadership voice with Nichole Jiminez, Director of Experiential Marketing at World Vision Canada. In this podcast episode, Nichole shares her journey and challenges as a new leader, including how to be authentic and overcome the fear of not being liked. You can learn about the impact of authentic leadership and gain practical advice for finding your voice as a leader. Plus, discover a big clue to discovering your authentic self and how to balance being true to yourself while achieving organizational goals. Don't miss out on this insightful podcast that encourages you to ditch the comparison mindset and become a confident first-time manager! Links Mentioned:  Nichole’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholebernard/ Nichole’s Instagram:  @nicholejiminez Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com Chris’ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Episode Guide and Timestamps:  Nichole’s leadership journey: 0:46 Leadership mistake - comparing oneself to others:  1:39 The lies that kept Nichole stuck:  3:19 How Nichole broke through her limiting beliefs:  6:15 Seeing yourself as a leader when you break through limiting beliefs:  8:10 Leadership doesn’t need to look the same:  9:10 How Nichole found her leadership voice:  10:21 Leadership is personal development:  12:43 Challenges Nichole faced by being authentic:  14:34 Overcoming the fear of not being liked:  16:13 How Nichole defines authenticity:  18:39 The impact of authentic leadership:  20:34 Advice for those struggling to find their voice as a leader:  22:20 A big clue to discovering your authentic self:  24:56 Balancing being true to yourself and achieving organizational goals:  26:15 Ditch the comparison mindset:  29:46

In this episode of "You Can Manage That," host Chris Asper speaks with Aaron Fung, an Inclusion and Diversity Business Partner at Pinterest. Aaron discusses his role as a Business Partner and how it relates to inclusion and diversity in the workplace. He also shares his insights into building a more inclusive workplace culture and offers tips for first-time managers looking to improve their leadership skills. This episode is geared towards first-time managers interested in creating an inclusive work environment. Links Mentioned:  Aaron’s Career Coaching Website:  www.coachingaf.com  Aaron’s Email Address: [email protected] Aaron’s Company GroanUp: www.groanup.co  Aaron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronlfung/  Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com Chris’ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/ Episode Guide and Timestamps:  About the Inclusion and Diversity Business Partner Role:  1:16 Why Inclusion and Diversity is important to developing talent:  3:10 Mindset shift around Diversity:  3:54 Inclusion and Diversity Requires a Collective Effort:  7:49 Simple Solutions Don’t Solve Complicated Problems:  10:14 Inclusive Thinking for Sales, Marketing and Content Development:  11:57 How to Challenge and Confront:  14:17 The 10th Man Rule - Movie Reference:  17:27 Building an Inclusive Culture from the Ground Up:  18:58 Importance of training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:  21:53 Getting people curious about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:  25:23 Progress over perfection:  28:19 Final advice:  Be a Responsible Manager:  29:41

In this episode of "You Can Manage That," host Chris Asper interviews Kim Fletcher, a dynamic leader spearheading the marketing and communication strategy at Diabetes Canada. Kim shares her Five C's model for Navigating and Leading Change in the workplace, drawing on her experience in brand management, product marketing, fundraising, and customer experience. Listeners will gain valuable advice from her expertise, as well as her extensive nonprofit work and industry recognition. Episode Guide and Time Stamps:  [2:51] - What is leadership? [4:30] - Navigating Change with the Five C’s [5:00] - The first C: Curiosity [8:32] - The second and third C:  Capabilities and Capacity [13:05] - The fourth C:  Confidence [16:53] - The fifth C:  Compassion [20:17] - Balancing Capabilities and Capacity [23:27] - Maintaining a Curious Mindset [26:50] - Resilience to Change [30:19] - Cultivating a Culture of Trust Resources Mentioned:  Diabetes Canada: https://www.diabetes.ca Connect with Kim on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimpfletcher/ Learn more about Chris Asper (host): https://www.chrisasper.com Connect with Chris Asper (host) on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisasper/