#391) Lessons from 250,000 Trained Leaders | Ashley Herd, Former McKinsey Head of HR

Most leaders strive for this praise but are thrown into the deep end - responsible for up to 260 meetings a year and expected to know how to motivate teams, navigate tough conversations, and drive results with little guidance. This episode is all about becoming leadership. So if you’re trying to step into a new role or even just become a better boss, this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Ashley Herd, former Head of HR North America at McKinsey, national keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice who has trained over 250,000 managers.She has a new book coming out tomorrow, February 6th entitled, The Manager Method: A Practical Framework to Lead, Support, and Get Results (February 10, 2026 // Hay House), she helps managers at every level lead with confidence, navigate challenges, build strong teams, and avoid burnout.Topics we explore in this episode: Major challenges that managers faceWhy you should challenge yourself to become a better leader. Shouldn’t real world experience be enough?How a career quilt, a collection of career experiences, can shape you as a leader.How the “Pause–Consider–Act” framework helps managers lead with confidenceWhy leaders NEED to take time offWays a manager can stop micromanaging while keeping accountability highHow AI can make leaders more human by improving communication, time management, and connectionResources MentionedORDER ASHLEY’S BOOK, THE MANAGER METHOD: Managermethod.com/bookConnect on LinkedIn with Ashley Herd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/Connect with Chris, the host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-villanueva-cprw/Let’s Eat, Grandma — Resume writing services to help you stand out with clarity and confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.