Management Muse

Your company might be one expired domain, missing admin login, or messy vendor contract away from a digital disaster. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with Paige Wiese, founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, about the hidden digital weak spots that can turn into expensive chaos. From wiped computers and missing website documentation to personal email accounts and AI tools, this conversation explores the everyday ways organizations accidentally build fragility into their digital ecosystem. You’ll learn why leaders need to document who has access to what, why offboarding should include more than collecting a laptop, and how to avoid becoming the company that discovers its entire digital operation was held together by one person’s browser history. This episode is for managers, executives, founders, and anyone who has ever asked, “Wait… who has the login for that?” Episode Highlights: What digital continuity means and why it matters How to track digital ownership Why employee exits can create major digital risk What to watch for in vendor contracts New risks with AI tools and personal accounts How managers can prepare before the digital disaster happens About Paige Wiese: Paige Wiese, Founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital, has been involved in over 75 digital due diligence and post-acquisition projects, reviewing more than 300 digital data points per business. Through her proprietary Digital Asset Protection™ system and Ownership Mapping Framework™, Paige helps advisors and business owners prevent costly deal delays and protect valuation by ensuring full control of every digital asset before a sale. Connect with Paige: Linkedin | FB | IG | YT Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QB3zXLdOXck Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Spears, Roger. “AI Governance in 2025: 3 Key Strategies to Protect Your Business and Stay Compliant,” Schneider Downs, 1 Oct. 2025, https://schneiderdowns.com/our-thoughts-on/ai-governance-3-key-strategies-to-protect-your-business-and-stay-compliant/  Norton, Kieran, et al., “How can tech leaders manage emerging generative AI risks today while keeping the future in mind?” Deloitte Center for Integrated Research, 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/digital-transformation/four-emerging-categories-of-gen-ai-risks.html  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Should people at work know what everyone else makes? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin tackle the messy science and management reality of pay transparency. Too little transparency sends employees into the rumor mill. Too much transparency can make people obsess over small differences, narrow salary bands, and reduce room for negotiation. The sweet spot? A Goldilocks approach: enough transparency to build trust and reduce speculation, but not so much that compensation becomes the only thing people can see. Cindi and Geoff explore why salary satisfaction is often driven less by the absolute number on a paycheck and more by who employees compare themselves to. They discuss why job markets provide a reality check, how to leverage this information to get paid what you’re worth, and what managers should do when employees believe they are underpaid. This episode gives leaders a practical way to think about compensation clarity without turning the workplace into a salary cage match. Episode Highlights: What pay satisfaction depends on The danger of too little–or too much–transparency How managers can help employees find better “comparison others” Why promotions should come with real pay conversations How labor-market swings can create pay compression and resentment Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vHhnHLQHpMk Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Cullen, Zoë, and Bobak Pakzad-Hurson. “Equilibrium Effects of Pay Transparency.” Econometrica, 2023, https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/Cullen_Equilibrium_Effects_Econometrica_2c580d57-9746-4946-bcd4-3d194d6b74ad.pdf  Card, David, Alexandre Mas, Enrico Moretti, and Emmanuel Saez. 2012. "Inequality at Work: The Effect of Peer Salaries on Job Satisfaction." American Economic Review 102 (6): 2981–3003, https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aer.102.6.2981  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Performance reviews eat up time, frustrate employees, and often fail to improve performance. So why are so many organizations still clinging to them? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with Collette Revere, CEO of Open 360, about why traditional performance management is overdue for the trash heap. Collette explains how the model many organizations still use dates back to World War I. It made sense in a more rigid, hierarchical era, but work has changed. Cindi and Collette unpack why performance reviews are often backward-looking, demotivating, and better at catching low performers than helping good people get better. Collette brings three simple shifts leaders can implement to improve performance management right now, even if their organization is not ready for a full system overhaul. If you’ve ever sat through a review and thought, “What exactly is this helping?” this one’s for you. Episode Highlights: Why traditional performance reviews often fail to improve performance The hidden time cost of performance reviews for leaders Why past-focused feedback can demotivate instead of drive improvement How better communication can improve employee performance Three practical ways to improve performance management right now What better performance conversations should actually focus on About Collette Revere: Collette Revere is the Founder and CEO of Open360™, a psychology-based leadership and development company helping organizations strengthen trust, alignment, and performance through feedback and communication. A mental health professional, certified change management practitioner, and organizational development consultant, she has spent nearly two decades helping leaders improve performance management, navigate change, and build healthier workplace culture using practical approaches grounded in behavioral science.  Connect with Collette:  Website | Linkedin Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QL4q6cHDWB0 Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Buckingham, Marcus and Goodall, Ashley. “The Feedback Fallacy,” Harvard Business Review, Apr. 2019, https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-feedback-fallacy  Cappelli, Peter and Tavis, Anna. The Performance Management Revolution, Harvard Business Review Press, 1 Oct. 2016, https://store.hbr.org/product/the-performance-management-revolution/R1610D?srsltid=AfmBOoqCUszEt_FzkkBghohLl4BywwVmVSsCrO1XcgagCwntrjNNLnPJ&  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Real workplace problems. No prep. No easy answers. Can the consultants be stumped? In this special episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin put their management consulting instincts to the test with real workplace problems pulled from years of coaching leaders, managers, and organizations. One presents the dilemma, the other has to solve it on the spot before finding out what actually happened. The dilemmas are messy yet highly relatable: a top performer aging out, a boss who refuses to respect work-life boundaries, and interpersonal drama that threatens operations. Cindi and Geoff reveal how executive coaches and organizational consultants think through leadership challenges in real time. Along the way, they explore one of the hardest truths in consulting: many workplace problems can be solved, but only if people are willing to have the tough conversations. Fast-paced, funny, and packed with practical leadership advice, this episode is full of insights for managers, executives, HR leaders, and anyone navigating difficult people problems at work. Listen in and see whether the consultants crack the case—or get stumped. Episode Highlights: How experienced consultants diagnose messy workplace problems in real time How to honor loyal employees without hurting performance Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems at work Practical ways to set boundaries with an overreaching boss Why a pay raise often fails to solve burnout How leaders should manage personal conflict at the executive level What David and Goliath teaches about disruption and business strategy Why past success can blind organizations to future threats Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lu7ImQV5feY Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Rumeult, Richard P. The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists, PublicAffairs, 3 May 2022, https://a.co/d/0cFhIw35  Christensen, Clayton. The Innovator’s Dilemma, Harper Business, 4 Oct. 2011, https://a.co/d/04tjyp7J  Ury, William. The Power of a Positive No, Bantam, 26 Dec. 2007, https://a.co/d/04ZKtABx  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Your team agrees with you. They nod in meetings. And yet… nothing changes. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi sits down with Leslie Ellis, CEO of Meaningful Change Consulting, to unpack one of the most frustrating leadership challenges: when alignment in the room doesn’t translate into action. The problem isn’t as simple as individual resistance, it’s also how organizations fundamentally think about change. Most companies still treat change as a one-time event: something to roll out, push through, and move past. But in today’s environment, disruption is constant, and that model is breaking down. Leslie introduces a more effective approach: shifting from “change” to continuous reinvention. More importantly, she argues that reinvention can’t just be an initiative, it has to be embedded into the culture. When reinvention becomes part of how an organization operates, teams become more resilient, and organizations stay on the cutting edge amidst ongoing disruption. Together, they explore why evolution beats revolution, how to build reinvention into your organization’s rhythm, and why leaders must model this shift before expecting it from anyone else. If your change efforts aren’t sticking, this conversation will help you understand why, and how to build an organization that can actually keep up. Episode Highlights: The reason alignment doesn’t translate into action Why big “change pushes” often create more resistance than progress and how to fix it The hidden risk of treating long-term plans as fixed commitments How to normalize revisiting decisions without triggering ego or ownership issues What it looks like to build adaptability into your organization’s rhythm The leadership behaviors that signals “it’s safe to evolve here” About Leslie Ellis: Leslie Ellis is an executive change advisor and CEO of Meaningful Change Consulting, helping leaders succeed in complex, high-stakes transformation. She works with senior teams navigating enterprise change, culture shifts, and reinvention. She focuses on what most organizations miss: leadership alignment, decision-making, and setting the right conditions before execution. With 20+ years of experience, Leslie has supported 55+ organizations across 42 countries, impacting over 900,000 stakeholders. She’s often brought in when change is stalled or at risk—or to prevent those outcomes entirely. Leslie is a Forbes Business Council member, Certified Change Management Professional, and Certified Reinvention Practitioner. Connect with Leslie:  Website | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J4ZZNBntXGE Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Sonenshein, Scott. "We're Changing--Or Are We? Untangling the Role of Progressive, Regressive, and Stability Narratives During Strategic Change Implementation," Academy of Management Journal, 53 (3), 30 Nov. 2017, https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.51467638   McGrath, Rita Gunther and Gourlay, Alex. The End of Competitive Advantage: How to Keep Your Strategy Moving as Fast as Your Business, Harvard Business Review Press, 4 Jun. 2013, https://a.co/d/06GdXTAg  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

What happens when your customers don’t just change… they disappear? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin unpack how demographic shifts are rewriting business strategy, often long before leaders realize what is happening. From aging populations and labor shortages to dropping birth rates and school closures, they explore how changes in population, behavior, and generational preferences can disrupt entire industries right under your nose. And here’s the catch: too often, brands don’t realize the shift until it hits them over the head. Using examples from healthcare, education, hospitality, and live events, Cindi and Geoff show why strategy cannot stay static when the people you serve are evolving. They tackle a key leadership challenge: how to adapt to new markets without abandoning the customers you already have. If you lead people, serve customers, or build strategy, this is a shift you can’t afford to ignore. Episode Highlights: How generational shifts are reshaping business strategy Why aging populations create winners in some industries and decline in others What labor shortages reveal about changing workforce demographics What Gen Z’s changing social habits mean for brands How leaders can adapt without overreacting or alienating current customers Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s14j_fp9N5Q Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Sciubba, Jennifer D. “The Global Population Is Aging. Is Your Business Prepared?,” Harvard Business Review, 18 Nov. 2022, https://hbr.org/2022/11/the-global-population-is-aging-is-your-business-prepared  Lund, Susan et al. “The Future of Work After COVID-19,” McKinsey Global Institute, 18 Feb. 2021, https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/the-future-of-work-after-covid-19 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Walking away from a decade of training and a prestigious title? Most people would call that reckless. Dr. Seema Desai calls it survival. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi sits down with former dentist turned keynote speaker and author Seema Desai to explore one of leadership's most difficult questions: When do you walk away from what you built?  Seema unpacks her journey from wielding the "Dr." title as armor to discovering that ego-driven success was costing her everything: her peace, her parenting, and her sense of self. She reveals how the sunk cost fallacy keeps high achievers trapped in misery, why privilege isn't the same as entitlement, and how small, intentional experiments can lead to transformative change without blowing up your life overnight. This conversation is for anyone who's ever thought, "I should be grateful for this... so why am I so unhappy?" If you've been waiting for permission to reimagine your path, this is it. Episode Highlights: The sunk cost fallacy and why past investment shouldn't dictate your future How ego-driven identity creates fragile, unsustainable success Maslow’s hierarchy and the cost of misalignment Why clarity often comes from action, not planning What it really takes to reinvent yourself About Dr. Seema Desai: Dr. Seema Desai is a keynote speaker, author, certified coach, and creator of The Joy First Method™. She works with high-performing leaders and teams who seek sustainable, meaningful, and aligned results, moving beyond pressure-driven success models.  Dr. Desai teaches leaders to use joy as a strategy—not a reward—for high performance. Her work reframes joy as a competitive advantage that strengthens decision-making, resilience, innovation, and long-term results. She is the author of Connected and co-host of the award-winning podcast Happy and Human. A wife, mom, and trained general dentist, she offers a grounded perspective on high-performance leadership. Connect with Seema: Website | Instagram | Linkedin Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VyNGC5-Nb5E Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013, https://a.co/d/09E15XTn  Kegan, Robert and Lahey, Lisa. Immunity to Change: How to Overcome it and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization, Harvard Business Review Press, 2009, https://a.co/d/0a8DykXV  A.H. Maslow. “A Theory of Human Motivation,” Psychological Review, 1943; 50, 370-396, https://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

What can workplace memes teach us about leadership? More than you might think. To celebrate 100 episodes of Management Muse, we have a special episode for you. The team pulled together a collection of workplace reels—from unlimited PTO policies to the trials of middle management—and challenged Cindi and Geoff to react to them live. Some are hilarious. Some are painfully accurate. And almost all of them contain a kernel of insight into how organizations function. Along the way, Cindi and Geoff unpack what these viral clips reveal about workplace culture, leadership myths, and the dynamics shaping modern organizations. Why do meetings multiply so quickly and how can they be reigned back in? Why can holiday bonuses spark frustration instead of gratitude? And what role do friendships, incentives, and workplace norms actually play in performance? Come for the laughs. Stay for the science-backed insights that might just change how you think about work. Episode Highlights: The real role of middle managers A radical meeting reform idea How holiday bonuses can backfire The dark motive behind unlimited PTO Why your boss’ emails never have punctuation Kombucha taps to nap pods: the office perk arms race Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dtUwst_HnhM Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

The biggest risk of AI isn't that it will replace us; it's that it will stunt our growth. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore the rapidly growing belief that artificial intelligence will transform, or even replace, large parts of work and leadership. They argue that this narrative misses something fundamental about how organizations actually function. From decision-making and strategy to coaching and customer service, they unpack where AI actually adds value and where human judgment, relationships, and real-world experience will have true staying power. The conversation challenges the assumption that more efficiency always leads to better outcomes. In many cases, the moments that feel inefficient—difficult conversations, feedback, mentorship, and trust-building—are exactly what make teams stronger and organizations more resilient. If you want to understand how to use AI without losing the human edge that makes leadership effective, don’t miss this episode. Episode Highlights: How AI distorts self-evaluation The risk of removing friction from the workplace Upskilling and the future of work Why strategy can't be automated The relationship that keeps employees loyal Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KeEoSALhvlk Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Hau, Isabelle C. "Welcome to the Era of Relational Intelligence," Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2026, https://ssir.org/articles/entry/era-of-relational-intelligence  Bjork E.L. & Bjork R.A., "Making things hard on yourself, but in a good way: Creating desirable difficulties to enhance learning," Psychology and the real world: Essays illustrating fundamental contributions to society, Worth Publishers, pp. 56-64, https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-19926-008  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Accountability sounds straightforward…until you try to enforce it. In Part 2 of this series on Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff move from defining the boundaries of micromanagement to confronting the real challenge: what real accountability requires. They explore how leaders over-control when they’re anxious and under-coach when roles evolve. They turn to the real engine of accountability: feedback. Why public reminders don’t work. Why sugarcoating dilutes the message. Why deadlines change behavior. And why leaders with high emotional intelligence may be the most tempted to avoid the very conversations that drive performance. If you want accountability without resentment, this is where the work actually begins. Listen to Part 1 here. Episode Highlights: How to unlearn micromanaging behaviors you might have inadvertently picked up The hidden accountability gap when roles change but expectations don’t The “Poop Sandwich" and why it backfires How to give feedback that boosts accountability The importance of effective conversations and deadlines Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WAYLyFHXSJI Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: Sign up for our newsletter and get our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: DiGangi, Julia. “The Anxious Micromanager,” Harvard Business Review, Sep-Oct. 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/09/the-anxious-micromanager  Ilgen, D., Fisher, C., and Taylor, M.S. “Consequences of individuals feedback on behavior in organizations,” Journal of Applied Psychology, 1979, 64(4), 349-371. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.64.4.349 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

There are far fewer micromanagers than you might think. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff challenge one of the most persistent myths in leadership: that holding people accountable makes you controlling. Drawing on classic leadership and expertise research, they share a simple framework that explains why most managers pull back long before they should. Using their own pizza-making adventures as a running example, Cindi and Geoff explore how people develop competence in a role, and how managers should behave at each stage to support them. They discuss the hidden danger of ‘aloof’ management, and why generational complaints often miss the real issue. Part 1 of a two-part series on how holding people accountable without being the villain. → Listen to Part 2 here. Episode Highlights: The job progression model to calibrate your leadership style How to determine the bounds of micromanagement Why on-the-job-training is costing you The importance of feedback and when to give it Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KHdhHi0Rw00 *Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. *Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: EBSCO, “Situational leadership theory,” https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/situational-leadership-theory Penney, CA. “Are You a Micromanager or Too Hands-Off?” Harvard Business Review, 2 Aug. 2024, https://hbr.org/2024/08/are-you-a-micromanager-or-too-hands-off  Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. “The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance,” Psychological Review, 1993, 100(3), 363–406. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.100.3.363 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

When the future gets blurry, people start making bad decisions. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore uncertainty from every angle: not just how leaders respond to it, but how they create it, how organizations amplify it, and how individuals shrink themselves because of it. From miscalibrated risk assessments to communication breakdowns, they unpack how ambiguity distorts decision making at every level. You will hear why leaders often overreact to potential threats, how silence can unintentionally signal danger, and why high performers sometimes hold themselves back when outcomes feel unclear. Cindi and Geoff share practical ways managers can stabilize teams, communicate more effectively, and think more clearly when the future feels unsettled. If you lead people, manage change, or simply want to stop playing small when things feel unclear, this episode will help you learn how to make uncertainty work for you. Episode Highlights: The hidden cost of fear-driven decision making Why we overestimate risks and underestimate opportunities A framework for calibrating your risk assessment skills Why organizations overcorrect in the face of uncertainty How to fix communication breakdowns during periods of change What managers can do to create steadiness Want to Go Deeper?  Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wwHYN3edVqk  Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 Habits You NEED to Level Up Your Management Skills in 2026! Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

If your employees could fire you… would they? This week Cindi is joined by author and CEO Dr. Keith Levick to discuss research that reveals 60% of employees would fire their boss if they could—and even more disturbingly, many would sacrifice salary, vacation, or promotions to make it happen. Why? Because too many workplaces lack psychological safety, flexibility, and real ownership. The good news? Keith lays out how leaders can reverse this pattern by developing social and emotional intelligence. He breaks down the difference between the two, and offers a clear roadmap for reading the room, building trust, and leading with more awareness and empathy. This episode is a must-listen for any manager brave enough to ask: Would my team keep me if they had the choice? Episode Highlights: What employees wish their boss understood Why leadership failure is usually interpersonal, not technical Emotional intelligence vs. social intelligence (and why both matter) Easy steps to developing self awareness The importance of empathy and flexibility  About Dr. Keith Levick: Keith Levick, PhD, or “Dr. Keith,” as many of his clients refer to him, holds a Master of Social Work and a Doctorate in Counseling from Detroit’s Wayne State University and has worked with large, medium, and small companies and corporations. Dr. Keith is the CEO of Goren and Associates, a professional development, executive coaching, and consulting firm in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He has spent many years in clinical practice as a psychologist and has since transitioned his clinical expertise into organizational psychology and business. Keith is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University and Lawrence Technological University. * Purchase Keith’s book, The Insightful Leader: Discover Your Blind Spots Through the Eyes of Employees * Connect with Keith: Linkedin | Insightful Leaders | Goren & Associates Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6HvROyp9h6E *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 science-backed habits you NEED to level up your management skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013, https://a.co/d/0gsQLnWO  Goleman, Daniel. Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships, Bantam, 2007, https://a.co/d/05ArEUkA  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Habits aren’t just about willpower. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff uncover a radical insight from behavioral science: most habits are powered by underlying anxiety. Willpower alone isn’t enough, because habits aren’t just actions, they’re emotional coping strategies. From sleep routines to workplace distractions, Cindi and Geoff break down the surprising psychology of habits and offer practical ways to make real change stick. You’ll learn why starting small creates large payoffs, how to time your habit launches for success, and what it means to replace—not just remove—habitual behaviors. Whether you're trying to lead better, live healthier, or stop doomscrolling before bed, this episode gives you a fresh framework for transforming habits with more clarity and control. Episode Highlights: The anxiety-habit connection Why willpower alone sets you up to fail The Fresh Start Effect How starting smaller can lead to bigger wins The trick to breaking bad habits A gut-check for your organization Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3xjk1xc55Ds *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 science-backed habits you NEED to level up your management skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Brewer, Judson. Unwinding Anxiety, Avery, 2022. https://a.co/d/7pjMANH  Dai, H., Milkman, K.L, and Riis, J. “The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior,” Management Science, 2014, 60(10), 2563-2582. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2204126&  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Endless hold music. Clunky bots. Repeating your story five times. We’ve all been there. But what if customer service didn’t have to feel like a test of patience? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with Rick DeLisi, author and lead research analyst at Glia, about the new frontline of support: AI-enhanced service that puts results over sympathies. Rick shares how smart systems now handle simple requests, route complex issues with full context, and tee up human reps to actually solve problems instead of just soothing frustration. Not only is the experience better for customers, it also makes frontline jobs more interesting, more humane, and a whole lot less stressful. Whether you're designing customer experiences or just tired of bad ones, this episode offers a look into a more efficient, effortless future. Episode Highlights: Why human reps and phone support aren’t going anywhere A new definition of empathy in support roles The one metric that actually predicts customer loyalty How new centralized systems create seamless customer experiences The impact of AI on employee experience and retention About Rick DeLisi: Rick DeLisi is a leading voice in customer experience strategy and the co-author of two influential books: The Effortless Experience and Digital Customer Service. As Lead Research Analyst at Glia, Rick brings over two decades of expertise in the psychology of customer interactions and their impact on loyalty. A former Gartner VP and award-winning journalist, his insights have shaped how companies worldwide train service teams, measure success, and adapt to the digital-first landscape. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, and he’s delivered keynotes in more than 25 countries. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XKIMyY4G8Ho  *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 science-backed habits you NEED to level up your management skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: DeLisi, R, Dixon, M, and Ponomareff, L. “Kick-Ass Customer Service,” Harvard Business Review, Jan-Feb. 2017, https://hbr.org/2017/01/kick-ass-customer-service  Rose, Todd. The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness, HarperOne, 19 Jan. 2016, https://www.amazon.com/End-Average-Succeed-Values-Sameness/dp/0062358367  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

They never complained. They always delivered. And then one day, they were just… gone. Burnout rarely announces itself, but there are early warning signs. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explain the three stages of burnout and why your most committed, high-performing employees are the most at risk. Instead of asking, “Are you burned out?” leaders need sharper tools and a better understanding of what burnout really looks like. Cindi and Geoff unpack the subtle signs and explore the cultural practices that cause them. They dig into the dangers of being perpetually “on,” the harm of poorly designed PTO policies, and the myth that key players can’t step away without everything falling apart. If you manage high performers, this episode’s essential. Episode Highlights: The three stages of burnout Why passion drives people toward burnout Smarter ways to spot burnout before it’s too late Organizational traps that fuel burnout The psychological toll of always being “on call” How to protect your most committed employees without lowering expectations Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e9a1vLG0CIQ *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 science-backed habits you NEED to level up your management skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Valsania et al. “Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 3 Feb. 2022, 19(3), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031780 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

What if delegation wasn’t just a way to get work off your plate, but a strategy to grow your people, your impact, and your sanity? This week, Cindi welcomes Mamie Kanfer Stewart, host of The Modern Manager, for a masterclass in smart delegation. Whether you’re struggling to let go, tired of redoing half-done tasks, or just don’t know what to hand off, Mamie offers a path forward. She shares a practical framework for tailoring delegation to the situation, aligning handoffs with career growth, and creating feedback loops that build trust, not stress. If you’ve ever thought “it’s easier to just do it myself,” this one’s for you… and don’t miss Cindi’s guest appearance on The Modern Manager this week either! Episode Highlights: How to delegate in a way that actually saves you time When delegation goes wrong, and how to fix it The 5 levels of delegation and when to use each How to use delegation to develop your team and boost productivity The link between trust, autonomy, and performance About Mamie: Mamie Kanfer Stewart is passionate about helping people thrive at work. She is the host of The Modern Manager podcast, author of Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings and Founder of Meeteor, a training firm focused on productive meetings and team collaboration. In addition, Mamie is an executive coach and trainer who works with entrepreneurs and managers to build the mindset, skills and habits they need to successfully manage themselves and their teams so everyone can be their best selves and do their best work. Connect with Mamie: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram MamieKS TikTok Facebook Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i_7yv0wYmhI *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and our FREE guide to the 6 science-backed habits you NEED to level up your management skills in 2026! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Johnson, Elsbeth. “Why Aren’t I Better at Delegating?”, Sep-Oct. 2025, https://hbr.org/2025/09/why-arent-i-better-at-delegating  Kanfer Stewart, Mamie. “Prepare Your Mind to Delegate Successfully,” MamieKS, 2 Dec. 2019. https://www.mamieks.com/post/prepare-your-mind-to-delegate-successfully  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

What happens when the founder’s personality becomes the company’s culture?  In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the phenomenon of founder imprint: the lasting, often invisible fingerprints that founders leave on an organization’s values, behaviors, and decisions. This episode complements our recent discussion on weak organizational cultures by diving into the special case of start-ups, which often have strong, founder-driven cultures. From Chick-fil-A’s Sundays off to Herb Kelleher’s wild-but-warm ethos at Southwest, Cindi and Geoff walk through iconic examples of founder imprint, and contrast them with stories from their own experience building a small business together. You’ll learn how early team choices, value signaling, and founder preferences can shape a company’s identity long after the original leader has left the building. Tune in to hear how founder-led cultures can be both a strength and a stumbling block as organizations scale. Episode Highlights: Why founder values “imprint” early and persist over time The surprising science behind why teams end up so similar When founder-led cultures work, and when they get in the way How cultural self-governance can be a gift or a trap What Cindi and Geoff learned from building their own firm Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xIcIyDg_rK0 *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Get a Comprehensive Organizational Assessment with CulSure *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Zook, Chris. “Founder-Led Companies Outperform the Rest – Here’s Why,” Harvard Business Review, 24 Mar. 2016. https://hbr.org/2016/03/founder-led-companies-outperform-the-rest-heres-why  Gutterman, Alan S. “Founders and Organizational Culture”, Oct. 2023, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374695659_Founders_and_Organizational_Culture  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

You might be doing everything right as a manager on paper and still holding yourself back. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi sits down with management coach Mel Cidado to unpack three common mistakes that derail manager growth. Through client stories, they explore how great employees can falter in leadership roles when they try to do it all themselves, when they get stuck in expert mode, or when they assume results speak louder than actions. Each pattern looks like success from the outside but creates blind spots that limit advancement. This conversation is for new managers, seasoned leaders, and the organizations that support them. Cindi and Mel share what it takes to course-correct early and why the path to growth starts with clarity, connection, and communication. Episode Highlights: Three common mistakes in manager development and how to avoid them Why high-performing employees often struggle after promotion How over-rewarding expertise can limit leadership potential Why strong KPIs don’t always translate into advancement The three 3 C’s of effective management Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VG8GAchWIsE About Mel Cidado: Melissa (Mel) Cidado is an executive coach, leadership advisor, and former Fortune 100 Talent VP, who helps senior leaders grow into new, bigger, and more visible roles with clarity, confidence, and sustainability. With 25 years of experience advising and coaching hundreds of executives through disruptive change, Mel brings a unique blend of real-world executive insight and deeply human, no-fluff guidance. Today, she helps executive leaders design careers that fuel them, so success feels sustainable and aligned from the inside out. She’s the founder of Breakthrough Coaching and a contributor to Forbes Coaches Council, where she writes about energy leadership, performative resilience, and how to thrive through disruption. *Connect with Mel: Linkedin | Breakthrough Coaching _____________ *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Want to understand your people better? Get a comprehensive organizational assessment at CULSURE *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Thinking about starting a side hustle?  In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin unpack why now might be the best time to build something of your own. Whether you're dreaming of a creative outlet or a full-on escape hatch from your day job, side hustles offer more than just financial upside. Done right, they’re a smart way to test-drive new ideas, stay engaged, and future-proof your career (without blowing up your life in the process). Cindi and Geoff share the science and strategy behind side gigs that energize, not exhaust. They break down how to avoid common traps like overinvesting or partnering with the wrong person. Tune in to learn how your side hustle can be your lab, your launchpad, and your life raft, all at once. Episode Highlights: How side hustles can foster creativity and lead to entrepreneurial opportunities The hidden risks of side hustles and how to avoid burnout Key strategies to ensure your side hustle aligns with your long-term career goals How pursuing a side hustle can lead to unexpected career opportunities. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Xuf9iSghVLs *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Scott, Shane. The Illusions of Entrepreneurship, Yale University Press, 26 Jan. 2010. https://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Entrepreneurship-Costly-Entrepreneurs-Investors/dp/0300158564 Grant, Adam. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, Penguin Books, 7 Feb. 2017.https://www.amazon.com/Originals-How-Non-Conformists-Move-World/dp/014312885X  Harroch, Dominique, “The Ultimate Guide to Side Hustles,” Forbes, 12 Jun. 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2025/06/12/the-ultimate-guide-to-side-hustles/ Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

A single promotion can shift the energy of an entire organization. In this episode, Cindi and Geoff sit down with Leticia Rodriguez, CEO of Ward Memorial Hospital, to talk about why internal promotions build stronger organizations and how to take smart chances on people who are still growing. Leticia shares how someone once saw potential in her, and how she now pays that forward by developing talent from the inside. From intentional one-on-ones to strategic learning investments, she shows how internal hires create a culture where people stay, grow, and deliver. This episode offers a framework for betting on your people, without setting them up to fail. Tune in for a fresh take on increasing retention, performance, and shared purpose. Episode Highlights: The ripple effects of well-placed internal promotions How to spot potential before it announces itself The tradeoffs between hiring internal versus external How to course correct when a gamble doesn’t work Why investing in development changes team dynamics over time The leadership habit that keeps communication open and growth on track About Leticia Rodriguez: Leticia Rodriguez is the CEO for Ward Memorial Hospital, Monahans, TX and has held that role for the last 12 years. Professionally, Rodriguez serves on the board for The Texas Health Services Authority. Locally, she serves as the Vice President for the Monahans Economic Development and Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division, Rotary and Ambassador’s Club. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b0Px8zLApjU *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Want to understand your people better? Get a comprehensive organizational assessment at CULSURE *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Minni, Virginia. “New Research on How the Best Managers Shape Employees’ Careers,” Harvard Business Review, 1 Oct. 2025. https://hbr.org/2025/10/new-research-on-how-the-best-managers-shape-employees-careers  Benson, A and Rissing, B. “Strength from Within: Internal Mobility and the Retention of High Performers,” Organizational Science, 7 Dec. 2019. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3503708 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Most companies say they have a culture. Very few actually do. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin break down what workplace culture really means and why most organizations fall short.  Cindi and Geoff explain how culture acts like choreography. When people know the steps, they move in sync. When they don’t, departments end up dancing to different music which breeds confusion, inefficiency, and sometimes outright conflict. Without shared values, leaders are stuck micromanaging because there is no built-in guidance for decision-making. This episode is for executives and team leads who want clarity on the framework of building a culture that drives performance. You’ll learn the two key drivers to unify your organization, and why culture, when done right, becomes your best tool for performance and coordination. Episode Highlights: What real culture is and how to tell if you have it The two things you need to build a successful culture What happens when every department has its own values How shared values guide decisions, behavior, and performance Why strong cultures reduce the need for micromanagement The role of peer accountability in culture enforcement Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ju7rgp9wVb0 *Take your executive team to the next level with On-Demand Leadership *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Satell, G and Windschitl, C. “High-Performing Teams Start with a Culture of Shared Values,” Harvard Business Review, 11 May. 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/05/high-performing-teams-start-with-a-culture-of-shared-values  Collins, Jim. Good to Great: A Study of Management Strategies of Companies with Lasting Growth, Harper Business, 16 Oct. 2001, https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

We often treat work as a necessary evil, but it might be doing more for your happiness than you think.  In this episode, Cindi and Geoff dig into the power of workplace relationships, and how easily they’re overlooked. They challenge assumptions about loneliness, connection, and meaning, unpacking why the daily rhythms of work life can be so hard to lose. From first jobs to the so-called freedom of retirement, Cindi and Geoff reconsider what work actually gives us, and why it matters. If you're looking for ways to build stronger bonds and shared purpose on your team, this podcast is worth a listen. Episode Highlights: Why work relationships matter more than we think Surprising findings on loneliness The three ingredients of a good life How to foster genuine connection–without forced fun Avoid the pitfalls of retirement Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VFR9dGExIBU  *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Ready to take your organization to the next level? Call On-Demand Leadership *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Wright, SL and Silard, AG. “Loneliness in Young Adult Workers,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 4 Nov. 2022; 19(21):14462. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114462 Knight, Rebecca. “The office friendship is dead. That’s bad for all of us – especially our employers,” Business Insider, 13 Apr 2022, https://www.businessinsider.com/office-friendship-dead-remote-work-employers-turnover-great-resignation-2022-4  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a second helping of one of our favorite episodes featuring Cindi’s nephew, academic and author Spencer Fraseur. In a world chasing perfectionism, Spencer makes a provocative case: failure is actually a competitive advantage. Drawing from his research and book Failing Upward, he lays out how resilience, reflection, and smarter pivots fuel success.  Packed with practical tools for turning missteps into momentum, this episode will change how you think about failure–and why embracing it can put you ahead.  About Spencer: Spencer Fraseur is an academic and author of Failing Upward, a book that challenges the traditional views of failure and offers a new framework for embracing it as part of the journey toward success. Spencer recently received his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University, where he continues to explore themes of resilience, learning, and personal development. His first book, The Irrational Mind, won the Royal Dragonfly Book Award in 2020. *Connect with Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerfraseur/  Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tnmdVVgyCug  *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Ready to take your organization to the next level? Call On-Demand Leadership *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Heinrich, Ally. “Why Failing is Critical to Your Team’s Success,” Harvard Business School Online Business Insights, 17 Apr. 2025, https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/failing-well Wang, D, Wang, Y, and Jones, BF. “Early-career setback and future career impact,” Nature Communications, 1 Oct. 2019; 10, 4331, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12189-3 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

As AI and automation reshape the workplace, companies everywhere are trimming management layers in the name of efficiency. But how lean is too lean? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff examine what happens when managers take on too many direct reports, what AI can (and can’t) replace, and the long-term costs of organizational flattening. Discover the key dynamics that predict performance and retention, and the simple managerial practice that could safeguard them both. If you’re evaluating how to restructure around AI, this episode will help you strike the balance between efficiency, results, and the people who make both possible. Episode Highlights: How AI and automation are reshaping management What efficient companies overlook about long-term success The breaking point for leader bandwidth What happens when managers lose touch with their teams Key habits to prevent burnout and builds engagement Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5hkqOAMQdFA  *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Want to understand your people better? Call CULSURE *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Cantrell, S, Kirby, L, et al. “Is there still value in the role of managers?,” Deloitte Insights, 24 Mar. 2025. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends/2025/future-of-the-middle-manager.html  Fischer, C, Amabile, T, and Pillemer, J. “How to Help (Without Micromanaging),” Harvard Business Review, Feb. 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-to-help-without-micromanaging?  Rogelberg, Steven. “Make the Most of Your One-on-One Meetings,” Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec. 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/11/make-the-most-of-your-one-on-one-meetings Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

To be a better manager, start telling a better story. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff dig into the science behind oscillating narratives and how honest, full-spectrum storytelling builds resilience and helps employees develop. Leaders who acknowledge both setbacks and successes don’t just help their teams handle adversity better, they actually appear more credible. You’ll learn why always-upward or always-downward narratives distort reality, how to model reflection without losing authority, and why the stories you share shape identity and culture. If you want a smarter approach to leadership narratives that trades perfection for endurance and connection, start here.  Episode Highlights: Why full-spectrum narratives build resilience The danger of all-good or all-bad thinking How to lead without pretending to be perfect When to share mistakes (and when not to) The link between storytelling and trust Creating teams that can bounce back Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fon1hWUXYcA *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Grant, Adam. “The Fine Line Between Helpful and Harmful Authenticity,” The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/smarter-living/the-fine-line-between-helpful-and-harmful-authenticity.html Fivush, Robyn, Duke, Marshall, and Bohanek, Jennifer. “The Power of Family History in Adolescent Identity and Well-Being.” Journal of Family Life, Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life (MARIAL), 23 Feb. 2010, https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-power-of-family-history-in-adolescent-identity.pdf  Kinkead, Eugene. In Every War but One. W. W. Norton & Company, 1959. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4032542-in-every-war-but-one  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

What if the key to workplace wellness isn’t what you do, but how you respond? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with management coach Belinda Block about embedding well-being into high-performing work. From collapse to clarity, Belinda shares how nervous system regulation, small behavioral shifts, and smarter boundaries can help managers lead with more presence and less pressure. This episode spotlights the invisible skills that steady a team: emotional regulation, responsive leadership, and staying present under pressure. Whether you’re quietly burning out or guiding a team through a heavy lift, you'll get accessible tools you can apply right away; no sweeping initiative required. Episode Highlights: Why wellness starts with what you can control How to respond instead of react The power of self‑regulation at work Tools that make wellness easier to integrate with your team How competition and tracking can boost wellness initiatives The link between presence, performance, and realistic expectations Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ITHGHw-ZgRs About Belinda Block: Belinda Block is a management coach with a Ph.D. in industrial psychology who helps high-performing leaders lead more effectively without burning out. Drawing on experience across industries like pharma, finance, and media, she focuses on executive presence, time management, and team leadership. Her coaching blends behavioral science with real-world strategy to help managers stay focused, grounded, and impactful. *Learn more about Belinda here! *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here. *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Shiba, Koichiro, et al. “The Association between Meditation Practice and Job Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study,”  PLoS One. May. 2015;10(5). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4449168/  David, Susan, and Congleton, Christina. "Emotional Agility." Harvard Business Review, Nov. 2013, https://hbr.org/2013/11/emotional-agility Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website

Self-monitoring, when wielded well, is one of the most powerful personality traits in the workplace. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore what it means to be a high or low self-monitor, and how that affects everything from career trajectory to team dynamics. Are you a social chameleon who adapts easily to any room? Or someone who always says what they think, no matter the context? Both approaches have advantages—and pitfalls. The key is knowing how to work with both types. Drawing on foundational research by psychologist Mark Snyder and insights from decades of leadership consulting, Cindi and Geoff break down how self-monitoring shapes management, influence, and even ethics. You’ll leave with a sharper lens for reading behavior, and a better playbook for managing your own. Episode Highlights: What the self‑monitoring assessment actually measures High vs. low self-monitors: strengths and tradeoffs The importance of understanding your company’s social network Why high self-monitors are more likely to get promoted The compensating behaviors both sides must master How culture and context factor shape impact Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ob_2xRMH1IA  *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kilduff, M., & Day, D. V. (1994). “Do Chameleons Get Ahead? The Effects of Self-Monitoring on Managerial Careers.” Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 1047–1060. https://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Self-presentation_Impression_Formation/Kilduff_Day_1994_Do_chameleons_get_ahead.pdf  Snyder, Mark. (1974). “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 526–537. DOI:10.1037/h0037039 Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook - Website

Want less micromanagement and more momentum? Start with culture. In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership expert Torben Nørby, we shift from diagnosing cultural drift to designing companies to thrive in a changing world. This episode dives into shared leadership, the role of AI in shaping behavior, and the power of culture to reduce friction and unlock performance. Cindi and Torben explore what it takes to build aligned and adaptive organizations when change comes fast and complexity is high. From the pitfalls of control-based management to the possibilities of contextual AI application, they chart a course for leaders who want to empower and encourage high performance in their teams. Whether you're navigating organizational change or adapting to AI’s growing role in management, this episode is essential. Episode Highlights: Why it’s time to stop talking about leaders and start talking about leadership How a strong culture often helps managers The power of asking “What do we want?” instead of “What’s broken?” The case for more shared leadership How managers can leverage AI Determining your company’s culture *Watch Part 1 of this conversation!   About Torben Nørby: Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience, Torben is a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to improve organizational performance. Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change.   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9x6e5YnphrQ   *Want to understand the science behind your people? Call CULSURE *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Bradford, Nichol. “Navigating the AI Landscape: Is Culture the Key to Success?” Society for Human Resource Management, 13 October 2024, https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/ai-hi/navigating-the-ai-landscape--is-culture-the-key-to-success-  Fitzsimons, Declan. “How Shared Leadership Changes Our Relationships at Work.” Harvard Business Review, 12 May 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/05/how-shared-leadership-changes-our-relationships-at-work.    Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook - Website

Think culture change has to be slow and painful? Think again. In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by leadership strategist Torben N rby to challenge the belief that culture change is a long, uphill crawl. Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be, if you get the context right. Torben explains how most organizations don’t explode—they erode, slowly sliding out of alignment as they grow and the world shifts around them. Cindi and Torben break down the anatomy of culture change and introduce a smart framework leaders can use to shift culture without wrecking trust or clarity. From international business case studies to the current work-from-home debate, they explore what it takes to lead rapid and lasting cultural shifts. This episode is for anyone ready to redesign a work culture. You’ll walk away with practical tools for evaluating your current culture, for aligning behavior with values, and for creating space for continuous improvement.  *Tune back in next week to hear Part 2 with even more insight! Episode Highlights: How deliberate interventions can build strong cultures The risk of drifting out of alignment as your organization grows The importance of context in culture change How to act without overcorrecting What global case studies reveal about adaptable organizational cultures Why shared leadership drives more sustainable and effective culture shifts About Torben Nørby: Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience spanning the Danish military, global retail, and international consulting, Torben has become a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to drive real organizational performance. Drawing on both rigorous research and experience, Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership styles and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change. Check out Torben’s book, The Contextual Leader   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ve70VwxTE_U Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website

Authentic leadership is a hot topic. But what if bringing your whole self to work is a terrible idea? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin tackle the tension between being real and being reckless. What if being authentic doesn’t make you a better manager, just a more difficult one?  From the importance of self-monitoring to the paradox of power, Cindi and Geoff unpack what it means to show up at work without blowing up. You’ll learn why awareness matters more than rawness, how emotional regulation helps you meet the moment, and why the best managers actually aren’t always authentic. Whether you're steering a team or quietly questioning your coworker’s fourth overshare of the week, this conversation brings clarity (and a few laughs) to one of the most misguided ideas in modern work culture. Episode Highlights: Why bringing your authentic self to work isn’t always a good idea The importance of alignment and awareness How and why many leadership trends are self-defeating The dilemma of power How leather jackets (and other stuff) can change a leader Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rEvWlLV_ORY   Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Pfeffer, Jeffrey. Power: Why Some People Have It — and Others Don’t. Harper Business, 2010. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Some-People-Have-Others/dp/0061789089  Snyder, Mark. “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 30, no. 4, 1979, pp. 526–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037039   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website

What if AI didn’t replace employees but instead became their most powerful partner? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi continues her conversation with Stacy Edgar, co-founder of Venteur, to examine how AI may positively disrupt our lives. Their discussion moves from personalized medicine and easier work to the pivotal choices leaders face when technology sparks systemic change. At the center is a necessary mindset shift toward embracing what’s possible. Leaders who invest in employees and use AI to amplify human capability grow the pie; those who don’t risk shrinking it. Listen in to learn what it takes to lead an organization that thrives along with AI.  Check out Part 1 of this conversation here.   Episode Highlights: How AI is transforming work The expanding promise of personalization in business What self-driving cars suggest about systemic change Why people and AI are better together The risks of controlling behaviors and fear-driven leadership The mindset for leading through disruption Why everyone should watch Terminator   About Stacy Edgar: Stacy Edgar is the co-founder and CEO of Venteur, an AI and digital health startup helping employers reimagine health insurance. Venteur works with businesses to lower healthcare costs while empowering employees to feel more confident in their healthcare journey. Before launching Venteur, Stacy spent 15 years in global development and foreign policy. She has helped dozens of organizations generate billions of dollars in new business.   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iXFzw5V6LCw Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kober, Gregg. “AI-First Leadership: Embracing the Future of Work.” Harvard Business Impact, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.harvardbusiness.org/insight/ai-first-leadership-embracing-the-future-of-work/ Li, D. M., et al. “A Critical Look into Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare.” Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 8, 05 Marc. 2025, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1545869/full    Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website

What if the way you structure your employee healthcare benefits could become one of your strongest management tools? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with founder Stacy Edgar about why the dominant employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) model is increasingly misaligned with today’s workforce, and how leaders can reimagine benefits as a driver of culture, loyalty, and performance. They unpack the history of how U.S. employers became the primary providers of health insurance, the risks of sticking with outdated “one-size-fits-all” plans, and the emerging opportunities in flexible, employee-centered models of coverage. Stacy shares stories of organizations that have reduced costs while improving employee morale, along with cautionary tales of leaders who cut corners and paid for it in turnover and diminished trust. This episode is a conversation about innovative leadership and daring to reconsider the status quo. If you want to recruit and retain top talent, reduce hidden costs, and configure your culture with today’s expectations, you’ll want to listen in. Episode Highlights: How smarter coverage leads to healthier employees and a healthier bottom line Why workplace healthcare is overdue for disruption The risks of “one-size-fits-all” group health plans How alternatives like ICHRAs enable personalized, employee-driven coverage and cost savings The hidden costs of doing the minimum How thoughtful benefits can fuel culture, retention, and performance How U.S. employers became the de facto providers of health insurance  About Stacy Edgar: Stacy Edgar is the co-founder and CEO of Venteur, an AI and digital health startup helping employers reimagine health insurance through a consumer-centric lens. Under her leadership, Venteur works with businesses to lower healthcare costs while empowering employees to feel more confident and in control of their healthcare journey. Before launching Venteur, Stacy spent 15 years in global development and foreign policy, dedicated to ending global poverty. She is recognized for her expertise in business development, having helped dozens of organizations generate billions in new business.   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VR8CgHqY-xw Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Edgar, Stacy. “This Labor Day: Is It Time to Rethink the Social Contract on Employer-Sponsored Health Care?” Venteur, 1 Sept. 2025, www.venteur.com/blog/this-labor-day-is-it-time-to-rethink-the-social-contract-on-employer-sponsored-health-care Weismann, M. F. “How the Great Resignation and COVID Unemployment Have Eroded the Employer-Sponsored Insurance Model and Access to Healthcare.” American Journal of Law & Medicine, vol. 49, no. 1, 2023. Cambridge University Press. *Bonus: Watch the SNL skit Stacy mentions in the episode here!   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website

Most of us have been told not to mix friends and business but friendship can make work great with built-in trust, loyalty, and an easy rapport. Other times, it can go sideways fast, straining the business and the relationship.  In this episode, Cindi Baldi digs into the upsides and downsides of hiring friends. Through stories of businesses that flourished with friendships and others that fractured under the weight of blurred boundaries, Cindi explores the key questions you should ask before bringing a friend onto your payroll. Along the way, she unpacks how to spot red flags, set the right expectations for managing a friend, and to know whether the friendship is strong enough to handle work pressures.  You’ll learn why friendship can be a competitive advantage, why conflict is often harder to navigate when it’s personal, and how to make thoughtful choices to protect the business and the underlying relationship. Whether you’re tempted to bring a friend onto your team or already managing one, this episode offers practical insights to help you make the right call. Episode Highlights: Why hiring friends sometimes leads to loyalty, trust, and great teamwork Common pitfalls—like blurred boundaries, favoritism, and unspoken expectations How to tell whether the friendship is ready for the pressures of work Strategies for setting clear agreements and roles up front Ways to protect the friendship even if the job doesn’t work out 🎥 Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Kzc2kM94vNc 📚 Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here 🗞️ Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website

Most people don’t think of themselves as negotiators, but the truth is that we negotiate all the time. Whether you’re navigating salary talks, agreeing on deadlines with your team, or trying to convince a toddler to leave Target without a meltdown, the tools of bargaining and negotiation are at work. In this episode, Cindi Baldi talks with negotiation expert Jen Burris about mistakes people make when bargaining and how to prevent them. Through stories of salary negotiations, car deals, and high-stakes bargaining, they explore what it means to negotiate with confidence and purpose. Along the way, they unpack why negotiation can feel especially uncomfortable for women and how better preparation and mindset changes can fuel success. You’ll learn why doing your homework matters, how to avoid common traps like overreaching or settling too fast, and why sometimes the best deal is walking away. Whether you’re looking to boost your existing bargaining skills or in need of a negotiation refresh, this episode can help you approach your next deal with more confidence, better preparation, and less fear. Episode Highlights: Why negotiation is a skill everyone needs What thoughtful preparation looks like When vulnerability can sometimes strengthen your position How identity and experience influence negotiation behavior What to watch out for when a negotiation is underway Why no deal is sometimes the best deal About Jen Burris: Dr. Jen Burris is the Department Head and Associate Professor at Southeastern Louisiana University. She specializes in teaching courses on negotiations and leadership development. Jen holds a PhD in management from Louisiana State University. Her dissertation was titled Reevaluating the “magic spell:” Examining empowerment, stress, and workplace outcomes.   🎥 Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XmD9vvAcQMc 📚 Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here 🗞️ Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next!   Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Brady, G. L., Inesi, M. E.., & Mussweiler, T. (2021). The Power of Lost Alternatives in Negotiations. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (1991). Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website  

Most customers are great, but it only takes a few bad ones to wear you down. In little time, these difficult interactions can color your perspective, leaving even the most dedicated managers feeling drained, avoidant, or even resentful. This week on the podcast, Cindi Baldi explores how bad customers and clients can wear people down , why it’s more common than we admit, and how we can keep our sanity even in the face of difficult interactions. In this episode, Cindi reveals how negativity bias and identity protection can cause managers to lose sight of the vast majority of customers who are actually wonderful. She offers practical strategies to reframe hard moments, reset individual and team energy, and protect your people. If you’ve ever dealt with a difficult customer and wondered how they got into your head, this podcast is for you.   Episode Highlights: Why managers sometimes grow to dislike their customers What your energy might be saying about you  A simple reframe that can shift how you handle tough customers  Dealing with difficult customers The mindset and message your team needs to stay sane   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k3QMLqP5jVs   Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here   Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Great managers listen as much—or more than—they talk. In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by Darrin Griffin, a communication and listening expert and faculty member at the University of Alabama. Darrin shares why listening is one of the most overlooked yet powerful leadership skills and how leaders at every level can use it to build trust and improve decision-making. Cindi and Darrin unpack the common traps leaders fall into when they confuse authority with insight, and talk about why curiosity and humility are essential management skills. They also share practical strategies for asking better questions, engaging more deeply with your team, and recognizing the costs of not listening. If you’ve ever wondered how to expand your influence and impact as a leader, this episode will show you why better listening is a key to building stronger teams and improving your results. Episode Highlights: Why listening is an essential management skill The difference between hearing and listening What happens when leaders stop listening How curiosity and humility can strengthen leadership Practical ways to improve your listening The costs of ignoring feedback    Dr. Darrin Griffin is an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama. An expert on communication and group performance, with an emphasis on non-verbal communication, he has authored several books and scholarly articles in the field of communication. Darrin holds a PhD in communication from SUNY Buffalo and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. Listen to another Management Muse episode with Darrin Griffin on Non-verbal Communication: https://bit.ly/3HrWSvO   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uiSUo5ZVBqo   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram    

Trusty old habits that are no longer working are one of the hardest things to change. In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore why it’s so difficult to let go of ingrained behaviors, especially when they’re tied to our identity. From hard-charging leaders learning to slow down to founders blinded by past wins, Cindi and Geoff share the subtle but vital signals that it’s time to change. Cindi and Geoff explain why success often makes change much harder, and they share practical ways to try new approaches before old habits derail progress. If you’re concerned that you might have ingrained behaviors that are no longer working like they used to, this episode will help you think through how to adapt to your new circumstances and alter your habits for greater success today.   Episode Highlights: Why ingrained behaviors can become big roadblocks How success makes changing habits harder Signs your go-to approach is no longer working The role of identity in resisting change Why smart people sometimes don’t adapt Simple ways to experiment with new behaviors Thinking about behavior change differently    Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LpDN0vHODDo   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Most leaders know they need to motivate their teams but creating genuine urgency is tricky because too much burns people out and too little does nothing. In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore why urgency can be a powerful catalyst for performance or a recipe for trouble when it’s overdone. Cindi and Geoff break down how to recognize when urgency is lacking, what happens when there’s too much, and the leadership behaviors that help teams focus without depleting their energy reserves. From cranking up urgency without burning people out to getting everyone aligned on priorities, this episode shares a fresh take on getting things done. Whether you’re trying to hit a critical deadline or rally your team around a new initiative, you’ll learn how to inspire action at the right pace for enduring results.   Episode Highlights: The difference between urgency and constant pressure How to diagnose when urgency needs to be cranked out  Why overusing urgency leads to burnout and disengagement Leadership strategies for creating the right level of momentum Balancing speed with sustainability Making sure that urgency drives results, not chaos   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YHAaI3_KqSU   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Arguing gets a bad reputation at work, but not arguing is even worse. In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin unpack why arguing—which can be productive—isn’t the problem, fighting—which is never productive and is sometimes harmful—is. From boardrooms to break rooms, learning to disagree without derailing a conversation is one of the most valuable and underrated leadership skills. Cindi and Geoff explore the surprising science behind healthy disagreement, they talk about why groups that avoid conflict underperform, and they describe how to build teams that can handle tough conversations without damaging relationships. Whether you're leading a team or just navigating the politics of office life, this episode will teach you how to argue productively and keep conversations on track even when the discussion gets uncomfortable.   Episode Highlights: Why arguing isn’t a problem The difference between arguing and fighting How psychological safety supports healthy disagreement Why high-performing teams don’t avoid conflict Tools for keeping difficult conversations constructive What to do when emotions start to take over How to test solutions, remedies, and experiments without raising the stakes   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QZQVeHeCfdY   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

What happens when trust starts to slip inside an organization? In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin unpack the powerful signals that shape how people feel about fairness at work and why perceived injustice can quietly undermine morale, loyalty, and performance. They examine how a lack of clarity around decisions and communication often leaves teams feeling unsettled, even when leaders have good intentions. Cindi and Geoff also explore what managers can do to strengthen organizational trust, create transparency without over explaining, and respond to tough moments in ways that preserve connection and culture. Tune into this episode for practical strategies on leading with clarity, strengthening team morale, and building lasting trust.   Episode Highlights: How fairness shapes trust  The cost of confusion and ambiguity How leaders handle disappointment without damaging morale Ways to deliver bad news while preserving trust and transparency The hidden signals that shape how people interpret fairness at work How consistent communication helps teams feel more secure and valued   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AqbKdwXgYz4   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Why do organizational change efforts so often fail despite good intentions and careful planning? In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore the real reasons why change efforts often stall or backfire. They explore why timing really matters, how energy and momentum often get overlooked, and what it takes to avoid the death-spiral of sustained change resistance. From getting early traction to building a critical mass, Cindi and Geoff offer a fresh perspective on how to lead organizational change that lasts. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or trying to shift long-standing patterns of behavior, this episode will help your organizational change efforts succeed more often.   Episode Highlights: Why change feels so painful at the start How to structure change to build early momentum What organizations get wrong about timelines and capacity How to use experimentation to reduce risk The role of influential team members in successful rollouts Why managing expectations is critical for long-term success   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7EC_9zhc2Xk   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Why do some companies keep their people forever, while others struggle with constant turnover? In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore the qualities that make organizations “sticky,” that is, the kind of workplaces where people feel invested, energized, and committed for the long haul. Cindi and Geoff discuss what makes a culture magnetic, from strong identity and a clear purpose to how leaders create connection, opportunity, and growth. This conversation challenges the common belief that perks and pay mostly keep people around, and instead focuses on what other drivers of long-term loyalty. If you’re trying to build a company people never want to quit, this episode will help you understand what makes for sticky organizations.   Episode Highlights: How sticky organizations retain top talent Why purpose and identity drive employee loyalty Leadership behaviors that increase long-term commitment How to design a culture people like Why clarity and connection matter more than perks What organizations get wrong about retention   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cBypjFDxswA   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

How can the principles of improvisational comedy help you become a more effective manager? In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by keynote speaker and improv humorist Joel Zeff to explore how spontaneity, presence, and play fuel better leadership and teams. Joel explains how improv principles like saying “yes, and” can create more open, collaborative workplace cultures. He explores the role of fun in building trust and engagement and offers a fresh take on what it means to lead with intention. In addition, Joel shares insights from his book Make the Right Choice, where he emphasizes how everyday decisions shape how we lead, communicate, and inspire those around us. Whether you're looking to bring more energy to your team or find a new gear personally, this episode will help you lead with more confidence, connection, and purpose.   Want a free chapter of Joel’s book, Make the Right Choice? Sign up for his emails here, then reply to the welcome email and mention you heard him on the Management Muse podcast. He’ll send you a chapter for free.   Episode Highlights: How improv tools can build stronger team dynamics Why fun isn’t frivolous when it comes to performance and morale What comedians can teach managers The connection between trust, risk-taking, and innovation How to lead with presence, positivity, and purpose Small choices leaders make to create a more connected workplace   Guest Bio: Joel Zeff is a keynote speaker, work culture expert, and improvisational humorist who helps teams and leaders bring more energy, creativity, and connection to their work. With over 25 years of experience and 2,500 events under his belt, Joel has worked with companies like Wells Fargo, Samsung, and KPMG to create more collaborative and people-centered cultures. Joel is the author of Make the Right Choice, a book that explores how everyday decisions impact our performance, build trust, and shape our leadership. Through sharp insights and good humor, Joel reminds us that great leadership often starts with small choices, a little fun, and a willingness to say “yes, and.” LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelzeff/ Website: https://www.joelzeff.com/   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tLoVm7ulm8Y   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

HR departments are often misunderstood, underestimated, or ignored, but great HR can accelerate company growth. In this episode, Cindi Baldi sits down with HR expert Greg Waechter to explore the critical role HR should play in helping companies scale, support their people, and build better workplaces. Cindi and Greg talk about the reasons HR often gets a bad rap and explore what effective HR looks like. Greg explains how HR can become more strategic and less bureaucratic, and why it’s essential to align HR with the pace and goals of the business. The conversation explains how companies can avoid common mistakes and build HR systems that support managers and employees. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or navigating your own career, this episode will change the way you see the role of HR in your business.   Episode Highlights: Why traditional HR models often fail in fast-growing companies The most common HR mistakes companies make How to build scalable HR systems that support performance Why early-stage startups need HR earlier than they think How effective HR drives retention, culture, and employee engagement The difference between tactical HR support and long-term HR strategy What to look for in your first or next HR hire   Guest Bio: Greg Waechter is a seasoned HR leader and founder of Super Simple HR. With a proven track record of scaling fast-growing companies, Greg helps startups build strategic, people-first HR systems that boost performance, culture, and retention. Known for cutting through corporate jargon, he delivers straightforward, actionable HR solutions that make work better for employees and easier for leaders. From scrappy startups to IPO-bound enterprises, Greg’s expertise turns complex people challenges into simple, effective strategies that drive real business growth.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregwaechter Super Simple HR: https://supersimplehr.com/about-us   Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lZIQRkRkinU   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram  

How you respond to work stress can make or break you as a manager. In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore what it takes to lead effectively when the stakes are high. They explain why pressure changes how we think, communicate, and behave and how self-awareness and preparation can help you avoid costly missteps. Cindi and Geoff unpack the science of stress, discuss why experience doesn’t always protect you from its effects, and explain how to train your brain to focus when things get tough. They share practical strategies for handling stress, supporting your team through challenging moments, and making better decisions when time and emotions are working against you. Listen in to learn how to lead effectively when the pressure is on.   Episode Highlights: Why stress changes how we think and act How to prepare for high-stakes moments at work Common mistakes leaders make under pressure Strategies to avoid reactive decisions The science behind staying cool in tough situations How to help your team perform under stress   Watch this episode on You Tube: https://youtu.be/T1_SRu2mxmw   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Effective leadership isn’t about following a formula, in spite of dozens of books endorsing one style over another. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin challenge the myths around leadership styles and explain why the most impactful leaders prioritize results, adapt to the situation, and deeply understand their people. Geoff and Cindi explore why popular frameworks oversimplify what leadership really requires and how adhering to a leadership style can narrow your ability to manage effectively. Cindi and Geoff share what the science tells us about leadership  that gets results and why self-awareness, flexibility, and follow-through matter more than one style over another. Whether you're managing a team or preparing to take on more responsibility, this conversation will help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and substance.   Episode Highlights: Why leadership style conversations often miss the mark What truly effective leaders focus on their work How to avoid getting trapped in a leadership persona or style Why leadership is more about meeting the moment than your default style How self-awareness and adaptability improve leadership outcomes What the research says about what really works in leadership   Watch this episode on You Tube: https://youtu.be/4lyMbAtXxQ8   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram  

We’ve all had moments of doubt, feeling like we don’t truly belong or aren’t as capable as others think. This is often called imposter syndrome, but what if that’s not the real issue? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin explore what’s really behind your fraudulent feelings and why the concept of impostor syndrome does more harm than good. They explain how confidence dips are often a normal part of learning and growth, not a personal flaw, and why thinking you have a syndrome can hold you back. Cindi and Geoff also discuss how workplace environments, unrealistic expectations, and poor feedback systems can create or amplify imposter feelings. They offer a new way to think about self-doubt and share what leaders can do to help people feel more capable, even when they are learning and doing new things. Listen in to rethink impostor syndrome and learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence and meaningful growth.   Episode Highlights: Why impostor syndrome isn’t a real diagnosis How normal self-doubt gets mislabeled and mistreated What managers can do to support people through learning curves How perfectionist cultures amplify impostor feelings Ways to build authentic confidence  How organizations create imposter feelings without realizing it   Watch this episode on You Tube: https://youtu.be/47Ga3IZy9Ms   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin examine what happens when your job no longer fits you and how to recognize the signs that it may be time to shift roles or change jobs.  They also talk about what to do when you feel like you’ve outgrown your boss. In this episode, Cindi and Geoff discuss what to do when you feel stuck and how to move forward without a minimum of collateral damage. They offer strategies for reframing your role, for engaging in constructive conversations with your supervisors, and making smart decisions about whether to grow in place or take a new path. Tune in to learn how to thoughtfully get unstuck and find or create new opportunities.   Episode Highlights: The hidden signs you’ve outgrown your role Why feeling stuck might not be your job’s fault How to talk about feeling stuck with your boss  When and why to stay and redesign your position How to ask for more without alienating leadership What to consider before making a big move   Watch this episode on You Tube: https://youtu.be/Upr3rbFodVI   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram

Powerful mentorship starts with recognizing the people who are already in your corner.  In this episode, Cindi Baldi and Geoff Tumlin unpack the surprising truth about mentorship and explain why most of us already have the support we need around us. They challenge the myth of the unicorn mentor and explore how guidance and support often comes from people you already know but aren’t asking. From navigating complex career decisions to finding your way through personal transitions, Cindi and Geoff explain how to recognize and access your mentors hiding in plain sight. Tune in to learn how to make the most of the wisdom already around you and how to become a better mentor yourself.   Episode Highlights: Why most people already have mentors without realizing it The difference between seeking advice and being mentored Why formal mentoring programs don’t work The real reason people hesitate to ask for help How to build relationships that offer growth and support What managers should know before mentoring    Watch this episode on You Tube: https://youtu.be/PL9ik1dpxzA   Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram