The Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast

On this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart, host Ethan Nash tackles the nitty gritty of email best practices, from formatting to feedback.  Links:  #122 — Feedback Over Email #102 — The Magic Email Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Feedback on this episode? Send us an email: contact@nashconsulting.com.

On this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast, Ethan Nash is joined by Nash Consulting's own Akpene Torku Sims. They discuss how to identify an employee's strengths, and consider why assigning roles and responsibilities without considering individual talents is detrimental to the business and workplace morale.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“Being willing to let people make mistakes is a bit of a sacrifice because when you choose not to over define the behaviors, people will learn from trial and error.” Autonomy is one of the biggest drivers of motivation. But finding ways to give employees freedom in their jobs can be challenging. Tune in as Ethan and Mike explore this critical topic. This episode originally released back in 2023.  Links:  Episode on the Decision Making Styles Episode on SCARF Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

On this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast, hosts Ethan and Mike Nash explore workplace communication hierarchies and dynamics, including when skip-level meetings are appropriate and when they risk turning into going “over someone's head.” The host duo digs into the nuances of open-door policies and how thoughtful, intentional communication can empower employees and management, leading to an improved culture and morale.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Feedback on this episode? Send us an email: contact@nashconsulting.com.

This episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart podcast explores the nuances of giving feedback over email. Join hosts Ethan and Mike Nash as they discuss which types of input are best suited to written communication, and which are more effective delivered in person. Links: #111 – Awareness of Your Power Differential #113 – Moderating Your Power Differential Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Feedback on this episode? Send us an email: contact@nashconsulting.com.

In this episode, Ethan Nash discusses the 6 "thinking hats" teams can employ for better decision making, and all the good that can come from intentionally coordinating approaches. “Imagine you're with your team making a decision,” Ethan invites listeners to consider. “You collectively decide to wear one of the six hats at the same time. By doing this, we can help ensure that our different approaches, different styles are all being leveraged.” Tune in to understand the background and best practices of this approach.  Links: #15 — Behavior Styles Part 1 Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Feedback on this episode? Send us an email: contact@nashconsulting.com.

It's easy for team projects to stall or implode with miscommunication and finger-pointing, and it may be first nature to blame emotional intelligence or individual shortcomings. But the real issue might be simpler: a lack of clear accountability. In this episode, hosts Ethan and Mike Nash explore the power of Single Point Accountability (SPA) through a real-world case study. Learn how assigning one person ultimate responsibility can transform team dynamics and drive better results.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this episode, Ethan discusses the power differential: what it is, what it's made of, and how to moderate it. 

In this episode, Ethan Nash unpacks the idea of the "Trust Bank Account," where every act of integrity is a deposit. But the goal isn't to save endlessly; it's to spend that trust strategically. When you do, you actually strengthen the trust you've built, and build the foundation of a really strong team.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this episode, Ethan discusses the concept of psycological safety in the workplace. 

In this episode, host Ethan Nash discusses the four categories of feedback: feedback on ideas, on performance, on skills and competencies, and on style. A functioning team, he explains, is comfortable giving and receiving all types of feedback.  Ethan wraps up the episode with some discussion questions for managers to gauge their teams' comfortability with feedback, with the goal of creating a culture of feedback at work.  We mentioned episode 96, "Coaching by Hypothesis" in this episode.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this episode, Ethan discusses why adaptive skills are so important, and how to improve them. He then double-clicks on the skill of listening, and gives participants top tips on how to become a better listener and leader. 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou In this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart, host Ethan Nash breaks down the core principles of coaching, a must-have skill for any manager. Listen in to sharpen your coaching game and lead with authenticity, curiousity, and care. This episode referred to the following:  Minisode: How to Really Listen Authentic Conversations: Building a Cohesive Leadership Team Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Join our upcoming online workshop series of our cornerstone program, "Managing with Mind & Heart." “There is an inherent power to the nature of our work, and there's a separation because of that.”  In this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast, hosts Ethan and Mike Nash discuss the concept of the inevitable “power differential” that exists between managers and employees. Taking advantage of the power is obviously harmful, but so is ignoring it.  A great manager knows how to moderate the power differential — tune in to hear Nash Consulting's tips on how to master this skill. (Note: This episode is a follow up to a recent episode on becoming aware of your power differential.) Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this short episode, Ethan discusses the most important management skill in good leaders' toolboxes: how to show care and respect to their employees. 

Join our upcoming online workshop series of our cornerstone program, "Managing with Mind & Heart." “We're always more sensitive to the power differential looking up at those that have power over us, and we sometimes completely miss it looking down at those we have power over.“ The power differential is an inherent part of management — managers have power over their employees.  In this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast, hosts Ethan and Mike Nash explain that while this is not inherently a bad or a good thing, a failure to acknowledge the power differential — and be mindful of how it affects the ways your employees perceive your relationship — can harm the psychological safety of the team. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this short episode, Ethan discusses a common issue in nearly every workplace, the Peter Principle, and how to overcome it with good leadership training. 

Join our upcoming online workshop series of our cornerstone program, "Managing with Mind & Heart." Receiving feedback is a critical part of your job as manager. To keep  growing as a person and leader, understanding your management blindspots are critical. But receiving feedback is a skill, and a critical one - because doing so defensively shuts down any future feedback. Tune into this episode to learn how proper mindsets for receiving feedback.  In this show we mentioned the Coaching by Hypothesis episode. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Send an email to contact@nashconsulting.com to request the guide book of “350 One-on-One Questions.”

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this short episode, Ethan reminds listeners of a common saying on the Managing with Mind and Heart podcast: morale matters and it's mostly your job as a manager. 

If the most common question surrounding 1-on-1 meetings in your workplace is “wanna skip this week?”, your team is missing out on a huge opportunity for connection and support. In this episode, Ethan and Mike share practical tips to revitalize your 1-on-1s and make them impactful. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. Send an email to contact@nashconsulting.com to request the guide book of “350 One-on-One Questions.”  

Ever wonder what our live leadership development workshops are like? This episode is a short clip of a live workshop we put on a couple of months ago. If you sign up for this online workshop series, use this code at checkout to get a 25% discount: MINDANDHEARTPOD We edited out any voices of participants, plus all the group work, breakout rooms, and Q/A, so you'll just hear Ethan. In this short episode, Ethan reminds listeners that none of us are fully aware of our full growth potential and to be an effective leader/manager, you need to be growing as a human being.  

On today's episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart, Ethan Nash is joined by Cheryl Fields Tyler, founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting, to discuss the organization's recent report, Winning on the People Side of Business, which explores the top priorities and challenges facing businesses today. Among other demographics, Blue Beyond paid close attention to differences in how generations felt across issues at work.  In conversation with Ethan, Cheryl Fields Tyler reflects on the consulting group's 2021 study, comparing its findings with the latest 2024 insights while introducing fresh questions that address today's evolving challenges. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the changing face of leadership and practical strategies for building resilient workplaces in an ever-evolving business world. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this episode, Ethan Nash introduces the Challenge-Competency Continuum, a framework for understanding how stress impacts employee productivity. Picture an upside-down “U” with productivity on the y-axis and stress on the x-axis. Too little stress leaves employees unmotivated; too much stress overwhelms them. Peak productivity? It's right in the middle. The key to finding that balance, Nash says, ask your employees. Ethan dives into how understanding where someone lands on the continuum—how “challenged” and “competent” they feel—can help managers make smarter decisions. With the right insights, leaders can fine-tune workloads, reduce unnecessary stress, and unlock their team's full potential. To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“You might have terrific goals set for your team, expectations that are solid, strategies that are great, tactics that are awesome, but when communication sucks, none of this is going to matter.” In this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart, host Ethan Nash discusses the best channels for optimal team communication.  Tons of information is constantly thrown at managers, and it's their job to act as a funnel and get the appropriate information to their team. Mentioning pertinent information to an employee in the lunch room might feel easiest in the moment, but strategies like these lead to confusion, crossed wires, and in turn, a decrease in workplace morale. To avoid all that, there are best practices for information distribution at work (remember last week's episode on the Magic Email?). Listen now to hear Ethan's deep dive on the top five channels for sharing info with your team.  To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this quick episode, Mike Nash discusses the magic of “The Friday Email.” A strategy of consolidated communication, this end-of-week email is a suggestion for managers and employees who struggle with email overload. It narrows down communication channels and provides managers and employees a single place where all pertinent information will be stored.  To adopt this tactic, managers commit to creating and sending out a really well written and organized email at the end of each week. Employees, in turn, commit to reading and internalizing the contents of the email.  More than just an email, the Friday Email is a simplification of communication channels and a critical connector between employee and manager.  To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“If you are thinking about work as you're getting ready for your work day, what you're probably thinking about are tasks, phone calls and meetings. In addition to that, maybe even instead of that, if you just quickly review these 6 concepts, it would change everything.” In this solo episode, Mike Nash dives into the essential elements of effective management every manager should be thinking about before the workday: Personal growth as a foundation for leadership (for more on the growth mindset, see Episode #97 with Hana Butler) Morale matters and it's mostly a manager's job Building trust by showing you have your team's best interests at heart Keep the 15 critical management skills and deliverables in mind Developing adaptive skills tied to emotional intelligence. Fostering psychological safety—creating a space where your team feels secure and valued (for more on psychological safety, see Episodes #57 and #58) Tune in for actionable insights helpful to reset your managerial compass and lead with impact. To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

We're 100!!  To celebrate the centennial, we're taking a break from our usual programming as Ethan and Mike get personal, tackling questions like "What makes a good parent?" and "How do you define success?" This special episode pulls back the curtain on the minds and hearts behind Nash Consulting. Here's to the next 100 episodes! Check out the Mind & Heart University app! To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

Just a couple quick things for you! Subscribe on Spotify here and Apple Podcasts here. Subscribe to our newsletter here or text the word "Leading" to the number 66866. Cheers! https://www.nashconsulting.com/ 

"People spend way too much time in crappy meetings. They suck your soul and they discourage you." In this episode of Managing with Mind and Heart, Ethan and Mike Nash discuss the importance of a less glamorous yet essential part of the workplace: meeting agendas. As a follow-up to the recent episode on how to wrap up meetings with clarity and closure, this episode focuses on what happens before the meeting ends. From starting with a check-in and icebreaker to giving participants space to raise their own concerns, they walk through each step of building a thoughtful and effective meeting agenda.  Whether you're leading the meeting or simply participating, understanding the flow and purpose of an agenda can make a big difference. Tune in to learn how to make your meetings more organized, efficient, and engaging. Check out the Mind & Heart University app! To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this episode of the Managing With Mind and Heart, hosts Ethan and Mike Nash discuss how one simple tool can bring clarity and focus to your meetings. ABCD stands for Action items, By whens/by whom, Communication, and Decisions, and it's designed to ensure every meeting ends with clear, actionable takeaways. We'll walk you through how these steps help teams clarify decisions, assign responsibilities, and communicate effectively. Tune in to learn how the ABCD method can transform your meetings and boost team productivity. Don't forget to visit our website and join our mailing list for more insights. Check out the Mind & Heart University app! To get our Effective and Enjoyable Meetings Guidebook, send a note to contact@nashconsulting.com. We mentioned the following episodes: #54 – Committment, Accountability & Results: Building a Cohesive Leadership Team #13 – How to Have One-on-One Meetings That Don't Suck #21 – How to Run Meetings That Don't Suck Your Soul (Part 1) #22 – Tools & Tactics for Meeting Facilitation (Part 2) #23 – Remote Meetings: How to Make Them Worthwhile  #64 – You Should Create a Meeting Code of Conduct Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Mindsets really, really matter because they set us up for learning. I don't know any leader or organization that doesn't want their employees to be engaged, to have high morale, to be learning and innovating." In this episode of The Managing With Mind and Heart, Nash Consulting's own Hana Butler joins host Ethan Nash to explore the transformative power of a growth mindset. Coined by Carol Dweck in the 1980s, the term "growth mindset" highlights how our beliefs about learning and failure shape our personal and professional lives. Hana breaks down the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset, showing how each influences our ability to innovate and grow at work. She explains that in a fixed mindset, mistakes are seen as a reflection of who we are, while in a growth mindset, they're opportunities for improvement. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this episode of the Managing with Mind and Heart podcast, host Ethan Nash explores an alternative approach to feedback that goes beyond the traditional “BIR” method (which we talked about back in episode #8 and wrote about here). This framework—where managers identify problematic Behavior, highlight its Impact, and suggest a Replacement—works well when specific behaviors need addressing. But what happens when feedback is based more on intuition or a general feeling about an employee? Drawing inspiration from the book Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building by Claire Hughes Johnson, Ethan introduces the hypothesis-based coaching approach, which turns potential criticism into open dialogue. By framing intuition-based feedback as a hypothesis rather than a judgment, managers can foster more productive conversations, even when feedback is less clear-cut. Tune in to discover how to navigate these tricky conversations with confidence. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“In so many ways, we can't be more of one thing without being less of another. The ability to recognize that I can't be everything -- and that there are tradeoffs for the best things that I bring to the table -- is really what the strengths based perspective is all about.”  In this episode, Ethan sits down with leadership coach, consultant, and all-around cool dude Andy Thompson. Andy provides insights on identifying and leveraging strengths, and starts by explaining what a strength really is: a combination of talent, skills, and knowledge, which all exist in unison within a certain context. The duo discusses the importance and how-tos of helping teams discover and harness their strengths collectively. Individual "weaknesses" are inevitable, and the strongest teams tap into one another's complementary strengths.  Tune in to learn how to realistically balance strengths and weaknesses for personal and team growth. Links and notes: Andy's podcast episode on strengths Clifton Strengths Finder Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this episode, Ethan Nash is joined by MIT Sloan's Deborah Ancona, founder of the MIT Leadership Center, author of the new book xTeams, and contributor at the Harvard Business Review. They explore the concept of “family ghosts” — a term coined to describe the way familial dynamics influence an individual's workplace behavior and leadership. Deborah also shares insights from her pioneering research on high-performing teams and innovative leadership.  Resources: Family Ghosts in the Executive Suite Herminia Ibarra's idea of provisional selves Immunity to Change model Lindy Greer's Hippo Theory of Leadership Course: Unlocking Your Leadership Signature via Executive Education at MIT "Discovering and Developing" picture cards at xlead.co We're on YouTube! Watch this episode live on our channel. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

We are excited to invite you to our online workshop series focused on developing leadership skills. You can register for the workshop here or email us at contact@nashconsulting.com. In this episode, Ethan explains the principles behind Nash Consulting's cornerstone leadership development program, Managing with Mind & Heart, and then provides a preview of the Top 15 Management Skills and what they look like in practice. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 (or go here) to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tools.

We're revisiting one of our most popular discussions—navigating the choppy waters of employee reactions after tough feedback. For those looking to dive deeper, consider enrolling in our leadership development program, Managing with Mind & Heart. This course is packed with essential tools not only for this topic but for a wide array of practical and actionable management skills. Learn more and register at www.nashconsulting.com  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear. 

“When people step foot into the training, they need to already understand the big picture around this training.” A training shouldn't just be a box to check—it should be the impetus for long-term organizational change. In this solo episode, Ethan unpacks strategies for sustaining the momentum after a workshop or training so that the lessons don't just become the “flavor of the month.”  He shares strategies to ensure long-term impact by getting buy-in from your team, helping them see the big picture, and integrating new knowledge into your existing systems. He also discusses the importance of ongoing education and reinforcement, as adult learning requires repetition, and the necessity of creating accountability to ensure consistent practice. Finally, Ethan suggests how to foster deep involvement, engaging your team in driving the change. Check out the blog post we did about this topic. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this episode, Mike and Ethan Nash explore the power of self-awareness in leadership. Inspired by "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Chapman, Dethmer and Klemp, they break down the "line" metaphor: being "below the line" means you're closed and defensive, while being "above the line" means you're open and curious. They discuss why self-awareness is the most critical leadership skill, how our brains react to perceived threats, and why it's okay to be "below the line" — as long as you recognize it. Tune in to learn how to check in with yourself and lead more consciously. We're on YouTube! Watch this episode live on our channel. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“The bottom line is: in the workplace, I am treating you no differently than anybody else. I'm going to spend the same amount of time with you at lunch. At work, we're not going to talk about our social time outside of work.”  In this episode, Ethan and Mike Nash discuss the complex dynamics of friendship in the workplace. What is the best approach to being a good friend and a great manager?  The duo interrogates the commonly held belief that friendships with employees are inherently at odds with healthy management and suggests strategies for setting boundaries with friends that you also manage.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“Having uncontrollable circumstances actually generates a threat response in the brain. When I'm in that fight, flight, or freeze mode at work, I can't be creative. I can't be empathetic. I'm in survival mode." Unlock the secrets of autonomy in the workplace in this episode of The Managing with Mind and Heart Podcast. Discover how self-direction boosts morale, engagement, and productivity. Learn why unnecessary rules kill motivation and how involving others in decision-making empowers teams. We'll break down the four levels: 1) Just do it, 2) Do then tell, 3) Consult then do, and 4) Just don't do it. Plus, see why shifting from a surveillance to an outcome-based mindset makes all the difference.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Managing is a higher calling. It's not just air traffic controlling work, or being a chess master and making sure all the people are doing the right things. Management is - at its core - about equipping and empowering others."  In this episode, Mike Nash dives into a solo conversation on what prevents managers from thriving in their roles. Too often, he explains, managers assume the role of air traffic controlling their people or treating employees as chess pieces in a game that can be won.  Mike explains that a manager can only succeed in their goal of helping their people learn, grow and thrive by looking inward and examining their life, habits and history. He introduces the RAIN framework (Recognize, Accept, Investigate, Nurture) as a way to guide managers in understanding and overcoming the obstacles that hinder their effectiveness.  Listen as Mike shares actionable strategies for navigating the complexities of management and cultivating a culture of trust, collaboration, and growth. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"The higher up you go on the org chart, the more important it is that leaders are leading from a mindset of 'I work for you' not 'you work for me.'" In this episode, Mike is joined by Andy Thompson for a fun and enlightening discussion centered on the most important behaviors for executive teams in creating and maintaining healthy organizations. They discuss fizzy water and extra hot coffee, the challenge of pronouncing “anonymity,” why self-care for execs is vital, the importance of asking employees for feedback, hiring execs for high EQ instead of for subject matter expertise, humility, why “walking the talk” (leading by example) is so important for credibility, and more.   Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Before I make my choice about what I'm going to do -- because I'm seeing the 'thing' not being done right, or well, or at all -- ask myself these two questions: Where is the employee in terms of skill? Where is the employee in terms of will? Get that sorted first, and whichever quadrant we land in gives me a lot of clues as to what I need to do next." In this episode, Mike Nash is joined by Nash Consulting coach Val Jeffords to discuss the Skill-Will Matrix for classifying employees', well, skill and will with a particular task or job. Notably, each typology in the matrix requires different management and leadership approaches, a reality often overlooked in the workplace. Mike and Val discuss how managers often default to corrective action without assessing skill and will, a habit that can have detrimental effects in the workplace and can severely damage morale and trust. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"By following the Rule of Three, we start to see further possibilities. We get outside of our current paradigms because it forces us to put more cognitive effort into finding other solutions." In this minisode, Ethan Nash explains the theory and evidence behind the Rule of Three for decision-making. Instead of binary this-or-that/yes-or-no options, the Rule of Three implores decision-makers to give themselves another option before making a final call. Doing so, Ethan explains, pushes decision-makers to consider possibilities they otherwise would have overlooked, leading to nuanced choices that take into account a broader range of perspectives and potential outcomes.  Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“Anytime I interact with any member of my team, I'm creating a brand impression. I may create a different brand impression with my CFO than I do with some account manager I'm working with. My leadership brand is going to be based on everybody's perception of me.” In this episode, Ethan Nash engages with Skot Waldron, a communication strategist, podcaster, and author of Unlocked: A 52-Week Guide For The Intentional Leader. Drawing on his experience as a brand strategist, Waldron explores the art of crafting a personal leadership brand. The conversation centers on Waldron's new book, offering key takeaways and lessons on building personal confidence, self-awareness, and a personal leadership brand that communicates the values and priorities of every leader. You can learn more about Skot and his work at www.skotwaldron.com. Links: Skot Waldron on The Managing with Mind and Heart podcast, January 2021 Skot on YouTube, LinkedIn Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

"This person that we spend 24 hours a day with 7 days a week is yourself. And to live with someone that closely that you don't really like, is hell. Self-compassion is seeing your own goodness and having a 'correct' view of yourself. It includes the ability to give yourself grace, comfort yourself in a time of need, and treat yourself the way you would treat a friend." Nash Consulting's own Hana Butler joins Mike Nash for a captivating cocktail hour conversation on the crucial topic of self-compassion at work. In this episode, they get into the fundamental questions surrounding self-compassion: What exactly is self-compassion, and why is it so vital in the workplace? They explore the significance of cultivating self-compassion and its positive impact on individual well-being and overall team dynamics, as well as the challenges that arise when employees and managers struggle to develop this essential skill. Grab your favorite drink, relax, and join us for this thought-provoking exploration of self-compassion in the professional realm. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Feeling cared about is feeling safe, which is a primary human need. I can't do my best work – and I probably don't want to do my best work – if I'm in a protected mode. Probably one of the most important abilities of a manager is the ability to communicate through words and actions that they actually care about their employees.” In this one-on-one conversation between Mike Nash and our colleague, Scott Ummel, this episode delves into the fundamental principles of effective leadership. The duo presents five key attributes of an outstanding boss and shares valuable tips to refine these skills for your own personal growth. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

In this solo Minisode, Ethan riffs on the concept of authenticity as a manager. What is authenticity, and what is it not? What does it mean to bring your authentic self to work and show up as an authentic leader? Take a listen and pass it along to a manager you know. Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Managers have more of an influence on peoples' quality of lives than their therapists or spouses. Managers define reality for their employees. Whether you like your job or not, whether you're productive or not, whether you're happy or not -- inside and outside of work -- it often comes down to the manager. It's something to be conscious of." Eric Girard is the CEO of Girard Training Solutions, where he specializes in the development of new managers, focusing on their successful transition to their new role and on their team management skills. He's also the author of the new book Lead Like a Pro: The Essential Guide for New Managers. In this episode, Eric joins Ethan to discuss the primary strategies for new managers.  Resources: Michael Bungay Stanier's book The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“What can I learn from this person I'm in conflict with? What might they know that I don't know? What can I learn about myself through this disagreement?” In this fourth and final installment of our Healthy Conflict Series, Mike and Ethan get into the adaptive skills that come in handy when dealing with conflict in the workplace. Learn about the internal work of healthy disagreement that can make you a better coworker, boss, and human being.  Catch up on the rest of this series: Conflict Part 1 (Episode #73) Conflict Part 2 (Episode #74) Conflict Part 3 (Episode #78) Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“Certainty is the enemy of change.” This episode is all about identifying our unique growth opportunities when it comes to navigating conflict. Ethan and Mike further explore the conflict styles and suggest specific adjustments each style can make to improve their ability to collaborate towards positive results with others.   Show Notes:   -          Conflict Part 1 (Episode #73) -          Conflict Part 2 (Episode #74)   Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting's monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.