The Manager Lab

In this episode Greg Gillum breaks down a new HBR study showing that foundational "soft" skills—like communication, adaptability, teamwork and basic numeracy—form the backbone of long-term career success. The researchers map a nested skill structure and find that roughly 80% of the wage benefits from advanced skills depend on these core capabilities.The episode explains skill entrapment and its role in persistent inequities, and gives five practical steps you can use today: audit your foundational skills, practice nested learning, integrate soft skills into daily routines, mentor early-career colleagues, and advocate for systemic training that prioritizes fundamentals.

In this episode of the Manager Lab, Greg Gillum explores Harvard Business Review author Peter T. Coleman’s concept of Conflict Intelligence (CIQ) — an emotional-intelligence-plus framework that combines self-awareness, social conflict skills, adaptivity, and systemic wisdom to turn workplace friction into clarity and innovation.Listeners learn why conflict matters, how leaders can embed CIQ across teams, and three practical steps to start cultivating conflict intelligence today: reflect on triggers, invite safe tension, and use quick pulse tools to surface microtensions.

In this episode of The Manager Lab, Greg Gillum breaks down Jamil Zaki’s Harvard Business Review piece on the “super facilitator” — a role that integrates diverse expertise, ensures equitable contributions, and builds trust to boost team collective intelligence.Learn three practical practices — attunement (reading the room), communication (affirming others), and distribution (balancing participation) — plus a simple meeting exercise: a one-word emotional check-in, public acknowledgment of recent contributions, and rotating who speaks first.The episode explains why super facilitation matters, how anyone can develop it, and how these habits turn meetings into engines of inclusion, trust, and higher team performance.

In this episode of Manager Lab we unpack the HBR article "Job Interviews Aren't Evaluating the Right Skills" and explain why interviews often miss critical, role-specific competencies—especially emerging areas like AI.You'll get three practical tactics to improve hiring: audit and expand skill coverage, probe depth with structured follow-ups, and add skill-based assessments (simulations, work samples, case studies). Finish with a quick action plan: audit open roles, update interview guides, and gather feedback to build fairer, higher-performing hiring processes.

In this episode of Manager Lab we explore why kindness is not optional but essential for trust, psychological safety, and high performance. Drawing on HBR research and practical examples, we explain how respectful listening, thoughtful feedback, and inclusive practices improve engagement, retention, and business outcomes.Managers will learn concrete ways to embed kindness into routines and policies and leave with a simple action: ask your team what one thing you can do to make their work easier or more supportive.

Music. Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we delve into the increasingly dynamic world of talent management. In this episode we summarize Ranjie Gulati’s Harvard Business Review piece "Now Is the Time for Courage," exploring why bold leadership matters when uncertainty is high.The episode breaks down five actionable practices—crafting a purpose-driven narrative, preparing thoroughly, deconstructing complex problems, leaning on allies and mentors, and prioritizing calm and self-care—to help leaders balance risk and opportunity and act decisively when it counts.Listen for practical tips to cultivate courage, make strategic bold moves, and unlock your team’s full potential in volatile times.

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we dive into a data-driven approach to delegating, inspired by a July 2025 Harvard Business Review article. Learn how to effectively track, categorize, and delegate tasks to unleash your leadership potential.Discover the power of a time log, a simple yet effective tool for capturing how your workday is spent. By dividing your day into 15-minute intervals and tracking all activities, you gain valuable insights into tasks that can be delegated or automated. With practical examples and actionable steps, this episode guides you through the process of refining your delegation strategy and maximizing your efficiency for better team and personal growth.

Welcome to The Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we dive into Vanessa Erk Druskitt's HBR article, "Do You Have an Emotionally Intelligent Team?" to uncover the importance of team-level emotional intelligence. Discover how fostering trust, shared identity, and group efficacy can transform individual stars into a cohesive powerhouse.Learn about the nine assessment questions that gauge your team's emotional intelligence, and how these insights can be leveraged to build a supportive and effective team environment. Implement norms that cultivate emotionally intelligent teams, drive smarter decision-making, enhance engagement, and boost overall performance.Join us as we provide actionable tips on developing emotional intelligence within your team, creating a healthy emotional ecosystem, and adopting leadership strategies to elevate your team to new heights.

Welcome to the Manager Lab! In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of effective leadership, drawing insights from the July 2025 Harvard Business Review article by Melody Wilding. Discover the transformative potential of the "visibility grid," a practical framework designed to help leaders determine the right level of oversight for various projects.With the visibility grid, leaders can effortlessly map projects based on risk and team experience to decide the frequency and detail of updates required. This structure empowers leaders to remain informed and proactive without falling into the trap of micromanagement.Join us to learn how to apply this adaptable tool for improved project oversight, team autonomy, and personal growth in leadership dynamics.

Welcome to the Manager Lab, your destination for uncovering the secrets of talent management. In this episode, we explore practical strategies to enhance happiness and well-being, inspired by Arthur C. Brooks's book, 'The Happiness Files, Insights on Work and Life.' Discover how investing in relationships, engaging in physical activity, and fostering generosity can transform both personal and professional lives. Join us as we delve into ten effective techniques designed to unlock happiness for business professionals.