The Manager Lab

You're Hired! How to Structure Your Interviewing Process for Success

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we delve into structuring great interviews and the questions you need to ask to hire the right person for the job. Draw insights from Zena Wang's article from the January 2025 issue of the Harvard Business Review, as we unravel the best practices for both new and experienced managers.
Discover the importance of preparation, starting with a clear job description to set the foundation for effective interviewing. Learn how to craft smart, open-ended questions that go beyond technical skills to assess the emotional intelligence and cultural fit of candidates.
We guide you through a structured interview process, outlining different types of questions to assess abilities, qualifications, and workplace alignment. This episode equips you with the tools needed to conduct successful interviews that align with organizational values, ensuring you select the very best talent for your team.

When HR Creates the Short List: The Benefits of Letting HR Decide Who Gets an Interview

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we discuss the crucial role of HR in improving gender parity and efficiency within hiring processes. Highlighting research from Almasa Sarabi and Nico Lehman, we delve into the benefits of letting HR select interview candidates, resulting in a significant increase in female hires. Discover how this process change has transformed hiring dynamics and largely enhanced managers' satisfaction with HR's involvement. Join us for insights into effectively unlocking your team's potential.

Five Signs Your 1/1's Are Not Working: Here's What To Do

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we delve into the art of conducting effective one-on-one meetings. Discover key strategies to optimize these crucial interactions and avoid common pitfalls that can make them feel unproductive.We break down insights from a recent Harvard Business Review article, exploring signs that your one-on-ones might be losing their effectiveness. Learn how to ensure these meetings serve a real purpose, fostering alignment, trust, and productivity.Join us as we share actionable tips and techniques to enhance your approach, from careful agenda preparation to maintaining active engagement. Whether you're a new or seasoned manager, this episode offers valuable guidance to leverage one-on-ones as powerful tools for team development and success.

Work Hacks: Getting 1% Better Every Day

Welcome to the Manager Lab podcast, where we explore the crucial aspects of talent management. In this episode, we delve into a practical and transformative habit designed to enhance your productivity by 1% each day. Listen as we discuss an effective nightly routine that involves jotting down your goals before ending your workday, ultimately bringing clarity and peace of mind. Discover how this simple process can lead to better presence at home and improved morning productivity. Join us as we share insights and actionable tips to optimize your daily work habits and unlock your team’s potential.

Mastering Modern Teamwork: New Rules from McKinsey

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore dynamic trends in talent management. In this episode, discover how modern teams can thrive in a rapidly changing environment by applying cutting-edge principles from McKinsey's latest research. Learn to develop effective operating systems, invest in real-time measurement, and create a culture of continuous improvement. Empower your organization to unlock its full potential with practical insights and actionable strategies.

Psychological Safety: 6 Common Misperceptions and What Leaders Can Do (Part 2)

Welcome to the Manager Lab, your guide to understanding the evolving world of talent management. Join us as we dissect insights from key literature and offer actionable tips for building and retaining top talent.In this episode, we explore the common misconceptions surrounding psychological safety, guided by insights from experts Amy Edmondson and Michaela Karacy. Discover why psychological safety can't be mandated through policies, but instead requires intentional cultivation through messaging, modeling, and mentoring.Dive into the roles both leaders and team members play in fostering an environment where everyone feels free to voice their opinions without fear. Learn practical strategies to improve communication quality within teams, ensuring every conversation is a step towards achieving collective goals.

Psychological Safety: 6 Common Misperceptions and What Leaders Can Do (Part 1)

In this episode of the Manager Lab, we explore the concept of psychological safety and tackle widespread misconceptions surrounding it. We discuss how psychological safety is often misunderstood as being nice, equated with getting one's way, or considered as a guarantee for job security. Drawing insights from an article by Amy Edmondson and Michaela Kerasi, we clarify these fallacies and emphasize the true essence of psychological safety: fostering an environment where candor is encouraged and valued without compromising accountability or performance.Join us as we dissect these misunderstandings, learn how they can hinder team dynamics, and explore practical strategies for cultivating a more open, constructive workplace. Tune in to discover the balance between kindness and honesty, and understand why both high standards and psychological safety are crucial for achieving excellent team performance.

Trust & Inspire: Unleashing the Potential of Your Direct Reports (Part 3)

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore the dynamic world of talent management. In this episode, we delve into Stephen M. R. Covey's insights on treating team members according to their potential, as outlined in Franklin Covey's white paper on trust-building. Discover actionable strategies to foster growth and visibility in your direct reports by assigning them skill-building tasks and involving them in high-profile projects.We'll discuss the importance of regular check-ins to track progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure continuous career development. Learn how to ask the right questions to enhance advocacy for your employees, creating a winning environment of trust that benefits individuals, managers, and the organization.

Trust & Inspire: Unleashing the Potential of Your Direct Reports (Part 2)

Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore effective talent management strategies. In this episode, we delve into the art of enhancing your team's potential with a focus on reputation building, impactful feedback, and personalized coaching. Discover how to align feedback with company values and direct report goals, enhancing both performance and trust within your team. Join us as we discuss actionable tips for developing a thriving, collaborative workplace environment.

Trust & Inspire: Unleashing the Potential of Your Direct Reports (Part 1)

Welcome to the Manager Lab, your go-to podcast for diving deep into the ever-evolving realm of talent management. In this episode, we explore the transformative power of trust and its role in contemporary leadership styles.
Join us as we examine insights from Franklin Covey's "How to Build Trust and Unleash the Potential of Your Direct Reports." We'll delve into the shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative approach, emphasizing the importance of recognizing employees as complete individuals.
Listen in to learn how to foster an environment of trust that not only benefits your direct reports but also elevates your organizational standing. Discover actionable strategies to align career goals with everyday tasks, ensuring mutual growth and progress.