Management Muse

Ep 38 Preventing Burnout: Keeping People Productive for the Long Haul

Is burnout silently draining the energy and productivity of your team? In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin tackle the challenges of workplace burnout and its impact on even—and perhaps especially—your most loyal employees. Cindi and Geoff explore burnout’s three-part progression, discuss ways to recognize the early warning signs of exhaustion, and talk about the role managers play in fostering a healthier, more balanced workplace.
 
Tune in to gain practical insights to recognize and reduce burnout early, support your team effectively, and build a workplace culture that includes both well-being and high performance.
 
Episode Highlights:
Discover the stages of burnout and learn why high achievers are especially at risk.
Identify the red flags of burnout.
Discover the connection between loneliness, burnout, and employee morale.
Find out how leaders can break the burnout cycle and promote lasting success.
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Ep 37 Why Prestigious Organizations Sometimes Breed Toxic Work Cultures

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin dive into the complex dynamics of high-status organizations and their potential to create toxic workplace cultures. They explore how a steady influx of eager talent can lead to exploitative practices, why instability at the leadership level often creates fear and distrust, and how unchecked competition undermines collaboration. Drawing insights from diverse industries like tech, entertainment, and the military, this episode reveals the hidden costs of prestige and provides actionable strategies to build healthier, more supportive workplaces.
Tune in to learn how to recognize and address toxic behaviors, create a culture of trust, and promote sustainable success in competitive environments.
 
Episode Highlights:
The paradox of prestige and how it can cause harmful workplace dynamics.
Why employee fear and leadership instability are often fellow travelers of toxic work cultures.
How organizational toxicity develops and ways to prevent its growth.
Strategies for leaders to build supportive and sustainable work environments.
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Ep 36 When Empathy Backfires at Work and How to Fix It

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin dive into the complexities and unexpected challenges of empathy in the workplace. They explore how empathy, while important to connect people during challenging times, can sometimes backfire. EMpathy’s errors include unintentionally sidelining an employee’s concerns, downplaying the true pain of our experiences, and jumping too quickly into problem-solving mode. Through compelling stories and examples, Cindi and Geoff talk about how well-intentioned  empathy can go astray and they offer practical strategies to get our empathy back on track.
 
Episode Highlights:
Understanding when sharing our stories can unintentionally take the oxygen our of conversations and ways to prevent it.
The importance of sense-making and listening in delivering empathy.
Common empathy missteps and how to avoid them.
Practical advice for managers on providing the right level of support.
How to improve our empathetic responses to build trust and cohesion.
 
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Ep 35 Ethically Sensitive People at Work

In this episode, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin delve into the challenges of having ethically sensitive individuals at work and the impact they have on teams. Through an engaging story about a friend who almost blew-up an important work relationship over a perceived ethical breach, Cindi and Geoff illustrate the challenges that come with highly ethically sensitive people. They explore why ethically sensitive people are important for maintaining organizational integrity, but they also require extra patience and consideration.
Tune in to this episode for actionable insights on managing ethically sensitive people and for tips on building a culture of integrity.
Episode Highlights:
Real-life examples of how ethical sensitivity can create workplace challenges.
The role of ethically sensitive colleagues as early detectors of potential issues.
Strategies for managers to support the strengths of ethically sensitive people.
Advice for ethically sensitive people to constructively voice their concerns.
Tips on maintaining balance between high ethical standards and workplace harmony.
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Ep 34 The Dark Side of Similarity and How Hiring for “Likeness” Can Hurt Team Success

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the dark side of similarity and its surprising impact on team dynamics and workplace culture. They reveal how hiring for similarity can sometimes backfire, creating unexpected obstacles to growth, trust, and innovation. Through thought-provoking insights and real-world examples, Cindi and Geoff unpack the importance of balancing shared values with diverse perspectives to drive creativity and problem-solving.
Tune in to this episode to learn how to build a culture that thrives on both unity and diversity, setting the stage for organizational growth and resilience.
 
Episode Highlights:
The unexpected ways similarity can create conflict within teams.
How social identity and psychological group membership influence behavior.
The benefits of prioritizing value-based similarity over surface-level traits.
Real-life examples of how diversity in experience can help solve problems and spark innovation.
Practical advice for leaders on balancing diversity and similarity to cultivate a thriving work environment.
 
Resources:
Kacmar, K. Michele, et al. "Surface-level actual similarity vs. deep-level perceived similarity: Predicting leader-member exchange agreement." Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management 10.3 (2009): 315.
Guillaume, Yves RF, Felix C. Brodbeck, and Michael Riketta. "Surface‐and deep‐level dissimilarity effects on social integration and individual effectiveness related outcomes in work groups: A meta‐analytic integration." Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology 85.1 (2012): 80-115.
Negative effect of similarity. Thompson, Maryah E., "Black Sheep Effects on Juror Verdicts" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 369. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/369
Haslam, S. Alexander, Stephen D. Reicher, and Katherine J. Reynolds. "Identity, influence, and change: Rediscovering John Turner's vision for social psychology." British Journal of Social Psychology 51.2 (2012): 201-218. 
 
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Ep 33 Too Many Cooks: The Chaos of Co-CEOs

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin dive into the challenges of co-leadership, where two bosses manage the same people or department. With insights from their 19 years of consulting, they share real-life stories of co-CEO arrangements gone wrong, revealing how role conflict, ambiguity, and lack of clear responsibilities create inefficiency and division. Learn why these setups rarely work, how they lead to inefficiency, and why employees often end up placating the more demanding boss.
 Whether you're an organizational leader or part of a team, this episode offers valuable advice on navigating and improving co-leadership dynamics.
 
Episode Highlights:
See how co-CEO and co-boss setups often lead to unforeseen challenges that seriously harm organizations.
Learn why unclear responsibilities in co-leader roles create confusion that slows down team efficiency.
Discover why employees gravitate toward the stricter boss in shared leadership situations and how that impacts team dynamics.
Get actionable strategies to prevent management overlap and keep your team functioning smoothly.
Explore how having two bosses in charge can trigger lasting organizational dysfunction and conflict.
 
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Ep 32 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business with Barry Couch

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin dive into the challenges of running a family business with management legend Barry Couch. Barry shares his experience of building a company with his son, Brant, and his lessons learned from blending family and work. From setting boundaries to earning respect and managing different leadership styles, Barry offers practical insights for navigating the complex dynamics of family in a professional setting.
Whether you’re part of a family business or interested in leadership, this episode provides valuable takeaways for balancing personal relationships with business success.
Episode Highlights:
Discover how Barry and his son Brant transformed their family business while maintaining a strong personal bond.
Learn the crucial boundaries that kept their family relationships intact while scaling the company.
Explore how contrasting leadership styles can sometimes create a powerful force for positive change.
Find out how role-playing tough scenarios helped Barry and Brant avoid common family business pitfalls.
Barry Couch is the Chair and Founder of HealthSure, a company specializing in insurance, risk management, and quality programs for healthcare organizations. With decades of experience, Barry has redefined self-insurance through innovative strategies, helping hospitals and medical groups across America manage complex risks. Known for his strategic thinking and people skills, Barry is a sought-after consultant and speaker on leadership and effective management. His expertise has guided companies across the United States.
 
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Ep 31 Beyond Likability: Expert Tips for Effective Management with Barry Couch

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the essentials of people skills with their friend and people guru, Barry Couch. Barry, an experienced business leader and entrepreneur, shares his expertise on navigating interpersonal dynamics, emphasizing trust-building, personal connections, and managing complex people issues. He also discusses the critical role of communication and adapting your management style to meet your team's evolving needs. Whether you're an experienced manager, a new supervisor, or are just aiming to improve your people skills, this episode offers actionable strategies for fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented work culture. 
Tune in for insights to become a more empathetic and effective leader in today’s diverse workplace.
Episode Highlights: 
Discover the importance of meeting people where they are to foster genuine connections.
Learn how building trust can enhance management effectiveness and interpersonal relationships.
Explore strategies for strengthening workplace relationships through active listening.
Hear insights on managing the delicate balance between retaining talent and preserving a positive workplace culture.
Understand the value of flexibility and diverse perspectives for improving leadership and decision-making
Barry Couch is the Founder and Chair of HealthSure a company specializing in insurance, risk management, and quality programs for healthcare organizations. With decades of experience, Barry has redefined self-insurance through innovative strategies to help hospitals and medical groups across America manage complex risks. Known for his strategic thinking and people skills, Barry is a sought-after consultant and speaker on leadership and effective management across the United States.
Resources Mentioned: 
Peters, T. J. (1982). In search of excellence: Lessons from America's best-run companies. Harper & Row.
 
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Ep 30 Innovation Through Diversity: How Women Are Reshaping the Investment Landscape with Marla Shapiro

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the crucial role of innovation, diversity, and women in entrepreneurship with Marla Shapiro, the visionary founder of HERmesa. Marla shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to startups, where she launched an angel investment group to support women-owned businesses. Marla highlights how diversity fuels successful innovation in all companies and addresses complex challenges, stressing the need for more women in early-stage investing to break the male-dominated status quo. This episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for managers and entrepreneurs on fostering a culture of innovation, embracing risk, and amplifying diverse voices. Through real-world examples of startups like Byway Travel and Code First Girls, Marla provides vital wisdom on how to solve pressing problems and drive meaningful change in today’s business landscape.
 
In this episode you will learn / Episode Highlights: 
Discover how diversity fuels successful innovation in startups and established companies.
Learn why increasing women's participation in early-stage investing is key to finding unconventional founders with unique solutions
Understand the importance of fostering a culture that embraces risk-taking and tolerates failure to fuel innovation.
Gain insights on how to identify and solve "hair-on-fire" problems that address urgent customer needs.
Learn practical strategies for managers to elevate diverse perspectives and create lasting impact within their organizations.
Marla Shapiro is the founder of HERmesa, an angel investment group investing in women led startups in the UK & Europe.  After a career spent in male dominated spaces such as Wall Street, MIT, and tech startups, Marla resolved to change the status quo and give women a seat at the table as investors and founders
Her work with HERmesa has created a thriving community of operators-turned-angels that bridges the gender gap in early stage investing and fosters innovation in the startup ecosystem.
Learn more about HERMesa here - www.hermesa.co.uk
 
Resources: 
Culsure - www.culsure.com
On-Demand Leadership - https://www.ondemandleadership.com/
 
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EP 29 Why Failing Is the Secret Ingredient to Winning Big

In this episode of Management Muse, hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the value of failure with academic and author Spencer Fraseur. Spencer shares insights from his book Failing Upward and his dissertation research, emphasizing how failure is a crucial part of success and the significance of resilience, passion, and continuous learning. He offers actionable strategies for reframing failure as an iterative process, much like engineers approach problem-solving. Whether you're navigating setbacks in work or life, this episode provides tools for using failure as a stepping stone to growth and innovation.
Tune in for actionable strategies on how to embrace failure, pivot with purpose, and ultimately find success through perseverance and self-awareness.
 
Episode Highlights: 
Learn how failure is a stepping stone to success rather than a stopping point.
Discover how personal failures can lead to significant growth and new opportunities.
Understand why success often requires learning through multiple failures.
Explore when quitting may be the right choice based on passion and adaptability.
See how career pivots can be guided by valuable lessons learned from setbacks.
Find out why having a "sparring partner" for constructive feedback is essential for progress.
Learn the importance of documenting failures to avoid repetition and uncover unexpected opportunities.
 
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 is currently preparing to defend his dissertation at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he continues to explore themes of resilience, learning, and personal development. His passion for teaching and helping others reframe their setbacks into opportunities makes him a sought-after speaker and mentor. His first book, The Irrational Mind, won the Royal Dragonfly Book Award in 2020.
 
Order Spencer's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Spencer-Fraseur/e/B08BKSFTFX
Connect with Spencer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerfraseur
 
Resources Mentioned: 
Fraseur, S. (2023). Failing upward: The secret ingredient to success. Great Failure Press.
Mark Rober's quote: "Failure is not a bug; it’s a feature."
Dweck, C. S., & Molden, D. C. (2005). Self-theories: Their impact on competence motivation and acquisition. In A. Elliot & C. Dweck (Eds.), Handbook of competence and motivation (pp. 122-140). The Guilford Press.