Manager to Manager

In this enlightening episode of Manager to Manager, we chat with Ramona Henfield, a seasoned HR leader with 27 years of experience in nurturing talent across global teams. Ramona shares her passion for coaching and human behavior, offering valuable insights into how effective leadership can promote both individual and team growth.
In our conversation, we dive into:
Positive Intent in Leadership: Ramona discusses the importance of assuming that everyone wants to excel at their job and how this belief shapes her approach to leadership.
Coaching as a Leadership Strategy: Learn how Ramona utilizes coaching to help her team members uncover their strengths, navigate challenges, and enhance their performance.
The Dual Playgrounds of Growth and Performance: Ramona explains her philosophy of balancing the growth and performance zones, illustrating how leaders can guide their teams effectively through these phases.
Personal and Professional Development: Insights into how regular coaching sessions can serve as powerful tools for both leaders and their teams to foster continuous improvement and achieve their goals.
Ramona’s practical tips and deep understanding of human dynamics will inspire you to embrace coaching as a crucial component of effective leadership, helping your team to realize their full potential and succeed in dynamic environments.
Show Notes: Connect with Ramona Henfield on Linkedin

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we dive into the dual impact of mentorship and sponsorship with Richard Conner, a dynamic people leader and advocate for career development. Richard brings his wealth of experience to the table, offering practical insights into how these relationships can shape careers and unlock potential.
We explore:
The difference between mentorship and sponsorship and why both are essential for growth.
How managers can guide their teams to build meaningful relationships with mentors and sponsors.
Tips for people leaders who want to sponsor their employees and position them for success.
The ripple effect of fostering a culture where mentorship and sponsorship thrive.
Richard’s stories and actionable advice will inspire you to reflect on your own approach to career development: Are you creating opportunities for your team to grow? Are you encouraging them to build the right relationships for their future?
Tune in for an engaging conversation that will leave you with fresh ideas to empower your team and elevate your leadership.
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Richard Conner on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we dive deep into the power of authenticity with Dani DeLorme, an extraordinary people leader whose unique journey and vibrant personality challenge traditional leadership norms. Dani shares how her personal experiences shaped her inclusive leadership style, emphasizing the importance of bringing your whole self to work—and inviting others to do the same.
We explore:
Why self-expression and individuality are vital for building trust and psychological safety.
How to challenge preconceived notions in hiring and embrace a "culture add" mindset over "culture fit."
Practical tips for helping teams thrive by fostering genuine connections.
The ripple effect of showing up authentically and inspiring others to do the same.
Dani's insights remind us that leadership is more than just managing tasks—it's about building relationships, celebrating uniqueness, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued.
Tune in to reflect on your own leadership approach: Are you bringing your whole self to work? Are you encouraging your team to do the same?
 
Show Notes
Connect with Dani DeLorme on LinkedIn

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we wrap up our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" by welcoming Evan Hensley, Heath Nichols, and Susan Breedlove - three dynamic Agile Delivery Managers from Acklen Avenue who report to Jennifer Fields.
Despite sharing the same job title, these three leaders each bring a unique perspective and skillset to their roles. Discover how they leverage their complementary strengths, foster mutual respect, and create a collaborative environment where everyone thrives.
Join the conversation to:
Learn how Evan, Heath, and Susan bring their distinct approaches to life, focusing on work, people, and experience to foster cohesive and high-performing teams.
Hear from Susan on how embracing her true self as a leader has transformed her approach and enhanced team trust and engagement.
Gain insights from Heath on the significance of empathy-driven management and staying curious to continuously improve oneself and the team.
Explore how Evan aligns team members with meaningful work, leading to greater job satisfaction and productivity.
The discussion also highlights how Jennifer Fields' leadership philosophy of leveraging complementary strengths has empowered these managers to excel individually and collectively.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and foster a culture of excellence in their organization.

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we continue our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" by featuring Jennifer Fields, Chief Delivery Officer at Acklen Avenue.
Jennifer shares her unique leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, support, and growth within her teams. She reflects on her own journey from a software developer to a senior executive, offering valuable lessons on leadership evolution and the importance of self-awareness.
Join the conversation to:
Discover Jennifer’s approach to valuing autonomy over control and how it empowers her team to make decisions and solve problems effectively.
Gain insights on why Jennifer believes leadership is more about mindset than process and how this perspective impacts her team’s performance.
Find out how Jennifer embraces different leadership styles within her team and how it contributes to a cohesive yet varied approach to achieving common goals.
Learn about Jennifer’s strategies for creating space for her team members to thrive, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging personal growth.
In addition to sharing her personal journey, Jennifer highlighting the importance of being the leader you would want to follow. She discusses the significance of self-awareness, intentional leadership, and the continuous effort to balance autonomy with achieving organizational goals.
Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights for building a thriving and empowered team. 
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Jennifer Fields on LinkedIn

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we continue our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" with Chelsea Gonzalez, VP of HR at Acklen Avenue.
Chelsey shares her journey from teaching to HR leadership, highlighting the importance of intentionality, personalized interactions, and continuous self-improvement. She discusses the significance of understanding how your actions impact your team and creating a supportive environment that values both professional and personal growth.
Join the conversation to:
Discover Chelsey’s approach to regular one-on-one and team meetings that foster open communication and trust.
Gain insights into how Chelsey tailors her leadership style to meet the unique needs of each team member, enhancing their individual and collective performance.
Find out how Chelsey uses feedback to continually improve her leadership and why she emphasizes understanding the impact of one’s actions on others.
Learn about Chelsey’s journey and how she navigates the challenges of being a leader and a parent, supported by an inclusive and understanding work environment.
Chelsea also opens up about the significance of support from senior leaders and the impact it has on her own growth and confidence.
This episode has practical advice for both new and seasoned managers on how to create a people-first culture that drives both employee satisfaction and organizational success.
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Chelsey Gonzalez on LinkedIn
Watch Chelsey's DisruptHR presentation.
 

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we kick off our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" by sitting down with Stephanie Johnson, COO of Acklen Avenue.
Stephanie shares her insights on leading with authenticity, empowering her team, and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration. She emphasizes the importance of building trust, embracing individuality, and creating a space where everyone feels valued and heard. Discover how Stephanie's leadership philosophy has shaped Acklen Avenue's thriving culture and gain practical tips for cultivating your own leadership excellence.
Join the episode to hear:
How leading by example can create a positive ripple effect throughout the organization
Ways to balance a unified vision with the celebration of individual leadership styles
Strategies for building trust and fostering open communication within your team
The importance of embracing diversity and empowering your people to contribute their unique perspectives
How to use structured processes and metrics to drive alignment and make informed decisions
Stephanie also shares her experiences working closely with the CEO to maintain alignment and support across the organization. This episode is packed with practical advice for both new and seasoned managers on how to lead with authenticity, inclusivity, and strategic clarity.
 
Show Notes:
Connect with Stephanie Johnson on Linkedin

Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed and distracted by technology? Do you struggle to focus on important tasks and find your creative spark? In this episode of Manager to Manager, Kamaria chats with Michelle Moore, a brilliant expert in mental capacity and work design, about how to regain control of your attention and create a more fulfilling work life.
Michelle shares her insights on how to harness attention, cultivate a healthy relationship with tech, and design work environments that promote well-being and productivity.
Join the conversation to:
Learn how technology overload can erode our mental capacity and what you can do to protect it.
Discover the five key areas of work design that impact our ability to harness attention and create value: focus, culture, balance, digital toolkit, and environment.
Get actionable advice on how to lead your team in a way that promotes focus, creativity, and well-being in the digital age.
This episode is a must-listen for new and seasoned managers and who are looking to create more focused, productive, and fulfilling work environments for themselves and their teams.