The Cranky Middle Manager Show #314 Lean Learning and Knowledge Capture with Todd Hudson
The Cranky Middle Manager Show #305 The Approachable Manager Nametag Scott Ginsburg
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by Wayne in General, Podcast
Today Wayne Turmel talks to the odd but very smart “Nametag” Scott Ginsberg about being more approachable as a manager and why it matters. We also discuss Lady Godiva, the Gospel of St Thomas and other things you won’t hear on any other management podcast. That’s a promise.
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Show Notes
0:00 Hello and welcome to the 305th Cranky Middle Manager show. Scott Ginsberg’s new book is The Nametag Principle, Today we are talking with someone who took a silly gimmick and made it his life’s work. This might sound strange but have you ever done anything weird just to make a point? And THAT leads us to Lady Godiva. Trust me, it makes sense.
5:00 The quote of the week is actually from the Gospel of St Thomas…. which you may or may not have heard of… but have you ever written a report that didn’t make the final version? Do you bring forth what’s inside you? Can you help others bring forth what’s inside them? Just askin’
6:10 Welcome “Nametag” Scott Ginsberg to the program. What started as a desperate attempt to meet girls in college has turned into a decade-long social experiment. What can managers learn from some schlub wearing a nametag all day? Approachability matters.
8:13 Why are managers often seen as unapproachable even though we’re good human beings? It’s all in what people see and perceive and so much to do with the messages (tacit and explicit) that we send. What’s the first word out of your mouth?
11:32 Does being approachable mean you have to be available 24/7 and never get your own work done? How to set boundaries without cutting people off completely.
13:42 What’s the role of humor in being approachable? Why do so many of us fear being lighthearted about serious work? We also discuss Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy.Never say you don’t learn anything on this show.
15:46 Part of being an approachable leader is leaving people better than they were before they communicated with you. Do they feel smarter? More appreciated? Relieved? Beaten to a bloody pulp? Do you leave them disturbed? That might actually be a good thing.
18:44 It sounds like we’re doing all the giving. What do managers need to stop doing? We need to stop making people feel important, we need to make them feel essential. The difference matters. We also discuss the difference between empathy and owning other people’s feelings.
22:44 How do you help your team approach each other on meetings and at work? Why do you always hear from the same people, and how can you help your introverts and polite types get their point across? Why are the ones coming to you are the ones you least want to hear from?
25:10 The key to approachability is to be proactive, and it’s hard. What ritual can you build into your routine?
26:10 Believe it or not, the book, The Nametag Principle- 366 Daily Practices to Make Your Brand More Engaged, More Joinable, More Human and More Approachable is your COMPLETELY FREE. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK AT NO COST TO YOU
Scott also suggests you check out Rajesh Setty’s blog
You can also check out Rajesh Setty on The Cranky Middle Manager