Classic management training and techniques focus on the technical aspects of business. These are important, but they’re no substitute for what really creates and sustains value—the people who make it all possible. Lead the People provides you with a roadmap to realizing your full potential as an authentic people leader.
Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method, a platform designed to help new and experienced leaders navigate the complexities of people management with confidence and clarity. Drawing from her background in law, HR, and corporate leadership, Ashley brings a practical, human-centered approach to managing teams. In this episode, she shares strategies for setting boundaries, delivering feedback, and navigating difficult conversations, especially for leaders who feel overwhelmed by the emotional demands of management. Ashley emphasizes the importance of scripting, preparation, and self-awareness in developing confidence, helping leaders balance authenticity with clarity. With actionable tips and real-world examples, Ashley empowers managers to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and build trust within their teams.
Key Takeaways:
Setting boundaries helps managers protect their energy and lead with confidence.
Preparing what to say in advance makes tough conversations easier.
Feedback builds trust when it’s clear, specific, and kind.
Overwhelm is common for new managers but can be reduced with mindset shifts.
Clarity and kindness can go together in effective leadership.
From Our Sponsor:
The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI, including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels, across 90+ countries. Learn more atpredictiveindex.com.
Additional Resources:
Follow Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/
Visit Ashley’s website: http://managermethod.com/
Take a look at Ashley’s book: http://managermethod.com/book
Follow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/
Subscribe to The Predictive Index on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@thepredictiveindex?si=zyj8aS18Z_1HMrVp
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/
Matt Poepsel, PhD
Classic management training and techniques focus on the technical aspects of business. These are important, but they’re no substitute for what really creates and sustains value—the people who make it all possible.
Lead the People provides you with a roadmap to realizing your full potential as an authentic people leader. In each episode, Dr. Matt Poepsel—aka The Godfather of Talent Optimization—and his guests explore a wide range of leadership topics and trends in an informative and engaging way.
If you’re pressed for time, you prefer practical applications over abstract concepts, you’re seeking a playbook for how to lead, and you want to feel that you’re making tangible progress every day—Lead the People was built just for you.
While the path to becoming an authentic people leader isn’t easy, it’s an effective and extremely rewarding way to make a greater impact in your work and in your life.