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Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, host John Jantsch talks with Ashley Herd — founder of Manager Method and former Head of HR at McKinsey — about what it really takes to be an effective, empathetic manager. Herd argues that many managers are “accidental”: promoted because they excelled individually, without any training for leadership. She shares her practical framework for building management skills, focusing on clear expectations, real communication, coaching over commanding, and leading in a way that supports people rather than burns them out.

Guest: Ashley Herd

Founder, Manager Method | Former Head of HR, McKinsey
Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method, a leadership-development firm dedicated to helping managers build confidence, support their teams, and deliver results — without sacrificing people’s well‑being. With experience in corporate sales, law, and HR, Ashley brings a unique “career quilt” perspective rooted in both strategy and empathy.

Key Takeaways:

• Many managers are promoted for high performance, not leadership potential — and they often get no training.
• Clear expectations aren’t just goals; they’re conversations about roles, impact, and support.
• One-on-one meetings should go beyond status updates to explore challenges, growth, and engagement.
• Feedback (positive and critical) should be delivered with empathy, not ego — using Herd’s “Pause → Consider → Act” model.
• Great managers act like coaches, not bosses — empowering their teams to lead and grow.
• Small actions — like explaining why you hired someone — can transform trust and motivation.

Notable Moments:

• 00:55 – Why promoting top performers can backfire without proper leadership training.
• 06:20 – Herd explains how to define and communicate truly “clear expectations.”
• 10:50 – The underestimated power of one-on-one meetings for trust and retention.
• 13:06 – Herd’s “Pause–Consider–Act” framework for giving effective feedback.
• 15:40 – The value of treating managers as coaches and culture builders.
• 20:16 – A simple tip: always tell new hires why they were chosen.

Memorable Quotes:

“A lot of managers don’t know what to do. They weren’t given any training — no guidance on how to coach, delegate, or handle people issues.”

“If you make time for a one-on-one and show up on time, it sends such a strong signal. That alone shows you care more than you think.”

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