How to Suck Less As A Manager, with Ben Arendt
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Release Date: 07/17/2024
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Self-promotion can feel uncomfortable—especially for introverted, thoughtful, or reserved Thinkydoers. But what if sharing your impact didn’t have to feel like bragging? In this episode, client experience copywriter and founder of The Content Witches, Nailah King, joins host Sara Lobkovich to explore how to craft authentic client stories that go beyond traditional case studies. Nailah shares practical strategies for telling compelling stories that showcase your work—even when your impact isn’t easily measured in revenue or metrics. Learn some tips for managing rejection sensitivity and...
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AI is transforming the way we work—but how can Thinkydoers use generative AI responsively and productively—as a tool, not a time-suck? In part two of our conversation with AI ethicist and strategist Dvorah Graeser, we get practical about leveraging AI tools, particularly for deep specialists and strategic thinkers. Building on our discussion of ethics and implications from Episode 38, Dvorah shares specific ways to move from anxiety to agency with AI while maintaining your ethics and humanity. Learn how to use AI tools to organize your thoughts, improve communication with different...
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Are you wrestling with ethical questions about AI while also feeling curious about its potential? In this thought-provoking episode, Sara welcomes Dvorah Graeser, an "old internet" technologist who brings a unique perspective on AI democratization. From programming for the Human Genome Project to founding RocketSmart, Dvorah shares insights on how we can approach AI with both skepticism and agency. Discover why those who shy away from AI might be surrendering power to tech giants, and learn practical considerations for responsibly engaging with generative AI tools in your work. Episode...
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What’s next for OKRs in 2025? As goal-setting evolves, organizations are rethinking their approach to strategy, execution, and performance. In this episode, Sara sits down with OKR experts Natalie Webb and Maria Rowcliffe to unpack the latest trends—from the role of generative AI to the shifting landscape of OKR localization and performance management. Whether you’re an OKR veteran or just getting started, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve. Episode Highlights: How generative AI is reshaping OKR creation and workshop efficiency The shift away from rigid OKR...
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What happens when two powerhouse frameworks collide? In this episode, Sara dives into a fascinating conversation with Jessica Lee, exploring the dynamic intersection of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in business management. As both an EOS integrator and an OKR coach, Jessica shares her unique expertise, offering actionable insights into how these two frameworks can work in harmony to help organizations not just survive but truly thrive. Episode Highlights: The complementary relationship between EOS and OKRs in business management ...
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Ever feel lost in the alphabet soup of goal-setting frameworks? Whether you're a leader, a coach, or a goal-setting enthusiast, navigating between SMART goals, KPIs, OKRs, and other frameworks can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Sara Lobkovich – strategist, OKR coach, and nationally board-certified health and wellness coach (with “another life” in professional motorcycle road racing) – gives you the inside scoop on the most popular frameworks. Through easy-to-understand examples from the worlds of health and sports, Sara breaks down when and how to use each framework to drive...
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Thinking about implementing OKRs? Your first instinct might be to shop for an OKR tool - but that could be setting yourself up for failure. In this candid Thinkydoers Short, strategy coach Sara Lobkovich explains why starting with software often backfires, and shares a proven alternative with a methodology-focused approach that will set your organization up for long-term OKR success. Episode Highlights: Common pitfalls of taking a tool-first approach to OKR implementation Why methodology must come before software How to track OKRs effectively without specialized tools A practical timeline for...
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Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your colleagues when presenting your ideas? Or, like a square peg in your work? Do you feel like you're trying to read minds to understand what's expected of you, while your co-workers are just humming along doing their work? Or, do you lead people who that describes well? In this powerful episode, Sara Lobkovich reveals why the very qualities that might make some people feel like an outsider at work—being "too analytical" or "too detail-oriented"—could actually be their greatest strategic strengths (and a tremendous asset to...
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What does it take to perform at the absolute limit, every time you show up to work? How do you navigate your own chemisty, and both objective and perceived risk when lives are actually on the line? Find out in this conversation with professional motorcycle road racer, firefighter, and business owner, Jayson Uribe. Jay and I work together in our moto lives -- he's one of the pro riders that I really enjoy working with in my capacity as a team principal for . In addition to being a very skilled, highly capable and accomplished rider in a sport where the rider is ultimately the one who...
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What can business leaders learn from the high-stakes world of professional motorsports? Find out, in this conversation between Thinkydoers host Sara Lobkovich (whose "other life" is in professional motorcycle road racing) and organizational change expert Jurriaan Kamer, co-author of " and his new release, "." We cover a lot of ground here -- from how pro racing teams approaches to goal clarity, mistake recovery, and rhythmic learning can transform your leadership practice, to creating blame-free cultures, and mastering the art of strategic alignment. In this lively and engaging...
info_outlineWant to suck less as a manager? Or, do you work with a manager who sucks?
Either way, you are NOT alone. Many managers struggle to become good at the difficult job of management: whether it stems from insufficient self-awareness, ineffective communication skills, or a lack of necessary tools, Ben Arendt believes that all managers have a responsibility to improve themselves for the benefit of their careers and the teams they lead. Ben is Principal Consultant at Depth Charge Consulting and author of the recently-released book: How to Suck Less as a Manager: A Practical Guide to Making Your Team Less Miserable Today!
In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies that managers can take right now to better understand, communicate with, and support their teams.
Ben highlights the far-reaching impact of leadership and management, we discuss the importance of intellectual humility and the role that vulnerability plays in leadership, as well as his some tips for managing yourself when your manager sucks.
We also take a side trip into why we both believe leaders should increase their awareness around skills for working with diverse teams and disabled team members, and a few insights on leading and being led while neurodivergent.
From fostering a positive work environment to driving team performance, this conversation is full of valuable insights that can transform your leadership approach today.
Ready to take the first step towards becoming a more effective and inspiring manager? You're in the right place.
Key Points From This Episode:
- An overview of Ben’s fascinating career journey and how it led him to write this book.
- The self-awareness and continuous self-improvement required to be a better manager.
- How listening to and learning from others can help you develop intellectual humility.
- Why difficult conversations with diverse groups of people are key to a leader’s success.
- Three types of activities managers need to do to improve their craft.
- Practical advice for those who are dealing with managers that suck.
- Why Sara coaches that “productive struggling” may be a learning step, but sufferring at work is not acceptable.
- Ben's basic toolkit for better communication skills.
- Strength in vulnerability: why leaders should embrace emotional transparency.
- Why you should probably never be the smartest person in the room as a manager or leader.
- Pro tips for leaders and aspiring leaders who are neurodivergent or "wired differently."
- Major setbacks that helped to propel Ben forward in his career.
- Three key similarities between OKRs and being a better manager.
Quotes:
“If you don't care, you don't deserve to be here [in management]. If you're not willing to listen to other people, you're probably going to do a bad job.” — Ben Arendt [09:50]
“Communication, as sophisticated as it is, is imperfect. There are a lot of things that we as managers – can do better, both to help people be [motivated and engaged], but also get them the things that they want so that their careers improve down the line.” — Ben Arendt [15:50]
“There are a lot of people that should not be in leadership [who] have become managers because that was just the next step in their career.” — Ben Arendt [18:38]
“Getting a diversity of thought and perspective is not value signaling. It's an imperative.” — Ben Arendt [24:18]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
How to Suck Less as a Manager, on Amazon
How to Suck Less as a Manager website
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