Manager Tools “Basics”
Now that we’ve been producing weekly podcasts for almost 2 years, new listeners to the show are often confused (understandably so) on where to start. What are the foundational podcasts, the core principles that underly the Manager Tools philosophy?
We’ve listened and here it is! The definitive list of the “must listen to” podcasts. If you’re a new listener, these are the podcasts you need to listen to.
RSS Feed
And here is the link to the RSS feed with these podcasts only: http://www.manager-tools.com/podcasts/basics-rss.xml
For iTunes users, click here to add the feed to iTunes: 
Enjoy!
One on Ones Parts 1 and 2 and Questions (3 shows)
One on Ones are the core of The Management Trinity. Effective Managers know that to achieve exceptional results, we must create relationships with each of their directs. To do THAT, we must spend time every week focusing on the direct and their work.
Virtually everything Manager Tools recommends is built upon a firm relationship with one’s directs, and the best way we know to make that happen is One on Ones.
Start Here. You don’t have to do anything else for 2 months besides One on Ones. It will change your managerial life.
Feedback (3 shows)
As a manager, you’re responsible for the results that your team produces. Results are nothing more than the aggregated behaviors of everyone who works for you. So, effective managers know that we’ve got to have a way to talk to our directs about their behaviors. The Feedback Model gives us the way to do it.
It’s simple, direct, and easy to learn. Managers who adopt this Manager Tool get more effective results from their teams more quickly.
Coaching (4 Shows)
As a manager, you’re responsible not only for results, but also for improving results over time. That means you’re responsible for improving the skills - the behaviors - of your team. Feedback gets you started, and Coaching helps everyone on your team improve.
If you haven’t had a good experience with coaching, it’s because you’ve been misled about how hard it is. But with the Manager Tools Coaching Model, you can coach everyone on your team in 5 minutes per week during your One on Ones.
Delegation (2 shows)
Delegation is the quiet 4th member of The Manager Tools Effective Manager Trinity. Effective Managers delegate routinely, because they not only know how (described here), but also because they understand that delegation is a key engine of corporate profitable growth. Adding more people when you have more work isn’t as effective as growing the team you already have.
Running Effective Meetings (3 shows)
Every Effective Manager knows how to run a solid meeting. You’ve been to bad meetings - they start late, finish late, get little done, and a few people talk about stuff that isn’t on the agenda. That doesn’t happen if you run your meetings this way - at least in part because we tell you what an agenda IS. If you’re thinking this sounds old fashioned, this is how Google runs their meetings.
Solution to a Stalled Technical Career
If you’re a technical person, you’ve surely wondered about your career path, and how to ensure you’re getting the most out of your work life. This cast takes a different approach than most in the IT world - it starts with building relationships with folks on the business side (gasp). It works - ask your bosses.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Great idea! Many of us are MT evangelists and this will provide a great first step for those referred to the site.
August 25th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Agreed! Thanks for putting this together. So many of us refer people here and now we can point them right to the basics page!
August 25th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
for those of us who already downloaded every MT podcast available, is there a way to make this “basic” shows into a playlist instead of a RSS feed? (to avoid double space in the hard disk)
August 25th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I envy those just now discovering Manager Tools. I remember when I first found your podcast, I was like a kid in a candy store, listening to 5 casts a week. ‘M-T Basics’ provides a nice foundation–there are a few I might add, but none I would remove.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:26 am
heam711220,
You could open the file where your podcast files are stored (on my PC, the file is located by going to MY MUSIC –> ITUNES MUSIC –> PODCASTS –> MANAGER TOOLS). Once you’re in the folder, you can create a playlist in ITunes and drag the files that you wish into it.
Hope this helps,
Mike
August 26th, 2007 at 12:54 am
heam711220,
Of course, MichaelM’s suggestion will work if you would like to create a playlist from the files you’ve already downloaded; unfortunately, I don’t know of a method for creating the equivalent of a “playlist” RSS feed. Sorry!
Mike
August 26th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
There is a simpler way in iTunes, actually.
Just drag some episodes from the podcast area in iTunes to a free area in the playlists part on the left side and iTunes will create a new playlist automatically. (Or you could create the playlist first and then drag the episodes to it.)
Bye,
Martin
August 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Thanks for the iTunes link, guys. I have been wanting to listen to these but my only available time is on the road! Keep up the good work, its great “stuff”!
Jeff
August 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Thanks, I did what nogger suggested. Worked great.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Nice Work. I was just contemplating my own “MT Greatest Hits” playlist.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Thank you so much!! I have been trying to get the basics down by listening to what I thought were the core components of your content. (Getting distracted by every second cast along the way…you guys do great work!)
This will finally let me get up to full speed, in the correct order….
Thanks again.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Thank you - this is an excellent way to introduce MT to others.
A suggestion - could you put a direct link to this page on your Resources drop down or some other place so that it can be easily found?
August 27th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I just added this to my iTunes and have a request - is there someway that you can code the rss/itunes feed so that the podcasts appear in the same order as on this page?
Thanks for providing these casts…
August 27th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Hi Lionel
Reordering the casts in iTunes is easy. You just rename the files and put an ordering code in front of them. For example, for one on ones, rename them 01- One on Ones podcast 1a, 02 - One on Ones podcast 1b, 02 - One on Ones podcast 2… or whatever ordering series you find works for you
August 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to just put together a playlist and share it?
August 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
doh . . . pardon my ‘High D’ comment above . . .
August 27th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
High D comments are fine
I found that ordering the podcasts by date with the oldest on top works reasonably well. A playlist would be better but this is adequate (or as some would say “good enough for government work”
August 27th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Hi Skwanch
High D comments are fine. You might choose to offer your (very good btw) solution slightly differently. Or you might not. For example “Did you know you can drag and drop your podcasts into a playlist and that will give you the ordering you desire?” is a sweet answer.
I did not think to try that until you mentioned it. Works beautifully. Thanks!
August 28th, 2007 at 3:48 am
I can see the value of having the podcasts in the RSS feed in the same order as they are listed here. If I get some extra time, I’ll try fixing that. Unfortunately, it requires “hand coding” of the RSS feed vs. merely tagging the appropriate podcasts. It’s on the list … but to be honest, not REAL high on the list currently.
Mike
August 28th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Previously I’ve had to list these for friends. Now I can send them the link. Thanks for setting it up as an RSS feed as well.
Thanks (again).
August 28th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Hello, just a quick “Thank you” for your web site. I’ve been scavenging the internet for sites that provide useful, real life tools for managers as I’m starting in a couple of weeks time in my first sales management role. I must say that I have found this to be the most useful site, bar none…especially the podcasts. Thanks again, your time in putting these useful tools together is greatly appreciated.
Kate
New Zealand
August 29th, 2007 at 9:31 am
[…] The smart folks over at Manager Tools were nice enough to put their tips for management basics podcasts all on 1 page so if you’re new to management, you can find what you need in 1 easy location.The 5 areas Mark Horstman and Michael Auzenne discuss are what they feel are the most important parts of management: […]
September 15th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
In the iTunes feed, it seems that the feedback part 3 is missing - am I missing something?
September 15th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
digin,
The 3rd feedback podcast is titled “Improve Your Feedback”
Mike
September 16th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Thanks for checking it out. I looked again, and I think I read the 3rd feedback as the second one.
I still think there is something amiss though. This page has 16 casts, the feed has 15 casts - the missing one seems to be Feedback 2 (Feedback Revisited) - the one on the 10/10/2005.
September 16th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
digin,
I apologize … you are so right! I’ve corrected the feed and it should now contain ALL the casts above.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
best regards,
Mike
September 19th, 2007 at 2:19 am
[…] Another key to an effective Time Management?? Delegation! […]
September 26th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I liked the sessions on one-on-ones. I’m using these to work with my manager as well. But my manager is remote - as well having our team split across 3 countries. (Our company is spread across multiple locations, countries, timezones, etc.) I don’t know him well and we have little face-to-face interaction - maybe 2 hours in the last 6 months. What would you alter or add for my dealing with him or a manager dealing with remote employees? I save all my comments for our one-on-one but that essentially means that I only talk to him for that time once a week. I’m pretty independent but don’t feel connected.
October 7th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
[…] Professional executives and managers are responsible for establishing and reinforcing a culture of accountability and effectively leading execution of the organization’s processes. StrategyDriven contributors like Manager Tools podcasts because each of these approximately 30 minute discussions provides a clear, step-by-step method executives and managers can immediately implement to increase their organization’s accountability and their leadership effectiveness. We particularly encourage all of our readers to listen to the Manager Tools Basics podcast series focused on feedback, one-on-ones, coaching, delegating, and conducting meetings. […]
October 9th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Hi, I am new to MT and I want to download all the basics. I am not that familiar with Itunes, I clicked the link at the top, but it only download “The Juggling Koan”. How do I get the rest of them?
October 12th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
This is great. I was a moderately late comer to your podcast, about a year now. You don’t mention here that there are paper tools that you offer, which go with these podcasts. People will still need to dig through the archives to find the show notes. That’s the only way I’ve found to get things like the meeting agenda template, coaching card, and other useful, non-premium tools.
Manager Tools is excellent by the way. I’ve been in the adult education business for almost 20 years (agriculture, not technology or management per se). I think MT is a model for modern “Life Long Learning.” Podcasts, forums, conferences, “paper” (premuim content) all working together. You’ve got a very cool integrated package.
October 12th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
CCext-
Thanks for the great comments - glad we’re helping you learn and grow.
Mark
October 21st, 2007 at 2:23 am
charon54,
I had the same issue.
I went back into iTunes, chose Podcasts under Library, went to the ‘Manager Tools “Basics”‘ podcast, and clicked “Get All”. It then downloaded the remainder of the “Basics” podcasts.
Hope this helps,
John
November 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Hi
I’m having the same problem as a few others - only getting ‘the juggling koan’ when I click on the RSS feed or the i-tunes feed. In i-tunes its not giving me the ‘get all’ option either
any others tips out there appreciated?
Thanks
Suzy
November 9th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Excuse the last mailing - I have realised my error and if anyone else is having the same problem it is just due to the little arrow next to where it says Manager Tools ‘Basics’ in i-tunes. When it points down you see the whole list!
Magic!!
December 12th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Guys, I have just discovered podcasting, we are a little slow over here in Ireland!… and to add to the pleasure I find your shows.
Now on my 2 hour commute into Dublin I listen to you, every word is like a breathe of fresh air
Thank you guys for the shows, they are a pleasure to listen to and a joy to implement…i love them!
Mark
December 14th, 2007 at 2:18 am
Mark-
It’s OUR pleasure. Glad we’re helping.
It’s a privilege to serve you on your commute.
Mark
December 27th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Thank you a thousand times over. I joined for the Interview series which has been tremendously helpful. Not that worried about my next interview anymore I have started to venture out into the other areas.
So much to learn and I use every chance to take advantage of the wealth of information.
For those that download the podcasts I bought a little FM transmitter ($25) that plugs into the headphone jack. I can now listen to the podcasts on my drives everywhere and still be aware of the rest of the world.
This is great stuff!!
Kevin Sweeney
December 28th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Kevin-
Glad you’re with us and we’re helping you.
And to think we have 20 years to go!
Mark
February 18th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Not just for new listeners. I would suggest that it’s a great refresher for those that have been listening for a while. A great opportunity to take stock of how you’re doing it and hone your skills from the basics up.
April 4th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Hi guys, I am currently on a manager training programme and am finding your podcasts an invaluable tool in helping me develop myself and change my mindset into that of a manager. Even though I do not yet have directs i know that one day i will, and I know that all of the subjects will come up at some point during my career! I know that when situations arise in the future that the topics and casts WILL be revisited.
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and the energy to produce these shows. It is very much appreciated.
April 5th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Thanks, Anthony … your comments are very much appreciated!
Mike
April 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hi Mark and Mike, this is an amazing resource and much apprececiated.
Thanks.
I do have a small technical issue I was hoping someone could help me with - I am an itunes user and can’t get your ‘basics’ casts. I have tried the link but only get “The Juggling Koan”. I am really looking forward to immersing myself in the trinity casts.
Also, is there any way you could make all of your archive podcasts available on itunes?
April 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Please ignore the the ‘juggling koan’ issue above - I just read an earlier post explaining how to get them all.
I’m looking forward to getting to grips and using the ‘basics’.
Thanks!
May 29th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Just wanted to say thank you. I’ve been working at different small non-profit museums (>$300,000 op budget) for 15 years. Although I’m really good at the technical stuff - fundraising and programs - have not been able to create a team feeling. I’m encouraged that your advice will help. Thanks again.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Mike & Mark,
My husband discovered your podcasts for me, and he was absolutely right in that I love them. I’m in a non-managerial administrative position which means that my boundaries are a bit blurred. I’m responsible for giving feedback and coaching to people that are not my directs. Officially, I have no directs. Your casts have great information that can be adjusted for people in my position.
I’ve been sharing your site with my co-workers (who are managers) as I belong to a very team-oriented group. They’re aware that I’m an aspiring manager, and I’ve been requesting their feedback. My behaviors up until now have been guess-work, so as a high-D, high-C, I’m very grateful to you for the structure and detail.
As a mother of 5, I’m thrilled to have a few new techniques to try to reduce the “insanity” in my home. That feedback model is so non-threatening. My kids may actually respond.
Thanks!
August 6th, 2008 at 9:06 am
MKobayashi-
We’re thrilled you’re with us!
The feedback model works great on kids (but not spouses).
It’s a privilege to serve you,
Mark
October 6th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Mike / Mark
I have a technical problem, please help. I have somehow deleted the file for the 1st podcast on one-on-ones. My i tunes reflects the name of the cast but does not allow me to redownload. I have tried downloading from the site but only get it in pop up version. How can I get it back in my permanent library?
October 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
nevilled,
If you refresh your listing, you should be good to go. Instructions on how to do so are listed here: http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=26441#26441
Mike
November 16th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Please consider adding the “Rolling out the Manager-Tools Trinity” casts to this list.
When I point people to the site, I recommend they start with the Basics.
The Rolling Out casts really help to put it all together and show the importance of the sequence of doing O3s first, starting with positive feedback, etc.
The Conference did that for me as well, but that is not as accessible for everyone.
Mark and Mike, keep it up! - It’s all Good.