New Manager Conversations with Fexingo: First 90 Days, Managing Former Peers, and Leadership Basics

How New Managers Can Delegate Without Dumping 24.07.2026 7min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the hardest skills for first-time leaders: delegation that builds capability, not resentment. They break down the difference between delegating and dumping, sharing a practical framework from former Intel CEO Andy Grove's 'task-relevant maturity' concept. You'll learn how to assess a direct report's readiness for a task, how to set clear parameters without micromanaging, and why delegation is actually a tool for developing your team. The hosts discuss a real example: a new marketing manager who had to hand off a critical campaign launch to a junior copywriter. They walk through how she used a 'draft-submit-revise' loop to delegate authority while keeping the project on track. If you are a new manager struggling to let go of the work that got you promoted, this episode will give you a concrete starting point. Plus, Lucas and Luna share how listener support helps keep the show ad-free. #NewManager #Delegation #LeadershipSkills #FirstTimeManager #ManagementBasics #TaskRelevantMaturity #AndyGrove #TeamDevelopment #Empowerment #Micromanagement #TrustInTeams #CareerAdvice #WorkplaceTips #ManagerTraining #FexingoBusiness #Careers #BusinessPodcast #Leadership Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Handle Decision Fatigue 23.07.2026 6min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle decision fatigue — the hidden drain on new managers who suddenly face dozens of choices daily. Lucas shares research from a 2024 Cornell study showing managers make an average of 35 job-related decisions per day, with cognitive depletion setting in after the 20th. They discuss the 'decide once' principle used by figures like Obama and Zuckerberg, and walk through a practical example of a marketing manager at a midsize B2B SaaS company in Austin who reduced her decision count by 40 percent using a simple pre-commitment framework. Luna pushes back on whether all decisions can be routinized, and Lucas offers a two-question filter for triaging choices. The episode closes with a concrete tip for protecting your best mental energy for the decisions that actually matter — and a brief acknowledgment that listener support on buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo keeps the show ad-free. #NewManager #DecisionFatigue #Leadership #Management #Careers #CornellStudy #CognitiveLoad #DecideOnce #Productivity #MentalEnergy #DecisionMaking #First90Days #TeamLead #MiddleManagement #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #CareerAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Navigate Their First Performance Reviews 23.07.2026 8min

Episode 131 of New Manager Conversations tackles one of the most stressful moments for any first-time leader: conducting performance reviews. Lucas and Luna unpack the specific case of Sarah, a first-time manager at a mid-sized software company who inherited a team with mixed tenure and uneven performance. They discuss how to frame reviews as coaching conversations rather than verdicts, the importance of gathering input from peers and stakeholders in advance, and why anchoring ratings to observed behaviors—not personality—keeps the process fair. Lucas shares a concrete framework: the 'Start-Stop-Continue' model for structuring review narratives, and warns against the 'recency bias' trap that can skew annual assessments. Luna pushes back on the idea that new managers should avoid delivering critical feedback in their first review cycle, and they agree that honesty, paired with a clear development path, builds long-term trust. The episode closes with a practical tip for turning negative feedback into a forward-looking action plan. Fresh angle for a series that has covered feedback, delegation, and tough conversations, but never this specific annual-ritual milestone. #NewManager #PerformanceReview #Leadership #Careers #FirstTimeManager #Feedback #Coaching #Management #HR #StartStopContinue #RecencyBias #TeamDevelopment #EmployeeFeedback #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleManagement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Handle Difficult Conversations with Direct Reports 23.07.2026 9min

Episode 130 of New Manager Conversations tackles the specific challenge of initiating and navigating difficult conversations with direct reports. Lucas shares a framework he learned from a senior HR executive at a Fortune 500 firm — the 'SBI model' (Situation, Behavior, Impact) — and walks through a real example of addressing chronic lateness in a team member. Luna pushes back on the model's perceived coldness and offers a complementary technique from her own management experience: asking 'What's your read on how this is going?' before diving into feedback. Together they explore how to prepare, avoid blame language, and end with a clear action plan. This episode gives new managers a step-by-step mental script for conversations that most people dread — from low performance to interpersonal friction to missed deadlines. #NewManager #Leadership #DifficultConversations #Feedback #Management #CareerDevelopment #EmployeeRelations #SBI #SituationBehaviorImpact #First90Days #DirectReports #TeamLeadership #PerformanceCoaching #WorkplaceCommunication #Candor #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Run Their First One-on-One 22.07.2026 9min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna break down the art of the first one-on-one meeting with a direct report. Using the real-world example of a new team lead at a mid-size SaaS company who inherited a team of seven, they walk through a concrete structure: how to set the agenda in advance, what questions to ask first, and how to avoid the trap of treating the meeting as a status update. Lucas shares evidence from a Gallup study showing that managers who hold regular, structured one-on-ones see 12% higher engagement scores. Luna challenges the listener to think about the power dynamic—your direct report may be nervous too. They also discuss the 'three-bullet rule' for keeping the conversation focused on the employee's priorities, not the manager's. By the end, you'll have a reusable template for your next one-on-one. #NewManagers #OneOnOneMeetings #Leadership #Management #First90Days #Careers #TeamLead #Coaching #EmployeeEngagement #Gallup #SaaS #DirectReports #Communication #Trust #Feedback #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Influence Without Authority 22.07.2026 6min

Lucas and Luna tackle one of the hardest challenges for new managers: getting things done when your team doesn't directly report to you. They break down the concept of 'influence without authority' using the real-world example of a project manager at a mid-sized tech firm who had to coordinate across engineering, marketing, and sales without any direct reporting lines. Lucas shares three concrete tactics — building informal networks, using data to create pull, and trading favors intentionally — while Luna pushes back on how these play out when you're also managing former peers. The episode stays practical: how to prepare for a cross-functional meeting, the one question to ask before asking for a favor, and why small compliance builds big trust. No theory, just a playbook for the Monday morning when you need buy-in you can't command. #NewManagers #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #LeadershipBasics #CrossFunctionalTeams #StakeholderManagement #ManagementSkills #CareerGrowth #FirstTimeManager #ProjectManagement #OrganizationalBehavior #TeamDynamics #SoftSkills #BusinessStrategy #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #NewManagerConversations Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Manage Their Energy Not Just Their Time 21.07.2026 9min

Episode 127 of New Manager Conversations tackles a challenge that rarely gets formal airtime: energy management. Lucas opens with a specific story about a first-time manager at a mid-sized SaaS company who scheduled back-to-back 1-1s all morning, then had nothing left for strategic thinking by 2 PM. He and Luna explore the difference between time-blocking and energy-blocking, drawing on research from the book 'When' by Daniel Pink and real examples like how some managers batch low-cognitive-load tasks (status updates, approvals) in the afternoon while reserving mornings for coaching and feedback. They discuss the concept of decision fatigue in the context of new managers who face 30–50 micro-decisions daily, and why protecting two quiet hours per week for reflection can reduce turnover risk. Luna pushes back on whether this is realistic in a Slack-driven culture, and Lucas offers a concrete tactic: the 'energy audit' — tracking your mood and focus for one week at 90-minute intervals. The episode closes with a forward-looking question about how managers can model sustainable pacing for their teams without seeming less committed. #NewManager #EnergyManagement #TimeManagement #DecisionFatigue #Leadership #FirstTimeManager #TeamCoaching #Productivity #DanielPink #WhenBook #CognitiveLoad #ManagerWellbeing #SlackCulture #EnergyAudit #ReflectionTime #CareerGrowth #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Handle Impostor Syndrome 21.07.2026 7min

New manager Sarah Chen felt like a fraud after being promoted to lead a data science team of eight. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore why impostor syndrome hits new managers especially hard and what to do about it. They break down a specific tactic from executive coach Dr. Marcia Reynolds: the 'evidence log' — a simple practice of writing down three things you did well each day for thirty days. Lucas explains why typical self-help advice like 'fake it till you make it' backfires for managers, and why the real fix is about shifting from proving your worth to serving your team. Luna shares how she used the evidence log after her own promotion and what surprised her about the results. They also discuss why impostor syndrome is a signal of competence, not a sign of weakness, and how to spot the difference between normal self-doubt and a systemic problem. If you're a new manager who's ever wondered whether you deserve the role, this episode offers a concrete, research-backed approach to quieting that voice. #ImpostorSyndrome #NewManager #Leadership #CareerAdvice #MarciaReynolds #EvidenceLog #SelfDoubt #ManagerTips #First90Days #Management #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeamLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #WorkplacePsychology #CareerGrowth #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Navigate Office Politics Without Playing Games 20.07.2026 10min

Episode 125 of New Manager Conversations tackles the uncomfortable reality every first-time leader faces: office politics. Lucas and Luna break down why 'staying above the fray' is a recipe for irrelevance, using the concrete example of a product manager who lost her team's budget because she refused to lobby. They share a three-part framework: map the influence network without being a gossip, build asymmetric relationships with key stakeholders, and use your team's wins as your political currency. Specific tactics include the 'skip-level ally' move and how to handle a senior leader who steals credit. No cynicism, no gamesmanship—just clear strategy for new managers who want to do good work and have it matter. The episode closes with a listener support note and a reflection on the difference between politics and politicking. #OfficePolitics #NewManager #Leadership #CareerAdvice #FirstTimeManager #Influence #StakeholderManagement #OrganizationalDynamics #Trust #Credibility #Promotion #WorkplaceStrategy #ManagementTips #Lobbying #SkipLevelMeetings #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Protect Their Team From Scope Creep 19.07.2026 6min

New managers often struggle to shield their teams from scope creep — those last-minute requests, vague additions, and 'small asks' that quietly blow up a quarter. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the specific case of a product design team at a mid-sized B2B SaaS company that lost three weeks of roadmap time to unmanaged scope creep in Q2 2026. They walk through a concrete framework — the 'Scope Budget' — that one engineering manager used to cut unplanned work by 40 percent in two sprints. Lucas shares a memorable analogy: treating your team's capacity like a fixed-dollar budget you have to approve line by line. Luna pushes back on whether this works for junior managers who don't have political capital yet. The episode closes with a practical three-question test any new manager can use before saying yes to a request. No theory — just a tool you can use in your next backlog grooming or planning meeting. #ScopeCreep #NewManagers #TeamCapacity #ProjectManagement #SaaS #EngineeringManagement #ProductDesign #SprintPlanning #BacklogGrooming #Leadership #ScopeBudget #UnplannedWork #Q2_2026 #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ManagerTips #WorkloadManagement Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Manage Up Without Selling Out 19.07.2026 7min

New managers often hear 'manage up' as corporate-speak for flattery. But in this episode, Lucas and Luna break down what managing up actually looks like in your first 90 days — using a concrete case: a first-time engineering manager at a mid-size SaaS company who had to convince a skeptical CTO to fund a refactor. They cover the three-step framework for earning upward influence: understanding your boss's constraints, framing your asks in their language, and building a track record of small wins. Lucas explains why the word 'manage' is misleading — you don't manage your boss, you manage the relationship. Luna pushes back on the assumption that managing up is only for career climbers, arguing it's actually a form of stewardship. The episode closes with a practical tip: the one question you should ask your boss in your first week that sets the tone for the entire relationship. No buzzwords, no cynicism — just a realistic guide for new managers who want to be effective without losing their integrity. #NewManager #ManagingUp #First90Days #Leadership #CareerAdvice #WorkplaceRelationships #Influence #BossRelationships #ManagerTips #TechManagement #SaaS #EngineeringManager #OrganizationalDynamics #Stewardship #CareerGrowth #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Build a Feedback Culture 18.07.2026 7min

In episode 122 of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna explore how new managers can cultivate a culture of feedback within their teams. Using the example of Bridgewater Associates' radical transparency approach—and why it mostly doesn't work for normal teams—they discuss practical, lower-risk methods like feedback warm-ups, 'continue/stop/start' templates, and modeling vulnerability by asking for feedback yourself. They also touch on the surprising statistic that only 34% of new managers feel prepared to give feedback (a 2024 LinkedIn survey), and why the first 90 days are the best time to set the norm. Specific, actionable advice for listeners who want feedback to feel less like a performance review and more like a regular part of the workday. #NewManager #FeedbackCulture #LeadershipBasics #First90Days #BridgewaterAssociates #RadicalTransparency #FeedbackWarmUps #ContinueStopStart #ModelingVulnerability #LinkedInSurvey #GivingFeedback #ReceivingFeedback #TeamNorms #Careers #ProfessionalDevelopment #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #NewManagerConversations Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Set Team Norms Early 18.07.2026 7min

Lucas and Luna tackle a challenge every new manager faces: establishing team norms without coming across as controlling. Using the example of a product team at a mid-sized SaaS company called Tendril, they break down how to set expectations around communication, decision-making, and meeting etiquette in the first 30 days. They discuss the 'working agreement' framework—a simple document co-created with the team—and why norms stick better when they solve a real pain point. Lucas shares a specific tactic called 'the one-pager sprint' that helps new managers surface hidden disagreements about how the team should operate. Luna pushes back on whether norms can feel overly prescriptive, and Lucas explains the difference between a rigid rule and a shared commitment. This episode includes a short mention of listener support. Practical, concrete, and immediately useful for anyone stepping into a leadership role. #TeamNorms #NewManager #Leadership #First90Days #WorkingAgreements #ManagementBasics #Communication #DecisionMaking #MeetingEtiquette #OnePagerSprint #TeamCulture #SaaS #Tendril #LucasAndLuna #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #NewManagerConversations Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Host Effective Skip-Level Meetings 17.07.2026 8min

In episode 120 of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle a skill most first-time leaders overlook: the skip-level meeting. Lucas opens with a striking stat from Google's Project Oxygen — that managers who regularly meet with their direct reports' direct reports see 12% higher team retention. They break down exactly how to structure a 25-minute skip-level so it doesn't feel like a surveillance session. Lucas shares the three-question framework he learned from a product VP at HubSpot: 'What should I know about your work?', 'What's one thing the team should stop doing?', 'What do you need from me that you aren't getting?'. Luna counters with a cautionary tale about a junior designer who felt ambushed when her skip-level turned into a performance check disguised as a chat. The episode also covers how often to run these meetings, whether to take notes openly, and how to handle the awkward dynamic when a skip-level reveals a problem with the manager in between. Ends with Lucas suggesting a simple rule: never ask a question in a skip-level that you wouldn't be comfortable asking your own manager in a one-on-one. #SkipLevelMeetings #NewManagers #LeadershipBasics #First90Days #ManagingFormerPeers #CareerAdvice #ProjectOxygen #HubSpot #TeamRetention #OneOnOnes #Feedback #ManagementSkills #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #NewManagerConversations #LucasAndLuna #ManagementTips Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Transition from Peer to Manager 17.07.2026 10min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the trickiest transitions in a manager's journey: moving from peer to boss. Using the real-world example of a team lead at a mid-sized SaaS company who was promoted over four former teammates, they break down the three concrete shifts that make the difference — changing how you participate in meetings, how you give feedback, and how you handle social dynamics outside work. Lucas shares a specific framework called 'the three conversations' that helps new managers reset expectations without damaging relationships. They also discuss why many new managers try too hard to stay friends and how that actually backfires. If you're about to manage people who used to be your equals, or you've just stepped into that role and feel the awkwardness, this episode gives you a playbook for the first 90 days. #NewManager #PeerToManager #First90Days #Leadership #Management #CareerTransition #TeamLead #Feedback #Boundaries #WorkplaceDynamics #ManagerTips #LeadershipCoaching #Promotion #SaaS #CareerGrowth #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #NewManagerConversations Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Rebuild Trust After a Mistake 16.07.2026 8min

In this episode, Lucas and Luna tackle a subject every new manager eventually faces: making a significant mistake and then having to rebuild trust with the team. They break down a real-world scenario: a first-time manager at a mid-sized B2B software company shared incorrect quarterly targets during a team all-hands, causing confusion and frustration. The discussion walks through the three-step repair process — owning the error fully without deflection, communicating the correction transparently, and then systematically restoring credibility through consistent follow-through. Lucas cites research from CEB (now Gartner) showing that trust recovery after a public mistake takes an average of seven to nine interactions before team confidence returns to baseline. They contrast hollow 'I'm sorry' leadership with concrete repair actions, and Luna shares a personal anecdote about a manager who rebuilt her trust by sending a detailed written recap of what went wrong and the new safeguards put in place. The episode closes with a brief, natural pitch for listener support, tying the value of candid leadership conversations to the show's ad-free model. #NewManagers #LeadershipBasics #TrustRebuilding #MistakeRepair #CareerAdvice #ManagementSkills #FirstTimeManager #TeamTrust #Accountability #VulnerableLeadership #CEBResearch #Gartner #B2BSoftware #Transparency #Credibility #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Develop Their Own Leadership Voice 16.07.2026 9min

New managers are told to find their own leadership style, but what does that actually mean? Lucas and Luna examine why copying someone else's approach often backfires, then walk through a three-part framework for developing a leadership voice that feels authentic and still commands respect. They discuss the difference between style and substance, how to borrow specific moves without becoming a clone, and why vulnerability works better than polish when you're new. The episode anchors on research from leadership scholars Herminia Ibarra and Amy Cuddy, plus a real example from a product manager who stopped trying to be 'inspirational' and started being useful. If you've ever felt like you're performing authority rather than embodying it, this conversation gives you a practical way off that treadmill. #LeadershipVoice #NewManager #AuthenticLeadership #Careers #LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #HerminiaIbarra #AmyCuddy #ImposterSyndrome #PowerPosing #LeadershipStyle #First90Days #MiddleManagement #ExecutivePresence #Vulnerability #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareerGrowth Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Establish Their Authority Without Being Bossy 15.07.2026 8min

Lucas and Luna explore a subtle but critical skill for new managers: establishing authority without coming across as bossy or authoritarian. They dig into the research on 'soft dominance' from organizational psychologist Dr. Lindsey Cameron at Penn's Wharton School, who studied 150 new managers over two years. Key finding: the managers who earned the most respect from their teams used a mix of clear framing, direct language, and calm confidence—not loudness or orders. Lucas and Luna walk through three concrete techniques: naming the 'why' before the 'what', using 'I expect' instead of 'I need', and the power of a 10-second pause before responding. They also discuss a common pitfall: over-explaining. The episode is full of specific phrases and non-verbal cues listeners can use in their next team meeting. #NewManager #Leadership #Authority #SoftDominance #DrLindseyCameron #Wharton #CommunicationSkills #TeamManagement #First90Days #ManagingFormerPeers #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipBasics #WorkplaceDynamics #Assertiveness #Coaching #ProfessionalDevelopment Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Give Feedback That Sticks 15.07.2026 10min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the hardest first-year leadership skills: delivering feedback that actually changes behavior. They break down the 'feedback sandbox' method, a concrete four-step framework that avoids the common pitfalls of vague praise or exploding criticism. We walk through a real scenario from a new manager at a mid-sized SaaS company, showing exactly how to structure a coaching moment without triggering defensiveness or demoralizing a direct report. The hosts also discuss the neuroscience of feedback receptivity, the ratio of positive to corrective comments that research supports, and why saying 'can I give you some feedback?' is almost always the wrong opener. This conversation is designed for any new manager who wants to build a culture of honest, frequent, and low-anxiety feedback — starting with their own next one-on-one. #NewManager #Leadership #Feedback #Management #CareerAdvice #Coaching #OneOnOne #WorkplaceCulture #CommunicationSkills #ManagerTraining #First90Days #PeopleManagement #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipBasics #FeedbackSandbox #GrowthMindset Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

How New Managers Can Coach Underperformers Without Rescuing Them 14.07.2026 9min

In this episode of New Manager Conversations, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the hardest transitions from peer to manager: addressing a team member who isn't meeting expectations—without falling into the trap of doing their work for them. They walk through a real case from a first-time manager at a mid-sized SaaS company, where a formerly strong individual contributor started missing deadlines and producing sloppy work after a reorg. Lucas explains the 'coach vs. rescuer' framework, why most new managers default to rescuing, and how to structure a single 'clean feedback loop' that preserves the relationship while holding the person accountable. They also talk about what to do if the behavior doesn't change after three loops, including when to escalate to HR and how to document without being adversarial. Specific talking points include the SBI model (Situation, Behavior, Impact), the fixed vs. growth mindset trap in performance conversations, and why avoiding the conversation is actually the least kind option. A practical episode for anyone who's ever felt guilty setting a high bar. #NewManager #FirstTimeManager #PerformanceManagement #Coaching #Feedback #Underperformance #LeadershipBasics #CareerGrowth #ManagerTraining #DifficultConversations #WorkplaceCommunication #HR #TeamDevelopment #EmployeePerformance #GrowthMindset #SBIModel #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo