From Overwhelmed to Confident Manager (feat. Ashley Herd)

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:

1. Setting boundaries helps managers protect their energy and lead with confidence.
2. Preparing what to say in advance makes tough conversations easier.
3. Feedback builds trust when it’s clear, specific, and kind.
4. Overwhelm is common for new managers but can be reduced with mindset shifts.
5. Clarity and kindness can go together in effective leadership.

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/

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Learn more about PeopleForward Network: http://www.peopleforwardnetwork.com/