Podcast
Management Muse
Hosted by Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin · EN
Management Muse is a leadership and management podcast for professionals who want to improve communication, increase employee engagement, and build high-performing teams. Hosts Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin draw from organizational science, management research, and decades of experience to deliver actionable insights that improve workplace performance. Topics include leadership development, team dynamics, performance management, workplace culture, change leadership, and strategic communication. Whether you’re leading a team or working within one, Management Muse helps you strengthen your skills and drive meaningful results.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 90 - The Founder Effect: How Leaders Leave a Cultural Mark
Jan 600:34:24Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the founder’s personality becomes the company’s culture? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore the phenomenon of founder imprint: the lasting, often invisible fingerprints that founders leave on an organization’s values, behaviors, and decisions. This episode complements our recent discussion on weak organizational cultures by diving into the special case of start-ups, which often have strong, founder-driven cultures. From Chick-fil-A’s Sundays off to Herb Kelleher’s wild-but-warm ethos at Southwest, Cindi and Geoff walk through iconic examples of founder imprint, and contrast them with stories from their own experience building a small business together. You’ll learn how early team choices, value signaling, and founder preferences can shape a company’s identity long after the original leader has left the building. Tune in to hear how founder-led cultures can be both a strength and a stumbling block as organizations scale. Episode Highlights: Why founder values “imprint” early and persist over time The surprising science behind why teams end up so similar When founder-led cultures work, and when they get in the way How cultural self-governance can be a gift or a trap What Cindi and Geoff learned from building their own firm Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xIcIyDg_rK0 *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Get a Comprehensive Organizational Assessment with CulSure *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Zook, Chris. “Founder-Led Companies Outperform the Rest – Here’s Why,” Harvard Business Review, 24 Mar. 2016. https://hbr.org/2016/03/founder-led-companies-outperform-the-rest-heres-why Gutterman, Alan S. “Founders and Organizational Culture”, Oct. 2023, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374695659_Founders_and_Organizational_Culture Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website
Transcribe →Ep 86 - Why Failure Might Be Your Best Strategy with Spencer Fraseur
Nov 2500:50:32Tap to summarizeThis Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a second helping of one of our favorite episodes featuring Cindi’s nephew, academic and author Spencer Fraseur. In a world chasing perfectionism, Spencer makes a provocative case: failure is actually a competitive advantage. Drawing from his research and book Failing Upward, he lays out how resilience, reflection, and smarter pivots fuel success. Packed with practical tools for turning missteps into momentum, this episode will change how you think about failure–and why embracing it can put you ahead. About Spencer: Spencer Fraseur is an academic and author of Failing Upward, a book that challenges the traditional views of failure and offers a new framework for embracing it as part of the journey toward success. Spencer recently received his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University, where he continues to explore themes of resilience, learning, and personal development. His first book, The Irrational Mind, won the Royal Dragonfly Book Award in 2020. *Connect with Spencer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerfraseur/ Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tnmdVVgyCug *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Ready to take your organization to the next level? Call On-Demand Leadership *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Heinrich, Ally. “Why Failing is Critical to Your Team’s Success,” Harvard Business School Online Business Insights, 17 Apr. 2025, https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/failing-well Wang, D, Wang, Y, and Jones, BF. “Early-career setback and future career impact,” Nature Communications, 1 Oct. 2019; 10, 4331, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12189-3 Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website
Transcribe →Ep 85 - How AI Is Stretching Managers Too Thin—and What It’s Costing Organizations
Nov 1800:35:58Tap to summarizeAs AI and automation reshape the workplace, companies everywhere are trimming management layers in the name of efficiency. But how lean is too lean? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff examine what happens when managers take on too many direct reports, what AI can (and can’t) replace, and the long-term costs of organizational flattening. Discover the key dynamics that predict performance and retention, and the simple managerial practice that could safeguard them both. If you’re evaluating how to restructure around AI, this episode will help you strike the balance between efficiency, results, and the people who make both possible. Episode Highlights: How AI and automation are reshaping management What efficient companies overlook about long-term success The breaking point for leader bandwidth What happens when managers lose touch with their teams Key habits to prevent burnout and builds engagement Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5hkqOAMQdFA *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Want to understand your people better? Call CULSURE *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Cantrell, S, Kirby, L, et al. “Is there still value in the role of managers?,” Deloitte Insights, 24 Mar. 2025. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends/2025/future-of-the-middle-manager.html Fischer, C, Amabile, T, and Pillemer, J. “How to Help (Without Micromanaging),” Harvard Business Review, Feb. 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-to-help-without-micromanaging? Rogelberg, Steven. “Make the Most of Your One-on-One Meetings,” Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec. 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/11/make-the-most-of-your-one-on-one-meetings Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website
Transcribe →Ep 84 - Developing Your Team Starts with the Right Narrative
Nov 1100:36:03Tap to summarizeTo be a better manager, start telling a better story. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi and Geoff dig into the science behind oscillating narratives and how honest, full-spectrum storytelling builds resilience and helps employees develop. Leaders who acknowledge both setbacks and successes don’t just help their teams handle adversity better, they actually appear more credible. You’ll learn why always-upward or always-downward narratives distort reality, how to model reflection without losing authority, and why the stories you share shape identity and culture. If you want a smarter approach to leadership narratives that trades perfection for endurance and connection, start here. Episode Highlights: Why full-spectrum narratives build resilience The danger of all-good or all-bad thinking How to lead without pretending to be perfect When to share mistakes (and when not to) The link between storytelling and trust Creating teams that can bounce back Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fon1hWUXYcA *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Grant, Adam. “The Fine Line Between Helpful and Harmful Authenticity,” The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/smarter-living/the-fine-line-between-helpful-and-harmful-authenticity.html Fivush, Robyn, Duke, Marshall, and Bohanek, Jennifer. “The Power of Family History in Adolescent Identity and Well-Being.” Journal of Family Life, Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life (MARIAL), 23 Feb. 2010, https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-power-of-family-history-in-adolescent-identity.pdf Kinkead, Eugene. In Every War but One. W. W. Norton & Company, 1959. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4032542-in-every-war-but-one Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website
Transcribe →Ep 83 - Wellness That Works: Leading with Calm in High-Pressure Jobs
Nov 400:37:01Tap to summarizeWhat if the key to workplace wellness isn’t what you do, but how you respond? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi talks with management coach Belinda Block about embedding well-being into high-performing work. From collapse to clarity, Belinda shares how nervous system regulation, small behavioral shifts, and smarter boundaries can help managers lead with more presence and less pressure. This episode spotlights the invisible skills that steady a team: emotional regulation, responsive leadership, and staying present under pressure. Whether you’re quietly burning out or guiding a team through a heavy lift, you'll get accessible tools you can apply right away; no sweeping initiative required. Episode Highlights: Why wellness starts with what you can control How to respond instead of react The power of self‑regulation at work Tools that make wellness easier to integrate with your team How competition and tracking can boost wellness initiatives The link between presence, performance, and realistic expectations Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ITHGHw-ZgRs About Belinda Block: Belinda Block is a management coach with a Ph.D. in industrial psychology who helps high-performing leaders lead more effectively without burning out. Drawing on experience across industries like pharma, finance, and media, she focuses on executive presence, time management, and team leadership. Her coaching blends behavioral science with real-world strategy to help managers stay focused, grounded, and impactful. *Learn more about Belinda here! *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here. *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Shiba, Koichiro, et al. “The Association between Meditation Practice and Job Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study,” PLoS One. May. 2015;10(5). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4449168/ David, Susan, and Congleton, Christina. "Emotional Agility." Harvard Business Review, Nov. 2013, https://hbr.org/2013/11/emotional-agility Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website
Transcribe →Ep 82 - Chameleons at Work: The Science of Self-Monitoring and Success
Oct 2800:33:51Tap to summarizeSelf-monitoring, when wielded well, is one of the most powerful personality traits in the workplace. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin explore what it means to be a high or low self-monitor, and how that affects everything from career trajectory to team dynamics. Are you a social chameleon who adapts easily to any room? Or someone who always says what they think, no matter the context? Both approaches have advantages—and pitfalls. The key is knowing how to work with both types. Drawing on foundational research by psychologist Mark Snyder and insights from decades of leadership consulting, Cindi and Geoff break down how self-monitoring shapes management, influence, and even ethics. You’ll leave with a sharper lens for reading behavior, and a better playbook for managing your own. Episode Highlights: What the self‑monitoring assessment actually measures High vs. low self-monitors: strengths and tradeoffs The importance of understanding your company’s social network Why high self-monitors are more likely to get promoted The compensating behaviors both sides must master How culture and context factor shape impact Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ob_2xRMH1IA *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kilduff, M., & Day, D. V. (1994). “Do Chameleons Get Ahead? The Effects of Self-Monitoring on Managerial Careers.” Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 1047–1060. https://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Self-presentation_Impression_Formation/Kilduff_Day_1994_Do_chameleons_get_ahead.pdf Snyder, Mark. (1974). “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4), 526–537. DOI:10.1037/h0037039 Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook - Website
Transcribe →Ep 81 - Company Culture that Leads Itself: AI, Alignment & Shared Leadership with Torben Nørby, Part 2
Oct 2100:36:02Tap to summarizeWant less micromanagement and more momentum? Start with culture. In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership expert Torben Nørby, we shift from diagnosing cultural drift to designing companies to thrive in a changing world. This episode dives into shared leadership, the role of AI in shaping behavior, and the power of culture to reduce friction and unlock performance. Cindi and Torben explore what it takes to build aligned and adaptive organizations when change comes fast and complexity is high. From the pitfalls of control-based management to the possibilities of contextual AI application, they chart a course for leaders who want to empower and encourage high performance in their teams. Whether you're navigating organizational change or adapting to AI’s growing role in management, this episode is essential. Episode Highlights: Why it’s time to stop talking about leaders and start talking about leadership How a strong culture often helps managers The power of asking “What do we want?” instead of “What’s broken?” The case for more shared leadership How managers can leverage AI Determining your company’s culture *Watch Part 1 of this conversation! About Torben Nørby: Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience, Torben is a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to improve organizational performance. Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9x6e5YnphrQ *Want to understand the science behind your people? Call CULSURE *Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here *Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Bradford, Nichol. “Navigating the AI Landscape: Is Culture the Key to Success?” Society for Human Resource Management, 13 October 2024, https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/ai-hi/navigating-the-ai-landscape--is-culture-the-key-to-success- Fitzsimons, Declan. “How Shared Leadership Changes Our Relationships at Work.” Harvard Business Review, 12 May 2016, https://hbr.org/2016/05/how-shared-leadership-changes-our-relationships-at-work. Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook - Website
Transcribe →Ep 80 - Culture Doesn’t Have to Crawl: Torben Nørby on Changing Fast and Getting it Right, Part 1
Oct 1400:44:34Tap to summarizeThink culture change has to be slow and painful? Think again. In this episode, Cindi Baldi is joined by leadership strategist Torben N rby to challenge the belief that culture change is a long, uphill crawl. Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be, if you get the context right. Torben explains how most organizations don’t explode—they erode, slowly sliding out of alignment as they grow and the world shifts around them. Cindi and Torben break down the anatomy of culture change and introduce a smart framework leaders can use to shift culture without wrecking trust or clarity. From international business case studies to the current work-from-home debate, they explore what it takes to lead rapid and lasting cultural shifts. This episode is for anyone ready to redesign a work culture. You’ll walk away with practical tools for evaluating your current culture, for aligning behavior with values, and for creating space for continuous improvement. *Tune back in next week to hear Part 2 with even more insight! Episode Highlights: How deliberate interventions can build strong cultures The risk of drifting out of alignment as your organization grows The importance of context in culture change How to act without overcorrecting What global case studies reveal about adaptable organizational cultures Why shared leadership drives more sustainable and effective culture shifts About Torben Nørby: Dr. Torben Nørby is the CEO of People & Performance, the author of The Contextual Leader, and the creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI). With more than three decades of leadership experience spanning the Danish military, global retail, and international consulting, Torben has become a leading authority on contextual leadership, which is helping executives align strategy, culture, and behavior to drive real organizational performance. Drawing on both rigorous research and experience, Torben has advised thousands of leaders across industries on how to adapt their leadership styles and shape their operating environments. His work blends practical insight with psychological depth, offering senior leaders ways to build alignment, empower teams, and lead meaningful cultural change. Check out Torben’s book, The Contextual Leader Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ve70VwxTE_U Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website
Transcribe →Ep 79 - The Authenticity Trap: When Real Goes Wrong in Leadership
Oct 700:44:37Tap to summarizeAuthentic leadership is a hot topic. But what if bringing your whole self to work is a terrible idea? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin tackle the tension between being real and being reckless. What if being authentic doesn’t make you a better manager, just a more difficult one? From the importance of self-monitoring to the paradox of power, Cindi and Geoff unpack what it means to show up at work without blowing up. You’ll learn why awareness matters more than rawness, how emotional regulation helps you meet the moment, and why the best managers actually aren’t always authentic. Whether you're steering a team or quietly questioning your coworker’s fourth overshare of the week, this conversation brings clarity (and a few laughs) to one of the most misguided ideas in modern work culture. Episode Highlights: Why bringing your authentic self to work isn’t always a good idea The importance of alignment and awareness How and why many leadership trends are self-defeating The dilemma of power How leather jackets (and other stuff) can change a leader Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rEvWlLV_ORY Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Pfeffer, Jeffrey. Power: Why Some People Have It — and Others Don’t. Harper Business, 2010. https://www.amazon.com/Power-Some-People-Have-Others/dp/0061789089 Snyder, Mark. “Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 30, no. 4, 1979, pp. 526–537. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0037039 Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website
Transcribe →Ep 78 - AI, Healthcare, and Getting Your Mindset Right for Disruptive Times
Oct 100:28:26Tap to summarizeWhat if AI didn’t replace employees but instead became their most powerful partner? In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi continues her conversation with Stacy Edgar, co-founder of Venteur, to examine how AI may positively disrupt our lives. Their discussion moves from personalized medicine and easier work to the pivotal choices leaders face when technology sparks systemic change. At the center is a necessary mindset shift toward embracing what’s possible. Leaders who invest in employees and use AI to amplify human capability grow the pie; those who don’t risk shrinking it. Listen in to learn what it takes to lead an organization that thrives along with AI. Check out Part 1 of this conversation here. Episode Highlights: How AI is transforming work The expanding promise of personalization in business What self-driving cars suggest about systemic change Why people and AI are better together The risks of controlling behaviors and fear-driven leadership The mindset for leading through disruption Why everyone should watch Terminator About Stacy Edgar: Stacy Edgar is the co-founder and CEO of Venteur, an AI and digital health startup helping employers reimagine health insurance. Venteur works with businesses to lower healthcare costs while empowering employees to feel more confident in their healthcare journey. Before launching Venteur, Stacy spent 15 years in global development and foreign policy. She has helped dozens of organizations generate billions of dollars in new business. Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iXFzw5V6LCw Purchase your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook here Sign up for our newsletter and let us know what topic you’d like to hear next! Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kober, Gregg. “AI-First Leadership: Embracing the Future of Work.” Harvard Business Impact, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.harvardbusiness.org/insight/ai-first-leadership-embracing-the-future-of-work/ Li, D. M., et al. “A Critical Look into Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare.” Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 8, 05 Marc. 2025, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1545869/full Join Our Community & Follow Us: - Youtube Channel - LinkedIn - Instagram -Tik Tok -Facebook - Website
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