Here is something most managers do not realize about themselves.

The way you respond when someone gives you feedback is the clearest signal of how much control you are quietly exerting on your team.

If you find yourself explaining, defending, or clarifying what you really meant the next time a direct report or peer pushes back on something, that defensiveness is not a personality quirk. It is control showing up in real time.

And if you are doing it with the people who report to you, the dynamic playing out on their team is even more concentrated.

This episode is about the quiet, well-intentioned forms of control that smart, capable leaders run on autopilot, and how to start unwinding them before they cost you the team you built.

In Episode 314 of The Manager Track, Ramona sits down with Glen Galaich, CEO of the Stupski Foundation and author of "Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short," to cover:

- The Vision vs. Control Distinction: why a strong vision is not the same as a controlling style, and where most leaders blur the line

- The Growth Mindset Test: what to do if you suspect you are more controlling than you think, and the one practice that actually tells you

- The Identity Trap: how leaders unconsciously bring their personal brand into roles where it does not fit, and what happens when they do

- The Slow-to-Act Problem: Glen's honest take on when conflict avoidance becomes a leadership liability, and the signal that finally moves him to act

- The Downstream Effect: what your team is experiencing when you resist feedback from your own manager

Whether you have been told you are too hands-on, you have started to wonder why your team keeps bringing decisions back to you, or you are ready to test where your version of "high standards" might actually be control, this conversation gives you the language and the diagnostic to start.

— Resources Mentioned in This Episode —

Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short by Glen Galaich. https://www.amazon.com/Control-Why-Giving-Falls-Short/dp/1394352425/ref=sr_1_1

The Stupski Foundation: stupski.org

TIME100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy: the list Glen was named to. https://time.com/collection/time100-philanthropy/2026/

— Links —

• Schedule a Leadership Strategy Call with Ramona: https://calendly.com/ramonashaw/leadership-strategy-session

• Grab the free New Manager Toolkit mentioned in the episode: archova.org/freetoolkits

• Learn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Learn more at: http://archova.org/1on1-course

• Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

— Other Episodes You Might Like —

• Episode 105 — Train Your Thinking to Become a Better Leader

https://www.ramonashaw.com/105-train-your-thinking-to-become-a-better-leader

• Episode 213 — Executive Mindset

https://www.ramonashaw.com/213-executive-mindset

— What's Next? —

Learn more about our leadership development programs, coaching and workshops at archova.org.

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

Want to better understand your leadership style and patterns? Take our free quiz to discover your Manager Archetype and learn how to play to your strengths and uncover your blind spots: archova.org/quiz

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: archova.org/masterclass

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