Podcast Summary: Travis Makes Money
Episode: INTERVIEW | Make Money by Managing Better with Ashley Herd
Host: Travis Chappell
Guest: Ashley Herd, Founder of Manager Method, Former Head of HR North America at McKinsey
Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Travis Chappell interviews Ashley Herd, nationally recognized management expert and author, about practical strategies for making more money by becoming a better manager. Ashley shares her unconventional career path–from working at Subway to leading HR at McKinsey–and discusses her new book, The Manager Method. The conversation focuses on the universality of foundational management skills, the importance of accessible leadership education, and Ashley’s actionable "Pause, Consider, Act" framework for managers at all levels.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Ashley's Origins and Early Money Lessons
- First job experience:
- Ashley made her first dollar as a “certified sandwich artist” at Subway and immediately noticed how much of her paycheck went to taxes.
- (01:08) “I made that dollar and quickly gave a good chunk... in taxes. At the time, I think it was about 4.25. So it was literally pretty close to a dollar.” —Ashley
- Connecting frontline work to Fortune 500 management:
- Ashley saw surprising overlap in management challenges faced by both assistant restaurant managers and senior consulting partners at McKinsey.
- (01:27) “There are plenty of senior partners... but could have circles run around them in terms of management by an assistant restaurant manager at KFC..." —Ashley
- This realization inspired her to launch Manager Method, aiming to scale her advice to a wider range of managers.
Career Trajectory and the Power of Diverse Experience
- Multiple fields before entrepreneurship:
- Ashley worked in B2B sales, law, HR, and even sales while being a general counsel.
- Blending Sales and HR:
- While working remotely from Australia, Ashley adapted her approach to business development by changing her title for effectiveness.
- (05:08) “If a lawyer is going to reach out to you, you’re probably not going to say, ‘No, step into my office,’ right.” —Ashley
Reflections on Corporate Life and the Push to Entrepreneurship
- Cultural differences in work-life balance (Australia vs. USA):
- Ashley observed a stark contrast in work culture and balance after living in Australia.
- (06:18) “[In Australia] it’s just super collegial... I had pretty defined work life balance... able to spend time with my kids.” —Ashley
- Insights from McKinsey:
- Even at McKinsey, “the smartest people in the world oftentimes need practical training just like everybody else.” —Ashley (08:17)
- This became a driving reason for her to leave a prestigious, high-paying role and pursue her own venture focused on practical leadership.
- Entrepreneurial leap motivators:
- (10:20) “These conversations I’m having with people here... I could close my eyes and have the same conversation with people in all sorts of levels.” —Ashley
- The desire to deliver management guidance to people at every career stage, not just executives.
Meaningful Moments & Impact
- Memorable encounter:
- Ashley was recognized at a McDonald’s drive-thru by a fan of her TikTok management tips.
- (11:38) “She said, ‘You’re that HR lady from TikTok... I send them to my friends.’” —Ashley
- Ashley emphasized the importance of making quality leadership knowledge accessible:
(12:20) “...It’s really important that I treat everybody... with the same type of knowledge... because it doesn’t just mean job title and salary.”
The Role of Social Media and Podcasting for Education
- Platforms for connection and learning:
- Podcasting alleviates entrepreneurial loneliness by fostering real conversations with peers.
- (13:58) “When you’re starting it on your own, it can actually feel really lonely... For me, it’s been great to have the podcast because I do it with two other creators...” —Ashley
- Core consensus: “Work doesn’t need to just be a source of stress... it’s really important to know that your life... you don’t have to sacrifice your energy and your mindset just for the sake of making money.” —Ashley (14:30)
The Manager Method Book: Why & How
- Writing for accessibility:
- Ashley wrote the book to distill her framework and tips into a tool everyone can use—not just managers, but anyone leading people or relationships.
- Her 3-step framework: Pause, Consider, Act
- (15:40) “Pause and often consider... think about a loved one in their shoes... and then acting accordingly... Even if you’re not a people manager, it can be a helpful framework...” —Ashley
- Book writing journey:
- Started with self-motivation, found traditional publishing by accident, leveraged social media presence to secure a deal with Hay House.
- (17:20) “I never... sought out an agent... I started writing it... [then] Cheryl Segura, who’s a fantastic agent at Hay House, reached out...” —Ashley
- Process described as “so much hard work,” but ultimately “really proud of it and excited.”
- Inclusion of industry-diverse examples so “it’s not just for a corporate environment, a remote environment. There’s ones for healthcare, fast food, retail...” —Ashley (18:54)
Practical Advice for Listeners
- Invest in real, actionable knowledge:
- (19:38) Travis’s endorsement: “When I’m looking at new skills... who is the best person that I can learn this from? And somebody who was the former head of HR... at McKinsey... just go buy the book, stop hesitating.”
- Where to find more from Ashley:
- ManagerMethod.com and all major social media platforms under “Manager Method.”
- (20:55) “I try to put out valuable tips pretty much every day.” —Ashley
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ashley on Management Universality:
- “There are plenty of senior partners... but could have circles run around them in terms of management by an assistant restaurant manager at KFC.” (01:27)
- On the Meaning of Success:
- “It’s really important that I treat everybody... with the same type of knowledge... because I can tell you it doesn’t just mean job title and salary.” (12:30)
- On The “Pause, Consider, Act” Framework:
- “Sometimes I use my... my late grandmother Gigi, who lived to be 96, and I think, how would I want her to be treated if she made a mistake or she was coming on board or she was quitting...” (15:40)
- Ashley on Book Writing:
- “The process is definitely a combination [of fun and difficult]... despite having a podcast, I found I am not one that can speak a book. I rewrote and rewrote and rewrote the whole thing.” (17:20)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:08 — Ashley’s first job & the money lesson
- 05:08 — Blending HR and Sales
- 06:18 — Work-life perspectives from Australia
- 08:17 — Lessons from McKinsey
- 10:20 — Why leave a prestigious job for entrepreneurship?
- 11:38 — Drive-thru TikTok moment & democratizing leadership skills
- 13:58 — Podcasting for connection and education
- 15:40 — "Pause, Consider, Act" explained
- 17:20 — The book writing and publishing journey
- 19:38 — Travis’s endorsement & call to action
Final Thought
Ashley’s story is a reminder that management skills are universal–valuable in fast food, consulting, or entrepreneurship. Practical frameworks like “Pause, Consider, Act” can empower listeners at any stage in their career to lead, earn more, and build the life they want. Her approachable tone and focus on widely accessible learning make this episode a must-listen for anyone serious about growing as a manager—or simply making more money by working smarter.