People Skills with Karen Amlin explores the human side of leadership, communication, and personal growth. In each episode, leadership trainer and professional coach Karen Amlin shares practical insights that help people understand behavior, strengthen relationships, and communicate more effectively at work and in everyday life.
The podcast covers topics such as personal growth, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, leadership development, workplace culture, communication skills, conflict resolution, and boundaries.
Karen combines real-world leadership experience with clear, practical strategies listeners can apply immediately. Whether you are a leader, a professional navigating workplace dynamics, or someone interested in understanding why people think and behave the way they do, this podcast provides thoughtful conversations and actionable tools to help you build stronger people skills, healthier relationships, and more effective leadership.
Because when people skills improve, everything else works better.
What if success had less to do with motivation and more to do with how you think when you don’t feel like moving? We dig into the psychology behind people who finish what they start and show how to build a system that makes progress inevitable, even on rough days. We start by replacing the "feel-like-it" myth with a vivid, long-term vision that survives low-energy mornings and busy weeks. Then we get practical: write the outcome in detail, list every step, set milestones that earn small wins...
4 Nov 2025
What Does Being A Good Person Really Mean?
What if the real test of character isn’t how kind you are on easy days, but how you show up when it costs you? We delve into the messy, daily moments where values collide with pressure: late projects, tense meetings, and difficult conversations, and outline a practical path to being a truly good person, not just a pleasant one that others approve of. The core idea is simple yet demanding: goodness is built on awareness, empathy, and responsibility, and it is evident in what you choose when no...
23 Oct 2025
Are Gift Cards and Candy Bars Enough? What Actually Boosts Morale
Karen Amlin, Ashleigh Ford, and James Tyack answer Reddit questions from managers: Tension between coworkers, and a team feeling the weight: sound familiar? We unpack how to stop workplace friction from stealing momentum by pairing a values-first stance with practical tools you can use the moment tensions rise. We start with the “surgical” approach to conflict: build trust in one-on-ones, surface triggers and needs, then host a focused joint session that uses “I feel” language, body‑language ...
3 Oct 2025
My voice is soft, my skills are not.
Ever felt your voice shake and thought, “Maybe I’m not a leader”? We go straight at that fear and show why confidence is built through action, not bestowed at birth. From public speaking jitters to the quiet strength of introverted managers, we share practical tools to grow real influence—without becoming someone you’re not. We start with the myth that leadership belongs to the loudest person in the room. It doesn’t. You’ll learn how soft-spoken leaders succeed by preparing thoroughly, askin...
6 Sept 2025
Crossing Boundaries: When Team Building Goes Too Far
What happens when a manager's good intentions collide with spectacular misjudgment? Join us for an eye-opening conversation about a workplace nightmare that's almost too outrageous to believe. We dive deep into a Reddit post that had us both gasping: a manager who hired their massage therapist—doubling as a "spiritual guide"—to lead a mandatory team-building workshop. The agenda? A full day of forced emotional vulnerability, guided healing practices, and group sharing of personal wounds... a...
18 Mar 2024
Knowing You're Called For More: Dianne Dupuis' Journey From Culinary Arts to Finance Manager
Embark on a voyage of self-discovery with Dianne Dupuis – a force of nature in the financial industry, whose life reads like an adventure novel. She's not only reshaped her own destiny, moving from the culinary arts to senior finance manager, but also embodies the essence of a nurturing leader, a mentor, and fitness enthusiast who has turned the corporate world into a place of growth and kinship.
In our heart-to-heart, Diane unveils her battles with self-doubt and the life-altering mentorship that helped her chart a course through the turbulent seas of career transition.
This episode is brimming with insights on cultivating a thriving work environment that mirrors a supportive family dynamic, one that encourages camaraderie through team collaboration, support, and social gatherings.
In this podcast, you will listen to how Diane propelled her career trajectory by embracing the values of transparency and accountability and the profound impact it had not only on her tenure but also on the culture of her team.
Her story and high energy serve as a beacon for anyone daring to chase their dreams. They remind us of the ripples of inspiration one person's journey can create, spreading far into the lives of others.
Join us for a conversation that's as much about personal evolution as it is about transforming the fabric of leadership and mentorship in today's fast-paced world.
Dianne's Bio & Links:
Dianne is an entrepreneur; she works as a manager in the financial industry and is rapidly expanding her brokerage across the country. Through business, she is helping people change their mindset, crush limiting beliefs, create a new empowering identity and build their best life in all aspects.
Dianne is a licensed financial broker and Master practitioner of NLP and timeline therapy. She’s passionate about helping people believe in themselves and create the life they’ve always dreamed of. Dianne loves fitness, personal growth, finding the beauty in the day, having fun, and learning about people.
Follow Dianne:
Website - HTTPS://agents.WFG Canada.ca/diannedupuis (https://https//agents.WFG)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-dupuis-7043b1239/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/superdi_3.0/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@superdi82
3 Mar 2024
Leading with Heart: Lessons from an Engineering Manager
When we peel back the layers of management, what core truth do we find? For James Tyack, engineering manager at Coursera and a new dad, that truth lies in the intersection of leadership and vulnerability. Our latest episode brings you a riveting conversation with James, where he shares his journey of discovering how showing his human side has helped create a culture of trust and empowerment within his teams. His approach, inspired by speakers and leaders like Wade Chambers, emphasizes that leaders who embrace their own imperfections pave the way for their teams to learn, thrive, and innovate without fear.
Navigating the complexities of management isn't just about the bottom line—it's about the subtle art of human connection and continuous personal growth. We delve into the broader implications of leadership training that go beyond the workplace, spilling into the personal realms of our lives. James and I reflect on the 'see something, say something' mantra, a policy designed to encourage openness and inclusiveness that ensures no voice goes unheard. We also highlight the significance of team retrospectives in fostering a candid dialogue, an essential tool for teams to evolve and flourish.
As our conversation draws to a close, we turn our focus to the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy team dynamic. We explore strategies to safeguard against burnout, the benefits of sharing responsibilities, and the essence of allowing team members to learn from their choices. As we sign off, we reminisce about the unexpected ways an hour-long talk can resonate so deeply as James closes the session to continue his family adventure to Hawaii—a fitting reminder that life's rewards often lie in the simplest of pleasures. Join us and be inspired to lead with heart, cultivate gratitude, and maybe even find a fresh perspective that could transform your approach to management and life.
Follow James:
TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@truehumanai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestyack/
16 Feb 2024
Fostering Empowerment in Healthcare Management
In this conversation, Karen Amlin interviews Ashleigh Ford, a former director of nursing who transitioned to leadership training and mentorship. Ashleigh shares her passion for leadership and helping others, emphasizing the importance of people skills in leadership roles. She discusses the challenges of building trust and highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and training in conflict resolution and communication. She also emphasizes the importance of empowering middle managers and developing future leaders.
Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of investing in people for better outcomes. This conversation highlights the importance of knowing and understanding your team members. It emphasizes the need for leaders to observe and get to know their people, as well as listen and learn from them. Building strong relationships and recognizing the positive qualities of team members are crucial for effective leadership. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of addressing complaints and creating a positive culture. Additionally, it highlights the need for training and supporting managers to become positive leaders and emphasizes the impact of positive leadership on morale and performance.
Takeaways
People skills are essential for effective leadership and management.
Building trust and empowering employees are crucial for a positive work environment.
Addressing conflict and negative behavior is necessary for team success.
Ongoing dialogue and training are key to developing strong leaders.
Investing in people leads to better outcomes and organizational success. Leaders need to take the time to observe and get to know their team members.
Listening and learning from team members can provide valuable insights and help build strong relationships.
Recognizing and acknowledging the positive qualities of team members is important for building trust and morale.
Addressing complaints and creating a positive culture can improve the work environment.
Training and supporting managers is crucial for developing positive leadership skills.
Follow Ashleigh:
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@leadwithash?lang=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-ford-9b8128265/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leadwithash/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LeadwithAsh
12 Feb 2024
Getting Pushback from Your Staff When You Delegate?
In this conversation, Karen Amlin and Twinkle Patel discuss the challenges and morale issues faced by managers in the long-term care industry. They explore the impact of delegating on morale and the importance of building trust and relationships with staff members. They also discuss the role of asking the right questions and tying people to a vision and purpose. Additionally, they address the approach and delivery of delegation and how to handle pushback and resistance. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the difference between managers and leaders.
Takeaways
Building trust and relationships with staff members is crucial for effective delegation and maintaining morale.
Asking the right questions can help managers understand their staff's strengths and preferences.
Tying people to a vision and purpose can create a sense of teamwork and motivation.
Approach and delivery of delegation can greatly impact how it is received by staff members.
Addressing pushback and resistance requires understanding the underlying reasons and improving the manager-staff relationship.
Setting clear expectations and considering staff workload can help prevent overwhelm and resistance.
Managers have the potential to become effective leaders through a willingness to change and develop new skills.
#delegation #management #leadershipdevelopment #leadership
10 Feb 2024
Introduction to the Podcast
Just a short little introduction of our new Be THAT Leader Podcast with Karen Amlin
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