Managing Up: The Hidden Power Skill Every Leader (and Emerging Leader) Should Master

New Year, Same You: Let's Break Through

In this episode of the BMRL Podcast, we unpack why so many career-focused New Year’s resolutions fall apart within weeks—and why it’s rarely about discipline or motivation. Drawing on real-life leadership experience and behavioral insight, we explore the habits that actually support professionals who carry full workloads, complex responsibilities, and constant decision fatigue. We discuss: * The small set of habits that matter most for career momentum * Why professionals lose focus and consistency—even when they’re capable * Common distractions that quietly derail progress * How to stay on track without burning out or starting over This conversation isn’t about becoming a “new you.” It’s about protecting your energy, simplifying your systems, and staying consistent with who you already are. New year. Same you. Just more intentional. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited and mixed by OM Caldwell Co-hosted by Stacey Pitts Caldwell, PhD(c) Artwork designed by SMP-Creative Business & Design- smp-creative.com Segment music produced by Ominara Caldwell Links: Be sure to follow and tag BMRL Podcast on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BMRLcoaching], Instagram [https://www.Instagram.com/bmrlcoaching ], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmrlcoaching/posts/?feedView=all]

Managing Up: The Hidden Power Skill Every Leader (and Emerging Leader) Should Master

SEGMENT 1: WHAT MANAGING UP REALLY MEANS — AND WHY IT’S NOT MANIPULATION We unpack common misconceptions and explore the psychology behind managing up as a form of collaboration, not control. Learn how self-efficacy and social perceptiveness drive upward alignment. Discover language shifts that signal alignment—without crossing boundaries. Key insight: Managing up is leadership practice in real time—how you manage today shapes how you’ll lead tomorrow. SEGMENT 2: WHY LEADERS NEED TEAM MEMBERS WHO KNOW HOW TO MANAGE UP Stacey and O flip the lens to show why great leaders want people who can manage up. Teams that practice upward communication make better decisions and retain top talent. Hear how Indra Nooyi built a culture that welcomed challenge at PepsiCo. Key insight: Managing up reduces overload, strengthens trust, and prepares the next generation of leaders. SEGMENT 3: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, PROFESSIONAL MATURITY, AND THE ART OF MANAGING UP The final segment ties together emotional intelligence, empathy, and professional maturity as the invisible glue of managing up. Understand how self-regulation and relational awareness shape influence. Real stories from P&G and LinkedIn show how empathy turns tension into collaboration. Learn one mindset shift that instantly strengthens the upward relationship. Key insight: Emotional intelligence transforms managing up from a tactic into a trust-building practice. TAKEAWAY “LEADERSHIP ISN’T POSITIONAL — IT’S RELATIONAL.” Reflect on this: Are you waiting to be managed, or are you managing the partnership? Download the Managing Up Reflection Worksheet at businessmrl.com [https://www.businessmrl.com] and subscribe for more insights on leadership psychology and real-world growth. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited and mixed by OM Caldwell Co-hosted by Stacey Pitts Caldwell, PhD(c) Artwork designed by SMP-Creative Business & Design- smp-creative.com Segment music produced by Ominara Caldwell Links: Be sure to follow and tag BMRL Podcast on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BMRLcoaching], Instagram [https://www.Instagram.com/bmrlcoaching ], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmrlcoaching/posts/?feedView=all]

Quiet Cracking: Catching the Fracture Before they Break

Not every workplace challenge looks like burnout or quiet quitting. Sometimes it’s quieter, small cracks in energy, connection, and motivation that slowly spread beneath the surface. That’s quiet cracking. In this episode of the Business Meets Real Life™ Podcast, Stacey and OMC unpack what quiet cracking is, why it’s showing up more in 2025, and how leaders and professionals alike can respond. Leaders will walk away with a practical 5R Playbook to help teams reset and re-engage in just two weeks, while professionals gain tools to protect their energy, set boundaries, and reignite growth. This isn’t just about catching fractures, t’s about building stronger, healthier workplaces where people can thrive. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited and mixed by OM Caldwell Co-hosted by Stacey Pitts Caldwell, PhD(c) Artwork designed by SMP-Creative Business & Design- smp-creative.com Segment music produced by Ominara Caldwell Links: Be sure to follow and tag BMRL Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Why I Scanned My Brain: Part II

In this vulnerable and eye-opening episode, business psychologist Stacey Pitts Caldwell shares what it was like to receive her brain scan results from Amen Clinics. The summary revealed patterns of both overactivity and under-activity across key regions: heightened thalamus and basal ganglia activity linked to anxiety and irritability; under-activity in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and temporal lobes tied to focus, organization, and mood regulation challenges; plus signs of past injury and early cortical atrophy. Would she recommend a brain scan to others? Stacey shares a thoughtful answer—acknowledging the cost and access barriers, while highlighting the powerful self-awareness such an assessment can bring. This episode blends science, personal reflection, and professional insight, offering an honest look at what it means to truly see your brain and what to do with the knowledge it gives you. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited and mixed by OM Caldwell Co-hosted by Stacey Pitts Caldwell, PhD(c) Artwork designed by SMP-Creative Business & Design- smp-creative.com Segment music produced by Ominara Caldwell Links: Be sure to follow and tag BMRL Podcast on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BMRLcoaching], Instagram [https://www.Instagram.com/bmrlcoaching ], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmrlcoaching/posts/?feedView=all]

Why I Scanned My Brain

In this powerful premiere episode of Brain at Work, business psychologist Stacey Pitts Caldwell opens up about her decision to undergo a brain scan at the renowned Amen Clinics. Inspired after watching Dr. Daniel Amen on The Diary of a CEO, Stacey began to question how years of high-performance leadership, mounting stress, and the onset of perimenopause were affecting her brain health. With a deep commitment to personal insight and professional growth, she shares what led her to invest in a SPECT scan—a neuroimaging tool that maps brain function and blood flow. Stacey walks listeners through the comprehensive assessment process, which examines biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that shape well-being. The episode dives into how brain function influences leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and productivity—especially for high-achieving professionals. From addressing the price tag to exploring access and equity in mental health care, this episode sets the stage for a deeply personal and thought-provoking series. Whether you're a leader, coach, or simply brain-curious, Stacey’s journey challenges you to rethink what it really means to take care of your mind. EPISODE CREDITS: Produced, edited and mixed by OM Caldwell Co-hosted by Stacey Pitts Caldwell, PhD(c) Artwork designed by SMP-Creative Business & Design- smp-creative.com Segment music produced by Ominara Caldwell Links: Be sure to follow and tag BMRL Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn