The Human Side of Management: Skills That Make the Difference w/ Kelsey Ley

Making the Connection: Genuine Professional Relationships

In this episode of Making the Connection, Angela is joined by Kelsey Ley, Leadership and Development Consultant at Kelsey Ley Consulting. They sit down to explore the power of self-reflection in building authentic workplace relationships. Kelsey shares how her own journey as a manager led her to discover the deep connection between leadership effectiveness and personal growth.

Together, they dive into the challenges managers face in fostering strong team dynamics, from overcoming resistance to assessments to balancing boundaries and rapport. Kelsey offers actionable strategies for helping managers develop self-awareness, build trust, and create a culture where differences are honored and communication thrives.

Timestamps for your listening notes:

[1:00] The importance of self-reflection in building genuine connections

[3:23] The role of assessments in management and team development

[6:00] The misconception of quick relationship-building vs. the reality of consistent effort

[9:12] Why managers should care about building relationships with their team

[11:42] Perspectives on choosing to stay an individual contributor vs. pursuing management

[12:30] The role of boundaries in leadership and how they serve different individuals

[17:00] Avoiding black-and-white thinking in team dynamics

[19:16] Having difficult conversations

[26:51] Where to begin when something feels “off”

To learn more about Kelsey, visit her website at https://www.kelseyley.com/

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Tune in to Making the Connection every other week to learn about how to develop genuine professional relationships.

Stay in touch with host, Angela Chong, on LinkedIn & on Instagram

@ makingtheconnectionpodcast