In this enlightening episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott welcomes Tieska Jumbo, a communications and strategy leader at a global fintech company. Tieska shares her journey from high school English teacher to corporate leadership, and how understanding strengths-based approaches transformed her management style.

The conversation explores how leaders can better influence their teams by:

• Recognizing and adapting to different communication needs based on team members' strengths
• Customizing messaging to resonate with various thinking styles and preferences
• Avoiding common communication pitfalls during organizational transformation
• Creating messages that are clear, compelling, and connected to larger objectives

Tieska offers practical insights on balancing transparency with timing, managing team dynamics, and fostering genuine connections through personalized communication.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding both your own strengths as a leader and those of your team members to build stronger working relationships.

Whether you're an experienced manager seeking to refine your approach or new to leadership, this episode provides valuable strategies for communicating more effectively and moving your team to action.

Show Notes

Connect with Tieska Jumbo on Linkedin

In this eye-opening episode of Manager to Manager, Kamaria sits down with HR consultant Dawn Sipley to explore the fascinating concept of "parentification" – when children take on adult responsibilities too early – and how it shapes workplace behaviors long into adulthood.

Dawn shares her remarkable personal journey from raising her sister at age 13 to building successful businesses, revealing how her early experiences created both superpowers and challenges in her professional life. Together, they unpack how parentification manifests in the workplace through high achievement, boundary issues, and complex relationships with authority.

If you've ever wondered why some team members seem to take on every challenge yet struggle with delegation, or why others excel at crisis management but resist support, this conversation offers powerful insights. You'll discover practical strategies for:

• Identifying signs of parentification in your high performers
• Creating psychological safety for team members with colorful backgrounds
• Approaching unexpected behaviors with curiosity instead of judgment
• Building consistent leadership that supports everyone's growth

Whether you recognize these patterns in your team members or in yourself as a leader, this episode provides a compassionate framework for understanding the deeper stories behind workplace behaviors – and how to lead with greater awareness and impact.

Show Notes

Guest Bio: Dawn Sipley is the founder of Simply the Best, an HR consulting company focused on helping businesses hire, fire, and lead their people effectively. Drawing from her background in staffing and her personal journey through childhood adversity, Dawn brings a unique perspective on how our formative experiences shape our professional lives.

Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn.

Want to keep this conversation going? The Manager to Manager Community is a space for people leaders who are doing the work — and want to do it with more support, more clarity, and less isolation.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Real conversations (like this one) that you’re probably not having at work

• Monthly meet-ups, coaching sessions, and resource drops

• A space to build your confidence, your systems, and your leadership — without having to pretend you’ve got it all figured out

Join the waitlist. We’d love to have you in the room.

In this special episode of Manager to Manager, guest host Dr. Emme Devonish turns the tables and interviews Kamaria Scott about her leadership journey—from watching managers show up for their teams at AOL to navigating global teams as an I/O psychologist and people leader.

Kamaria shares the pivotal moments that shaped her approach: the chaos that revealed what real support looks like, the humbling 360 feedback that made her reset how she led, and the patterns she’s seen over two decades of helping managers figure it out without a playbook.

Together, they explore:

• How “comfort carts” during peak chaos at AOL sparked a lifelong fascination with workplace dynamics
• Why Kamaria calls management a “full-contact sport” that requires support—and why that truth matters
• The feedback that stung (and stuck) and how it led to building real-time feedback loops with her team
• Why knowing your people as individuals matters more than any generational trend
• The vision behind creating Manager to Manager—a space for reflection, clarity, and community

This episode is for every manager trying to balance team needs, organizational demands, and their own humanity—all at once.

Show Notes

Connect with Kamaria on LinkedIn

Guest Host: Dr. Emme Devonish Founder & Executive Coach, Creative Compliance Communication Services

Connect with Dr. Devonish on LinkedIn

Resources:

Join the Manager to Manager Community

In this enlightening episode of Manager to Manager, we chat with Ramona Henfield, a seasoned HR leader with 27 years of experience in nurturing talent across global teams. Ramona shares her passion for coaching and human behavior, offering valuable insights into how effective leadership can promote both individual and team growth.

In our conversation, we dive into:

• Positive Intent in Leadership: Ramona discusses the importance of assuming that everyone wants to excel at their job and how this belief shapes her approach to leadership.

• Coaching as a Leadership Strategy: Learn how Ramona utilizes coaching to help her team members uncover their strengths, navigate challenges, and enhance their performance.

• The Dual Playgrounds of Growth and Performance: Ramona explains her philosophy of balancing the growth and performance zones, illustrating how leaders can guide their teams effectively through these phases.

• Personal and Professional Development: Insights into how regular coaching sessions can serve as powerful tools for both leaders and their teams to foster continuous improvement and achieve their goals.

Ramona’s practical tips and deep understanding of human dynamics will inspire you to embrace coaching as a crucial component of effective leadership, helping your team to realize their full potential and succeed in dynamic environments.

Show Notes: Connect with Ramona Henfield on Linkedin

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we dive into the dual impact of mentorship and sponsorship with Richard Conner, a dynamic people leader and advocate for career development. Richard brings his wealth of experience to the table, offering practical insights into how these relationships can shape careers and unlock potential.

We explore:

• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship and why both are essential for growth.
• How managers can guide their teams to build meaningful relationships with mentors and sponsors.
• Tips for people leaders who want to sponsor their employees and position them for success.
• The ripple effect of fostering a culture where mentorship and sponsorship thrive.

Richard’s stories and actionable advice will inspire you to reflect on your own approach to career development: Are you creating opportunities for your team to grow? Are you encouraging them to build the right relationships for their future?

Tune in for an engaging conversation that will leave you with fresh ideas to empower your team and elevate your leadership.

Show Notes:

Connect with Richard Conner on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we dive deep into the power of authenticity with Dani DeLorme, an extraordinary people leader whose unique journey and vibrant personality challenge traditional leadership norms. Dani shares how her personal experiences shaped her inclusive leadership style, emphasizing the importance of bringing your whole self to work—and inviting others to do the same.

We explore:

• Why self-expression and individuality are vital for building trust and psychological safety.
• How to challenge preconceived notions in hiring and embrace a "culture add" mindset over "culture fit."
• Practical tips for helping teams thrive by fostering genuine connections.
• The ripple effect of showing up authentically and inspiring others to do the same.

Dani's insights remind us that leadership is more than just managing tasks—it's about building relationships, celebrating uniqueness, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued.

Tune in to reflect on your own leadership approach: Are you bringing your whole self to work? Are you encouraging your team to do the same?

Show Notes

Connect with Dani DeLorme on LinkedIn

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we wrap up our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" by welcoming Evan Hensley, Heath Nichols, and Susan Breedlove - three dynamic Agile Delivery Managers from Acklen Avenue who report to Jennifer Fields.

Despite sharing the same job title, these three leaders each bring a unique perspective and skillset to their roles. Discover how they leverage their complementary strengths, foster mutual respect, and create a collaborative environment where everyone thrives.

Join the conversation to:

• Learn how Evan, Heath, and Susan bring their distinct approaches to life, focusing on work, people, and experience to foster cohesive and high-performing teams.
• Hear from Susan on how embracing her true self as a leader has transformed her approach and enhanced team trust and engagement.
• Gain insights from Heath on the significance of empathy-driven management and staying curious to continuously improve oneself and the team.
• Explore how Evan aligns team members with meaningful work, leading to greater job satisfaction and productivity.

The discussion also highlights how Jennifer Fields' leadership philosophy of leveraging complementary strengths has empowered these managers to excel individually and collectively.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and foster a culture of excellence in their organization.

In this episode of Manager to Manager, we continue our special series "Unity with Variety: Creating a Culture of Excellent People Leaders" by featuring Jennifer Fields, Chief Delivery Officer at Acklen Avenue.

Jennifer shares her unique leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, support, and growth within her teams. She reflects on her own journey from a software developer to a senior executive, offering valuable lessons on leadership evolution and the importance of self-awareness.

Join the conversation to:

• Discover Jennifer’s approach to valuing autonomy over control and how it empowers her team to make decisions and solve problems effectively.
• Gain insights on why Jennifer believes leadership is more about mindset than process and how this perspective impacts her team’s performance.
• Find out how Jennifer embraces different leadership styles within her team and how it contributes to a cohesive yet varied approach to achieving common goals.
• Learn about Jennifer’s strategies for creating space for her team members to thrive, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging personal growth.

In addition to sharing her personal journey, Jennifer highlighting the importance of being the leader you would want to follow. She discusses the significance of self-awareness, intentional leadership, and the continuous effort to balance autonomy with achieving organizational goals.

Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights for building a thriving and empowered team.

Show Notes:

Connect with Jennifer Fields on LinkedIn