{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f/69d59e67e257f11e032f8b12?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"“Smart Rats”: Belief Boosts Performance ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67034e09aa9d704b1e50146f/1775607296833-82df39d2-4e8c-4ec9-94f3-a0a945e65d81.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>You don’t become a great manager by regurgitating frameworks. Management is a craft and a skillset that gets built over time.&nbsp; Annie Riley sits down with Maura Church, VP of Product &amp; Engineering at Two Chairs, to talk about how a manager’s mindset impacts team performance. From the “Smart Rats” theory to balancing tough feedback with real belief, Maura breaks down how to coach growth, build confidence, and unlock better results.</p><p><br></p><p>TimeStamps:</p><p>00:00 — Meet Maura Church</p><p>02:54 — Management is a craft, not a side job</p><p>04:49 — Why startups can’t afford bad management</p><p>07:14 — “No one is coming to save us”</p><p>10:09 — The trap of managing by checklist</p><p>13:07 — Giving feedback without making it personal</p><p>19:06 — “Smart Rats”: belief as a performance levers</p><p>25:13 — Turning “non-technical” skills into strengths</p><p>38:55 — Clear expectations make feedback easier</p><p>41:39 — Psychological safety is built, not assumed</p><p>45:10 — Rewriting the rules as your team evolves</p><p>47:15 — There’s no one “right” way to manage</p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://annieriley.substack.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Join us on Substack&nbsp;</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.fortlight.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Level up your leadership skills with Fort Light&nbsp;</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-riley/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Connect with Annie Riley</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/datatime/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Connect with Maura Church</a></p><p><a href=\"https://dub.sh/BMENominate\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Nominate Your Best Manager Ever</a></p><p><br></p><p>Best Manager Ever is a Production of <a href=\"https://www.fortlight.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fort Light </a>and <a href=\"https://nowitshear.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Now It’s Hear</a></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Annie Riley"}