We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Herd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Ashley, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I realized that everyone has something that they can do, that feels easier and more enjoyable to them than it does others. When you find out what that is, others will look to you for that and believe you’re an expert. Remembering “other people trust I know what I’m talking about” can gradually create that confidence in yourself. For me, I always wanted to be a playwright, and spent years in Legal and HR. I realized that I found putting short scripts together was easier for me than others, and I really enjoyed it. It’s now my business, and I love every day. When those moments of imposter syndrome creep back up, I remind myself “You love this and others want to learn from you, just like you love to learn from them.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve founded Manager Method to provide manager training that managers want to watch, and have a Manager 101 package for organizations to do just that. I’m also a LinkedIn Learning instructor and have a course on ChatGPT coming out in spring 2024. Finally, I’m a co-host of the “HR Besties” podcast, with Jamie Jackson and Leigh Elena Henderson. We love our listeners!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My 3 skills are 1) empathy (to meet people where they are), 2) curiosity (to want to understand the why, what and how) and 3) humor (because enough darkness can happen at work and we all need some light). I recommend people focus especially on 1 and 2 – when you’re working with others (at any level), asking “What are things about your role and goals that you wish more people knew?” That question can provide you important lessons, and build relationships.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott. I love how she compares thinking about how you would talk to someone who’s zipper is down, and using that of how you give team members feedback. She also talks about different seasons of life, and I’ve absolutely found myself in those different “seasons” where my priorities have shifted. I constantly recommend this book to everyone I know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.managermethod.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managermethod
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managermethod
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@managermethod
Image Credits
Solo shots: Katya Vilchyk HR Besties: Lola Scott
