For years, becoming a manager was considered the natural next step in your career. More responsibility, more influence, a better title....and hopefully, more money. But lately, more people are looking at management and saying…no thanks!

In this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast, Steph and Kathryn unpack why fewer employees are aspiring to become managers—and whether we should really be surprised.

Today’s managers are often caught in the middle: responsible for team performance, culture, communication, employee engagement, difficult conversations, and company goals—while still being expected to do plenty of the actual work themselves. So when does managing become leading? And are companies doing enough to prepare people for either?

We get into:

• Why management may not feel like the career “promotion” it once did
• Management vs. leadership—and why the two aren’t the same
• The problem with promoting your best individual contributor into management
• Why great performers don't automatically make great people leaders
• Managing different generations, personalities, and work styles
• The difference between holding people accountable and actually motivating them

At the end of the day, companies don’t need more managers, they need better leaders. Let us know your thoughts!

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Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

What does technology look like inside an organization most people know for donation centers and thrift stores?

In this episode, we sit down with Allen Star, CIO of Goodwill Industries, to go behind the scenes of Goodwill's technology strategy and explore how innovation, leadership, and digital transformation are helping the organization evolve.

Allen shares his perspective on how technology leaders can balance innovation with real business needs and how his leadership style has evolved throughout his career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of technology and digital transformation at Goodwill
• How Goodwill approaches innovation and evaluates new technology
• The changing role of the CIO and today's technology leader
• Leadership lessons from managing teams through change
• Where AI, automation, data, and emerging technologies could create new opportunities
• Allen's advice for technology professionals and future leaders

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation: innovation isn't just about having the newest technology. It's about finding the right technology, solving meaningful problems, and getting people to actually use it.

Whether you're a CIO building your technology roadmap, a business leader evaluating your next technology investment, or a technology professional thinking about the future of your career, this conversation offers a great look at what innovation looks like inside a mission-driven organization.

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

Recorded live at PoweredUp Tech Fest, this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast features Matt Sickles, a seasoned technology and cybersecurity executive at CDW, with more than three decades of experience helping organizations build and protect trust in an increasingly digital world.

Matt shares with us about his Doc Martin collection, in addition to sharing his perspective on where AI and emerging technologies are headed, why trust has become one of the most valuable assets a business can have, and how leaders can embrace innovation without compromising security. Security should not be an afterthought, it should be a model of expense that protects the revenue input.

From the rapid evolution of AI to the growing importance of resilience, governance, and strategic leadership, this conversation explores how organizations can prepare for what's next while staying focused on the people they serve. Whether you're a business leader, technology professional, or simply curious about the future of AI, Matt offers practical insights that cut through the hype and focus on what truly matters.

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/