What No One Tells You About Being a Manager

In this episode of Kin & Capital, the brothers break down what it really feels like to sit in the middle of everything—managing up, supporting your team, and keeping customers satisfied without burning out or losing your integrity. They talk through the difference between being a manager and being a leader, how to get real buy-in from your team, and why most one-on-ones are useless unless you flip them to be employee-owned. Chris opens up about letting go of control as a former high performer, while Mike digs into using one-on-ones as a tool for career clarity and performance receipts.

The crew also tackles unrealistic customer expectations, how to push back when sales overpromises, and why sometimes the smartest move is firing a bad client. They get into startup chaos, leading up to untrained managers, building trust without oversharing, and stepping confidently into new leadership roles—like Alexis did on his first day as a manager. The episode closes with how each of them is attacking the week ahead, staying disciplined, and treating Mondays like a privilege instead of punishment.

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00:12 – 03:06 Balancing customers, direct reports, and leadership

03:06 – 08:40 Chris on setting expectations, ambiguity, and explaining the “big picture”

13:35 – 19:36 Coaching, trust, and not hijacking your employees’ careers

19:36 – 26:06 Manager vs leader, and how to “lead up” from below

26:06 – 33:02 Reporting up the chain: GM, director, business leader, CIO

55:00 – 58:53 Monday mindset, gratitude for work, and attacking the week

Host Bios

Mike: Cybersecurity professional and new LLC owner focused on business growth.

Chris: IT leader sharing insights on networking, leadership, and career advancement.

Christian: Sales enthusiast emphasizing consistency, value, and personal development.

Alexis: Creative in graphic design, photography, and videography, discussing passion-driven work and internships.

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Kin & Capital is a podcast hosted by brothers Mike, Chris, Christian, and Alexis, focusing on personal growth, entrepreneurship, and family dynamics. Through candid conversations, they share their experiences in building relationships, overcoming career challenges, and pursuing business ventures. The podcast delves into real-life stories of failures and successes, offering insights into resilience, confidence, and goal-setting in fields like sales, media, and cybersecurity. Each episode includes a progress check on their goals, encouraging listeners to take small, consistent steps toward their own aspirations.

Intended Audience: Young adults, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking motivation to navigate personal and professional challenges—especially listeners who want practical, no-nonsense tactics without a traditional path like a college degree. If you like authentic brotherly banter and actionable career/game-plan talk, you’re home.