Chasing Shiny Objects: Matt Ley's Leadership Journey
In this episode of Uncover the Human , Cristina and Alex chat with Matt Ley—consultant, former pastor, and author of Manager Gaps: Reclaiming the Awesomeness of Management . Matt shares lessons from his diverse career path and how it shaped his view on the critical, often overlooked role of middle management.
Matt explains that great managers do more than delegate—they multiply value, build culture, and support people through clarity, communication, consistency, and care. He goes into the importance “fulfillment ROI” and how leveraging the Six Types of Working Genius model by the Table Group shows how energy and strengths can be aligned to make work more sustainable and joyful.
With humor and sharp metaphors (including a tubing analogy you won’t forget), Matt helps reframe management as a human-centered craft. He warns against “golden rule burnout” and encourages practicing the “platinum rule”—leading people based on their needs and strengths.
Whether you’re a new manager or a senior leader rethinking your org design, this episode offers practical insight into what it really means to support others—and yourself—at work.
Credits: Raechel Sherwood for Original Score Composition.
Links:
YouTube Channel: Uncover The Human
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Website: https://www.wearesiamo.com/
00:00 - Introduction to Matt Lay
08:50 - Building Business Partnerships and Trust
16:50 - Golden Rule Burnout
24:15 - Understanding Management's True Value
32:35 - Rebuilding Trust When It's Broken
39:20 - Working Genius and Team Dynamics
46:45 - Fulfillment ROI in Organizations
Matt Ley
Dad / Author / Co-Founder
Hi, I’m Matt Ley—consultant, coach, course creator, and author of Manage Your Gaps. I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years: manager, educator, nonprofit leader, process nerd, and startup builder. But my favorite title by far is Dad. After years of navigating the highs and lows of different roles across industries, I realized that most organizations don’t struggle because of a lack of effort—they struggle because of misalignment. That’s why I co-founded Inflection Point Nexus Advisors: to help people and teams close the gaps between where they are and where they want to be. Whether it’s through my EP!C Management model or strategic partnerships, the goal is to maximize as many Fulfillment ROIs as I can.
