Why Your Best Employee Might Be Your Worst Manager

Why Your Best Employee Might Be Your Worst Manager

Author: Jacob Stone and Maria Williams February 28, 2026 Duration: 14:13

On this week’s episode of The Intentional Workplace, we’re unpacking “Why Your Best Employee Might Be Your Worst Manager.”

Too many organizations promote based on output, not leadership readiness. Being exceptional at doing the work is very different from being responsible for other people doing the work.

In this 15-minute conversation, we discuss: • Why promotions without preparation backfire• How to evaluate leadership potential before handing over a team If you’re scaling a team, building bench strength, or thinking about internal promotions, this one will challenge you—in the best way.

Fifteen minutes.

Two experts.

Intentional work.


Every week, Maria Williams of SaleSmart HR Solutions and Jacob Stone from WorqTap get together for a live conversation that cuts through the noise. Their The Intentional Workplace podcast is built on a simple idea: scaling a company shouldn't mean your culture or your sanity falls apart. Instead of abstract theories, they focus on the tangible, often messy problems that leaders encounter as their teams grow. You’ll hear direct discussions on everything from reshaping talent strategy to implementing HR practices that actually stick, all framed by the latest workplace trends. This isn't about adding more complexity to your day; it's about finding practical clarity. Designed for founders, executives, and HR leaders in the thick of building something, each episode feels like a candid strategy session. Tuning into this podcast means getting actionable insights from two hosts who’ve been in the trenches, helping you build a workplace that works on purpose.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 13

The Intentional Workplace
Podcast Episodes
Hiring For Potential vs Hiring For Experience: What Actually Works [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:20
Hiring for potential works—when you do it on purpose.In this episode of The Intentional Workplace, Jacob Stone and Maria Williams unpack the real difference between betting on potential and hoping it works out. We explor…
Why Fast Hiring Is Usually Bad Hiring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
This week on The Intentional Workplace, Maria and Jacob take on a popular myth: “Fast hiring equals smart hiring.” (Spoiler: it usually doesn’t.)We unpack why moving too quickly often leads to mis-hires instead of moment…