The Journey to Management with Garrett & Gina
The theme this month on the podcast is careers. We're covering everything from switching to leveling up in your career, salary negotiations, and everything in between. This is a huge conversation topic with our clients at Financial Gym because so many factors are at play when making decisions around our career choices. Spoiler alert: it's not all about money.
Today we’re talking about management. What makes a good manager? How do you know if becoming a manager is right for you? How do you handle challenging management situations? And everything in between! Joining today are Gina and Garrett, who are two long-time Financial Gym Trainers who were recently promoted to management here at The Financial Gym.
What are we drinking?
Gina - Albariño wine
Garrett - Jack honey and coke
Shannon - Rose on the rocks
Podcast Notes
What was your journey from pre-employment, to Trainer, to team lead?
Garrett was an athlete his whole life. That environment is structured, but financial literacy was not part of that structure because your job is to play the sport, and you're never taught how to manage your money. When he began coaching high school students, he wanted to teach them, inspiring him to learn more and share that knowledge. When his company moved across the country, Garrett found The Financial Gym, immediately loved the mission, and applied.
He has spent a lot of time as a sports coach, which isn't exactly the same as being a manager, but the task is the same: create a functional unit from a group of individuals.
Gina was a Financial Gym client and had worked in many different industries. With experience in personal training, she loves the correlation between physical and financial health. She left her full-time role in April 2020, applied for the Trainer position, and emailed her Trainer to let her know. Gina emailed the HR department every month until she was hired in January 2021.
Gina has various leadership experiences and likes being the person other people feel comfortable going to. She was a stock manager at Victoria's Secret, an RA in college, and the track team captain.
Memorable Experiences with Leadership
When Garrett first started coaching, another coach took the lead but kept him super involved throughout the process with meaningful mentorship. His vibe was, 'You can watch me do it my way, so you can develop your own process.'
At one point, he worked in an events arena as an usher. It came with some challenges, and no good processes were in place. The leadership could have been more receptive and supportive. They basically told the staff to 'figure it out.'
Gina worked at Victoria's Secret and had a manager who fully trusted Gina and didn't micromanage her. When mistakes were made, she was super cool and never made her feel bad. She felt safe as an employee, which has not always been her experience.
As a group fitness instructor, she once forgot her keys when she was supposed to open the gym for a 5:30 AM class. She called her manager, who always said she could at any time, and she did not answer. Once she saw the gym wasn't open to cameras, she called Gina upset, without realizing Gina had called and texted her.
A great manager is someone who is a mentor and wants to help people become the best version of themselves. Those natural behaviors are what make leaders.
What are the qualities of a great manager or leader?
The goal of a leader is to develop the team's skills and provide feedback to help them reach their full potential.
Leaders are constantly learning, evolving, and adapting. Truly great managers can lead all different types of people. They're able to adapt to the needs of their team and provide them with the support and resources they need.
Each person has a different preference when it comes to their preferences as employees.
Some folks like more direction and management. Others prefer a more hands-off approach. There are many factors, and understanding the differences is key.
All types of employees can benefit from positive reinforcement. It goes beyond the salary. Some people need it more than others, but it's important for everyone.
Part of being a manager yourself is learning from your experience and taking what works for you.
Tips for employees not in leadership positions:
Shannon is a big fan of over-communication and wants to be a safe space for her team.
If you are struggling at work, raise your hand and tell someone. Don't let the fear of judgment keep you from reaching out for support. Your boss is not a mind reader.
If you're worried about talking to your manager, try speaking with someone one level above you on the team, but don't assume your boss won't be receptive. A good leader will want to listen and help you problem-solve.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is that the best managers are people who focus on helping their team bring and be their best selves in the workspace. Oftentimes, this takes communication in both directions.
Connect with the Trainers
Meet Gina Funaro, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer
Meet Garrett Faulconer, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Face, and let me know what you want to hear.
A recent Financial Health Network study revealed that only 31% of Americans were financially healthy. Only 23% of women and only 15% of black people were. Financial health is a crisis in the US but it doesn’t need to stay that way. At the Financial Gym, we’ve spent the last 10 years working one-on-one with our members to help them achieve their financial health goals.
With a 90% success rate and with memberships starting as low as $35 a month, Financial Gym is not only the inflation-proof source for financial wellness for anyone but also a trusted and capable partner for your financial wellness journey. Head over to, or send friends to, financialgym.com and schedule a warm up call today. As a reminder, our warm up call team is staffed with amazing and current Financial Gym clients that can answer any of your questions about our program without any pressure to join. The call is free, so you have nothing to lose.