Skip to Main Content

Time We Discuss: Become a Manager Without a Degree

Watch/Listen to this Episode Become a Manager Without a Degree Business Manager; Host of Time We Discuss is giving the camera two thumbs-up, guest Thea Lyons is in the top right corner.

This episode of Time We Discuss features an interview with Thea Lyons, an author and manager, exploring her professional journey, writing career, and personal insights. The conversation begins with Thea describing her management role, coordinates with a UK-based team, and occasionally collaborates internationally. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and communication in leadership, citing examples such as accommodating team members' schedules to enhance productivity and morale.

Thea shares her unconventional career trajectory, detailing how she transitioned from studying law, but ultimately leaving school. She began working in retail, then insurance, and eventually moving up to management. Despite not completing her law degree, she highlights the value of transferable skills like problem-solving, communication, and de-escalation, which she gained from customer service roles. These experiences shaped her empathetic approach to management and fostered her understanding of workplace dynamics.

As a former union representative, Thea balanced advocating for employees and understanding corporate policies. She recounts mediating conflicts, ensuring procedural fairness, and supporting employees facing personal challenges. Her dual perspective as a manager and former union rep has enriched her leadership style, fostering mutual respect and collaboration within her team.

During the course of the conversation, we also look at Thea's writing career. Her debut novel, a dark fantasy set in an alternate version of York, UK, was published in March. It follows Harper, a witch hiding her magical abilities while investigating supernatural murders. The book introduces an eclectic group of characters, including a shapeshifter and a deception demon, who form a team to solve crimes using magic and science. Thea's subsequent works include a collection of short stories and an upcoming sequel, continuing to explore themes of family and belonging.

She explains her creative process, which involves writing during lunch breaks or while her child naps. Balancing parenting, work, and writing poses challenges, but Thea overcomes them by mentally planning scenes beforehand. She draws inspiration from dreams and everyday experiences, weaving them into complex narratives.

Thea discusses the importance of beta readers in refining her work. Feedback from trusted readers helps her identify pacing issues and improve storytelling. She also encourages aspiring writers to engage with the writing community to build connections and enhance their craft.

A recurring theme in Thea's books is the "found family" trope, reflecting her personal experiences. She emphasizes the value of non-biological family bonds, inspired by her own family, which includes adopted members. This theme resonates deeply in her novels, showcasing diverse, supportive relationships.

Thea advocates for adoption and emphasizing its transformative impact on families. She expresses pride in representing adoption positively in her writing and hopes to inspire others to consider it as a way to build loving family units.

Thea's non-linear journey blends creativity, leadership, and empathy. Whether managing teams or crafting dark fantasy worlds, she demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and a passion for storytelling and human connection.

Links from the Show

Also Mentioned in This Episode:

Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Other Podcast Platforms

Consider sharing this video and podcast. By helping "Time We Discuss", together, we are helping others.