Real conversations for the way we work now

Welcome to The FM Talent Blueprint, FM Talent’s podcast for professionals, leaders, and organizations navigating today’s evolving world of work.

Hosted by Dawn Hendricks, CEO of FM Talent, this podcast explores the topics shaping careers, leadership, workforce strategy, and the future of hiring — with a special lens on federal contracting, government workforce trends, personal growth, and professional resilience.

Whether you’re building your career, leading a team, pursuing federal opportunities, or simply trying to stay ready for what’s next, The FM Talent Blueprint is designed to inform, encourage, and move you forward

Latest Episode - S2E7

The Reality of Middle Management: Pressure From Above, Expectations From Below

In this episode of The FM Talent Blueprint, host Dawn Hendricks, President & CEO of FM Talent, explores the growing leadership challenge facing organizations today: the immense pressure placed on middle managers. Tasked with translating executive strategy into day-to-day execution, supporting their teams through constant change, and delivering results under increasing demands, middle managers often find themselves carrying pressure from every direction—with little recognition and even less support. As today's workplace continues to evolve through organizational change, workforce uncertainty, AI transformation, return-to-office transitions, and increasing performance expectations, the role of the middle manager has never been more critical—or more difficult.