Like a Boss with Michael Cohen

by Duane Morris

Season 1

Episode 20: George Clooney, A Delta Airlines Flight and Your Workplace

In the movie "Up in the Air," George Clooney's character explains to Anna Kendrick's character his choice of which TSA Security line to use: "I'm like my mother. I stereotype. It's faster." ⏩⏩⏩ On a Delta Airlines plane, a flight attendant refuses to allow a physician to assist an ill passenger, presumably because of the physician's gender and/or race. ✈️ Just two examples, one from pop culture and one from 34,000 feet above sea level 🌊, which perfectly demonstrate how unchecked implicit bias can massively impact and infect your workplace. And, while these illustrations are higher profile than the day-to-day in your work environments, the destructive effect remains the same. ☠️ Implicit biases are not things about which to be embarrassed or ashamed. In fact, given our varied experiences, the contextual lens through which we all view the world obviously is different. It's our refusal to acknowledge or to take steps to mitigate against these biases which can prevent us from making appropriate and effective decisions. 🙈 🙉 🙊 Please comment! Please share! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E20

Feb 24, 2026

9:51

Episode 19: "F.A.T.B.I.L.Y.T.B." - A Message for Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈 (and for All Months Between June and May)

(Recorded 6-6-25) When I was a kid, my "Uncle" Stevie (my dad's best friend) was my favorite person in the world. He was the kindest and most thoughtful person I knew. He was so much fun to hang out with and always treated my brother and me with such love. ❤️ He was the embodiment of the word "mensch" and all I wanted was to spend as much time as I could with Steve. Tragically, as you will hear in today's video, Steve contracted the AIDS virus and passed away. 💔 Rarely does a day go by without my thinking about my Uncle Stevie. The stark reality is that LGBTQ+ rights and, in many cases, LGBTQ+ members of our community, themselves, are under attack. In our workplaces, many of our LGBTQ+ employees, allies and colleagues feel unseen, feel worried and feel targeted. While there are so many different things we can do, day-to-day, to support this community, I discuss four: ⭐️ Ensuring inclusive language in policies and communications ⭐️ Creating and maintaining a safe and supportive work environment ⭐️ Providing education ⭐️ Being an ally I hope you will continue to share and to comment. Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute Human Rights Campaign GLAAD ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E19

Feb 24, 2026

12:20

Episode 18: Avoid the Competition of Pain

(Recorded 5-26-25) The competition of pain occurs when individuals compare their pain experiences with those endured by others. In the workplace, this FAR TOO OFTEN takes the form of an employee in one group believing that their marginalization is more important and destructive than the suffering impacting another in a different group. This competition leads to a lack of empathy and to a feeling of employees being neither seen nor heard. Friends - there is no hierarchy of oppression. 🙅‍♀️ We must combat the competition of pain. In this week's episode, I discuss three steps we all can take to mitigate against this comparative misery: 1️⃣ Feel your feelings (but not at the cost of others) 😢😑😊 2️⃣ Practice empathy and kindness ❤️ 3️⃣ Find your "and" ☯️ As always, thank you so much for listening, for commenting and for sharing! 🙏 Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E18

Feb 24, 2026

9:00

Episode 17: Everyone You Meet is Fighting A Battle You Know Nothing About

(Record 5-12-25) As we know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As we also know, so many of our colleagues, friends and family members meaningfully struggle with mental health concerns every single day, regardless of the month. ❓ What can we do? 🤔 Robin Williams once said, "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." And, while we all know this statement to be true, far too many of us keep this understanding buried in the back of our brains, under a lot of far less important information. Move that fundamental truism up front. Lead with that understanding. Lead with empathy. Lead with the kindness to which Williams referred. ❤️ In today's episode, I identify possible warning signs⚠️of someone dealing mental health issues. I further address tangible steps we as leaders, as co-workers, and as friends we all can take to help. I hope you will listen. I hope you will share. I hope you will be kind. Always. Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E17

Feb 24, 2026

9:59

Episode 16: A Leadership Essential - The Importance of Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, Embodied By A University of Michigan Graduate

(Recorded 5-4-25) A very personal message about leadership. We spent the weekend in Ann Arbor, celebrating the Class of 2025. 🎓 We attended Commencement Ceremonies, spent time with dear friends and family and laughed 🤣 and cried 😭 about the last four years. During the weekend, I also took some time to reflect on how our daughter, Mia Cohen, was able to achieve her goal of attending, and now graduating with honors, from the University of her dreams. 🏫 For her, the journey was marked over and over again by her willingness to take the path less followed. To undertake challenges about which she was unsure and for which success hardly was guaranteed. To never underestimate the power of grinding as hard as possible. It really has come down to one thing - Mia has always been willing to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Leaders take heed. 👂 The easy path is almost never the one that will bear the most fruit. True success happens when we leave our safe space and venture outward, looking for those tests that will push us beyond our known limits. Mia Hope - I am incredibly proud of all you've accomplished. More than that, though, I'm in awe of your process and of your constant striving to be better tomorrow than you are today. Please comment, share and keep the suggestions coming! And, of course, GO BLUE! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E16

Feb 24, 2026

11:26

Episode 15: Why Aren't Our Managers Managing?!

The challenges organizational leaders face continue to change and to become more complex. One constant, however, remains our need to manage our employees’ performance, whether they are working from our office 🏢 or their office at home 🏠. As we know, proper documentation and managing our employees with empathy are crucial for a myriad of employee relations and litigation (avoidance) reasons. And yet, we hear far too often managers providing excuses for not putting finger to keyboard or pen to paper to let their most important assets, their people, know how they're doing. Today's video takes you through five of the most common articulations I hear from supervisors and managers and why these articulations are not now, never have been, and never will be viable rationales for not managing our people. It will further explain how to respond to managers who use these excuses. The five I will discuss: 1️⃣ I don't have time. 2️⃣ If I leave it alone, it will get better on its own. 3️⃣ I don't like conflict. 4️⃣ I'm worried the performance management might lead to a claim. 5️⃣ Out of sight, out of mind. Here's the reality - until and unless leaders understand why performance management is critical, how most effectively to do it won't matter because, plain and simple, they will keep ignoring this crucial responsibility. Have a great week! Duane Morris LLP ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E15

Feb 24, 2026

6:53

Episode 14: Accessibility is a Leadership Essential

As a softball 🥎 coach, I constantly tell my players that their best ability is availability. These young women truly understand that if they are not physically and mentally ready to go, their value is diminished, and the potential success of the team is compromised. 👎 As leaders, our best ability is accessibility. The more our employees view us as physically, emotionally and mentally available to them, the better leaders we will be and the more successful our employees will become. 🙌 In this week's video, using a clip from the movie 🎥 "Remember the Titans," I identify three "musts" for all leaders. Leaders - I promise that if you follow these steps, you make yourself more accessible to your employees and, in so doing, you will in a true and meaningfully way increase those employees' experience and performance: 1️⃣ Humanize yourself. 💙 2️⃣ Show interest in your employee's interests. 🙏 3️⃣ Bring the open door to your employees. 🚪 Please comment, please share, please continue to make suggestions for future topics! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E14

Feb 24, 2026

8:20

Episode 13: "But we're friends. . . " - The Myth That You Know What Someone Else is Thinking

Most of us spend more time awake with our co-workers than we do with our own family or friends. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 We develop friendships with our colleagues. Which, is wonderful. Overwhelmingly, these relationships enhance our workplace experiences and improve collegiality. 😁 However, at times that same sense of familiarity can bring with it a false sense of security. We assume that, just because we are friends at work, we know what that person is thinking today and, should circumstances change, what that same person will think at that time as well. It's as though we have some kind of magical crystal ball.🔮 Folks, I'm here to tell you . . . you have literally (and I'm using the word literally the way it was intended to be used) no idea what someone else is thinking today and you certainly are just as clueless as to they will be thinking a week from Thursday. 📅 Please take a few moments and watch this very important message. Bottom line, inappropriate conduct is inappropriate conduct regardless of who is engaging in the behavior and regardless of how naively you believe (and it is wildly naive) that you have any idea what is going on inside someone else's head. ☠️ Please comment. Please share. Please keep sending ideas for future topics. Thank you! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E13

Feb 24, 2026

8:47

Episode 12: Education is the Silver Bullet

Question for you: Why do managers become managers ❓ ❓ ❓ Overwhelmingly, the answer is not because we think they will be effective leaders. Usually these promotions are the result of the person's being technically proficient and successful (however that is defined) in whatever job they held. They were a star!⭐ So, we promote them and wish them the best of luck (🤞🤞 🤞 ) without providing them with the tools they need to embark on their leadership journey. Notwithstanding the massive differences that often exist between technical skills and leadership acumen, we do nothing to prepare the new managers to perform their new roles. We give them their new responsibilities, we say peace out ☮️, and we hope for the best. Friends - leadership is not intuitive for most and unless and until we provide our managers, both new and experienced, with the knowledge they need (and we need them to have), there is NO REASON to believe they will get it right on a consistent basis. So, what do we do? Please watch or listen to my newest video to find out. Please share, comment and continue to provide suggestions for future content! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute Fargo Moorhead Human Resource Association ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E12

Feb 24, 2026

7:14

Episode 11: The Deadly Sins of a Termination Meeting ☠️

In the 2009 movie "Up In The Air," 🛩️ George Clooney and Anna Kendrick collaborate to terminate the employment of J.K. Simmons. Clooney, a student of the human condition, simultaneously is direct, respectful and empathetic. Kendrick, a student of data and organizational studies, fundamentally misunderstands how crucial being a person is during these conversations. Bottom line, firing people is on its best day an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, too many leaders double down on these inward-focused emotions - they do and say everything they can to make themselves feel better. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU! This conversation is entirely and exclusively about the person whose life you have just turned upside down. - Maintain humanity. ❤️ - Be concise and compassionate. ✔️ - Tell the truth. 👩‍⚖️ I promise you, it absolutely is NOT harder on you than it is on the other person. Please comment, please share and, as always, please keep the suggestions coming! THANK YOU! Duane Morris LLP Duane Morris Institute ______________________________________________________ Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Michael is a nationally-recognized thought leader on workplace culture and human resources issues. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country and regularly conducts more than 200 trainings each year. Michael Cohen (215) 979-1882 mcohen@duanemorris.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelscohen12 https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelscohen.html Pronouns: he/him

S1 · E11

Feb 24, 2026

8:42

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