Manage Smarter

Discover how continuous employee listening can transform your organization’s culture and business results with insights from Nick Montalbine, founder of Inner Voice Analytics and former HR strategist at Nike. In this episode, Nick unpacks actionable strategies to turn employee feedback into performance intelligence, prevent turnover contagion, and create engagement that lasts. "The inner voice exists in all these organizations, and we just sometimes we don't acknowledge it, we don't listen to it because it may take our strategy in a different direction and maybe inconvenient at the time but the repercussions are large by not listening." - Nick Montalbine KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Why traditional employee surveys don't work anymore -Implementing continuous listening techniques -Other ways to get transparent employee sentiment -Early warning indicators you have no idea what your teams really think CONNECT WITH NICK MONTALBINE www.innervoiceanalytics.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmontalbine/ CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel Website: https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Lowry, CEO, coach, and author of 'Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders,' shares expert insights on identifying and managing toxic leaders, especially in startups and tech. She offers practical strategies for overcoming fear-driven management styles, boosting innovation, and improving team morale. Listen for actionable advice on workplace culture, employee retention, and navigating toxic workplaces. "The first way is to make sure you never tell them what you actually care about. People like this will try to take away or target the things that are important to you so that they can manipulate you and cause big reactions." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Latest statistics on how many workplaces have fear-based leaders -Signs to look for that signal you're working under a fear-based leader -Solutions on what you can do to protect yourself and your team -New feedback ideas to help mitigate a fear-based environment CONNECT WITH KATE LOWRY www.katelowry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejlowry/ CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel Website: https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #workplace #badboss #toxicleadership #workplaceintimidation #HR #workplacefear #dysfunctionalboss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh.Events, shares how improv and comedy skills like active listening, adaptability, and self-deprecating humor can strengthen leadership, sales, and workplace culture. Learn to build psychological safety, improve brand voice, and connect authentically for business success. Discover actionable strategies and tips to use humor effectively at work and in team building. "Humor skills and comedy skills, as I refer to them, are actually about soft skills. And that's listening, communication, empathy, thinking on the fly, going off script, reading a room." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How using self-deprecation in the workplace can build a better culture -Effective use of humor with tough audiences requires patience, active listening, and tailoring your approach to the individual’s openness, rather than forcing jokes -Strategies for using humor effectively with an audience or people who do not readily respond CONNECT WITH KEVIN HUBSCHMANN https://laughrx.laugh.events https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hubschmann CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ X: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven X: Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel Website: https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #kevinhubschmann #managesmarter #podcasts #businesspodcasts #workplaceculture #workplacehumor #officehumor #teamtrait #AdMall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're tackling a topic that every leader has faced at some point: team commitment. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm Chip Gray and this week, we're talking about the traits that truly make a candidate stand out in the hiring process. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Craig is the President and CEO of the Craig Group , a business growth advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, she is a seasoned expert in driving revenue growth for multimillion-dollar companies. Summer specializes in leveraging technology, integrating sales and marketing, and aligning organizations for sustainable business growth. Her expertise extends to working with private equity-backed businesses to lead large in-house teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Summer is also an avid mountain climber, having conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rainier, which she uses as metaphors for overcoming challenges in business and life. "You don't have to have done it. You don't have to know, but you have to be smart enough to figure it out and maybe go find help or admit that you need help and go solve the problem." - #SummerCraig KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How can professionals overcome imposter syndrome? Summer suggests focusing on what you are good at and leveraging your unique skills to overcome challenges. She believes that identifying and utilizing your strengths can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and build confidence. -What role does vulnerability play in leadership? Summer argues that admitting when you haven't done something before can actually enhance your credibility as a leader. She believes that showing vulnerability and a willingness to learn can foster trust and collaboration within a team. -How can climbing mountains teach business professionals about overcoming challenges? Summer shares that climbing mountains like Mount Rainier taught her the importance of teamwork and humility. She believes that tackling difficult tasks outside of your comfort zone can provide valuable life lessons and build resilience. -What is a key strategy for managing imposter syndrome in teams? Summer recommends hiring individuals who have the ability to figure things out and encouraging open communication. She stresses the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting when they need help and are supported in finding solutions. #leadership #impostersyndrome #workplace #csuite #teamwork #salesfuel #admall #teamtrait Connect with Summer Craig ⁠https://www.craiggroup.io/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsummer/⁠ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!! · Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/⁠ · LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/⁠ · LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/⁠ X Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠ Lee ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠ Connect with SalesFuel · Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/⁠ · X: ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠ · Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're tackling a topic that every leader has faced at some point: team motivation. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about a question every B-to-B seller secretly asks: can you actually increase sales during the holidays? Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Granados, founder of LifePulse Incorporated and author of "Motivate the Unmotivated," reveals how to replace hustle culture with sustainable workplace success. He shares actionable strategies for employee engagement, optimal performance, workplace culture, and leveraging AI for productivity—without risking burnout. Gain leadership tips for integrating work-life harmony and building high-performing teams that thrive in today’s changing business environment. "There’s a difference between high performers and optimal performers, right? So a high performer is where everyone used to try to get to, especially in sales. High output, unsustainable pace compared to others. That’s like saying I beat a bunch of slow people in a race, so therefore I’m fast. Optimal performance flips the script a little bit—same exact high output, but at a sustainable pace compared to one’s own ability. That’s the key." WEBSITE FOR MANAGE SMARTER LISTENERS: lifepulseinc.com/ms -What is optimal performance and how do I get it? -What's the 80/100 performance rule? -How to set both action-based and time-based goals to get greater productivity -How to use AI as a force multiplier and to help work/life balance CONNECT WITH MATT GRANADOS www.lifepulseinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt87granados/ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel Website: https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're spotlighting something every business leader faces, but few master: how communication and trust boost your team’s efficiency. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talking about something that could make or break your next sales hire: using objective sales assessments, instead of going with your gut. Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership communications coach Salvatore Manzi joins to discuss why, when, and how organizations should approach cultural realignment. Drawing on 20+ years in DEI and international consultancy, Salvatore breaks down his powerful 4D methodology: Diagnose, Define, Deploy, and Deepen. Learn practical steps for overcoming employee resistance, aligning values, and ensuring leadership buy-in to advance workplace culture, employee engagement, and organizational performance. Highlights include detailed strategies for fostering lasting change, involving HR in the process, and the significance of office environment and presence. Salvatore also shares insights from his book, "Clear and Compelling: Communication Strategies for Big Thinkers and Bold Ideas," packed with actionable communication and culture change tips for business leaders. #organizational culture #cultural realignment #workplaceculture GET THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQJ6M6B7 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Managing change: What to say when people are scared The 4Ds: Diagnose, Define, Deploy, and Deepen as the framework for effective organizational cultural transformation. The key signs your organization needs a cultural realignment Managing resistance to cultural realignment Harnessing your HR department to assist with realignment "There’s three myths to cultural realignment. The first one is that we can roll this out at a town hall meeting. We just got to tell them... The third is that, oh, this can be done in 90 days. 18 to 36 months to do a cultural realignment is what's required." Connect with Salvatore Manzi www.salvatoremanzi.com Connect with Manage Smarter Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ TWITTER/X Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel https://salesfuel.com/ https://x.com/SalesFuel https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices