Manage Smarter Podcast

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Manage Smarter is the podcast for managers, senior leadership, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. Each 20-​minute interview is a frank, fast-​paced and sometimes humorous discussion of the challenges facing managers from the front lines to the C‑Suite.

We address the strategic and psychological aspects of improving team performance, sales, marketing, customer experience, company culture and overall productivity. And we do it through entertaining interviews with company leaders, innovative founders, best-​selling authors and leading business consultants to help you become a better boss.

New interviews drop every other Sunday. The Manage Smarter Extra Point is released every Wednesday. It provides a quick four minutes of additional insight from the latest research and best practices.

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Latest Interviews and Show Notes

John Marvin on the Manage Smarter podcast, Texas state Optical, optometry, mindset, adaptivity, AI, SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 265 — Developing Your Mindset for Business Success with John Marvin

John Marvin, CEO of Texas State Optical, discusses the transformative power of mindset and the role of AI in healthcare. He shares how he grew Texas State Optical into a leading brand by adapting to industry changes and embracing AI technology. Marvin emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset in overcoming challenges and achieving success, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals.

Grace Gavin, Know Honesty, Workplace Conversations, Psychological Safety, Honesty in Management, Leadership, Manage Smarter, podcast, SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 264 — Honest Workplace Conversations with Grace Gavin

Grace Gavin, co-​founder of Know Honesty and author of the book by the same name. In this episode, we talk about: how open communication can reduce anxiety, ease aggression, and limit indecision in the workplace; practical exercises for enhancing communication skills; the impact of AI on communication, and how to assess your own communication style.

Andrew Barry, Curious Lion, AI for Talent Development, AI for Training, curiosity, Manage Smarter, podcast, SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 263 — AI for Training and Talent Development with Andrew Barry

Andrew Barry is a seasoned expert in learning and development. He is the founder and CEO of Curious Lion, a company dedicated to high-​performance leadership and learning. In this episode, we talk about: transformative learning and leadership; the role of curiosity, adaptive intelligence, and AI in training programs; and practical tips for managers to foster continuous learning and align personal growth with business objectives.

Remote Work, Majorie Hook, Openly, Manage Smarter, SalesFuel, TeamTrait
Manage Smarter 262 — Navigating Remote Work Challenges with Marjorie Hook

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges of managing and leading a remote-​first team with Marjorie Hook, Vice President of People and Culture at Openly. Marjorie shares her insights on building a cohesive remote culture, the importance of clear communication, and strategies for maintaining employee engagement. Discover how to handle difficult conversations over Zoom, the significance of setting clear goals, and the benefits of creating social hubs. Whether you're transitioning to a remote environment or looking to enhance your existing remote team management, Marjorie's expertise offers valuable guidance. Tune in to learn more about sustaining a world-​class remote culture and overcoming the hurdles of remote leadership.

Andres Lares_Negotiating Secrets_Negotiation_Manage Smarter podcast SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 261 — Secrets for Successful Negotiating from Andres Lares

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of negotiation with Andres Lares, managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute and co-​author of 'Persuade: The 4‑Step Process to Influence People and Decisions.' Andres shares invaluable insights on how to effectively negotiate salaries, contracts, and business deals. Learn about the importance of credibility, engaging emotion, and facilitating action in negotiations. Whether you're negotiating a salary increase or a major business deal, these strategies will help you achieve better outcomes. Tune in to discover practical tips and techniques that can elevate your negotiation skills to the next level.

Tara May on autism spectrum, neurodiversity leadership, Manage Smarter
Manage Smarter 260 — Embracing Autism in the Workplace With Tara May

In this episode, we dive into a compelling conversation with Tara May, CEO of AspiriTech and international neurodiversity advocate. Tara shares her insights on the importance of meaningful employment for autistic team members and how her company has successfully integrated neurodivergent individuals into various roles, from entry-​level positions to executive leadership. Discover how AspiriTech focuses on the ROI of kindness and the significance of psychological safety in fostering innovation. Tara's approach to cultural transformation and her dedication to creating opportunities for autistic professionals offer valuable lessons for any organization looking to embrace diversity and inclusion.

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Must-​Hear Episodes

Brian Tracy, Manage Smarter, podcast, business success, C. Lee Smith. Audrey Strong, SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 05 — Brian Tracy — The Most Important Qualities Managers Must Have for Success

Brian Tracy has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and is the top selling author of more than 80 books on business and personal success. As a popular keynote speaker and seminar leader, he has addressed more than five million people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and 82 other countries worldwide. In episode 05, we discuss: the most important quality that a manager should have, the three most common mistakes leaders make, how to set better goals and the importance of the work culture.

Tom Peters
Manage Smarter 19 — Tom Peters: Hard Truths About Soft Skills

Tom Peters is a best-​selling author and world renowned expert on business management practices. Peters is co-​author of In Search of Excellence—the book that changed the way the world does business, and often tagged as the best business book ever. In episode 19, we discuss: Tom's new book — The Excellence Dividend, how to avoid being replaced by technology, the characteristics of a successful team and the critical need for soft skills mastery by managers at all levels.

Manage Smarter 32 — Cy Wakeman- Ditching Office Drama and Entitlement
Manage Smarter 32 — Cy Wakeman: Ditching Drama and Entitlement

Cy Wakeman is a drama researcher, global thought-​leader, and New York Times best-​selling author who is recognized for cultivating a counter-​intuitive, reality-​based approach to leadership. In episode 32, we discuss: Cy's definition of drama, and the effects on the workplace, acceptable ways to react to drama that has been created and how to hire low drama employees.

Jeffrey Gitomer
Manage Smarter 13 — Jeffrey Gitomer: Attitude is Everything!

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The New York Times best seller The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude — which has just been published a new edition with many new tips to help you find, build and keep a winning attitude. In episode 13, we discuss: why attitude is critical to management and leadership; countering negative attitudes and how to change your attitude by changing what you think about.

Neil Sahota on the Manage Smarter podcast from SalesFuel
Manage Smarter 133 — Neil Sahota: Using AI for Leadership and Social Good

Neil Sahota is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) artificial intelligence (AI) Advisor, author of the book Own the A.I. Revolution, and Professor at UC Irvine. In this episode, we discuss: what artificial intelligence actually is, and what it isn't; ways you can use AI and your resources for social good; why promoting incompetent people is a common leadership mistake; how to tell when a product is legitimately AI or just an inflated marketing claim; and organizations that facilitate you getting involved in using AI for social good.

Christine Porath
Manage Smarter 28 — Mastering Civility in Your Workplace with Christine Porath

Dr. Christine Porath is an Associate Professor and Researcher at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and an expert in workplace incivility, its costs and remedies. She is author of Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace and co-​author of The Cost of Bad Behavior. In episode 28, we discuss her research on the decline of civility, how it affects productivity and what managers can do about it.

Jeffrey Hayzlett
Manage Smarter 15 — Jeffrey Hayzlett: Secrets of the C‑Suite

Jeffrey Hayzlett is a primetime television host of C‑Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives on C‑Suite TV, and business podcast host of All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C‑Suite Radio. Hayzlett is the author of three best-​selling business books: Think Big, Act Bigger: The Rewards of Being Relentless, Running the Gauntlet and The Mirror Test. In episode 15, we discuss how the C‑Suite thinks, how to talk to them and how to become one of them.

Jennifer Gluckow
Manage Smarter 16 — Jennifer Gluckow: Tips for Young and First-​​time Managers

Jennifer Gluckow is an author and founder of Sales in a New York Minute as well as host of a YouTube Channel of the same name. In episode 16, Jennifer discusses how age plays a role in the workplace and uses her professional experience to share her advice for young managers and first-​time managers.

Kevin Manney, AI, artificial intelligence, chatgpt, category design, new business, manage smarter, salesfuel
Manage Smarter 228 ‑Kevin Maney: Using AI to Create and Sell New Business Categories

Kevin Maney is a bestselling author, award-​winning columnist, and partner at Category Design Advisors (CDA). His critically-​acclaimed book, Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets, introduced business to the idea of category design and has sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide. In this episode, we discuss: the role of artificial intelligence/​AI and how it can help define your category; why AI is the new electricity of creating new categories of products and services; concerns about AI and opportunities for growth; class category design and how it defines what the new problem is that you are trying to solve; and the hottest new business categories for growth.

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About the Hosts

Manage Smarter podcast: management and leadership with C. Lee Smith

Audrey Strong is a veteran public relations and communications expert. She is currently Senior Vice President of Communications for SalesFuel. She previously ran her own PR firm for 10 years and was PR Director for The Ritz-​Carlton in Denver. Prior to that, Audrey had a successful career as an award-​winning anchor/​reporter/​producer in TV news, including Chicago and Denver.

C. Lee Smith has been leading and developing people for most of his adult life in sales departments, nonprofits and as CEO of SalesFuel. Lee is a nationally recognized consultant and speaker. He is also a Certified Behavioral Analyst specializing in workforce management. Lee is the international bestselling author of two books: SalesCred and Hire Smarter, Sell More!

Want to Be On the Show?

We're always looking for experienced managers, startup leaders, book authors, consultants and executive coaches who are fun to talk to and have important insights to share. Use this short form to get the process started!

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