Manage Smarter

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/

Dr. Rosenna Bakari, psychologist and author of "Seven Exits: Leave Behind What No Longer Serves You," explores leadership transformation, emotional clarity, and the power of micro exits to reset and lead with confidence. Discover how self-awareness and letting go of limiting patterns helps professionals build trust, enhance performance, and create more meaningful personal and workplace relationships. "You have to have a rabbit stick for change, right? You have to have some idea of who you want to be. And that's so hard to figure out if you haven't been allowed to be. And so you have to borrow somebody else's sense of being for a while. You can change it at any time." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Definitions of lack of fulfillment and other signs that you're unhappy -How are you getting in your own way and what to do -What is a micro-exit and how to use it to reset your mindset -Which of the 'seven exits' do most people struggle with, and what impact does it have? CONNECT WITH DR. BAKARI http://transformation.seve

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.

Dan Tocchini, leadership development expert and author of "The Change Imperative," reveals the secrets to navigating tough workplace conversations and resolving conflict with courage. Dan is also co-founder of TakeNewGround.com. Learn actionable strategies for leaders and managers looking to develop trust, improve communication, and foster high-performing teams. Dan shares practical conflict resolution and leadership tips that can elevate any organization's team culture. "To improve work relationships, ask: 'Here’s what I’m making up about what you said—tell me if I’m wrong.' It opens up honest, judgment-free feedback." - Dan Tocchini KEY TAKEAWAYS -How to openly invite feedback -Reflection Techniques and how to use them -What business metrics will be affected if you avoid conflict. -How to build difficult conversations and conflict resolution into your overall company culture Connect with Dan Tocchini https://takenewground.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini Connect with Manage Smarter a

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

Theresa Bassett is CEO of The Diamond Group and an expert in relationship sales. With a background in construction, real estate, and digital marketing, she’s driven over $550M in transactions across various sectors. Theresa’s expertise spans working with Fortune 500 companies like Pulte Homes and GE Aviation, and she’s passionate about helping businesses grow through a proprietary system for sales and marketing. As a thought leader, entrepreneur, and speaker, she also focuses on team development and fostering growth-driven cultures, embodying her Progress = Happiness philosophy. "With the onset of AI and all of the generational things that you've talked about, I think credibility more and more is being challenged... People don't know what to trust. So even more to the point that the personal communication, the interpersonal FaceTime conversations... are even more important because people are looking for transparency, authenticity." - Theresa Bassett KEY TAKEAWAYS -The core principle behind effective rela

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

This week, we're talking about a topic that's crucial for any leader aiming to empower their team: trust. 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 leveragi

I'm Chip Gray and this week, we're talking about a skill that's often overlooked but absolutely crucial for sales managers: self-control. 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 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

Dave Garrison, CEO, business strategist, and author of 'The Buy-In Advantage,' dives into how buy-in and employee engagement drive workplace performance. He shares leadership strategies for building trust, increasing motivation, and reducing turnover with proven techniques—plus insights on inspiring purpose in today’s multi-generational workforce. Discover actionable tips and tools to boost productivity and enhance workplace culture. "People buy in on emotion, justify with logic. So how do you tap into that emotional need? That requires great questions and listening." KEY TAKEAWAYS -The definition of employee buy-in and employee engagement and why it's important -How to tell if your employees are faking engagement and interest in their job and the organization -Actionable steps you can take to stop all the damage a lack of employee engagement can do to your organization CONNECT WITH DAVE GARRISON https://garrisongrowth.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/ Connect with Manage Smarte

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

This week, we're exploring the unfiltered insights straight from the frontlines of sales — courtesy of over 800 sales professionals who participated in The Voice of the Sales Rep: 2025 Focus Report. 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?

This week, let's get real about what separates a successful salesperson from just a decent one. It's not just what you say—it's how you say it, and, more importantly, what your body says for you. 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 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

Sue Heilbronner, author of "Never Ask for the Sale: Supercharge Your Business with the Power of Passionate Ambivalence," reveals top sales strategies to build referrals, trust, and credibility. Learn how her approach increases premium pricing, drives mutual relationships, and enhances your business’s success by focusing on authentic, value-driven sales methods and letting your expertise attract ideal clients. "The reason that the book is titled Never Ask for the Sale is I want to make the point that selling is a mutual process and if you as a seller are putting yourself in a subservient position to a prospect, you are limiting not only your opportunity to close but you are also demeaning your price point and your long term value to that customer." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Why does Sue Heilbronner advocate for 'never asking for the sale' in modern sales methodology? -What is the 'Passionate Ambivalence' model and how does it enhance sales outcomes? -Effective technique for generating client testimonials and wor

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

This week, we're talking about how you can rebuild trust with your salespeople after layoffs. 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