Manage Smarter

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/ TWITTER/X Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven Lee https://x.com/cleesmith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: https://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ 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

This week, we're talking about what it takes to be a credible sales manager that your team can truly 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

Kon Apostolopoulos or Coach Kon is the Founder & CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions. This Human Capital Management consulting group provides performance improvement and training solutions to help organizations develop their people, improve business results, and benefit from a comprehensive talent management strategy. He is also the author of the best-selling book, “The Engagement Blueprint: Building a Culture of Commitment and Performance.” His first book, “7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide for Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters”, helped establish him as a Thinkers 360 Global Top-50 Thought Leader. When not working with business leaders, “Coach Kon” gives back to his community by developing young soccer players in local, state, and Olympic Development Programs. “How do we deal with unexpected change? And crisis can take many forms, as you know, there are personal crises, there are professional crises. There are, there's never a shortage of them. And what seems like a day-to-day kind of occurrence to some people seems it's a much bigger deal for others. And so we have to learn how to apply those skills. That Winston Churchill quote that you mentioned truly illustrates the power of resilience. And resilience is getting to that other side and knowing that you can do that.” – Kon Apostolopoulos Key Takeaways include: 1) The "Superpowers" you need to know and what to do with them when a crisis hits your business. How to harness and implement them to right the ship, maintain staff and correct course. 2) The impact of the five "Rs" – six simple actions the management team agreed to take to re-onboard and re-engage team members: ask, review, communicate, get creative, adjust, and educate. 3) The impact of A.I. on workplace culture and management: balancing technological efficiency with authentic engagement. 4) The four keys to employee engagement: valuing, connecting, empowering, and supporting—moving past pizza parties to truly enhance well-being. #employeeengagement #HR #workplaceculture #unhappyworkers #productivity #workplace #humanresource #recruiting #hiring #retention #jobhoppers #businesscrisis #crisis #hrcrisis #failingbusiness Connect with Coach Kon https://www.freshbizsolutions.com/ https://x.com/Kon_Ap https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkon/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing how managers can build team cohesion through joy. 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 diving into a fresh approach to setting sales goals that could change the way you think about time management. 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

Andrew Barry is a seasoned expert in learning and development, with a rich background that includes executive roles at global organizations such as KPMG. He is the founder and CEO of Curious Lion, a company dedicated to high-performance leadership and learning. Andrew and his team have successfully developed thousands of leaders at prominent clients like Workday, Pinterest, IMG, and USAA. His innovative approach to corporate training is heavily influenced by his experience as a mentor in the 'Write of Passage' writing course, which he describes as the best cohort-based training program he has ever been a part of. In this episode, Barry delves into transformative learning and leadership. He discusses the role of curiosity, adaptive intelligence, and AI in training programs. Barry also offers practical tips for managers to foster continuous learning and align personal growth with business objectives. Discover how to create high-performance teams and navigate today's corporate complexities. Key Takeaways: -Learning as Transformation: Learning isn't just about transferring information; it's about transforming the learner. Managers need to focus on lifelong learning philosophies, especially in the age of AI, to ensure continuous growth and development. -Curiosity-Driven Development: Managers should identify what their team members are curious about and align these interests with business objectives. -Effective Use of After Action Reviews: Conducting thorough after-action reviews by unpacking stories from all team members can lead to better learning outcomes. -Role of Emotional Presence in Leadership: Instead of focusing on executive presence, leaders should aim for emotional presence. Being authentic, vulnerable, and having a strong point of view can make leaders more effective and increases credibility. "Learning isn't the transfer of information, it is the transformation of the learner. Information used to be power. Knowledge is still power. But really, I think it's forced us to think a lot about what is the difference between information and knowledge." - Andrew Barry #learning #professionaldevelopment #training #AI #artificialintelligence #knowledge #knowledgetransfer #credibility #leaders #managers #CEO #talentdevelopment Connect with Andrew Barry https://curiouslionlearning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realandrewbarry Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing a topic that causes issues for a lot of managers: running better meetings. 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 manager needs to master: employee retention. 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

Our guest today is an expert in many things but "what to do when things don't go according to plan" in her personal and professional lives is what has driven her to amazing heights including climbing to the top of Mount Fuji!! . International Keynote Speaker, Mountain Climber and Best-Selling Author Dima Ghawi has 20+ years experience as a global leader working for Fortune 100 companies like IBM, Merrill Lynch and Intuit and another decade advising organizations and leaders to create courageous and inclusive work cultures. Her book is entitled 'Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations and Daring to Thrive.' But it's the strength and resiliency she's shown in breaking free from years of cultural norms as a young girl growing up in Jordan that really show who she is, and the inspiration she offers. Dima's story began with an arranged marriage at the age of 19 in Jordan, which led to a challenging period of her life marked by deep depression and isolation. However, she found the courage to break free and pursue an MBA in San Diego, leading her to join IBM's leadership development program. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Leadership Lessons from Mount Fuji: The podcast highlights a story about a team-building exercise on Mount Fuji, emphasizing that true leaders support their team rather than racing to the top alone. Overcoming Cultural Barriers: Dima Ghawi shares her experience as a Middle Eastern woman navigating cultural differences in the U.S. Dealing with Workplace Jerks: The podcast discusses strategies for handling difficult colleagues. Breaking Free from Limitations: Dima Ghawi's journey from an arranged marriage to becoming a successful leader illustrates the power of self-reflection and education in overcoming personal and professional limitations. The Misfit Advantage: Embracing one's differences can be a powerful tool in the workplace. "A leader is a person who helps the team get to the top step by step. Sometimes we're pushing the team forward. Sometimes we're walking to their side, but not the one who leaves the team behind just to get to the top first." - Dima Ghawi #leadership #culturaldifferences #workplaceculture #careers #HR #Jordan #professionaldevelopment CONNECT WITH DIMA GHAWI https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaghawi/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Dima-Ghawi-%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A/100050491089661/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about something that can make or break your organization: leadership development. 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 something that can really set you apart in the business world: personal branding. 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

Tom Beener is a securities attorney turned author, known for his book 'It's Better to March in Circles Than Not March at All.' Growing up with a father who was both a policeman and involved in the New York mob, Tom Beener was exposed to a world of gambling and organized crime from a young age. Despite these influences, he pursued a career in law, becoming a securities attorney. His experiences have given him a deep understanding of the balance between moral integrity and ambition in business. Through his storytelling, Tom offers actionable insights into high-stakes decision-making and leadership under pressure, making his contributions to discussions on ethics in business both compelling and invaluable. GET THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Better-March-Circles-Than-Not-ebook/dp/B0DDLHN2L2 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ethics in Business: The importance of maintaining a strong moral compass in business,highlighting how ethical decision-making can impact credibility and trust. Leadership Under Pressure: The discussion explores how leadership in high-stakes situations parallels everyday management, emphasizing the need for decisive and clear communication. Leaders are advised to make decisions without over-explaining, as this can lead to unnecessary debate and controversy. Decision-Making Strategy: Tom introduces the concept of 'never complain, never explain' as a strategy for effective decision-making. This approach encourages leaders to focus on facts and outcomes rather than getting bogged down in justifications, which can lead to exposure and vulnerability. Credibility as Currency: Credibility is likened to currency, highlighting that it takes time to build but can be quickly lost through poor decisions. Maintaining credibility requires consistent ethical behavior and decision-making that aligns with organizational values. Avoiding Rule Bending: Tom warns against bending rules, as it can undermine a leader's credibility and trustworthiness. Leaders are encouraged to adhere to established codes of conduct to maintain integrity and foster a trustworthy organizational culture. "You don't dwell. The more you try to explain your actions, the more you open the door for debate." - Tom Beener #leadership #mafia #morals #conscience #businessethics #ethics #management #toughdecisions #HR #businessdecisions #business #sales #mob #highpressurejobs Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @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 can make or break your business: hiring the right people. 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 getting into how salespeople can make sales technology your secret weapon. 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 keeping those 4th quarter sales strong by avoiding distractions. 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 setting the anchor to build sales confidence. 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

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of transparency and honesty in leadership with Grace Gavin, co-founder of Know Honesty. Grace shares her insights on how open communication can reduce anxiety, ease aggression, and limit indecision in the workplace. Drawing from her diverse background and personal experiences, including her father's battle with cancer, Grace emphasizes the importance of being truly and freely yourself. Discover practical exercises like 'The Agreement' and 'Fake You' to enhance your communication skills. Whether you're a leader or team member, learn how to build a better culture of trust and openness. KEY TAKEAWAYS: -The Importance of Transparency in Leadership: Transparency is crucial in leadership as it helps reduce anxiety, ease aggression, and limit indecision. Leaders must find the right balance between sharing enough information and not oversharing to maintain effective communication within their teams. -Building Trust Through Open and Honest Communication: Trust is essential for effective communication, and it starts with leadership. Leaders should be trained to be open and honest, creating a culture where employees feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of negative consequences. -Practical Exercises for Enhancing Communication Skills: Simple exercises like 'The Agreement' and identifying 'Fake You' can help individuals improve their communication skills. These exercises encourage people to be honest and open, fostering better relationships and more effective teamwork. -The Impact of AI on Communication: While AI can aid in generating ideas and writing, it may lead to communication that lacks authenticity and human connection. It's important to use AI as a tool for brainstorming while ensuring that genuine human interaction remains at the forefront of communication strategies. "Honesty at the root of it, as we define it, is being truly and freely yourself speaking into what you want and how you feel. If we are not doing it, speaking honestly, being open to others, I don't think it's the best use of our time or this life that we have." - Grace Gavin FREE ASSESSMENT HERE: https://knowhonesty.com/ASSESSMENT/ Connect with Grace Gavin knowhonesty.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-gavin/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts · Website: ManageSmarter.com · LinkedIn: Audrey Strong · LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith Connect with SalesFuel · Website: http://salesfuel.com/ · Twitter: @SalesFuel · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #honesty #workplaceculture #employees #humanresources #leadership #workplacedrama #workdrama #communication #AI #artificialintelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing a topic that's tough but crucial: managing layoffs without ruining your reputation. 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 discussing how managers can build team cohesion through joy. 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