The Craig and Greg Show

When you are in a leadership role it is unavoidable that you will occasionally have to talk about people. Perhaps it’s gathering more information or discussing an incident with a fellow leader. However, we have to be very careful that these discussions don’t cross the line into gossip. Gossip is toxic for your organization, and left unchecked can lead to disastrous results. Tune in to today’s episode where the guys discuss how to make your conversations about goals instead of gossip. Check out the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk with someone outside of your organization if you’re trying to avoid slipping into gossip. A leadership coach can be a great resource in that! Visit https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the page for more information on how Maximize can help. Craig is a pastor, author, podcaster, and blogger. Head over to https://craigtowens.com to find all of his content.

Have you thought about what you’d like said at your funeral? Stick with us here, this isn’t an episode about contemplating your death. In this episode, Craig and Greg want to encourage you to begin with the end in mind, and live as the type of leader that you picture yourself being remembered as. Check out the video version of this conversation here. If you think that your leadership would benefit from personalized coaching, please reach out to us for more information. Visit https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the coaching page. Let us know how we can help, and we’ll get back with you shortly. In addition to this show, Craig also produces a lot of his own content. To find everything he’s up to, visit https://craigtowens.com

Honesty is a vital part of a successful organization, something that every good leader is well aware of. However, when was the last time you asked the question, “Am I being honest with myself?” In today’s episode, Craig and Greg unpack how honest self-reflection is a powerful tool to help improve your leadership. Watch the video version of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show. If you would like more information on personalized coaching, or to inquire about hiring Greg for a speaking engagement, visit: https://maximizeleadership.com Craig is an author, podcaster, and prolific blogger. You can find everything he’s up to at https://craigtowens.com

When every quality is distilled down, the two things a leader is looking for in a teammate are skill and will. Which one should come first, and what happens if you identify a deficiency in yourself or others in one of these areas? Craig and Greg tackle these questions, and much more, in this episode of The Craig and Greg Show. Check out the video version of this conversation. If you have identified a need to improve skill or will in your organization, a coach can be a great resource for you. Visit https://maximizeleadership.com and go to the coaching tab where you can learn more about our coaches. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we’ll match you with the coach that is right for you. Craig is an author, podcaster, and prolific blogger. Visit https://craigtowens.com to find all of the resources he has available.

Are you a person that likes to meticulously plan every detail, or are you more comfortable planning as you go? In today’s episode, Craig and Greg say leaders should strive for both! Join us as the guys discuss the art and science of balancing planning and spontaneity to hit the golden mean of the two. Check out the video version of this conversation. If you would like to learn more about personalized coaching, hire Greg as a speaker, or buy Greg’s book, visit https://maximizeleadership.com For daily blog posts and Craig’s newest book, visit https://craigtowens.com

Do you need to have a coach? If you answered “yes” then you’re already on the right track! If you said “no,” Craig and Greg would like to challenge you a little. Join the guys as they discuss how coaching isn’t just about correcting mistakes, it’s also about maximizing your existing skills to the highest level possible. Check out the video version of this epsiode of The Craig And Greg Show. If you don’t already have a coach, we would love to help you out! Visit the coaching page at https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the form at the bottom. We have a great group of experienced coaches that can help you reach the next level in your leadership.

As leaders, we are called to set the example for our organization. As the guys discuss in this episode, the quickest way to make a positive change in your organization is to exhibit the traits you want to see. Do that with consistency, and your team will begin to reflect those traits back to you. Check out the video verion of this episode of The Craig and Greg Show. For more information on personalized coaching, or to inquire about having Greg speak to your organization, visit: https://maximizeleadership.com Craig has a daily blog where he posts tons of informational content. All of that is available at: https://craigtowens.com

Goal-setting and change-making are integral parts of a leader’s job. However, it can often feel like actually accomplishing these tasks is one of the hardest parts of the job! In this episode, Craig and Greg dive into how to successfully set and accomplish goals, and how to strategically create change in a way that doesn’t disenfranchise your team. Check out the video version of this episode here. For more information on personalized coaching, Greg’s book Sage Advice, or to book Greg as a speaker, visit: https://maximizeleadership.com For information on Craig’s book Shepherd Leadership as well as daily blog posts, visit: https://craigtowens.com

It goes without saying, but leadership positions confer a level of power to the people who occupy them. This power is necessary for us as leaders to do our job effectively, but if we're not very careful it can begin to corrupt us and poison our leadership. Tune in as Craig and Greg tackle this tricky issue. Check out the video version of this episode here. For personalized coaching, info on Greg's book, or to book Greg as a speaker visit https://maximizeleadership.com For info on Craig's book and daily blog posts visit https://craigtowens.com

Christmas seems to be the one time of year when everyone loves to share their traditions, both in their families and in their organizations. As leaders we should embrace organizational traditions, and use them to show our team the culture of our organization. We also need to be aware that the personal traditions of our team members might make their lives a bit more hectic, and understanding and flexibility on our part will go a long way for them. Check out the video version of this episode here. Books make great Christmas gifts! Pick up a copy of Craig and Greg's new books to give to the leader in your life. https://shepherdleadershipbook.com https://sageadvicebook.org

As a leader, you have the great responsibility, and privilege, of setting the tone for your team. One of the biggest ways you set the tone for your organization is how you react to stressful situations. Remaining calm through adversity signals to your team that they can remain calm as well, and provides amazing stability to your organization. In this episode, Craig and Greg discuss this topic and give helpful tips that will enable you to better control your reactions. Check out the video version of this episode. For personalized coaching, more on Greg's new book, and everything else Maximize, visit: https://maximizeleadership.com Craig's written blog, video content, and information on his book can all be found at: https://craigtowens.com

Everyone loves stories! Whether it be a book, movie, or even a friend’s tall tale, we love hearing stories because they connect with us on a deeply personal level. As leaders, we can use stories as a powerful tool to connect with our staff and help reinforce the point we’re trying to make. Stories aren’t just for kids, they’re a vital part of effective communication. Watch the video version of this conversation on our YouTube channel. Speaking of good stories, check out Greg’s book Sage Advice at https://www.sageadvicebook.org. For everything else Maximize and to request more information about personalized coaching, visit https://maximizeleadership.com Craig has a blog where he posts insightful content daily. Check it out at https://craigtowens.com

Every good leader is competitive. From dollars earned to patients treated, there isn’t a leader out there who isn’t constantly trying to improve their numbers and outdo the competition. However, the wrong kind of competition can fester and create an unhealthy workplace. In this episode, the guys discuss how fostering healthy competition in your organization is vital to your success. Check out the video version of this podcast here. To learn more about personalized coaching, visit https://maximizeleadership.com Craig has a lot of other projects in addition to this show. Find everything else he’s up to at https://craigtowens.com

Criticism is baked into leadership. Any change you make, whether good or bad, will be met with some level of criticism either internally or externally. Other times, you'll be in the position of having to express criticism of a decision someone on your team made. Navigating criticism in a productive way can be tricky, but luckily Craig and Greg are here to help! In this episode, the guys discuss how the right kind of criticism can be empowering for your organization. Check out the video version of this conversation here → https://youtu.be/63-YmMOuxOA For everything else Maximize, visit https://maximizeleadership.com In addition to this show, Craig has a ton of other amazing content that he puts out daily at https://craigtowens.com

Automatic habits are an integral part of our everyday lives. From driving a car to the way we tie our shoes, these habits help us all the time with very little thought. Of course, habits aren’t limited to these mundane tasks, we also form them in other areas, like our leadership. As a leader, it’s important to be self-reflective of our habits, and make sure they are taking us in the direction we want to go. In this episode, Craig and Greg discuss how cultivating the right habits will help you flourish as a leader. Watch the video version of this episode here. Visit https://maximizeleadership.com to learn more about personalized coaching, and to find all of Greg's other projects. Craig blogs daily at https://craigtowens.com and frequently posts videos to his personal YouTube channel @craigtowens1

If you said, “No,” are you sure? Sometimes micromanagement can come out of good intentions, or as we focus on a project, we as leaders can slide into it without even realizing it. In this episode, Craig and Greg discuss why micromanagement is bad for your leadership, how to identify if you've fallen into this trap, and, most importantly how to free yourself to soar into a place of macro-leadership. Check out the video version of this podcast here. If you're in a place of micromanagement and not sure how to get out, the guys would love to come alongside and coach you. Visit https://maximizeleadership.com and fill out the contact form for more information on how they can help you grow as a leader.

Periodically, the guys like to revisit the topic of leadership builders and killers. In this episode, you get TWO leadership killers, as they tackle the two-headed monster of ignorance and arrogance. They cover how to deal with these people in your organization and provide actionable advice you can employ if you catch yourself slipping into either of these pitfalls. Let us know what you think in the comments! Check out the video version of this podcast here. To receive more information about personalized coaching, and check out all of Greg's other projects, visit https://maximizeleadership.com In addition to this podcast, Craig puts out blogs, videos, and his own podcast daily. All of that can be found at https://craigtowens.com

This week we are celebrating Greg! His new book is entitled Sage Advice, and it has just been released, and everyone at Maximize is incredibly excited for you to be able to finally get your hands on the finished product. In this episode, the guys discuss the new book, and talk about how each chapter pairs a story from Greg's childhood with a helpful leadership lesson. Be sure to pick up a copy of Sage Advice today! Watch the video version of this podcast here. Check out Craig’s totally(!) unbiased book review of Sage Advice.

Fear is something every leader struggles with, but great leaders learn to reframe that fear into an opportunity to grow. Join Craig and Greg as they discuss overcoming fear, reframing fear, and helping your team to do the same. If you’re struggling with fear and would like some more personalized strategies to help you overcome, the guys would love to coach you. Reach out to us at https://maximizeleadership.com Check out the video version of this podcast here.

Words are incredibly powerful! With our tongues, we can elevate others to amazing heights, or tear them down completely. In this episode, Craig and Greg discuss how, as leaders, it is critical that we are mindful of our everyday words so that we ensure we are taking our team in the right direction. Watch the video version of this podcast here. To get more info about personalized coaching, or to learn more about Maximize's other projects, visit https://maximizeleadership.com Books referenced in this episode: Shepherd LeadershipLeadership JazzTen Powerful Phrases for Positive People