Leading Smart

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The show about Managing in the Brainpower Age. A field guide to the joys and challenges of leading and working in the modern workplace. Chris Williams is your guide to the stories and ideas that will inspire you to be a better leader in the world of knowledge work.

Chris Williams


    • Mar 25, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 60 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Leading Smart

    Academy Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021 2:26


    The end of Season Two heralds a new journey: the road to the Leading Smart Academy. The Academy will be a deep resource for leaders just starting out, those facing specific challenges, and veterans looking for a refresher. Sign up to be first in line. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/academy-road/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Time Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 20:19


    The most indelible cultural change is led from the top. Where the leader lives, promotes, recognizes, and corrects in furtherance of the effort. In this episode we explore a small example that can be a model for all organization culture change. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/time-change/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music and Effects: https://zapsplat.com/ Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Conversation with Bob Muglia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 43:52


    Bob Muglia has led teams from as many as 10,000 to a small startup, often taking over teams in distress and returning them to success. But his focus has always been as much on how teams work as much as what they do, in what he calls values-based leadership. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/bob-muglia/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Sense of Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 19:26


    Changing an organizational culture is a heavy lift even if the issue is not especially thorny. The real question is who can make that change? In this episode we explore an example where a fairly small cultural change requires a clear sense of how to change. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/sense-of-change/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Brian Pedersen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2021 51:32


    Brian Pedersen’s team helps companies negotiate the maze of corporate taxes. On top of the unique experience that requires, he faces all the challenges met by any leader of knowledge workers. Yet Brian has done it all remotely, even before it was required. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/brian-pedersen/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Harmonics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 19:11


    When a solid team mixes with a clear vision and an outstanding culture, the resulting brew can be magical. Success that breeds more success, enough to break records. In this episode we explore the qualities necessary to create organizational harmonics. Twenty Thousand Hertz, the podcast, can be found wherever you get your podcasts or at https://20k.org/ Clips in this episode are used by permission. The Virtual Choir can be found at: https://ericwhitacre.com/the-virtual-choir/ More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/harmonics/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Audio: Twenty Thousand Hertz https://20k.org/ Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Conversation with David Sobeski

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 53:57


    David Sobeski has exercised his skill of a broad view with a detail focus at some of most customer-obsessed companies in the world including Disney and Nordstrom. All while remote working long before it was cool. This is my conversation with David Sobeski. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/david-sobeski/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Culture Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 22:20


    What makes up an organization’s culture? What effect does culture have on the output of the team? Does a culture bend to the market or does the market select winners based on their culture? The series on organizational culture begins with: Culture Club. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/culture-club/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: Culture Club Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Liz Pearce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 39:00


    Liz Pearce was in marketing at Sony, Google, and Amazon, and then a marketing consultant. At one of her clients, she rose from contract marketing consultant to CEO. Now leading Seattle startup Fresh Chalk, she discusses her journey, leadership, and the CEO role. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/liz-pearce/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    I Swear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 19:09


    The series on communication wraps up with a look at cursing in the workplace. We explore my tendency to use expletives inappropriately as well as how cursing is indicative of organizational culture and the power of leaders. This time, "I Swear". More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/i-swear/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com/ Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com/ Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill/ Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Conversation with Donn Denman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 39:58


    Donn Denman was an engineer at Apple in the very early years and is now at Google. In our conversation he shares what it was like working with Steve Jobs, what it’s like today at Google, and how vision and passion can change the world. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/donn-denman/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Sound effects: ZapSplat Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    How's It Going

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2021 21:15


    The series on communication continues with the best way to understand how your team and project are doing. There’s a wrong way and a right way to find out the answer to the question that keeps every leader up at night: “How’s it Going?” More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/hows-it-going/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Bottom Feeder Redux

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2020 21:13


    The exploration into firing continues with a look at the low end. What is magical about the bottom ten percent? How does stack ranking cheat some people out of a good performance review? What exactly is poor performance? This is Bottom Feeder. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/bottom-feeder-redux/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound effects: https://audiojungle.net Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Duck and Cover Redux

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2020 19:08


    How a brutal performance review meeting ended with me getting a stapler hurled at my head. And how that lead to one of my most steadfast rules: in the workplace, no surprises. More information, including a transcript and a place to provide comments, can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/duck-and-cover-redux/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Adam Bosworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2020 77:56


    Adam Bosworth has led major startup projects both inside and outside of seminal companies of the tech world. In our talk he shares what he learned about building teams and about the impact of company culture on the products, the team, and himself. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/adam-bosworth/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Survey Says

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2020 20:25


    The series on communication continues with a look at how to get good feedback. We examine the many pitfalls and one good way to use surveys as a mechanism to gauge your organization’s health. This is Survey Says. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/survey-says/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Sound: Family Feud Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Somasegar Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2020 47:22


    Somasegar pushed Microsoft to “build the muscle” of remote work, long before it was cool … or required by the pandemic. He also stretched himself to become a venture capitalist. In this episode he shares what we all can learn from his journeys. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/somasegar-2 Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Somasegar Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020 50:56


    Somasegar traveled from India to the US for his advanced degrees and ended up joining Microsoft for an illustrious 27-year career. Now he’s a venture capitalist. In this first of two episodes, he talks with us about his journey and his thoughts on leadership. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/somasegar-1 Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Echolocation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 23:31


    The series on communication continues with the focus on listening. We examine why careful examination of the echo of a leader’s message can help not only make the team more effective but diagnose communication problems. This is Echolocation. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/echolocation/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Peter Spiro

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 55:17


    Peter Spiro’s work helped build Microsoft into an enterprise software giant. He also led one of the company’s most visible project downfalls. Through it all, he built a deep passion for leadership that he shares with anyone who’ll listen. This time with us. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/peter-spiro Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com  

    Repeat After Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 17:49


    The series on communication continues with a look at why saying something once is never enough. Even a few times is insufficient. The key to successful leadership is a clear, consistent, and frequently expressed vision. This is: Repeat After Me. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/repeat-after-me/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Tod Nielsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 46:54


    Tod Nielsen is a multi-time CEO who heads the ERP company FinancialForce. His journey is one of ever-increasing responsibility all the way to the corner office. In this episode we explore his growth and leading through adversity, like the dot com bust and the pandemic. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/tod-nielsen/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Not in Your Head

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 16:21


    For the start of a series of episodes on communication as a leader, we delve into some scary territory: the boss’s mind. We explore why letting the team in there is, though terrifying, a great idea. This is: Not in Your Head. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/not-in-your-head/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Conversation with Laura Butler

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 56:44


    Laura Butler is much more than just the first female Technical Fellow at Microsoft. She is a smart, thoughtful, and accomplished leader. In this conversation we talk leadership, especially as a woman, and her latest passion: investing in people. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/laura-butler/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Suite Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 23:21


    The corporate C-suite, with all its many Chiefs, has become crowded and unwieldy. Along with this has come some pretty crass pandering. This episode tracks the evolution of the executive offices over the last four centuries in this Suite Story. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/suite-story/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Sound effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Michael Kennedy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 51:40


    Michael Kennedy’s experience leading finance operations around the world has served him well as the CFO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, especially during a global pandemic. We talk being a change agent, international leadership, and vision in finance. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/michael-kennedy/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Merit Badge

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 21:36


    The goal of creating a meritocracy seems admirable. But as Michael Sandel points out, it’s unobtainable, and working to get there creates a culture that is corrosive and divisive. We explore why merit is so hard to assign. Be careful with that Merit Badge. The episode of Stay Tuned that prompted this can be found here: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/the-merit-trap-with-michael-sandel/ Michael Sandel’s book: The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374289980 And his TED talk on the subject is here: “The Tyranny of Merit” https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_sandel_the_tyranny_of_merit More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/merit-badge/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com 

    Conversation with Brenda Leaks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 53:18


    Brenda Leaks is developing the next generation of leaders. She does much of that by being an outstanding leader herself. Her op-ed in the Seattle Times on race and equity was a powerful example. In our conversation we discuss how you can lead on those topics too. Brenda’s Seattle Times Op-ed is here: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/we-must-have-difficult-conversations-about-racism-with-our-children/ More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/brenda-leaks Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Every Little Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 18:19


    Sweating the details isn’t always about dollars and cents. It’s often the little changes a leader can make that improve life for their team. Even if it costs just a dime. They can add up to make a huge difference. This episode is about Every Little Thing. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/every-little-thing/ Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with David Risher

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 56:29


    What do you do after you help Amazon grow by over 26,000 percent? You move on to the audacious goal of getting a billion people reading. In this conversation with David Risher CEO and co-founder of Worldreader we talk about leading in the world of non-profits. The Amazon easter egg page that is a thank you to David is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=447307 More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/david-risher Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    It's About Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 20:26


    Sometimes building a team takes time. Building a team that consistently welcomes diversity of thought takes time in many ways. It takes leaders with skill and patience to nurture the kinds of teams that consistently think different. This episode: it’s about time. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/its-about-time Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Conversation with Rick Rashid

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2020 54:13


    Building and leading a world-class research organization from scratch is an enormous leadership challenge. Pushing boundaries, attracting talent and managing it as it expands globally takes skill and expertise. This is my conversation with Rick Rashid. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/rick-rashid Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Connect: Facebook: https://facebook.com/theCLWill Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/theCLWill Email: pod@clwill.com

    Think Different

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 21:30


    The struggle for more diversity and inclusion is at its core a quest for more and better ideas, for an array of perspectives, and for a broader reach. The surest way to get that is to embrace a culture that not just welcomes but needs all kinds of people who Think Different. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/think-different Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme: John Stephens Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com

    Conversation with Tim Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 52:01


    Commercial building projects are one-off translations of ideas and creativity into incredibly complex creations that take years and cost millions. Leading the diverse teams that build them is the architect. This is my conversation with Tim Williams. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/tim-williams Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com

    Not Just a Job

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 19:18


    Many organizations struggle with the challenges of diversity and inclusion. In this episode we examine the many ways to make a lot of noise and not a lot of progress. Whether it’s on purpose is anyone’s guess, but one thing is sure: it’s not just a job. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/not-just-a-job Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Conversation with Brad Silverberg - Part III

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 28:59


    The conversation with Brad Silverberg concludes with a discussion of his move into the world of venture capital. In this third and final episode, Brad shares his thoughts on leadership in a startup, and what the world looks like post COVID-19. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/brad-silverberg-3 Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed 

    Conversation with Brad Silverberg Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2020 47:04


    The conversation with Brad Silverberg continues with a detailed discussion of leadership and vision. In this second of three episodes he shares his management journey and how his passion for personal computing morphed into a passion for the internet. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/brad-silverberg-2 Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed

    Conversation with Brad Silverberg - Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 48:23


    Brad Silverberg’s fascinating life in the tech world included leading the creation of Windows 95. In this first of three episodes, he shares the serendipity and persistent vision that built his amazing career. This part one of my conversation with Brad Silverberg. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/brad-silverberg-1 Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme written by: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed

    Mass Exit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 21:43


    In the fifth and final episode on firing we look at how to do a layoff. The pandemic has given us a number of great examples of how NOT to do it. We explore the right way to lay people off, prepare for a fresh start and avoid a mass exit. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/mass-exit Written and Produced: Chris Williams Additional Audio: Inside Edition Original Theme: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Conversation with Matt Horvat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 51:03


    Leading Smart Season 2 begins with the first of my conversations with leaders. This inaugural is on leadership in education. All about managing and leading teachers as they work to improve in their craft. This is a conversation with Matt Horvat. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/matt-horvat Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme: John Stephens

    Pulling the Plug

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 21:30


    The fourth episode on firing, this time for the hard part: actually firing someone. We explore the do’s and don’ts of firing an individual. How it’s so easy to do it badly, and what it takes to do it right. This time, we’re Pulling the Plug. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/pulling-the-plug Written and Produced: Chris Williams Additional Audio: CNN & MSNBC Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Season Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 4:12


    A short announcement about the exciting changes and additional voices coming to Leading Smart with Season Two. It starts in just a couple of weeks, with a new look, new music, and lots of great conversations with smart leaders. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/season-two Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Trading Places

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 19:42


    In this third episode on firing, we ask a lot of questions. When is performance bad enough to cut your losses? When is a superstar worth having around? What is it about attitude that answers the question? Time to explore Trading Places. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/trading-places Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Bottom Feeder

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 21:16


    The exploration into firing continues with a look at the low end. What is magical about the bottom ten percent? How does stack ranking cheat some people out of a good performance review? What exactly is poor performance? This is Bottom Feeder. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/bottom-feeder Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound effects: https://audiojungle.net

    Superstar

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2020 22:52


    This episode begins a multipart series on firing, on when and how to let go. The exploration starts with that special person, the amazing performer who appears to be the cornerstone of your project. The Superstar. What’s behind the magic? More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/superstar Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Hocus Focus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 21:31


    In the final episode on visions, we take a look at how to use your well-crafted vision. And explore how overheard conversations provide a window into the impact a great vision can have on team effectiveness. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/hocus-focus Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com

    Remote Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 23:11


    This is a special episode prompted by the Stay at Home orders due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode we explore the movement from centralized headquarters to remote work. And offer several tips and best practices for managing teams at a distance. More information, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/remote-control Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Mark My Words

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 22:06


    Why words matter, especially words you use for your mission and vision. We also explore how wasting words is an easy trap to fall into. In this third episode in the series on vision, we show how to craft a clear, crisp vision for your project. More information, a photo of Hilton’s lighted orbs, a transcript, and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/mark-my-words Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com Sound Effects: https://zapsplat.com

    Clear View

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 23:06


    How the greatest business failure of the 20th Century was largely caused by the lack of a good vision. And how success lies in the framework of Mission, Vision, Strategy, and Tactics. This second episode on vision explores how what you say impacts what you do. More information, including a transcript and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/clear-view Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    2020 Hindsight

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2020 20:04


    A clear, crisp vision is the foundation for a successful project, especially one that involves brainpower workers. And a project with a poor, or no, vision is almost guaranteed to flounder. This episode begins a series on the importance, development, and communication of visions. More information, including a transcript and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/2020-hindsight Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com

    Soft Landing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 21:34


    Once you’ve decided on that great candidate, the next challenge is convincing them to take the job. Brainpower workers want more than just a paycheck and that makes this much more difficult. In this episode we explore how to land that great brainpower hire. More information, including a transcript and a place to provide comments can be found at: https://clwill.com/pod/soft-landing Written and Produced: Chris Williams Original Theme Music: John Stephens Additional Music: https://musicbed.com  

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