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Are your most ambitious years behind you, or still ahead? Dan Sullivan and Gord Vickman explain The Six-Year Framework™ from Dan's latest book, Always More Ambitious, and share why recent capabilities are the best fuel for your future. They also discuss how to stay smart in a distracted world so teamwork and technology keep you calm, creative, and increasingly ambitious at every age. Show Notes: The Six-Year Framework keeps you focused on three years of recent achievements and three years of future growth. There's a direct connection between capability and ambition: expanding one naturally expands the other. The real fuel for your next jump isn't more goals—it's taking your strongest capabilities and deciding where you want them to go next. Teamwork and technology are the two biggest multipliers behind entrepreneurs' best decades. Pairing your smartest past decisions with your most exciting new possibilities makes the future feel bigger and more achievable overnight. A fixed six-year window gives you a clear sense of progress instead of the stress of chasing a constantly moving goalpost. Entrepreneurs need to resist getting lost in new tech and instead let their team find and build the right tools. Deciding that your later decades will be your most ambitious changes how you use every year between now and then. Resources:Always More Ambitious by Dan Sullivan Perplexity Shannon Waller's Team Success podcast The Strategic Podcast Network
The automated "Great job, team!" email blasted to 47 people at 4:37 PM on a Friday isn't authentic appreciation. Neither is the generic gift basket ordered by someone in HR who's never met your top performer, or the corporate recognition program where nobody actually feels valued. These things look like recognition, but your people know the truth: leadership is outsourcing one of the most human tasks—seeing the people who show up every day and make things happen. And your teams feel the disconnect. As Jeb Blount Jr. recently said on the Sales Gravy Podcast: "Don't make your appreciation to customers, to your team, to yourself a completely outsourced behavior. It will be cheap, and everyone will know it." Authentic appreciation can't be delegated to your human resources team or automated through your CRM. And that's exactly why it works. Where Sales Leaders Go Wrong with Recognition Most sales leaders fall into one of two camps. Camp one believes they don't have time for appreciation because they're focused on results. The numbers are what matter. Recognition is soft skills territory—nice to have, but not essential. Camp two wants to show appreciation but defaults to the path of least resistance. They sign the company card. Approve the budget for the year-end gift. Forward the congratulatory email from the VP. Box checked. Both camps are missing what actually moves people. Recognition that matters requires you to see the work that often goes unseen. It demands that you pause long enough to notice not just the outcome, but the effort behind it. That's not something you can outsource. Why Small Moments Compound Into Big Results There's a concept in professional development about making 1% improvements every single day. Over 365 days, those tiny adjustments compound into exponential growth. Authentic appreciation works the same way. You don't need a massive recognition program. You don't need elaborate gestures or expensive rewards. You need consistency in the small moments that tell your team: I see you, and what you are doing matters. Consider the sales rep who stays late to prep for tomorrow's presentation. The account manager who defuses a client issue before it reaches your desk. The teammate who mentors the new hire without being asked. These moments happen every day, and most leaders miss them entirely because they're scanning for the big wins. But your team isn't just looking for recognition when they close the monster deal. They're looking for it on Tuesday afternoon when they're grinding through their 50th prospecting call. They're looking for it when they've had a brutal week and still show up ready to perform. Small acts of authentic appreciation in these moments build trust faster than any annual award ceremony ever will. 3 Elements of Authentic Appreciation Authentic appreciation has three non-negotiable elements. Specific means recognizing exactly what someone did and why it mattered. Not "great work on that account," but "the way you handled that objection about pricing showed real creativity—you reframed value instead of dropping price, and that's exactly the approach we need more of." Timely means you don't wait for the quarterly review or the annual celebration. You recognize the effort when it happens, while it's still fresh and meaningful. Personal means you deliver it in a way that resonates with that individual. Some people want public recognition. Others prefer a quiet conversation. Some treasure a handwritten note. Others just want to hear it directly from you in the moment. Here's what this looks like in real leadership: One sales leader makes it a practice to handwrite notes to team members. Not emails. Not Slack messages. Actual pen-on-paper notes. Some are two sentences. Some are three paragraphs. But everyone is specific to something that person did and why it mattered to the team. Is it efficient? No. Does it scale? Not really. But those notes end up on office walls, in desk drawers, and tucked into planners. Years later, people still have them. That's the difference between authentic and outsourced. Integrate Authentic Appreciation Into How You Already Work Most sales leaders know they should show more appreciation. They feel guilty about it. They add it to their to-do list. And then the day gets away from them. The problem is treating appreciation as an extra task instead of integrating it into what you're already doing. You're already having one-on-ones. Reviewing deals. Walking the floor or jumping on calls. The question isn't whether you have time—it's whether you're paying attention in those moments. When reviewing pipeline, don't just look at the numbers. Notice the effort. "I see you've been hitting activity goals consistently for six weeks straight. That discipline is setting you up for a strong Q1." When someone sends an update email, reply with more than “thanks.” Take 30 seconds to acknowledge what they did: "This breakdown made my job easier. I didn't have to dig for answers. That kind of communication makes our team more efficient." These aren't grand gestures. They're small moments of paying attention and responding like a human being who notices when people do good work. Building a Culture Where Authentic Appreciation Flows Both Ways The best team cultures don't just flow from leader to team member; they flow in every direction. When you model authentic appreciation, your team starts doing it for each other. They notice the work that happens behind the scenes. They start going the extra mile. The culture shifts from everyone waiting for the leader's approval to everyone building each other up. One practice that works: create space in team meetings for peer recognition. Not forced or formal—just an open moment where anyone can call out something they appreciated from a teammate that week. Keep it optional. Keep it genuine. You'll be surprised how quickly it becomes part of your team's rhythm. Additionally, most high performers are terrible at acknowledging their own progress. They hit a goal and immediately move to the next one without pausing to appreciate what they just accomplished. In coaching sessions, start by asking: “What's a win from this week?” Make them say it out loud. Make them acknowledge their own growth. That internal recognition builds resilience and momentum that external praise alone can't create. What Happens When You Get This Right When you stop outsourcing appreciation and start building it into your leadership, everything shifts. Retention improves. People stay where they feel seen and valued. They leave when they feel invisible. Team energy changes. Appreciated people bring more to the table. They take ownership. They go the extra mile because they want to. Difficult conversations get easier. When someone knows you genuinely care about their success, they're more open to feedback and coaching. Culture becomes magnetic. Top performers want to work on teams where their contributions matter. They can feel the difference between authentic and transactional leadership from a mile away. Take Action This Week Stop waiting for the perfect appreciation program or the right company initiative. Start with what you can control right now. This week: Write one handwritten note to someone on your team. Be specific about what they did and why it mattered. In your next one-on-one, ask “What's a win from this week?” and let them acknowledge their own progress. Catch someone doing something right—however small—and tell them in the moment. End your next team meeting with clear recognition for one person. Not generic praise, tell them exactly what you noticed and why it mattered. This month: Create a recognition moment in every team meeting. Make it specific, not generic. Ask yourself: What recognition do I wish I were receiving? Then give that to someone else. When reviewing pipeline or performance, comment on the effort, not just the outcome. Stop Outsourcing What Should Be Human The work you do as a sales leader matters. The people on your team matter. And the small moments where you choose to show up and recognize their effort—those matter most of all. Your team isn't waiting for the next corporate initiative or the annual awards ceremony. They're waiting for you to notice. They're waiting for you to care enough to say something about the work they're doing right now. Stop outsourcing what should be human. Lead with authentic appreciation today, and watch your team thrive. Want to turn recognition into motivation that sticks? Our Sales Gravy University course, 4 Keys to Keeping Your Sales Team Motivated When Everything Hits the Fan, gives you the proven framework to transform appreciation into performance. Learn how to build a sales culture where people feel seen, valued, and driven — even in hard times.
WhatCopsWatch – Putting a Human Face on Those Behind the Badge – Education, Entertainment, COPS.
You likely know the word Waco, but what do you think when I say the name Gary Noesner? Well, Gary was there during Waco and many other incidents throughout his decades long career in the FBI. Today on the Crisis Cop podcast you're going to learn more about Gary Noesner. Be sure to Like Subscribe and Share this episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network via WhatCopsWatch.Com... The Crisis Cop Podcast Podcast Links Bar: Connect with The Host! Subscribe to This Podcast Now! This program is one of the many parts of The WhatCopsWatch.Com Effort! Rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts. the Ultimate success for every podcaster is FEEDBACK! Not an Apple Podcasts user? No problem! Be sure to cherck out any of the other many growing podcast directories online to find this and many other podcasts on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network! Housekeeping -- The Editor Corps - Make Your Podcast Soar: There's only one question to ask: Why are YOU still editing your podcast? Reclaim the time you spend on editing (easily at least twice the time you spend on capturing the program) to make more great content by enlisting "The Editor Corps" who will "Make Your Podcast Soar!" http://EditorCorps.Com -- The Voice Farm: Fred Wilkerson, Mike's Father that died in the first few days of 2018, always dreamed of a place that those interested in Voiceover could go to learn more about the industry and experience - without all the BS that goes with it. We build it four and a half years go and it continues to provide new voiceover artists and businesses looking for voiceover talent a place to go and secure great voiceover artists. http://VoiceFarmers.Com Two Great Ways to Listen/Watch! We are proud to provide you both a dedicated AUDIO and VIDEO presentation for this program! To Listen Now: Hit the play button in the player on this page or hit the Subscribe button on your favorite Podcast Directory to instantly get these episodes when they release! To Watch Now: Visit this program on YouTube, or hit the window located below to see the hosts, guests and light bulb moments that make this program special! https://youtu.be/2LgI3OosOdw?si=2-huzk1Bbev-pBAm The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast: Looking for the detailed links, information and references used inside this episode? Read on below to find them all and remember to reach out to ask if there's something else you'd like to see from this episode! Timestamps for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast: 00:00 FBI Negotiator's Extensive 30-Year Career 03:15 Origins of FBI Negotiation Training 08:26 "Lessons from Hostage Negotiations" 10:32 "Waco: Negotiation Success and Challenges" 13:34 "Conflicting Strategies in Negotiations" 17:37 "Tragedy and Blame on Koresh" 21:15 Development of the HOBAS Data System 28:04 Team Collaboration Enhances Negotiation Success 33:18 "Former FBI Agent Shares Story" 34:11 "Journey of Writing and Editing" 40:04 Formation of National Negotiation Collective 42:03 Guidelines for Viable Negotiation Programs 46:07 July 4th, Beeper, and Crisis 50:25 "Empathy and Connection in Negotiation" 52:32 "Expert Insights on Negotiation Strategies" 55:05 Advocating for Negotiation-Driven Solutions 58:10 "Reflecting on Negotiations and Saving Lives" Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Cops and Robbers Talk: Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator describes “stalling for time” as a core negotiation strategy. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach in high-stakes crisis situations? The episode covers some common misconceptions about the Waco incident. Based on Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator's perspective, how do media narratives shape public understanding of law enforcement actions during major crises? Negotiations are often described as a team effort, contrary to Hollywood portrayals of lone negotiators. What are the key roles on a negotiation team, and how do they contribute to successful outcomes? Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator emphasizes the importance of “active listening” skills. Why do you think active listening became such a transformative practice in crisis negotiation, and can you think of examples outside law enforcement where these skills are essential? The episode discusses how organizational leadership can sometimes be at odds with negotiation teams during incidents like Waco. What are some strategies negotiators can use to gain and maintain the trust of incident commanders? Reflecting on the aftermath of Waco, what lessons were learned that changed FBI and police procedures in crisis negotiations going forward? Are these changes still relevant today? The HOBA system was developed to gather statistics on negotiation situations. How can data collection and analysis improve future crisis negotiation tactics and outcomes? Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator argues that “negotiations never fail.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? What advice from Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator's career do you think is most applicable for someone just starting out in crisis negotiation or any other high-pressure communications field? The episode touches on the international and national collaboration between negotiators (Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator mentions NCNA and international working groups). How important is collaboration across departments, regions, or countries in building stronger crisis negotiation practices? Links from this Episode: -- Get All of Pat's Books via Amazon Now! - Crisis Cops: The Evolution of Crisis Negotiation in America - Crisis Cop 2: More Stories from the Front Lines of Crisis Negotiation - Calming the Chaos: My Life as a Crisis Negotiator in the St. Louis Area 2GuysTalking Podcast Network Link to the Network's homepage to provide listeners with more background. 2GuysTalking Podcast Network Guest Introduction: Gary Noesner Discover Gary's decades-long FBI career and role in major incidents like Waco. More info: Gary Noesner's Official Site Gary Noesner's Book: “Stalling for Time” Real stories and negotiation lessons from his FBI career. Find the book: Stalling for Time on Amazon Waco Insight Gary's perspective on the negotiation at Waco and unraveling the truth behind common misconceptions. Reference: Waco: The Series on Paramount HOBAS System The Hostage Barricade Database System developed after Waco, tracking negotiation statistics. Learn more: FBI HOBAS Overview Active Listening Skills in Negotiation Why active listening became the centerpiece of FBI training, thanks to Gary's influence. Training resource: Active Listening Skills in Law Enforcement The National Council of Negotiation Associations (NCNA) National guidelines and best practices for negotiation teams, co-founded by Gary. Details: NCNA Official Guidelines Icons of Influence New video series with Gary, Jack Cambria, and Andy Prisco, sharing negotiation wisdom. Watch: Jumpstart Mastery - Icons of Influence Radio and Television News Directors Association Guidelines Best practices for news media at crisis scenes. Find the guidelines: RTNDA Codes of Ethics VoiceFarmers Voiceover Academy Voiceover training and services, as featured in the episode. Learn more: VoiceFarmers.com BlueBaggersProject.com – Roleplaying for Crisis Training Help train crisis negotiators by joining the Blue Baggers Project. Support and info: BlueBaggersProject.com Perpetual Advertising How podcast advertising offers replayability and long-term impact. Get details: Two Guys Talking - Perpetual Advertising Be sure to Like, Subscribe & Share Everywhere! ==== Connect with Pat Doering - The Crisis Cop Today! — Pat Doering on Facebook — Pat Doering on LinkedIn — Pat Doering on Instagram — Crisis Cop on the Web -- Crisis Cop on YouTube ==== Help Us Tell People About 10+ Years of WhatCopsWatch.Com: On the Web: https://whatcopswatch.com/ At Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... At Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9.... On Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46.... On Facebook: / whatcopswatch Calls to the Audience Inside this Episode: — Did you know that it ALL STARTED with John & Al's Sporting Goods? What was your favorite light bulb moment that YOU discovered in this episode? Tell us Your Perspective About This Episode Now! Be an Advertiser/Sponsor for This Program! Tell us what you think! It's never too late to be an advertiser in this podcast, thanks to Perpetual Advertising! Contact CrisisCop.Com now and learn more about why podcasting allows your advertising dollar to live across millions of future listeners – FOREVER! Tell Us What You Think About The Crisis Cop Podcast: Tell us what you think and we'll use your comments in a future ALL-FAN-INPUT Episode! Educating the public is what we've based all of our programming on and we're eager to connect with others who are doing it! Know about another podcast , YouTuber or other media generator making a difference in the way of perspective when it comes to law enforcement? Tell us about them now and we'll link to them and have them on a future episode of CrisisCop.Com! The Host of this Program: Pat Doering Pat Doering began his career as a police officer in 1996 and has served as a Police Hostage Negotiator since 2004. He has received formal negotiation training from the FBI, the London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), and the Negotiation Program at Harvard University. As a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 248),
The 2GuysTalking All You Can Eat Podcast Buffet - Everything We've Got - Listen Now!
You likely know the word Waco, but what do you think when I say the name Gary Noesner? Well, Gary was there during Waco and many other incidents throughout his decades long career in the FBI. Today on the Crisis Cop podcast you're going to learn more about Gary Noesner. Be sure to Like Subscribe and Share this episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network via WhatCopsWatch.Com... The Crisis Cop Podcast Podcast Links Bar: Connect with The Host! Subscribe to This Podcast Now! This program is one of the many parts of The WhatCopsWatch.Com Effort! Rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts. the Ultimate success for every podcaster is FEEDBACK! Not an Apple Podcasts user? No problem! Be sure to cherck out any of the other many growing podcast directories online to find this and many other podcasts on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network! Housekeeping -- The Editor Corps - Make Your Podcast Soar: There's only one question to ask: Why are YOU still editing your podcast? Reclaim the time you spend on editing (easily at least twice the time you spend on capturing the program) to make more great content by enlisting "The Editor Corps" who will "Make Your Podcast Soar!" http://EditorCorps.Com -- The Voice Farm: Fred Wilkerson, Mike's Father that died in the first few days of 2018, always dreamed of a place that those interested in Voiceover could go to learn more about the industry and experience - without all the BS that goes with it. We build it four and a half years go and it continues to provide new voiceover artists and businesses looking for voiceover talent a place to go and secure great voiceover artists. http://VoiceFarmers.Com Two Great Ways to Listen/Watch! We are proud to provide you both a dedicated AUDIO and VIDEO presentation for this program! To Listen Now: Hit the play button in the player on this page or hit the Subscribe button on your favorite Podcast Directory to instantly get these episodes when they release! To Watch Now: Visit this program on YouTube, or hit the window located below to see the hosts, guests and light bulb moments that make this program special! https://youtu.be/2LgI3OosOdw?si=2-huzk1Bbev-pBAm The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast: Looking for the detailed links, information and references used inside this episode? Read on below to find them all and remember to reach out to ask if there's something else you'd like to see from this episode! Timestamps for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast: 00:00 FBI Negotiator's Extensive 30-Year Career 03:15 Origins of FBI Negotiation Training 08:26 "Lessons from Hostage Negotiations" 10:32 "Waco: Negotiation Success and Challenges" 13:34 "Conflicting Strategies in Negotiations" 17:37 "Tragedy and Blame on Koresh" 21:15 Development of the HOBAS Data System 28:04 Team Collaboration Enhances Negotiation Success 33:18 "Former FBI Agent Shares Story" 34:11 "Journey of Writing and Editing" 40:04 Formation of National Negotiation Collective 42:03 Guidelines for Viable Negotiation Programs 46:07 July 4th, Beeper, and Crisis 50:25 "Empathy and Connection in Negotiation" 52:32 "Expert Insights on Negotiation Strategies" 55:05 Advocating for Negotiation-Driven Solutions 58:10 "Reflecting on Negotiations and Saving Lives" Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Cops and Robbers Talk: Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator describes “stalling for time” as a core negotiation strategy. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach in high-stakes crisis situations? The episode covers some common misconceptions about the Waco incident. Based on Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator's perspective, how do media narratives shape public understanding of law enforcement actions during major crises? Negotiations are often described as a team effort, contrary to Hollywood portrayals of lone negotiators. What are the key roles on a negotiation team, and how do they contribute to successful outcomes? Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator emphasizes the importance of “active listening” skills. Why do you think active listening became such a transformative practice in crisis negotiation, and can you think of examples outside law enforcement where these skills are essential? The episode discusses how organizational leadership can sometimes be at odds with negotiation teams during incidents like Waco. What are some strategies negotiators can use to gain and maintain the trust of incident commanders? Reflecting on the aftermath of Waco, what lessons were learned that changed FBI and police procedures in crisis negotiations going forward? Are these changes still relevant today? The HOBA system was developed to gather statistics on negotiation situations. How can data collection and analysis improve future crisis negotiation tactics and outcomes? Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator argues that “negotiations never fail.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? What advice from Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator's career do you think is most applicable for someone just starting out in crisis negotiation or any other high-pressure communications field? The episode touches on the international and national collaboration between negotiators (Gary Noesner - Crisis Negotiator mentions NCNA and international working groups). How important is collaboration across departments, regions, or countries in building stronger crisis negotiation practices? Links from this Episode: -- Get All of Pat's Books via Amazon Now! - Crisis Cops: The Evolution of Crisis Negotiation in America - Crisis Cop 2: More Stories from the Front Lines of Crisis Negotiation - Calming the Chaos: My Life as a Crisis Negotiator in the St. Louis Area 2GuysTalking Podcast Network Link to the Network's homepage to provide listeners with more background. 2GuysTalking Podcast Network Guest Introduction: Gary Noesner Discover Gary's decades-long FBI career and role in major incidents like Waco. More info: Gary Noesner's Official Site Gary Noesner's Book: “Stalling for Time” Real stories and negotiation lessons from his FBI career. Find the book: Stalling for Time on Amazon Waco Insight Gary's perspective on the negotiation at Waco and unraveling the truth behind common misconceptions. Reference: Waco: The Series on Paramount HOBAS System The Hostage Barricade Database System developed after Waco, tracking negotiation statistics. Learn more: FBI HOBAS Overview Active Listening Skills in Negotiation Why active listening became the centerpiece of FBI training, thanks to Gary's influence. Training resource: Active Listening Skills in Law Enforcement The National Council of Negotiation Associations (NCNA) National guidelines and best practices for negotiation teams, co-founded by Gary. Details: NCNA Official Guidelines Icons of Influence New video series with Gary, Jack Cambria, and Andy Prisco, sharing negotiation wisdom. Watch: Jumpstart Mastery - Icons of Influence Radio and Television News Directors Association Guidelines Best practices for news media at crisis scenes. Find the guidelines: RTNDA Codes of Ethics VoiceFarmers Voiceover Academy Voiceover training and services, as featured in the episode. Learn more: VoiceFarmers.com BlueBaggersProject.com – Roleplaying for Crisis Training Help train crisis negotiators by joining the Blue Baggers Project. Support and info: BlueBaggersProject.com Perpetual Advertising How podcast advertising offers replayability and long-term impact. Get details: Two Guys Talking - Perpetual Advertising Be sure to Like, Subscribe & Share Everywhere! ==== Connect with Pat Doering - The Crisis Cop Today! — Pat Doering on Facebook — Pat Doering on LinkedIn — Pat Doering on Instagram — Crisis Cop on the Web -- Crisis Cop on YouTube ==== Help Us Tell People About 10+ Years of WhatCopsWatch.Com: On the Web: https://whatcopswatch.com/ At Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast.... At Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9.... On Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46.... On Facebook: / whatcopswatch Calls to the Audience Inside this Episode: — Did you know that it ALL STARTED with John & Al's Sporting Goods? What was your favorite light bulb moment that YOU discovered in this episode? Tell us Your Perspective About This Episode Now! Be an Advertiser/Sponsor for This Program! Tell us what you think! It's never too late to be an advertiser in this podcast, thanks to Perpetual Advertising! Contact CrisisCop.Com now and learn more about why podcasting allows your advertising dollar to live across millions of future listeners – FOREVER! Tell Us What You Think About The Crisis Cop Podcast: Tell us what you think and we'll use your comments in a future ALL-FAN-INPUT Episode! Educating the public is what we've based all of our programming on and we're eager to connect with others who are doing it! Know about another podcast , YouTuber or other media generator making a difference in the way of perspective when it comes to law enforcement? Tell us about them now and we'll link to them and have them on a future episode of CrisisCop.Com! The Host of this Program: Pat Doering Pat Doering began his career as a police officer in 1996 and has served as a Police Hostage Negotiator since 2004. He has received formal negotiation training from the FBI, the London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), and the Negotiation Program at Harvard University. As a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 248),
Welcome to episode #1011 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). We tend to romanticize leadership as an act of personal brilliance, but the deeper story is often about the people who understand what truly moves human beings toward one another. Jon Levy has built a career around that question. A renowned human behavioral scientist, consultant and creator of the long-running Influencers Dinner - a global, invitation-only experiment where guests cook together anonymously to dissolve status cues and foster authentic connection - Jon has spent over fifteen years studying why people bond, collaborate and trust. His work has brought Olympians, Nobel laureates, astronauts, CEOs, creators, and even political leaders into the same kitchen, all guided by his curiosity about what helps human beings unlock their best collective instincts. Jon is also the author of The 2 AM Principle and You're Invited, books that explore adventure, belonging, and the science of human connection. His newest book, Team Intelligence - How Brilliant Leaders Unlock Collective Genius, extends this exploration into the workplace, challenging long-held assumptions about leadership, performance, and why great teams succeed. In this conversation, Jon talks through the surprising behaviors that shape genuine relationships, the role anonymity plays in reducing status pressure, the misconceptions organizations hold about star performers, the importance of emotional intelligence, and why bonus structures often undermine collaboration. He touches on the future of hybrid work, the psychology of status, the gap between individual excellence and team effectiveness, and the small but essential habits that allow groups to think more clearly and solve problems more intelligently. Above all, the discussion offers a window into the mind of someone who has spent his career studying how people come together, and how leaders can create the conditions for teams to do their best thinking. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 55:34. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Jon Levy. Influencers Dinner. Team Intelligence - How Brilliant Leaders Unlock Collective Genius. You're Invited. The 2 AM Principle. Follow Jon on LinkedIn. Follow Jon on Instagram. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to John Levy and His Unique Dinners. (02:54) - The Art of Inviting Extraordinary Guests. (06:07) - The Power of Anonymity in Social Interactions. (09:04) - The Impact of Status on Connections. (11:59) - Exploring Team Dynamics and Human Connection. (14:28) - The Future of Work and Employee Expectations. (17:39) - Rethinking Leadership and Team Intelligence. (20:27) - The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Teams. (23:10) - Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Talent. (26:13) - The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Team Success. (29:48) - The Allure of Status and Leadership. (31:43) - Lessons from the Military and Sports. (33:37) - Understanding Team Dynamics and Player Contributions. (36:19) - The Role of Glue Players in Team Success. (40:32) - The Nature of Team Intelligence. (44:35) - The Impact of Corporate Structures on Teamwork. (52:08) - The Future of Team Intelligence in the Age of AI.
Justin McKenna, Director of Basketball Performance at Bucknell University, joins the Samson Strength Coach Collective to discuss his journey through the strength and conditioning world—from small-school beginnings to experiences at powerhouse programs like Duke and Kentucky. He dives into the importance of being adaptable, filling additional roles that support overall team operations, and developing systems that promote athlete ownership. Throughout the conversation, Justin highlights the role of nutrition, communication, and individualized training in maximizing performance. His perspective emphasizes that success in basketball performance isn't just about sets and reps, but about providing athletes with the tools, environment, and autonomy to grow.Key Takeaways:Justin's path from Division III athlete to Power 5 performance coach shaped his coaching versatility.Building genuine relationships is foundational for athlete buy-in.Nutrition and recovery innovations play a critical role in modern performance.Strength coaches must adapt to increasing demands and evolving athlete needs.Autonomy fosters investment—athletes perform better when they have a say.Individualized training strategies are essential in basketball performance.Creativity and alternative environments can keep athletes engaged.Strength coaches often fill additional roles beyond the weight room.Life skills built in sport can prepare athletes for long-term success.Quote:“Because at the end of the day, like if they're more invested, if they feel like they have a stake in what we're doing, they're going to give better outputs.” — Justin McKenna
Elana Friedman, an expert in organisational development and team dynamics, joins James Lawther and Jimmy Barber this week to discuss the secrets of high-performing teams.Elana shares her journey from South Africa to the UK, and how her experiences shaped her desire to help teams and organisations thrive. Together, the hosts and Elana explore the Adaptable Team Framework model and the elements that drive team success: clear outcomes, practical actions, and the right mindset.Some of the key points include:Why high performing teams are about more than just results—they're about meaning, enjoyment, and continuous learning.The importance of aligning systems and processes with team goals (and why “stop the stupid” is a mantra worth adopting!).How beliefs and assumptions shape team culture, and why healthy conflict and trust are vital.This episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips for anyone looking to boost their team's performance and enjoyment at work. And don't miss the cliffhanger—next time, Elana returns to discuss team leadership and learning rhythms!Listen now and discover how you can transform your team's potential. If you have any thoughts or questions? Reach out to us at Jimmy@jobdonewell.com or James@jobdonewell.com.Got a question - get in touch. Click here.
In unserem aktuellen Podcast mit Prof. Dr. Bettina Zweck beschäftigen wir uns mit der zentralen Frage, ob Führungskräfte ihr Team zu Wachstum befähigen – oder dessen Potenzial unbewusst ersticken. Zweck zeigt eindrücklich, dass Führung ein zweischneidiges Schwert sein kann: Sie kann Mitarbeitende zum Aufblühen bringen oder ihre Kreativität und Motivation unterdrücken. Entscheidend ist, ob Führung achtsam gestaltet wird.Achtsame Führung bedeutet für Zweck nicht Nettigkeit oder Wellness, sondern die bewusste Verantwortung, Mitarbeitenden den nötigen Handlungsspielraum zu geben, damit sie sich entfalten können. Das Job-Demand-Control-Modell bestätigt diese Perspektive: Menschen kommen mit hohen Anforderungen besser zurecht, wenn sie gleichzeitig Einflussmöglichkeiten besitzen. Dabei haben Mitarbeitende jedoch unterschiedliche Bedürfnisse – manche arbeiten am liebsten mit klaren Strukturen und Routine, während andere kreative Freiheit benötigen. Die Aufgabe der Führungskraft besteht deshalb darin, den passenden „Fit“ zwischen Person und Aufgabe herzustellen.Zweck betont, dass dies bereits bei der Personalauswahl beginnt. Strukturierte Interviews und Persönlichkeitstests können helfen, herauszufinden, wie viel Verantwortung, Autonomie oder Führung ein Mensch braucht. Fragen wie „Wie viel Handlungsspielraum wünschen Sie sich?“ oder „Welche Arbeitsumgebung unterstützt Sie am besten?“ sind dabei essenziell.Im Podcast wird außerdem der aktuelle Zustand der Führungskultur beleuchtet. Während moderne, agile Unternehmen bereits auf Offenheit und psychologische Sicherheit setzen, arbeiten andere noch in starren, hierarchischen Strukturen. Zweck warnt insbesondere vor destruktiven Führungsstilen, die von Narzissmus, Machiavellismus oder Psychopathie geprägt sind – der sogenannten „dunklen Triade“.Sie macht deutlich, dass eine gute Führungskraft ein Umfeld schafft, in dem Mitarbeitende Fehler machen dürfen, ohne Angst vor Abwertung zu haben. Psychologische Sicherheit ist die Grundlage dafür, dass Menschen wachsen, mutig handeln und ihr Potenzial entfalten können. Achtsame Führung ist deshalb kein Trend, sondern eine unternehmerische Notwendigkeit, die langfristigen Erfolg sichert.Unternehmen profitieren von einer Kultur, die Mitarbeitende stärkt, ihre individuellen Bedürfnisse berücksichtigt und ihnen erlaubt, Verantwortung zu übernehmen. So entsteht ein Umfeld, in dem Menschen aufblühen – nicht, weil sie müssen, sondern weil sie können.
Wandering But Not Lost Podcast | Real Estate Coaching & Wandering Zen
In this week's episode, Jan O'Brien and Matt Emerson dive into the core leadership skills every real estate team leader and broker must master to create a high-performing, connected, and growth-focused team. You'll learn how to lead with emotional intelligence, clarity, and humility — the hallmarks of what Jim Collins calls Level 5 Leadership in Good to Great. Whether you're leading two agents or twenty, this episode will help you develop the mindset and habits that transform culture and performance. Find our show notes at https://www.wbnlpodcast.com
On this episode of the Off the Blue Podcast presented by Select Health, Boise State women's golfer Leia Chung joins the show to discuss her recent wins, her mental approach, growing up in Hawai'i, and much more.Timestamps- 0:00 - 1:00 - Intro, 1:01 - 1:44 -Earning First Wins, 1:45 - 2:29 - Team Success, 2:30 - 3:44 - Mental Game, 3:45 - 7:00 - Practice + Growth, 7:01 - 7:45 - Coach Downs, 7:46 - 9:30 - Growing up in Hawai'i, 9:31 - 12:20 - Life in Boise, 12:21 - 14:20 - Watching the Pros, 14:21- 16:15 - What's Next?, 16:16 - 17:15 - Mentoring Teammates, 17:16 - 18:58 - Support from Bronco Nation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Welcome BACK to The Lions Den!This week, Andrew Rappelyea goes in-depth with Anthony Donkoh, the inspiring offensive lineman for Penn State football, as he shares his incredible journey from Ghana to becoming a Nittany Lions star! From his upbringing in Virginia with Ghanaian immigrant parents to embracing his role as a leader on the field, Anthony's story is one of resilience, faith, and dedication.Here's what to expect:- Anthony's early love for football and how Pop Warner days shaped his passion for the game - The big picture of his high school football journey, from freshman team to varsity standout - Keys to success: overcoming injuries, embracing challenges, and staying motivated - His connection with Penn State coaches and what solidified his decision to commit early- How his faith and family drive him to achieve greatness on and off the field- A behind-the-scenes look at Penn State football's unique team culture and brotherhoodFOLLOW STATE MEDIA HERE:► TWITTER | https://twitter.com/StateMediaPSU► TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@statemediapsu► INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/statemediapsu/► YOUTUBE | https://www.youtube.com/@StateMediaPSU?sub_confirmation=1► FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558183472272CHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro07:29 - Football Journey13:54 - Recruitment Process19:50 - Gratitude for Playing Opportunities23:10 - Team Success and Individual Recognition24:34 - Overcoming Loss and Adversity26:38 - Relationship with Coach Franklin36:04 - Personal Motivation#collegefootball #nfl #cfb #pennstate #weare #happyvalley #football #sunday #saturday
Alex Sloley: When Toxic Leadership Creates Teams That Self-Destruct Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "They would take notes at every team meeting, so that later on they could argue with team members about what they committed to, and what they said in meetings." - Alex Sloley Alex recounts working with a small team where a project manager created such a toxic environment that one new hire quit after just eight hours on the job. This PM would belittle team members publicly, take detailed notes to use as weapons in contract negotiations, and dominate the team through intimidation. The situation became so severe that one team member sent an email that sounded like a suicide note. When the PM criticized Alex's "slide deck velocity," comparing four slides per 15 minutes to Alex's one, he realized the environment was beyond salvaging. Despite coaching the team and attempting to introduce Scrum values, Alex ultimately concluded that management was encouraging this behavior as a control mechanism. The organization lacked trust in the team, creating learned helplessness where team members became submissive and unable to resist. Sometimes, the most important lesson for a Scrum Master is recognizing when a system is too toxic to change and having the courage to walk away. Alex emphasizes that respect—one of the core Scrum values—was completely absent, making any meaningful transformation impossible. In this segment, we talk about “learned helplessness”. Self-reflection Question: How do you recognize when a toxic environment is being actively encouraged by the system rather than caused by individual behavior? What are the signs that it's time to exit rather than continue fighting? Featured Book of the Week: The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt Alex describes his complex relationship with The Goal by Goldratt—it both inspires and worries him. He struggles with the text because the concepts are so deep and meaningful that he's never quite sure he's fully understood everything Goldratt was trying to convey. The book was difficult to read, taking him four times longer than other agile-related books, and he had to reread entire sections multiple times. Despite the challenge, the concepts around Theory of Constraints and systems thinking have stayed with him for years. Alex worries late at night that he might have missed something important in the book. He also mentions reading The Scrum Guide at least once a week, finding new tidbits each time and reflecting on why specific segments say what they say. Both books share a common thread—the text that isn't in the text—requiring readers to dig deeper into the underlying principles and meanings rather than just the surface content. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Renee Troughton: The Hidden Cost of Constant Restructuring in Agile Organizations Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "Trust and safety are the most fundamental foundations of a team to perform. And so you are just breaking the core of teams when you're doing this." Renee challenges us to look beyond team dysfunction and examine the "dirty little secrets" in organizations—leadership-driven anti-patterns that destroy team performance. She reveals a cyclical pattern of constant restructuring that occurs every six months in many organizations, driven by leaders who avoid difficult performance management conversations and instead force people through redundancy rounds. This creates a cascade of fear, panic, and victim mindset throughout the organization. Beyond restructuring, Renee identifies other destructive patterns including the C-suite shuffle (where new CEOs bring in their own teams, cascading change throughout the organization) and the insourcing/outsourcing swings that create chaos over 5-8 year cycles. These high-level decisions drain productivity for months as teams storm and reform, losing critical knowledge and breaking the trust and safety that are fundamental for high performance. Renee emphasizes that as Agile coaches and Scrum Masters, we often don't feel empowered to challenge these decisions, yet they represent the biggest drain on organizational productivity. Self-reflection Question: Have you identified the cyclical organizational anti-patterns in your workplace, and do you have the courage to raise these systemic issues with senior leadership? Featured Book of the Week: Loving What Is by Byron Katie "It teaches you around how to reframe your thoughts in the day-to-day life, to assess them in a different light than you would normally perceive them to be." Renee recommends "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie as an essential tool for Scrum Master introspection. This book teaches practical techniques for reframing thoughts and recognizing that problems we perceive "out there" are often internal framing issues. Katie's method, called "The Work," provides a worksheet-based approach to introspection that helps identify when our perceptions create unnecessary suffering. Renee also highlights Marshall Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication" as a companion book, which uses language to tap into underlying emotions and needs. Both books offer practical, actionable techniques for self-knowledge—a critical skill for anyone in the Scrum Master role. The journey these books provide leads to inner peace through understanding that many challenges stem from how we internally frame situations rather than external reality. We have many episodes on NVC, Nonviolent Communication, which you can dive into and learn from experienced practitioners. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Send us a MessageIn this episode of Culture Change RX, Capstone's Cofounder & CEO Sue Tetzlaff unpacks a common pattern in healthcare organizations: one leader or department excelling while the rest of the hospital struggles to keep up. These bright spots, while encouraging, are often fragile and siloed. Sue contrasts this episodic excellence with the power of systemic success—when every leader, every team, and every department is aligned and performing at high levels.Episodic excellence feels good in the moment but is fragile and unsustainable.Relying on a single standout leader or department creates imbalance and single points of failure.True culture change happens when success spreads across all leaders, departments, and teams.Tactics that can move organizations from isolated wins to systemic success:Adopt a unified leadership model.Create structures to spread best practices.Hard-wire accountability to organization-wide outcomes.Systemic success compounds: engagement boosts patient experience, which improves financial performance.She shares the root causes of isolated excellence, the risks it creates, and practical strategies for leaders to spread success organization-wide. From adopting a common leadership model to creating accountability structures that reinforce shared goals, Sue highlights how to build resilience, agility, and lasting results.Capstone helps rural hospitals be the provider- and employer-of-choice to keep care local and margins strong. Learn more via a complimentary consultation call. Schedule at: CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-UsHi! I'm Sue Tetzlaff. I'm a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong.For decades, I've worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I've learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It's the hardest thing, and it determines everything.When you're ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you:1. Listen to the Culture Change RX PodcastEvery week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email NewsletterGet practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won't find on the podcast.
Can sharing personal stories at work really boost your well-being and productivity? In my latest solo episode, I explore the fascinating dynamics of self-disclosure in the workplace, drawing insights from recent research. Discover how sharing positive experiences can elevate emotional well-being, enhance work energy, and foster deeper connections with colleagues, while venting about negative experiences might have the opposite effect.We also examine the motivations behind why we share, including connecting, venting, or seeking advice, and how they impact our well-being. To close, we consider the intriguing interplay of mismatched intentions, where what we are looking for is not returned and how Craig also unpacks the intriguing concept of response mismatches, where the intention to connect can be misaligned and strategies we can use, as both a sharer and listener, to avoid this unfortunate outcome.Tune in as explore an issue that we all face and learn evidence-based practices that can deepen the quality of our communication and connection.What You'll Learn- How sharing positive experiences can boost your energy and strengthen connections with colleagues- The potential downsides of venting- The crucial role of intentions in self-disclosure; why we share impacts what we receive in return- The role of intention in improving the quality of our conversations- How to avoid misalignment between our intentions and our impactKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Group Dynamics, Positive Communication, Self-Disclosure, Emotional Well-being, Mental Health, Managing Professional Relationships, Lead with Intention, High-Quality Conversations, Team Success, The Power of Vulnerability, Emotional Regulation, Support, CEO SuccessRESOURCESDo you have a minute? The cognitive and emotional consequences of self-disclosures at work - PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40424152/
Send us a MessageIn this Culture Byte episode of Culture Change RX, Capstone's Cofounder & CEO Sue Tetzlaff shares a Story That Inspires about the power of goal-setting. Sue explains how setting and achieving goals not only helps organizations reach targets but also elevates the behavior, performance, and contributions of individuals and teams. By engaging employees in goal-setting, leaders create a pathway to cultural transformation—turning “this is how we do things around here” into “this is how we do things better.” Through a story of a community hospital's housekeeping department, Sue illustrates how goals can shift culture, drive results, and create meaningful change across the organization.Goal-setting isn't just about achieving more—it elevates behaviors and performance.Engaging employees in the process of setting and achieving goals boosts ownership and contribution.Department-level goals can ripple outward, impacting the entire organization.Culture shifts when “this is how we do things” becomes “this is how we do things better.”Real stories, like that of a housekeeping department, prove that goal-setting drives culture change and results.Capstone helps rural hospitals be the provider- and employer-of-choice to keep care local and margins strong. Learn more via a complimentary consultation call. Schedule at: CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-UsHi! I'm Sue Tetzlaff. I'm a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong.For decades, I've worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I've learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It's the hardest thing, and it determines everything.When you're ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you:1. Listen to the Culture Change RX PodcastEvery week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email NewsletterGet practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won't find on the podcast.
Tom Molenaar: How to Spot and Fix Lack of Trust in Scrum Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "When people don't speak up, it's because there's no trust. The team showed that they did not feel free to express their opinions." Tom describes working with a team that appeared to be performing well on the surface - they were reaching their goals and had processes in place. However, deeper observation revealed a troubling dynamic: a few dominant voices controlled discussions while half the team remained silent during ceremonies. Through one-on-ones, Tom discovered team members felt judged and unsafe to express their ideas. Using the Lencioni Pyramid as a framework, he helped the team address the fundamental lack of trust that was preventing constructive conflict and genuine collaboration. Featured Book of the Week: Empowered by Marty Cagan Tom recommends "Empowered" by Marty Cagan as a book that significantly influenced his approach to team coaching. The book focuses on empowering teams and organizations to deliver great products while developing ordinary people into extraordinary performing teams. Tom appreciates its well-structured approach that covers all necessary elements without getting lost in details. The book provides practical tools for effective coaching, including techniques for regular one-on-ones, active listening, constructive feedback, setting clear expectations, celebrating success, and creating a culture of learning from failure. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Terry Haayema: The High Cost of Unsafe Agile Retrospectives Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "She was kind of like the mum for the team... she was actually the glue that held the team together." Terry tells the story of a team that was functioning like a feature factory until a business analyst became their champion and "team mom." This BA supported everyone through agile transformation and helped build trust and healthy conflict. However, when she mentioned something in a retrospective that led to her being put on performance management and eventually leaving, the team rapidly self-destructed. They lost their sense of belonging and teamness, retreating back to working as independent professionals rather than collaborating. The story illustrates how leadership actions can instantly destroy weeks or months of trust-building work, and how critical psychological safety is for sustainable team performance. For more critical points on how to be a great leader, check this episode with Captain David Marquet, a thought leader in the leadership space who wrote Turn the Ship Around! Featured Book of the Week: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Terry credits The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni as massively influential in his career, particularly praising how Lencioni demonstrates that without trust as a foundation, teams cannot achieve anything else. The book's framework shows how lack of trust prevents healthy conflict, which prevents commitment, which prevents accountability, which prevents results. Terry found the way Lencioni illustrates these dysfunctions and their cascading effects to be incredibly valuable for understanding team dynamics and what's needed to build high-performing teams. In this segment, we also refer to Agile Software Development with Scrum, by Schwaber and Beedle. Self-reflection Question: What would happen to your team's dynamics if your most supportive, trust-building team member suddenly left tomorrow? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Remember that gut-clenching fear of speaking up in class? Organizational psychologist Rafael Chiuzi reveals how that same feeling shows up in the workplace, limiting productivity and the free exchange of ideas. Backed by decades of research and hands-on consulting, he unpacks the science of psychological safety — and shares three actionable steps to build teams where curiosity thrives and courage replaces fear.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyouTEDSports: ted.com/sportsTEDAI Vienna: ted.com/ai-viennaTEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SummaryIn the latest episode of Service Evolution, Jim Robinson, Neil McQuiston, and Skyler Coffey, come together to tackle one of the most critical and often overlooked elements of sales success: building a winning sales culture.The conversation kicks off with each speaker sharing what sales culture means to them. Neil emphasizes that it's about more than just numbers—it's the foundation of teamwork, motivation, and trust. Skyler adds that a healthy sales culture creates an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to improve. Jim, drawing from his experiences in team leadership, highlights the importance of transparent communication and recognizing every win, no matter how small.The trio dig into practical steps for cultivating this culture. They discuss everything from hiring for cultural fit to ongoing coaching, and the value of setting shared goals. One standout point: sales leaders should model the attitudes and work ethics they want to see. This sets the tone for the rest of the team.Listeners also get actionable advice on navigating obstacles such as remote work, internal competition, and maintaining morale through tough quarters. All three agree—celebrating wins and learning from losses are equally crucial for long-term growth. Whether you're a sales manager or a sales rep, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and real-world examples for elevating your team's performance!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(04:27) Celebrating Wins After Forty Years(07:59) The Ubiquity of Sales(11:19) Effective Team Collaboration(14:03 Overcoming Sales Resistance Barriers(16:48) Exploring Engaging Sales StrategiesLinksJim Robinson CGP Maintenance and Construction ServicesNeil McQuistonSkyler Coffey
Shawn Dsouza: The Database Migration Disaster— Why Software Development Teams Need Psychological Safety Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn worked with a skilled team migrating a database from local to cloud-based systems, supported by a strong Product Owner. Despite surface-level success in ceremonies, he noticed the team avoided discussing difficult topics. After three months of seemingly smooth progress, they delivered to pre-production only to discover 140 critical issues. The root cause? Unspoken disagreements and tensions that festered beneath polite ceremony facades. The situation deteriorated to the point where a senior engineer quit, teaching Shawn that pausing to address underlying issues doesn't cost time—it builds sustainability. In this segment, we refer to the episodes with Mahesh Jade, a previous guest on the Scrum Master Toolbox podcast. Featured Book of the Week: The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier Shawn discovered this transformative book when he realized he was talking too much in team meetings despite wanting to add value. The Advice Trap revealed how his instinct to give advice, though well-intentioned, was actually self-defeating. The book taught him to stay curious longer and ask better questions rather than rushing to provide solutions. As Shawn puts it, "The minute you think you have the answer you stop listening"—a lesson that fundamentally changed his coaching approach and helped him become more effective with his teams. Self-reflection Question: When working with teams, do you find yourself jumping to advice-giving mode, or do you stay curious long enough to truly understand the underlying challenges? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Scott Stirrett, the inspiring entrepreneur and author, graces us with his presence to unravel the wisdom behind his latest book, "The Uncertainty Advantage: Launching Your Career in an Era of Rapid Change." Scott candidly shares personal battles with anxiety, OCD, burnout, and imposter syndrome, revealing how vulnerability and storytelling can transform uncertainty into a powerful tool for growth. Through Scott's lens, we explore the idea that embracing the unknown can unlock untapped potential and drive both personal and professional success.We tackle the pressing issue of burnout, distinguishing it from typical stress and uncovering how mindfulness can be a key player in managing it. Scott and I dive into practical strategies that help identify burnout's root causes, often hidden in misalignment with personal values or toxic environments, and offer actionable advice on mitigating its effects. For those skeptical about mindfulness, we share simple practices to integrate reflection into daily life, helping build resilience and safeguard mental health amidst chaos.As the world of work evolves, the conversation shifts toward the future, where skills like collaboration and communication become indispensable. We discuss how embracing intelligent failures and risk-taking leads to success, highlighting the myth of the singular big risk and emphasizing the importance of a strong support network. Leaders will find valuable insights on fostering a culture that thrives in uncertainty, celebrating both achievements and failures, and making informed decisions with limited data. This episode is packed with enriching perspectives on navigating uncertainty with confidence and compassion.What You'll Learn- How to embrace and leverage uncertainty for personal and professional growth- Unpacking mindfulness for skeptics- Strategies for conquering burnout and maintaining well-being - Insights into mastering intelligent risk-taking- The power and practice of self-compassion- Strategies for maximizing team clarity, alignment, and trustPodcast Timestamps(00:00) – A Personal Window into the Uncertainty Advantage(08:03) – The Role of Mindfulness in Managing Burnout(14:55) – The Power of Self-Compassion in for Navigating Uncertainty(18:45) – Dealing with Impostor Syndrome(27:02) – The Upside of Stress(35:24) – Failure as a Path to Success(41:58) – How to Build Resilient and Adaptable Teams|Connect with Scott Stirrett:Website: https://www.scottstirrett.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottstirrett/Buy the Book: https://www.scottstirrett.com/the-uncertainty-advantageSubstack: https://scottstirrett.substack.com/archiveKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Group Dynamics, Team Success, Navigating Uncertainty, Managing Burnout, Practicing Mindfulness, Increasing Resilience, Stress Management, Dealing with Imposter Syndrome, The Power of Vulnerability, Emotional Regulation, Anti-Fragility, RULER, Intelligent Failures, Self-Compassion Support, Adaptability, CEO Success
Bernie Maloney: The Triangulation Technique—Coaching Agile Teams Through Challenges Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernie identifies critical patterns that cause teams to self-destruct, with lack of clarity about intention being the most common culprit. When teams are treated as mere "task workers" without clear vision, strategy, or goals, they become depressed and directionless. Some teams seek forgiveness after failed experiments, while others get stuck seeking permission without taking enough self-leadership. Bernie emphasizes that waiting for direction is fundamentally self-destructive behavior, and Scrum Masters must create safety for teams to reach high performance. He introduces the coaching technique of triangulation, where problems become a third point that coach and coachee examine together, side by side, rather than facing each other in opposition. In this segment, we talk about “What the Duck”, a Lego Serious Play workshop. Featured Book of the Week: Start with Why by Simon Sinek Bernie champions "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek as essential reading for Scrum Masters working to transform team culture. He explains that compelling stories are how leaders truly influence others, following the sequence of Attention-Emotion-Reason. This book helps Scrum Masters understand that their job fundamentally involves changing culture, and leaders must demonstrate the change they want to see. Bernie connects this to the broader leadership challenge of developing coaching and mentoring skills within organizational structures. During this segment, we also refer to the following books: Drive, By Dan Pink Change the Culture, Change the Game, by Connors et al. The Secret Language of Leadership, by Denning Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders, by Peshawaria The Geek Way, by McAfee Right Kind of Wrong, by Edmondson Self-reflection Question: What patterns of self-destructive behavior might your teams be exhibiting, and how could you help them move from seeking permission to taking ownership? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Colin Fisher: The Collective Edge Since his days as a professional jazz trumpet player, Colin Fisher has been fascinated by group dynamics. Today, he is an Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London's School of Management, researching the hidden processes of helping groups and teams in situations requiring creativity, improvisation, and complex decision-making. He is the author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups (Amazon, Bookshop). Most of us assume that the best thing we can do for our teams is to be a great coach as they're working together. That absolutely helps, but the research says that only 10% of group effectiveness is what we do once the team is underway. In this conversation, Colin and I explore how to get a lot better at the other 90%. Key Points The house always wins. If the structure isn't right for the team to succeed, little else matters in the long run. Leaders tend to put a majority of their attention on coaching teams in progress instead of the more significant work at the start of structuring and launching teams. Work on fixing structural problems before you focus on fixing the process. 60% of group effectiveness is determined by structure, 30% by the launch, and 10% by expert coaching. Critical for structure is the team goal being clear, important, and challenging. Be sure to document it. Negotiate roles, tasks, and jobs to support structure. Determine early how to articulate progress and highlight small wins. Ask yourself if the group has the right people to achieve the objective. Deep diversity that supports the goal is essential. Surface discussions about norms at the start, especially related to communication and storage of information. At a team launch, articulate why everyone is there, discuss key norms, and schedule a midpoint to reflect and align. Resources Mentioned The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups (Amazon, Bookshop) by Colin Fisher Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Create Team Guidelines, with Susan Gerke (episode 192) How to Generate Quick Wins, with Andy Kaufman (episode 496) How to Increase Team Performance Through Clarity, with David Burkus (episode 657) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.
Step into the fascinating world of group dynamics with our special guest, Colin Fisher, an associate professor at University College London and the creative mind behind the upcoming book, "The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups." Drawing from his rich experiences in research and consulting, Colin shares how groups can achieve greatness that far exceeds individual contributions. He highlights the importance of treating groups as unique entities, crucial for problem-solving and enhancing collaboration in daily and professional settings.Explore the secrets behind effective team composition as Colin guides us through the critical elements of social sensitivity, skill diversity, and intrinsic motivation. We underline the importance of forming teams with members who are socially aware and genuinely invested in their tasks. The discussion delves into empathy's role in team performance, offering actionable insights for leaders striving to build more cohesive and dynamic teams.We also tackle the complexities of remote and hybrid work environments and stress the importance of psychological safety, enabling team members to challenge norms without fear. From enhancing trust and communication to fostering adaptability, this conversation provides an evidence-informed roadmap for anyone seeking to unlock the full potential of their teams.What You'll Learn- Effective team composition through social sensitivity, skill diversity, and intrinsic motivation- The role of empathy in team performance and strategies for building cohesive, dynamic teams- The power of curiosity and inquiry in welcoming diverse perspectives and enhancing team dynamics- Challenges and opportunities in remote and hybrid work environments, emphasizing psychological safety and adaptability- Strategies for maximizing team clarity, alignment, and trustPodcast Timestamps(00:00) - The Power of Group Dynamics(15:09) - Effective Team Composition Through Social Sensitivity(20:21) - Improving Team Dynamics Through Inquiry(31:11) – Leading Remote and Hybrid Teams(42:16) - Maximizing Team Clarity and Alignment(50:31) - Dynamic Team Charters and Coaching InsightsKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Group Dynamics, Team Success, Social Sensitivity, Intrinsic Motivation, Empathy, Remote Work, Psychological Safety, Building Trust, Improving Team Communication, Team Building, Establishing Clear Goals, Maximizing Alignment, Elevating Curiosity, Active Listening, Continuous Communication, CEO Success
At some point, every sales team has experienced a “sales diva” You know the type: the top-performing rep who plays by their own rules. They cherry-pick leads, dodge meetings, ignore the CRM, and expect special treatment because of past wins. It starts small and it's a slippery slope into a toxic preferential culture that can hurt the other sales reps performers. In this episode of Sales is NOT a Dirty Word, I reveal why “sales divas” quietly destroy team culture, stall long-term growth, and keep founders stuck in a cycle of dependency. More importantly, you'll learn how to break the pattern before it sabotages your revenue. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔ Why catering to one “star” rep kills motivation across your entire sales team ✔ The hidden dangers of relying on a single person for 80% of your revenue ✔ How to coach mediocre sales performers into confident top performers ✔ What to say when your sales diva refuses to collaborate or follow process ✔ The leadership shifts that build accountability, trust, and shared success Your best salesperson should never feel like they're holding your company hostage. If your team feels uneven, cutthroat, or overly dependent on one high performer, this episode will show you how to reset your sales culture, protect your revenue, and build a team that wins together. #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesLeadership #SalesCulture #SalesTeamPerformance #SalesManagementTips #SalesStrategy #HighPerformingTeams #AuthenticSelling #SalesCoaching #LeadYourTeam #ServiceProviderSales #SalesProcessFix
Mariano Gontchar: Breaking Down The Clan Mentality In Agile Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Mariano encountered a competent team that was sabotaging itself through internal divisions and lack of trust. The team had formed clans that didn't trust each other, creating blind spots even during retrospectives. Rather than simply telling the team what was wrong, Mariano created an anonymous fear-based retrospective that revealed the root cause: a Product Owner who behaved like a boss and evaluated team members, creating a culture of fear. His approach demonstrates the power of empowering teams to discover and solve their own problems rather than imposing solutions from above. Self-reflection Question: What fears might be hiding beneath the surface of your team's dynamics, and how could you create a safe space for them to emerge? Featured Book of the Week: Turn the Ship Around! by David Marquet Mariano recommends "Turn the Ship Around!" by David Marquet (we have an episode with David Marquet talking about this book, check it here). Mariano highlights the fascinating story and introduction to the leader-leader model, which differs significantly from the traditional leader-follower approach. This book resonates with Mariano's journey from directive leadership to facilitative leadership, showing how empowering others rather than commanding them creates more effective and engaged teams. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Think about the best leader you've ever had – someone who trusted you, empowered your growth, and celebrated your successes. Now contrast that with the worst leader – the micromanager who left lasting scars. This gap defines William Davis' leadership philosophy, shaped by nearly four decades in corporate America. He reminds us that “leadership is deceptively simple, but simple doesn't mean easy.”Davis shares stories that bring this to life – from helping a young professional recover from toxic leadership to creating opportunities for team members to shine by presenting their own work. His message is clear: true leadership isn't about personal achievements but about building trust, creating safe environments, and lifting others to succeed.Leadership carries a profound responsibility, influencing not just work but mental health, family life, and society. With 78% of Americans believing corporate leadership is failing, the call is not for more leaders but better ones. This episode challenges you to reflect: are you creating a culture where people thrive, or just survive?
Chad Hyams and Bob Stewart explore the dynamics of competition in professional environments. They discuss six critical lessons for fostering healthy competition: prioritize self-competition, recognize when rivalry turns toxic, learn from competitors, utilize competition to foster team growth, ensure competition energizes rather than exhausts, and celebrate the process over the end result. With insights into turning rivalry into beneficial outcomes, this episode dives into creating a culture where competition drives growth and improvement, ensuring you become better than your past self. Discover strategies to make your competitive environments rewarding and growth-oriented. ---------- Connect with the hosts: • Ben Kinney: https://www.BenKinney.com/ • Bob Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/activebob • Chad Hyams: https://ChadHyams.com/ • Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/ More ways to connect: • Join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/winmakegive • Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://WinMakeGive.com/sign-up • Explore the Win Make Give Podcast Network: https://WinMakeGive.com/ Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network
Salum Abdul-Rahman: From Isolation to Integration—Rebuilding Agile Team Connection For Remote Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Salum describes working with a grocery ecommerce team during COVID that fell into the trap of prioritizing individual convenience over team collaboration. Remote work led team members to design their work around personal preferences, with the lead developer becoming increasingly isolated and unresponsive to team communication. This anti-pattern of "what works for me" over "what works for the whole team" created significant dysfunction. Despite management intervention, the situation required creative solutions like organizing face-to-face sessions and shared working sessions with digital whiteboards to rebuild team cohesion. Featured Book of the Week: Agile Retrospectives One of the most important roles of Scrum Masters is to help teams develop themselves. Salum emphasizes that you can't tell the team what to do - you have to help them discover it themselves. "Agile Retrospectives" provides the foundation for running meaningful retrospectives that become the key tool for team self-development. The book's emphasis on variation and building retrospectives to match your team's needs and maturity level makes it essential for empowering teams to grow and evolve continuously. Self-reflection Question: How might your team's current work arrangements prioritize individual convenience over collective effectiveness, and what steps could you take to shift this balance? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Learn how to set weekly priorities like a 7-figure CEO and unlock the potential of your team with clear, effective leadership communication. In this episode, discover how to lead with an unwavering belief in your vision, make mindset shifts that drive results, and implement a structured approach to setting goals and priorities. Whether you're scaling your business or streamlining your team's focus, this actionable guide will help you bet on yourself, invest in growth, and build a thriving community. **KEY POINTS:** - **Communicating Vision Weekly**: Learn why it's essential to reiterate your vision beyond annual planning and how to lead with clarity every week. - **Weekly Newsletter Template**: Break down your goals, campaigns, wins, and opportunities using a simple yet powerful template for team alignment. - **Efficiency Through Structure**: Discover how a single document can cut down on miscommunication and foster effective collaboration across your team. - **Mindset Shifts for Leadership**: Embrace the mindset of a 7-figure CEO by prioritizing clear communication, accountability, and forward-thinking strategies. - **Data-Driven Decisions**: Utilize tools like a CEO dashboard to monitor your business metrics and make informed decisions that drive growth. - **Community and Resilience**: Highlight the wins, empower your team, and create a culture of recognition to build a stronger, more resilient team dynamic. As the host shares, "Your responsibility as a leader is to communicate. You've got to cast the vision and set the tone every single week." This practical strategy empowers you to lead with confidence and ensure your team is always aligned and motivated. If you're ready to elevate your leadership game, this video is your go-to resource. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share this video with a fellow entrepreneur who's looking to lead with impact. Together, let's build a community of unstoppable leaders! #communicationskills #howtotalktoanyone #personaldevelopment #selfdevelopment #howtobeagoodlistener RESOURCES: [MEET] Are you an educator looking to start or grow your education consulting business? Click here to book a call with our team and learn more about our programs! [FREE] Don't miss my free 5-Day 7-Figure Business School and learn the blueprint to grow a seven-figure education consulting business. I'm going to teach you the psychology of a millionaire, how to identify million-dollar problems, package and price your offers, master my seven-figure sales process, and identify leads to pitch immediately. Click HERE to sign up now! [LIVE EVENT] Join us at Seven Figure Educator Live, a three-day event in Atlanta, Georgia, where you'll experience unparalleled support, community, and fellowship with your fellow educators. Click HERE to grab your ticket now and let's make magic happen together in Atlanta! [FB COMMUNITY] Don't miss out on your chance to connect with other education consultants in our free public Facebook group! Click HERE and find your 7-Figure community today. Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas IG | @e_jordanthomas LinkedIn | @erica-jordan-thomas-ed-l-d-86314764 Facebook | @EJTConsultingLLC Enjoyed this episode? Like, rate, and subscribe to the 7Pwer Plays with Dr. EJT!
Irene Castagnotto: Three Toxic Conditions That Destroy Agile Team Effectiveness Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Irene encountered a team where everything appeared perfect on the surface, but underneath lay a complete lack of transparency. The team displayed negativity while their manager prevented them from taking responsibility, asking them to complete tasks without explaining the reasoning. These three toxic conditions—negativity, lack of transparency, and micromanagement—combined to destroy the team's effectiveness. Initially hesitant to speak up, Irene ultimately chose to leave. Reflecting on this experience, she emphasizes the importance of addressing problems directly with leadership rather than simply escaping the situation. In this segment, we refer to the 5 monkeys experiment, as comment on conditioning that happens in groups. Featured Book of the Week: Switch by the Heath Brothers Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by the Heath Brothers focuses on understanding change and why it's challenging for people. According to Irene, change isn't difficult because people resist it, but because it creates internal conflict within us. The Heath Brothers explain the three essential elements needed for successful change: the rational rider (logical thinking), the emotional elephant (feelings and motivation), and the path (the environment and systems). The book provides practical guidance on how to facilitate change and help people navigate transitions effectively, emphasizing the importance of celebrating achievements throughout the change process. Self-reflection Question: What internal conflicts might be preventing positive changes in your team, and how can you address both the rational and emotional aspects of resistance? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
On this episode of The Goats of Growth, I sat down with Tanveer Bhangoo — former Go-To-Market leader, author of Pro Business Mindset, and the upcoming Bet on People. From being a first-generation athlete in Canada to leading in the tech industry, Tanveer's story is a blueprint for resilience, adaptability, and leadership done right. He breaks down why off-season preparation is just as important in business as it is in sports, how to build trust quickly in a new role, and why betting on people is the single most powerful move a leader can make. Tanveer also shares the daily habits that drive his performance, the role of humility in growth, and how he navigates scrutiny while pushing teams to win. What you'll learn:
In this special episode of the Coaching 101 Podcast, hosts Daniel Chamberlain and Kenny Simpson are joined by their wives, Samantha and Jamey to discuss the challenges and rewards of balancing a career in coaching with maintaining a healthy family life. The podcast delves into the importance of family support, effective communication, and integrating family into the team culture. They share personal experiences on handling pressures of coaching, leveraging technology, and setting boundaries. The episode also includes practical tips for improving efficiency in coaching programs and opens up a discussion on how to involve spouses and children in the football community. The episode concludes with some fun football trivia for the wives and a rundown of the show's sponsors.00:00 Introduction and Special Guests00:28 Importance of Family in Coaching01:23 Quote of the Week and Ads02:37 Program Efficiency and Fundraising07:05 Challenges of Being a Coaching Spouse14:33 Balancing Coaching and Family Life35:19 Impact of Team Success on Family38:56 Impact of Technology on Coaching39:45 Balancing Technology and Traditional Methods42:20 The Role of Executive Function in Coaching48:12 Family Involvement in Coaching53:42 Building a Coaching Culture57:29 Mitigating Coaching Challenges01:05:59 Fun Football Quiz and Closing RemarksDaniel Chamberlain: @CoachChamboOK ChamberlainFootballConsulting@gmail.com chamberlainfootballconsulting.com Kenny Simpson: @FBCoachSimpson fbcoachsimpson@gmail.com FBCoachSimpson.com
6:30am Hour 1 - Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase discuss the correlation between big contracts and team success. They also talk about how the team has chased the pass rusher position and if that's been the missing piece.
Somya Mehra: How Upper Management Can Destroy a High-Performing Team in Minutes Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. While working as a business analyst at a startup building an exam evaluation product for universities, Somya witnessed a well-functioning team with good collaboration and timely delivery. However, upper management began challenging the team lead and Scrum Master, accusing the team of padding story points. When leadership confronted the team, the tech lead threw the entire team under the bus, breaking all trust. The CEO's declaration that he could detect padding in estimates shattered the relationship between developers and leadership, leading team members to want to leave. Featured Book of the Week: Agile Retrospectives by Larsen and Derby Somya recommends "Agile Retrospectives" by Larsen and Derby because doing Scrum right means doing retrospectives right. As someone who wanted to excel as a retro facilitator, she found this book invaluable due to its excellent reviews and practical examples. The book provides several examples of how to facilitate retrospectives effectively, making it her go-to recommendation for Scrum Masters wanting to improve their retrospective facilitation skills. Self-reflection Question: How do you maintain trust between your team and leadership when management questions the team's estimates or performance? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Sriharsha Guduguntla, co-founder and CEO of Hyperbound, joins host Brynne Tillman on the Making Sales Social podcast. Guduguntla shares insights on revolutionizing sales coaching with AI roleplay, enhancing consistency, and scaling training for enterprise teams. Discover how AI-driven role plays can offer objective feedback and cut down ramp times, tackling challenges like bias and inconsistency in traditional coaching. With real-world success stories, Guduguntla highlights how Hyperbound facilitates pre-call planning and confidence-building, proving AI's transformative power in sales and marketing.
Florian Georgescu: When Knowledge Hoarding Destroys Team Dynamics Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Florian describes a payment system development team where an experienced tech lead unknowingly created a dangerous dependency. This senior developer, while well-intentioned, became the single point of knowledge and decision-making for the entire team. Other developers began copying his behavior, creating a culture where team members were afraid to ask questions for fear of appearing incompetent. When this key developer left, the team fell apart - planning sessions became confusing, technical discussions stalled, and two junior developers quit citing lack of learning opportunities. The story demonstrates how knowledge hoarding, even when unintentional, can destroy team resilience and create toxic dynamics that stifle growth and collaboration. In this segment, we refer to the Monday episode with Florian as context for the story he shares on this episode. Self-reflection Question: How might knowledge hoarding be happening in your team, and what steps could you take to encourage more distributed learning and decision-making? Featured Book of the Week: The Responsibility Process by Christopher Avery Florian The Responsibility Process by Christopher Avery particularly valuable for understanding the stages people go through when taking responsibility. The book's framework helped him process his own burnout experience and provides crucial insights for helping teams accept responsibility for their outcomes. Florian emphasizes how the responsibility process is essential for understanding what you can influence when you want to take ownership, making it a powerful tool for both personal growth and team development. In this segment, we refer to the Responsibility Process, by Christopher Avery, who was a previous guest on our Audiobook project: Tips From the Trenches, Scrum Master Edition. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Host Randy Goruk's guest on this episode is Randy Lyman, an entrepreneur, emotional mastery expert and author. Mr. Lyman discusses his journey from a left-brain, business-focused background to incorporating emotional intelligence into his leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and building long-term relationships. He highlights the need for leaders to be vulnerable, ask for input, and create a respectful, cohesive team environment. He shares practical tips, such as using body language awareness and encouraging team members to express their ideas. Lyman also stresses the significance of values and morals in business, which can provide a competitive advantage and foster a positive company culture. In this episode you will learn: How emotional intelligence has changed the way leaders approach their teams and their business. The role of self-awareness in building long-term customer relationships. How leaders can improve their ability to read non-verbal cues from their teams. The biggest mistakes leaders of sales teams make. What gives a sales team the edge in a competitive distribution landscape. Advice for a new sales manager trying to develop a high-performing team. What it looks like when an emotionally intelligent sales culture is thriving within a company. The trends that will shape the future of sales in distribution over the next 5 years. The value in investing in listening and coaching. Website: https://randylyman.com/
Anamaria Ungureanu: The Tech Lead Who Nearly Destroyed the Team Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Anamaria describes a seven-member software team that initially seemed engaged but began self-destructing when a senior tech lead refused to embrace transparency and knowledge sharing principles. The situation escalated when this key team member's four-day absence completely blocked the team's ability to deliver, creating a dangerous single point of failure. Through careful retrospective facilitation and strategic motivation techniques, including offering the specialist new learning opportunities while gradually transferring their legacy knowledge to teammates, Anamaria helped the team overcome knowledge silos and establish sustainable collaboration patterns. Featured Book of the Week: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Anamaria recommends “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, a negotiation masterpiece because it taught her essential communication strategies for establishing trust and navigating tense situations. She emphasizes that negotiation is a critical Scrum Master skill, and Voss's techniques help build rapport with stakeholders while managing difficult conversations that arise during team transformations and organizational change initiatives. Self-reflection Question: What knowledge silos exist in your teams, and how might you motivate specialists to share their expertise while providing them with new growth opportunities? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Anh Vu: From Individual Stars to Team Players - Transforming Competitive Developers Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Anh recounts his first Scrum project as a Scrum Master for a payment company, leading a team of five developers working on a new product with new technology and devices. The challenge was compounded by the fact that this was a completely new team where members didn't know each other. What started as an attempt to make work visible quickly deteriorated when developers began competing to prove they were the best rather than collaborating toward shared goals. Each developer focused solely on their individual tasks without considering the overall outcome, and when bugs appeared at the end of sprints, blame games began. This anti-pattern of developers not prioritizing team results created a cycle where team members wouldn't help each other, ultimately undermining the project's success. Anh's key learning was that the root problem wasn't process-related but trust-related, and as a Scrum Master, addressing surface-level issues isn't enough - the real work lies in building foundational trust within the team. Self-reflection Question: In your current team, are individual achievements being celebrated more than collective success, and how might this be affecting overall team trust and collaboration? Featured Book of the Week: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Anh recommends "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" as essential reading for understanding team dynamics. He emphasizes that trust is the basic foundation for people to succeed together, and this book provides both the why and the how for building that trust. According to Anh, trust serves as the foundation for all teams, making it crucial knowledge for both Scrum Masters and Project Managers who need to facilitate effective team collaboration. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL platoon commander, championship rower, best-selling author, inventor, and entrepreneur. Alden's life is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. From overcoming childhood asthma to leading Navy SEAL teams and building a $95M business with the Perfect Pushup, Alden shares how the unstoppable mindset shaped every chapter of his extraordinary journey. Alden is the author of Be Unstoppable, Unstoppable Teams, and Unstoppable Mindset, and was named Entrepreneur magazine's #1 virtual speaker. In this episode, he reveals the mental strategies that helped him turn adversity into advantage, failure into fuel, and vision into impact. You'll learn: Why being “unstoppable” is a choice—and how to practice that choice daily The story behind the mantra: “No one defines what you can and can't do” How Navy SEAL leadership skills apply directly to business, family, and life The CARE Loop framework and how to build high-trust, high-performing teams The 8 essential actions from Be Unstoppable, including “Plan in Pencil” and “Understand Your Why” Alden also unpacks how setbacks have fueled his biggest comebacks and what mental toughness means at the highest levels of performance. Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or chasing a personal goal—this episode will help you unlock your unstoppable potential.
Joelle Tegwen: How to Break Through the 'Not My Problem' Mentality Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. As a consultant often entering teams when problems already exist, Joelle encountered a team that took months to get anything into production. While some IT leaders and QA folks didn't see this as problematic, Joelle discovered the QA team was actually struggling with constant retesting due to work coming back repeatedly. She helped the team articulate the value of needed changes and discovered they didn't know how to split stories effectively. By focusing on what they could do rather than what they couldn't, and implementing test automation to enable smaller stories, the team began making meaningful progress toward more sustainable delivery practices. Featured Book of the Week: How Minds Change by David McRaney David McRaney, who runs the podcast “You Are Not Smart” about cognitive biases, presents a powerful insight in “How Minds Change”: we don't actually change other people's minds through arguments or facts. Instead, we need to create space for others to reflect and change their own minds. Joelle recommends this book because it fundamentally shifted her approach to working with teams. The book introduces techniques like Deep Canvassing, which focuses on asking people to tell their story and share what's happening to them, rather than trying to convince them with logic alone. This approach aligns perfectly with Joelle's belief in allowing space for people to reflect while trusting that they have good answers within themselves. Self-reflection Question: How might your current approach to influencing change shift if you focused more on creating space for reflection rather than presenting arguments and facts? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Get more leadership insights and behind-the-scenes tips: Follow Business Tips for Gym Owners by Clicking HereAttend the event virtually or in person and keep leveling up your leadership game: Reserve your spot here or email tom@vincegabriele.com if you have questions. Ever wonder how the most effective leaders get their teams to produce results without leaving a trail of resentment behind? In this episode, we unpack the real-world strategies behind leading with clarity, building trust, and creating accountability—without becoming the boss everyone avoids in the break room. If you want a team that delivers and respects you, this conversation is your cheat code. 5 Key Points from the CallClear Expectations Are Everything: Fuzzy goals create confusion. Great leaders communicate exactly what success looks like and check for understanding—no assumptions allowed.Accountability Without Micromanaging: You don't have to babysit adults. Learn how to install accountability systems that free you from chasing people down while keeping standards sky-high.Leading with Empathy (Not Weakness): Empathy doesn't mean letting standards slide. It means you understand your team's perspective—and still hold them to what matters.Why “Nice” Isn't the Same as “Respected”: If you're always trying to be liked, you'll end up resented. This episode breaks down how to earn respect by making the hard calls with integrity.The Secret to Sustainable Motivation: Hype fades. Purpose lasts. Discover how to connect daily tasks to the bigger mission so your team stays driven even when things get hard. Get more leadership insights and behind-the-scenes tips: Follow Business Tips for Gym Owners by Clicking HereAttend the event virtually or in person and keep leveling up your leadership game: Reserve your spot here or email tom@vincegabriele.com if you have questions. If you're a gym owner seeking answers on how you can grow your gym, make more money, and have more freedom to do what you love, visit www.vincegabriele.com or book a call by CLICKING HERE!
Remember that gut-clenching fear of speaking up in class? Organizational psychologist Rafael Chiuzi reveals how that same feeling shows up in the workplace, limiting productivity and the free exchange of ideas. Backed by decades of research and hands-on consulting, he unpacks the science of psychological safety — and shares three actionable steps to build teams where curiosity thrives and courage replaces fear.Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey!For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pascal Papathemelis: The Hidden Cost of Removing Scrum Masters from High-Performing Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Pascal shares a cautionary experience with mature Scrum teams that appeared to function flawlessly. These teams demonstrated excellent Scrum practices with minimal impediments, leading management to conclude that Scrum Masters were unnecessary. When management removed all Scrum Masters from the department, the previously high-performing teams began to struggle significantly. Team members had to absorb the responsibilities previously handled by their Scrum Masters, causing them to lose focus on their core value-creating work. Different teams adopted various approaches to fill the Scrum Master void, but none proved effective. Pascal reflects that the Scrum Masters could have made their value more visible by supporting Product Owners more actively and becoming more involved in team tasks. This experience taught him the importance of demonstrating the ongoing value that Scrum Masters provide, even when teams appear to be self-sufficient. Featured Book of the Week: Learning Out Loud—Community Learning and Networking Pascal draws his greatest inspiration not from a single book, but from active participation in the Agile community. He finds tremendous value in discussions within local communities, networking events, and sparring sessions with colleagues. Pascal particularly benefits from Agile Coaching circles in Helsinki, which provide practical knowledge and insights. He also gains inspiration from Agile conferences, but credits Agile Coaching Camps as having the biggest impact - these 2.5-day open space format events are intense and packed with valuable insights. Pascal recommends that Scrum Masters actively engage with their local Agile communities and attend coaching camps to accelerate their professional development and gain diverse perspectives. Self-reflection Question: How visible is the value you provide as a Scrum Master, and what steps could you take to make your contributions more apparent to your organization? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Bernard Agrest: Avoiding Hard Conversations—When High-Performing Agile Teams Self-Destruct Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernard describes how a high-performing, fun-loving team began to unravel when a new member joined who wasn't delivering on their commitments. Instead of addressing the performance issue directly, team members started picking up the slack, avoiding the difficult conversation that needed to happen. As morale dropped and people checked out, Bernard realized the team was paralyzed by fear of confrontation and assumptions that raising the issue would be ignored. This experience taught him that individual performance problems quickly become whole-team problems when left unaddressed, and that strong relationships require the courage to have honest, supportive conversations. Self-reflection Question: What difficult conversation are you avoiding on your team, and what assumptions might be preventing you from addressing it? Featured Book of the Week: The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni Bernard recommends The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni because it helps leaders understand that everyone has specific "genius" areas in different phases of work. When people work outside their natural genius zones, they feel unfulfilled and frustrated. This framework has been invaluable for Bernard in understanding team dynamics—why some teams click naturally while others struggle. By recognizing each person's working genius, leaders can better position team members for success and create more effective, satisfied teams. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
Lilia Pulova: Leadership Red Flag—When Managers Care More About Career Than Team Success Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Lilia shares the story of when she worked with a troubled team where all projects were running late. As a junior Scrum Master, she struggled to identify that the root cause was a manager more focused on career advancement than team success. This manager only paid attention to team members who could provide exposure to higher management, dismissing other requests with "let's solve that later." Integration problems mounted, key people were absent, and when COVID arrived, the team was ultimately disbanded. This experience taught Lilia crucial lessons about taking ownership of team success and viewing the Scrum Master role as a continuous learning journey in leadership. Self-reflection Question: How well do you understand the human dynamics within your team, and what signals might you be missing about individual motivations? Featured Book of the Week: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Lilia recommends "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene for its insights into human behavior and understanding the consequences of our actions when working with others. As Scrum Masters who interact with humans daily, this book helps develop awareness of interpersonal dynamics. One key principle Lilia applies is "always say less than necessary" - helping teams make decisions rather than overwhelming them with too much information or direction. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]
In this episode of the No Broke Months Podcast, we dive into the powerful concept of transformational coaching and how leaders can inspire their teams through thoughtful questioning. You'll learn how to shift from directive commands to solution-oriented conversations that empower growth and accountability. Through real-world examples and proven coaching strategies, Dan Rochon shares how to build stronger relationships, foster personal ownership, and help your team consistently hit their goals.What you'll learn on this episodeGreat leaders guide their teams through questioning, not commands.Celebrating activity over results fosters long-term success.The difference between empowering questions and blame-assignment questions.The power of solution-oriented conversations over problem-oriented complaints.Effective training includes role modeling, practice, and real play.Encourage your team to come with solutions, not just problems.The importance of transparency and vulnerability in coaching conversations.How creating alignment between personal goals and actions can resolve resistance.If you want to lead in a way that inspires action, deepens trust, and creates consistent results, this is your next step.Teach to Sell delivers the leadership frameworks, conversation techniques, and influence strategies that empower agents to guide clients—and teams—to success. Whether you're leading a team or simply looking to elevate your client experience, this book will help you drive growth through integrity, empathy, and trust.Preorder Teach to Sell today and learn how top performers lead their way to No Broke Months.https://www.nobrokemonths.com/teach-to-sell-preorderResources mentioned in this episodeCPI Community – A network designed to give real estate agents the support, training, and accountability they need to grow.Teach to Sell – Dan Rochon's upcoming book on influence without selling. To find out more about Dan Rochon and the CPI Community, you can check these links:Website: No Broke MonthsPodcast: No Broke Months for Salespeople PodcastInstagram: @donrochonxFacebook: Dan RochonLinkedIn: Dan RochonTeach to Sell Preorder: Teach to Sell: Why Top Performers Never Sell – And What They Do Instead
Agile in Construction: The Culture Shock of Applying Agile and Lean to Construction, With Luca Cotta Ramusino Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Luca experienced a culture shock when first applying Lean thinking to construction, struggling to see how methods designed for cars and assembly lines could work in one-off construction projects. However, he discovered that collaboration in construction isn't about boss relationships—it's about people coming together to deliver value from the customer's perspective. The key insight: when multiple contractors compete for their share of income, the real goal becomes finding ways to complete "the work" efficiently. Competition exists, but the ultimate focus must remain on delivering what the customer truly needs, not just what individual trades want to accomplish. In this segment, we refer to the concept of an Andon Cord, and Swarming from Lean. Featured Book of the Week: The Machine That Changed the World & The Toyota Way These two books provided Luca with his "aha!" moment in understanding Lean construction. The Toyota Way, available in both English and Italian (with additional Italian company case studies), initially created a culture shock as Luca struggled to apply automotive methods to construction's one-off projects. However, these books revealed how Lean thinking could transform construction through visual management to surface problems quickly and swarming practices to fix issues faster. The books taught him that Lean principles transcend industries when properly adapted to different contexts. The Machine That Changed The World, by Womack, Jones, and Roos. Self-reflection Question: What industry practices have you dismissed too quickly without considering how they might adapt to your unique context? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]