Suits and Sneakers: Leadership Unfiltered

Team Mojo
Suits and Sneakers: Leadership Unfiltered

Suits and Sneakers is an interview series featuring candid conversations with leaders from diverse backgrounds and styles. The host, Carrie Tuttle, has a background in sales and marketing and started this series to fill the gap in formal mentorship opportunities and provide valuable insights for aspiring leaders. The main themes of the series include the importance of bravery in leadership, the balance between performance and empathy, and learning from failures. The series features leaders from various industries and backgrounds, showcasing a breadth of leadership experiences.

  1. DEC 17

    Brand Jitsu Your Team

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Michael Dargie Michael Dargie, the author of 'Brand Jitsu' and someone I call the ‘Professor of Brand’, shares insights on branding, storytelling, and leadership. If you have sensitive ears, find earmuffs! He doesn’t hold back the raw truth of what you need to know to find your brand DNA, which is everything below the surface. I was so happy he referenced specific examples of how leaders he works with got really clear on why they do what they do and how that translates into purpose and meaning for their teams. In over 20 years working with companies to find their brand essence he has boiled the process down to the four fundamental questions you need to ask to find the truth that lies underneath the outward expression of a brand. Michael discusses common mistakes entrepreneurs make, the transformative power of branding, and the role of silence in effective communication. He also reflects on his creative process and the challenges of writing, while offering valuable advice for aspiring leaders. Listen for the very cool metaphor he shares from scuba diving. QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "Truth matters." "The fun lives below the surface." "Don't be afraid of silence." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Branding is about understanding the deeper DNA of a business. Leaders must articulate their 'why' to connect with their teams. Rushing to launch a brand can lead to mistakes. Transformative branding stories can redefine a business's identity. Truth in branding resonates with audiences and builds trust. Silence can be a powerful tool in communication. The creative process involves patience and reflection. Branding should be integrated into every aspect of a business. Finding inspiration often comes from real-life experiences. Effective leadership is about navigating change and uncertainty. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Michael Dargie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldargie/ Michael’s Website: https://www.michaeldargie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldargie/ Make More Creative website: https://www.makemorecreative.com/ Podcast: https://www.therebelrebelpodcast.com/ BrandJitsu™ "Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" https://brandjitsu.com/ ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    46 min
  2. Shaping The Future With Servant Leadership

    DEC 3

    Shaping The Future With Servant Leadership

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Dr. Jason Rogers Dr. Jason Rogers, Head of School at Rundle in Calgary, Alberta, has a unique perspective on leadership. After all, his team is responsible for shaping the behaviour and minds of future leaders! Jason shares how the unique structure of Rundle Schools supports students, stories in his leadership journey, and how leadership lessons you can draw from the popular show Ted Lasso. These observations led to the forming of a podcast with Garth Nichols, called Lassoing Leadership, which has since evolved to focus on 10 leadership themes. Listen for when he recommends “being a goldfish!” We talk about the differences and similarities between educational and corporate leadership. He really takes a coach approach, highlighting the need for curiosity, asking questions and putting judgment aside. Jason has learned over his years of experience the need for compassionate leadership and the importance of building a sustainable culture. You can hear the sincerity when he talks about his love of connecting with people and learning from everyone around him. As an avid reader and podcast listener, he has lots of recommendations to share, too. This episode will inspire you to be a lifelong learner! QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: “Leaders have a better impact on their organizations if they actually understand the styles of leadership out there and become students of leadership.” “All that time when you're constructing stories and ruminating about them, you're losing energy for something else that might be more important or impactful for your organization or for you." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Leadership should be rooted in servant leadership principles. Curiosity and understanding are vital in leadership. Rundle Academy focuses on preparing students for a purposeful life. Leadership in education requires balancing various stakeholder needs. A purpose mindset is essential for student success. Effective communication is crucial in leadership roles. Building a strong (school) culture is key to sustainability. Vulnerability and authenticity foster trust in teams. Continuous learning is essential for effective leadership. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Dr. Jason Rogers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbrogers/ Rundle website: https://rundle.ab.ca/ Lassoing Leadership podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/lassoing-leadership/id1708115723 Podcasts Mentioned: The Daily https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736 Front Burner https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/front-burner/id1439621628 Hard Fork https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hard-fork/id1528594034 SmartLess https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smartless/id1521578868   Books Mentioned: How to Navigate Life – Belle Liang and Timothy Klein https://amzn.to/4fWnjFA 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey https://amzn.to/3ZhqMYu   The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz https://amzn.to/4fVSNMh Work in Progress – Michael Eisner https://amzn.to/3ZBcXp2 Things a Little Bird Told Me – Biz Stone https://amzn.to/3B2jMGS Delivering Happiness – Tony Hsieh https://amzn.to/3Bofj14 Note: We use affiliate links for recommended resources and might receive a few pennies if you choose to buy something. ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    37 min
  3. Leading Social Media is a Multi-Generational Task

    NOV 19

    Leading Social Media is a Multi-Generational Task

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Dr. Noelle Seybert Settle in and listen to a data scientist and millennial leader with the confidence to sport hot-pink hair. In this episode of Suits & Sneakers, Dr. Noelle Seybert shares her insights on the ever-changing landscape of leading a social media team in higher education. With a doctorate in business with an emphasis on quantitative marketing from George Fox University, I appreciated Noelle’s perspective on balancing data-driven decision-making with gut instincts and the role of metrics in evaluating performance. Noelle is a firm believer in the importance of human connection in leadership and in the socials and offers valuable resources for social media management. She talks candidly about the reality of social media pressures and the importance of prioritizing your mental well-being. When she talks about the challenges of navigating generational differences in the workplace, take notes! QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "The data never lies, statisticians do." "I pour what I've learned throughout the years into [my team]. So then hopefully they're the next domino and can do the same when they become leaders.” “It’s huge when a leader shows vulnerability, especially on social. What's your team or your business doing that you can also make relatable?” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Social media management requires a strategic approach, not just creativity. Self-promotion is essential, especially for women in leadership. Leaders should humanize their presence on social media. Generational differences impact workplace dynamics and motivations. Balancing data with gut instincts is crucial for effective leadership. Metrics should inform decisions but not dictate them entirely. Learning from mistakes is a vital part of leadership growth. Social media has transformed career trajectories and interactions. Setting boundaries is important for mental health in social media roles. Authenticity is key to effective leadership and team success. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Noelle Seybert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelleseybert/  University of Colorado Boulder website: http://colorado.edu Books and resources mentioned: Generations, Jean M. Twenge, PhD https://amzn.to/48U5KDw       Now, Discover Your Strengths, Marcus Buckingham & Donald C. Clifton, PhD https://amzn.to/4eGQb3k Social Media Examiner: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/ Girl Power Marketing: https://girlpowermarketing.com/ Note: We use affiliate links for recommended resources and might receive a few cents if you choose to buy something. ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    37 min
  4. Succeed at Recruiting in an AI World

    NOV 5

    Succeed at Recruiting in an AI World

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Serge Boudreau Serge Boudreau, expert in talent acquisition space for the last 20 years, opens up about the evolving landscape of recruitment in this episode of Suits & Sneakers. Serge has served as both a practitioner leading large recruitment teams at some of Canada’s largest brands, but also worked on the vendor side with Workopolis, Indeed, CareerBeacon and now C Squared Technology where he leads global partnerships. Serge’s tips on creating realistic job descriptions, effective interview techniques, and the significance of onboarding and retention are worth hearing for any leader. He gives hiring managers a good perspective on how a good recruiter makes a difference and things to consider when hiring directly. He talks candidly about AI-automated applications bumping up against AI candidate screeners and what that means for hiring managers looking to find the best for their role and company culture. As former co-host of the very popular podcast, The Recruitment Flex, and now a co-host on the HR Morning Show, he is a well-respected voice on these topics. You don’t want to miss it! QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "AI making hiring decisions is a slippery slope. We all have bias, but with the AI algorithm, suddenly it's bias at scale." “Don't make the [screening] process extremely long. Make it quick, but don't hesitate to dig deep in your interviews.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Passion for talent acquisition can develop over time. AI is significantly changing the recruitment landscape. Job descriptions often fail to accurately represent roles. Realistic job ads can help filter out unsuitable candidates. New leaders should leverage technology in recruitment. Effective interviewing is a critical skill for leaders. Confidence in hiring decisions grows with experience. Recruiters play a vital role in the hiring process. Onboarding is crucial for employee retention. Building a personal brand can open up career opportunities. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Serge Boudreau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serge-boudreau-861b267/ C Squared Technology website: www.csquaredtechnology.com The HR Morning Show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purpleacorn/ The Recruitment Flex: https://www.therecruitmentflex.com/podcast Resource Mentioned: Recruiting Brain Food https://www.recruitingbrainfood.com/ ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    40 min
  5. The Power of Hope and Psychological Safety

    OCT 22

    The Power of Hope and Psychological Safety

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Lindsay Recknell If you’ve never heard of a Mental Health Skills Trainer, Lindsay Recknell will open your mind! She is an expert in hope and a certified psychological health and safety advisor. Lindsay works with individuals and organizations to increase their levels of psychological health and safety in the workplace using positive psychology and the science of hope. In this episode, Lindsay gives real skills and talk tracks leaders can use to create an open dialogue about mental health and exercise compassionate leadership. She gives guidance on inquiring, co-creating support plans, protecting confidentiality and enrolling the entire team in making accommodations to truly support people through challenges. The science of hope is a new concept to many people, so tune in to hear about fascinating research, pathways thinking and what it all means to people in business! QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "We are not our moments. We are the collective of our behavior and character." “The future will be better than today, when we take action over the things we can control.” EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Mental health skills training is essential for effective leadership. Leaders must learn to recognize and address emotional dysregulation. Effective communication is key to supporting team members' mental health. Hope can be cultivated and is crucial for workplace success. Leaders should model vulnerability to build trust with their teams. Recognizing suffering in others requires awareness of behavioral changes. Confidentiality is important when discussing mental health in teams. Accommodations should be co-created with team members for effectiveness. Aligning personal values with professional goals enhances motivation. Leaders should focus on opportunities rather than obligations in their roles. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Lindsay Recknell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-calder-recknell/ Paradigm Corporate Wellness website: https://paradigmcw.com Mental Health Skills Training: https://mentalhealthforleaders.com/mental-health-skills-training/ CMHA https://cmha.ca/what-we-do/national-programs/workplace-mental-health/psychological-health-safety-training/ Books mentioned: The 5AM Club https://amzn.to/3YgOTpz Atomic Habits https://amzn.to/40aQXSv Note: We use affiliate links for recommended resources and might receive a few bucks if you choose to buy something. ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    43 min
  6. Three-Legged Stool of Growth

    OCT 8

    Three-Legged Stool of Growth

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Jamie L. Smith Two words sum up this episode with Jamie L. Smith: caring candor! Jamie is co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of Amplify Advisors. She used those words to describe her leadership style and Jamie demonstrated caring candor in speaking of how her fractional CFO’s support clients. Jamie puts client experience as a top priority and shares how the business model she and her partner chose ensures high satisfaction. Jamie discusses some of the ways Amplify overcomes the challenges of managing a remote team and helps team members feel like a unit. She also shares an honest story about how a leader can create stress when giving choice. Wow, it’s a great insight. I think you will appreciate Jamie’s reflection on learning to understand individual team members' needs and how they work best. According to Jamie, leaders’ success in achieving growth goals requires mindful attention to the three-legged stool. Listen in if you don’t know what that is because she gives solid advice on where to focus your attention! These are incredible lessons. QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "You're always going to hit a ceiling in your growth and then you have to reinvest in order to move that ceiling up." “It's deliberate effort to earn that trust and earn that influence…then, you can challenge [team members]" EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Amplify Advisors focuses on financial strategy for small and medium businesses. The understanding of fractional CFO services has evolved significantly since 2018. Client experience is a top priority and is driven by company values. Investing in technology and processes early can save time and costs in the long run. Managing remote teams requires deliberate effort and effective communication tools. Client feedback highlights the importance of integration into their culture. Leadership should be tailored to the needs of team members, not just personal preferences. Empowering employees can lead to ambiguity and stress if not managed properly. Delegation is crucial for business growth and should be embraced by leaders. Continuous investment in team structure and technology is necessary to break growth ceilings. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Jamie L. Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielsmithcpa Amplify Advisors website: https://amplifyadvisors.ca/ Amplify Advisors on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyadvisors/ AmplifyTech on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifytech/ Amplify Advisors on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/XvBjYtsttrPVkrJ3/?mibextid=LQQJ4d Amplify Advisors on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplifyadvisorsinc?igsh=MWVtcWNrZHpxcmN0ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    38 min
  7. Dirty Truths in a High Turnover Industry

    SEP 25

    Dirty Truths in a High Turnover Industry

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Judith Virag In this Suits & Sneakers conversation with Judith Virag, CEO of Clean Club Calgary, and a 2024 AB Business Award of Distinction winner, we talk about hiring newcomers, enforcing clear company policies and the big/little things that show she cares. She has a great BHAG (Big, Hairy Audacious Goal) too! Judith shares her journey from being a refugee to becoming a successful entrepreneur and her approach to training with hands-on, experiential creativity. Her honesty is humbling. As a hard worker herself, she documented the standards of excellence and her expectations, so language translation isn’t a barrier for her staff. Judith takes customer service very seriously and I think you’ll find the clear lines of communication she has set for customers and team members an interesting example. She explains the importance of company culture, employee engagement, and the considerations of leading a diverse team of newcomers. Judith is a leader willing to get “dirty”, but not in the way you think! QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: "Know your team members and know some of their dreams." "[Making their dream happen is] an investment because you're getting them engaged and then you're showing them the company cares, beyond the work" "The biggest trust factor is when a customer hands you their keys to their home… We take that very seriously." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Judith's journey from refugee to entrepreneur highlights resilience. Company culture is crucial for business success and employee satisfaction. Involving team members in core values development fosters ownership. Hiring newcomers requires understanding their unique challenges. Creating a supportive work environment enhances employee engagement. Training and development are essential in high-turnover industries. Team-building activities can significantly improve morale and cohesion. Authenticity in leadership leads to better communication and trust. Difficult conversations are beneficial for team growth. Investing in employees' personal goals strengthens company loyalty. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Judith Virag on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-virag-72b4775/ Clean Club Calgary website: https://www.cleanclubcalgary.com/ On Facebook: www.facebook.com/cleanclubcalgary On Instagram: www.instagram.com/cleanclubcalgary Book: Culture Revolution - for purchase in CA: https://buff.ly/3KB0r0w or in USA: https://buff.ly/4cunK8j ---------- Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    48 min
  8. Leaders Responsibility In Employee Growth

    SEP 10

    Leaders Responsibility In Employee Growth

    Host: Carrie Tuttle Guest: Erin Hicks This episode of Suits & Sneakers with guest Erin Hicks, SVP Client Success and Partnerships with Pure IT, has so many leadership nuggets. Her perspective is to address hard conversations directly before they become bigger issues. She is a supportive and collaborative leader who advises you to be true to yourself. Erin talks about the unique culture of credit unions and the need for alignment and visibility within an organization. She shares her early experience of being a leader without necessarily managing people and the importance of stepping up and driving initiatives. Erin supports her team members in their goals and makes work enjoyable. I was humbled by the sense of responsibility she feels in leadership. Overall, she emphasizes the importance of being authentic and aligning one's values with their career. QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS: “You make the best decision you can and move forward.” "Collaboration and transparency are key to driving initiatives and supporting team members' growth." "Leading people is probably the hardest but best job that you'll ever have." EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: You can be a leader without necessarily managing people. Collaboration and transparency are key to driving initiatives and supporting team members' growth. Culture is critical in an organization and should be aligned and visible throughout. Work-life balance is important for personal fulfillment and creativity. Stay true to yourself and align your values with your career. LINKS FROM EPISODE: Erin Hicks on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinfhicks/ Pure IT website: https://pureitcuso.com/ Tell us a topic you’d like to hear more about in the comments. Want to be an expert guest?  APPLY HERE

    39 min

About

Suits and Sneakers is an interview series featuring candid conversations with leaders from diverse backgrounds and styles. The host, Carrie Tuttle, has a background in sales and marketing and started this series to fill the gap in formal mentorship opportunities and provide valuable insights for aspiring leaders. The main themes of the series include the importance of bravery in leadership, the balance between performance and empathy, and learning from failures. The series features leaders from various industries and backgrounds, showcasing a breadth of leadership experiences.

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada