Manage Smarter

C. Lee Smith, Audrey Strong & C-Suite Radio
Manage Smarter

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith every other week as they dive into management, leadership, business, sales, company culture, talent retention, revenues, performance metrics, hiring and more. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change throughout your workplace. Available on all major podcast outlets and all episodes available on ManageSmarter.com

  1. Fixing Sudden Crisis or Change with Kon Apostolopoulos

    6 HR. AGO

    Fixing Sudden Crisis or Change with Kon Apostolopoulos

    Kon Apostolopoulos or Coach Kon is the Founder & CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions. This Human Capital Management consulting group provides performance improvement and training solutions to help organizations develop their people, improve business results, and benefit from a comprehensive talent management strategy. He is also the author of the best-selling book, “The Engagement Blueprint: Building a Culture of Commitment and Performance.” His first book, “7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide for Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters”, helped establish him as a Thinkers 360 Global Top-50 Thought Leader. When not working with business leaders, “Coach Kon” gives back to his community by developing young soccer players in local, state, and Olympic Development Programs.   “How do we deal with unexpected change? And crisis can take many forms, as you know, there are personal crises, there are professional crises. There are, there's never a shortage of them. And what seems like a day-to-day kind of occurrence to some people seems it's a much bigger deal for others. And so we have to learn how to apply those skills. That Winston Churchill quote that you mentioned truly illustrates the power of resilience. And resilience is getting to that other side and knowing that you can do that.” – Kon Apostolopoulos   Key Takeaways include:   What are the most common crises businesses face? Kon mentions that businesses often reach out when things have gone south, particularly in the people space. He highlights crises such as poor communication, lack of cultural alignment, and inadequate succession planning as common issues that leaders face. How can leaders navigate a crisis effectively? Kon emphasizes the importance of having a roadmap for crisis management, which includes self-care, mindfulness, and flexibility. He uses the analogy of a palm tree to illustrate the need for adaptability and resilience during challenging times. What role does communication play in managing crises? Kon stresses that effective communication is crucial, especially in larger organizations. He suggests that leaders should engage employees by explaining the 'why' behind decisions and fostering open channels of communication to build trust and understanding. How should leaders address the fear of AI among employees? Kon advises that leaders should focus on building trust and emphasizing the unique human traits that machines cannot replicate, such as ethics, intuition, and creativity. He suggests that familiarizing employees with AI and involving them in discussions can help alleviate fears. What is the leadership paradox in modern management? Kon introduces the concept of the leadership paradox, where leaders need to balance empathy with setting boundaries and managing outcomes instead of outputs. He highlights the importance of using technology to enhance human interactions and focusing on results rather than effort.   #employeeengagement #HR #workplaceculture #unhappyworkers #productivity #workplace #humanresource #recruiting #hiring #retention #jobhoppers #businesscrisis #crisis #hrcrisis #failingbusiness   Connect with Coach Kon   https://www.freshbizsolutions.com/ https://x.com/Kon_Ap https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkon/     Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts   ·         Website: ManageSmarter.com  ·         LinkedIn: Audrey Strong                                                                    ·         LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith     Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/  ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel  ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
  2. AI in Talent Development/Training with Andrew Barry-BEST OF

    12/22/2024

    AI in Talent Development/Training with Andrew Barry-BEST OF

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

    22 min
  3. Triumph Over The Unexpected with Dima Ghawi

    12/08/2024

    Triumph Over The Unexpected with Dima Ghawi

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

    27 min
4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith every other week as they dive into management, leadership, business, sales, company culture, talent retention, revenues, performance metrics, hiring and more. From debunking sales myths to learning how to manage with and without measurements, you'll learn something new with every episode and will be able to implement positive change throughout your workplace. Available on all major podcast outlets and all episodes available on ManageSmarter.com

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