Manage Smarter

C. Lee Smith and Audrey Strong

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith on the #1 sales management podcast 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. FEB 1

    Humor as a Leadership Superpower with Kevin Hubschmann

    Kevin Hubschman, founder of Laugh.Events, shares how improv and comedy skills like active listening, adaptability, and self-deprecating humor can strengthen leadership, sales, and workplace culture. Learn to build psychological safety, improve brand voice, and connect authentically for business success. Discover actionable strategies and tips to use humor effectively at work and in team building. "Humor skills and comedy skills, as I refer to them, are actually about soft skills. And that's listening, communication, empathy, thinking on the fly, going off script, reading a room." KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How using self-deprecation in the workplace can build a better culture -Effective use of humor with tough audiences requires patience, active listening, and tailoring your approach to the individual’s openness, rather than forcing jokes -Strategies for using humor effectively with an audience or people who do not readily respond CONNECT WITH KEVIN HUBSCHMANN https://laughrx.laugh.events https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hubschmann CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/                                                X: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven X: Lee  https://x.com/cleesmith  Connect with SalesFuel  Website:  https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #kevinhubschmann #managesmarter #podcasts #businesspodcasts #workplaceculture #workplacehumor #officehumor #teamtrait #AdMall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
  2. Courageous Conflict Resolution with Dan Tocchini

    JAN 18

    Courageous Conflict Resolution with Dan Tocchini

    Dan Tocchini, leadership development expert and author of "The Change Imperative," reveals the secrets to navigating tough workplace conversations and resolving conflict with courage. Dan is also co-founder of TakeNewGround.com. Learn actionable strategies for leaders and managers looking to develop trust, improve communication, and foster high-performing teams. Dan shares practical conflict resolution and leadership tips that can elevate any organization's team culture. "To improve work relationships, ask: 'Here’s what I’m making up about what you said—tell me if I’m wrong.' It opens up honest, judgment-free feedback." - Dan Tocchini KEY TAKEAWAYS -How to openly invite feedback -Reflection Techniques and how to use them -What business metrics will be affected if you avoid conflict. -How to build difficult conversations and conflict resolution into your overall company culture Connect with Dan Tocchini https://takenewground.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts        Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/·         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/             LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠ Lee  ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠  Connect with SalesFuel·   Website:  ⁠https://salesfuel.com/⁠· X:  ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠· Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #salesfuel #dantocchini #leadershipskills #difficultemployees #teamsuccess #leadershipadvice #managesmarterpodcast #cleesmith #audreystrong #salescred #sales #teamtrait #admall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
  3. Relationship Sales Strategies  with Theresa Bassett

    JAN 4

    Relationship Sales Strategies with Theresa Bassett

    Theresa Bassett is CEO of The Diamond Group and an expert in relationship sales. With a background in construction, real estate, and digital marketing, she’s driven over $550M in transactions across various sectors. Theresa’s expertise spans working with Fortune 500 companies like Pulte Homes and GE Aviation, and she’s passionate about helping businesses grow through a proprietary system for sales and marketing. As a thought leader, entrepreneur, and speaker, she also focuses on team development and fostering growth-driven cultures, embodying her Progress = Happiness philosophy. "With the onset of AI and all of the generational things that you've talked about, I think credibility more and more is being challenged... People don't know what to trust. So even more to the point that the personal communication, the interpersonal FaceTime conversations... are even more important because people are looking for transparency, authenticity." - Theresa Bassett KEY TAKEAWAYS -The core principle behind effective relationship selling strategies -How organizations should structure their sales and marketing processes for maximum efficiency and lead conversion -What inbound marketing tip can dramatically improve trust and engagement with potential clients -Maintaining face-to-face interaction is still important in the digital age, especially with the rise of AI CONNECT WITH THERESA BASSETT https://www.diamond-group.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalbassett CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER AND ITS HOSTS Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/                                                https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/ X: https://x.com/tallmediamaven  https://x.com/cleesmith  Connect with SalesFuel  Website:  https://salesfuel.com/ X: https://x.com/SalesFuel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ #sales #relationshipselling #theresabassett #salestips #salesfuel #salescred #cleesmith #audreystrong #salesAI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min
  4. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig

    12/21/2025

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig

    Summer Craig is the President and CEO of the Craig Group , a business growth advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, she is a seasoned expert in driving revenue growth for multimillion-dollar companies. Summer specializes in leveraging technology, integrating sales and marketing, and aligning organizations for sustainable business growth. Her expertise extends to working with private equity-backed businesses to lead large in-house teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Summer is also an avid mountain climber, having conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rainier, which she uses as metaphors for overcoming challenges in business and life. "You don't have to have done it. You don't have to know, but you have to be smart enough to figure it out and maybe go find help or admit that you need help and go solve the problem." - #SummerCraig KEY TAKEAWAYS: -How can professionals overcome imposter syndrome? Summer suggests focusing on what you are good at and leveraging your unique skills to overcome challenges. She believes that identifying and utilizing your strengths can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and build confidence. -What role does vulnerability play in leadership? Summer argues that admitting when you haven't done something before can actually enhance your credibility as a leader. She believes that showing vulnerability and a willingness to learn can foster trust and collaboration within a team. -How can climbing mountains teach business professionals about overcoming challenges? Summer shares that climbing mountains like Mount Rainier taught her the importance of teamwork and humility. She believes that tackling difficult tasks outside of your comfort zone can provide valuable life lessons and build resilience. -What is a key strategy for managing imposter syndrome in teams? Summer recommends hiring individuals who have the ability to figure things out and encouraging open communication. She stresses the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting when they need help and are supported in finding solutions. #leadership #impostersyndrome #workplace #csuite #teamwork #salesfuel #admall #teamtrait Connect with Summer Craig ⁠https://www.craiggroup.io/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsummer/⁠ Connect with Manage Smarter and its hosts!!!! ·    Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/⁠ ·    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/⁠                                    ·    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/⁠ X Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠ Lee ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠  Connect with SalesFuel ·    Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/⁠ ·    X: ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠ ·    Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
4.8
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Join hosts Audrey Strong and C. Lee Smith on the #1 sales management podcast 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