Tim Stating the Obvious

statingtheobvious
  • 4.8 (14)
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  • Updated Weekly

Turning leadership principles into practical application

  1. 4d ago

    Are Critical Thinking Skills Declining with Geoff Gibbins

    Are critical thinking skills declining in the age of AI? In this episode of Critical Intelligence, we sit down with Geoff Gibbins, author of Critical Intelligence, to explore how AI is transforming human cognition—and what we must do to stay ahead. From students relying on chatbots for homework to executives using AI for strategy, overdependence on technology risks cognitive atrophy. This episode dives deep into critical thinking skills, how critical thinking works, critical thinking steps, and why these abilities are more vital than ever. We examine are critical thinking skills declining, can critical thinking be taught, critical thinking for strategic intelligence, critical thinking and analysis, and the complex relationship between critical thinking and AI. What’s Covered in This Episode: The threat of cognitive atrophy caused by overreliance on AI and practical ways to combat it Can AI do critical thinking? Why AI falls short and where humans maintain the edge How AI affects critical thinking — and whether AI can reduce critical thinking Critical thinking vs AI: Using AI as a collaborator rather than a crutch Critical thinking in AI systems and how to direct, question, and evaluate outputs Strategies for cultivating lifelong learning, metacognition, and mental agility Developing “long half-life skills” that AI cannot easily automate The importance of information literacy, verification, bias detection, and ethical decision-making Future implications of AI-evaluated humans and physical AI robots Understanding Critical Intelligence in the Age of AI Geoff Gibbins introduces the concept of “quiet cognitive atrophy” — the gradual erosion of independent thought as people increasingly defer complex reasoning to AI. While AI delivers fast answers, the uniquely human skills of asking the right questions, analyzing results, spotting flaws, and making ethical judgments remain essential. The conversation highlights that critical thinking skills are often not formally taught, yet they form the foundation for working effectively with AI. Geoff emphasizes viewing AI as a partner in a back-and-forth dialogue: challenge its responses, ask it to critique your thinking, and use it to surface blind spots rather than accepting the first output. Key practical takeaways include: Techniques for evaluating AI-generated content and combating confident-but-wrong answers Building metacognition — “thinking about how you think” — as a human superpower Cultivating skills with long-term value like strategic analysis, relationship building, and ethical reasoning Pausing to reflect before reacting in an era of deepfakes and algorithmic echo chambers Whether you're a student, professional, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode provides actionable insights on strengthening your mind while leveraging AI responsibly.   Connect with Geoff Gibbins Books: Critical Intelligence https://a.co/d/03zCAADZ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffgibbins/   Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    37 min

  2. Jun 5

    Fractional CEO Services For Small Businesses

    Fractional CEO Services For Small Businesses In this episode, Tim Staton and Kristen McAlister explore fractional CEO services for small businesses, clarifying fractional CEO meaning and what does fractional CEO mean for today’s leaders and owners. They discuss fractional CEO jobs, typical fractional CEO salary expectations, and answer the question: What can a fractional CEO make? Kristen McAlister explains how fractional CEO services work for small businesses by providing on-demand executive expertise that delivers immediate impact without the overhead of a full-time C-suite hire. Listeners will learn How to become a fractional chief executive and gain insight into the growing world of fractional leadership roles. Key Topics Covered: The surge in awareness around fractional CEO meaning and the benefits of fractional leadership roles for small businesses Kristen McAlister’s journey into fractional and interim leadership, including her experience as a military spouse Real-world examples of how fractional CEO services transform business performance, from financial oversight to strategic growth The critical importance of agility in leadership and what is leadership agility in today’s uncertain environment How leadership and agility enable companies to adapt quickly while developing internal teams Addressing common challenges like team cohesion, delegation, and resistance to external fractional leaders Market trends showing rapid adoption of fractional CEO services across the U.S. and globally Practical advice for business owners on when and how to engage fractional leadership Guidance for military veterans interested in fractional CEO jobs and transitioning into fractional chief executive roles, including programs like SkillBridge The future of flexible leadership models emphasizing specialized expertise and work-life balance Tim Staton and Kristen McAlister also touch on Kristen’s upcoming podcast “She Owns It,” which amplifies stories of women entrepreneurs. This episode is essential listening for anyone exploring what fractional CEO services can do for their business, seeking greater leadership and agility, or considering a career in fractional leadership roles. Whether you want to understand fractional CEO salary potential, how to become a fractional chief executive, or simply need proven strategies for sustainable growth, you’ll walk away with actionable insights.   Connect with Kristen McAlister Fractional CEO | Interim Leadership | Leadership Agility Expert LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenmcalister/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kristenmcalister/ She Owns It! podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SheOwnsItPodcast Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV4G9CJ1   Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    35 min

  3. May 22

    Unlock Six-Figure Careers for Veterans

    Discover what tech job is paying six figures right now and the best six figure IT jobs available in 2026. In this powerful episode, Tim Staton sits down with Andres Blandon, a combat veteran who transitioned from military service to a successful corporate IT career. Andres now helps veterans, college students, and anyone stuck in a dead end job — even stuck in a dead end job with a degree — break free and land high paying tech jobs, six figure jobs tech, jobs that pay six figures, and some of the highest paying jobs and best paying jobs with no experience.      Andres shares his raw journey of overcoming post-military struggles, including foreclosure and vehicle repossession, while learning to provide for the family. He explores powerful a man should provide for his family quotes and the mindset shifts needed to succeed. If you're battling imposter syndrome meaning, searching for ways to imposter syndrome overcome, looking for an imposter syndrome cure, or need inspiring imposter syndrome quotes, this episode delivers practical strategies and motivation.      Unlock Six-Figure Careers for Veterans — and civilians too. Andres reveals his proven military-style “recon missions” framework for breaking into Tech jobs 2026, entry level tech jobs, and high paying jobs. Learn how to bridge the military-civilian credibility gap, earn industry certifications from Cisco, CompTIA, and ISC2, build a powerful network, and position yourself as the top candidate even in a volatile market with layoffs and shifting demands.      Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a recent graduate feeling lost, or someone determined to escape a dead-end situation and provide for the family, this conversation gives you the exact roadmap. Hear real success stories, including a mentee who reached a six-figure salary in just one year. Key Topics Covered: Navigating imposter syndrome and building a success-driven mindset Overcoming being stuck in a dead end job Foundational high paying tech jobs that offer stability (network engineering and more) Market insights for Tech jobs 2026 Soft skills, networking, and strategic career discovery      If you want six figure IT jobs, highest paying jobs, or simply the best paying jobs with no experience in tech, this is your episode. Apply the framework, overcome obstacles, and start building the career and life you deserve. 👉 Subscribe for more on high paying tech jobs, career transitions, and veteran success stories. Drop a comment: What’s holding you back from six-figure success? Connect With Andres Blandon IT career training Website:  https://blandonsg.com Newly published book:  https://blandonsg.com/book-1 Facebook Signal Jobs community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17YjpaWJWv/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andresblandon   Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    39 min

  4. May 15

    37 Secrets to Lead with Confidence with Bill Miller

    Discover what is executive decision making and the essential executive decision making skills every leader needs in this powerful episode of 37 Secrets to Lead with Confidence with Bill Miller.   Bill Miller takes you through the making of executive decision, sharing his remarkable journey from junior engineer fixing bugs at Foxboro Company in the 1970s to tech executive, COO, and CEO advisor. Through real learning from past experience and learning from experience examples, Bill reveals how he turned unexpected opportunities in sales, marketing, and team leadership into a thriving career at companies like Prime Computer and Rockwell.   This conversation is packed with practical career advice and practical advice for life that goes far beyond theory. Bill dives deep into decision making frameworks and ethical decision making frameworks that first-time CEOs and founders can use immediately to avoid costly mistakes. He shares hard-won lessons on learning from others experience and his own, including military basic training insights on disciplined communication and a memorable lesson about speaking out of turn on a conference call.   You’ll learn how to maintain composure during a high-pressure presentation and how to develop calm discipline under pressure in high-stress jobs. Bill explains how to build emotional intelligence, overcome reactive outbursts, establish clear feedback loops, and eliminate dangerous blind spots that can hurt companies more than financial problems.   The episode also explores AI’s growing role in leadership. While AI can support executive decision making through custom tools and frameworks, Bill stresses that human judgment, clarity, and ethical oversight remain irreplaceable—especially in hiring, strategy, and high-stakes situations. Whether you’re an emerging leader, first-time CEO, or seasoned executive navigating chaos, this episode delivers actionable insights on resilience, communication, team-building, and confident leadership you can implement today.   About Bill Miller Bill Miller is an executive advisor, mentor, and coach to founders, aspiring CEOs, and small-tomid-size company leaders who want to lead with confidence, clarity, resilience, and power. He is the award-winning author of The Rookie CEO, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! and the newly published What Every CEO Must Know, 37 Secrets to Lead with Confidence and Power. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Bill helps leaders eliminate blind spots, build trust, and deliver operational excellence that fuels growth and profitability. Over the past 35 years, Bill has held senior executive roles in Marketing, Product Management, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Development, and Operations across startups, venture-backed companies, and multi-billion-dollar global firms. His deep cross-functional background gives him a unique ability to connect strategy with execution and theory with reality. He founded his consultancy in 2011 to help first-time CEOs and expanded to Beelinebill Enterprises in 2020.  As an advisor, Bill partners with first-time CEOs and founders who need a trusted sidekick to navigate uncertainty, make better decisions, and stay focused on what matters most. His clients learn to build their “blind spot muscle,” strengthen their leadership confidence, and lead their organizations with clarity and purpose. Bill’s structured approach blends people, processes, and performance to create alignment and results. He has led or restructured multiple companies and business units, driving transformation through what he calls People-Function Fit, the often-overlooked complement to Product-Market Fit.   Connect with Bill Miller Socials: https://linktr.ee/beelinebill Book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Every-CEO-Must-Know-ebook/dp/B0FVVJN8FL Email:  bill@beelinebill.com Website: www.BeelineBill.com   Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    39 min

  5. May 8

    The Fragility of Trust in Leadership

    In "The Fragility of Trust in Leadership," Timothy Staton delves into the critical role of trust within organizations. This episode explores how trust varies across different leadership levels, emphasizing its delicate nature as responsibilities increase. Key concepts include the "Goldilocks leadership" approach, which balances firmness and empathy. Staton discusses how trust is built on character and competence, and why emotional discipline and transparency are vital for leaders. This insightful episode is essential for understanding how trust shapes organizational culture and leadership effectiveness. Core Points: Trust diminishes as leadership responsibilities grow. Senior leaders have less room for mistakes due to broader consequences impacting entire organizations and external stakeholders. Leader behavior, even subtle actions or silence, is amplified at senior levels, directly shaping organizational culture and team confidence. Culture is defined by tolerated behaviors, not just stated values. Leaders who overlook substandard actions inadvertently set new, lower expectations. Effective leadership balances empathy and accountability. It requires both strong character and proven competence, with neither being sufficient alone. Leadership fit is crucial. Placing a technically skilled individual in a leadership role without considering their suitability for that specific context, team, and season can harm organizational culture. Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    29 min

  6. May 6

    What is Job Hugging with Nanci Appleman-Vassil

    What is Job Hugging with Nanci Appleman-Vassil In this powerful episode of leadership and personal development, The Human Side of Leadership with Nanci Appleman-Vassil, discover how human connection, self-awareness, resilience, and compassionate leadership are the true game-changers for career success and personal empowerment. Nanci Appleman-Vassil, CEO of APLS Group with over 25 years of experience, shares transformative insights on career transition, overcoming fear, and navigating today’s AI impact on the workforce. Nanci discusses practical strategies around how to recover from being laid off and how long it takes to recover from being laid off, drawing from her own experience of being laid off twice before launching her successful business. The conversation covers what to do after being fired from a job, including job outplacement services, job search outplacement, and job outplacement support that treats people with dignity. She stresses the importance of compassionate leadership during layoffs—offering real help like resume workshops and interview preparation instead of cold emails.   Listeners gain actionable advice on addressing low self-esteem, breaking free from “job hugging,” entrepreneurship, and building the courage to take risks. Nanci also explores her lifelong passion for human connection, the power of open-ended questions, and how self-awareness and resilience fuel both professional growth and personal fulfillment. Whether you’re facing a career transition, seeking empowerment after job loss, or wanting to become a more effective leader at work or home, this episode delivers heartfelt wisdom on overcoming fear and leading with humanity in an AI-driven world. Tune in to The Human Side of Leadership with Nanci Appleman-Vassil for inspiring stories, practical tools, and a refreshing focus on authentic human connection that drives real results. Perfect for anyone interested in leadership, personal development, and compassionate career guidance. Connect with Nanci Appleman-Vassil: Books: Website: https://aplsgroup.com/ LinkedIn: hhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nanciapplemanvassil/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apls-group/   Connect With Tim Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    34 min

  7. May 1

    Palm’s Up Leadership with Rich Plumery

    In this conversation, Palm’s Up Leadership with Rich Plumery, Rich Plumery shares his journey from being a lost kid to becoming a successful leader. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the principles of servant leadership, and how to engage teams effectively. Rich emphasizes the need for humility in leadership and the significance of transferring wisdom to future leaders. He also highlights the role of parents in fostering servant leadership in their children, advocating for a collaborative and supportive approach in both professional and personal settings. Rich Plumery bio: As the Senior Vice President of Project Delivery for AECOM, the world’s largest and most admired architecture, engineering, and design firm, Rich leads project delivery for AECOM’s most significant and critical business—their Americas business with over 50,00 projects delivered per year. Rich Plumery is now the author of Palms Up Leadership: Developing Our Future Leaders, which discusses how his unique experiences have shaped his new approach to servant leadership. His Enable, Engage, and Embrace approach offers methods for addressing many of the current challenges in today’s workplace, including dealing with the loss of wisdom due to a rapidly retiring workforce and the disruption caused by emerging AI technologies. Rich’s journey included growing and selling multiple businesses, including a successful tactical supply company in partnership with elite members of SEAL Team Six and Red Cell, as well as a sports performance coaching business that served hundreds of professional athletes across the NFL, NHL, MLB, and MLS. His center accommodated the world-famous Greg Roskopf’s first Muscle Activation Techniques clinic. www.muscleactivation.com Connect with Rich Plumery: website: www.palmsupleader.com Book: https://a.co/d/hsKlvMZ Tim Staton hosts conversations on leadership, entrepreneurship, ethical decision-making, and practical wisdom leaders can apply every day. Website: timstatingtheobvious.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw Instagram: @TimStating TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/ SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    36 min

  8. Apr 29

    The Leadership Toolkit with Dave Berkus

    What does it take to move from entrepreneur to super angel investor, and what can leaders learn from that journey? In this episode, The Leadership Toolkit with Dave Berkus, Tim Staton sits down with Dave Berkus, a pioneering entrepreneur, tech innovator, and investor with more than 200 startup investments, to unpack the lessons he has learned building companies, backing founders, and advising leaders. Dave shares how a teenage side business evolved into a public company, how he recognized opportunity during crisis, and how he built one of the earliest hospitality software systems, technology that helped shape modern hotel reservations and was adopted by Marriott International for decades. The conversation explores the evolution of angel investing and the story behind the renowned Berkus Method, Dave’s practical framework for valuing early-stage startups before revenue. He explains what he looks for in founders, the red flags that signal trouble, why coachability matters, and why disciplined investing is often about making money before you ever exit. Tim and Dave also dive into missed opportunities, including passing on Amazon, and why failures and near misses often become a leader’s greatest teachers. Dave offers candid insights on risk, diversification, internal rate of return, and why angel investing is not for the faint of heart. The discussion also turns to leadership through Dave’s book, The Leader's Toolkit, where he shares practical wisdom on decision-making, crisis leadership, governance, and building the right advisory board. From startup strategy to boardroom negotiations, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, investing, and thinking long term. In this episode, we discuss: How Dave Berkus built and exited a pioneering software company The origins of the Berkus Method for startup valuation What separates investable founders from risky ones Lessons learned from missed opportunities and failed investments Why strong boards and governance can shape a company’s future Practical leadership principles from The Leader’s Toolkit If you are interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, investing, or building something that lasts, this conversation delivers wisdom earned through decades of experience. Listen in and discover why great leadership, like great investing, often comes down to judgment, relationships, and seeing opportunity before others do.

    37 min
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4.8
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14 Ratings

About

Turning leadership principles into practical application

Information

  • Creator
    statingtheobvious
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tim Stating the Obvious