

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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: AI & the Future of SEO
This week, we're exploring the fascinating world of digital marketing with a spotlight on AI's impact on SEO strategies.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 20, 2025 • 27min
283: Failing Upward: Navigating Undeserved Promotions with Dima Ghawi
Dima Ghawi, author of 'Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations and Daring to Thrive,' discusses the phenomenon of 'failing upward' in the workplace. How to deal with people less qualified "falling up" and getting promoted past you, how to deal with managing people who "fall up" into your department! With her extensive experience in leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dima offers insights into overcoming unconscious biases and navigating office politics. Learn how to create a resilient career path and foster an inclusive work culture in this engaging episode.
"I just think a lot of these individuals get promoted because they know how to play the game. They know how to play politics. They say the right thing. They do the right thing." - Dima Ghawi
Key Takeaways:
-Peter Principle and Pretty Principles
-Unconscious Bias and how that plays into "Falling Up" dynamics
-What strategies can individuals use to cope with being passed over for promotions?
-Managing those who have fallen up into your department and managing the existing teams around them
Connect with Dima Ghawi
https://www.dimaghawi.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimaghawi
https://www.breakingvases.com
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/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
Connect with SalesFuel
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Performance Coaching
This week, we're talking about something that's not just a buzzword—it's a game-changer: performance coaching.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 9, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Sales Closing Scripts
This week, we're talking about the art of closing sales with confidence and finesse.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 6, 2025 • 23min
282: Sabbaticals and Career Breaks with Laura Nguyen
Laura Nguyen is an accomplished marketing executive and entrepreneur with a rich background in data-driven marketing, digital marketing, and communications for Fortune 500 companies. She is the author of 'Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off,' a book that explores the transformative potential of career breaks. Laura is also a certified executive coach, dedicated to helping mid-career high-achieving leaders transition from burnout to balance through her coaching programs and online community.
" 84% of millennials plan to take a career break, highlighting a shift in work-life balance priorities. But only 17% of organizations globally have a formal sabbatical program, offering a unique opportunity for companies to support employee well-being." - Laura Nguyen
Key Takeaways:
-Various types of career breaks and pros and cons
-How career breaks can be leveraged for personal and professional growth
-How to recognize signs of burnout in both you and your employees
-How to handle requests as a leader for a career break
ARE YOU BURNED OUT? TAKE LAURA'S BURNOUT QUIZ
https://www.lauranguyen.co/resources
CONNECT WITH LAURA NGUYEN
https://www.lauranguyen.co/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauran546/
BOOK:
"Career Break Compass: Navigating Your Path to a Balanced Life Through Intentional Time Off"https://www.amazon.com/Career-Break-Compass-Navigating-Intentional/dp/1685557325
CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTERE, LEE AND AUDREY
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
CONNECT WITH SALESFUEL
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
#careerbreak #sabbatical #leaveofabsence #careerburnout #worklifebalance #overworked #workburnout #timeoff #personalgrowth #burnedout
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Fix What's Not Selling to Scale Your Business
I'm Chip Gray and this week, we're talking about something that every business leader needs to master: fixing what's not selling to scale your business.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Women in Leadership
This week, we're exploring some fascinating insights from Mary Ann Pruitt, the CEO and President of Mosaic Media. Mary Ann has a wealth of experience in media strategy, and she’s sharing some golden nuggets on how women leaders are making waves in the business world.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 22, 2025 • 26min
281: Mastering Sales Leadership with Derek Johnson
Derek Johnson, author of 'The Strategic Sales Leader,' shares his insights on sales leadership, internal politics, and strategic execution. With a background in military and sales, Derek discusses the challenges of managing team dynamics and the importance of a clear vision. Learn practical tips for aligning your sales team and overcoming common obstacles in this insightful episode.
"You can either light a fire underneath someone, or you can ignite a fire within someone. The BHAG, the Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is the vision you set forth. The vision is the why." - Derek Johnson
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How to manage internal politics, which is the biggest issue in sales
-Overcoming salespeople who are resistant to change
-How to find your key players within your existing team
-Finding clear vision when there isn't agree on the big team goals and KPIs
CONNECT WITH DEREK JOHNSON
https://www.instagram.com/hardcoreleaders/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-j-404b7/
CONNECT WITH MANAGE SMARTER AND OUR HOSTS
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/manage-smarter/
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreystrong/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleesmith/
TWITTER/X
Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven
Lee https://x.com/cleesmith
CONNECT WITH SALESFUEL
· Website: https://salesfuel.com/
· Twitter: https://x.com/SalesFuel
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/
#sales #salescred #salescredibility #cleesmith #derekjohnson #salesleadership #salesskills #salestips #officepolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Behavioral Assessments
This week, we're talking about a game-changer in hiring: behavioral assessments. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 11, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Leading Instead of Selling
This week, we're talking about an important topic for your sales team: leading instead of selling. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.
Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


