

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

Feb 5, 2025 • 5min
Extra Point: Self-Control
I'm Chip Gray and this week, we're talking about a skill that's often overlooked but absolutely crucial for sales managers: self-control. 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

Feb 2, 2025 • 35min
271: Viking Code Leadership with Anders Indset
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating insights of Anders Indset, a renowned business philosopher and author of 'The Viking Code: The Art and Science of Norwegian Success.' Anders shares his unique perspective on the intersection of business and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of micro ambitions and self-trust in leadership. Discover how the principles of the Viking Code can transform your approach to management and leadership, fostering a culture of trust and innovation. Join us as we explore the art of balancing individualism with collectivism, and learn how to navigate the complexities of modern business with a philosophical edge."Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation and creation. It's a birthplace of building healthy relationships. In a world of reaction, we need to figure out that we can create a space of reflection and think what is a plausible future." - Anders IndsetKey takeaways include:1- What is the essence of The Viking Code according to Anders Indset? Anders explains that The Viking Code is more than just a set of seven steps; it is a life philosophy centered around the vitality of life. It emphasizes living an active life and applying its principles to leadership, business, and personal growth.2 -How does Anders Indset view the role of trust in business? Anders discusses the importance of trust and self-trust in leadership, emphasizing that vulnerability and authenticity are key to building strong relationships and fostering innovation.3-What is Anders Indset's perspective on risk-taking and the future of technology? Anders argues that business leaders need to embrace risk-taking by understanding the potential of emerging technologies and anticipating future trends. He believes that technological progress will continue to accelerate, and leaders should focus on creating rather than just reacting to changes.4-What advice does Anders Indset give to salespeople for building credibility and trust? Anders advises salespeople to practice self-trust and connect with people using the principles of ethos, pathos, and logos. He emphasizes the importance of having small measurable goals, being micro-ambitious, and maintaining a playful and lively approach to engage prospects effectively.#leadership #philosophy #AI #VikingCode #AndersIndset #sales #technology #salespeople #SalesFuel #TeamTrait #AdMall Connect with Anders Indsethttps://andersindset.comhttps://de.linkedin.com/in/andersindsetConnect with Manage Smarter Co-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

Jan 29, 2025 • 5min
Extra Point: Improving Your Leadership Development
This week, we're talking about something that's crucial for any organization aiming for success: leadership development. 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

Jan 22, 2025 • 5min
Extra Point: Better Hiring Strategies
This week, we're talking about something every business leader needs to get right: hiring. 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

Jan 19, 2025 • 21min
270: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig
In this conversation with Summer Craig, President and CEO of the Craig Group, she shares her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome. Drawing from her expertise in digital marketing, she highlights the power of recognizing and leveraging personal strengths. Summer discusses how vulnerability in leadership can build trust and enhance credibility. Using her mountain climbing experiences as metaphors, she illustrates how challenges foster resilience and growth, emphasizing the importance of support networks, especially for women leaders.

Jan 15, 2025 • 5min
Extra Point: Building Trust as a Leader
This week, we're talking about a topic that's crucial for any leader aiming to empower their team: trust. 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

Jan 8, 2025 • 4min
Extra Point: Being a Credible Sales Manager
This week, we're talking about what it takes to be a credible sales manager that your team can truly trust. 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

Jan 7, 2025 • 27min
269: Navigating Crisis or Unexpected 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 improvementand 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'snever a shortage of them. And what seems like a day-to-day kind of occurrenceto some people seems it's a much bigger deal for others. And so we have tolearn how to apply those skills. That Winston Churchill quote that youmentioned truly illustrates the power of resilience. And resilience is gettingto 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_Aphttps://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

Jan 1, 2025 • 5min
Best of Extra Point 2024: Building Team Cohesion Through Joy
This week, we're discussing how managers can build team cohesion through joy. 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

Dec 25, 2024 • 4min
Best of Extra Point 2024: Semester Based Scheduling
This week, we're diving into a fresh approach to setting sales goals that could change the way you think about time management. 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