

The Chris LoCurto Show
Chris LoCurto
Break down the barriers to small business success with 'The Chris LoCurto Show'. Tailored for the tireless entrepreneur facing the daily grind of managing cash flow, leading a team, and carving out a competitive edge, this podcast offers more than just advice—it offers a lifeline. Chris LoCurto brings decades of firsthand experience leading small businesses and delivers straightforward strategies and actionable insights.Every episode tackles the real issues you face—how to inspire your team, make every dollar count, and find the time to focus on what really matters: growing your business and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance. This isn't just a podcast; it's a community where your challenges are acknowledged, your efforts are celebrated, and your dreams are attainable.Join us in listening to 'The Chris LoCurto Show' to transform your business headaches into victories. Subscribe today and start paving your path to business growth and personal fulfillment. Learn more at www.chrislocurto.com. Your journey to small business mastery begins here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 13, 2025 • 28min
625 | From Procrastination to Progress: Leading Through Decision Paralysis
Ever feel stuck overthinking a decision, spinning in circles, and not moving forward? You’re not alone—and today we’re breaking down how to overcome decision paralysis and lead with confidence.In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I walk through the root causes of decision paralysis, how it quietly kills momentum, and 5 practical steps to help you move from procrastination to progress.Plus, I’ll show you how to coach your team out of indecision and take action faster.Here’s what we cover:Intro - Story (00:01:10)Churchill’s Dunkirk decision shows how bold action beats perfect planning.What Is Decision Paralysis and Why Does It Matter? (00:03:12)Understand what’s really happening when you (or your team) get stuck—and how much it costs.What Keeps Leaders Stuck in Procrastination? (00:06:08)Fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, and more—we walk through examples of each.5 Practical Steps to Move from Procrastination to Progress (00:10:50)From clarifying goals to setting deadlines, these steps help you act fast and smart.Coaching Your Team Through Decision Paralysis (00:20:26)Learn how to guide your team with questions instead of giving all the answers.Action Items for Listeners (00:24:28)Five next steps to take this week to break the swirl and build momentum.Additional Resources (00:26:21)Check out Episode 315 to go deeper on strategic decision making.Conclusion (00:26:40)Progress is built on decisions—start making yours today.🎧 Hit play and let’s lead better, one bold decision at a time.

May 6, 2025 • 29min
624 | Fear is the Enemy of Progress: Building the Courage to Lead Change
Fear will always knock—but will you let it lead?In this episode, Chris exposes how fear quietly drives leadership decisions, stalls progress, and keeps leaders from stepping into bold, wise action.You'll discover how to recognize fear’s subtle forms, replace it with courage, and build confidence one decision at a time.🔑 In this episode:00:00:53 – The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)00:02:52 – How Fear Manifests in Leadership and Organizational Cultures00:07:43 – Identifying Fear-Based Decisions vs. Wise Decisions00:13:12 – Strategies to Confront Fear Head-On and Lead with Courage00:18:21 – Why Boldness is About Action, Not the Absence of Fear00:22:23 – 2025 Audience Survey00:23:10 – Leaders Who Overcame Fear to Create Massive Change00:24:21 – Action Steps: Building the Courage to Lead Change00:26:31 – Additional Resources00:26:56 – Conclusion🎧 Listen now and take one bold step toward the leader you’re called to be.Take the survey here: chrislocurto.com/surveyFull resources + free leadership tools at: chrislocurto.com

Apr 22, 2025 • 30min
623 | Why Boldness is Contagious: Leading With Confidence to Inspire Your Team
In this episode, I’m walking you through five powerful ways boldness transforms your leadership, builds trust, and sets your team in motion.If you want a team that takes ownership, leans into change, and drives results, it starts with how you lead.👉 Plus, I’m giving you practical action steps and sharing how bold leaders shape culture, innovation, and momentum.⏱ Episode Highlights:00:00:00 – IntroductionWhy bold leadership is the anchor in crisis—and how your team takes its cues from you.00:05:18 – Boldness Creates Momentum and EnergyYour confidence sets the tone and drives the team’s energy forward.00:12:49 – Confidence in Uncertainty Builds TrustYou don’t need all the answers, but you do need to lead with assurance.00:16:27 – Bold Leadership Fosters a Culture of InnovationWhen boldness replaces fear, teams step into creativity and problem-solving.00:18:55 – Boldness Overcomes Fear and Resistance to ChangeLead your people through resistance by reframing change as opportunity.00:22:31 – Bold Leaders Inspire Others to Step UpYour example gives your team permission to take ownership and grow.00:24:40 – Action StepsFive practical ways to lead boldly—starting now.00:28:35 – Additional ResourcesGo deeper with our Boldness Series: Episodes 621 & 622.00:29:04 – ConclusionYour boldness shapes your team’s future—what bold move will you make this week?📝 Take our quick 5-minute leadership survey and get a free 5-day leadership challenge: chrislocurto.com/survey

Apr 15, 2025 • 53min
622 | Boldness vs. Burnout: Reclaiming Your Energy to Lead with Confidence
Burnout isn’t inevitable—and boldness doesn’t mean doing more. In this episode, I walk you through the warning signs of leadership burnout and how real boldness can help you lead with renewed energy and clarity. You'll get powerful examples, spiritual insight, and a 3-step plan to recharge and lead well.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome – Why burnout and boldness matter[01:26] Warning Signs of Burnout – Fatigue, cynicism, and more (with examples)[17:20] Boldness is the Antidote – Real leadership isn't doing it all[30:50] Building Resilience – How struggle builds stronger leaders[42:05] Tools to Recharge – Mental, emotional, and spiritual refueling[58:55] The Action Plan – 3 bold steps to reclaim your energy[01:04:20] Take the Survey – Help us shape future content[01:06:20] More Resources – Blog + Podcast to go deeper[01:08:00] Wrap-Up – Lead boldly, without burning outAdditional ResourcesPodcast Episode 131 | 8 Ways to Avoid BurnoutTake this quick survey to help us shape our future content and we'll give you free access to our 5-Day Leadership Challenge as a thank you!

Apr 8, 2025 • 41min
621 | Bold Leadership vs. Resistance: Breaking Cycles and Leading Effectively
Resistance—whether it’s internal, from your team, or from leaders above—can stall progress and create frustration.In this episode, Chris breaks down how bold leaders confront resistance head-on, overcome the “why try?” mindset, and turn obstacles into action.You’ll learn how to lead in all directions, influence resistant leaders, communicate with clarity, and build a culture of collaboration and accountability.Packed with real-life examples and practical takeaways—don’t miss this one! Timestamps:00:02:15 – Story of Moses and the Israelites’ Exodus from EgyptA powerful biblical example of bold leadership in the face of massive resistance.00:10:19 – The Nature of Resistance: Where It Shows Up and WhyUnderstand how resistance manifests internally, in your team, and from leadership above.00:14:48 – Breaking Barriers: Overcoming the “Why Try?” MindsetHow to shift limiting beliefs and inspire action with great questions.00:21:35 – Reigniting Boldness: Tackling Resistance with Confidence and PurposeRedirect resistance toward action and accountability instead of wasting time in arguments.00:27:30 – Leading in All Directions: Encouraging Boldness in Your Team & Influencing Resistant LeadersInfluence up, down, and across using questions, data, and strategic dialogue.00:31:01 – Effective Communication: Techniques to Inspire Collaboration and Mutual RespectClear, intentional communication that builds trust and reduces resistance.00:36:32 – Action ItemsFive bold steps to lead effectively and break the cycle of resistance.00:38:04 – Additional ResourcesA must-listen episode recommendation to further tackle negative mindsets.00:38:24 – ConclusionResistance is inevitable—how you lead through it defines your success.

Apr 1, 2025 • 37min
620 | How to Build Predictable Revenue with Memberships with Stu McLaren
Tired of unpredictable sales and chasing new customers every month?In this episode, I sit down with Stu McLaren—membership expert and author of Predictable Profits—to unpack how recurring revenue can bring stability and freedom to your business.We break down the four types of memberships (with real-world examples), how to start without a big audience, and how to sell without feeling salesy.If you're ready to stop hustling and start building predictable profits, this episode is for you.⏱️ Time Stamps + Highlights00:04:43 – The Reality of Unpredictable RevenueWhy feast-or-famine cycles create stress and how recurring revenue helps.00:14:18 – Different Types of MembershipsProduct, service, knowledge, and community-based models with practical examples.00:26:35 – You Don’t Need a Big Audience to StartStart small and scale—how 20 members turned into a 7-figure membership.00:29:48 – Selling Without Feeling SalesyUse stories and contrast to connect and convert—without high-pressure tactics.00:33:05 – More About StuWhere to get the book and connect with Stu for more membership wisdom.00:36:34 – ConclusionFinal encouragement to rethink your business model and reduce stress.Like our content? Help us reach more people! Click to leave us a quick review.

Mar 25, 2025 • 25min
619 | How to Spot and Stop Sabotaging Behavior in Your Leadership Team

Mar 18, 2025 • 30min
618 | The Silent Team Killer: How Unspoken Expectations Undermine Success
If your team is struggling with execution, accountability, or a disconnected culture, unspoken expectations might be the root cause.These assumptions create confusion, frustration, and failure. Let’s break down what’s really happening and how to fix it.The Reality of Unspoken Expectations (00:01:37)Leaders assume their teams understand what to do, but what’s obvious to you isn’t always clear to them. This leads to missed deadlines, inconsistent performance, and frustrated team members.The Impact on Team Culture (00:06:41)A lack of clarity creates fear, hesitation, and wasted time, hurting team morale and slowing productivity. Without clear expectations, teams don’t take ownership, and accountability suffers.How to Set Clear Expectations (00:14:12)Fixing this isn’t just about telling people what to do—it’s about collaborating with them. Define what success looks like, communicate early and often, document expectations, and reinforce them consistently.The Power of Team Buy-In (00:18:57)People want ownership, not just orders. When your team helps define expectations, they engage more, take responsibility, and perform at a higher level.The Consequences of Not Addressing This (00:23:17)Unclear expectations lead to low morale, inconsistent performance, and high turnover—you could even lose your best talent.How to Fix This in Your Team (00:24:48)Audit expectations – Are you assuming people understand what you want?Have direct conversations – Ask your team what they believe is expected.Define measurable goals – What does success look like?Communicate expectations regularly – One conversation isn’t enough.Invite participation – Let your team shape expectations for greater buy-in.Conclusion (00:28:43)Unspoken expectations kill team performance. As a leader, your role is to clarify, communicate, and reinforce expectations to drive success.Want to develop stronger leadership skills? Our Key Leader Program (KLP) helps leaders master communication, accountability, and execution strategies. Learn more at ChrisLoCurto.com.Like our content? Help us reach more people! Click to leave us a quick review.

Mar 11, 2025 • 28min
617 | The High Cost of Avoiding Accountability in Your Leadership Team
Avoiding accountability creates chaos, misalignment, and inefficiencies that impact every part of your business. If leaders aren’t holding each other accountable, you’ll see wasted resources, declining morale, and reduced profitability. Let’s dive into why accountability matters and how to fix it.Kodak: A Leadership Failure (00:02:03)Kodak invented the first digital camera in the 1970s but failed to act. Leadership avoided tough decisions, fearing disruption to their film business. While they stalled, competitors advanced, and Kodak eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2012—not due to technology, but due to poor accountability and leadership.Lack of Alignment Creates Chaos (00:03:37)Misaligned leadership leads to confusion and inefficiency. When leaders push different priorities without accountability, resources scatter instead of focusing on a common goal, ultimately hurting productivity and team morale.Unspoken Issues Breed Toxicity (00:08:31)Ignoring problems creates resentment and disengagement. If leaders fail to address accountability issues, passive-aggressiveness spreads, morale drops, and trust erodes. Tackle problems early to prevent toxicity.Productivity and Profits Decline (00:13:13)A lack of accountability increases inefficiencies, poor decisions, and wasted resources. When leaders aren’t held accountable, disengagement spreads, stalling business growth and profitability.How to Build a Culture of Accountability (00:14:55)Set Clear Expectations – Define responsibilities and metrics.Regular Check-Ins – Keep accountability a priority in meetings.Address Issues Early – Tackle problems before they escalate.Lead by Example – Model accountability to create ownership.Establish Consequences & Rewards – Recognize accountability and correct resistance.Final Thoughts (00:26:55)Avoiding accountability weakens leadership and hurts your business. Aligning your team fosters better communication, stronger morale, and higher profits.Need help implementing accountability? The Key Leader Program can give your leaders the tools they need to take ownership and lead with confidence. Reach out to us to learn more.Take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life. See you next time!Like our content? Help us reach more people! Click to leave us a quick review.

Mar 4, 2025 • 27min
616 | How to Address Underperforming Leaders Without Crushing Their Confidence
Maybe you’ve got someone on your team who’s struggling, and you’re dreading the conversation. You don’t want to demoralize them, but you also can’t ignore the problem.So how do you handle this in a way that leads to improvement and not fear? That’s what we’re covering today on The Chris LoCurto Show.Leading people is tough, especially when a leader on your team isn’t performing well. You don’t want to come down too hard, but you also can’t just let it slide.Today, I’ll show you how to handle these conversations the right way—so you can actually fix the problem instead of creating fear or resentment.We’ll go over the two types of underperforming leaders, how to approach these conversations with curiosity instead of criticism, and how to drive real improvement. Plus, I’ll share real-world examples along the way.Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:IBM Story (00:01:30)A powerful example of how IBM’s CEO turned the company around by handling tough conversations with curiosity and accountability.Understand the Two Types of Underperforming Leaders (00:03:03)Learn the difference between the ‘aware but stuck’ leader and the ‘oblivious’ underperformer—and why each requires a different approach.Start the Conversation with a Gentle Hand (00:09:21)Tough conversations shouldn’t feel like an attack. Here’s how to start with empathy and curiosity to encourage positive change.Get Their Perspective Before Jumping to Conclusions (00:12:57)Don’t assume you know why someone is struggling—ask the right questions first.Shift the Focus to Solutions and Ownership (00:16:02)Instead of guilt-tripping, guide them toward real solutions they can own and implement.Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:18:54)Join us in April 2025 to learn how to lead a team that operates without you doing everything yourself.Set Clear Next Steps with Encouragement (00:21:46)Give clear expectations, check in consistently, and ensure real improvement happens.Additional Resources (00:24:49)Want to go deeper? Check out these episodes where we role-play tough conversations to see exactly how to navigate these situations:379 | Leading Through Tough Conversations595 | Face the Facts: Stop Avoiding Tough Conversations in Business – Part 2Underperformance is an opportunity for leadership growth. If you approach it with curiosity, empathy, and clarity, you’ll develop stronger leaders and a healthier team.Who on your team needs this conversation today? Approach it with the right mindset, and you’ll build them up—not break them down.That’s it for today’s episode! Now go take action. Change your leadership, change your business, change your life!


