If you’re struggling with hiring, retaining talent, or building a strong organizational culture, this episode is a must-listen.

Nicole Greer sits down with Franco Greco, Chief Revenue Officer at New Day USA, to explore how developing talent, not chasing it, can transform your organization.

This conversation dives into work culture, organizational culture, leadership and business strategy, team communication, and effective management practices. You’ll learn how to build a pipeline of high-performing employees, create a culture of accountability, and develop leaders from within.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why hiring for grit, integrity, and willingness beats hiring for experience
• How to solve the “talent shortage” by developing people internally
• A proven recruiting process that builds long-term leaders
• How internships can become your strongest leadership pipeline
• Why leading with kindness (not niceness) drives accountability and performance

This episode is for leaders, managers, business owners, and HR professionals who want to improve communication, strengthen organizational culture, and grow their teams with intention.

The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights.

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/

For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/

Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/

Want to be a guest? Send your request to [email protected]

What if your best marketing content is already happening inside your business, and you’re just not using it?

In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, to uncover why most marketing today feels generic and how to fix it.

Phil introduces the “Call-to-Content” playbook, a powerful strategy that turns real customer conversations into authentic, high-converting marketing. Instead of relying on AI-generated content that feels disconnected from your brand, he shows how to leverage your team’s real expertise to build trust and authority.

We also explore:

• Why employees are your brand
• The danger of “AI slop” in marketing
• How to build AI knowledge bases from your business
• Why more leads won’t fix a broken conversion funnel
• How featuring employees strengthens both culture and marketing

If you want marketing that actually drives revenue and a culture that supports it, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights.

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/

For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/

Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/

Want to be a guest? Send your request to [email protected]

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t speaking but listening?

In this episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer sits down with listening expert and author Oscar Trimboli to unpack how deep listening can transform workplace culture, improve communication, and even save organizations time and money.

Drawing from research with over 36,000 workplace listeners, Oscar reveals why most leaders aren’t actually listening and how that creates systemic cultural challenges across teams.

You’ll discover:

• Why listening is a skill, strategy, and daily practice
• How poor listening leads to wasted time, rework, and disengaged employees
• The 5 levels of listening and why most people never get past level one
• Simple, practical ways to improve communication in meetings immediately, and make them more efficient (and shorter)
• How better listening reduces resistance to change and builds trust
• Why employee feedback systems fail and how to fix them

If you’re a leader, manager, or anyone responsible for building a healthy workplace culture, this conversation will challenge how you think about communication and give you tools you can use right away.

Remember: People don’t resist change. They resist not being heard.

The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights.

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/

For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/

Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/

Want to be a guest? Send your request to [email protected]

What if “soft skills” are actually the most powerful leadership skills you can have?

In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with leadership expert Nanci Appleman-Vassil to break down the 8 power skills every leader must have to build strong teams, improve communication, and create a thriving work culture.

From reading the energy in a room to giving feedback that actually drives change, these leadership skills are not optional—they’re essential for leaders who want to show up with clarity, confidence, and real impact.

If you’re a leader, manager, or business owner looking to improve engagement, strengthen communication, and build accountability on your team—this conversation is your playbook.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why “soft skills” are actually power skills
✔️ How to build a strong organizational culture
✔️ How leaders communicate effectively
✔️ How to improve team communication and accountability
✔️ Leadership strategies that work in real businesses
✔️ Practical approaches to project management and team performance

The 8 Power Skills Every Leader Must Have:

00:04:04 Reading the Room: Picking up on energy, body language, and engagement
00:13:51 Giving Meaningful Feedback: Why telling isn’t feedback
00:14:23 Addressing Issues in the Moment: Stop waiting, start leading
00:17:25 Staying Curious Instead of Judgmental: Engage instead of label
00:24:15 Building Self-Awareness: Understanding yourself and others
00:30:53 Adapting Your Communication Style: Move beyond “this is just how I am”
00:32:26 Creating Psychological Safety: Prevent disengagement and turnover
00:36:19 Connecting Strategy to People: Align plans with real humans

Want to build a stronger work culture, improve leadership, and create a thriving team? You’re in the right place.

Connect with Nanci:

• 18 Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make: https://a.co/d/069ec1Zw
• Nanci's Website: https://www.nanciapplemanvassil.com/
• APLS Group Website: https://aplsgroup.com/
• Nanci's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanciapplemanvassil/
• APLS Group LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/281681/admin/dashboard/
• FREE DOWNLOAD: You're on the Workplace Stage https://talk.ac/nanci (Code: KIND)

Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/

For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/

Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/

Want to be a guest? Send your request to [email protected]

Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/SMbxA90bfXE

Want to lead your team through constant change without burning out or burning bridges? This episode breaks down the 5 roles every leader plays during disruption, and which one might be holding your team back. 

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with Patrick Leddin, PhD (co-author with James Patterson of Disrupt Everything and Win), to explore how leaders can turn change into momentum instead of chaos. This conversation dives into key topics like leading through change, organizational culture, accountability, and team communication during disruption. 

You'll learn how to recognize your default leadership role, when to push for change and when to hold steady, and how small daily choices build long-term resilience on your team. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• The 5 roles leaders play during change: trailblazer, torch bearer, firefighter, fire chief, and tinder gatherer 
• The "positive disruptor loop" for turning disruption into results (discern, behave, achieve, refine) 
• Why "relentless pursuit of the status quo" quietly kills team momentum 
• A simple way to reset a meeting when the energy or trust in the room is off 
• How to know which leadership role you default to (and when to choose differently) 

This episode is for leaders, managers, and business owners who want to build a team that adapts to change rather than resists it. 

Topics covered include: leading through change, change management, organizational culture, leadership and business, accountability, team communication, and leadership development.

Connect with Patrick:

Disrupt Everything and Win book: https://a.co/d/0hCqJePI
FREE Download: jamespatterson.com/disrupt-downloads
Websites: patrickleddin.com • jamespatterson.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin/

Also mentioned in this episode:
The Path by Laurie Beth Jones https://a.co/d/03nMdLWN

The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast explores the real-world strategies behind building strong work culture, improving organizational culture, and leading with clarity in today’s fast-changing business environment.

Hosted by leadership expert Nicole Greer, this podcast features conversations with business leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs who are shaping modern business culture through effective communication, leadership development, and intentional management practices.

Each episode delivers practical insights into leadership and business, including topics like team communication, project management, career growth, and creating workplaces where people perform at their best.

You’ll gain actionable tools, frameworks, and leadership skills you can apply immediately through coaching concepts, real-world examples, and professional development strategies, whether you’re a manager, executive, business owner, or emerging leader. 

If you're looking for guidance on building a thriving organizational culture, improving communication, or advancing your leadership career, this podcast is designed for you.

Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.com
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/
For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/
Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/
Want to be a guest? Send your request to [email protected]

What does it really mean to live a meaningful life?

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with keynote speaker, executive coach, and author Ruth Pearce to explore the powerful mindset shifts that help people get out of their own way and start living with purpose.

Drawing from her book, Be Hopeful, Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Curious, Ruth shares the four essential qualities that help individuals move from feeling stuck and uncertain to becoming confident, motivated, and future-focused.

Together, Nicole and Ruth unpack how understanding your strengths, redefining “normal,” and cultivating curiosity can transform both your leadership and your life. You’ll also learn why hope is not just wishful thinking—it’s a strategic mindset built on vision, pathways, and action.

If you’re looking for practical coaching insights to help you clarify your purpose, strengthen your leadership, and build a meaningful future, this conversation is packed with wisdom.

Vibrant Highlights:

04:30 – Why you should start with who you are - The power of identifying your strengths and challenging the stories you tell yourself.

10:15 – Meaningless life vs. meaningful life - Exploring purpose, direction, and the questions that help people gain clarity.

18:30 – Why “normal” is different for everyone - How redefining your personal baseline helps you understand yourself better.

23:45 – The real definition of hope - Hope = Vision + Agency + Pathways.

33:50 – Discovering and using your strengths - Why strengths include character, values, talents, and skills.

44:30 – What bravery actually looks like - Why doing something despite fear is the true definition of courage.

47:45 – The power of curiosity in leadership - How curious leaders unlock better ideas, creativity, and problem-solving.

Connect with Ruth:
Be Hopeful, Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Curious: https://a.co/d/0gRqFh00
Website: https://aleverlongenough.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-pearce/

Also mentioned in this episode:
VIA Institute on Character https://www.viacharacter.org/
The Path by Laurie Beth Jones https://a.co/d/0hWg3RxX
Todd Kashdan https://toddkashdan.com/
The Courage Quotient https://a.co/d/0cjFG1HT

Listen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!

Book Nicole to help your organization ignite clarity, accountability, and energy through her SHINE™ Coaching Methodology.
Visit vibrantculture.com
Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/SMbxA90bfXE

Training alone won’t transform an organization—but the right 7 shifts in L&D just might.

In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with learning and talent development strategist Jess Almlie, founder of Almlie Consulting and author of L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner.

Jess shares insights from her decades of experience helping organizations transform their learning and development functions from transactional training providers into strategic business partners. She explains why many L&D teams get stuck as “order takers,” how leaders can begin shifting that dynamic, and why aligning learning with business strategy is essential for driving real performance improvement.

Nicole and Jess explore the cultural challenges organizations face around learning, the importance of measuring impact, and the small but powerful shifts that help L&D leaders increase their influence and deliver meaningful business results.

If you're a leader, trainer, HR professional, or anyone responsible for developing people, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning inside organizations—and inspire you to move from reactive training to strategic impact.

Vibrant Highlights:
00:00:32 – Nicole introduces Jess Almlie and her mission to help L&D leaders become strategic business partners.
00:07:58 – The importance of creating a culture where learning is valued and employees actually want to grow.
00:22:46 – Why both teams and organizations win when learning aligns with real performance needs.
00:34:24 – How L&D professionals can begin building a true learning strategy.
00:39:07 – Jess explains why the shift from order taker to strategist happens gradually, through small intentional moves.

Connect with Jess:
Book: https://a.co/d/0dllIdVA
Website: jessalmlie.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

Ready to build a culture where people feel valued, energized, and committed?
Bring Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, to your leadership team, organization, or conference to ignite clarity, accountability, energy, and results.

Visit: vibrantculture.com
Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos

Delegation is broken — and it’s costing you growth, engagement, and retention.

On this week’s episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole sits down with Brad Federman, author of Never Delegate Again, and together they  dismantle outdated leadership thinking that no longer works in today’s world.

Brad explains why company life cycles have shrunk, why skills now expire in just a few years, and why leaders must shift from “managing performance” to coaching development. He shares his Growth Matrix, his Five Stages of Change model, and a powerful Culture Character framework that reveals why so many organizations struggle.

If you care about building a vibrant culture, retaining top talent, and staying relevant in an AI-driven world—this episode is a must-listen.

Vibrant Highlights:

04:44 – Why traditional delegation models (including the Eisenhower Matrix) are outdated in today’s fast-moving, specialized economy

00:07:05 – Growth is the new psychological contract between employers and employees

23:49 – Why most organizational change efforts fail (and how leaders sabotage them unintentionally)

30:12 – The Five Stages of Change: No Way, Maybe, Get Ready, Act, Routine

38:48 – The Culture Character Model: Balancing people and results to create a thriving organization

42:45 – Two small leadership shifts that dramatically improve retention and performance

Connect with Brad:
Book https://a.co/d/01Kovd2J
Website https://www.bradfederman.com/
Business: https://www.performancepointllc.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfederman/
Business LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/performance-point-llc/

Also mentioned on this episode:
Marshall Goldsmith "Feedforward": https://youtu.be/tFX74GIxca4?si=jIMfzHazW8y1Mcv2
The Path by Laurie Beth Jones: https://a.co/d/03uwtZ6P
The Tilt Model: https://www.tilt365.com/about

Ignite your culture. Elevate your leaders. Activate your people.

Nicole Greer delivers transformational keynotes and trainings that spark clarity, accountability, energy, and lasting results.

Ready to light it up?

Visit: vibrantculture.com
Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos

What does a missing jar of marmalade in India reveal about global leadership?

You might be surprised.

In this episode of Build a Vibrant Culture, Nicole Greer sits down with cross-cultural business expert Dean Foster, author of Business Beyond Borders, to explore what he’s learned from working in more than 100 countries. From communication styles and time management to risk tolerance, information sharing, and workplace formality, Dean shares powerful stories that reveal how culture quietly shapes everything we do at work.

If you lead a global team, work across time zones, or collaborate with people from different backgrounds — this conversation will expand your awareness and sharpen your leadership.

Vibrant Highlights:

[00:12:50] The Missing Marmalade Story
Dean shares how ordering a croissant in India turned into a masterclass on indirect communication and hierarchy — and what it means for leaders managing global teams.

[00:20:13] Direct vs. Indirect Cultures
Why Americans “say what they mean,” why some cultures don’t — and how misreading this can create serious workplace breakdowns.

[00:23:19] Managing the Clock Across Cultures
From strict deadlines to flexible time norms, Dean explains how history, climate, and agriculture shaped how cultures view punctuality and planning.

[00:32:04] Information Sharing & Risk Tolerance
Some cultures share everything. Others guard information as power. Dean explains how this connects to decision-making and comfort with risk.

[00:54:51] The #1 Rule for Working Anywhere in the World
Dean’s final advice after decades of global consulting: Stay humble. You’re a guest — and leadership means adapting, not imposing.

Connect with Dean:
Book: Business Beyond Borders https://a.co/d/0eKdRary
Other books by Dean: bit.ly/4aNXar9
Website: deanfosterglobal.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/dfaintercultural
YouTube: youtube.com/deanfosterglobal
IG: @deanfosterglobal
Podcast: oopscultureshow.blubrry.net

Ready to build a culture where people feel valued, energized, and committed?

Bring Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, to your leadership team, organization, or conference to ignite clarity, accountability, energy, and results.

Visit: vibrantculture.com

Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos

What happens when an engineer, executive leader, and yoga instructor come together in one person?

Transformation.

In this powerful episode, Nicole Greer sits down with seasoned operations leader and business coach Luca Romano to explore what it truly means to build a vibrant culture — especially in high-pressure manufacturing environments. After experiencing burnout and a life-changing spinal cord injury, Luca redefined leadership for himself. Blending his engineering mindset with mindfulness and emotional intelligence, he now leads with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Vibrant Highlights:

00:02:33 — Vibrant culture is positive energy directed toward progress. Energy spent on fear, politics, or self-protection drains results. Culture puts people at the center and aligns behavior around shared values.

00:14:00 — Courage is required to move beyond people-pleasing. It is better to fail on your own conviction than succeed while betraying your values. Fear-based leadership wastes energy and undermines performance.

00:22:00 — Culture drives measurable business results. After implementing shared core values, structured communication, and EOS, on-time delivery improved from 51% to 91%.

00:24:20 — Training is an investment, not a cost. Skipping development to “save time” only postpones problems. Investing in people strengthens retention and long-term performance.

00:35:30 — Coaching in and coaching out requires clarity. When behavioral expectations are clearly defined, difficult conversations become structured and productive — sometimes separation becomes a gift.

Connect with Luca:
Website: manufacturing-coach.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-romano-mba-041b531/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/luca.romano.505512IG: https://www.instagram.com/floaterone74/#

Ready to build a culture where people feel valued, energized, and committed?

Bring Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, to your leadership team, organization, or conference to ignite clarity, accountability, energy, and results.

Visit: vibrantculture.com

Email: [email protected]
Watch Nicole’s TEDx Talk: vibrantculture.com/videos