Deb Seeger is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur with deep expertise in sales methodologies, leadership development, and building high-performing teams in an increasingly digital world. Over the course of her career, she has coached hundreds of C-suite executives and sales leaders, helping organizations strengthen strategy, culture, and execution. An accomplished speaker and facilitator, Deb has delivered keynote presentations for organizations such as the Milwaukee Economic Trends Conference, Rotary, and TEMPO, and is a frequent guest on podcasts and CEO roundtables. She was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Woman of Influence and is the co-founder of Patina Solutions, a firm named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for five consecutive years, now part of Korn Ferry.

In this episode, Brad and Deb discuss:

• Deb’s unconventional path into sales and how early experiences shaped her leadership philosophy
• Why fear and resistance to change are the biggest barriers organizations face, and how to demystify change
• What high-performing companies consistently get right about strategy, clarity, and communication
• How culture, accountability, and leadership behavior determine long-term success
• The “iron triangle” of fast, cheap, and good, and how leaders navigate tradeoffs

Key Takeaways: 

• Change becomes manageable when leaders treat it like a project. By breaking uncertainty into clear steps, roles, and expectations, fear is reduced and momentum increases.
• High-performing companies are relentlessly clear about who they are, where they’re going, and how every person contributes. Clarity acts as a powerful accelerator for execution and alignment.
• Strong cultures don’t tolerate bad behavior in exchange for results. Leaders who hire and hold people accountable for attitude as well as performance build trust and long-term stability.
• Leadership does not require intimidation or ego. The most effective leaders say the hard thing in a soft way, listen first, and make decisive calls once all voices have been heard.
• AI represents the greatest leveling of the playing field leaders have ever seen. Organizations that use AI to systematize routine work can refocus human energy on what matters most: judgment, relationships, and discernment.

“Every project is a change, and every change is a project. And so if you just walk every change through a project methodology, then you can kind of demystify it.” - Deb Seeger

Connect with Deb Seeger: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieseeger/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Additional Resources: 

• Let’s Get Real Or Let’s Not Play – Transforming Sales Relationships by Mahan Khalsa: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Real-Not-Play/dp/1591842263  
• The No Asshole Rule by Dr. Robert Sutton: https://www.amazon.com/Asshole-Rule-Civilized-Workplace-Surviving/dp/0446698202 
• Flawless Consulting by Peter Block: https://www.amazon.com/Flawless-Consulting-Guide-Getting-Expertise/dp/0470620749

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.