Manage Smarter

Manage Smarter

By C. Lee Smith and Audrey StrongBusinessEntrepreneurshipManagement
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Manage Smarter episodes

  • 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

    5 min
  • 294: MOST POPULAR 2025: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Summer Craig

    Summer Craig is the President and CEO of the Craig Group , a business growth advisory firm. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, she is a seasoned expert in driving revenue growth for multimillion-dollar companies. Summer specializes in leveraging technology, integrating sales and marketing, and aligning organizations for sustainable business growth. Her expertise extends to working with private equity-backed businesses to lead large in-house teams. Beyond her professional achievements, Summer is also an avid mountain climber, having conquered peaks like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Rainier, which she uses as metaphors for overcoming challenges in business and life.

    "You don't have to have done it. You don't have to know, but you have to be smart enough to figure it out and maybe go find help or admit that you need help and go solve the problem." - #SummerCraig


    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    -How can professionals overcome imposter syndrome? Summer suggests focusing on what you are good at and leveraging your unique skills to overcome challenges. She believes that identifying and utilizing your strengths can help mitigate feelings of inadequacy and build confidence.

    -What role does vulnerability play in leadership? Summer argues that admitting when you haven't done something before can actually enhance your credibility as a leader. She believes that showing vulnerability and a willingness to learn can foster trust and collaboration within a team.

    -How can climbing mountains teach business professionals about overcoming challenges? Summer shares that climbing mountains like Mount Rainier taught her the importance of teamwork and humility. She believes that tackling difficult tasks outside of your comfort zone can provide valuable life lessons and build resilience.

    -What is a key strategy for managing imposter syndrome in teams? Summer recommends hiring individuals who have the ability to figure things out and encouraging open communication. She stresses the importance of creating an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting when they need help and are supported in finding solutions.

    #leadership #impostersyndrome #workplace #csuite #teamwork #salesfuel #admall #teamtrait

    Connect with Summer Craig

    ⁠https://www.craiggroup.io/⁠

    ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsummer/⁠


    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/⁠


    X


    Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠


    Lee ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠


     Connect with SalesFuel


    ·    Website: ⁠https://salesfuel.com/⁠


    ·    X: ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠


    ·    Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
  • 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

    4 min
  • Extra Point: Team Motivation

    This week, we're tackling a topic that every leader has faced at some point: team motivation. 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

    4 min
  • 293: The Buy-In Advantage with Dave Garrison

    Dave Garrison, CEO, business strategist, and author of 'The Buy-In Advantage,' dives into how buy-in and employee engagement drive workplace performance. He shares leadership strategies for building trust, increasing motivation, and reducing turnover with proven techniques—plus insights on inspiring purpose in today’s multi-generational workforce. Discover actionable tips and tools to boost productivity and enhance workplace culture.

    "People buy in on emotion, justify with logic. So how do you tap into that emotional need? That requires great questions and listening."

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    -The definition of employee buy-in and employee engagement and why it's important

    -How to tell if your employees are faking engagement and interest in their job and the organization

    -Actionable steps you can take to stop all the damage a lack of employee engagement can do to your organization

    CONNECT WITH DAVE GARRISON

    https://garrisongrowth.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-garrison-growth/
    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/

    ⁠X: Audrey ⁠https://x.com/tallmediamaven⁠

    Lee  ⁠https://x.com/cleesmith⁠

     Connect with SalesFuel        

    Website:  ⁠https://salesfuel.com/

    ⁠X:  ⁠https://x.com/SalesFuel⁠

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

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  • Extra Point: Holiday B2B Selling

    This week, we're talking about a question every B-to-B seller secretly asks: can you actually increase sales during the holidays?

    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

    4 min
  • Extra Point: Voice of the Sales Rep

    This week, we're exploring the unfiltered insights straight from the frontlines of sales — courtesy of over 800 sales professionals who participated in The Voice of the Sales Rep: 2025 Focus Report.

    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

    4 min
  • 292: Maximize Employee Potential—Work Smarter, Not Harder with Matt Granados

    Matt Granados, founder of LifePulse Incorporated and author of "Motivate the Unmotivated," reveals how to replace hustle culture with sustainable workplace success. He shares actionable strategies for employee engagement, optimal performance, workplace culture, and leveraging AI for productivity—without risking burnout. Gain leadership tips for integrating work-life harmony and building high-performing teams that thrive in today’s changing business environment.

    "There’s a difference between high performers and optimal performers, right? So a high performer is where everyone used to try to get to, especially in sales. High output, unsustainable pace compared to others. That’s like saying I beat a bunch of slow people in a race, so therefore I’m fast. Optimal performance flips the script a little bit—same exact high output, but at a sustainable pace compared to one’s own ability. That’s the key."

    WEBSITE FOR MANAGE SMARTER LISTENERS: lifepulseinc.com/ms

    -What is optimal performance and how do I get it?

    -What's the 80/100 performance rule?

    -How to set both action-based and time-based goals to get greater productivity

    -How to use AI as a force multiplier and to help work/life balance

    CONNECT WITH MATT GRANADOS

    www.lifepulseinc.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt87granados/

    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/

    X: Audrey https://x.com/tallmediamaven

    Lee  https://x.com/cleesmith 

    Connect with SalesFuel        

    Website:  https://salesfuel.com/

    X:  https://x.com/SalesFuel·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  • Extra Point: The Unspoken Sales Advantage

    This week, let's get real about what separates a successful salesperson from just a decent one. It's not just what you say—it's how you say it, and, more importantly, what your body says for you.

    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

    4 min
  • Extra Point: Trust, Communication & Teamwork

    This week, we're spotlighting something every business leader faces, but few master: how communication and trust boost your team’s efficiency.

    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

    4 min

About Manage Smarter

From the publisher's feed

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…

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