Smart People Think Podcast

Meet Danielle Hughes, Chief Personality Officer for More Than Words Marketing, as she shares what

inspires her to be a great leader.

Danielle leads through action and inspires others to keep motivating themselves. She believes in the

importance of capability, execution, and taking charge. Danielle’s core values rest on honesty, being a

truth-teller, loyalty, and authenticity, emphasizing that delivery matters as much as the message.

Danielle embodies a growth mindset, driven by curiosity and continuous learning, and finds joy in

diverse interests.

Meet Jason Cone, Chief Public Policy Officer at Robin Hood, and Co-Founder of BlueCheck Ukraine as he shares what inspires him to be a great leader.

Jason believes Leadership is about taking risks, finding yourself every day, and embracing change to lead through uncertainty. Jason talks about three critical components of leadership – Healing, Listening and Questioning, and how great leaders need great teams to lift each other up!

Welcome Joel Greenwald, ESQ, the Founder and Managing Partner of Greenwald Doherty LLP Counsel for Employers.

Joel underscores the significance of decisiveness, leading by example, and effective communication, even in the face of necessary pivots. Over 26 years in business, he's faced numerous challenges but his approach has remained consistent: listen to people, gather information, and invest in self-growth.

Meet Jerry Gibson, Executive Director of Systems that Work, LLC. Jerry defines leadership as investing in PEOPLE!

Lead your team with integrity, consistency, and honesty. Find a mentor and then be a mentor. Embrace mistakes, fuel continuous growth through learning, and master the art of mentorship. As a seasoned leader, he finds the biggest joy in empowering his team to succeed.

In this podcast episode, meet Brian Rowley, Chief Marketing Officer of BrightSign. Hear him talk about how Leaders must embrace empathy by revealing vulnerability, acknowledging the unseen, and including diverse perspectives. He emphasizes values like respect and fairness towards guiding a decision. He advises to focus on the controllable, give your 100%, and leave the rest to unfold gradually.

Meet Alexandra McDermott, International Book Publisher, Global Leader, and Motivational Coach at Pen Crown Publishing. As a leader, she emphasizes stepping into your power unapologetically and inspiring followership. Leadership transcends age or position—you can lead from any chair. Resilience and adaptability are the keys to converting challenges into opportunities.

Leadership is driven by a visionary mindset!

Meet Suhaiba Neill, Founder of The Full Circle. Suhaiba talks about how leaders are essential support systems, providing guidance to businesses, teams, employees, customers, and vendors. They inspire big dreams! Effective leaders prioritize security, honesty, and clarity for their employees and maintain consistency in their actions. Adaptability and Learning are the keys to avoiding being left behind.

Leadership is not a title or position; It is a Behavior!

Meet Carrie Graham, PhD, CEO of Learning Strategist talk about taking a humanistic approach towards building trust. Her advice is to take initiative, do your best and try to support your team members with love, compassion, and empathy. Always be kind to yourself, for it is an essential part of your journey toward becoming a leader!

FAIL FAST. Decide and keep moving forward.

What an inspiring mantra! Hear Colonel Lisa M. Carroll, from the U.S. Air Force talk about how Leaders need to let go of their fear of failing and make decisions fast.

To grow as a leader, you need to observe and learn, and provide honest feedback to your people. Inspire them to pursue excellence and appropriate behavior that will lead to overall growth.

Meet Dr. Lauren Petrea, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition Aldine Independent School District. Dr. Lauren talks about the importance of building a relationship with the “person” and not just the employee. Every action a leader takes can motivate or disengage the team. Leadership is about influencing others – positive and negative! The key is to listen, motivate, and encourage your team wherever possible.