Paul Leon interviews Curtis Sprouse, a seasoned expert in health care, entrepreneurship, and CEO of Eureka Connect. Curtis shares insights on understanding behavioral profiles and the challenges of identifying key drivers in his industry. Pulling on his experience from healthcare technology, we discuss factors that influence team behavior and the importance of teaching rather than managing.

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Takeaways

• Understanding behavior goes beyond surface-level observations.

• Great leaders focus on teaching their teams how to think critically.

• Identifying the root causes of team challenges is essential for effective management.

• Personal fulfillment can impact professional effectiveness, but it's not always necessary for success.

• Relationships require ongoing effort and kindness to thrive.

• Access to knowledge has never been easier; utilize it wisely.

• Every interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow.

• Sales challenges often stem from relationship dynamics, not just product issues.

• You can always improve relationships, regardless of past difficulties.

• A commitment to lifelong learning is crucial for personal and professional growth.

  
  

Sound bites

"Great leaders do not manage people."

"You can always strengthen a relationship."

"You have to understand where the stress is."

Chapters

00:00 Leadership Expert Curtis Sprouse 

02:10 Behavioral Psychology in Business 

06:40 Identifying Key Drivers of Employee Behavior 

13:34 Sales Psychology & Relationship Selling 

16:36 Leadership vs Management: Teaching Critical Thinking 

23:11 Career Advice & Motivation for Leaders 

26:22 Overcoming B2B Sales Challenges 

30:01 Personal Fulfillment & Professional Success 

35:45 Family Dynamics & Leadership Skills 

39:46 How to Build Strong Business Relationships

In this conversation, Christopher Carter shares his extensive experience in technology, particularly in SAP and AI. He discusses his journey from early computing to becoming a thought leader in AI and entrepreneurship. The conversation covers the evolution of technology, the importance of nurturing human skills in the age of AI, practical applications of AI in business, and the investment required for successful AI integration. Christopher also provides insights into CRM solutions for new entrepreneurs and emphasizes the need for innovation in organizations.

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LinkedIn | Website | Email

Takeaways

• Christopher Carter has worked with companies in over 55 industries.
• He emphasizes the importance of nurturing human skills alongside AI.
• AI is not a job replacement but a tool for enhancement.
• The first year of AI investment is often the most costly.
• Vibe coding is a collaborative and creative approach to AI development.
• Organizations need to adapt to the changing landscape of technology.
• Practical applications of AI can lead to significant cost savings.
• CRM solutions vary in complexity and suitability for different business stages.
• Consulting processes should focus on understanding organizational pain points.
• The future of AI will require more human involvement and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Christopher Carter

01:47 Christopher's Journey: From Commodore to Entrepreneur

03:18 Current Ventures and Future Aspirations

06:43 The Evolution of Technology and AI's Role

09:50 Embracing Change: Skills for the Future

13:56 Choosing the Right AI Tools

16:29 Practical Applications of AI in Business

19:25 Understanding Upfront Costs and Long-term Benefits

21:34 Vibe Coding: A New Approach to AI Development

24:03 Exploring AI Agents and Their Potential

26:30 Engaging with AI: Building Personal Connections

27:59 Sharing Knowledge: Free Resources and Books

29:03 The Human-AI Relationship: A Complex Discussion

33:30 Navigating CRM Solutions: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

37:50 Consulting for Success: Understanding CRM Challenges

41:07 The Future of AI and SAP: Predictions and Insights

46:19 Passion for Helping: A Personal Story of Dedication

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Anya Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Taelor, a leading men's clothing subscription service that provides personal styling and curated rentals, powered by AI.

A Girls in Tech 40 Under 40 honoree, she previously led eCommerce and digital innovation teams at Meta, eBay, Target, and McDonald's. Taelor’s mission is to help people dress up to achieve their goals, whether it is for a job interview, date night, or big presentation—because looking good should not be a barrier to success.

Three gifts in this episode of The Manager’s Mic to help give the gift of time, convenience, and effortless style:

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Use code: ArmoirexTaelor.

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Takeaways

• Anya Cheng is the founder of Taylor, an AI-powered clothing subscription service.

• Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for leaders, especially in tech.

• Effective management involves solving problems rather than focusing on titles.

• Team dynamics are crucial; avoid creating enemies in the workplace.

• Focusing on goals rather than personalities can lead to better outcomes.

• Curiosity and continuous learning are essential for career growth.

• AI can enhance productivity and streamline business processes.

• Understanding resistance is key to pursuing business outcomes.

• Networking and building relationships can open new opportunities.

• Embrace change and be open to learning from diverse experiences.

  
  

Sound bites

"AI will pick clothes for you."

"Use your strengths, don't give up."

"You can never predict what's useful."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anya Cheng and Taylor AI

05:27 Imposter Syndrome and Leadership Insights

11:17 The Importance of Problem Solving in Management

17:10 Building Trust and Fostering Team Diversity

23:03 Embracing Change and the Future of Fashion

28:02 The Power of Listening in Communication

34:43 Understanding Resistance in Professional Growth

40:56 Leveraging Strengths to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

47:39 Fashion Advice and Personal Style

Download a Free Gift From Paul Leon

Taking a moment to wish you and your family Merry Christmas.

Paul Leon shares the life lessons to have a success mindset when pursuing an MBA. The finish line in sight, April of 2026 is graduation, steal my life lessons toward better goal setting and stronger mental strength.

Follow Paul Leon by clicking here

Chapters

00:00 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Education

06:36 Confronting Fear and Emotional Challenges

15:08 Navigating Shame and Personal Growth

24:46 Understanding Shame vs. Guidance

32:54 Celebrating Everyday Heroes

Takeaways

• 54% leave college because of emotional stress.
• Overcoming fear is crucial for personal growth.
• Speed in business can outweigh free options.
• On the other side of fear is a better version of you.
• Creating core memories is invaluable.
• Bitterness harms the one who holds it.
• Focus on what truly matters to avoid scattering efforts.
• Shame can be a tool for growth if understood correctly.
• Real heroes are often unseen in everyday life.
• Progress is more important than perfection.

Paul Leon talks with Scott Trumpolt, a Managing Director and Principal Consultant, who shares his extensive expertise in human resources, salary structure, and workplace culture. Discover how companies develop effective employee compensation strategies and incentives that turn pay transparency into growth opportunities.

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Takeaways

✅ Why compensation has been treated as "hush hush."

✅ The shift toward pay transparency and what it means for you.

✅ How to link your pay to career development (the key to retention). 

✅ Coaching strategies for managers having tough pay conversations. 

✅ Real-world example: How one manager's pay issue revealed systemic problems. 

✅ The employee's role: Active listening and career ownership. 

✅ How mentorship can transform your professional trajectory. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Compensation Consulting

01:44 Understanding Black Box Compensation

05:38 The Importance of Pay Transparency

07:47 Real-World Example of Pay Issues

11:33 Coaching Managers for Effective Pay Conversations

17:20 Scott's Journey to Consulting

21:12 Insights from The Defragmented Consultant Book

26:05 Bridging the Gap: HR and Management Collaboration

30:46 Empowering Employees: The Role of Active Listening

35:23 Spotting Potential: Mentorship and Career Growth

39:27 Success Stories: Transformative Client Experiences

43:23 Final Thoughts: Empowerment and Transparency

👉 Podcast Website

When you do a master's in business administration, nobody tells you about the real challenges. I went from college dropout to impacting $100M+ in revenue, then decided to get my MBA. Here's what 75% of the program actually taught me about why you should (or shouldn't) get an MBA, and whether it really matters for your career. Does an MBA matter when you already have real-world wins? In this video, I break down the unfiltered MBA experience: balancing family responsibilities, finding mentors who transform your trajectory, and why spirituality became my competitive advantage. You technically have the biggest boss upstairs guiding business decisions.

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Takeaways

• Pursuing an MBA requires balancing multiple responsibilities.
• Family support is crucial during educational pursuits.
• Mentorship can significantly impact professional growth.
• Spirituality can guide decision-making in business.
• Having a strong support system is essential for success.
• Education is not just about academics but also personal growth.
• Networking plays a vital role in business education.
• Time management is key for MBA students.
• Real-world experience complements academic learning.
• The journey of an MBA is transformative.

Are you struggling with how to lead a team by being too much of a servant leader? This video provides a plan to adjust your leadership skills and build a stronger, more effective team with these new manager tips. Paul Leon leverages his career history in coaching and motivating employees to strengthen personal development and power up the leadership style needed to win.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

00:27 Phase 1

04:33 Phase 2

06:06 Phase 3

07:47 Personal Example That Worked

Free Gift

Meet Kevin Hubschmann, a comedian and entrepreneur behind laugh.Inc., who masterfully blends humor into the corporate entertainment space. We explore how improv tips and stand-up comedy enhance office culture, comedy, and how funny is a powerful tool to improve company culture. Learn how Kevin brings the funny to increase closing ratios.

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Website | Newsletter | LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Intro & topic set-up02:07 Why being funny matters in sales06:19 How improv helps discovery & listening08:53 Being funny Speeds Up Rapport17:46 Compounding wins21:18 Tighter pitches23:12 Modeling excellence to be more funny26:43 Virtual comedy in corporate entertainment 29:39 How to hold attention virtually 32:03 Best funny fail story

Takeaways

• ​Comedy can enhance sales skills and effectiveness.
• ​Listening is crucial for successful sales interactions.
• ​Using humor can create a connection with clients.
• ​Improv training helps develop adaptability and presence.
• ​Pausing during conversations can create engagement.
• ​Building rapport is essential in sales calls.
• ​Mentorship plays a vital role in professional growth.
• ​Failure in comedy can lead to valuable lessons.
• ​Visual aids can enhance virtual presentations.
• ​Laughter can improve workplace morale and productivity.

Sound Bites

"Pausing is a choice."

"Comedy allows me to give back."

"Laughter is the best medicine."

Free Gift From Paul Leon

In this podcast, Paul Leon, a sales trainer, offers five essential lessons to navigate and overcome a toxic situation. He shares his personal journey through an intensely challenging, professional, toxic work environment that necessitated extensive therapy for recovery. Paul is a strong advocate for positive people management and fostering a psychologically safe workplace, emphasizing that understanding of how to deal with toxic people is crucial for personal development and self development.Free Gift

Takeaways

• You want to avoid feeding the toxic person.

• Words like always and never are harmful in communication.

• Documenting interactions can protect you in toxic situations.

• Avoid gossip; it can lead to traps.

• Share your struggles with a therapist, not coworkers.

• Personal bias plays a significant role in workplace dynamics.

• Self-absorbed behavior can create toxic environments.

• Personal wins are more important than professional success.

• Practice and connection can transform personal relationships.

• Therapy can provide essential support in difficult times.

  
  

Sound Bites

"Don't feed the toxic person."

"Avoid words like always and never."

"Avoid gossip; it can trap you."

Chapters

00:00 Hi, I'm Paul!

00:23 Lesson 1

03:17 Lesson 2

05:31 Lesson 3

08:07 Lesson 4

10:01 Lesson 5