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 shouldn’t 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:

Get 25% OFF your first month of men's clothing subscription by using the code: PODCAST25

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Armoire: Get 50% OFF your first month of women's clothing subscription.

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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

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

Summary

I almost quit my MBA and faced my biggest fears. In this video, I am sharing 7 critical business lessons. I learned these from my biggest failures and how to use them to "fail forward" into owning your career. We often talk about success, but real growth happens in the setbacks. I break down the insights about fear, speed, and the difference between moral and toxic shame.

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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.

Ever wonder why your salary feels like a mystery? The "black box" of compensation is finally opening up. In this episode, Scott Trumpolt—compensation consulting expert—reveals the pay transparency secrets HR departments do not openly discuss. We break down why compensation has been so secretive, how younger generations are demanding change, and what you need to know to take control of your career growth.

✅ 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. 

Whether you're feeling underpaid, stuck in your career, or managing a team navigating compensation discussions, this conversation will change how you approach pay and career development.

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

👤 ABOUT SCOTT TRUMPOLT

Scott is a compensation consulting expert specializing in pay transparency, employee engagement, and HR strategies. His work focuses on transforming "black box compensation" into clear, development-linked frameworks that drive retention and manager effectiveness.

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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.

In this conversation, Paul Leon discusses the challenges of servant leadership and presents a structured 90-day plan for team management that emphasizes the importance of setting goals, monitoring progress, and continuously reassessing strategies to improve team performance. Paul shares personal experiences and practical tips for enhancing communication and closing sales effectively, ultimately advocating for a psychologically stronger workplace.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

00:27 Phase 1

04:33 Phase 2

06:06 Phase 3

07:47 Personal Example That Worked

Free Gift

Can comedy make you a better sales professional? On The Manager’s Mic, Paul Leon interviews comedian and entrepreneur Kevin Hubschmann (Laugh.Events) on how improv and stand-up techniques sharpen sales listening, discovery calls, objection handling, and concise messaging, thereby raising close rates in both virtual and in-person meetings. Learn practical moves for sales reps and managers.

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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."

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:07 Why comedy skills matter in sales

06:19 How improv helps discovery and listening

08:53 Rapport

17:46 Compounding wins

21:18 Tighter pitches

23:12 Mentors and modeling excellence

26:43 Virtual comedy & the power of…

29:39 How to hold attention virtually

32:03 Best bombing story (and lesson)

38:57 How to work with Laugh.Events

Free Gift From Paul Leon

In this conversation, I share five essential lessons for navigating toxic work environments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing toxic behavior, documenting interactions, avoiding gossip, and seeking professional support. I also emphasize the importance of what a good win looks like, regardless of the workplace.

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

⁠Free Gift

In this conversation, Diana Fritz shares her inspiring journey of resilience through adversity, particularly her battle with cancer. She discusses the importance of mindset, the lessons learned in parenting, and how to create a culture of justified complaints in the workplace. Diana emphasizes the significance of gratitude and the impact of relationships, both personal and professional, in navigating life's challenges. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of choosing one's response to adversity.

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Takeaways

• Resilience is about how we respond to adversity.

• Choosing a positive mindset can change outcomes.

• Letting people help is a sign of strength.

• Gratitude plays a crucial role in overcoming challenges.

• Creating a culture of justified complaints fosters growth.

• Parenting through adversity teaches valuable lessons.

• Relationships can provide essential support during tough times.

• Mental health awareness is increasingly important for youth.

• Finding love can start with friendship, especially during tough times.

• Every moment is an opportunity to make a positive impact.

Sound Bites

"You get to choose your response."

"I learned how to let people help me."

"Gratitude is also very important."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilience and Personal Journey

05:08 Facing Adversity: The Cancer Diagnosis

10:32 Lessons in Parenting and Resilience

15:59 The Importance of Mindset and Perspective

21:26 Creating a Culture of Justified Complaints

27:03 Navigating Relationships and Finding Love

32:23 Defining Resilience and Moving Forward

37:40 Current Victories and Future Aspirations

⁠Free Gift

Welcome to The Manager’s Mic, hosted by Paul Leon, a corporate trainer, MBA candidate, and selling strategist. I was a former college dropout who has now trained over 2,000 professionals, which has led to influencing $100M in revenue.

This podcast will train you to become a manager who creates rapport in the workplace. Gain real-world leadership insights, communication skill strategies, and lessons from the trenches to improve your management style. 

Follow Paul Leon: 

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