The MIC With Paul Leon

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:

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.

Use code: ArmoirexTaelor.

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Give the gift of time, convenience, and effortless style with Taelor Gift Cards by using the code PODCASTGIFT to get a 10% discount.

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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.

Follow Scott Trumpolt

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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.

Follow Paul Leon

Free Gift (Click Here) | LinkedIn | YouTube

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.

Follow Kevin Hubschmann

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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

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.

Follow Diana Frtiz

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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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