The Chris LoCurto Show: Recent Episodes

Chris LoCurto

Chris shares vital information to help you grow your leadership, your business, and your life. Each weekly episode is packed with tools that cause you to look at leadership and life in a different way and focus on what really matters: people. Chris teaches practical, easy insights that will help you improve your leadership...your team...your business...you. Chris teaches practical, easy insights that will help you improve your leadership...your team...your business...you.

To dive into what I do, visit https://www.ChrisLoCurto.com

You built the structure, and you're still checking in on things you don't need to check on. That's not a systems problem anymore, stick with me.

Key Timestamps:

00:00:38 - The Hidden Problem After You've Built the Systems
00:02:00 - Why the "System Needs More Time" Excuse Doesn't Hold Up
00:03:12 - Reason #1: Fear
00:05:56 - Reason #2: Identity
00:09:21 - Reason #3: Control Disguised as Leadership
00:10:39 - Breaking the Pattern

You've heard me talk about the Leadership Crazy Cycle before, well, we just launched The Leaders Table, and that's the first lesson we're covering in there, because it's the base of everything. Head to https://leaders.chrislocurto.com/ and get your seat at the table!

You've hired good people. You hold one-on-ones. You give feedback. You've even promoted the right person, and it's still all coming back to you. Before you write one more person off as "just not ready," listen to this episode.

00:00:57 – What Happens When You Disappear
00:02:51 – Why the Obvious Fixes Don't Work
00:04:25 – The Real Problem: Nothing Was Built, Not That People Can't Carry It
00:06:48 – The Four Things That Have to Be in Place
00:10:06 – Example + Your Assignment

Join me for the free live workshop, Four Steps to Build a Business that Runs Without You, this Thursday, August 6th at 11am Central. Seats are limited, and there's a bonus only for those who register, even if you can't make it live, register now to get the replay. Save your seat at chrislocurto.com/build.

Your one-on-ones aren't producing what you want them to, and it's probably not the meeting's fault. I break down the three judgment questions that turn a flat status check-in into a real development conversation.

02:04 The Same Meeting Every Time
04:08 The Wrong Conclusion (Why You Think They've Plateaued)
06:43 The Real Problem: Your Questions, Not the Meeting
11:21 The Three Judgment Questions
19:25 Putting It Into Practice

Join me live on August 6th at 11am Central for a free workshop, Four Steps to Build a Business That Runs Without You. Register at chrislocurto.com/build.

You're about to have a really hard conversation with somebody you believed in. Before you do, you need to hear this first. Let's break down why the leader you promoted isn't a bad hire, but a stalled identity shift. I also give you the exact conversation to fix it. Tune in now!

Key highlights:
00:00 — The Problem: A Leader Who Seems Off
01:53 — The One-on-One That Reveals the Problem
06:26 — Why You Didn't Make the Wrong Call: Identity Never Changed
12:24 — The Three Stall Points Holding Your New Leader Back
21:27 — How to Have the Conversation That Actually Fixes It

Join me live on August 6th at 11am Central for a free workshop, "Four Steps to Build a Business That Runs Without You." Register at chrislocurto.com/build.

Feedback names the gap. Development builds the bridge. Accountability helps the person cross it. If you've given the same feedback to the same person four or five times this year, this episode is for you.

We break down why repeating feedback louder doesn't work, and walks through the three-part "build conversation" — diagnose the gap, build the skill, create accountability — that actually helps people change for good.

Key Timestamps:
00:00:53 – The Feedback Loop That Won't Break
00:02:16 – The One Question to Ask Before Blaming the Person
00:04:43 – Why Feedback Alone Doesn't Change Behavior
00:10:11 – Stop Rescuing, Start Developing
00:15:04 – The Build Conversation: Diagnose, Build, Hold Accountable

One move this week: pick the feedback you've repeated most often with one person, and stop repeating it. Build what changing actually looks like instead.

Free live workshop, August 6th at 11am Central: "4 Steps to Build a Business That Runs Without You." Register at chrislocurto.com/build.

Your manager keeps checking in before making the calls you think they should own. In this episode, I show you why the one conversation that fixes this is probably the conversation that's never happened.

Key Timestamps:
(00:01:33) Manager Is a Title. Authority Is a Conversation.
(00:06:44) The Story: An Operations Manager Stuck in a Vacuum
(00:10:55) The Three-Column Mapping Exercise
(00:17:01) The Aha Moment and What Changes
(00:19:01) Your Assignment and the Workshop

You said it as a thought. They heard it as a decision. And now there's tension, confusion, and maybe a project that was never supposed to happen actually happening.

In this episode, I'm joined by Joel Fortner to talk about one of the most overlooked leadership blind spots we see on coaching calls — the gap between how a leader communicates and how their team receives it.

[00:01:27] Why Leaders Don't Realize the Weight of Their Words
[00:04:32] The Loyalty Problem — When Teams Run with What You Never Meant
[00:09:42] Type 1 — Information (The Decision Is Made)
[00:17:46] Type 2 — Input (You Haven't Decided Yet)
[00:24:22] Type 3 — The Directive (It's Time to Execute)
[00:29:52] The Challenge — Start Every Meeting With Your Goal

You finally had the hard conversation. You were calm, you were clear, you were fair. And somehow you ended up feeling like the problem. If that's ever happened to you, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:
Why Anger Is the Second Emotion (00:01:32)
What the Anger Actually Looks Like (00:03:13)
What's Happening Underneath — The Ego's Role (00:07:41)
How to Prepare Before the Conversation (00:11:56)
How to Hold the Line In the Moment (00:14:25)
When They Double Down (00:18:54)
The Takeaway (00:21:13)

Resources & Links:
Episode 682 — The Empathy Trap
Follow me on Instagram: @chrislocurto

You're probably one of the most caring leaders your team has ever worked for. And that might be the exact thing that's slowly costing you the most.

The leaders who struggle most with accountability aren't the cold ones — they're the ones who care the most. And their empathy, the very thing that makes them exceptional to work for, is the exact thing that quietly gets in the way.

In this episode, I walk you through exactly how that happens, why it costs everyone (including the person you're trying to help), and what to do instead.

What's Covered in This Episode:

[1:25] What Empathy Looks Like When It's Working
[2:09] When Empathy Becomes a Liability
[7:06] My Story: The Enabling Trap
[11:42] The Turning Point — Asking Better Questions
[16:19] What Clarity Actually Looks Like
[17:27] Honest Question for You

As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life.

Most team conflict doesn't start in the meeting room. It starts way before that — in a moment nobody caught. And by the time it surfaces, you're already managing the fallout instead of the cause. I see this on almost every single team I work with. The pattern underneath the conflict has a name: the Fear-Control Loop. And once you see it, you're going to see it everywhere.

In this episode, I walk you through exactly what it is, why driven leaders fall into it faster than anyone, and the one question that breaks the whole thing wide open.

[0:00] — Most Conflict Has a Hidden Starting Point
[1:38] — The Fear-Control Loop
[11:57] — What Breaks the Loop
[21:00] — Reframing How You Lead Through Conflict

If this hit home, come find me on Instagram @chrislocurto — I talk about real leadership, real teams, and real situations every single week.

You built a leadership team so the business wouldn't depend on you. So why does every decision still circle back to you?

In this episode, I'm breaking down why your team keeps coming back to you — and why it's not about their capability. It's a pattern you've created, and you can change it.

Time stamps:
(00:01:33) You've made thinking unnecessary
(00:02:29) The pattern story: my wife & daughter example
(00:06:32) What the pattern is costing you
(00:08:41) The Tuesday scenario
(00:11:28) The fix: coach the thinking
(00:14:22) Setting decision-making levels
(00:17:12) Your challenge this week

Follow me on Instagram for real-time leadership content: @chrislocurto

The most talented person on your team is not always the healthiest person for your culture.

In this episode, I walk through why healthy leadership cultures are built on humility, coachability, ownership, and emotional safety — not just talent alone. I’ll show you how to recognize unhealthy team dynamics early, how hiring decisions shape culture, and how leaders can create environments where real growth can happen.

This is what you’ll learn:
* Are people becoming easier—or harder—to coach? (00:03:07) * What attitudes are quietly shaping the room? (00:06:31) * Am I hiring people who want to grow—or just impress? (00:09:30) * Have I created a culture where growth feels safe? (00:12:51) * A Challenge For You (00:14:44)

Leadership isn’t just about what you do. It’s about how you show up when pressure hits. In this episode, I walk you through 4 powerful leadership questions that can completely change how your team experiences you.
If your team constantly waits on you, hesitates to make decisions, or feels disconnected, these questions will help you recognize what may be unintentionally happening, and how to lead differently.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:01:28 – Are people experiencing me as calm… or constantly rushed?
00:05:33 – Am I helping my team think… or accidentally training them to wait?
00:08:28 – Have I become so task-focused that people mostly experience my pressure?
00:12:43 – What are people learning from the way I handle pressure?
00:17:12 – A Challenge For You

Burnout doesn’t usually happen overnight. For high achievers, it builds slowly through pressure, responsibility, and the belief that everything depends on them.

In this episode, we unpack why so many leaders are exhausted right now, the hidden patterns that create burnout, and the leadership shifts that help build a healthier and more sustainable way to lead.

Timestamps
00:08:41 – Are you the center of everything?
00:10:37 – Non-negotiable shifts you need to make
00:15:10 – Put more on you to take more off of you
00:17:32 – Boundaries
00:22:13 – Burnout is not the end of your story

Your business isn’t stuck because it’s failing—it’s stuck because it’s functioning without improving.

In this episode, I walk you through how “good enough” shows up in your leadership, and how it quietly creates dependency, inefficiency, and slow growth. I’ll give you five questions to help you raise your standards and develop a team that can think and take ownership.

This is what you’ll learn:
* Where have I allowed something to continue because it’s familiar? (00:01:42) * Where am I accepting results without examining how they’re achieved? (00:04:55) * Where am I stepping in instead of building a system that works without me? (00:09:14) * Where is “good enough” showing up in my standards? (00:13:38) * Where is my lack of clarity creating “good enough” execution? (00:16:54) * What “Good Enough” Actually Costs You (00:18:32) * What to Do Instead (00:19:25) * A Challenge For You (00:20:27)

If you feel busy all day but your business still depends on you, today’s episode walks through four questions that reveal why. Most leaders don’t have a time problem—they have a leadership problem. When you stay stuck in doing instead of leading, your team stays dependent and growth stalls.

This is what you’ll learn:
00:01:37 – Where am I choosing tasks over leadership?
00:04:58 – What conversation am I avoiding right now?
00:06:58 – What is my busyness actually costing the business?
00:09:20 – What would change if I handled this today?
00:11:23 – A Challenge for You

You don’t micromanage because you care too much... you micromanage because you don’t trust what will happen if you step back.

In this episode, Chris breaks down what’s really driving micromanagement: fear, frustration, and unclear expectations. More importantly, he shows you how to shift from control to clarity so your team can take ownership, and your business stops depending on you.

If you’re tired of carrying everything and constantly stepping in, this episode will help you lead differently and start building a team you can actually trust.

Timestamps
* 00:01:56 — Stop Calling It Excellence When It’s Actually Fear * 00:04:56 — Every Time You Take It Back, You Train Dependence * 00:07:46 — Clarity Removes Most of Your Frustration * 00:10:25 — Trust Requires Risk—But It’s the Only Way to Scale * 00:14:41 — A Challenge For You

You might think you’re modeling commitment but your team is learning they’re never allowed to stop. In this episode, we break down how your daily habits may be creating burnout in your culture and what it looks like to lead in a more sustainable way.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:03:03 – What are you actually teaching your team about work?
00:08:35 – Are you leading… or just staying busy?
00:14:38 – What happens when you step away?
00:19:01 – Are you creating sustainable rhythms—or constant urgency?
00:24:13 – What kind of culture are you intentionally creating?
00:27:08 – Challenge for you

What if the breakthrough you’re looking for isn’t another tactic—but a shift in how you lead?

In this episode, Chris walks through four powerful changes that help you create clarity, reduce overwhelm, and build a team that doesn’t depend on you for everything.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:04:10 – Stop Solving It with Tactics
00:06:28 – Eliminate Strategic Overload
00:11:18 – Create Radical Clarity
00:16:21 – Reset Your Role as a Leader
00:20:10 – A Challenge For You

If you want your team to take more ownership, you don’t need better people—you need better questions.

In this episode, Chris walks through five powerful questions that shift your team from dependence to leadership, helping them think, act, and solve problems on their own.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:05:38 – What do you think we should do?
00:11:25 – What does success look like here?
00:14:22 – What’s your next step?
00:18:34 – Where do you feel unsure or stuck?
00:23:46 – What do you need from me to succeed?
00:27:10 – Your Challenge This Week

Get your tickets for our Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

A lot of people like the idea of business ownership—but very few understand what it actually requires.

In this conversation with Marcus Zook, I break down what it really looks like to be a business owner, the level of responsibility it takes, and how to know if you’re truly built for it. We also talk through leadership, communication, personality styles, and calling.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:01:16 – Advice for Younger Generations
00:06:54 – A Leader’s Job is to Make Their Team Successful
00:11:35 – Communication and Personality Styles
00:31:27 – DISC Explained
00:37:37 – Who are some mentors who have helped you?
00:42:54 – God’s Calling

If your calendar is packed with meetings, updates, and problem-solving—but your team still lacks clarity—your calendar may be revealing a leadership problem.

In this episode, I challenge you to audit your calendar and delegate one meeting this week so you can create space to lead and develop stronger leaders on your team.

This is what you’ll learn:
* 00:05:17 – Audit Your Calendar Like a Leader * 00:11:50 – Delegate One Meeting This Week * 00:19:21 – Use the Time You Get Back to Actually Lead * 00:23:01 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

Grab your tickets here: chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Many leaders feel overwhelmed and assume the problem is time. But in many cases, the real issue is control. When every decision, task, and approval has to run through you, your team slows down—and growth stalls.

In this episode, Chris explains how leaders unintentionally become the bottleneck in their own businesses and how to start clearing the path so your team can move forward with confidence.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:05:41 – Your Calendar Doesn’t Lie
00:12:10 – “Helping” Isn’t Always Helpful
00:15:14 – You Built the System That’s Failing You
00:19:28 – Delegation Isn’t Dumping
00:23:44 – Action Items
00:27:13 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

Get your seats at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Most salespeople don’t struggle because they lack effort—they struggle because they don’t know how to guide a sales conversation. In this episode, Chris and Joel Fortner walk through simple sales scripts that change everything, including how to frame a call with calm confidence, replace weak language with authority-building phrases, handle objections without being pushy, and use five key questions that create clarity and trust.

This is what you’ll learn:
* The Core Problem in Most Sales Conversations (00:03:32) * How to Frame a Sales Conversation at the Beginning (00:14:58) * Words That Build Authority (and Words That Hurt It) (00:22:32) * Responding to Common Objections (00:28:32) * How to Sound Like a Trusted Authority (00:37:55) * The Top 5 Questions Every Salesperson Should Ask (00:47:03) * Why Scripts Actually Create Freedom (00:53:51) * Persuasive-Servant Selling Program (01:00:09)

Want to learn more about Persuasive-Servant Selling? Go to chrislocurto.com/servantsales.

“Just Sell More.” The Fastest Way to Lose a Great Salesperson

Most sales problems aren’t about effort—they’re about leadership.

If your sales team feels blamed, pressured, or unclear on expectations, telling them to “just sell more” will only create stress and turnover. In this episode, Chris and Joel unpack why pressure backfires and how to lead salespeople in a way that builds ownership, clarity, and consistent results.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:02:31 – Pressure vs. Leadership
00:07:08 – Motivation Myth
00:12:52 – Clarity and Expectations
00:15:37 – Coaching vs. Managing Metrics
00:19:26 – Leading Different Personality Styles in Sales
00:25:10 – The Follow-Up Problem
00:33:38 – Building Ownership Instead of Compliance
00:37:26 – Trust and Psychological Safety
00:42:20 – Fixing a Struggling Sales Culture
00:43:44 – The Persuasive-Servant Selling Leadership Shift
00:46:18 – Reflection
00:47:19 – Action Items
00:48:35 – Persuasive-Servant Selling Program - chrislocurto.com/servantsales
00:51:52 – Conclusion

Your team is hustling hard—but are they actually making progress?

In this episode, I challenge the hustle mindset and break down why confusion, not effort, is what’s holding your team back. If you’re tired of measuring activity instead of results, you’ll walk away with the clarity tools every leader needs.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:02:30 – Hustle Isn’t the Problem—Confusion Is
00:10:32 – Activity Metrics ≠ Success Metrics
00:13:36 – Clarity Transforms Culture
00:15:47 – Use the “Why Are We Doing This?” Filter
00:21:53 – Reflection
00:22:34 – Action Items
00:23:22 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event

Get your tickets at early bird pricing at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

If you’re stressed, your team feels it—whether you say a word or not. Your internal pressure becomes their external culture. In this episode, Chris shares how to stop unintentionally leading from stress and start modeling calm, confident leadership instead.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:04:14 – Your Energy Sets the Emotional Temperature
00:11:51 – The Pace You Set Becomes Their Standard
00:20:35 – Meetings Reveal the Mood You Create
00:24:44 – You Can’t Hide What You Haven’t Healed
00:31:33 – Reflection
00:32:05 – Action Items
00:33:13 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event

Grab your tickets at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Tired of sales that feel like pressure instead of connection?

In this episode, Chris reveals why real sales success doesn’t come from talking — it comes from caring.

Learn how empathy, listening, and servant leadership can dramatically improve your team’s sales results while building trust and loyalty.

This is what you’ll learn:
00:03:29 – Stop Pitching. Start Listening.
00:07:10 – Empathy is a Sales Advantage
00:11:41 – Selling Should Feel Like Serving
00:18:23 – Equip Your Team for Trust-based Selling
00:21:44 – Reflection
00:22:33 – Action Items
00:23:05 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

🎟️ Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event
You can still save $200 with early bird tickets!

👉 Get your ticket now at: https://chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Micromanaging kills momentum — but coaching unlocks growth. In this episode, Chris reveals how controlling leaders unknowingly limit their team’s potential, and how shifting to a coaching mindset transforms performance, ownership, and capacity. Learn the practical mindset and systems needed to stop carrying it all yourself and start building a team that leads with you.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:07:28 – Control Builds Dependence, Not Ownership
00:10:28 – Coaching Unlocks Responsibility
00:14:57 – Clarity Creates Growth
00:18:48 – Servant Leadership Is a System, Not a Style
00:27:42 – Reflection
00:30:14 – Action Items
00:31:47 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

Get your tickets at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Month-end panic isn’t just hurting your numbers—it’s destroying your culture.

In this episode, Chris unpacks how fear-based selling leads to burnout, buyer’s remorse, and broken trust—and what confident leaders do instead.

Learn how to shift from last-minute pressure to consistent performance.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:02:39 – Panic Sales Are Never Profitable
00:07:11 – Owner Pressure Fuels the Wrong Fire
00:11:58 – Culture Cracks Start at the Close
00:17:01 – The Confident Sales Culture
00:20:22 – Reflection
00:20:49 – Action Items
00:22:27 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

If your team can’t move without you, you’re not leading—you’re just busy. In this episode, Chris exposes the leadership traps that keep you stuck in motion and shows you how to step out of the weeds and lead with clarity.

This is what you’ll learn:

00:02:26 – Busyness Feels Like Progress, But It’s Actually Hiding What’s Broken
00:08:06 – When Your Team Can’t Move Without You, You’re Running a Dependency Culture
00:12:06 – Your Team Mirrors Your Pace, Not Your Priorities
00:17:10 – Clarity Builds What Hustle Can’t
00:21:05 – Reflection
00:22:14 – Action Items
00:23:53 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026

Get your tickets for the LIVE event at www.chrislocurto.com/liveevents

The Mindset We’re Bringing Into 2026 — 5 Leadership Lessons from 2025

The best leadership lessons of 2025 didn’t come from the wins — they came from pressure, exhaustion, and hard decisions. In this episode, Chris shares the 5 most powerful leadership lessons of the year and the mindset we’re bringing into 2026.

🎯 Timestamps & Topics:

00:01:49 – Tired Doesn’t Mean You’re Weak
00:16:25 – You Can’t Start Fresh with Yesterday’s Strategy
00:20:27 – Correction Doesn’t Crush People—Confusion Does
00:22:50 – Decisions Don’t Get Easier—Clarity Makes Them Faster
00:24:37 – Tight Times Test True Leadership
00:32:41 – Action items to reset and lead stronger in Q1
00:33:33 – Join us at the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event – launch pricing has ended, but you can still save $200 with early bird tickets!

Ready to lead with clarity and energy in 2026? Hit play now.

You shouldn’t set goals alone—here’s why.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, Chris breaks down 5 powerful reasons leaders need others in the goal-setting process. From avoiding tunnel vision to gaining accountability and long-term strategy, you’ll discover how collaboration sharpens your leadership and drives better results.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:01:50 – Clarity comes with collaboration
00:05:28 – Others help you stretch beyond comfort
00:08:07 – Accountability keeps you on track
00:09:33 – Perspective reveals the bigger picture
00:10:56 – Outside insight exposes blind spots

🎯 Ready to build next year’s goals with expert support?

Next-Level Leadership LIVE helps you create a real, strategic plan—with the right people in the room.
🎟️ Save $500 before launch pricing ends Dec 31st: chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Is your leadership ready for 2026?

In this power-packed episode, Chris reveals 5 habits holding leaders back—and the bold shifts you need to lead with clarity:
* 01:25 Controlling Every Outcome * 05:46 Pretending Everything’s Fine * 09:09 Leading from Skill, Not Self-Awareness * 15:39 Delaying Hard Conversations * 18:09 Making Reactive Decisions * 21:35 Action Steps to Lead Better * 22:32Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event

Ready to go further? Don’t miss the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event—launch pricing ends Dec 31st! 🎯 www.chrislocurto.com/liveevents

12-Minute Leadership Reset Before The End of The Year

As the year winds down, many leaders are busy—but not always making progress. In this 12-minute leadership reset, Chris challenges the trap of confusing activity with progress and helps leaders refocus on what truly matters.

Key timestamps:
* 00:02:21 – Clarity Matters More Than Hustle * 00:05:53 – Example * 00:10:03 – What Time Percentage Should You Give?

Most leaders chase tasks in December. The best ones reset vision.

🎯 In this episode:
00:01:30 – Vision vs. chaos
00:07:47 – Your team needs clarity
00:11:17 – Delegate with direction
00:14:17 – Cut stress with vision
00:17:26 – December = reset time
00:20:14 – Action steps
00:21:47 – Extra resources

🎟️ Ready to lead with clarity in 2026? Grab your spot for our Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event before launch pricing ends Dec 31st: chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Most leaders jump into a new year without fixing last year’s leadership patterns. In this episode, Chris unpacks five essential team conversations to have before you plan 2026.

Timestamps:
00:00:45 – 600th Next-Level Life
00:04:16 – Wins mean more when the team understands them
00:12:55 – Own the misses—together, not in silos
00:18:14 – Check the leadership culture—not just the to-do list
00:22:49 – Systems reflect trust in your team’s ideas
00:28:13 – Decide what not to bring into 2026
00:31:17 – Action steps: Block time for team reflection
00:32:00 – Additional resources for deeper growth
00:32:41 – Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event: Launch pricing ends Dec 31

🎟️ Grab your ticket for our 2026 Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event at chrislocurto.com/liveevent
before launch pricing ends December 31!

Leadership without balance isn’t sustainable.

In this episode, Chris shares how coaching helps leaders break burnout cycles, reclaim energy, and lead with clarity—at work and at home.

Timestamps:
00:01:48 – Recognizing When You’re Out of Balance
00:09:15 – Breaking the Pattern of Overwork
00:14:10 – Creating Space for What Matters Most
00:17:35 – Rebuilding Relationships Through Humility
00:20:34 – Sustaining Balance Through Leadership Growth
00:23:43 – Why Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event Matters

Additional Resources:* Podcast 622: Boldness vs. Burnout * Blog: From Burnout to Balance

🎟️ Join us at: chrislocurto.com/liveevent

Feeling burnt out as a leader? This episode helps you reclaim your leadership with clarity, margin, and intention.

Timestamps:

00:02:40 – Being Great at What You Do ≠ Great Leadership
00:09:09 – Control Feels Safer, But Slows You Down
00:15:02 – Burnout Starts in Your Mindset, Not the Office
00:27:53 – Strategic Leadership Requires Structure and Margin
00:33:51 – Leading With Peace Is Possible—But Takes Intention
00:36:01 – Action Steps to Reclaim Your Leadership

Listen now and take the first step toward leading with peace!
Visit our site to get leadership content: www.chrislocurto.com

If you’ve ever felt like the only one holding your business together, this episode is for you. Mike Rawlings, owner of Atlanta Painting Company, once believed carrying it all made him a good leader... until it nearly broke him.

Hear how he learned to delegate, build trust, and lead without losing control. This conversation will help you break free from overfunctioning and discover what healthy, effective leadership really looks like.

Our Guest: Mike Rawlings (00:02:04)
Meet Mike Rawlings, business owner and leader, sharing his journey from burnout to breakthrough.

When Carrying It All Becomes a Burden, Not a Badge (00:03:14)
How striving to do everything yourself becomes a leadership liability.

The Real Reasons We Resist Delegation (00:09:17)
Why delegation feels risky and how to do it right without losing control.

Breaking the Cycle of Leadership Overload (00:14:51)
The turning point: how structure, process, and consistency changed everything.

What Healthy Leadership Looks Like After the Shift (00:21:31)
Freedom and growth happen when you stop doing and start developing others.

Why Coaching Was the Game-Changer (00:26:00)
How coaching helped Mike see blind spots and lead with greater clarity.

Action Items (00:30:21)
Four practical steps to stop carrying it all and start leading well.

Additional Resources (00:33:20)
Listen to Episode 634: The Cost of Doing It Alone for more insights.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026 (00:33:43)
A transformational event to help you lead with clarity and connection.

Conclusion (00:36:08)
The first step out of overload isn’t working harder, it’s thinking differently.

Cindy Taylor went from hiring based on skill to building a culture-first team and everything changed. Coaching helped her reduce stress, grow strong leaders, and create a team that thrives.

00:06:32 — When “Qualified” Isn’t the Same as “Aligned”
00:12:03 — The Pain of Holding On Too Long
00:21:12 — How You Changed the Way You Hire
00:28:22 — Involving Your Leaders in Hiring and Culture
00:30:50 — The Result: A Team That Fits, Stays, and Thrives
00:38:05 — Action Steps
00:39:59 — Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event
00:42:01 — Conclusion

Too many interviews rely on gut feelings and charisma—but that won’t protect your team. In this episode, we walk through 5 interview shifts that help you identify character, cultural fit, and real competence—before you make the hire.

Use the time stamps below to jump to what you need:

Stop Using Generic Questions—Start Revealing Patterns (00:01:49)
How to ask behavior-based questions that expose real patterns—not rehearsed answers.

Structure the Interview in 3 Distinct Segments (00:09:11)
Break every interview into three clear parts: culture, skills, and problem-solving.

Match Questions to the Role Using DISC (00:14:34)
Tailor your interview questions to fit DISC profiles and the role’s demands.

Use a Scoring Rubric—Not Your Gut (00:19:01)
Use a scorecard to evaluate culture, skill, and team fit with clarity—not bias.

Pause Before the Offer: The 24-Hour Clarity Rule (00:25:28)
Why taking 24 hours before making an offer can save your team from the wrong hire.

Action Steps (00:29:11)
5 practical next steps to build a better hiring system.

Smart Hiring Framework (00:30:15)
Join us this October for the full Smart Hiring Framework at chrislocurto.com/hiringframework

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2026 (00:31:09)
Learn more tools like these in person—get the details at chrislocurto.com/liveevents

Struggling to hire the right people? The best talent isn’t job-hunting—they’re listening for the right mission.

In this episode, we break down a smarter, culture-first approach to hiring that attracts high performers before you even post a role.

Timestamps:

00:01:26 – Great People Aren’t Looking—They’re Listening
Top-tier talent is drawn to mission, not job boards. Here’s how to make them lean in.

00:08:46 – Your Culture Is Your First Interview
Candidates audit you before you ever meet. Make sure your culture speaks clearly.

00:15:16 – Job Descriptions Must Inspire, Not Intimidate
Replace task lists with vision. Inspire ownership and growth.

00:20:07 – The Right People Say Yes to the Right Vision
Money isn’t the magnet—meaning is. Learn how to communicate your “why.”

00:23:24 – DISC = The Culture Fit Filter
Use DISC to hire for alignment, not just skill. Culture fit starts here.

00:28:38 – Action Items
Practical steps you can take this week to upgrade your hiring process.

00:31:19 – Additional Resources
Sign up for the Smart Hiring Framework at chrislocurto.com/hiringframework

00:32:11 – Conclusion
When your mission is clear, the right people will find you.

You can't hire strategically if you're desperate and unclear. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down five critical questions every leader must answer before posting a job.

The worst hiring mistakes don’t happen in the interview — they happen way earlier.

This episode will help you avoid costly mis-hires, protect your culture, and hire with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re adding your first team member or your fiftieth, these questions will sharpen your leadership and save you months of regret.

What we cover:

(00:01:32) What’s the Strategic Why Behind This Hire?
Hiring for relief vs. hiring for growth leads to very different outcomes.

(00:07:13) What Are My Cultural Non-Negotiables?
Top performers who don’t align with your values will erode your team from the inside.

(00:11:01) What Does Success Look Like at 30/60/90 Days?
Define it early, or you won’t recognize it when it shows up.

(00:14:39) Do I Have the Bandwidth to Lead This Person Well?
No matter how skilled they are, every new hire needs strong leadership.

(00:20:42) What Will It Really Cost Me If I Get This Wrong?
A bad hire doesn’t just waste salary — it can break momentum and morale.

Want the full Smart Hiring Framework?
Get free access at: chrislocurto.com/hiringframework

Most hiring mistakes don’t happen in the interview—they happen before you ever post the job. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down why hiring from stress instead of strategy leads to misalignment, burnout, and costly rehires.

We cover:

00:02:09 – The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47–50)
A wide net catches everything—including the wrong people. Learn how clarity in your hiring process acts as a filter, not just a funnel.

00:03:18 – Attachment to Filling the Role—Not Solving the Problem
Stop rushing to replace a warm body. Start by asking if the role even fits your current mission and strategy.

00:12:20 – Attachment to the Resume—Not the Results
A polished resume doesn’t equal performance. We show you how to ask better questions that reveal real-world capability.

00:17:49 – Attachment to Past Roles—Not Current Strategy
If your business has changed, your roles should too. Don’t hire for yesterday’s needs—clarify what the role needs to deliver now.

00:22:20 – Attachment to Charisma—Not Culture Fit
Charisma fades. Culture fit endures. Learn how to look past personality and identify alignment with your core values.

00:26:27 – Smart Hiring Framework
This episode kicks off a full series on building a better hiring system. Sign up to get every resource at chrislocurto.com/hiringframework

Can You Lead Too Much?

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how even good leadership can go too far—leading to resentment, confusion, or dependency.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your praise, accountability, or delegation is actually helping—or hurting—this one’s for you.

👇 Episode Breakdown:

00:03:24 – Too Much Praise Feels Inauthentic
When everything is celebrated, nothing feels meaningful. Praise loses power when it's overused.

00:08:14 – Over-Accountability Breeds Resentment and Fear
Constant check-ins and harsh reactions don’t build trust—they build fear and resentment.

00:13:57 – Over-Delegating Without Support Sets People Up to Fail
Dumping tasks without guidance or check-ins leaves people confused and unprepared.

00:16:29 – Overleading Creates Dependency—or Rebellion
Too much oversight leads to either passive followers or frustrated rebels.

00:21:32 – The Sweet Spot Is Empowerment, Not Control
True leadership creates ownership and growth, not just compliance.

00:24:39 – Action Steps
Simple ways to audit your leadership habits and shift toward healthier team dynamics.

00:26:06 – Additional Resources
Check out Episodes 641–644 for more on leadership balance.
641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship * 642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance * 643 | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance * 644* | Too Little Leadership: The Silent Cost of Missing Praise, Accountability & Delegation

00:26:28 – Conclusion
Leadership is a relationship, not a formula—and balance is the key to building strong teams.

Is your team missing clarity, energy, or follow-through?

In this episode, we break down what happens when leaders give too little praise, too little accountability, and too little delegation—and how those gaps silently wreck culture and performance.

Learn how to recognize the signs of underleading, how to course-correct with clear action steps, and how to build a team that’s aligned, motivated, and growing.

Timestamps:

00:01:39 – Too Little Praise Makes People Feel Invisible
Why a lack of recognition quietly erodes motivation.

00:14:38 – Too Little Accountability Breeds Inconsistency
How low standards spread when no one is held to them.

00:22:26 – Too Little Delegation Leaves You Overwhelmed
The hidden cost of holding onto tasks instead of developing your team.

00:26:54 – A Lack of Praise + Accountability = Culture Drift
What happens when leadership goes quiet in both areas.

00:29:17 – Delegation Is the Fastest Way to Multiply Leadership
Why real delegation expands your influence and frees your time.

00:31:56 – Action Steps
Five clear things to do this week to lead better—without burning out.

00:34:50 – Additional Resources
Links to related episodes on coaching, communication, and leadership balance.
641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship * 642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance * 643* | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance

00:35:16 – Conclusion
Praise, accountability, and delegation done well lighten your load and lift your team.

Need clarity on what to delegate or how to lead with less stress? This one’s for you.
Listen now and lead with purpose.

Are You Doing Too Much for Your Team?

In this episode, we unpack how over-communicating, over-solving, and over-guiding might be killing initiative, creativity, and ownership on your team. When leaders do too much, they accidentally become the bottleneck. Here's how to fix it.

Timestamps:

00:00:44 – Intro: The Goose and the Golden Eggs
A classic fable that shows how too much control can ruin what’s working.

00:02:41 – Over-Communicating Can Create Confusion, Not Clarity
Too many updates? You might be causing information fatigue.

00:06:50 – Solving Every Problem Makes You the Bottleneck
Fixing everything trains your team to stop thinking for themselves.

00:10:41 – Over-Guidance Cripples Creativity and Confidence
Mapping every step robs your team of ownership and buy-in.

00:13:46 – Over-Leading Often Comes from a Good Heart—But the Wrong Fear
We dig into the fear of failure and fear of not being needed.

00:18:41 – The Best Leaders Pull Back So Others Can Step Up
Great leaders ask questions and give space for their team to grow.

00:22:43 – Action Steps
Five practical ways to stop overleading and start empowering.

00:24:32 – Additional Resources

This is the third episode of the series, go check out part 1 and part 2!

00:24:53 – Conclusion
Stop overdoing it. Lead with balance and give your team the gift of ownership.

It might not be their effort—it could be your leadership. In this episode, we break down five signs you’re leading too little: poor communication, unresolved problems, unclear expectations, and more. Learn what to watch for and how to adjust without micromanaging.

Timestamps:

00:01:37 – Too Little Communication
When clarity fades, people start guessing—and execution suffers.

00:11:36 – Ignoring Problems Breeds Frustration
Avoiding issues doesn’t grow leaders—it causes disengagement.

00:16:44 – Assuming People Know What to Do
Unspoken expectations lead to confusion and dropped results.

00:28:37 – Too Little Leadership Feeds Insecurity
Silence and distance create team anxiety and cultural instability.

00:33:17 – You Can’t Expect What You Don’t Express
Without defining success, you won’t see it.

00:36:46 – Action Steps
Audit your communication, reset expectations, and check in with purpose.

00:38:32 – Additional Resources
Explore Episode 641 and the first part of this Leadership Balance series.

00:38:46 – Conclusion
Underleading may feel safe—but it leads to drift. Show up, lead well.

Ever feel like you’re the only one solving problems in your business? In this episode, we kick off our Leadership Balance series with Monique James from Alaska Auto Rental—a leader who transformed her team (and herself) through coaching.

We explore how shifting from control to coaching creates clarity, ownership, and freedom. Monique shares her powerful journey, including what changed when she stopped carrying the load and started developing leaders.

Timestamps & Highlights:

00:01:05 – Introduction: Monique James
Monique’s leadership journey begins at a live event with a major wake-up call.

00:02:20 – Monique’s Experience with Coaching
The moment she realized she was both the problem—and the solution.

00:06:49 – Monique’s Path in Leading People
How leading by example changed her team and culture.

00:19:46 – The Big Shift’s Impact in Her Team
Coaching turned followers into owners.

00:38:27 – Key Questions to Ask
Monique’s top coaching questions that develop critical thinking.

00:40:36 – Marshall’s One, Three, One Tactic
A simple tool to grow confident problem-solvers.

00:41:56 – Taking the Time
Why coaching saves time (even when it feels slower at first).

00:46:47 – A Team That Owns It
Her team now solves problems—and holds her accountable too.

00:56:22 – If You Could Go Back
The one thing she’d tell her younger self: release control.

00:57:49 – Conclusion
Leadership freedom begins with coaching.

00:58:35 – Action Steps
Try this: coach just one person this week. Don’t give answers—ask questions.

01:00:07 – Additional Resources
578 | The Mentorship Advantage: Why Every Small Business Leader Should Have a Mentor

We explore the transformative power of mentorship in small business leadership, offering insights and solutions to common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
.

Does your team feel busy but disconnected?

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we talk about how to stop team drift—when focus fades, priorities get fuzzy, and silos form. Here’s the breakdown:

Vision Leaks—So Recast It Relentlessly (00:01:59)
Vision fades unless repeated and tied to real work—keep it front and center.

Define the Culture—And Keep It Visible (00:05:28)
Culture must be taught, modeled, and celebrated—not just posted on a wall.

Create Rhythms That Keep People Grounded (00:09:39)
Consistent meetings and communication keep alignment strong and drift low.

Address Mismatched Priorities and Silos Immediately (00:13:49)
Leadership unity is the foundation for company-wide alignment.

Invite Ownership, Not Just Agreement (00:22:19)
True buy-in comes from involvement, not just nodding in meetings.

Action Items (00:25:41)
Recast vision, define culture, build rhythms, unify leaders, invite ownership.

Additional Resources (00:26:42)
See Episode 494 for more on building team ownership of vision.

Conclusion (00:26:56)
Drift isn’t failure—it’s a signal to re-engage, re-focus, and lead with purpose.

Does your team hesitate, second-guess, or play it safe when bold action is needed? In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we uncover how to spot fear-based decision making, why it happens, and how to lead people out of it and into ownership.

00:03:43 – Parable: Yeshua Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)
A powerful lesson in confronting fear without shame, and leading with calm instead of chaos.

00:10:03 – Spot the Patterns of Fear-Based Behavior
Learn to recognize chronic indecision, perfectionism, second-guessing, and other fear-driven habits.

00:22:41 – Address the Root, Not Just the Results
Why surface-level fixes don’t work—and how coaching questions reveal the real fear.

00:33:28 – Create Safe Spaces for Calculated Risk
Give team members safe, low-risk opportunities to decide, act, and learn without fear of punishment.

00:40:06 – Speak Identity and Belief Into Them
Call out their strengths and value to replace fear with purpose and confidence.

00:42:49 – Set Clear Expectations and Accountability—With Support
Balance challenge with encouragement so growth is steady and sustainable.

00:45:02 – Action Items
Practical steps to help your team move from fear to confident ownership.

00:45:44 – Additional Resources
Links to more tools and episodes for overcoming fear and building a courageous culture.

00:46:20 – Conclusion
Fear-based decision making doesn’t have to be permanent—lead with clarity, compassion, and challenge to inspire transformation.

Got a team member who always finds what’s wrong but never what’s right?

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we walk through five key ways to lead someone out of constant complaining—and into real contribution.

Separate the Person from the Behavior (00:02:52)
We show how to approach chronic negativity with curiosity and care, not condemnation.

Name the Impact, Not Just the Complaint (00:05:49)
Learn how to help them see how their words are affecting morale and team dynamics.

Shift Their Identity From Problem-Spotter to Problem-Solver (00:08:24)
Redirect that critical energy toward meaningful, solution-focused action.

Build a Culture That Rewards Contribution, Not Criticism (00:11:14)
We explore how to recognize and reinforce the right behaviors—so others follow.

Coach Progress, Not Perfection (00:17:20)
Real change takes time. Here’s how to keep coaching consistently and patiently.

Action Items (00:22:37)
Quick steps to help complainers take ownership and turn into culture-builders.

Additional Resources (00:23:39)
Check out our blog on Unhealthy Attitudes: How Your Leadership Mindset Impacts Your Team

Conclusion (00:23:57)
Complainers can change—with the right leadership. Let’s lead with clarity and care.

What Happens When Two High-Performing Leaders Clash?

Two strong leaders can mean double the drive—or double the drama. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how to resolve conflict between high performers without damaging your team’s culture.

If you’ve ever led alongside a strong personality or witnessed leadership tension unfold, this one's for you.

Know the Root—Is It Personality, Ego, or Structure? (00:02:38)
We examine the source of leadership conflict—whether it’s personality styles, insecurity, or structural confusion—and how to get clarity before reacting.

Clarify Authority and Decision Rights (00:12:20)
Why turf wars happen and how to eliminate confusion by clearly defining who owns what decisions, responsibilities, and outcomes.

Teach Leaders to Lean Into Each Other’s Strengths (00:17:30)
Not all leadership styles look the same. We discuss how embracing differences can reduce tension and elevate the whole team.

Facilitate Hard Conversations Early—Not After Resentment Builds (00:22:25)
Avoid waiting until emotions boil over. Learn how to lead tough conversations before dysfunction takes root.

Align Both Leaders to a Higher Mission (00:25:39)
When egos rise, the mission suffers. Refocusing on shared goals helps leaders drop the power struggle and align with purpose.

Action Steps (00:28:55)
A recap of the key takeaways: know the root, define roles, teach understanding, and keep the mission front and center.

Additional Resources (00:29:40)

Blog post: How to Tackle Conflict Head-On by Embracing Healthy Confrontations
Episode 594 | Face the Facts: Stop Avoiding Tough Conversations in Business – Part 1

Conclusion (00:30:35)
Handled well, conflict can make your team stronger. Don’t wait—start resolving leadership tension today.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t my team just figure it out?”—this episode is for you.

We’re unpacking why unmet expectations often point back to unclear leadership.

You’ll learn how to communicate with clarity, model what matters, and use accountability to finally get the outcomes you want from your team—without micromanaging or burning out.

Clarity is Kindness (00:02:00)
Clear expectations reduce confusion and increase team confidence.

Unspoken Expectations Are Unfair Standards (00:07:37)
Expecting what you haven’t taught is a leadership trap that sets others up to fail.

Teaching Isn’t a One-Time Event (00:13:26)
Repetition and feedback are key to helping people learn and succeed.

Modeling Creates Alignment (00:15:51)
Your team mirrors your behavior—model what you want to see.

Accountability Brings It All Together (00:18:59)
Without follow-through, even great training falls apart.

Action Items (00:23:40)
Pick one frustrating area and revisit it with fresh clarity and feedback.

Additional Resources (00:24:51)
Check out Episode 618: The Silent Team Killer and the blog post The Silent Leader for deeper insights on communication and clarity.

Virtual Team Trainings (00:25:25)
Practical tools and insights for your team—on your schedule.

Conclusion (00:25:51)
Lead with clarity, hold people accountable, and watch your team succeed.

If your team can’t move without you and your calendar feels like a crisis hotline, it’s time to shift from fixing everything to coaching intentionally. In this episode, we break down how to move from chaos to clarity by building a team that takes ownership.

Timestamps:

00:02:56 – Firefighting Feels Productive—But It’s Short-Term
Why solving every problem yourself creates dependency, not growth.

00:08:40 – Coaching Unlocks Ownership
How asking questions empowers your team to solve problems on their own.

00:15:48 – Great Coaches Lead with Questions, Not Control
Coaching isn't about control—it's about helping people think for themselves.

00:19:03 – Coaching Requires Patience—but Multiplies Progress
Why short-term coaching leads to long-term time and freedom.

00:23:23 – You Can’t Coach What You Don’t Model
You can’t expect behaviors you don’t demonstrate yourself.

00:26:04 – Action Steps
Simple things you can do this week to start coaching instead of fixing.

00:27:19 – Additional Resources
Explore Episode 577 on proactive leadership.

00:27:40 – Virtual Team Trainings
Learn how to lead better without leaving your office at chrislocurto.com/training.

Too many leaders are still trying to carry the weight alone—and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode, we’re uncovering the hidden dangers of lone-wolf leadership and showing how building the right support system can transform your business and your life.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (00:01:38)
Scripture reminds us: two are better than one. Leading alone was never the plan.

Lone-Wolf Leadership Feels Noble… But It’s Rooted in Fear or Pride (00:02:25)
Isolation often looks strong on the outside but stems from fear and pride—and it limits your growth.

Isolation Dulls Your Perspective (00:05:26)
When you’re the only voice you hear, your clarity, confidence, and decision-making take a hit.

Going Alone Slows Your Growth (00:08:32)
Doing it all yourself keeps your team small, underdeveloped, and dependent on you.

The Right Support System Challenges and Sharpens You (00:13:18)
You don’t need cheerleaders. You need people who speak truth in love and help you grow.

Vulnerability Builds Strength (00:17:40)
Real leadership includes vulnerability—and when you model it, your team gets stronger too.

Action Items (00:24:39)
Pinpoint one area you’re carrying alone, identify the root, and invite someone healthy into that space.

Additional Resources (00:26:25)
Check out episode 564 on how isolation is quietly hurting CEOs and what to do about it.

Virtual Team Training (00:26:50)
Get your team growing without leaving your office—check out our Virtual Team Trainings.

Conclusion (00:27:24)
You were never meant to lead alone. Build support, share the load, and lead with strength and clarity.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about taking responsibility. In this episode, discover how ownership shifts your mindset, your culture, and your results. You’ll learn how to stop blaming, start responding with purpose, and create momentum that lasts.

Ownership Is the Opposite of Blame (00:01:38)
Blame keeps you stuck—ownership leads to problem-solving and growth.

Ownership Means You Respond, Not React (00:06:40)
Responding with intention brings clarity and better outcomes than emotional reactions.

Ownership Doesn’t Equal Perfection (00:09:35)
You don’t need perfect answers—just the next right step.

Ownership Sets the Cultural Standard (00:16:27)
How leaders model ownership shapes the team’s entire approach to mistakes and growth.

Ownership Creates Margin and Momentum (00:20:56)
Owning your time and habits unlocks the margin and energy you need to lead well.

Action Items (00:25:29)
Start today with three simple ways to practice ownership and lead your team better.

Additional Resources (00:26:43)
More tools to grow your leadership—starting with Episode 310.

Virtual Team Training (00:26:56)
Get powerful leadership tools delivered virtually to your team.

Conclusion (00:27:26)
Ownership leads to growth—lead with intention and change everything around you.

Before you can lead others well, you’ve got to lead yourself first. In this episode, we’re diving into five powerful mindset shifts that every leader needs to create a stronger, healthier business and team.

If you're stuck in control mode, overwhelmed by doing it all yourself, or frustrated that your team just “doesn’t get it,” this episode is for you. These practical insights will help you uncover beliefs that are holding you back and give you tools to reframe, grow, and lead with more clarity and confidence.

Here’s what we cover:

Your Business Mirrors Your Beliefs (00:01:57)
Your beliefs about control, trust, and delegation are shaping your team more than you realize.

Language Reveals Mindset (00:05:41)
What you say reflects what you believe—learn how to reframe negative language into growth-driven leadership.

Reaction vs. Response (00:09:41)
Emotional reactivity keeps leaders stuck. Discover how to respond with wisdom and maturity.

Small Shifts Make Big Impacts (00:16:13)
It doesn’t take an overhaul—just one mindset shift can create a ripple effect of growth.

If You Want Change, Go First (00:22:38)
Teams mirror their leaders. If you want change, model it first.

Action Items (00:24:39)
Practical next steps to help you recognize and replace limiting beliefs.

Additional Resources (00:25:15)
Don’t miss our recommended episode on leading yourself and info on our Virtual Team Training.

Conclusion (00:26:29)
You don’t need a title to lead—just a willingness to start with you.

If your team is underperforming, miscommunication—not laziness—might be the real issue. In this episode, Chris LoCurto and top leadership coach Aaron West unpack how using DISC personality styles can help you set better expectations, improve clarity, and get your team back on track.

Timestamps

Intro: Exodus (00:01:02)
We kick things off with a powerful example from Moses and Aaron on why communication support matters.

It’s Not Always What You Think (00:03:18)
Most underperformance stems from poor communication—not lack of effort.

How DISC Helps Clarify the Real Problem (00:08:33)
DISC helps leaders tailor their communication to how team members actually process information.

Spotting the Signs of Miscommunication (00:20:24)
Missed deadlines or disengagement often point to unclear expectations, not incompetence.

Rebuilding Clarity and Trust with DISC (00:29:23)
Leaders can fix communication gaps by knowing their style and preparing intentional conversations.

Building a Culture of Communication Awareness (00:33:37)
Teams using DISC see better relationships, fewer conflicts, and clearer accountability.

Action Items (00:44:53)
Five steps to improve communication and boost team performance starting today.

Conclusion (00:48:05)
Clear communication creates a culture where people thrive—and DISC helps make that possible.

Free Resource:
Grab the DISC Quick Guide HERE to start leading with clarity.

How to Lead in Every Direction Using DISC

If you’ve ever struggled to get your point across to upper leadership, motivate your team, or work alongside your peers, this episode is for you.

Chris is joined by Executive Coach and DISC expert Lyneé South to talk about how leaders can influence and communicate more effectively in every direction—up, down, and sideways—using DISC.

Whether you're in a mid-level leadership role or leading a team, you'll walk away with tools to increase trust, adapt communication, and lead with confidence.

Genesis 41 (00:01:01)
A biblical example introduces the concept of leading in every direction.

Why Leading in All Directions Is So Hard (00:02:41)
Mid-level leaders often feel stuck between their team and upper leadership.

Using DISC to Lead Up (00:09:39)
DISC helps leaders tailor communication to gain trust and support from their leaders.

Leading Your Team With DISC (00:16:11)
Understanding DISC helps leaders guide and connect with team members more effectively.

Influencing Peers and Cross-Functional Teams (00:20:10)
Leaders can use DISC to build better collaboration across departments.

What Happens if We Are Implementing DISC? (00:23:46)
Using DISC in meetings and brainstorming leads to better alignment and reduced friction.

Helping Your Leadership Team Use DISC Effectively (00:28:36)
Leadership teams that use DISC intentionally see improved trust and fewer misunderstandings.

Action Steps (00:37:22)
Five practical ways to start using DISC to lead more effectively.

Conclusion (00:39:14)
Leading based on how people are wired leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and a healthier culture.

Go check out our page to get our free DISC bundle!

Ever hired someone who looked great on paper but just didn’t work out? In this episode, we dive into how DISC personality styles can help you hire the right fit—not just the right resume.

Joel Fortner, our team’s president and hiring expert, is joining me to walk through how personality profiles help you go deeper than resumes and interviews, and avoid costly mis-hires.

Learn how to match the right person to the right role, avoid cultural misfits, and improve your hiring process with practical, proven strategies.

👇 Here’s what’s covered in this episode:

Samuel 16 (00:01:00)
A biblical example reveals why looking beyond appearances is essential in hiring.

You’re Not Just Hiring a Resume (00:04:24)
Why resumes and interviews don’t give the full picture—and what to use instead.

DISC Reveals the “How” Behind the Work (00:08:21)
How DISC uncovers how someone works, thinks, and communicates on the job.

DISC and Roles (00:10:40)
Which DISC styles thrive in specific roles like sales, admin, and accounting?

Hiring for Culture Fit, Not Just Skills (00:19:49)
Why cultural fit matters more than experience when it comes to team health.

How Do I Use DISC in the Hiring Process? (00:24:05)
Steps to apply DISC throughout your hiring process for smarter decisions.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong (00:29:08)
What a wrong hire really costs your business—financially and emotionally.

Action Steps (00:38:44)
5 practical ways to strengthen your hiring process with DISC today.

Conclusion (00:41:44)
A final reminder: hiring well is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as a leader.

🎧 Ready to hire smarter? Press play and take notes. And grab our free DISC Quick Guide to get started.

If your team’s communication feels off or productivity is dragging, the problem might not be what you think—it might be how you lead.

In this episode, Chris sits down with DISC expert Bryan Arzani to unpack how understanding personality styles leads to better leadership, communication, and performance.

Fill the form HERE and get your free PDF now!

Whether you’re brand new to DISC or already using it, this episode gives you practical tools and language to create lasting change in your team.

Episode Timestamps
00:04:01 – What’s Really Going On When Leaders Feel Misunderstood
Why saying the right thing doesn’t always lead to being understood.

00:07:42 – Blind Spots That Hurt Communication
How unaddressed blind spots lead to leadership breakdown.

00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust Builder
The first step to better communication is understanding yourself.

00:21:02 – Who Owns DISC and Why It Works
A quick history and why DISC is the most widely used tool in business.

00:30:46 – When Personality Styles Clash Under Pressure
The patterns and causes behind personality-based conflict.

00:43:23 – The Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make with DISC
What to avoid when using DISC with your team or hiring process.

00:55:43 – How to Use DISC to Improve Team Performance
Practical ways to apply DISC for stronger leadership and better results.

Ever reacted emotionally as a leader—and regretted it? You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how to stay grounded, respond with wisdom, and lead rationally when the pressure is high.

Learn how to recognize emotional hijacking, understand your triggers, and set a calm tone for your team using simple, powerful tools.

Timestamps:

Emotional Hijacking Happens—But You Can Stop It (00:01:28)
How to recognize when emotions override logic—and what to do in the moment.

Know Your Triggers Before They Explode (00:04:03)
Understand your emotional landmines before they create leadership damage.

Slow Down to Speed Up: The 3-Second Rule (00:06:14)
A simple pause strategy to help you lead rationally in emotionally charged situations.

Use Emotion as Data, Not a Driver (00:07:26)
Turn emotional cues into insight without letting them control your decisions.

Your Emotional State Affects Everyone Else’s (00:10:28)
How your mood shapes your team’s culture, performance, and risk-taking.

Action Items (00:14:04)
Five steps to practice emotional intelligence in your leadership today.

Additional Resources (00:14:56)
Check out Episode 607 for more on emotional intelligence in leadership.

Conclusion (00:15:12)
Great leadership isn’t about feeling better—it’s about choosing to lead rationally, no matter how you feel.

Why do some leaders earn deep trust and loyalty, while others struggle to connect? It comes down to one key skill: self-awareness.

In this episode, we unpack how knowing yourself is the foundation of great leadership—and how to lead with clarity, emotional intelligence, and influence.

Timestamps:
00:02:05 – Self-Awareness Is the Foundation of All Great Leadership
00:08:07 – Self-Awareness Reveals What’s Beneath the Surface
00:10:40 – Self-Awareness Is a Trust Builder
00:14:13 – Self-Awareness Leads to Better Decision-Making and Presence
00:16:09 – Self-Awareness Fuels Personal Growth That Inspires Others
00:18:49 – Action Steps for Building Self-Awareness
00:26:15 – Additional Resource: Episode 621
00:26:40 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

If you want to lead others well, it starts with leading yourself well.

Ever feel stuck overthinking a decision, spinning in circles, and not moving forward? You’re not alone—and today we’re breaking down how to overcome decision paralysis and lead with confidence.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I walk through the root causes of decision paralysis, how it quietly kills momentum, and 5 practical steps to help you move from procrastination to progress.

Plus, I’ll show you how to coach your team out of indecision and take action faster.

Here’s what we cover:

Intro - Story (00:01:10)
Churchill’s Dunkirk decision shows how bold action beats perfect planning.

What Is Decision Paralysis and Why Does It Matter? (00:03:12)
Understand what’s really happening when you (or your team) get stuck—and how much it costs.

What Keeps Leaders Stuck in Procrastination? (00:06:08)
Fear, perfectionism, overwhelm, and more—we walk through examples of each.

5 Practical Steps to Move from Procrastination to Progress (00:10:50)
From clarifying goals to setting deadlines, these steps help you act fast and smart.

Coaching Your Team Through Decision Paralysis (00:20:26)
Learn how to guide your team with questions instead of giving all the answers.

Action Items for Listeners (00:24:28)
Five next steps to take this week to break the swirl and build momentum.

Additional Resources (00:26:21)
Check out Episode 315 to go deeper on strategic decision making.

Conclusion (00:26:40)
Progress is built on decisions—start making yours today.

🎧 Hit play and let’s lead better, one bold decision at a time.

Fear will always knock—but will you let it lead?

In this episode, Chris exposes how fear quietly drives leadership decisions, stalls progress, and keeps leaders from stepping into bold, wise action.

You'll discover how to recognize fear’s subtle forms, replace it with courage, and build confidence one decision at a time.

🔑 In this episode:

00:00:53 – The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)
00:02:52 – How Fear Manifests in Leadership and Organizational Cultures
00:07:43 – Identifying Fear-Based Decisions vs. Wise Decisions
00:13:12 – Strategies to Confront Fear Head-On and Lead with Courage
00:18:21 – Why Boldness is About Action, Not the Absence of Fear
00:22:23 – 2025 Audience Survey
00:23:10 – Leaders Who Overcame Fear to Create Massive Change
00:24:21 – Action Steps: Building the Courage to Lead Change
00:26:31 – Additional Resources
00:26:56 – Conclusion

🎧 Listen now and take one bold step toward the leader you’re called to be.

Take the survey here: chrislocurto.com/survey
Full resources + free leadership tools at: chrislocurto.com

In this episode, I’m walking you through five powerful ways boldness transforms your leadership, builds trust, and sets your team in motion.

If you want a team that takes ownership, leans into change, and drives results, it starts with how you lead.

👉 Plus, I’m giving you practical action steps and sharing how bold leaders shape culture, innovation, and momentum.

⏱ Episode Highlights:
00:00:00 – Introduction
Why bold leadership is the anchor in crisis—and how your team takes its cues from you.

00:05:18 – Boldness Creates Momentum and Energy
Your confidence sets the tone and drives the team’s energy forward.

00:12:49 – Confidence in Uncertainty Builds Trust
You don’t need all the answers, but you do need to lead with assurance.

00:16:27 – Bold Leadership Fosters a Culture of Innovation
When boldness replaces fear, teams step into creativity and problem-solving.

00:18:55 – Boldness Overcomes Fear and Resistance to Change
Lead your people through resistance by reframing change as opportunity.

00:22:31 – Bold Leaders Inspire Others to Step Up
Your example gives your team permission to take ownership and grow.

00:24:40 – Action Steps
Five practical ways to lead boldly—starting now.

00:28:35 – Additional Resources
Go deeper with our Boldness Series: Episodes 621 & 622.

00:29:04 – Conclusion
Your boldness shapes your team’s future—what bold move will you make this week?

📝 Take our quick 5-minute leadership survey and get a free 5-day leadership challenge: chrislocurto.com/survey

Burnout isn’t inevitable—and boldness doesn’t mean doing more. In this episode, I walk you through the warning signs of leadership burnout and how real boldness can help you lead with renewed energy and clarity. You'll get powerful examples, spiritual insight, and a 3-step plan to recharge and lead well.

⏱️ Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome – Why burnout and boldness matter
[01:26] Warning Signs of Burnout – Fatigue, cynicism, and more (with examples)
[17:20] Boldness is the Antidote – Real leadership isn't doing it all
[30:50] Building Resilience – How struggle builds stronger leaders
[42:05] Tools to Recharge – Mental, emotional, and spiritual refueling
[58:55] The Action Plan – 3 bold steps to reclaim your energy
[01:04:20] Take the Survey – Help us shape future content
[01:06:20] More Resources – Blog + Podcast to go deeper
[01:08:00] Wrap-Up – Lead boldly, without burning out

Additional Resources
* Podcast Episode 131 | 8 Ways to Avoid Burnout

Take this quick survey to help us shape our future content and we'll give you free access to our 5-Day Leadership Challenge as a thank you!

Resistance—whether it’s internal, from your team, or from leaders above—can stall progress and create frustration.

In this episode, Chris breaks down how bold leaders confront resistance head-on, overcome the “why try?” mindset, and turn obstacles into action.

You’ll learn how to lead in all directions, influence resistant leaders, communicate with clarity, and build a culture of collaboration and accountability.

Packed with real-life examples and practical takeaways—don’t miss this one!

Timestamps: 00:02:15 – Story of Moses and the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt
A powerful biblical example of bold leadership in the face of massive resistance. * 00:10:19 – The Nature of Resistance: Where It Shows Up and Why
Understand how resistance manifests internally, in your team, and from leadership above. * 00:14:48 – Breaking Barriers: Overcoming the “Why Try?” Mindset
How to shift limiting beliefs and inspire action with great questions. * 00:21:35 – Reigniting Boldness: Tackling Resistance with Confidence and Purpose
Redirect resistance toward action and accountability instead of wasting time in arguments. * 00:27:30 – Leading in All Directions: Encouraging Boldness in Your Team & Influencing Resistant Leaders
Influence up, down, and across using questions, data, and strategic dialogue. * 00:31:01 – Effective Communication: Techniques to Inspire Collaboration and Mutual Respect
Clear, intentional communication that builds trust and reduces resistance. * 00:36:32 – Action Items
Five bold steps to lead effectively and break the cycle of resistance. * 00:38:04 – Additional Resources
A must-listen episode recommendation to further tackle negative mindsets. * 00:38:24 – Conclusion*
Resistance is inevitable—how you lead through it defines your success.

Tired of unpredictable sales and chasing new customers every month?

In this episode, I sit down with Stu McLaren—membership expert and author of Predictable Profits—to unpack how recurring revenue can bring stability and freedom to your business.

We break down the four types of memberships (with real-world examples), how to start without a big audience, and how to sell without feeling salesy.

If you're ready to stop hustling and start building predictable profits, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Time Stamps + Highlights
00:04:43 – The Reality of Unpredictable Revenue
Why feast-or-famine cycles create stress and how recurring revenue helps.

00:14:18 – Different Types of Memberships
Product, service, knowledge, and community-based models with practical examples.

00:26:35 – You Don’t Need a Big Audience to Start
Start small and scale—how 20 members turned into a 7-figure membership.

00:29:48 – Selling Without Feeling Salesy
Use stories and contrast to connect and convert—without high-pressure tactics.

00:33:05 – More About Stu
Where to get the book and connect with Stu for more membership wisdom.

00:36:34 – Conclusion
Final encouragement to rethink your business model and reduce stress.

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If your team is struggling with execution, accountability, or a disconnected culture, unspoken expectations might be the root cause.

These assumptions create confusion, frustration, and failure. Let’s break down what’s really happening and how to fix it.

The Reality of Unspoken Expectations (00:01:37)
Leaders assume their teams understand what to do, but what’s obvious to you isn’t always clear to them. This leads to missed deadlines, inconsistent performance, and frustrated team members.

The Impact on Team Culture (00:06:41)
A lack of clarity creates fear, hesitation, and wasted time, hurting team morale and slowing productivity. Without clear expectations, teams don’t take ownership, and accountability suffers.

How to Set Clear Expectations (00:14:12)
Fixing this isn’t just about telling people what to do—it’s about collaborating with them. Define what success looks like, communicate early and often, document expectations, and reinforce them consistently.

The Power of Team Buy-In (00:18:57)
People want ownership, not just orders. When your team helps define expectations, they engage more, take responsibility, and perform at a higher level.

The Consequences of Not Addressing This (00:23:17)
Unclear expectations lead to low morale, inconsistent performance, and high turnover—you could even lose your best talent.

How to Fix This in Your Team (00:24:48)
* Audit expectations – Are you assuming people understand what you want? * Have direct conversations – Ask your team what they believe is expected. * Define measurable goals – What does success look like? * Communicate expectations regularly – One conversation isn’t enough. * Invite participation – Let your team shape expectations for greater buy-in.

Conclusion (00:28:43)
Unspoken expectations kill team performance. As a leader, your role is to clarify, communicate, and reinforce expectations to drive success.

Want to develop stronger leadership skills? Our Key Leader Program (KLP) helps leaders master communication, accountability, and execution strategies. Learn more at ChrisLoCurto.com.

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Avoiding accountability creates chaos, misalignment, and inefficiencies that impact every part of your business. If leaders aren’t holding each other accountable, you’ll see wasted resources, declining morale, and reduced profitability. Let’s dive into why accountability matters and how to fix it.

Kodak: A Leadership Failure (00:02:03)
Kodak invented the first digital camera in the 1970s but failed to act. Leadership avoided tough decisions, fearing disruption to their film business. While they stalled, competitors advanced, and Kodak eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2012—not due to technology, but due to poor accountability and leadership.

Lack of Alignment Creates Chaos (00:03:37)
Misaligned leadership leads to confusion and inefficiency. When leaders push different priorities without accountability, resources scatter instead of focusing on a common goal, ultimately hurting productivity and team morale.

Unspoken Issues Breed Toxicity (00:08:31)
Ignoring problems creates resentment and disengagement. If leaders fail to address accountability issues, passive-aggressiveness spreads, morale drops, and trust erodes. Tackle problems early to prevent toxicity.

Productivity and Profits Decline (00:13:13)
A lack of accountability increases inefficiencies, poor decisions, and wasted resources. When leaders aren’t held accountable, disengagement spreads, stalling business growth and profitability.

How to Build a Culture of Accountability (00:14:55)
1. Set Clear Expectations – Define responsibilities and metrics. 2. Regular Check-Ins – Keep accountability a priority in meetings. 3. Address Issues Early – Tackle problems before they escalate. 4. Lead by Example – Model accountability to create ownership. 5. Establish Consequences & Rewards – Recognize accountability and correct resistance.

Final Thoughts (00:26:55)
Avoiding accountability weakens leadership and hurts your business. Aligning your team fosters better communication, stronger morale, and higher profits.

Need help implementing accountability? The Key Leader Program can give your leaders the tools they need to take ownership and lead with confidence. Reach out to us to learn more.

Take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life. See you next time!

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Maybe you’ve got someone on your team who’s struggling, and you’re dreading the conversation. You don’t want to demoralize them, but you also can’t ignore the problem.

So how do you handle this in a way that leads to improvement and not fear? That’s what we’re covering today on The Chris LoCurto Show.

Leading people is tough, especially when a leader on your team isn’t performing well. You don’t want to come down too hard, but you also can’t just let it slide.

Today, I’ll show you how to handle these conversations the right way—so you can actually fix the problem instead of creating fear or resentment.

We’ll go over the two types of underperforming leaders, how to approach these conversations with curiosity instead of criticism, and how to drive real improvement. Plus, I’ll share real-world examples along the way.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:
IBM Story (00:01:30)
A powerful example of how IBM’s CEO turned the company around by handling tough conversations with curiosity and accountability.

Understand the Two Types of Underperforming Leaders (00:03:03)
Learn the difference between the ‘aware but stuck’ leader and the ‘oblivious’ underperformer—and why each requires a different approach.

Start the Conversation with a Gentle Hand (00:09:21)
Tough conversations shouldn’t feel like an attack. Here’s how to start with empathy and curiosity to encourage positive change.

Get Their Perspective Before Jumping to Conclusions (00:12:57)
Don’t assume you know why someone is struggling—ask the right questions first.

Shift the Focus to Solutions and Ownership (00:16:02)
Instead of guilt-tripping, guide them toward real solutions they can own and implement.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:18:54)
Join us in April 2025 to learn how to lead a team that operates without you doing everything yourself.

Set Clear Next Steps with Encouragement (00:21:46)
Give clear expectations, check in consistently, and ensure real improvement happens.

Additional Resources (00:24:49)
Want to go deeper? Check out these episodes where we role-play tough conversations to see exactly how to navigate these situations:
* 379 | Leading Through Tough Conversations * 595 | Face the Facts: Stop Avoiding Tough Conversations in Business – Part 2

Underperformance is an opportunity for leadership growth. If you approach it with curiosity, empathy, and clarity, you’ll develop stronger leaders and a healthier team.

Who on your team needs this conversation today? Approach it with the right mindset, and you’ll build them up—not break them down.

That’s it for today’s episode! Now go take action. Change your leadership, change your business, change your life!

On today’s episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we’re tackling the issue of carrying emotional weight that isn’t yours. We’ll explore why it happens, how to recognize it, and what you can do to stop it. If you’re ready to lead with greater clarity and reduce stress, this is for you!

What Does It Mean to Carry Emotions That Aren’t Yours? (00:02:35)

Taking responsibility for others' emotions leads to stress and burnout.

Why Leaders Often Carry Emotional Weight That Isn’t Theirs (00:06:45)

This habit often starts in childhood, influencing leaders to feel responsible for others’ well-being.

Signs You’re Taking on Emotional Stress That Isn’t Yours (00:11:20)

Feeling overwhelmed, avoiding tough conversations, or fearing others’ reactions are key indicators.

The Cost of Carrying Others’ Emotional Weight (00:16:50)

Poor decision-making, decreased productivity, and personal stress are some consequences. Example included.

How to Set Emotional Boundaries and Lead Effectively (00:22:10)

Recognize emotional weight, establish boundaries, and encourage team members to own their challenges.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE 2025 (00:27:40)

Join us April 2-4 to learn leadership strategies that create accountability and ownership. Register at chrislocurto.com/liveevents.

Action Items (00:30:15)
* Self-reflect: Identify times you’ve taken on emotions that weren’t yours. * Set a boundary: Choose one situation where you will establish a healthy boundary. * Delegate: Encourage ownership instead of solving problems for others. * Get feedback: Seek insights from a trusted, healthy individual.

Additional Resources

Episode 110: Emotional Intelligence Explained

Episode 607: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Small Business Leadership

Let us know what resonated with you at podcast@chrislocurto.com. Leave a review to help us reach more people!

Take this information—change your leadership, change your business, change your life! See you next time!

Accountability. It’s a word that can make people squirm, but if you want to see real transformation in your business, you need to embrace it.

Today on The Chris LoCurto Show, we’re unpacking how accountability creates clarity, aligns teams, and strengthens leadership.

We’ll cover the essential tools you need to build a culture of accountability and walk through practical strategies to implement it effectively.

So if you’re ready to learn how to hold your team accountable in a way that fosters growth—without feeling like the bad guy—this episode is for you. Let’s dive in.

Episode Timestamps and Key Takeaways

Accountability Aligns Teams to Vision, Mission, and Strategy (00:05:47)
Discover how accountability keeps your team aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and strategy, ensuring everyone moves in the same direction efficiently.

Clarity Through KRAs and KPIs (00:12:07)
Learn how KRAs and KPIs provide measurable clarity, setting clear expectations for every role and eliminating confusion in performance evaluation.

The Power of Structure and Organization (00:20:19)
Explore why structured systems, meeting rhythms, and project management tools enhance accountability and reduce miscommunication.

High-Quality Communication Builds Trust and Clarity (00:23:35)
See how effective communication fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures alignment within your team.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:26:46)
Get details on our upcoming event in April, where we’ll equip you with leadership tools to reduce overwhelm and lead with confidence. Learn more.

Coaching, Training, and Supporting Success (00:30:25)
Understand how ongoing coaching and training set your team up for success, ensuring accountability becomes a tool for growth rather than micromanagement.

Action Items to Build Accountability (00:34:32)
Practical steps to implement accountability in your business, from documenting KRAs to fostering open communication and using project management tools.

Additional Resources (00:36:29)
Related podcast episodes that dive deeper into accountability and communication strategies.

Conclusion (00:37:21)
Accountability isn’t about micromanaging—it’s about clarity, alignment, and empowerment. When your team understands their roles, expectations, and goals, they perform at a higher level.

Start implementing these strategies today and watch your business transform.

If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button, leave a review, and share it with others who need to hear it.

Take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life. See you next time!

Controlling behavior in the workplace is a silent culture killer. It seeps into meetings, projects, and conversations, causing frustration, lowering morale, and even driving great people away.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we uncover how to recognize and address controlling behavior to protect your culture and create a thriving team.

Episode Breakdown:

Recognizing Controlling Behavior (00:02:09)
Subtle or overt, controlling behavior erodes trust. Learn to spot micromanagement, undermining decisions, and monopolizing conversations with real-world examples.

The Impact of Not Addressing It (00:09:48)
Unaddressed control issues create toxic workplaces, increase turnover, and lower morale. Understand the long-term damage of letting it persist.

Addressing Controlling Behavior with Boundaries and Tough Conversations (00:14:39)
Healthy boundaries and direct conversations can dismantle control-driven behaviors. Learn how to approach difficult discussions with confidence.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:24:20)
Transform your leadership and reclaim your time. Secure your spot for this immersive event at chrislocurto.com/liveevents.

Responding as a Leader, Not Reacting as an Individual (00:27:50)
Control-driven individuals thrive on emotional reactions. Discover how to stay composed and lead with clarity, even in tough situations.

Developing the Skill Set to Lead Difficult Conversations (00:33:18)
Practical steps for handling challenging discussions and role-playing scenarios that build leadership confidence.

Establishing a Culture That Reduces Controlling Behavior (00:37:02)
A strong culture prevents control issues. Learn how to promote open communication, trust, and collaboration within your team.

Additional Resources (00:42:03)
Explore Episode 97 - Signs of a Controlling Leader and Episode 531 - 3 Rules for "Control Freak" Leaders for deeper insights on addressing control-driven leadership.

Take Action Today
Reflect on controlling behaviors in your team and take proactive steps to address them. Join us at Next-Level Leadership LIVE 2025 to gain the tools and strategies to lead effectively. Visit chrislocurto.com/liveevents to register.

As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life, and join us on the next episode of The Chris LoCurto Show!

Tough client conversations are inevitable, but handling them well maintains trust and business relationships.

Unlike internal team discussions, a single misstep can cost you a client. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we cover five key principles for navigating these conversations confidently.

Why the Stakes Are Higher (00:03:22)

Clients don’t always give second chances. Mishandling a conversation can cost you more than one client—referrals are on the line.

Prepare Before the Conversation (00:13:03)

Going in unprepared leads to miscommunication. Gather perspective, avoid assumptions, and plan your approach.

Active Listening and Clarifying Questions (00:21:40)

Emotions run high. Ask questions, listen actively, and uncover the root of their concerns to find real solutions.

Communicate Clearly & Resolve the Issue (00:26:27)

Clients expect responsiveness, not perfection. Outline steps to fix the issue and reassure them you care.

Follow Up to Restore Trust (00:35:11)

Checking in after resolution shows clients they matter and builds long-term trust.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:32:24)

Feeling overwhelmed? Join us at Next-Level Leadership LIVE for proven leadership strategies. Learn more at chrislocurto.com/liveevents.

Additional Resources (00:37:44)
* Episode 379: Role-playing tough conversations for better conflict resolution. * Episode 594: Stop avoiding tough conversations and build a healthier workplace.

Conclusion (00:38:36)

Difficult conversations, done right, strengthen relationships. Prepare, listen, communicate, and follow up to build trust.

If this helped, leave a review and share! Change your leadership, change your business, change your life!

Crises in business are inevitable. Whether it’s a financial crunch, a reputation issue, or losing key team members, they will come.

But with the right tools, preparation, and mindset, you can navigate these storms and come out stronger.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive into five strategies to manage crises with confidence. Let’s explore how you can lead through chaos.

Time Stamps and Key Topics
Introduction (00:00:00)
"Today's episode is all about managing a crisis with confidence. Get ready to learn actionable strategies to navigate challenges and lead with clarity."
Setting the foundation for leading effectively during crises with real-world examples.

Build a Resilient Business Before Crisis Hits (00:01:24)
"The best way to manage a crisis is to be prepared for it long before it ever happens."
Preparation is key—establish emergency funds, document processes, and train your team for smooth operations in any storm.

Identify the Crisis and Stay Grounded (00:06:07)
"Not all crises are created equal, so avoid knee-jerk reactions and clearly identify what type of crisis you’re facing."
Gain clarity, avoid panic, and rely on trusted advisors to address the real issue at hand.

Communicate Clearly and Quickly (00:10:13)
"Communication can make or break your efforts in any crisis."
Timely, clear updates to your team, clients, and stakeholders build trust and prevent chaos.

Create a Step-by-Step Action Plan (00:16:48)
"Break the crisis into manageable pieces and develop a plan addressing immediate, short-term, and long-term needs."
Focus on solving the immediate problem, assigning team roles, and building safeguards for the future.

Reflect, Learn, and Strengthen (00:19:29)
"Every crisis is an opportunity to grow stronger."
Debrief with your team, celebrate resilience, and adjust processes to prevent similar challenges.

Final Thoughts
Crises test leadership, but they also provide opportunities to grow. With preparation, clear communication, and composure, even the toughest challenges can make your business stronger. Take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life. See you next time!

Navigating tough financial times isn't just about cutting costs. It requires intentional leadership, proactive financial strategies, and keeping your team motivated.

Whether you're feeling the pinch now or preparing for potential challenges, this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence.

Let’s dive in!

Time Stamps & Highlights
Introduction (00:00:00)
Surviving tough times demands proactive leadership and a solid financial strategy to thrive, even when cash flow is tight. Examples included.

The Importance of Financial Discipline Before Hard Times Hit (00:01:50)
Hubris and overconfidence in good times can lead to financial disasters. Prepare ahead with humility and a financial cushion to weather unexpected storms. Examples included.

Managing Finances During Tight Times (00:09:50)
Tight times call for smarter financial management. Learn how to audit your P&L, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and retain what drives your business forward. Examples included.

Optimizing Your Sales and Marketing Teams (00:13:37)
Your sales and marketing teams are your revenue engines. Discover strategies to improve closing rates, capitalize on leads, and ensure marketing dollars deliver ROI. Examples included.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency (00:18:20)
Streamlining processes and automating repetitive tasks can free up resources for higher-value work. Use efficiency to reduce stress and improve financial performance. Examples included.

Staying Calm and Making Better Decisions Under Pressure (00:19:59)
When leaders panic, teams freeze. Learn how to stay composed, communicate clearly, and lead with confidence during difficult times. Examples included.

Action Items (00:23:16)
Key takeaways: Audit your financials, evaluate team performance, streamline operations, and plan for resilience during tough times. Examples included.

Additional Resources (00:24:01)
Check out episodes 363 (Smart Money Decisions During a Crisis) and 364 (Handling Fear and Preparing for the Future) for deeper insights.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:24:30)
Join us April 2-4 for practical strategies to lead smarter, empower your team, and create balance in your life. Walk away with an actionable plan to transform your business and life.

Tough financial times are inevitable, but they don’t have to break you or your business. Take these steps to lead proactively, prepare wisely, and guide your team with clarity and purpose.

Remember, as always: change your leadership, change your business, change your life.

Catch the full episode and let’s navigate this together!

In this episode, we explore how Key Result Areas (KRAs) are more than just management tools—they’re the foundation of a well-run business.

KRAs bring clarity, align roles with company goals, and eliminate confusion, helping your team achieve greater productivity and success.

If you’re ready to streamline your leadership and business processes, this episode is packed with actionable insights, examples, and strategies to help you use KRAs effectively.

Episode Breakdown
What KRAs Are and Why They Matter (00:01:30)
KRAs define expected results for each role, creating clarity for both leaders and team members. Discover why they’re essential to avoid misalignment and confusion, with examples for various roles.

The System Approach to KRAs (00:04:45)
KRAs tie directly to your mission, vision, and strategy. Learn how aligning roles with business goals ensures everyone moves in the same direction, illustrated with StratPlan examples.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event (00:09:26)
This April 2-4, join us for three transformative days to learn actionable leadership strategies, reclaim work-life balance, and connect with leaders who share your challenges and goals.

How KRAs Prevent Leadership Struggles (00:14:03)
Unclear roles lead to shifting expectations and wasted resources. KRAs solve this by providing measurable goals and accountability, ensuring your team operates efficiently.

Integrating KRAs into Your Leadership Strategy (00:16:35)
Discover how to create KRAs that tie team objectives and KPIs to company success, reducing tough conversations and improving results.

Why Revisiting KRAs Is Critical (00:20:09)
Regularly reviewing KRAs ensures clarity and growth. Learn a simple process for monthly reviews to keep your team aligned and productive.

Additional Resources (00:22:58)
For a deeper dive into KRAs, check out Episode 120 (The What, Why, and How of KRAs) and Episode 406 (What Good is a KRA?), available on chrislocurto.com.

Final Thoughts
Whether you’re new to KRAs or need a refresher, this episode gives you the tools to bring clarity and alignment to your team. Share this episode with a fellow leader and join us for the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event in April!

Take this information, change your leadership, and change your life. See you next time!

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show! As we kick off the new year, instead of chasing new strategies, let’s focus on resetting and recommitting to the essentials that drive success.

In this episode, I’m sharing actionable steps to help you align your team, elevate your leadership, and make 2025 your strongest year yet. Let’s dive in!

Recommit to Discipline in Leadership (00:01:20)
Consistency is key. Reset your meeting structures to align your team, ensure accountability, and boost productivity. Examples of effective meetings are shared.

Get Out of the Leadership Crazy Cycle (00:05:27)
Stop firefighting and start delegating effectively. Tools like the delegation matrix can help you focus on what truly matters.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:08:57)
Join us April 2-4 for a transformative leadership event. Learn strategies to lead smarter, reclaim your personal life, and connect with like-minded leaders.

Engage with Your Business’s Financial Health (00:13:40)
Dive into your financials! Regularly reviewing your P&L statements, budgets, and forecasts is crucial for making informed decisions.

Reevaluate Your Team Communication (00:17:24)
Clear expectations and consistent communication prevent accountability gaps. Regular one-on-ones help align your team with your goals.

Focus on Accountability and Ownership (00:21:22)
Tough conversations become easier with strong accountability. KRAs provide clarity and measurable results to keep your team on track.

Action Items (00:25:05)
Audit your leadership practices, hold regular meetings, commit to financial reviews, and delegate strategically. Start small and build momentum.

Additional Resources (00:27:20)
Dive deeper with episodes:

532 | Three Rules for Leading Effective Meetings
430 | Building Predictability Into Your Business Finances – Part 1
120 | KRA: The What, The Why, and The How of Key Result Area
523 | How To Kill The Leadership Crazy Cycle

Reflect on one area where you can reset and recommit. Let’s lead boldly into 2025!

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show! Today, we’re tackling emotional intelligence—an essential skill every leader needs.

Emotional intelligence isn’t just a concept; it’s the foundation for understanding yourself, leading your team, and building a thriving business. Let’s dive into why it matters and how you can grow in this area.

Episode Overview
Introduction (00:00:00)
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters
We explore why self-awareness and understanding emotions are crucial to leadership success. Examples included!

Key Points and Timestamps
1. Start with Yourself: Self-Awareness and Growth (00:02:19)
"You can’t lead others if you don’t know yourself."
Understand how emotional responses and personal boundaries impact leadership. Practical self-reflection examples shared!

2. Recognize Emotions in Others (00:18:24)
"Great leaders tune into their team’s emotional states."
Learn how to identify struggles without overstepping professional boundaries. Effective conversation starters included!

3. Foster a Culture of Emotional Safety (00:25:30)
"Create an environment where people feel valued."
Explore the connection between emotional safety and team trust. Quick team-building examples provided!

4. Balance Task Orientation with People Orientation (00:29:38)
"Tasks matter, but so do the people doing them."
Discover how to celebrate wins and recognize team efforts while maintaining productivity. Examples of morale-boosting strategies shared!

5. Leverage Empathy for Better Decision-Making (00:32:10)
"Empathy doesn’t mean avoiding hard decisions."
Learn how empathetic leaders introduce tough changes while keeping the team aligned. Real-life examples included!

Action Steps (00:36:52)
* Reflect on Your Emotional Intelligence: Gain self-awareness through journaling or discussions. * Practice Daily Empathy: Listen actively and encourage others. * Evaluate Your Culture: Ensure your workplace balances tasks with emotional needs. * Invest in Training: Join the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event for practical tools to grow your leadership.

Additional Resources (00:38:27)
For more on emotional intelligence, listen to Episode 110: Emotional Intelligence Explained for actionable tips to grow this vital skill.

Take these insights, improve your leadership, and create a culture where everyone thrives. Let’s make it happen! See you next time!

Scaling a business can be thrilling, but it’s also challenging. How do you grow without compromising your mission?

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we explore the key steps to scaling with integrity and purpose, ensuring every decision aligns with your values.

Time Stamps and Highlights:

Introduction (00:00:00)
Scaling your business doesn’t mean compromising your values. This episode sets the stage for purposeful growth and leadership.

Get Clear on Your “Why” for Scaling (00:01:28)
Understand why you want to scale. We discuss how defining your mission drives better decisions, with examples of shifting focus from competition to impact.

Identify and Commit to Your Core Values (00:07:34)
Your core values guide decision-making, especially under pressure. Learn how to stay aligned and make tough calls when needed.

Stay True to Your Values When the Pressure’s On (00:14:56)
Growth brings challenges. See how prioritizing people over profit leads to loyalty and sustainable productivity.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:18:48)
Join us in April 2025 to learn practical strategies for leading smarter and reclaiming balance in your business and life.

Learn to Say “No” to the Wrong Opportunities (00:23:51)
Not all opportunities align with your mission. Hear why saying no can protect your resources and culture.

Build Systems That Keep You Aligned (00:28:35)
Systems and regular values checks prevent mission drift and keep your team focused during rapid growth.

Action Steps (00:31:10)
Define your core values, audit past decisions, create a values filter, communicate your values, and review regularly.

Additional Resources (00:33:44)
Listen to Episode 206: The Three Keys to Scaling Your Business with Excellence, for more insights.

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show!
In today’s episode, we continue our discussion on building a team that operates independently.

If you missed part one, be sure to check it out later—but today’s insights stand strong on their own. Let’s dive into the tools you need to create a thriving, self-sustaining team.
Time Stamps & Titles1. Introduction (00:00:00) 2. Leading a Thriving Culture (00:01:23) 3. Consistent, Quality Communication Through Key Meetings (00:09:25) 4. Problem-Solving Without Constant Leader Involvement (00:12:11) 5. Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:17:01) 6. Accountability That Drives Results (00:22:03) 7. Maintaining Team Alignment (00:25:05) 8. Using Systems for Independent Success (00:27:22) 9. Conclusion (00:29:06)

Ready to transform your leadership? Join us for the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event, April 2-4, 2025! Head to chrislocurto.com/liveevents to secure your spot. Let’s lead smarter and take your business to the next level!

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show! Today, we’re diving into a vital topic for leaders: how to build a team that operates without you. If stepping away from your business feels impossible, or if your team relies on you for every decision, this episode is for you.

We’ll explore the power of delegation, empowering your team, training, and building clarity in mission, vision, and KRAs—all foundational to creating a self-sufficient team. This is part one of a two-part series, so let’s dive in!

Episode Breakdown
1. Introduction (00:00:00)
Set yourself free by building a team that thrives independently and elevates your leadership to the next level.

2. Next-Level LIVE Event 2025 (00:04:25)
Discover practical tools to lead smarter and achieve work-life balance while growing your business.

3. Delegation Is Key to an Independent Team (00:09:27)
Proper delegation isn’t just handing out tasks; it’s about giving your team clear expectations, tools, and autonomy to succeed.

4. Stop Micromanaging and Start Empowering (00:16:16)
Micromanagement kills creativity. Empower your team to solve problems with actionable techniques to foster independence.

5. Training and Development – The Gift That Keeps on Giving (00:23:18)
Continuous training grows your team’s capabilities and aligns them with your mission and vision for long-term success.

6. Building Leaders Within Your Team (00:28:51)
Developing leaders within your team creates stability and allows you to focus on bigger-picture priorities.

7. Clarity in Mission, Vision, and KRAs – No Guesswork (00:35:03)
Clarity eliminates confusion—align your team with your mission, vision, and KRAs to keep them on track.

8. Making KRAs Work for Your Team (00:37:26)
KRAs ensure accountability and smooth operations; grab the free KRA sample linked in the show notes to get started.

9. Additional Resources (00:37:59)
Check out Episodes 234 (Why You and Your Team Need KRAs) and 555 (Acing Your Goals and Establishing Processes With Your Team) for deeper insights.

This is just the beginning of creating a self-sufficient team. Next time, we’ll explore cultural communication and accountability systems that hold everything together. Don’t miss it!

Today, we’re tackling a critical leadership topic: how to build a business that thrives without being overly reliant on key individuals. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t do this without them,” this post is for you.

The “I Can’t Do It Without Them” Mindset - 00:02:05
Many business leaders feel their business hinges on a few key people—top performers or long-time employees. While it’s great to have strong contributors, relying too much on them creates vulnerabilities. The difference between not wanting to do business without someone and feeling like you can’t is significant. The latter causes stress, fear, and bottlenecks.

The Fragility of a Business Built on Key People - 00:04:02
Over-reliance on key individuals creates bottlenecks, limits scalability, and risks burnout or turnover. If you’d feel your business couldn’t survive without a few people, it’s time to rethink how you operate. A resilient business distributes responsibilities and ensures no single person holds all the power.

Red Flags of Control Freaks and Manipulators - 00:15:43
Some team members position themselves as indispensable by avoiding delegation, hoarding knowledge, or resisting cross-training. Watch for these behaviors:
* Refusing Delegation: “No one else can do it as well as I can.” * Withholding Information: Making it hard for others to access key knowledge. * Overemphasizing Contributions: Constantly highlighting their importance to the business. * Discouraging Cross-Training: Resisting redundancy to protect their perceived value.

View Your Business as a System - 00:23:06
Think of your business as a system with interconnected processes. Ask yourself: “Are our processes well-documented? Can someone step in seamlessly if needed?” This systems-based approach creates resilience and reduces dependency on individuals.

Actionable Steps for Leaders - 00:25:04
* Document processes, especially for key roles. * Cross-train team members to cover each other’s responsibilities. * Foster transparency and collaboration. * Objectively evaluate contributions based on results, not perceptions. * Address resistance to change boldly and directly.

Avoid the Panic of Losing Top Performers - 00:28:05
Standardizing processes and cross-training doesn’t devalue key team members—it protects your business. It also empowers your entire team to grow and contribute more effectively.

Join Us at Next-Level Leadership LIVE 2025! - 00:31:24
Does your business feel overly dependent on key people? Join us April 2–4, 2025, for Next-Level Leadership LIVE, a transformative three-day event designed to help you lead smarter and build a business that runs smoothly without being overly dependent on any single individual.

Registration opens December 2.
Visit ChrisLoCurto.com/liveevents to secure your spot. Don’t wait—this event could be the game-changer your business needs.

Additional Resources - 00:35:57
Listen to Episode 330, How to Lead an Uncoachable Team Member, to learn how to navigate tough conversations and lead with clarity.

Hey folks, welcome to another episode of The Chris LoCurto Show! Today, we’re diving into four offbeat, yet powerful questions every leader should ask themselves—and maybe even their team. These aren’t your standard leadership questions; they’re designed to shake things up, challenge your thinking, and reveal truths you may have been avoiding. If you’re ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level, this episode is for you. Let’s get to it!

Introduction (00:00:00)
Discover how asking the right questions can lead to better decisions, stronger teams, and personal growth. Stick around to see how these questions could revolutionize your leadership.

Question 1: "What am I pretending not to know?" (00:01:45)
This tough question forces you to confront blind spots and hard truths. Are you ignoring signs of low morale or avoiding necessary but uncomfortable conversations? Examples included!

Question 2: "If I could solve only one problem in my business, what would it be?" (00:10:59)
Focus on the one issue that could have the biggest ripple effect across your business. This question helps you streamline, align your team, and boost efficiency. Check out the examples provided!

Action Steps After Identifying the Problem (00:18:45)
Once you’ve pinpointed the biggest problem, here’s how to define success, create a plan, and engage your team in solving it. Includes actionable steps and examples.

Question 3: "What would my business look like if it were easy?" (00:20:47)
Challenge the mindset that business has to be complicated. Simplify processes, boost team morale, and increase efficiency by focusing on what truly matters. Examples illustrate how simplicity drives success.

Question 4: "Who is not telling me the truth and why?" (00:27:39)
Evaluate the transparency in your team and identify barriers to open communication. Are you creating an environment where team members feel safe to share the truth? Examples provided to help you navigate this tricky terrain.

Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event 2025 (00:31:15)

Additional Resources (00:35:48)
Want more? Check out these related episodes and blog posts:

Episode 149: Five Essential Leadership Questions
Episode 257: Questions to Change the Way You Lead Forever with Michael Bungay Stanier
Blog post: 4 Questions You Should Ask About Your Leadership (Updated 2024)
PDF - Practical Steps to Make Business Easier

All links are in the show notes to help you dig deeper and grow.

Conclusion (00:36:48)
Leaders who aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions are the ones who excel. Use these questions to challenge yourself, refine your leadership, and transform your business. As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, change your life. See you next time!

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we’re diving into the simple yet powerful tool that can transform your leadership: asking great questions.

You’ve probably been in meetings where opinions fly, but solutions don’t.

Today, we’ll unpack how asking thoughtful questions can sharpen communication, enhance decision-making, and build a culture of accountability.

Stick around, because this episode is packed with practical examples and actionable insights!

Introduction (00:00:00)
Preview: Questions drive clarity, communication, and accountability in leadership.

The Importance of Asking Questions (00:03:13)
Preview: Asking the right questions boosts leadership effectiveness and problem-solving.

Common Leadership Pitfalls (00:05:49)
Preview: Without questions, shallow communication and misalignment derail teams.

What Happens When Leaders Don’t Ask Questions? (00:09:33)
Preview: Poor decision-making and unresolved conflicts thrive without quality questions.

Top Reasons to Ask Better Questions (00:17:19)
Preview: Deeper understanding and stronger accountability begin with curiosity.

Practical Examples and Scripts (00:26:22)
Preview: Flip statements into questions to unlock obstacles and foster collaboration.

Next Steps for Leaders (00:33:31)
Preview: Start small by adding one thoughtful question to every meeting and watch the transformation.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see why asking great questions isn’t just about gathering information—it’s about driving growth, collaboration, and leadership excellence.

And remember, great leadership starts with great communication.

The end of the year is here, and with it comes a crucial opportunity: setting yourself up for success in the next year.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I’m joined by our VP of Leadership Development (and my daughter), Lyneé South. We’re pulling back the curtain to show you how we close out our businesses for the year, why it’s so important, and how you can do the same.

If you’ve ever wondered how to properly evaluate your business’s financial health, plan for the future, and set yourself up to win, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and examples to guide you through it all.

Episode Breakdown: Key Sections and Takeaways
Introduction (00:00:00)
Why year-end planning is the secret weapon of successful business leaders.

Introduction to Year-End Closeout Process (00:01:52)
Lyneé kicks off the conversation by asking why year-end closeout is critical for sustainable success.

Financial Closeout and Planning (00:09:10)
Discover the key reports and metrics that guide my decision-making—P&L, budgets vs. actuals, and more.

Goal Setting and Reflection (00:20:39)
How to use financial data and business wins to adjust and solidify your goals for the upcoming year.

Acquisitions: Physical and Human Resources (00:31:00)
Why understanding your business needs versus wants is crucial when evaluating new hires or assets.

Reflection on Culture and Company Vision (00:39:41)
Assessing whether your culture aligns with your company vision and how to keep your team motivated and connected.

Advice for Other Business Owners (00:52:57)
Overwhelmed? Here’s how to take the first step toward mastering your business closeout process.

Conclusion (00:58:44)
Final thoughts on vulnerability, seeking help, and crushing the fear of judgment to grow your business.

Practical Examples for Every Step
Throughout the episode, we provide real-world examples from our own businesses to illustrate each point. Whether it's balancing budgets, setting team goals, or building a culture of accountability, you’ll see exactly how these strategies play out.

So grab your notepad and get ready to take your year-end planning to the next level. Let’s close out this year strong and set you up for success in the year ahead!

Hey, folks!

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show. Today, we’re diving into a big leadership challenge: helping a team member step out of irrational thinking.

Whether you’re dealing with stubborn mindsets, emotional outbursts, or plain refusal to see things logically, we’re going to walk through how to approach these moments with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

Not only will you be turning potentially exhausting situations into growth opportunities, but this episode might just give you the tools to manage some of your own irrational thoughts. Let’s jump in!

Key moments:

Recognizing Irrational Thinking Early (00:01:42)
The first step is spotting irrational thought patterns early on—defensiveness, extreme emotional responses, and circular arguments are key signs to look for. Recognizing these can prevent team morale from spiraling, and we’ll go through examples you’ve probably seen before.

Understanding the Root Cause (00:07:11)
Digging into the root cause of irrational thinking—often stress, fear, or insecurity—can help you understand where the behavior stems from. I’ll share examples and insights on how leaders can empathize without overstepping.

Communicating Effectively with Empathy (00:16:11)
Approaching irrational behavior with empathy, open-ended questions, and understanding transforms the conversation. This section dives into ways you can encourage self-reflection without shutting down your team member’s perspective.

Helping Them Reframe Their Thoughts (00:21:34)
Guiding someone to reframe their thinking is a powerful way to shift their outlook. Here, I walk you through a simple 5-step method to turn perceived failures into learning experiences, helping your team think more rationally moving forward.

Setting Boundaries and Accountability (00:24:40)
Sometimes empathy isn’t enough—you need boundaries and accountability to prevent repeated irrational behavior. I outline clear ways to set limits and hold team members accountable, along with examples of how this looks in real situations.

Action Items (00:28:56)
Monitor Your Communication (00:28:57) * Empathy First (00:29:39) * Encourage Self-Reflection (00:30:05) * Set Clear Expectations (00:31:20)*

Conclusion (00:31:53)

Leading a team member out of irrational thinking takes patience, empathy, and strong communication skills. Remember, your role isn’t just managing tasks but helping your team grow professionally and personally, turning irrational moments into incredible leadership opportunities.

Additional Resources (00:32:59)
463 | Rational vs. Irrational Thinking*

We discuss the difference between rational and irrational thinking: where reason and logic intersect with fear, emotion, and imagination.

379 | Leading Through Tough Conversations

Before you do something you might regret later, Joel and I get together to give you some guidance on just exactly how to lead during this exact situation! We acted out this scene so there can be more understanding of how navigating tough conversations can be beneficial for both sides!

Toxic relationships —whether they involve team members, clients, or others in the workplace—can drain your energy, damage your business, and impact your mental health.

But as much as these relationships can be exhausting, it’s crucial to understand how to handle them professionally, with empathy and clear boundaries.

I’m not someone who loves drama or toxicity. I know you get that, and today, we’re going to dive into strategies to deal with these relationships in a healthy way. If you struggle with setting boundaries, this episode is for you.

Key Points Covered:
* Understand the Nature of the Relationship (00:02:45) + Types of Toxic Relationships: + Emotionally Draining Relationships (00:03:04) + Controlling or Manipulative Relationships (00:10:14) + Passive-Aggressive Relationships (00:18:59) + Codependent Relationships (00:18:59) + Abusive Relationships (00:32:17) * Identifying the Severity (00:40:48) * Know Yourself and Your Boundaries (00:40:48) * The Role of Healthy Boundaries (00:45:53) * Practical tips for Establishing Boundaries (00:48:06) * Set Clear Consequences (00:53:21) * Managing with Empathy and Communication (00:56:35) * When and How to Part Ways (01:00:52) * Self-Care and Managing Your Own Triggers (01:05:24)

Understand this—if you tolerate toxicity in your business or personal life, it will spread. It impacts team morale, your productivity, and the health of your relationships.

Managing toxic relationships professionally requires a delicate balance of empathy, grace, and firm boundaries. Whether you're dealing with a difficult team member or someone in your personal life, it's essential to address toxic behavior directly and proactively. You'll protect your well-being, improve team dynamics, and foster healthier relationships overall.

Remember—take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life. See you in the next episode!

Additional Resources (01:12:25)
Episode 212 | What Toxic Culture Looks Like, And How To Avoid It
Yes, there are times that the customer is wrong. I believe that. The customer might not always be right, but the customer should ALWAYS be honored.

Episode 285 | How To Stop Toxicity As A Leader
Toxicity creates disunity, inefficiency, low productivity, gossip, backstabbing…the list goes on. What do we do about it? How do we prevent it?

On today’s episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we continue to dive deep into the heart of leadership challenges with Lyneé South, VP of Leadership Development and a core coach in our Key Leader Program.

This episode is packed with practical insights on how to improve delegation, accountability, and communication with your leadership team.

If you haven’t yet listened to part 1 (episode 596*), make sure to check it out first! We covered essential topics like the Leadership Crazy Cycle, trust issues, culture challenges, and prioritization.

In this follow-up episode, we build on those ideas and dig further into how to make more informed decisions and help your key leaders succeed.

Key Points in Today’s Episode:
Introduction (00:00:00)
Chris introduces the episode and welcomes Lyneé South back to the show. * Recap (00:01:20)
Chris reviews the leadership challenges discussed in episode 596, including delegation, tough conversations, and trust issues. * Personal Experiences (00:02:23)
Lyneé shares stories from her experience coaching leaders through delegation and accountability challenges. * Delegation Challenges (00:03:40)
Discussion on how to overcome delegation obstacles and create success throughout the business. * Accountability and Tough Conversations (00:08:22)
How setting clear expectations with KRAs (Key Result Areas) transforms tough conversations into manageable discussions. * Biggest Takeaways (00:11:54)
Lyneé highlights her biggest takeaways from coaching leaders—focusing on communication and alignment. * Leading Up and Communicating Expectations (00:13:10)
Insights on how leaders can effectively communicate with those above them and clarify goals. * Understanding the Key Leader Program (00:29:22)
An in-depth explanation of the Key Leader Program and how it helps middle-level leaders develop their leadership skills. * Conclusion (00:44:42)*

If you’re looking to empower your leadership team and align everyone toward the same goals, the Key Leader Program could be the solution.

Visit chrislocurto.com/keyleader to learn more and see how it can transform your business. As always, take this knowledge to change your leadership, change your business, and change your life!

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I’m thrilled to bring on a very special guest, our new VP of Leadership Development—and my daughter—Lyneé South.

Not only is Lyneé a phenomenal leader with over two decades of experience, but she’s also been instrumental in helping leaders break free from the dreaded Leadership Crazy Cycle.

Today, we’re tackling some of the most common challenges that leaders face: feeling overwhelmed, struggling with delegation, and navigating tough conversations. If you're dealing with these issues, this episode is for you.

We're diving into practical solutions that will help you lead with confidence.This is part one of a two-part series, so make sure to come back next week for more insights from Lyneé and me!

Key Points Covered:1. Key Leader Struggles (00:02:42)
Lyneé shares her leadership journey and the obstacles that leaders encounter when they’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. 2. Leadership Crazy Cycle (00:09:50)
What is the Leadership Crazy Cycle, and how can you get out of the reactive loop of constant tasks without losing your effectiveness as a leader? 3. Delegation Challenges (00:26:24)
We talk about proper delegation—why most leaders struggle with it and how you can delegate tasks effectively without taking them back. 4. Stress and Tough Conversations (00:38:57)
Handling tough conversations in stressful times is no easy feat, but there are ways to make these discussions more effective and less daunting. 5. Culture and Trust Issues (00:52:22)
We break down the common trust issues within teams and how leaders can build a culture of unity and accountability. 6. Prioritization and Time Management (00:57:48)
As leaders, prioritizing tasks is one of the hardest but most critical skills to master. Lyneé explains why proper prioritization and time management are key to leadership success.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you overcome leadership challenges and break free from the Leadership Crazy Cycle. Lyneé shares her practical wisdom, and together, we offer strategies that can immediately impact how you lead your team and your business.

Be sure to check out part two next week, where we dive deeper into coaching techniques and explore the Key Leader Program in more detail.
As always, take what you’ve learned, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life.Listen to the full episode now!

In today's episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive into part two of our series on overcoming conflict avoidance. This episode is all about learning how to have tough conversations and gaining tools to handle them effectively.

If you haven’t yet listened to part one (Episode 594), go back and listen to that first, as it sets the foundation for understanding your conflict tendencies and how to develop skills to face them.

In this second part, we focus on building confidence through positive outcomes and how success in handling conflict can create a snowball effect, making future tough conversations easier.

We’re continuing to learn from every conversation, build emotional muscles, and ultimately, become leaders who resolve conflict with grace and effectiveness.

Key Points Covered in the Episode:

Building Confidence Through Positive Outcomes (00:02:05)
Repeated successful conflict resolution builds momentum and makes future conversations easier.

Success Creates Confidence (00:02:38)
Momentum from resolving conflicts gives you the confidence to tackle the next one with ease.

Success Reinforces Positive Behavior (00:05:46)
Every successful resolution strengthens positive communication habits.

You Learn from Every Conversation (00:07:09)
Each tough conversation provides lessons in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication styles.

Momentum Breaks the Cycle of Avoidance (00:10:32)
Positive conflict resolution disrupts the avoidance cycle, making future conflicts less intimidating.

Each Success Builds a Stronger Foundation (00:12:09)
Resolving conflicts consistently builds your reputation as a leader who handles difficult conversations well.

Overcoming the Fear of Failure or Rejection (00:15:08)
Learn how fear plays a significant role in avoiding conflict and how to overcome it.

Fear Amplifies What Might Go Wrong (00:17:06)
Fear exaggerates potential negative outcomes, but often the worst-case scenario is not as bad as it seems.

Fear Makes You Forget the Long-Term Benefit (00:19:14)
While short-term discomfort is unpleasant, the long-term benefit of handling conflict far outweighs it.

Fear Keeps You Stuck in a Cycle of Avoidance (00:23:23)
Breaking the avoidance cycle is crucial for leadership growth and effective conflict resolution.

Pushing Through Fear Starts with Small Steps (00:24:55)
Start with smaller conflicts to build momentum before tackling bigger issues.

Fear is Temporary, But Avoiding Conflict Has Long-Term Consequences (00:26:05)
Short-term discomfort will fade, but avoiding conflict can lead to long-term damage.

Courage is Acting in Spite of Fear (00:27:07)
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.

Practical Steps to Get Started (00:29:09)
We walk through practical steps to acknowledge avoidance, start small, and use a structured approach to conflict.

Conclusion (00:38:02)
We outline how building momentum in handling conflict can change your leadership and relationships for the better.

Success creates confidence, and each time you engage in tough conversations, you become more skilled and emotionally intelligent. By following these steps and focusing on long-term benefits, you can turn conflict into opportunities for growth.

For more resources and tools to help you lead better, visit ChrisLoCurto.com.

Resources:

420 | Confrontation, Conflict & Control

We discuss where boundaries are with confrontation, conflict & control; when to engage in a healthy way, and when to hold your peace.

312 | Kill Conflict without Killing Your Relationships

We talk about how conflict is in every relationship, how to deal with it, how to keep it from damaging relationships, and how to grow through it.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we tackle an issue that affects many leaders and businesses: conflict avoidance.
While conflict is inevitable in any organization, avoiding it often leads to bigger problems down the line.
We dive into why conflict avoidance occurs, how to recognize your tendencies, and the steps you can take to handle conflict in a healthy, productive way.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips for leaders looking to improve their conflict resolution skills and create a healthier work environment.
Key Points Covered in This Episode:

Understanding Your Own Conflict Avoidance Tendencies (00:02:50)
- Desire for Harmony (00:05:52)
- Emotional Energy (00:09:17)
- Analytical Perspective (00:10:39)
- Long-Term Focus (00:11:34)
Examples - DISC Personality Styles (00:12:22)
- High S (00:13:32)
- High C (00:15:58)
- High I (00:18:43)
- High D (00:20:27)
Example (00:22:08)
Developing the Skill of Addressing Conflict (00:26:44)
- Building Emotional Muscle (00:28:27)
- Seeing Conflict as Opportunity (00:33:20)
- Boosting Confidence in Communication (00:35:41)
- Learning to Listen and Empathize (00:37:12)
- Facing Your Fears Head-On (00:41:36)
- Consistency Breeds Confidence (00:45:29)
Using Effective Conversation Templates and Scripts (00:50:29)
- Clarity Leads to Confidence (00:52:52)
- Keeps You on Track (00:54:27)
- Promotes Active Listening (00:56:09)
- Prepares You for Emotional Responses (00:59:10)
- Ensures You Address Key Points (01:02:41)
- Fosters Constructive Outcomes (01:04:13)
Suggested structure:
- Neutral Observation (01:06:03)
- Express Concern (01:09:06)
- Open-Ended Question (01:10:59)
- Collaborate on Solutions (01:12:38)
- Face the Tough Conversations (01:15:03)
- Follow-Up Is Key (01:17:42)

This is just part one of a two-part series on conflict avoidance. Tune in to this episode for actionable advice and tay tuned for the next episode as we continue to dive deeper into strategies for overcoming conflict avoidance and leading your team with confidence.Listen now and start transforming how you handle conflict in your leadership!

Resources:
Handling Tough Conversations Template

Running a business is hard, especially when you're trying to do it all on your own. You need to Build an Unstoppable Support System to truly Maximize Your Business.

In our latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive deep into a critical topic for business owners: the importance of building a support system.

From overcoming fear and imposter syndrome to leveraging accountability and diverse perspectives, we offer practical advice on breaking down barriers and surrounding yourself with the right people to achieve long-term success.

Hey folks! In this latest episode, we're diving into a crucial topic for every leader—how to calculate risks and rewards when making important business decisions.

Whether you’re launching a new product, considering a team change, or evaluating an operational shift, understanding how to balance risk and reward is key to moving your business forward with confidence.

Here’s a breakdown of what we cover in the episode, along with timestamps so you can jump straight to the sections that matter most to you.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Introduction: What is Risk? (00:00:00)
We kick things off by talking about the importance of taking calculated risks as a leader. I share a bit of my own journey—whether racing cars or running a business, I’ve learned that understanding both the potential rewards and risks is essential to making the right calls.

Understanding Types of Risks and Rewards (00:02:09)
We explore different kinds of risks that you face in business—financial, operational, market, and even cultural risks. I also dig into the potential rewards that come with those risks, like financial gains, cultural growth, or market expansion.

Steps to Calculate Risks and Rewards (00:11:12)
I break down the step-by-step process of evaluating risks. Plus, I share practical insights on how to analyze costs, timelines, and market fit.

- Analyzing Risks (00:18:07)
I emphasize the importance of analyzing how each risk might impact your business—from finances and operations to your personal life.

- Evaluating Rewards (00:21:37)
We look at the long-term rewards you might not immediately think about. I also talk about how to set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure your success.

- Real-Life Example: Measuring Rewards (00:27:41)
I share a real-life story of how we launched a new event by calculating both the risks and rewards. It’s a great example of how thinking through risks can pay off in more ways than one.

Additional Resources (00:33:51)
Want to dive deeper into risk-taking? Check out Episode 540: The Pros & Cons: Becoming a Risk Taker.

It’s a great companion to this episode and can help you think through what might be holding you back from making bold decisions.

Conclusion (00:34:26)
At the end of the day, calculating risks and rewards is all about spotting potential challenges, understanding their impact, and balancing them against the possible benefits. By doing this, you’ll make smarter decisions that benefit your business, your team, and your bottom line.

I hope this episode helps you become more confident in your decision-making process. Take these strategies, apply them in your leadership, and watch your business thrive.

As always, we’re here to help you grow, so make sure to join us for the next episode!

In the latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we tackle a challenge many leaders face but often struggle to address—self-destructive behaviors within their teams.

These behaviors, whether it’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, or isolation, can quietly undermine team productivity and morale. As a leader, recognizing and supporting team members through these struggles is critical to fostering a healthy, thriving work environment.

Episode Highlights:
Introduction (00:00:00)*

Learn how to spot the signs of self-destructive behaviors in your team and guide them toward healthier habits.

Recognizing Self-Destructive Behaviors (00:01:29)

As leaders, it’s our job to lead people to success—and that often means identifying what’s holding them back. Discover what self-destructive behaviors look like, from subtle signs to more obvious patterns.
Common Self-Destructive Patterns (00:02:18)*

Explore common behaviors like substance abuse, perfectionism, and self-isolation, and learn why people-pleasing can be one of the most damaging patterns.
Consequences of Self-Destructive Behaviors (00:11:07)*

Understand the ripple effects these behaviors can have on team dynamics, communication, and relationships. Unchecked, they can erode trust and create lasting damage within the team.
Mental Health Impact (00:13:31)*

Self-destructive behaviors often tie into deeper mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. Learn how to recognize the warning signs early and help your team avoid long-term harm.
How to Support and Manage Team Members (00:25:22)*

It’s crucial to offer support while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Get tips on how to lead with empathy, understand your team's needs, and maintain a healthy work culture.
Actionable Steps (00:26:30)*

We share practical advice on how you can encourage your team members to recognize and change self-destructive habits without crossing any professional or personal lines.
Encouraging Healthy Habits (00:28:51)*

From promoting better eating habits to creating moments of self-care, this section focuses on how you can help team members build healthier routines that support both their personal and professional lives.
Additional Resources (00:34:09)*

Looking for more insights? Check out these related episodes:

Episode 238: The 6 Subtle Self-Destructive Behaviors We Miss Every Day.
Episode 269: How To Break The Self-Sabotage Spiral.

Take Action as a Leader
Leaders, the journey to overcoming these behaviors is ongoing. It’s about creating a culture where open communication thrives and harmful habits are replaced with healthier, more productive ones.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how you can support your team, enhance their well-being, and create an environment where they can thrive.

In the latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we explore the elusive concept of work-life balance. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you understand what true balance looks like and how to achieve it in a realistic, sustainable way.

A key tool we discuss is Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life, which breaks down life into seven essential areas: Career, Social, Financial, Family, Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual. This framework can help you achieve balance by focusing on different areas at different times.

Key Points Covered:
Understanding True Work-Life Balance (00:00:59)*

Perfect balance doesn’t exist day-to-day. Life is constantly changing, requiring you to rebalance your priorities over time. Focus on achieving harmony over the long term rather than chasing daily perfection.
Seasons (00:10:09)*

Balance happens over months or seasons, not daily. Learn to navigate the seasons based on what you need. Be proactive in taking care of yourself.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize (00:13:34)*

Sometimes, urgent issues demand more attention. Once resolved, it’s crucial to refocus on other important areas, like family and personal well-being.

Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life (00:17:45)

We explore Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life, covering seven essential areas: Career, Social, Financial, Family, Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual. Regularly reassessing and rebalancing (00:22:33) these areas helps you maintain long-term harmony.
Support and Accountability (00:26:34)*

Surround yourself with a strong support system to help you stay balanced. Accountability partners and healthy relationships are key to maintaining focus and well-being.
Good Routines and Habits (00:28:25)*

Establish beneficial routines, like the Two-Minute Rule (00:30:11), to start new habits and build momentum. Consistent, small actions can lead to significant improvements in your overall balance.
Conclusion (00:32:27)*

Work-life balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about long-term harmony. By focusing on the big picture and building good habits, you can achieve lasting balance in your life.
Achieving work-life balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding harmony over time. Tune in now and take the first step toward rebalancing your life!

Hey, folks! Welcome back to the Chris LoCurto Show! I hope you're having an incredible day, wherever you are.

Today’s episode is all about something that could radically change the way you live, lead, and approach life: shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.

This is not just about thinking positively—it’s about adopting a whole new way of looking at the world that can boost both your personal and professional life.

We’re breaking down exactly why this mindset shift is so powerful and covering both expected and surprising benefits.

Here’s a sneak peek at what we cover:
Why Shift to an Abundance Mindset? (00:01:29)
We dive into how adopting this mindset goes beyond positive thinking—it's about fundamentally altering how you see opportunities, challenges, and relationships. When you truly believe there’s enough to go around, everything changes for the better.

Expected Benefits You Can Count On: (00:03:34) Increased Optimism (00:03:44): You’ll naturally start focusing on the positive aspects of life, leading to a more optimistic outlook. * Enhanced Resilience (00:04:28): With an abundance mindset, setbacks don’t knock you down—they build you up. * Improved Decision-Making (00:05:15): Decisions made from confidence instead of fear lead to better outcomes. * Better Financial Management (00:07:26): Proactive financial planning and smarter investment choices come naturally when you believe there’s plenty. * Stronger Relationships (00:10:22)*: Focusing on abundance fosters generosity and collaboration, which strengthens both personal and professional connections.

Unexpected Wins of Switching Your Mindset: (00:11:29) Increased Adaptability and Flexibility (00:11:37): An abundance mindset makes you more open to change and innovation, allowing you to adapt quickly and grow. * Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills (00:14:52): Challenges turn into opportunities when you see them through the lens of abundance. Better brainstorming, creative solutions—these become your new normal. * Improved Emotional Intelligence (00:16:17): You’ll manage emotions better and connect more deeply with others, improving communication and team dynamics. * Greater Sense of Purpose and Meaning (00:18:12): Everyday tasks and long-term goals become more fulfilling when you understand how they fit into the bigger picture. * Better Time Management and Productivity (00:19:55)*: With less worry about scarcity, you’ll be able to prioritize and execute tasks more effectively, leading to greater productivity without the stress.

Additional Resources (00:21:47)
If any of this resonates with you, be sure to check out an earlier episode, “505 | The Psychology of a Scarcity Mentality,” where we break down how a scarcity mindset traps you in a cycle of fear and anxiety—and how to break free.

Conclusion (00:22:10)
Adopting an abundance mindset is the key to unlocking your full potential. It helps you shift from what’s lacking to what’s possible, leading to a life full of optimism, resilience, and fulfillment.

You’ll see improvements in your decision-making, relationships, creativity, and overall well-being—paving the way for both personal and professional success. Let’s make that shift together today!

🎧As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life! See you in the next episode!

We all know that maintaining a positive and productive work environment is crucial for the success of any business. But sometimes, subtle behaviors like passive-aggressiveness can creep in and erode your team's morale, trust, and collaboration.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive deep into identifying and addressing passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace, offering actionable strategies to help you lead your team with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re a leader or a team member, chances are you’ve encountered passive-aggressive behavior at some point. Maybe it’s someone constantly missing deadlines, making sarcastic remarks, or giving the silent treatment.

In this episode, we explore how these behaviors show up, their impact on your team’s dynamics, and, most importantly, how to address them effectively.

Key Takeaways:
1. Identifying Passive-Aggressive Behaviors (00:00:50)
* Passive-aggressiveness can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, subtle resistance, sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or even the silent treatment. * Recognizing these behaviors early can prevent small issues from escalating into major conflicts, helping you maintain a positive and productive work environment.

2. Common Forms of Passive-Aggressive Behavior (00:01:43)
* Procrastination: Deliberately delaying tasks as a way to express frustration or resistance. * Sarcasm: Using humor to mask resentment, often through taunting remarks or undermining comments. * Silent Treatment: Withholding communication as a means of control or expressing displeasure.

3. Strategies for Addressing Passive-Aggressive Behavior (00:18:44)
* Communicating Effectively: Start with statements like “Help me to understand…” to encourage self-awareness and uncover the root issues behind the behavior. * Setting Clear Expectations: Outline what is acceptable behavior and the consequences for not meeting those expectations. * Promoting Accountability and Transparency: Encourage direct communication and emphasize the importance of addressing concerns openly.

4. Mindset Tips for Leaders (00:39:02)
* Approach these conversations with empathy while remaining firm on expectations. * Stay calm and focus on addressing the behavior rather than getting caught up in the content of what’s being said. * Understand that protecting your culture is more important than allowing one person to continue toxic behavior.

5. Consequences of Not Addressing Passive-Aggressive Behavior (00:47:10)
* Avoiding these conversations leads to increased tension, reduced trust, lowered morale, and ultimately, decreased productivity. * Don’t let one individual’s behavior derail your team’s success. Address the issue early and often to maintain a healthy, high-performing culture.

Tune In for More! This episode is packed with practical insights that will help you lead your team through difficult situations with confidence and clarity.
Don’t miss out on this valuable content that can transform your leadership and your business.

As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life!

Thanks for joining us today. We’ll see you on the next episode of The Chris LoCurto Show.

In today's fast-paced business world, success isn’t just about hitting your numbers; it’s about creating an environment where your team can truly thrive—both personally and professionally.
In this episode, we explore how aligning your team's personal goals with your business objectives can foster a high-performing, motivated, and engaged workforce.
If you're looking to transform your company culture and drive extraordinary business results, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Key Points Covered in the Episode:

1. Defining Servant Leadership (00:01:14)
I start by breaking down the core principles of servant leadership. It’s not just about leading your clients; it’s about leading your team with a servant’s heart. I explain the importance of leading by example and fostering a supportive environment that empowers your team members to grow both professionally and personally. We also dive into how practicing empathy and active listening can help you better understand and meet the needs of your team.

2. Aligning Personal Motivators with Business Goals (00:03:11)
One of the key takeaways from this episode is the importance of understanding what motivates your team members on a personal level. I discuss how regular one-on-one meetings can help you uncover these motivators and how you can align them with your business goals. When you create development plans that support both personal growth and business objectives, you boost motivation, engagement, and performance across the board. Remember, happier employees lead to better work performance!

3. Actively Setting Your Team Members Up for Success (00:06:44)
As leaders, it’s our job to remove obstacles and provide the resources our team members need to succeed. In this episode, I highlight the role of leadership in offering tailored training and development opportunities. I also talk about the importance of setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and guiding your team through challenges. Empowered employees are more confident, proactive, and contribute significantly to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

4. Cultural Transformation and Business Outcomes (00:22:16)
Finally, I explore how servant leadership can transform your company culture. By creating a positive, inclusive workplace where team members feel valued and heard, you’ll see improved productivity, innovation, and a higher quality of work. This, in turn, leads to greater customer satisfaction and, ultimately, better business outcomes.

If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level and see your business thrive, I encourage you to tune in to this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show. We’ve got some great insights and actionable steps that can help you change the way you lead, transform your team, and achieve extraordinary results.

As always, take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life. Join us on the next episode for more insights on how to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.

Hey folks, welcome to another enlightening episode of The Chris LoCurto Show! Today, I'm diving deep into what makes top leaders and achievers truly successful. By understanding themselves on a deeper level and living with intentionality, they can navigate life with less stress and more happiness.This episode is packed with insights on how your past experiences shape your current leadership style, how to manage stress without guilt, and the importance of personal growth for both your professional and personal life.Key Points: Understanding Your Lens (00:00:00) * The Root System: How Past Experiences Shape Our Lens (00:04:03) * Impact on Leadership Style (00:05:17) * Control and Submissiveness (00:07:27) * Fear of Failure (00:07:57) * Digging Deep (00:11:06) * Overcoming Stress and Overwhelm (00:18:45) * Managing Stress without Guilt (00:20:42) * Finding Balance between Home and Work Life (00:32:40) * Importance of Deep Personal Growth (00:38:29) * A Common Objection to Things Like Next-Level Life (00:44:25) * Expectations of Next-Level Life (00:52:30)*

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to achieve personal and professional growth. I provide invaluable insights and practical advice to help you understand yourself better and lead a more intentional and fulfilling life.Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your leadership, your business, and your life!

Email your leadership struggle or questions to podcast@chrislocurto.com - we check that email daily.

Today, we’re diving into a challenging yet crucial topic: leading someone with a victim mentality. Let's jump right in!

Victim mentality is that mindset where someone feels something is always happening to them, and they can’t do anything about it. Have you seen it? Someone on your team who constantly blames others for their circumstances, never taking responsibility for their actions. This kind of mentality can be absolutely toxic to team dynamics, productivity, and overall morale.

Key Points from This Episode
1. Identifying Victim Mentality: * Recognize the mindset where someone feels things are always happening to them, and they can’t do anything about it. * These individuals never take responsibility and constantly blame others. 2. Types of Victim Mentality: * Self-Pitying Victim: Always has a “woe is me” attitude. * Defensive Victim: Shifts blame and becomes defensive, pointing out others' faults to deflect from their own issues. 3. Impact on Team Dynamics: * Disrupts team cohesion and productivity. * Affects loyalty and respect within the team. * Complicates accountability, as no one wants to work with someone who never takes responsibility. 4. Strategies to Lead Through These Tough Conversations: * Lean into Their Personality Style: Approach them in a way that suits their personality to ease the conversation. * Avoid Assumptions and Accusations: Ask perspective-gaining questions instead of accusing. * Tailor Your Approach: Focus on empowerment for self-pitying victims and accountability for defensive victims. * Continuous Feedback and Support: Regularly check in, provide resources for personal development, and encourage a culture of responsibility and growth. 5. Promote a Culture of Responsibility and Growth: * Set clear expectations and achievable goals. * Celebrate successes and proactive problem-solving. * Foster a team culture where taking responsibility is valued.

Episodes to Check Out
For more insights, be sure to listen to:
* Episode 495: Lies Victims Tell Themselves * Episode 276: What Makes Us Powerless and How to Stop Victim Mentality

Don't miss out! This episode is packed with practical advice and strategies to transform your team dynamics and leadership approach. Make sure to tune in and take your leadership skills to the next level.

Remember, effective leadership begins with understanding and action. Catch this episode and let's make some positive changes together!

Email your leadership struggle or questions to podcast@chrislocurto.com - we check that email daily.

Whether you're a leader, business owner, or team member, these behaviors can be a major roadblock to your success. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know how tough it can be to overcome. But with the right strategies and mindset, you can beat it!

Key Points from This Episode:
* Understanding Self-Sabotage: We break down what self-sabotage really means and how deep-rooted fears and limiting beliefs from your "Root System" can hold you back. * Common Self-Sabotaging Behaviors: + Procrastination: Even the most driven business owners can fall into this trap, delaying crucial decisions and actions due to fear. + Perfectionism: Setting unattainably high standards can prevent progress and delay important tasks. + Overcommitment: Taking on too many responsibilities can lead to task saturation, where nothing gets the attention it deserves. * The Role of Identity and Ego: We discuss how tying your identity to business success or titles can lead to self-sabotage. Your true worth comes from what God says you are, not from others' opinions. * Overcoming Self-Sabotage: + Becoming Self-Aware: Identify and acknowledge your self-sabotaging patterns. Keeping a journal can help track negative thoughts and behaviors. + Setting Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into manageable steps using the “good, better, best” framework. + Seeking Support and Accountability: Engage with mentors, coaches, and peer groups for regular feedback and accountability. Joining a Mastermind group can be incredibly beneficial.

Related Episodes You Shouldn't Miss:
Episode 238: The 6 Subtle Self-Destructive Behaviors We Miss Everyday * Episode 453: Self-Sabotaging Your Authenticity*

Also, check out the quick read, 7 Signs You Self-Sabotage, for more tips and strategies.

Let’s explore the power of active listening in leadership as we discuss why good leaders are indeed great listeners.

Peter recently achieved financial freedom by becoming completely debt-free. Join us as he shares his inspiring journey, the challenges he faced, and the incredible mental and emotional benefits of living without debt. Whether you're struggling with debt or simply looking for motivation, Peter's story offers valuable insights and practical advice for anyone on the path to financial freedom. Tune in and discover how you too can achieve a debt-free life!

Join us as we unravel the secrets of habit formation, goal setting, and identity alignment to propel you toward your long-term vision of success.. That’s coming up next!

In this episode, we're gonna take a different angle on time management and look at it through the lens of mindset and uncover how our beliefs, emotions, and attitudes shape the way we structure our days and prioritize tasks. Tune in now!

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted ways leaders can inspire transformation through their own actions and behaviors.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of mentorship in small business leadership, offering insights and solutions to common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

Fostering a proactive culture by valuing and rewarding proactive behavior is essential for leaders. Breaking free from the Leadership Crazy Cycle, fear of failure, and Bottleneck Boss Syndrome is crucial for a proactive mindset. Discover how encouraging creativity, setting clear visions and goals, and promoting team engagement can cultivate proactivity, leading to a stronger competitive advantage and increased success in your business!

This episode is all about how keeping your cool and staying steady can create a rock-solid foundation for your team. Think of it like being the drummer in a band—keeping the beat that everyone else vibes to.
We’ll chat about why it’s super important to be the reliable one your team looks to, and how this can ramp up performance, trust, and all those good vibes at work. Dive in with us as we break down the massive perks of predictable leadership with real-life stories and practical tips.
Tune in, turn up the volume, and let’s get consistent!

Dive into Part 2 of our Q & A series where Chris tackles more challenging questions from the Next Level Leadership LIVE Event. This episode focuses on strategic leadership decisions, enhancing team dynamics, and personal growth tips for leaders striving for excellence. Tune in for transformative insights and expert advice!

Check out this episode where we tackle all the big questions from this year’s Next Level Leadership LIVE event. We’ve got loads of handy tips and smart strategies to help you boost your leadership game and tackle everyday business challenges. Tune in and get the answers you need to succeed!

We explore innovative angles on feedback beyond the conventional, focusing on creating a culture where feedback is not just a tool for improvement but a cornerstone of leadership and team growth.

In Part 2 of our series on second-generation transitions, this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show puts successors center stage. We delve into the essential dos and don'ts for successors navigating their role in family business transitions, offering insights to lead with confidence and preserve the family legacy.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive deep into the delicate process of second-generation transitions in small businesses. This episode is all about you, the founders, as you prepare to pass down your legacy. We explore the crucial dos and don'ts to guide you through this pivotal phase of succession planning. From formalizing transition plans to navigating emotional dynamics, join us as we uncover actionable insights to ensure a seamless handover and preserve your family business's legacy for generations to come.

We delve into the critical aspects of business growth and customer relations. Discover how avoiding fake delegation can fuel frustration and burnout, while embracing mistakes as invaluable learning opportunities fosters a culture of accountability and growth. Learn the importance of proactive customer service in building trust, loyalty, and ultimately, business success. Tune in to gain insights on gracefully handling mistakes and prioritizing proactive customer care to propel your business forward.

Fake delegation is a common problem where leaders micromanage or take tasks back. Proper delegation is crucial for business growth and team productivity. Clarity is key in delegation to avoid confusion and inefficiency. Leaders should focus on higher-level tasks and delegate administrative work. Micromanagement erodes trust, while empowerment builds trust and encourages autonomy. Being a bottleneck boss slows down growth and hinders productivity. Cultivating confidence in team members is important for their development and risk-taking. Leaders should communicate expectations clearly and provide feedback for growth. Confronting unspoken challenges and addressing silent overload is necessary for effective delegation and team success.

Justin Epple discusses Next Level Life on the Chris LoCurto Show, highlighting its transformative impact on personal growth and professional success. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's worth and making better decisions, handling conflict, and improving communication and relationships. Next Level Life shocks controlling behaviors, promotes healthier interactions, and recommends setting boundaries. Investing in personal development yields immediate returns, emphasizing the importance of implementing changes now. For more information, visit chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife.

The Chris LoCurto Show features guest Patrick Devereux, who shares how personal growth has contributed to his success in leadership and business growth. As the president of Family Medical Services, Patrick sought leadership development and coaching to enhance his skills. Attending the Next Level Life event helped him prioritize his personal and professional life, set boundaries, and improve his mindset and confidence. Patrick's improved self-awareness and communication skills have positively influenced his leadership style and personal relationships.

Processes, meetings, and communication are vital for productivity, but team happiness is equally crucial. Soft skills like leadership and communication are essential for fostering a positive work environment. Happiness is contagious and influences others' choices, impacting retention. A leader's attitude significantly affects team productivity and success. Balancing soft and hard skills is key for both happiness and profitability. Setting clear expectations and encouraging open expression fosters collaboration. Consistent feedback and recognition boost morale. Providing growth opportunities increases team investment. Leading with healthy accountability promotes growth and resilience. A clear mission and vision are vital for effective leadership. Prioritizing happiness in the workplace boosts productivity, profit, and innovation. Building a strong culture leads to lasting success.

Use the timestamps to get to your favorite part:

Vulnerability as a strength in leadership. (0:00)

Vulnerability in leadership and trust. (4:25)

Vulnerability and trust in leadership. (9:17)

Vulnerability and admitting mistakes in leadership. (13:49)

Vulnerability and resilience in leadership. (17:34)

Vulnerability in leadership and team building. (24:56)

Cultivating team vulnerability in business leadership. (29:22)

Leadership isolation and its impact on health. 0:00
- Joel Fortner discusses the isolation and loneliness experienced by small business owners, particularly CEOs and presidents.
Leadership isolation and its impact on performance. 1:58
- Joel Fortner discusses the unique stresses and pressures of business ownership, including feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can affect CEOs' day-to-day performance and decision-making
- Joel Fortner acknowledges the common experience of feeling uneasy as a CEO, citing Shakespeare's "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" phrase
The weight of leadership and responsibility in small business ownership. 7:32
- Joel Fortner emphasizes the difficulty of letting employees go as a leader, while also acknowledging the importance of maintaining profitability in a business.
Leadership challenges and isolation. 10:20
- Joel Fortner discusses the weight of leadership, feeling responsible for people and their jobs, and the pressure to communicate and lead effectively.
- Joel Fortner highlights the isolation of CEOs and leaders, feeling like they are the only ones who know certain sensitive information and struggling with delegation and control issues.
- Joel Fortner feels alone in his responsibilities as a business owner,
Leadership stress and finding balance. 15:36
- He acknowledges the need for a healthy perspective on stress and the importance of having someone in his life who understands the challenges of leadership.
Leadership isolation and its impact on mental health. 18:21
- Joel Fortner discusses the challenges of being a leader or owner, including feeling isolated and struggling to form real friendships and deep relationships.
- Joel Fortner shares his experience of feeling disconnected from his team and struggling with tough conversations and culture problems.
- Isolation can negatively impact mental health, leading to loneliness and unhealthy relationships.
Managing stress and uncertainty in business and personal life. 23:40
- Joel Fortner discusses the challenges of living with uncertainty in business and personal life, citing examples from history and his own experiences.
- Uncertainty can lead to fear and stress, but learning to manage it through information and decision-making can help reduce its impact.
Anxiety and panic attacks in various life situations. 29:23
- Joel Fortner experienced anxiety attacks while working as a restaurant server, feeling overwhelmed and unable to think or make decisions.
- Anxiety can be subtle and easy to overlook, like a car engine running without oil, grinding and causing damage without noticeable symptoms.
Mental health and leadership in small businesses. 31:50
- Joel Fortner discusses common mental health issues among CEOs and small business owners, including depression and questioning decision-making abilities.
- Fortner highlights the impact of these issues on personal and professional life, including conflict and arguments at home, and uncertainty about prioritizing correctly.
- Joel Fortner emphasizes the importance of having a supportive network of people in one's life, particularly as a CEO or leader, to help navigate business and personal challenges.
- He suggests having regular leadership team meetings to discuss issues, gain perspective, and improve communication.
Building a united leadership team through communication and collaboration. 38:33
- Joel Fortner suggests coaching each other to make better decisions and communicate more effectively as a team.
- Joel Fortner emphasizes the importance of building personal relationships among leadership team members to foster trust and unity within the company.
Overcoming fear and isolation for small business CEOs. 41:40
- Joel Fortner explains how mastermind groups can provide support and accountability for small business CEOs and owners.
- A key leader within a business called upon Joel Fortner's company to facilitate their own mastermind group, demonstrating the value of having a neutral third party in the group.
- Joel Fortner discusses the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs and fears to succeed in business, citing his own experiences as a CEO and entrepreneur.
- He emphasizes the need to battle one's own ego and pride to connect with others and find success, rather than isolating oneself due to fear of failure or vulnerability.
Overcoming isolation in leadership and business growth. 46:55
- Joel Fortner highlights the transformative impact of community and coaching on leadership confidence, decision-making, and mental health.
- Joel Fortner emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help when needed to achieve personal and professional growth.
- Joel Fortner encourages listeners to take a step towards improving their leadership skills by connecting with resources and a community.

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The negative impact of taking over tasks from team members. 0:00 + Leaders suffer silently from "silent overload cycle" due to unfinished tasks delegated to team members, leading to decreased team development. + Leaders who don't allow team members to complete tasks and learn from mistakes stunt professional growth and trust. * The costs of not delegating tasks effectively in leadership. 4:14 + Leaders who take over tasks from team members can lead to burnout and inefficient use of time. + Poor organizational culture can result from this cycle, leading to a lack of accountability and dependencies on leaders. + Chris LoCurto highlights the costs of not delegating effectively, including lost trust and loyalty from team members and missed opportunities for innovation. + He emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks to team members to tap into their diverse perspectives and ideas, leading to more creative problem solving and critical thinking within the organization. * Team dynamics and performance. 9:08 + Chris LoCurto: Poor communication leads to team dynamics and performance issues. + Leaders may be overpaying for tasks due to lack of training and resource misallocation. * Why leaders take on too much work themselves. 13:09 + Chris LoCurto identifies perfectionism as a common trap leaders fall into, compromising their ability to focus on higher-level tasks. + Chris LoCurto: Leaders who doubt team's abilities may take over tasks themselves, hindering delegation and growth. + Fear of confrontation and lack of trust in team's skills can lead to leaders taking back delegated tasks, perpetuating the cycle of silent overload. * Leadership, training, and decision-making. 17:25 + Chris LoCurto believes leaders should focus on raising the talent, skill levels, and competency of their teams, rather than carrying the ball themselves. + He recognizes that time management challenges can lead to leaders doing tasks themselves instead of training others, but prioritizes teaching and growing his leadership team for the long-term. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of decision-making skills in team members, even if a task is not repeatable. + Lack of training and insufficient processes are common issues in first-time strapline projects, leading to a lack of confidence in team members' abilities. * Common traps leaders fall into and how to avoid them. 21:54 + Chris LoCurto highlights poor communication skills as a reason leaders get stuck in the "trap" of taking back tasks from others. + Habitual behavior and lack of delegation skills also contribute to this issue, leading to ineffective leadership. + Chris LoCurto aims to delegate tasks effectively to free up time for leading leaders, not doing tasks. + Fear of being less important can prevent leaders from transferring responsibility to team members, leading to a cycle of overload and decreased effectiveness. + Chris LoCurto identifies Joel Fortner's leadership potential and takes proactive steps to prevent him from getting stuck in the "leadership Crazy Cycle." * Leadership development and overcoming common challenges. 29:16 + Leaders struggle with open communication and trust issues, but it doesn't have to be that way. + Chris LoCurto encourages leaders to have open and honest communication with their team to identify the reasons why tasks are not being completed on time. + He emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations and providing training and resources to empower team members to achieve their goals. * Leadership styles and strategies for success.* 33:46 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of feedback and self-reflection for effective leadership. + Celebrate wins and learn from failures to create a culture of growth and recognition. + Chris LoCurto shares insights on breaking the silent overload cycle in leadership.

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Breaking personal ceilings and overcoming fears. 0:00
- Chris LoCurto shares his personal struggle with fear and how he overcomes it by facing it head-on and becoming comfortable with it.
- He recounts his experience as a child skiing and how he gradually became comfortable with heights by repeatedly exposing himself to the fearful situation.
- Chris LoCurto recounts a time when he was asked to pray for two boys at a service, but he was so focused on his own fears that he couldn't remember what he prayed.
- He vowed to take every opportunity to pray in public after that experience, to avoid being self-focused and to truly pray for those who need it.
Self-limiting beliefs and how they hold us back. 6:02
- Chris LoCurto discusses personal ceilings and how self-doubt and fear hold people back.
- Limiting beliefs and assumptions hold individuals back from achieving their goals.
- Chris LoCurto: Lies and limiting beliefs hinder progress, keep you on sidelines.
Overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs. 12:00
- Chris LoCurto shares a profound piece of advice from Olympic skier Michaela Schifrin: "look at every race as a practice for the next race."
- LoCurto emphasizes the importance of adopting a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset, in order to grow and develop.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of awareness and acknowledgement in overcoming negative deposits and lies in one's brain.
- He provides practical steps to identify and challenge these negative thoughts, including taking one's thoughts captive and plugging in truth.
Recognizing and overcoming negative self-talk. 17:25
- Chris LoCurto examines self-limiting beliefs, uncovers reasons behind them, and challenges them with truths.
- Chris LoCurto shares his personal struggle with negative self-talk and the impact it had on his relationships.
- He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and challenging these lies with the truth, and finding people and processes to help overcome them.
Self-worth and negative self-talk. 22:08
- Chris LoCurto: Understands worth to a great spouse is not defined by past struggles or expectations, but by current self-awareness and inner qualities.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of meditating on truths about oneself and focusing on God's perspective to overcome negative self-talk and lies.
- He suggests practicing The Artist's Way book by Julia Cameron to promote creativity and aesthetic value system.
Journaling, goal-setting, and seeking feedback for personal growth. 26:46
- Journaling can help you track your progress and notice patterns in your thinking, including negative thoughts and fears.
- Writing down your achievements and positive thoughts can help you overcome limitations and see your growth.
- Set realistic goals that build confidence and change self-perception, making small, achievable progress with a timeline.
- Seek feedback from healthy people who provide constructive criticism without ulterior motives.
Overcoming negative self-talk and seeking help. 31:33
- Chris LoCurto seeks quality feedback from trusted friends and mentors to change his negative self-talk.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of practicing gratitude to shift focus away from negativity and towards blessings in life.
- He also recommends seeking professional help for deeply ingrained negative self-talk that leads to anxiety or depression.
Overcoming fear and self-doubt. 35:53
- Chris LoCurto reflects on his journey of overcoming narcissistic abuse and setting healthy boundaries, acknowledging small victories along the way.
- He emphasizes the importance of patience, practice, and celebrating small wins in the process of change.
- Lena Hall overcame her fear of speaking in front of people by acknowledging and battling her self-doubt, recognizing the lies she told herself, and delivering a powerful lesson on fear at a leadership event.
- Hall's vulnerability and transparency on stage helped attendees relate to her lesson and overcome their own fears, despite her initial belief that she couldn't get up there and deliver a good message.
Overcoming fears and patterns of anxiety and negative self-talk. 41:08
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity on the root causes of negative patterns and struggles in order to achieve great change in one's life.
- He encourages listeners to take actionable steps towards personal growth and development by striving to learn and apply the information provided in his resources.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of self-awareness for business owners, citing its ability to simplify challenges and transform businesses.
- He invites listeners to attend the next Level Leadership Live event in Franklin, Tennessee, to dive deeper into this topic and transform their businesses.

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Leading teams effectively and the benefits of active listening. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto discusses the benefits of leading effectively, including teaching active listening. + He highlights how intentional leadership can lead to better outcomes and more attentive team members. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of active listening, where team members repeat back what they've heard and understand, and retain the information for later use. + He encourages leaders to intentionally choose times to teach and train their teams on active listening, and provide clear expectations for note-taking and input. * Active listening and its benefits in leadership. 5:28 + Chris LoCurto observes that leaders often tune out during team discussions, instead of actively listening and helping solve problems. + He emphasizes the importance of collective intelligence and encourages leaders to share their perspectives to find solutions. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of teaching active listening to team members, as it leads to better communication, increased empathy, and improved team morale. + Active listening boosts team morale and confidence by showing that leaders value and appreciate their team members' input, leading to a more collaborative and productive work environment. * The importance of leader input and feedback for team success. 10:25 + Leaders who prioritize leading and guiding their team members boost morale and show interest in their work. + Leaders who provide input to team members can boost morale, confidence, and productivity. * Leadership, delegation, and team member value. 14:05 + Chris LoCurto encourages team members to ask for input when struggling, offering a non-judgmental approach to help them feel more secure in their abilities. + Insecure team members may decline input, but Chris still provides it, treating them with dignity and giving them the opportunity to accept or decline. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of leading people well by boosting their confidence, removing insecurities, and delegating tasks properly to empower team members. + Effective delegation makes people feel trusted and valued, leading to increased productivity and a more positive work environment. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of feeling valued and trusted by leaders to increase productivity and ownership among team members. + He believes that valuing team members and giving them responsibility leads to buy-in and ownership, which is crucial for success. * Effective communication in leadership. 21:28 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of open communication in leadership. + Leader's clear communication fosters team member communication, shapes culture. * Creating a culture of open communication in a team. 25:34 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication within a team, where members feel comfortable sharing concerns and ideas without fear of retribution. + He provides tips for leaders to create a culture where sharing concerns is encouraged, such as responding healthily to feedback, treating team members with dignity, and avoiding defensiveness or controlling behavior. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of sharing concerns in team meetings, but warns against gossip and unimportant topics that can derail conversations. + He encourages team members to be specific about their concerns and to share them directly with him personally, rather than in team meetings. * The benefits of intentional leadership growth through practice. 30:36 + Leadership growth through practice and seat time. + Intentional leadership growth through practice leads to easier, more comfortable leading. * Intentional leadership and personal growth.* 34:14 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of personal development and growth as a leader, and encourages listeners to view meetings as opportunities for practice and improvement. + He shares a story about Michaela Schifrin, a skier he admires, who approached races with a mindset of treating each one as a practice race, leading to better performance and success. + Chris LoCurto highlights five benefits of intentional leadership: teaching active listening, boosting team morale, delegation, open communication, and personal development. + Self-awareness is a secret weapon for small business owners, making everyday challenges simpler and less stressful.

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Breaking free from training trap in leadership. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto discusses the "training trap" that many leaders face, feeling overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate training to their team due to a lack of time. + Understanding the "leadership Crazy Cycle" and recognizing the value of leadership rather than just task completion can help leaders break out of the training trap and prioritize training their team. + Chris LoCurto shares his experience in leadership and the common problem of hiring people who need training to excel in their roles. + He emphasizes the importance of recognizing when leaders are stuck in doing too many tasks and not focusing on training and developing their team members. * Hiring and training employees. 4:52 + Chris LoCurto shares a common scenario where a boss assumes an employee can do a job and then finds out they're doing it differently, leading to frustration and potential termination. + LoCurto suggests training the employee instead of letting them go, emphasizing the importance of understanding their capacity to learn and do the job well. + Ignoring training can lead to long-term mental and emotional stress for leaders, affecting their personal morale and team's morale. * The importance of training and hiring processes. 9:36 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of addressing subpar performance in a team, as it can lead to frustration, loss of morale, and decreased productivity, ultimately impacting business success. + He suggests either training the team member to improve their skills or replacing them with someone who can do the job well, as ignoring the issue can have long-term negative consequences. + Chris LoCurto highlights a study showing that nearly 60% of employees lack workplace training, and many skills are self-taught. + He emphasizes the importance of improving the interview process to test skills and hiring someone even if they lack all the necessary skills, but still need someone in the role. * Work ethic and training in the workplace. 14:37 + Chris LoCurto highlights the disconnect between employees' expectations of training and the reality of on-the-job learning. + Millennials prioritize workplace learning and development, while Gen Xers may have a different perspective on parenting and work ethic. + Parents play a crucial role in teaching skills to children, shaping their work ethic and future success. * Workplace training and development. 19:04 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of providing employees with development opportunities to reach their full potential. + 74% of workers are willing to learn new skills or retrain to remain employable, while 26% do not want to learn. + Chris LoCurto acknowledges that there is no perfect moment for training and must create it instead, being intentional about scheduling time and wedging it into the calendar. + Chris LoCurto is honest and open with his team about his personal busyness, asking for their patience and sharing his efforts to overcome the leadership Crazy Cycle. * Leadership strategies for success. 24:05 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting aside uninterrupted time for training and leading others, as constant interruptions can undermine momentum and communication. + He encourages leaders to be intentional and hold themselves accountable for following through on their commitments, rather than relying on good feelings or self-motivation alone. + Chris LoCurto encourages leaders to ask "stretch questions" to help their team members grow, such as "Who needs me to help them grow?" and "What needs to change to avoid repeating the same situation 30 days later?" + Chris LoCurto explains why leaders must prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and lead effectively. * Setting clear deadlines and communication for team success. 30:20 + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss common leadership challenges and offer solutions, such as the Key Leaders Program, to help leaders overcome these challenges. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting clear deadlines and being intentional about them to avoid procrastination and ensure important tasks are completed on time. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting clear deadlines and driving communication to specifics to ensure team members understand their tasks and can accomplish them. + LoCurto encourages leaders to think through the process and negotiate with team members to make decisions that set them up for success. + He stresses the need to cover all aspects of a project, including administrative tasks, to avoid overcommitting and ensure deadlines are met. * Leadership training and self-awareness.* 35:45 + Chris LoCurto has spent decades training his leadership team to avoid the "leadership Crazy Cycle" through regular training and development. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of training and leadership development for personal and team growth. + He encourages leaders to be intentional about setting aside time for training, acknowledging their limitations, and finding outside help when needed. + Chris LoCurto: Self-awareness transforms businesses, simplifies leadership challenges.

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Prioritization for business growth and personal development. 0:01 + Chris LoCurto discusses the importance of prioritization in leadership for business growth and personal development. + He shares three keys to prioritizing better, including setting good priorities, handling the right things, and focusing on strategy rather than just being busy. * Setting clear and attainable business goals. 3:12 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting clear, measurable goals for business growth, and assessing one's capacity to handle new clients before expanding. + He warns against adding more clients than one can handle, leading to poor service and lost clients. + Chris LoCurto suggests setting clear goals that are attainable and reverse engineering the steps needed to achieve them. + He uses the example of going to the beach to illustrate the process of planning and preparation required to reach a desired destination. * Setting clear goals and prioritizing tasks. 7:23 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and measuring progress towards them in business. + He provides an example of how to break down a large goal into smaller, measurable steps to achieve success. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of differentiating between urgent and important tasks, and prioritizing the latter to move businesses and goals forward. + He highlights how people often get sidetracked by urgent but not important tasks, such as checking emails, and how this can hinder progress on important tasks. * Prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively. 12:01 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of prioritizing daily tasks to align with long-term goals, and delegating effectively to free up time for high-impact tasks. + He encourages leaders and business owners to identify tasks that should not be their focus and delegate them to others, allowing them to focus on high-priority tasks that align with their goals. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks to free up time for higher-level leadership responsibilities. + He encourages leaders to identify tasks that are not worth their pay rate and delegate them to others, allowing them to focus on more impactful tasks. * Proper delegation for business growth. 17:59 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of proper delegation, involving training and coaching the person being delegated to, rather than simply handing them a task and checking in frequently. + He acknowledges that delegation can add more work to his plate in the short term, but it's necessary to free up time for more important tasks and build a business. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of empowering team members through proper delegation, allowing them to provide input and suggest improvements without reinventing the wheel. + He encourages leaders to trust their team members and give them the freedom to question the process, while still maintaining oversight and input to ensure success. * Adapting to changing situations and goals. 23:27 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of embracing flexibility in goal setting and adapting to changing situations. + He encourages listeners to reprioritize and make changes to their strategy when unexpected events occur. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of adapting to new information and changing course when necessary, rather than pushing forward on a goal that's not working out. + He advises against being afraid to lose pride or ego in order to make adjustments and fix things that aren't working, rather than continuing to push forward on a failing goal. * Effective goal setting and prioritization in business. 28:29 + Chris LoCurto discusses common barriers to effective prioritization in business. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding capacity when setting goals, as it helps avoid overcommitting resources and ensures success. + He encourages businesses to assess their available resources, such as team, money, cash flow, and tools, to determine what can be utilized to accomplish new goals. * Growth limits and prioritization in business. 33:05 + Chris LoCurto warns against growing a business beyond its capacity, citing financial and resource issues. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of prioritizing and not overcommitting, while avoiding the fear of missing out (FOMO) in business. * Prioritizing tasks and setting goals for small business success.* 36:15 + Focus on doing well what you're doing now, rather than adding new things without excellence. + Don't let perfectionism hinder prioritization and progress. + Self-awareness can transform your business and make life easier.

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Improving mindset and problem-solving techniques. 0:10 + Chris LoCurto discusses practical techniques to improve thinking, including breaking down challenges and problem-solving. + He shares an example of his daughter facing a challenge and hearing him say "face your fears" to overcome it. * Overcoming fear and building confidence in a 5-year-old child. 2:47 + Chris LoCurto observes his 5-year-old daughter's fear of jumping from a curb and helps her work through it by providing encouragement and support. + The daughter's negative self-talk and limiting beliefs are revealed through her thoughts of looking stupid and not being good enough. + Chris LoCurto describes his daughter's growth in confidence after facing and overcoming fears, such as jumping off a stump and confronting a rooster that used to scare her. + LoCurto encourages his daughter to face her fears and believes in her ability to overcome them, as seen in her progression from fearful to confident. * Facing challenges and overcoming negative self-talk. 7:16 + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to face their fears and challenges, rather than allowing them to control their thoughts and actions. + He suggests breaking down problems into smaller, manageable steps to achieve success, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to ask for help when facing problems, rather than resorting to negative self-talk. + He suggests breaking down challenges into manageable steps and seeking perspective from others to gain confidence in tackling them. * Embracing failure and learning from mistakes. 12:32 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity, rather than fearing it. + He encourages listeners to focus on the opinions of healthy people, rather than worrying about unhealthy people's opinions. + Chris LoCurto encourages his daughter to face her fears and learn from failure, rather than internalizing negative messages from others. + He models a supportive and non-judgmental approach to failure, emphasizing the importance of getting back up and trying again. * Building resilience and overcoming failure. 17:41 + Chris LoCurto encourages facing failures with a growth mindset, learning from them, and moving forward. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of high-quality communication in personal and professional relationships. + He advocates for building resilience in individuals who have experienced trauma, using a seesaw diagram to illustrate the concept. * Resilience and handling negative situations. 21:58 + Chris LoCurto explains the concept of resilience, using a visual of a fulcrum and a box. + He emphasizes the importance of being able to bounce back from negative situations, rather than being weighed down by them. + Chris LoCurto shares his approach to handling stress, which involves turning to God in prayer and being realistic about the situation. + He emphasizes the importance of taking action after praying, rather than just sitting as a victim. * Managing negative situations and embracing change. 27:49 + Chris LoCurto assesses the situation and determines the level of negativity, finding that it's often worse than initially thought. + He emphasizes the importance of taking action and not procrastinating, as it helps shift the focus away from the negative and towards solving the problem. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of negative events and encourages listeners to practice solving problems to become more resilient. + He advises against resisting change and uncertainty, instead embracing them as opportunities for growth and development. * Embracing change and building resilience. 32:30 + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to embrace change and work through it, rather than resisting it and facing conflict. + By gaining perspective and processing through change, individuals can discover how to handle it and move forward in a positive direction. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations for the new year, acknowledging that change is inevitable and preparing for it can make life easier. + He suggests identifying areas where change is likely to occur, such as workplace conflicts or client drop-off, and developing strategies to handle those situations with resilience and perspective. * Developing new thinking habits and long-term vision. 39:04 + Chris LoCurto recommends starting the day with a positive habit, such as prayer or journaling, to clear the mind and face challenges in a better way. + He suggests listing out daily actions to overcome lies and negative thought patterns, and doing them multiple times a day to create a force of habit. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to set long-term vision for personal growth and overcoming limiting beliefs. + He emphasizes the importance of daily implementation and goal-setting to achieve next-level success. * Overcoming fear and self-awareness for better leadership.* 43:31 + Chris LoCurto overcame fear by facing it head-on and gradually becoming more comfortable in uncomfortable situations. + Chris LoCurto encourages self-awareness to simplify business challenges.

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Cultivating a positive mindset for the new year. 0:10 + Chris Liccardo discusses the importance of having a positive mindset in the new year despite personal struggles. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to recognize the impact of negative self-talk on their daily lives and relationships. + He invites listeners to examine their current mindset and thinking patterns to identify areas for improvement. * Negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. 4:02 + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to recognize and challenge their limiting beliefs, which can lead to negative thought patterns and hinder personal growth. + He emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's mindset and focusing on positive thoughts to achieve success and fulfillment. + Chris LoCurto believes that self-worth and self-respect are more important than self-esteem, which he sees as a false reality created to make people feel good about themselves despite their bad choices. + He argues that recognizing and addressing the consequences of one's actions is essential for personal growth and change, rather than simply convincing oneself that everything is okay. * Cultivating a positive mindset through gratitude and affirmations. 9:56 + Chris LoCurto expresses frustration with job search, acknowledges negative thought patterns, and seeks to adopt a more positive mindset. + Chris recognizes the need to be realistic about job qualifications and budgeting, and is willing to make changes to achieve his goals. + Gratitude is key to a positive mindset, as it helps shift focus from self-centeredness to solution-oriented thinking. * Gratitude and comparison in life. 14:07 + Chris LoCurto expresses gratitude for God's blessings, including provision, beauty, and time with loved ones. + He encourages listeners to be thankful for their roof over their head and recognize how better off they are than many in the world. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to stop comparing themselves to others and focus on being the best version of themselves. * Recognizing God's blessings and forgiving others. 18:40 + God uses difficult situations to grow us, so be grateful for them. + Chris LoCurto shares how he learned to pray for those who are sinning against him in the moment, rather than dwelling on past forgiveness. + He realized that forgiving others is essential to asking God to forgive him of his own sins. * Finding gratitude in difficult situations. 23:54 + Chris LoCurto seeks understanding and gratitude in the midst of difficult situation. + David expresses gratitude to God despite being pursued by a large army, highlighting the importance of gratitude in maintaining a positive mindset. + David starts small by thanking God for simple things like birds chirping and the roof over his head, demonstrating the power of starting small in practicing gratitude. * Prayer and self-reflection. 28:56 + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to prioritize praying for others before themselves, focusing on gratitude and spiritual growth. + He emphasizes the importance of praying for others' well-being, sinning against them, and creating a stronger relationship with God. + Identify and challenge negative self-talk to improve thinking and well-being. * Self-limiting beliefs and their impact on success. 33:33 + Chris LoCurto explains that people often lie to themselves, telling themselves they're not good enough or won't be successful, and that these lies can be challenged by discovering the underlying reasons for these beliefs. + By asking oneself "Why am I telling myself that?" and "Is that truth or a lie?", individuals can begin to take control of their thought patterns and understand the narratives that are driving their beliefs. + Chris LoCurto challenges the idea that success is measured by how much money one makes, arguing that God values relationships over wealth. + He emphasizes that a person's worth is not based on their financial success, but rather on their productivity and how they impact others. * Work-life balance and self-awareness for personal growth.* 39:03 + Adults wish they had spent more time with their parents, not that their parents worked less. + Chris LoCurto challenges the idea that more money or possessions equal worthiness, emphasizing that true worth comes from God's perspective. + He encourages listeners to break down negative self-talk by reframing lies into truths, citing examples from his own life and the lives of others who have found this technique powerful. + Chris LoCurto shares insights on self-awareness and its transformative power for businesses and personal growth.

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Codependency and its impact on relationships. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto defines codependency as a relationship where one person is dependent on the other for help with an addiction or struggle, with the codependent person needing to be needed in the relationship. + Codependency can manifest in various forms, such as the taker-giver dynamic, where the addicted person is the taker and the codependent person is the giver, with the codependent person needing to be needed in the relationship. + Codependency is a struggle to understand one's own worth and value, often manifesting in enabling behaviors towards others. + Codependent individuals feel the need to constantly check in with others' emotions and avoid conflict, as it brings painful results. * Codependency and its psychological causes. 5:29 + Codependent relationships often involve lack of healthy boundaries and excessive empathy for the abuser. + Chris LoCurto struggles with the idea of codependency being solely biological, while acknowledging the potential role of emotions and choices. + Chris LoCurto believes codependency is psychological, stemming from childhood experiences and trained behaviors. * Codependency and its psychological effects. 11:49 + Chris LoCurto recognizes psychological roots of codependency, prioritizes setting healthy boundaries. + Chris LoCurto warns against misdiagnosing codependency, emphasizing the importance of identifying genuine symptoms and seeking help for legitimate situations. + He highlights common symptoms of codependency, including fear of abandonment, apologizing for others' actions, and a need for constant validation, and encourages listeners to address these issues in their lives. * Codependency and its signs in relationships. 17:29 + Codependency often involves a fear of abandonment and lack of personal identity, with individuals prioritizing others' worth over their own. + Chris LoCurto highlights the signs of codependency in a relationship, including putting others on pedestals and neglecting one's own needs. + He notes that personality styles such as high I and high S can be more prone to codependency, particularly those who struggle with people-pleasing and setting healthy boundaries. * Toxic relationships and self-awareness. 22:55 + Toxic codependency arises when selfless sacrifices are made for someone who doesn't reciprocate. + Anxiety and guilt are immense for codependent individuals, with a lifetime of shame and guilt ingrained through conditioning. + Chris LoCurto: Loss of self, authenticity, and identity recovery requires self-awareness and introspection. * Self-awareness and worthiness in Christian context. 28:30 + Self-awareness is key to personal growth, but many struggle with it due to past teachings or beliefs. + Clarity on personal struggles and emotions is key to change. + God values and loves women equally, despite societal norms. * Codependency, boundaries, and self-awareness.* 35:14 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries in personal relationships. + Find a coach or guide to help you overcome codependency and set healthy boundaries. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and prioritizing well-being in personal relationships and spiritual growth.

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Teamwork, leadership, and creating a clear roadmap for success. 0:00 + Leaders must create a clear roadmap for their team to avoid confusion and ensure success. + Leaders must paint a clear destination (vision) and provide clear goals (strategy) to achieve success. * Planning and executing a successful vacation. 3:46 + Chris LoCurto uses the beach as an example to explain how people have a general idea of their destination (goal), but need a strategy (plan) to get there, including booking reservations, packing, and planning time off. + LoCurto emphasizes the importance of having a strategy for both getting to the destination (vacation) and returning home, with goals set along the way to track progress. + Effective communication is key to team success, with clear expectations and roles for each member. * Building trust and a shared vision for team success. 8:15 + Trust is crucial for team members to take risks and put their neck out, as they need to feel secure in their leader's ability to handle failure and treat them well. + A leader who prioritizes trust can expect a significant difference in team productivity and member buy-in, as trust fosters a culture of accountability and mutual respect. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of a shared vision among team members for successful project outcomes. + He highlights the need for team members to understand their role in the bigger picture and feel ownership over the project to achieve success. * Setting achievable goals and optimizing processes for business success. 12:52 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of setting achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller, measurable tasks to ensure success. + He also stresses the need for a clear strategy and timeline to track progress and make adjustments along the way. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of reviewing and optimizing existing processes before creating new ones. + He highlights the need for clear, measurable goals and documentation to ensure success in business. * Identifying potential failures in a project. 18:27 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of accountability in achieving goals, citing a popular program that lacks accountability as a reason for its failure. + He recommends using tools like Asana to assign tasks, track progress, and ensure accountability among team members. + Chris LoCurto focuses on identifying potential obstacles to failure before implementing a project, involving the team in the process to mitigate risk and improve outcomes. + Team members may see failure from different perspectives, and by working together, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. * Team motivation and unity through shared vision and goal setting. 24:12 + Chris LoCurto outlines a step-by-step process to create a unified, motivated team. + LoCurto emphasizes importance of appreciation, input, and celebration for a unified and motivated team. * Measuring team capacity and celebrating success. 28:25 + Chris LoCurto and his team measure their resources (finances, time, team members) to determine what they can accomplish, settling on one new event to create from scratch. + The team prioritizes their goals, recognizing that doing more than what they can realistically handle will lead to failure, and instead focus on what they can accomplish with their available resources. + Chris LoCurto reflects on a successful event he and his team organized, highlighting the importance of celebrating milestones and facing challenges with a clear process in place. + LoCurto outlines a five-step process for handling business failures, emphasizing the value of having a clear plan in place to address problems. * Handling failure in leadership. 33:17 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of handling failure well to encourage team members to take risks and be productive. + He challenges his team to anticipate how he will handle failure, as a lack of confidence in his leadership can lead to half of their productivity. + Chris LoCurto: Leaders struggle with implementing new ideas and need practical guidance. * Leadership, communication, and decision-making for business success.* 38:20 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of having an open door policy for team members to come and talk to leaders, building trust and increasing buy-in. + Leaders who are accessible to team members and have their backs can increase trust, motivation, and ownership among team members, leading to more successful outcomes. + Leaders must prioritize frequent, efficient communication and training to ensure successful project outcomes. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of good decision making in achieving goals and strategies. + He encourages listeners to use the "Values" disk and video with their team to improve communication and leaning in each other's directions.

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High C personality style and its impact on team dynamics. 0:00 + High C personality style is detailed-oriented and focused on accuracy. + High C personalities prioritize logic and facts, avoid emotions in decision making, and fear sounding stupid or being wrong. * Personality types and communication. 3:58 + High C individuals prioritize being alone and avoid being the center of attention, preferring one-on-one recognition. + High C individuals are detail-oriented and analytical, needing to know the 30,000-foot view before working on a project. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of providing clear and detailed information to avoid confusion and ensure the desired outcome. + He encourages the listener to overcommunicate and ask questions to ensure they are giving the high C (personality style) the necessary information. * Leading and communicating with high-level thinkers. 8:39 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of quality communication with high-C individuals, who require detailed information and may take time to process it. + He encourages leaders and family members to proactively seek information and follow up to ensure understanding, rather than waiting for someone to provide it. + High Seas struggle with conflict, stress, and criticism, often responding emotionally and defensively. + Chris LoCurto: High C personality types may resist taking ownership of tasks due to fear of failure. * Personality types and conflict resolution in the workplace. 15:15 + High C personalities excel at detail-oriented work and analytical tasks, but struggle with constant change. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of high-quality communication in personal and professional relationships, particularly in resolving conflicts and improving team dynamics. + He highlights the benefits of understanding personality styles, such as the strengths of high D and high C individuals, and how they can work together effectively. * Effective communication and conflict resolution. 19:15 + Leaders must help team members understand good conflict resolution by taking responsibility, communicating effectively, and avoiding emotional reactions. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to take ownership of their communication style and ask questions to gain quality perspective. + He advises against fearing being wrong or sounding stupid, as it can lead to poor decision-making and unproductive relationships. * Personality styles and effective communication.* 24:05 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of taking ownership and responsibility, rather than blaming others or being afraid to make mistakes. + He encourages individuals to give themselves permission to ask questions and seek answers, rather than allowing a self-fulfilling prophecy of ignorance. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating with different personality styles, particularly the high C, to achieve success in projects and roles. + He encourages leaders to take action to ensure all personality styles are understood and can communicate effectively, including how to lean in each other's directions. + Chris LoCurto: Leaders struggle to implement learned strategies, leading to frustration and stagnation.

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Extending benefit of doubt to people, why it's important and how it affects us. 0:00
- Chris LoCurto discusses the importance of extending the benefit of the doubt to people, rather than assuming the worst, to avoid living in a state of constant frustration and cynicism.
- Jim Collins defines a cynic as someone who has had a lot of hope let down, and Chris agrees that many of us have a level of cynicism in our lives, but it's important to overcome it to build stronger relationships.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes that assuming the best about others is more about personal growth than it is about changing others.
- Negative thoughts can control an individual's decision-making process, emotions, and relationships, leading to a destructive cycle of cortisol production and happiness hormone depletion.
The benefits of assuming positive intentions in others. 4:51
- Chris LoCurto suggests assuming positive aspects of others to change one's emotional posture and create a more positive habit.
- Chris LoCurto shares his journey from cynicism to loving and helping others, despite past hurt.
- Focusing on personal growth instead of others' behavior can lead to positive change.
Positive mindset and assuming good intent. 11:30
- Chris LoCurto is impressed by Tom Cruise's positive attitude during an interview with Emily Blunt, despite the challenges he faces in his personal life.
- Tom Cruise maintains a positive outlook during a difficult moment on set, inspiring Emily Blunt with his resilience and optimism.
- Chris LoCurto encourages assuming good intent and giving the benefit of the doubt in relationships.
Assuming the best in people and relationships. 16:27
- Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to gain quality perspective and understand others' experiences to build trust and improve communication.
- Focus on benefiting others in relationships, but prioritize self-care if it causes struggle.
- Chris LoCurto shares a personal experience with a leader who assumed the worst and yelled at him without evidence, leading to lost trust and respect.
- Chris encourages listeners to assume the best in people, ask questions, and gather perspectives to build trust and understanding in business.
Assuming the best in others despite past betrayal. 23:20
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of assuming the best in others, even when trust has been broken, to create a positive and productive work environment.
- He acknowledges it can be challenging to do so, especially when surrounded by dishonorable or manipulative people, but stresses the benefits of assuming the best in others.
- Chris emphasizes the importance of responding positively to trust issues in relationships.
Trust, leadership, and personality styles. 27:57
- Chris LoCurto suggests assuming the best about people and responding positively when they make mistakes, rather than assuming the worst and treating them negatively.
- In a leadership role, setting healthy boundaries and seeking perspective from others can help navigate difficult situations.
- Personality styles influence how individuals respond to trust being broken.
- Chris LoCurto: Self-awareness is key to changing patterns of anxiety, fear, and negative self-talk.
Taking responsibility and empathizing with others. 34:38
- Chris LoCurto encourages self-reflection and accountability in personal relationships.
- Chris LoCurto shares personal struggles with stress and decision-making, encouraging empathy and understanding from others.
Assuming the best in people and leadership. 38:57
- Chris LoCurto acknowledges and appreciates IHOP waitress on Thanksgiving, boosting her mood and service.
- Set healthy boundaries, give it time, and choose happiness in difficult situations with others.
- Chris LoCurto: Leaders frustrated with lack of time and tools to lead well, find solutions at Next Level Leadership Live Event.

Use the timestamps below to guide you better as a leader or individual:

AI with a former Marine and SEO expert. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=1s
Grant Brought shares insights on AI, including its definition, limitations, and potential applications.
Chris LoCurto explains AI to small business owners, emphasizing prompts and communication.
AI benefits for small businesses, including social media marketing. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=206s
AI can benefit small businesses like Charlotte's bakery with personalized marketing suggestions during holidays like Thanksgiving.
Chris LoCurto and Speaker 2 discuss the potential benefits of using AI for small businesses, including social media posting and brainstorming ideas.
Speaker 2 demonstrates how to use chat GPT to create social media posts and images, and provides examples of how it can help with content creation and research.
Using AI tool ChatGPT for content creation and research. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=495s
Chris LoCurto discusses the potential of AI language model GPT to generate high-quality content, such as step-by-step processes, with the ability to fact-check and make adjustments.
The model's accuracy is limited to 2021, and it may not have all the information needed, so it's important to fact-check and make adjustments as needed.
Chris LoCurto and Speaker 2 discuss the potential of ChatGPT for small businesses, highlighting its ability to assist with research and formatting tasks.
They demonstrate how ChatGPT can be used to find answers to questions, provide citations, and even upscale or downscale images, among other capabilities.
Speaker 2 recommends starting with chat GPT, a free AI tool, for beginners, as it has advanced data analysis capabilities and can generate images.
Speaker 2 also mentions Claude, another AI tool with similar features, but with cleaner responses and image generation capabilities.
Data importance and best practices for AI implementation. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=947s
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of providing clean and complete data to AI systems for successful implementation.
Using AI to create content in a person's voice and tone. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=1030s
Chris LoCurto shares his experience with using AI to make his content more engaging and funny, such as using ChatGPT to rewrite a process document or a letter to clients.
He encourages listeners to utilize AI on their existing content, such as data they've already written, to create new and improved content.
Speaker 2 demonstrates how AI can create content in a person's voice and tone using a small amount of audio input.
A journalist was able to bypass voice authentication security measures using a cloned version of their voice, highlighting the accuracy of voice cloning technology.
Using AI to improve customer engagement and support. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=1386s
AI can improve customer engagement and support by drafting responses to reviews and providing personalized responses.
Chris LoCurto wants to use AI to adjust his tone and make his responses more engaging and compassionate.
He suggests using AI to rewrite responses to negative reviews in a more friendly and caring manner.
Personality styles and communication techniques. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=1685s
Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of considering the person you're talking to and providing thorough answers, rather than just giving one-word responses.
The tool being discussed can analyze a document or article and provide gaps, expanding on the information to make it more thorough.
Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of tailoring communication to the personality style of the listener, citing examples of how he adjusts his approach based on the styles of his team members and clients.
He encourages listeners to analyze their own communication style and adjust their approach to better connect with others, using personality assessments like the DI SC to inform their approach.
Simplifying complex processes and SOPs using AI-powered summarization tools. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=2010s
Chris LoCurto discusses the potential of using AI to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency, citing examples of companies with lengthy processes binder and the benefits of using AI to summarize and simplify information.
LoCurto highlights the ability of AI to pull out key points and action items from large sets of data or information, making it a valuable tool for research and analysis.
Chris LoCurto suggests breaking down a 400-page process manual into smaller, more manageable sections with clear summaries and key action items at the top.
Speaker 2 recommends using a user-friendly approach to processes and SOPs, with a summary at the top and detailed information below for those who want to dive deeper.
Using AI to streamline content creation processes. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=2300s
Speaker 2 highlights the importance of providing immediate answers to users, citing the need for instant gratification in today's fast-paced world.
Speaker 2 also suggests that listeners should ask questions and seek clarification on any concepts they don't understand, as the technology is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable.
Speaker 2 suggests using chat GPT to streamline content creation process, saving 15-20 minutes per outline.
Using AI in business operations and ethical considerations. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=2556s
Chris LoCurto encourages experimentation and fine-tuning of processes to increase efficiency and productivity in business.
Speaker 2 suggests testing new processes in a "sandbox scenario" before implementing them in the actual business.
AI-powered content creation can perpetuate biases present in training data, highlighting the need for thorough review and QA.
Ethical use of AI tool ChatGPT. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=2784s
Speaker 2 emphasizes that AI is not meant to replace teams but can augment tasks, freeing up time for more important work.
Concerns about data privacy and ethical use of AI are being addressed by the company, including blocks on referencing specific artists and adding guardrails to prevent misuse.
Speaker 2 expresses concern about misinformation and privacy when using chat GPT, emphasizing the importance of ethical use of information.
Speaker 2 mentions that chat GPT offers an enterprise model for larger companies and a business version for smaller businesses, but this has not been released yet due to privacy concerns.
AI usage, ethics, and return on investment in business. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=3113s
LoCurto advises exporting chat sessions to a Word doc for offline reference.
Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding how AI can be used ethically in business, and the need for clear processes and training to avoid unethical practices.
Speaker 2 is working on developing a usage policy and training program to help employees feel comfortable and confident using AI tools.
Chris LoCurto highlights time savings as the biggest return on investment (ROI) for AI initiatives, citing an example of analyzing content on a website that used to take 5 hours and now takes 15-20 minutes with AI.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of measuring the impact of AI on sales copy and sales outcomes, rather than just focusing on time savings.
AI advancements and their impact on business and leadership. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=3491s
Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of utilizing AI for business growth and encourages team members to take the lead in discovering how to use AI for their role.
He highlights the need for caution when implementing AI, but also stresses the potential benefits for parents to help their children.
Leaders must keep up with rapidly changing technology, including AI advancements and new tools, to stay ahead in the business world.
Speaker 2: GPT 3.5 to 4 upgrade shows massive knowledge growth, from 16k to 300 page novel understanding.
AI adoption challenges and pitfalls for small businesses. https://otter.ai/u/-igYcnOrHNicHLWKPHbdwlni5nk?tab=summary&t=3892s
Speaker 2 mentions that regulation is a big topic in the AI industry, with a recent meeting in Europe and executive orders passed in the US to implement regulation and safety measures.
Speaker 2 also mentions the need for case studies of small businesses successfully implementing AI solutions

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Leadership, mental health, and entrepreneurship with Jeff Kirkham. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=1s
Jeff Kirkham jokes about being a "caveman with a big head and big hands" in a former life as an Army Special Forces member and serial entrepreneur.
Chris LoCurto thanks and appreciates the guest for their numerous accomplishments, including being in the Special Forces, owning a coffee company, and being a best-selling author.
Writing a post-apocalyptic novel and emergency preparedness. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=217s
Chris LoCurto and Speaker 2 discuss their respective projects, including the black autumn series, a novel that started as a conversation between the two.
Speaker 2 shares how the idea for the novel came about, including their experience in Afghanistan and their co-author's background in emergency preparedness.
Speaker 2 is working on a post-apocalyptic novel series with co-author Jason, with 10 books planned or filmed as a series.
Ready Man is Speaker 2's literature and emergency preparedness company, which has faced social media censorship due to its messages of self-reliance.
Survival skills and community in post-apocalyptic world. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=539s
Chris LoCurto and Speaker 2 discuss the importance of self-sufficiency and preparedness during COVID-19, highlighting their own experiences with homesteading and survival skills.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of community and family in times of crisis, citing history as evidence that larger groups are more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges.
The speaker highlights the potential for isolation to lead to psychosis and the benefits of living in a community for mental health, citing examples from history and the Black Autumn series.
Rewilding, community, and mental health. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=815s
Chris LoCurto and his wife have turned their farm into a community hub, connecting with like-minded individuals who share their values of living healthily and sustainably.
The community is built on a belief in a Supreme Being, with a focus on faith and spirituality, as seen in the second novel, "White Wasteland."
Speaker 2 discusses the concept of "rewilding" and how it involves using somatic experiences to help people regulate their nervous systems and cope with difficult emotions.
The rewilding program is led by men and women, and participants come from a variety of backgrounds, including those with trauma and CEOs seeking personal growth.
Trauma, healing, and hope through ancient texts and modern psychology. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=1176s
Chris LoCurto's program offers hope and practical tools for those struggling with mental health issues.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of understanding psychological aspects of trauma, citing the Bible and other ancient texts as resources.
Overcoming past traumas and managing emotions. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=1376s
Chris LoCurto shares his personal experience with overcoming trauma and how it has impacted his life and decision-making.
He encourages listeners to look into the topic and seek help if they have experienced similar trauma, as it is not a one-time fix but a process of healing and growth.
Speaker discusses how understanding the past and being curious about it can help elevate consciousness and move forward.
Speaker recounts a recent experience where they blew up at their kids and realized it was triggered by something from their past.
Speaker shares how they apologized to their kids and learned to be more curious about their own reactions and emotions.
Leadership, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=1741s
Chris LoCurto discusses the root causes of anxiety, revealing that internal focus and self-centeredness can lead to self-created barriers and emotional struggles.
He emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility and moving away from emotional thinking to gain quality perspective and leadership.
Speaker 2 shares a leadership lesson from Afghanistan: build trust and rapport with Afghans by being authentic and transparent, even when mistakes are made.
Speaker 2 recounts an incident where he apologized to Afghans for US mistakes, and their reaction showed the importance of authenticity in leadership.
Leadership in a military context. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=2066s
Chris LoCurto asks Speaker 2 about their experience leading indigenous Commandos in Afghanistan, and Speaker 2 shares how they adjusted their leadership style to connect with people they didn't fully understand.
Speaker 2 reflects on their experience as a missionary in Korea and how it helped them learn how to communicate with people who see the world differently.
Speaker 2 shares a story about building relationships with Afghan commandos during a briefing, demonstrating the importance of trust and integrity in leadership.
The speaker's adherence to moral and ethical standards, particularly in regards to respecting mosques, earns the respect of his fellow soldiers.
Leadership, communication, and ethics. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=2400s
Chris LoCurto and Speaker 2 discuss the importance of integrity and trust in leadership, with Speaker 2 sharing his realization that human beings have not changed much over time despite the passage of 1000 years.
Speaker 2 reflects on his own age and generation, joking about being a Gen X or Gen Y individual, and how his experiences and insights have translated into his leadership approach.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of authenticity and morals in personal and professional life, citing the benefits of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals.
Chris LoCurto agrees, highlighting the reciprocal nature of sharing knowledge and problem-solving within industries.
Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of high-quality communication in leadership, citing it as the most common issue he encounters.
Speaker 2 shares their experience in the military, where communication is prioritized as the key to cohesive units and accomplishing missions.
Communication struggles in war zones and overcoming them through language and cultural understanding.https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=2895s
Communication struggles in war zones include language barriers, overcoming them through clear and consistent messaging.
Jeff learned Dari and Pashto to communicate with Afghans and build relationships.
He carried an AK-47 and learned to be proficient with it, showing his willingness to do the same tasks as his team.
Nursing school, healthcare, and emergency preparedness. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=3215s
Chris LoCurto's wife encouraged him to go back to school and become a nurse, which he did despite initial reservations.
Chris found the experience of going back to school for nursing to be cathartic, especially in the healthcare field, and he appreciated the opportunity to learn for the sake of learning.
Sarah, a nursing school graduate, found a new passion in rewilding after struggling with nursing school exams.
She integrated her knowledge of physiology and psychology from nursing school into her rewilding retreats, helping others prepare for stressful situations.
Managing stress and pressure in high-demand jobs. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=3546s
The speaker credits their supportive wife for helping them manage the demand and stress of their various roles, including being in the Special Forces and running businesses.
The speaker's wife provides honest feedback, reads articles, and covers their weaknesses, making them an invaluable support system.
Speaker 2 explains the psychology of humans under stress and how it relates to shooting techniques, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's body's response to stress to become a better shooter.
Speaker 2 advocates for warming up one's brain and nervous system before engaging in stressful events to reduce stress levels and perform better.
Personal growth and self-awareness. https://otter.ai/u/YjjJjWhu2milNWmsfsVytiVdRn0?tab=summary&t=3918s
Young Jeff is advised by older Jeff to not wait to read and continue learning.
Young Jeff should figure out what is deeply important to him and what he wants to achieve in life, and then take action towards those goals to avoid disappointments.
The speaker has faced many disappointments in life, but looking back, he can see that those experiences have led him to w

Use the timestamps below to guide you better as a leader or individual:

The S personality style and its influence on conflict resolution. 0:00
- Chris LoCurto introduces the high S personality style as a stable and amiable individual who dislikes conflict.
- Highest personality styles prioritize harmony and avoid conflict, often at their own expense.
Personality style and team dynamics. 3:14
- High S personality style is introspective, self-blaming, and analytical.
- High SS individuals prioritize helping others, often to the point of neglecting their own responsibilities.
- They are empathetic and build strong one-on-one relationships, but may struggle with networking and being the face of a project.
Personality types and conflict resolution. 8:20
- High S personality style involves prioritizing relationships over tasks, shying away from risks, and seeking consistency and stability.
- Chris LoCurto recognizes that high S personalities hate conflict and are unlikely to succeed in tasks that require high levels of conflict.
- He advises against using manipulation tactics to get high S individuals to do something they hate, as it will lead to failure and self-sabotage.
Conflict resolution strategies for high-sensitivity individuals. 13:04
- Chris LoCurto identifies common sources of conflict for high-achievers, including lack of information and feeling responsible for a group's decision.
- He provides strategies for effective conflict resolution, such as asking questions to understand the person's biggest struggle and helping them see how the conflict is holding them back.
- Chris LoCurto explains that when helping someone through conflict, it's important to recognize their personality style and tailor your approach accordingly.
- Heidi's personality style involves "eating conflict for breakfast" and charm, while high-S personality types may need a more detailed explanation and understanding of the situation to feel comfortable moving forward.
Effective communication and conflict resolution for high-performing teams. 17:41
- Overemphasize clear communication to overcome conflict and gain quality perspective, mutual understanding essential.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of motivating and engaging team members by explaining their role and providing support.
Conflict resolution for high-sensitivity individuals. 21:46
- Chris LoCurto helps team members resolve conflicts by empathizing and setting healthy boundaries.
- Chris LoCurto advises leaders to write down all the things they want to discuss with a team member before having a difficult conversation, to avoid getting lost in the conversation and covering all the necessary points.
- By keeping the list and bringing it back to the conversation, the high s can work through the conflict, discuss all the necessary points, and avoid getting sidetracked.
Managing conflicts with the highest personality style. 26:22
- Chris LoCurto recognized that he was shoveling conflict on a business owner during a coaching session, and that it was not beneficial to continue pushing the points home.
- By letting the woman process the information and come back later, Chris was able to help her see the value of the suggestions and take action on them.
- Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding personality styles to lead high-performing teams.
- Chris LoCurto shares insights on understanding and managing the highest personality style in conflict management.

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Mental and emotional benefits of debt-free business. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto and Joel Fortner discuss the mental and emotional benefits of running a debt-free business, including being a leader or team member within a business. + Joel Fortner asks Chris LoCurto a question about the unintended consequences of debt that they didn't have time to discuss last time. * Following passions while avoiding debt and staying grounded in faith. 2:42 + Joel Fortner asks Chris LoCurto about going after passions while avoiding debt, to which Chris responds that going into debt is never justified and that following one's passions can lead to financial stability if done responsibly. + Chris shares his personal experience of following his passions while recovering from past mistakes and staying out of debt, demonstrating that it's possible to pursue one's passions without incurring financial harm. + Chris LoCurto shares a personal story of following God's will despite hating his job, which led to a job opportunity and the chance to turn someone's life around. + Chris emphasizes the importance of listening to God's will and trusting in His plan, even when it goes against our own desires and circumstances. * The dangers of comparing oneself to others in business. 8:26 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of focusing on God's will over personal desires when making decisions about business or life in general. + Joel Fortner expresses frustration with feeling stuck in a competitive business environment and desires to find a way to get ahead. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes that success is not based on comparing oneself to others, but rather being the best version of oneself. + He encourages listeners to focus on their own growth and development, rather than comparing themselves to others in their industry. + LoCurto shares his personal experience of leaving a successful business to pursue his true calling, highlighting the importance of listening to God's guidance and not comparing oneself to others. * Risk management in business and personal finance. 14:57 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of mitigating risk in business, particularly when it comes to owning everything and having considerably less risk compared to leveraged businesses. + Joel Fortner asks how business owners and leaders can navigate difficult circumstances, such as encountering financial difficulties, and Chris LoCurto suggests a deeper walk with God may be necessary. * Risk management and profitability in business. 17:36 + Chris LoCurto takes calculated risks and prioritizes the collective intelligence of his team to ensure success. + He emphasizes the importance of mitigating risk by not having debt and having assets to fall back on in case of business failure. + Chris LoCurto questions whether he is holding himself back from God's blessings by not surrounding himself with the right people and seeking proper influence in his life. + Joel Fortner seeks advice on how to get out of debt, which Chris acknowledges will take time and effort. * Paying off debt for business owners. 22:13 + Joel Fortner suggests having six months of operating expenses saved up to keep business afloat in case of unexpected setbacks. + Chris LoCurto recommends paying off personal debt as fast as possible, even if it means sacrificing business growth, and focusing on debt smallest to largest while continuing to operate the business. + He advises cutting unnecessary expenses to allocate more funds towards debt repayment, and rolling over payments from smallest debts to the next smallest ones as they are paid off. * Getting out of debt and managing finances. 26:48 + Chris LoCurto recommends talking to God about debt and obediently following His ways to receive blessings and financial guidance. + By getting rid of debt at home, business owners can take more money out of their business without having to live on a shoestring budget. * Hearing God's voice and understanding His ways through prayer and Scripture. 29:20 + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss the difficulty some people face in hearing God, with Joel sharing his own experiences of feeling like he's heard from God, and Chris emphasizing that God's voice may not always come in the form of an audible voice, but rather through His Word. + Chris LoCurto highlights that if a voice inside one's head is telling them to go against God's ways, it's not God's voice, and that God's Word is a significant means of communication. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of spending quality time in God's Word and seeking guidance from God in business decisions. + Chris advises those struggling to hear from God to prioritize their relationship with Him and seek help from others who have been on a similar spiritual journey. * Managing debt in business partnerships. 33:46 + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss the challenges of partnerships, particularly when one partner doesn't agree on the direction of the business. + Chris LoCurto highlights the difficulty of making decisions in partnerships, as both partners have equal ownership and voting rights. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of staying resilient and motivated during the debt-payoff process, highlighting the need for quick wins and tangible progress to keep partners engaged. + He advises against focusing solely on the highest interest rate debt, suggesting a more utilitarian approach that prioritizes paying off smaller debts first to achieve quick wins and build momentum. + Chris LoCurto suggests focusing on quick debt wins to build momentum and energy to keep going. + Joel Fortner asks how to resist the temptation of falling back into debt after achieving debt freedom, and Chris LoCurto acknowledges that even long-term debt freedom is not a guarantee against future debt temptations. * Debt, leadership, and business success. 40:39 + Chris LoCurto advises against taking on debt for business opportunities, sharing personal experiences and insights to help others avoid financial struggles. + He emphasizes that one's worth is not defined by their business success or debt, but by their character, wisdom, and personal fulfillment. + Chris LoCurto discusses the importance of solving problems in business, rather than just finding money. + He promotes his upcoming leadership event, Next Level Leadership Live, which offers practical tools and coaching to help leaders overcome challenges and lead more effectively. * Leading teams and running debt-free businesses.* 46:25 + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss the importance of leaders unlocking the talents and potential of their team members. + They emphasize the need for leaders to have the tools to lead well and to kill the leadership Crazy Cycle, with the goal of leading people to success. + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss the importance of challenging one's thinking and being open to learning in order to grow and run a successful debt-free business.

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The importance of managing debt for business owners and leaders. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto and Joel Fortner discuss the importance of running a debt-free business, with Chris expressing the topic's difficulty and potential to hurt people, while Joel shares his perspective and invites Chris to share his as well. + The hosts aim to provide valuable insights and advice on managing money and debt, with Joel interviewing Chris to draw out his perspective and share his own thoughts as well. + Joel Fortner's financial struggles were a turn-off for Mary Beth, who had already paid off tens of thousands of dollars in debt. + Mary Beth saw Joel's lack of financial stability as a risk to her security, but was hopeful when he finally made changes to his finances. * Business debt risks and the importance of financial planning. 5:43 + Chris LoCurto highlights the risks of business debt, including the potential for financial insecurity and the consequences of convincing oneself that one is savvy with finances. + Joel Fortner agrees, noting that the risks of business debt affect not just business owners but also team members and leadership, and can lead to serious consequences such as considering not existing. + Chris LoCurto highlights the god factor as the biggest risk in financial planning, where clients often overestimate their abilities and ignore potential risks. * The risks of debt and its impact on personal life. 9:53 + Chris LoCurto shares how God pivoted his clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite some facing industry shutdowns. + Chris LoCurto highlights the risks of debt, including losing options and being under constant stress. + Debt can lead to a different state of mind, causing individuals to approach their personal life and relationships differently, leading to negative impacts on their well-being. * Risks of using debt for business growth. 13:39 + Chris LoCurto highlights the risks of taking on debt for business growth, including the potential for poor decision-making and loss of control. + Chris LoCurto shares his experience of expanding his business to a second location, which led to financial difficulties and decreased focus on the original moneymaker. + He advises against rushing into new opportunities without proper planning and financial stability, as it can lead to desperation and negative consequences for the original business. * Taking calculated risks in business. 17:55 + Chris LoCurto advises a taco vendor to start with a rolling cart instead of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, citing the flexibility and lower financial risk of the former. + The vendor expresses understanding and appreciation for Chris's advice, but Chris encourages them to test their concept first before investing in a brick-and-mortar location. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of paying cash for business opportunities to avoid debt and maintain a healthy work-life balance. + He shares his personal experience of prioritizing cash flow over debt to avoid stress and maintain a strong marriage and family life. * Business planning and adapting to change. 22:27 + Joel Fortner plays a character who questions Chris LoCurto's risk assessment and planning abilities, suggesting that even well-planned businesses can be impacted by unexpected events like COVID-19. + Chris LoCurto responds by highlighting the unpredictability of life and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, even for small business owners who may not have anticipated major challenges like COVID-19. + Chris LoCurto attributes the success of his clients during COVID to their ability to pivot and retool, while many other businesses struggled due to excessive debt. * Starting a business focused on helping people, following God's direction. 27:05 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding God's direction in running a business, rather than relying on personal desires or ambitions. + He shares his personal experience of three and a half years of hearing God's call to start his business, and the importance of jumping on board with what God is already blessing. + Chris LoCurto shares his journey of leaving a large platform to work one-on-one with clients, despite criticism from others. + He emphasizes the importance of following God's direction and building the kingdom of God rather than an empire of self. * Using credit cards responsibly in business. 31:55 + Chris LoCurto advises against opening a business with the goal of making money solely through hustle and hard work, instead suggesting to start small and serve with integrity while honoring God in the process. + He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing growth and spending money wisely, pouring back into the business what is needed and taking a reasonable salary for personal needs. + Chris LoCurto discusses the importance of understanding the aspects holding back business growth and the impact of debt on spending habits. + Joel Fortner asks about the difference between controlled use of credit cards and using savings capital, and Chris highlights the potential for overspending without feeling the pain of payment. * Managing debt and mental/emotional benefits for business owners. 37:27 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of managing debt well, as only 74% of miles are never recovered or written off, and using secured cards to operate like credit cards while still having control over spending. + Joel Fortner adds that not having debt can free business owners emotionally, reducing stress, fear, hubris, pride, and risk, allowing them to make more intentional decisions. + Chris LoCurto and his team had a Zoom call to discuss how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on planning for the "what if" scenarios and potentially changing roles within the team. + The team discussed how to sustain paying people in roles that may not be needed if the pandemic lasts for years, and some team members discovered hidden strengths and talents in their new roles. * Financial stress and debt management. 42:09 + Chris LoCurto experienced trust and faith during the pandemic, leading to minimal stress and business continuity. + Joel Fortner and Chris LoCurto discuss the mental and emotional benefits of being debt-free, with Chris arguing that most people don't think of themselves as being "slave to the lender" despite being in debt. + Chris believes that people don't realize the implications of being in debt, including the fact that the bank can take back the asset (such as a house) if they want to, and that this concept is not just about historical slavery but also about the indentured servitude aspect of being in debt. * Making decisions based on emotions vs. logic. 46:35 + Joel Fortner is struggling with his mental and emotional well-being due to his job, and is considering taking on debt to pursue a new opportunity. + Chris LoCurto advises Joel to focus on addressing the current problem rather than jumping into another potentially bad situation. + Chris LoCurto shares his business wisdom, revealing past mistakes and their lessons learned. * Running a debt-free business with mental and emotional benefits.* 51:19 + Chris LoCurto shares his experience of working in toxic environments and the importance of making smart decisions in business. + He emphasizes the reality of entrepreneurship, where business owners can experience both exhilaration and terror in the same day. + Chris LoCurto and Joel Fortner discuss the benefits of running a debt-free business, including improved mental and emotional well-being. + They invite listeners to share their stories and insights on the next episode, and encourage them to take action to change their leadership and business for the better.

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Personality style impact on team dynamics. (0:00)

Highly Sensitive Personality Traits and Their Challenges. (4:53)

High I type, energy, and exaggeration. (9:49)

Leading and communicating with high I Personalities. (14:12)

Managing high I individuals in various settings. (20:17)

Parenting and communication with a high-I child. (26:32)

Managing High I Personalities in team dynamics. (31:55)

Self-awareness and communication for personal growth. (36:34)

Leadership, productivity, and personality types. (40:50)

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Defining and shaping company culture. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto discusses the role of a Chief Behavior Officer, defining culture as actions and attitudes. + He argues that leaders should shape culture, rather than simply expecting good behavior from employees. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of defining and shaping a great culture in a company or family, as it brings power and momentum when everyone is moving in the same direction. + He contrasts this with a poor culture, where gossip, backstabbing, and low morale hinder progress and create a toxic work environment. * Building trust and vulnerability in leadership teams. 4:56 + Chris LoCurto highlights the lack of trust as a common issue among leadership teams, noting that even when team members think they trust each other, they may not be vulnerable enough to truly communicate and collaborate effectively. + He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in building trust and deepening communication within a leadership team, but also acknowledges the need to be mindful of sharing personal information with the right people. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of trust and vulnerability in teams, encouraging members to share their failures and learn from each other. + He believes that when team members trust each other, they can work closer together, have deeper conversations, and focus on making failure a great teacher for success. * Positive culture and leadership. 9:51 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of creating a positive culture in business, leading to increased productivity and better outcomes. + By teaching leaders to be behavior officers, businesses can experience remarkable growth and success. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of gratitude in managing one's own behavior and leading others positively. + He encourages listeners to focus on being grateful for the good things in their lives, even during difficult times. * Forgiveness and gratitude in difficult times. 16:02 + Chris LoCurto shares how God revealed to him that he was not forgiving two people who were currently sinning against him, and how praying for them has changed his life. + LoCurto and his wife pray specifically for those who are causing difficulty in their lives, finding it difficult but necessary to forgive in the midst of negative situations. + Start with gratitude and learn personality styles to grow closer to God and others. * Personality styles and leadership roles. 20:57 + Chris LoCurto explains the importance of understanding personality styles to lead people to better behaviors. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of learning leadership skills to help others succeed. + He shares a meme illustrating the difference between an "obvious solution" (add more horses) and a "corporate solution" (add more people in the cart with whips). + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding one's personality style in the role of Chief Behavior Officer (CBO), as it can impact how they interact with and influence others. + He encourages leaders to make adjustments to their personality style to better care for their team members, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. * Leadership, communication, and attitude change. 27:29 + Chris LoCurto recognizes the need to change and adjust his communication style to better support his team. + He prioritizes vulnerability and open communication with his leaders to set a positive example and address any issues. + Chris LoCurto takes a hard look at his workload and delegates tasks that are not essential to free up time to focus on leading his team. + He recognizes that leading people is not the bulk of his job, but he prioritizes spending more time helping his team with the right behaviors and attitudes. * Leading a team to better actions and attitudes. 32:12 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and communication in leading a team effectively. + He identifies communication gaps as a major challenge that leaders face, and stresses the need to fill those gaps to guide and direct team members effectively. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of accountability in implementing cultural change, and acknowledges that some team members may resist or not be willing to adapt. + He suggests that as leaders, it's possible to find individuals who don't want to be held accountable or who are not a good fit for the organization's new direction. * Leading change in a business environment. 36:54 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of watching cultural aspects and gossip to avoid coming across as criticizing or blaming others for their behavior. + He also stresses the need to focus on key results and expected outcomes when trying to change behaviors towards work, while still maintaining a positive attitude. + Chris LoCurto highlights common challenges in businesses, including communication issues, accountability concerns, cultural issues, and toxic practices. + He emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing these challenges to improve the overall culture and productivity of the business. * Addressing toxic team members and improving workplace culture. 42:18 + Chris LoCurto highlights the common fears of leaders when it comes to dealing with toxic team members, including the fear of losing important knowledge and skills. + He emphasizes that walking through a proper accountability process can lead to a healthier team culture, even if it's difficult and uncomfortable. + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of addressing toxicity in the workplace, including poor attitudes, lack of accountability, and unsolved problems. + He suggests solving these issues by paying attention to them, fixing them, and providing the necessary tools and expectations to team members. * Improving workplace culture through personality styles and communication.* 47:08 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of improving team culture, citing it as the top issue in businesses and highlighting its impact on finances, clientele, and customer service. + He shares his experience of his team's success in changing culture, resulting in more money, better client relationships, and improved overall performance. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding personality styles in communication, particularly for leaders and business owners. + He encourages listeners to take their team through the DISC personality styles video to improve teamwork and relationships.

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Building healthy, happy hybrid teams. 0:00 + Chris LoCurto reveals his initial resistance to remote work before COVID forced his team to adapt. + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of accountability in business, citing it as the second biggest issue he sees in every company. + He emphasizes the role of great communication and accountability in leading a high-performing team, despite having half the size of a typical team. * Remote work challenges and solutions. 4:36 + Chris LoCurto was hesitant to adopt a remote work model due to concerns about culture and accountability. + He wanted to ensure that remote team members lived out the company's core values during their workday. + Chris LoCurto expresses concern about communication issues in remote teams, emphasizing the need for leaders to prioritize accountability and address potential failures in communication. + LoCurto believes that most leaders have accountability issues within their teams, even if they have been through leadership training, and emphasizes the importance of having processes in place to address these issues. * Accountability and quality in remote work. 9:42 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of accountability in remote work, citing a lack of processes and KPIs as a major issue. + He stresses the need to define what "winning" looks like for each role and to ensure that core values and mission are still being upheld, even when employees are not in the office. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of accountability in a business, where team members are held responsible for treating clients, leaders, and each other with respect and excellence. + He highlights the need for systems and processes in place to ensure that these values are upheld, even when team members are working remotely or outside of regular office hours. * Hiring remote talent for a hybrid team. 15:20 + Chris LoCurto frustrated with local hiring process, finds better talent remotely. + Chris LoCurto is frustrated with the local talent pool in Nashville and wants to explore hiring remote teams to fill skill gaps. + He has found success in hiring a remote team to back up his local team and increase productivity. * Hybrid teams, leadership, and productivity. 20:11 + Chris LoCurto highlights the benefits of a hybrid team, including flexibility and the ability to work with people in different time zones. + Strong leaders are crucial for a successful hybrid team, with high-quality communication and accountability being essential. + Strong leadership is crucial for remote teams, as it ensures direction and productivity. + Without clear leadership, remote workers may feel unsupported and unproductive, leading to wasted time and resources. * Fostering healthy team dynamics for engagement and happiness. 25:20 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of feeling valued and cared for in a team dynamic. + Leaders must prioritize creating phenomenal relationships with team members in-person and remotely to ensure they feel valued and cared for. + Fake compliments or insincere gestures of appreciation can undermine trust and buy-in from team members. * Remote work and team building. 29:42 + Chris LoCurto discusses challenges of remote work, including feeling alone and disconnected from team members. + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of feeling connected and belonging in the workplace, citing instances of employees leaving for less money to be around people. + He suggests ways to combat isolation, such as regular team lunches or other activities that foster a sense of community. * Processes and tools for remote teams. 33:25 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of having clear processes in place for remote work. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of quality processes and tools for team members to do their best work. + He highlights the need for clear communication, accountability, and structure within teams to ensure success. * Project management tools and prioritization. 37:40 + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of having a solid program in place for projects, with clear accountability and visibility for team members and leaders. + He suggests that if a program lacks these elements, it may be necessary to implement a new system to ensure successful project management. + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of using tools like Asana and Dashlane to streamline project management and ensure team members are focused on priorities. + He also shares how Dashlane allows team members to access apps without knowing the passwords, providing an additional layer of security. * Building healthy, happy hybrid teams.* 42:52 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of using the same software programs across the team to avoid confusion and unnecessary expenses. + He shares his personal experience of transitioning from Lotus to Google Docs, highlighting the need to vet new subscriptions and make the necessary changes to improve remote and hybrid work. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding personality styles in building healthy, happy hybrid teams. + He recommends using disk products to improve communication and teamwork, and encourages listeners to share their own experiences and insights at podcast@chrisducker.com.

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544Summary
Communication gaps leading to confusion and frustration. 0:10 + Chris LoCurto discusses information gaps leading to frustration in communication, particularly in team settings. + Chris LoCurto shares his frustration with people who don't ask questions in meetings, leading to confusion and poor decision-making. + He believes this behavior stems from a lack of understanding of one's role and the root system issues that need to be addressed. * Communication challenges in personal and professional settings. 4:58 + Chris LoCurto discusses common communication challenges in work settings, including information gaps and misunderstandings, and how they can lead to confusion and frustration. + He also shares personal experiences of communication struggles in his marriage, highlighting the importance of understanding each other's personality styles and communication preferences. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding personality styles in communication to avoid conflicts and improve relationships. + He highlights the negative impact of miscommunication between parents and children, leading to feelings of inadequacy and clamming up. * Improving communication skills. 9:38 + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in communication, encouraging listeners to ask themselves if they are communicating effectively before blaming the other person. + He shares his personal experience of realizing that he was the one not communicating clearly, rather than assuming it was the other person's fault. + Chris LoCurto asks questions to clarify communication, giving the other person permission to say "I don't understand." + He changes his verbiage to "is there anything confusing?" to reach a different part of the other person's brain. * Improving communication through active listening and understanding personality styles. 14:39 + Chris LoCurto adapts communication style to better understand and help others. + Chris LoCurto learned to improve his communication by asking questions and writing down the answers he received from his team, rather than assuming they understood his perspective. + By doing this multiple times in presentations, he was able to tailor his communication to his team's needs and clarify any misunderstandings. + Chris LoCurto adjusted his communication style by recognizing and addressing his own personality style, leading to improved team communication and teaching on the topic. * Understanding personality styles for effective communication. 20:32 + Understanding personality styles and how they impact communication can help individuals improve their relationships and communication with others. + Chris LoCurto emphasizes the importance of understanding personality styles in communication, particularly in remote work settings. + He suggests using DISC profiles to bridge information gaps and adjust communication approaches based on the personality style of the person being communicated with. * Personality styles and communication. 25:00 + Chris LoCurto adjusts his communication style based on personality type, prioritizing clarity and engagement for high I and D styles. + For high I individuals, Chris uses a more personable tone and asks for repeated explanations to ensure understanding, as they tend to lack attention to details. + Chris LoCurto listens to the responses of his clients to identify any conflicts or gaps in understanding, and adjusts his communication style accordingly. + By actively listening to their concerns and questions, Chris aims to bridge the gap of confusion and overcome any conflict that may arise during the communication process. * Personality styles and communication gaps in teams and families.* 30:35 + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of adapting communication styles to help others understand and retain information. + Chris LoCurto highlights the importance of team members leaning in to support each other, rather than just focusing on their own success. + He shares examples of clients who have successfully implemented this approach, with team members actively recognizing and supporting each other during meetings and discussions. + Chris LoCurto encourages listeners to become adaptable and flexible in communication to improve relationships.

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How do you go from conflict to community? 0:00 + Welcome to the chrisliccardo show, leading families conflict to community, and the journey from discord to unity within families. + Why conflict within families leads to tension and can lead to strained relationships. + How to make a shift from conflict and tension to being able to have open dialogues, even if they have healthy conflict in them, to create family bonds. + The importance of healthy boundaries. * How to remove yourself out of the conflict. 5:09 + The desire to control and the desire to win, and how to remove yourself from the emotional effects of conflict. + The first thing to do is recognize when and why people add to conflict. + The importance of recognizing when someone is struggling with a specific topic or the way that something is presented, and how it can be seen as an example of someone who is in task mode. + How perspective gathering questioning can sound like accusing someone of doing something wrong. + Once someone has changed the way that they are asked a question, it takes away any defensiveness from the person. + Recognize when someone is struggling and what caused it. Take responsibility and adjust communication in a way that is loving, kind and in the direction of the other person. * Why is community so important as leaders? 13:25 + The first thing to recognize is why community is so important as a leader. The more people operate in quality community, the more they are healed and feeling healthy. + The role of leadership in family situations that are trying to diminish conflict or have the best community. + One of the best ways to heal someone who has experienced trauma is in community, communal dancing, singing and enjoying each other. + The six areas in the world that have the highest number of centenarians, people who live over 100 years old, have a phenomenal community aspect. * How to help create a harmonious environment. 19:18 + The first thing a family leader has to do is recognize the importance of not being emotionally handcuffed to conflict. + One of the most important qualities of a harmonious environment. + Get to a place of understanding where people are coming from and what they are experiencing in this moment. + Lead the whole family to a greater community. + Your job is to create the communal aspects of the family. + Communication forms the backbone of any thriving family community, and it's the backbone for a thriving community. * Fostering a space where everyone feels heard and valued.* 25:44 + One of the big aspects of communication is fostering a space where everybody feels heard and feels valued. + When someone doesn't feel heard, repeat back everything they've heard. + Communication forms the backbone of any thriving family community. One of the most important aspects of communication is leaning in other people's direction and helping them understand they are heard. + Check out crystalcredo.com/store for more details. + The more you can solve these aspects as you do that, the more you will be able to celebrate family and community. + Get away from the junk and be with people.

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Combativeness vs. collaboration. 0:00 + Today's episode is all about team dynamics and leadership. The journey from combativeness to collaboration within teams is coming up next on the chrisliccardo show. + Why combativeness can lead to tension and communication breakdowns. + Many times, teams feel like they have to be in a competition or that their priorities are more important than others. + Collaboration promotes innovation and creates a more positive work atmosphere. * People default to a competitive mindset. 4:10 + People default to a competitive mindset, especially in the workplace, and don't naturally lean in the direction of collaboration. + Competitive mindset creates one of the worst things in any business, silos. + People who are focused on only their area or their role or leaders. The shotgun approach, when multiple people focus only on their areas. + Why creating silos is a problem. + Two people in his early years of leading he hired that he regretted because of how focused they were and how destructive they were to the rest of the team and how they impacted the team. + The two silos, the two islands, plus all the other team members. * How do I get out of the islands? 10:23 + How to get out of competitive combative team members and break down the brick walls of not wanting to work with other team members. + How to have tough conversations with team members to say, you work for me, you don't work for yourself. + One of the islands silos moved in the direction of collaboration pretty quickly. The other one took a little bit longer, but eventually they recognized if they cared about the other people, those people were there to support them. + It took months of making this happen, not overnight. * Understanding the importance of collaboration. 15:27 + Team members had better relationships and a more positive working environment. It took a lot of work and effort to make that happen. + Team leaders need to understand the importance of collaboration. + The goal is to bring five silos together and foster an open communication, vulnerability and ability to care about other people. + The one thing that does not fly around is the saying, that's not my job. We do this together, we move in the same direction. * Team building exercises. 20:22 + Team building exercises that can be done on Google or online, such as games or activities that require nobody to have a title. + All kinds of team building exercises available. + In Tennessee, leaders go through team building exercises to see what it's like to work with a team in a collaborative or combative style. + As people start to recognize what it is like for a team to work together, they can start to translate that into their own projects. * How to foster and nurture trust within your team?* 24:35 + Your job as a leader is to foster and nurture trust within your team or your teams, and how to do this. + How to build trust within a team. + Working with different personality styles can be conflict, not understanding personality styles, and not recognizing why someone seems to be competitive or combative. + Communication is the number one reason why businesses fail, and it is the most common reason why they fail. + People will start to recognize the thing that's been holding them back, which is understanding other people. + People want to hear from you. Send us your insights and questions.

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Intro to the high d personality style. 0:00 + Today's show is kicking off a new series on personality styles, starting with the high d personality style. + Today's episode focuses on the high D personality style, which is a driver that tends to be a dominant personality style on a scale of zero to 100. * What is a high d? 2:59 + High D drivers are goal-oriented and enjoy getting things done. They are also task-focused and don't want a lot of detail information. + High D is not the kind of person who wants to sit in a cubicle doing the same thing every day for months or years. + Why it is so important to understand personality styles, and why 90% of the population does not operate the way that you do. + Interactions and conflicts a high d will have with other personality styles. * Heidi’s love competition and competition. 6:57 + Heidi's love being around other Heidi's because they enjoy the energy, competition and knowing that someone else wants to accomplish things the way they do. + High d wants to dominate and win. + A high eye loves people and wants people to think that they are important and good people. A high eye is a great encourager. + Conflict arises when a high eye only focuses on the task and doesn't communicate in a personal style. * The high d and high s. 11:41 + Both the high D and the high E do not care a whole heck of a lot about details, so there is a good chance that a high D is communicating to a high E. + High D and S are almost opposite personality styles, with the D being supportive and supportive. + Many times the high d will see the highest s as someone they can take advantage of. They recognize that the highest is someone who is going to be very supportive. + Conflict arises in a couple of ways, eventually the highest will have pushed their priorities aside. * How the high d and high c compare. 16:22 + The high d is very task-focused, and the high c is very detail-focused. The high d has the least amount of details from the i s and c is the most details. + The high c struggles with a lack of quality communication in the details, while the high d struggles with the details. + How to communicate with a high d, short and sweet. The more information you give them, the more confused they get, and the more they get stuck. + The more information the high d believes they have to do with everything that you've shared, the harder it is to solve. * Be direct with how you deliver the information. 22:14 + Keep it short and sweet. Be direct with how you deliver the information. Make sure you know exactly what you are talking about. + Make sure to know what the heck you're talking about, because the immature high d will pick you apart if you don't. + Make sure that you are focused on what the results are going to be. + Don't be afraid of the high d. This is another thing that holds people back from communicating really well, and it holds them back. * How to avoid conflict with the high d personality style? 28:33 + High D is able to get stuff done. Other personality styles are content with sticking with the status quo and doing the same thing over and over again. + How to leverage the strength of the high D personality style to resolve conflict. + High D leadership qualities are helping other people to accomplish things, helping people understand how to get something done faster and what are great priorities on accomplishing the project. + High D is determined to make it happen. They are determined to stay focused on the result. * Leveraging the strengths of the high d. 33:50 + Leveraging the strengths of a team to accomplish team goals faster and achieve them even better. + How to resolve conflicts that come up between Heidi and some other styles. + High d needs to understand that people matter and that people's feelings matter. They need to recognize that if they lean in the direction of other people, they can get the things done that they want to get done. + For those who are not high d, reflect on ways to better communicate with that high d. * How to help others understand your personality style?* 38:48 + How to help other people understand your personality style. The importance of knowing and operating in personality styles. + How to understand each member of your family and how to communicate with them. + Understanding the high d personality style helps us to lean in the direction of that personality style. The more we can appreciate the diversity and personality styles around us, the more that we can lean in their direction. + We would love to know your experiences, insights, and questions about personality styles.

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Are you a risk taker? 0:00 + Three big things leaders need to consider when deciding whether or not to take that risk and what they may risk by not taking it. + Are you a risk taker? * Intro to today’s show. 1:47 + Today's episode will examine ways to assess risks and what might be holding us back from taking necessary and important action in the face of uncertainty. + This show is about making better decisions. + When it comes to risk, brian enjoys taking risks. He has raced formula cars and is a multi-business owner. He likes to calculate risk. + He asks the question, how could this fail? What could failure look like? He wants to know the potential risk and potential loss. * Taking a leap of faith. 5:50 + When joel started his business, he took a big leap of faith, and it became way more than he thought it was going to be in the beginning. + He has done over 500 next level life change programs, including a scholarship program for single moms and single dads. + Take the leap of faith. God is not calling you to anything that's going to fail. god's never going to call you to something that goes against him. + Three big choices to learn as a risk taker, starting with taking baby steps. * Understanding your capacity and understanding your weaknesses. 11:18 + The biggest risk is not taking any risks at all, and not knowing what your capacity is or how to live life to the best. + Keys to understanding your capacity. + If you don't take risks, failure will be your master, not your teacher. Failure is the greatest teacher for the student who is willing to learn. + The five aspects that allow you to fail, as long as it's not a fatal failure. * How he started investing in real estate. 15:56 + He started investing in real estate when he was 10 years old and wanted to own real estate as a kid. + He has a couple of real estate companies. + Putting money back into people as a resource to change lives and impact more people. + Hiring marketing people that didn't make things happen over the decades. * Embrace failure, not fear. 19:51 + Number two is embracing failure, not fear. Failure is part of any learning process, but fear keeps us bound to mediocrity. + Fear is a colossal waste of time. + Fear is an incredibly small percentage of the fear that you experience in a day, but it creates all the rest. + The bulk of fear is being afraid of man's opinion. * Healthy people vs toxic people. 24:00 + The opinions you should be concerned about are the ones that come from healthy people who know what they are talking about. + The victim mentality that is going around right now. + How spending time around people who are victims leads to becoming one, and how to make better decisions in life. + The importance of constantly gaining perspective and asking for opinions. * Do not fear failure. 28:10 + It's okay to fail, just don't do fatal failures. Learn what happened and how to fix it. Learn how to identify failure and teach and grow people in the situation. + Number three, calculate the risk. First, what fear is the fear, and why fear is imaginary. + If this thing fails, ask how can it fail. The first question to ask is, how can this thing fail? + If it fails, consider how it will affect you, your family, your kids, your team, your business, or how it could affect others. * How much is this going to cost me? 33:48 + Ask how bad the risk is on a scale of zero to 10, and how badly it will impact people, finances, etc. + Start small and take baby steps. + If people love the tacos, then upgrade to a food truck. If people love them, then go ahead and do a brick and mortar, but start small. + If the decision is starting a new business, there is a ton to calculate if it is a new idea. * How to boost your risk taking bandwidth.* 38:30 + Five things you can do today to help boost your risk taking bandwidth, clarify goals, consider the rewards and potential benefits, surround yourself with successful risk takers. + Become comfortable with change. + Mark Twain, 20 years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. + Check out crystal crypto's executive coaching program.

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Taking out a loan. 0:00 + The three big things to consider when deciding whether or not to take out a loan, and why going into debt is one of the biggest mistakes. + The short and sweet answer to today's topic. * How to leverage your cash. 1:58 + Leveraging cash to get out of bad sticky situations and get yourself out of sticky situations. + No other 1920 21 year olds know how to handle their finances. * The difference between business debt and personal debt. 4:07 + Understanding how to think about loans. First things first, is it a business or a personal loan. + If your business is bringing in over a million dollars a year, most of most of your business debt will be considered personal debt. + The first reason people take out a loan or a line of credit is because they might seek a loan to purchase real estate. + Chris has a fail-proof idea. He has heard about 4000 people lose in their business because of failure-proof ideas. * How much money do you really need? 8:59 + Real estate is one of the safest investments that you can make right now. Over the long haul, it should continue to go up in value. + When you are financially ready to make a purchase of this size, you have your financial ducks in a row. * The best way to save money. 11:39 + The best idea for a young couple is to buy the smallest thing they can possibly get in five years. + At the end of 10 years, you will have a large chunk of change that you can put down on your forever home. + The pros and cons of paying off a mortgage before buying a house, and why Chris believes that most people aren't prepared financially before they take out a loan. + The cons of buying a home before paying taxes and repairs. * You’re inviting Murphy into your life. 16:12 + You're inviting Murphy into your life because what's going to happen is the AC is going to break. + A prudent person with insight foresees danger coming and prepares himself for it. * Most people get a credit card because they want to be prepared. 18:05 + Most people get a credit card because they want to be prepared for an emergency. This is not how to prepare yourself financially. + Most people don't want to think about the future. * What is the hardest work there is? 20:00 + Henry Ford thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few people engage in it. + The second biggest reason why people get stressed out. + The best way to keep up with someone who is debt free is not to buy what they have, but to make smart decisions. + Why business owners have the hardest time buying new stuff. * The third reason why people seek out a personal loan. 24:06 + Instant gratification puts us in the worst situations. The third reason why people seek out a loan or line of credit is debt. + Financial problems are a human character problem, not a money problem. * Learn to leverage your present over your future.* 25:49 + Leveraging future earnings to pay for something now or in the present is called going into debt. Instead, learn to leverage present over future, a savings plan. + The pros and cons of debt, the pro is that you get gratification now, the con is you are now tied to the outcome. + If you've been a slave to debt, talk to anyone who has gotten 100% debt free and ask them how it felt the first month. + If not, get one.

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538Summary
Three big things to consider when hiring an outside hire. 0:00 + The three big things to consider when trying to decide whether to go with an outside hire or to promote from within the organization. + Who is this for? * How important is it to have the right team? 1:14 + The importance of getting the right person in the seat and making the right moves strategically inside of the business. + The three big things that are important to consider. * The team affects every aspect of the business. 3:01 + Your team affects every aspect of the business. The number one issue in every business is a lack of quality communication, accountability and quality culture. + Your team is your most important investment. * Should you promote from within or go with an external hire? 4:59 + The first thing to consider is time and costs, internal hires will fast track the interview process. The first interview is a culture interview. + The other conversation is for another day. * Hiring internally vs external hiring. 6:24 + Take a look at what they have done since they have been on the team to see if they can fast track the interview process. + Delegate properly. + Hiring an external hire will take longer and cost more than hiring an internal hire. + Hiring from within will cut down on time and expenses as well as time. * Impact on the team. 10:13 + Internal hires have built in familiarity and loyalty across the team. It helps fast track integration and can boost the morale of other team members. + How it will impact the team now. * Things to consider when bringing in an external hire. 12:13 + Consider how an external hire will impact the team, and how it could be the thing that you want to change or shake things up. + The third thing to consider while leveraging the risks of hiring an external person is to consider. * Leveraging the risks and not managing the risks. 14:10 + Risk is not always a bad thing. Sometimes shaking things up can be a good thing. The key is getting the risk factor to work in your favor. + How to manage risk. * Managing the culture. 16:23 + The internal promotion process is a great opportunity to offer the promotion to anyone who wants it and those who aren't ready for it. + The internal hiring process gives you the opportunity to sit down with a team member and ask them what makes them prepared to take on the role. * Leveraging the risks with external hires.* 18:35 + God has plans for everybody, and not everybody has to be inside of the business. It all comes back to leadership. + Leveraging the risks with the external hire to start with a clean slate and get a new code of culture on.

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How much are you willing to sacrifice to grow your business? 0:00 + Three things leaders need to do to avoid overinvesting in their business. + Growth is important. * Why growth is an absolute must. 2:07 + Growth is an absolute must, not counting the cost. + Comparing yourself to other businesses. + Why top-line numbers are not important. + Why opening up another location is a mistake. * Don’t take energy away from your business. 6:55 + Duplicate the process and take energy away from the money-making process. + Make a business run really well. * How much is too much? 9:40 + Maintaining harmony is as important to growth and synergy as pressing for something new. + The three things to hit. + Finding harmony and harmony in the right season. + Hiring the right team members. * Take a hard look at your strategic structure. 14:21 + Take a hard look at the current season. + Take a look at strategic structuring. + Paying too much or not paying enough. + Treating clients well. * The problem with leaders who choose not to get rid of people. 18:31 + How to get someone off the team. + The importance of moving people around. * Ask yourself how much can you grow in a year? 20:24 + How to grow 45% in a year without negative consequences. + Research on growth percentages. + Taking a look at capacity in a year's time. + Growth without negative consequences. * Redefining success and redefining profit. 25:00 + Growth of 45% is not amazing. + Redefining success, redefining success. * The importance of having a profitable business. 27:13 + Profit is the top priority, but everything else comes after. + Debt is not a focus. + Having priorities right will help mitigate the risks. + Finding a healthy balance between work and life. * The blue zone communities.* 32:24 + Example of blue zone communities. + Blue zones have more centenarians than any other place on the planet. + Business owners and leaders live stressed out lives. + Next level life event.

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What’s holding leaders back? 0:00 + One of the top adversaries that paralyzes leaders today is procrastination. + Procrastination is putting things off. * Is procrastination keeping you from moving forward? 2:06 + Is procrastination keeping you from moving forward. + Life moves fast and keeps going with or without you. * The art of keeping up with the hustle. 3:34 + Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. + The concept of procrastination. * Bust your butt to make it happen. 5:13 + Get theox out of the ditch. + Hustle is not the only answer. * What is procrastination and what does it mean? 7:39 + Procrastination is a learned behavior and an adversary. + What procrastination really is. * What is procrastination and how does it work? 9:24 + The word procrastination originated from the latin word pro. + Procrastination lack of self-discipline. * Procrastination is self harm. 11:31 + Procrastination is self-harm, says Dr pierce steele. + Behavioral psychology research has revealed time inconsistency. * Why procrastination is a bad reason to do it? 13:13 + Why procrastination is not a bad reason to procrastinate. + The importance of prioritizing. * Procrastination is habitual. 15:57 + Procrastination as a form of short-term mood repair. + Addressing the habit of procrastination. * How to avoid the snooze button?* 18:20 + Avoid hitting the snooze button. + Tackling the monster tasks today. + Tackling big tasks early on is a healthy and energy replenishing discipline. + Put in healthy metrics.

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Top things to coach ourselves on. 0:00 + Welcome to the chrisliccardo show. + The top advice and counsel for well-being. * Battling the lies with the truths. 1:39 + We're all human, and life can be tough. + The first question to ask yourself. * How am I allowing situations to affect my worth? 3:12 + Struggling to know one's worth. + Your worth is not what man thinks of you. * How to set healthy boundaries. 5:09 + The first thing to do when someone is struggling. + The importance of healthy boundaries. * How does this apply to you? 7:24 + Emotionally handcuffed to the situation. + Know what your worth is from god. * Am I taking on unrealistic expectations of myself? 8:47 + Unrealistic expectations of others tied to worth and value. + Being seen as a father. * The struggle of being a father figure. 10:19 + Treasure being a father figure. + Struggling with being seen as a father. * Take responsibility and solve the problem. 12:03 + Start with yourself first. + Recognize that it is the other person struggling. * Busting it for god and the people he has given me to serve. 14:37 + Number three, busting it for god. + Mission statement, worship god and serving others. * What if we’re being selfish?* 16:49 + Selfishness and self-centeredness can lead to self-destructive behavior. + A healthy boundary is necessary. + You can't afford to ignore these three aspects. + Download the healthy vineyard for free.

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Introduction to today’s show. 0:00 + Top three things that Chris tells married couples. + Top advice and counsel for couples. * Couples tend to wrestle with similar problems. 0:57 + Couples tend to wrestle with similar problems in situations. + The three top common things discussed today. * How much do you know about your spouse? 2:48 + You have to keep learning about your spouse. + Plan on learning for the rest of your marriage. * Communication is a big struggle. 4:42 + Communication is a big struggle in a relationship. + Ask questions instead of assuming. + The fear of sounding stupid in front of his wife. + Writing down his wife's desires. * Get to know your spouse better. 8:47 + Spend time learning and getting to know your spouse. + Kill as much selfishness as possible. * Kill it all at all costs. 10:37 + Kill it at all costs, chris. + Get out of the victim mentality. * The more victim mentality, the more you will find yourself. 12:14 + The more victim mentality, the more selfishness and self-centeredness. + Focus on others, not you. + Taking time with his wife and family. + Taking time to relax and enjoy each other. * The importance of self care. 16:01 + Self-care is good, but it's not the only thing. + The third thing. * What Is love? Scripturally? 17:40 + The couple who learn to put god first. + Love scripturally is selfless sacrifice. * How to gain sacrificial love toward god.* 19:11 + Learn how to serve each other incredibly well. + Focus on relationship with god. + Couples can't afford to ignore these important instructions. + Learn each other's personality styles first.

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* What we tell people in top leadership positions. (0:00) * Most people’s issues are common. (1:34) * Your worth does not come from profit. (3:05) * Your worth is based on what you produce. (4:54) * How to kill the leadership crazy cycle. (9:21) * How to lead others to success. (11:45) * What to do after you kill the leadership crazy cycle? (12:49) * You have to learn to lean in the direction of personality styles. (16:30) * Setting up your team for success with communication. (18:29) * The most profound thing you can do to learn a person. (20:22)

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How money can tug at our heartstrings. 0:00 + Unhealthy emotions holding you back from making sound financial decisions. + Episode 511 mastering time and money. * Bust your butt and make it happen. 2:18 + Struggling for money in his early years. + Money meant a lot to him. * Money is just information that gets transferred. 3:57 + Money is a tool, not an emotional thing. + Money is not emotional. * The importance of having enough money and having enough stuff. 6:17 + Gaining money is not a big priority. + God is the provider of everything. * How do we disconnect from money? 8:17 + How to disconnect from money. + The first situation, panic, panic and bills. * What’s ruling you in the area of finances? 10:29 + The emotional connection to money. + Recognize and challenge your belief system. * Challenge your existing thought process. 12:22 + Challenge your existing thought process. + Fiercely face your fears. * The importance of having a budget. 14:28 + Get a grip on what comes in and what goes out of your account. + Budget, cut emotional spending. * How to take your first paycheck and blow it. 16:26 + Take the first paycheck and blow it. + Happiness is a choice, not a choice. * The emotional litmus test.* 18:05 + Emotionally handcuffed to every business decision. + Examine your emotional attachment to your finances. + Be grateful for what you have right now. + Money can never make you happy.

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How can leaders help people in crisis? 2:25 * How do I empathize with pain I’ve never experienced? 4:45 * It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible human being. 6:44 * We all have limits to our struggles. 8:09 * What if they’re truly addicted? 12:45 * How to avoid drowning yourself. 14:41 * You’re not obligated to help someone who’s drowning. 16:41 * Rescuing the caterpillar. 18:05 * Pain and suffering and struggle.* 19:08

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The challenges of working with family members. 0:01 * The advantages and disadvantages of working with family members. 2:26 * Clarify the culture and values. 4:59 * Blurring the line between relatives and colleagues. 8:59 * Why rehearse your cultural values? 11:25 * Call down to a neutral location. 16:29 * It’s not personal. It’s just business. 17:51 * our butt at work. 19:50 * Put accountability in place. 24:02 * Importance of celebrating the wins.* 26:29

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What does it take to express needs? (0:00)

Leveraging relational power. (5:57)

Picking out the reality that doesn’t actually exist. (10:39)

Why communication is the lifeblood of relationships? (15:15)

What makes a need legitimate? (20:11)

Get the help you need to get unstuck. (24:30)

What and how to communicate expectations? (29:13)

Healthy boundaries need to grow backbone. (32:55)

How to lead up influence and create change when you’re not in charge. (0:00)

Leadership isn’t always top-down. (8:13)

How positional leadership complicates things. (13:13)

Practical ways to influence leaders in the workplace. (19:28)

The power of healthy healthy communication. (25:22)

How do you influence people around you? (30:36)

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How to kill the crazy cycle. (1:42)

Leadership Crisis Cycle. (6:27)

Organize your business. (10:32)

The people part of leadership is the hardest part. (14:37)

Get what’s on your plate written down. (18:23)

The importance of budgeting your money. (23:38)

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What are trade shows and what are they about? (0:00)

How trade shows can be beneficial to your business? (2:31)

Pricing and expectations of the different shows. (6:46)

How much should you put into your booth? (12:03)

How to get your product in front of the consumer? (15:54)

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Leadership is more than just about success.- 0:00
Learn to lead yourself effectively. - 2:46
The king’s prayer.- 5:28
It’s wisdom to depend on god.- 7:41
Blocking out time to focus on your business. - 9:47
Develop your emotional intelligence.- 12:03

Use the time stamps below to get you to guide you better as a leader or individual
1. Leadership is more than just about success. - 0:00 2. Learn to lead yourself effectively. - 2:46 3. The king’s prayer. - 5:28 4. It’s wisdom to depend on god. - 7:41 5. Blocking out time to focus on your business. - 9:47 6. Develop your emotional intelligence. - 12:03 7. The more you can empathise with people, the more you’ll succeed. - 14:37 8. You have to learn from your failures. - 16:38 9. Invest in yourself beyond leadership. - 19:21 10. You can make time for important things - 20:49

Use the time stamps below to get you to guide you better as a leader or individual
1. Introduction to today’s topic. - 0:10 2. What Is narcissism? - 2:32 3. Your world consists of just you. - 7:07 4. What happens to you when you pursue yourself? - 9:42 5. What we do and why we do it. - 14:28 6. Hustling is not your most important value. - 16:33 7. Self-sacrifice not self- pursuit is the way to a healthier. - 20:23 8. Spend less time on your phone. - 22:27 9. It’s not something that will just go away. - 25:46 10. Life is more than food and clothes. - 27:42

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1. Leadership is not for wimps. It’s tough. - 0:00 2. How do you deal with a disruptive team member? - 1:31 3. The problem with the leader's ability to lead. - 6:26 4. What is the underlying problem? - 8:55 5. Discussing the culture. - 14:30 6. You're choosing your consequence by choosing this consequence. - 19:05 7. How to deal with a controlling personality style? - 21:31 8. How to get out of control. - 26:11 9. How can you possibly tell me I shouldn’t have outbursts when I’m doing the right thing? - 27:55 10. Self-sabotage and the victim mentality. - 32:20

Hey, did you hear about what happened to so-and-so?
Well, I heard that they broke up. And did you know that their company is bankrupt? Yeah, and I heard that they lied about the whole thing too. What a scandal! Well, they deserve it!
On and on it goes, and I think you get the point. We’re talking about gossip on today’s show!
Those pesky little lies and half-truths that ruin reputations, divide friends, and undermine trust.Even if the information is true, this shady kind of talk tends to do more harm than good.
Gossip is defined as “idle talk” and speculation, but all of us know that it can quickly spiral out of control! It starts with little, unconfirmed details that paint others in a negative light.
But, it doesn’t end there. These words are like matches: they will set things on fire.

And there’s usually an intention, down under the surface… to put others down and lift ourselves up.
The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as one who reveals secrets. The intention with those secrets is to disturb, to undermine, and even do harm.
As leaders, whether in the home or the workplace, we work hard to protect the culture of our teams and families. But, in any garden, roots of bitterness, envy, and strife can take root.
Before too long, weeds of gossip, dishonesty, and discord begin to crop up. It can be hard to keep them from spreading, once they’ve been let loose. So, what can we do about it?
That’s what we’ll dig into in today’s episode!
Grace and peace,
Chris

Why is it tough to trust again?- 2:53
The trust test.- 8:44
Self-assess yourself and your relationships.-13:51
It takes two people to trust.- 22:58
Self-sabotage and self-protection.- 33:59
How to build trust in the workplace.- 39:08

A lot of parents tend to avoid topics like money when teaching their kids.
Some parents may have grown up in a household where talking about it was taboo, and that’s understandable. A lot of people struggle with finances, and so it’s natural to avoid it!
Others may think that children are just too young to learn about investing, savings and spending, or maybe they believe the topic is too complicated to explain to young minds.
Whatever the case, avoiding the topic does NOT set kids up for success in the long run, and it may actually be doing them more harm than good! So, where are we going with this?
My point is, whether you choose to teach your kids about money or not, they will learn it from someone. And that brings us to our guest on the show today, Paige Cornetet.
Paige grew up in a home that didn’t just explain “tough” concepts like money management to their children, they immersed them in it, as her latest book My Dad’s Class explains.
The eldest of four, Paige is passionate about helping parents teach children imperative life skills and financial management techniques. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband.
We had a blast talking through her book and family dynamics, as well as discussing her tools designed for parents to introduce money topics to children, the Spend Then series.
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did, and I think you’ll definitely take something valuable away from it.
Grace and peace,
Chris

One of the topics we get asked to deal with the most on this show is along the lines of strength, courage, and resilience. And it’s not strange, when you really stop to think about it!
Plenty of things in this life can zap our strength, steal our courage, and drain our resources.
Chances are that if you’re reading this, you’d admit that you could use more resilience. These are tough times, and we’ve no promise that tomorrow will be a bed of roses either.
So, what are we talking about exactly? Resilience is our capacity to withstand difficult times and to recover quickly; it’s that old school toughness. It’s also a focused tenacity.
It’s about how you can stay strong, courageous, and determined during trying times. And, in this episode, we’ll get into three ways for you to replenish your resilience.
Just like digging a well, there are depths you’ve got to get down. I’m talking about the inner depths where you’ll find the resources you need to bounce back after getting pushed around.
Can you picture yourself responding to difficulties and challenges like that? What if you were the kind of person who refused to kick back on a life of ease, timidity, or lethargy.
Instead of being fearful of what problems could be waiting for you around the corner, what if you ran to meet those things head on? The good news? You can!
Enjoy today’s episode,
Chris

This week, we’ll conclude our three part series called Cultivation.
What are we cultivating? We’re cultivating leaders! And as we’ve seen, this is labor intensive, highly strategic, but also incredibly rewarding.
In fact, leaders that we’ve seen get to this third phase of leadership are some of the happiest and most fulfilled that we know. Today, I want to share an inside secret as to why that is.
Maybe you’ve finally got your team members being successful in their roles. Fantastic! And, you’ve been creating new leaders from those successful members… awesome!
So, what’s next? Where’s all this going? Are we just making leaders in order to make leaders?
Well, here are two “rules” of leadership that will help bring all of this into better focus.
Rule #1: Good leaders create culture. This is part of a good leader's DNA, they create the culture of the business. They don’t allow culture to become whatever it wants to, they take careful action to get the culture they want.
Rule #2: Culture creates the company.Why is culture so important? Because as the culture goes, so goes the company. Believe it or not, culture is one of the most valuable assets that your company has. Out of it can come really awesome, or really horrible things! Just like tending a garden, we’ve got to keep the weeds out!
Let me spin all that around. You don’t like the company that you’ve got now? Then, change the culture. Don’t like the culture that you’ve got? Then we’re right back here … to leadership.
That’s why we’re walking out this process in long form: 1) making others successful, then 2) developing new leaders, and finally 3) creating leadership teams from those new leaders.
On today’s episode, we’ll find out what leadership teams have to do with the culture you want!
Grace and peace,
Chris

After 10 years of leading people through an in-depth, discovery process of themselves, our Next-Level Life event, I’ve discovered that a lot of people are hurting and discouraged.
I’ve also found some great perspective that can help us to get unstuck and move forward!
The problem is that it’s really easy to blame others, our circumstances, or past failures for not getting ahead in life. However, in most cases, it’s that we’re standing in our own way!
That’s not an easy truth to swallow, but acknowledging that we are, at times, our own worst enemy is a step in the right direction. It helps us start addressing the wounds in our hearts.
On today’s show, I’m joined once again by one of our team members, as we dive into how toxicity accumulates inside of us and weighs us down. But, what does it mean to be toxic?
Toxins are basically poison. They kill or destroy health. It’s anti–life, health, and flourishing. Imagine a wound that we received in our mind, that gets infected and won’t go away.
That wound has to be cleaned, disinfected, and mended, so it can heal. So that we can heal.
As we shift our focus from what others may have “done to us” and onto “us”, we can more easily see the changes that need to be made. We can also make sure we’re not infecting others!
This way, we can start living a better, healthier, and more authentic life.

Enjoy today’s episode!
Chris

Relationships, time, and money.
These are probably the three greatest personal assets that you’ll ever have the privilege (and the responsibility) of managing.
When we don’t steward these things well, we end up experiencing difficulty and pain in life.
That’s why we talk so much about healthy relationships around here. We dig into topics like setting healthy boundaries, where we get our worth, and surface level responses.
Why? These tools help us to reframe our relationships (with ourselves and others) in a healthier way. But, what about having a healthy relationship with your time and money?
Without a healthy view of our resources, these blessings can become a curse.
What we don’t steward well can actually start to control and manipulate us. We start to get our worth from these things, and our sense of value and significance gets twisted.
If we don’t rightly relate to our assets, then they will absolutely enslave us.
We start to believe lies. Conflict and control creeps in. We fail to put boundaries, and then we find ourselves at the mercy of these things … but there is hope.
On today’s episode, I want to show you how God intends for each of us to be the master - and not the slave - of the resources that He entrusts us with.
Grace and peace, Chris

Today we continue our series called Cultivation. And what are we cultivating? Leaders.
If you didn’t catch part one, you’ll want to go back and listen to episode 504 on Making Others Successful. It’s one of our favorite things to talk about around here!
Why? “Your job as a leader is to make your team successful, and not the other way around.”
Let me highlight one of the main points that we hit last time, because you’ve got to get this before you can move forward and really start to grow the leaders around you…
Your greatest challenge and your greatest success as a leader will be making others great. Making them successful. Building them into something more than they are now.
Let me say it another way, you’re in the construction business … the business of building others up and making them successful in their role on your team.
Now, let me give you three keys to know when you’re being a successful builder of other people.
* When someone you serve grows out of selfishness and serves the good of others, you are a successful builder. * When someone you lead gains more responsibility, including a healthy respect from the team, you are a successful builder. * When someone that you’ve inspired goes on to do more than they ever thought they were capable of, you are a successful builder.

Today, we’ll dig into even more helpful content about developing the people around you.
Enjoy today’s show, Chris

Taking people through an in depth, two-day, transformative process was something of a side-project early on in our company’s development.
Fast forward ten years and over 500 events later, and it’s easy to see that the Next-Level Life coaching event has become an integral part of what we do.
On the business side, we coach leaders on how to get unstuck, gain perspective, and stay out of the Crazy Cycle that has them focusing on tasks instead of people and the bigger picture.
But, have you ever experienced similar struggles in your personal life? Here’s what I mean
.
Maybe you’ve felt blocked by your circumstances, a knee-jerk reaction to things, or even past choices that you made. I think we’ve all been there at some point in our lives.
It can be hard to get out of those deep ruts on your own, without the tools, perspective, and support of others. That’s why we created this event, and even improved it over the years.
On today’s episode, we’ll pull back the curtain on our process, the people that have come through, and the transformation that they’ve experienced, during and after their event.
I’m joined again by our coaches in the studio, and together we’ll dig into this powerful event.
Enjoy today’s show!Chris

Leaders frequently struggle in very specific and vital areas of their business. To make matters worse, they tend to lack actionable clarity and they can often feel alone in their roles.
Maybe you’ve been here too, stuck in the Crazy Cycle and unable to scale. Teams often lack the quality communication necessary to thrive, and they unknowingly harbor toxic work cultures.
After helping thousands of people take on challenges like these in their businesses, we’ve learned a few things about leaders and their teams that you’ll find both surprising and helpful.
Uncovering the gaps that exist in your business, between knowledge and implementation, is key to seeing the change that you desire. I can tell you that it takes persistence and a new perspective to discover those gaps, and that’s where we come in.
This month, we have the awesome privilege of celebrating TEN YEARS of making a difference in leaders’ lives, leading them to perspective, and helping them to take their businesses to the Next-Level!
In this episode, I’m joined by our fabulous coaches Aaron West and Joel Fortner.
Together, we’re going to walk you through the specialized areas of teaching, coaching, and training that we do, as well as share helpful takeaways that businesses and leaders need to know!
Don’t miss this episode!
Chris

So many people who wrestle with perfectionism never get to excellence. Is that you?
Well, maybe you’d say, no Chris, I’m a failure not a perfectionist. It’s ironic, but failure is closer to excellence than you might think, and perfection is actually farther away!
Excellence is one of our core values, and it’s the goal that we shoot for all the time. But, as much as we talk about it, we don’t hit the mark every single time. At times, we do fail.
Which brings up this question, asked by one of our clients recently. And maybe you’re struggling with the same question: Is excellence the same as perfection?
Well, they can be easy to confuse … especially when you don’t understand failure. Which brings us to our topic today. We want to distinguish excellence from perfection.
And, that means that we need to define failure first. On today’s episode, we’ll dig into what separates perfection from excellence, and see where failure comes into the mix.
If you’re a perfectionist, this episode is for you. If you feel like you’re a failure, this is for you.

If you have a heart to do things with excellence, either in your personal life or in business…
You guessed it, this episode is for you!
Grace and peace,Chris

You’ve probably heard us talk about making others successful. It’s one of our core pursuits here. In fact, we just did a whole show on this a few weeks back, episode no. 504.
Well, there’s a flip side to all of that: it’s when we throw obstacles in another person’s way.
The sad thing is that most of us have probably done this at some point in our lives, and we’ve likely had it done to us as well. It sucks and it’s becoming more common all the time!
Setting someone’s reality is a divisive way to trip others up and make them stumble.
Another hot topic nowadays is gaslighting. That’s manipulating someone in order to make them question their own perspective or reality. And that’s really close to setting someone’s reality.
Folks typically do stuff like this in times of conflict with others, or when feeling out of control.
On the show today, how to keep your reality from being set by others, and maybe even more importantly, how to make sure you’re not doing the same thing to other people!
Grace and peace, Chris

Ever feel like there’s not enough time or money?
* Maybe the bills are piling up * Your tasks feel overwhelming * You’re living paycheck to paycheck * You feel like you’re just getting by * The appointments are too many to keep

It’s easy to fall into the trap of scarcity thinking. We’ve probably all been there at one time or another. But, what do you do if it becomes a habit and then you feel stuck?
A scarcity mindset is when you’re so obsessed with the lack of something — usually time or money — that you can't focus on anything else, no matter how hard you try.
And, over time, that deficit starts to grow in your mind. The research says that it could also start to affect you in reality. What you think about too much can make a deep impact.
This is a trained behavior, rooted in fear and anxiety. And it must be unlearned.

It requires a focus shift, and on today’s show we’re going to talk about that shift in mindset. Before we dig in, however, let me ask you to self-assess.
Where do you find a kind of persistent negative self-talk in your life? Phrases like these:
* I can’t… * I don’t have… * I won’t be able to… * I’m not enough… * I’ll never be… * It’s too tough… * There’s not enough… * There’s too much competition… * They won’t accept me…

Are you ready to kick the scarcity-mentality habit? Then let’s take a step towards a healthier, freer life together.
Join me on today’s episode for the paradigm shift you’ve been waiting for!
Grace and peace,Chris

Hey leaders, we’ve got a power-packed new series coming at you!
First up, your job as a leader is to make your team successful, and not the other way around.
But, I’ll tell you a secret. If you’ll spend the time and invest the effort… if you’ll make your team successful … then THEY will eventually make YOU successful.
A lot of companies aren’t thriving, because the leader is trying to be the big success story.
Here’s a spoiler … being a leader … a true, mature, successful leader … involves a few critical elements. These will be incredibly challenging, but also very rewarding.
In fact, one of your highest callings, and one of the most fulfilling aspects of your leadership role, will be connected with one of these three servant-based activities:
1) Making other people successful, then
2) Developing some of them into leaders
3) And making those leaders into a team
In today's episode, we’ll dig into the practice of just HOW to make your team successful.
But, here’s what I can tell you at the outset, before we even get started. Are you ready?

Immature leaders will spend most of their time asking, what can others do for me?
If this is you, then you’ve got your work cut out for you!
So, join me on this episode to turn that around!
Grace and peace, Chris

Welcome to a brand new year! It’s 2023 and I’ve got some good perspective for you.

Tough times are guaranteed to come. Not what you were looking for? Don’t despair, there’s good news that comes along with that. But, let’s evaluate for a moment.

How did you feel when you read that part about tough times being guaranteed? If you’re like a lot of people, maybe your heart may have sunk a little bit. Maybe you started worrying.

You might’ve even responded by saying, No Chris, the tough times are already here!

Well, here’s the thing. It can become an automated response to go into panic mode or feel traumatized by even the smallest kind of distress.

Nowadays, it’s “normal” to feel overwhelmed with even one more task getting added to your to-do list. It’s normal that just the slightest bit of stress steals your joy.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! What if you could get the upper hand? What if you could start to undermine the crises that are undermining your quality of life?

Undermining the crises of life begins with disciplining yourself, your thoughts, and your mind. You can actually control your feelings, your thoughts, and your responses. But it takes practice!

Learning to respond to little crises with strength, courage, and resilience will prepare you for bigger crises.

In today's episode, I hope you’ll lean into this good perspective on how to tackle bad situations. You’ll see how to undermine a crisis, instead of allowing tough times to tackle you.

Prepare yourself to live well, respond well, and help others in this brand-new year!

Grace and peace,
Chris

What’s the difference between people-pleasing and having a real servant’s heart?

Of course, no one wants to be taken advantage of. And it’s good to have healthy boundaries and not let others walk all over you. We talk a lot about that around here!

On the other hand, how many times have you tried to do “the right thing”, and then had some kind of conflict in your heart about it afterwards? What were you really trying to accomplish?

Yup, now you’ve got your finger on it! It all comes down to our inner motives.

Scripture tells us not to be motivated by being seen or recognized by others for our good deeds. It tells us that we should be trying to please God rather than other people. Pretty simple.

The problem is that some personality styles are more inclined to pleasing others, and will often move past healthy boundaries in order to feel better about themselves. Root Systems!

And even if you’re not one of “those” personality styles, I’ll bet you’ve got some tiny triggers that are programmed into your thinking that can put undue pressure on your good intentions.

So, how can you tell whether our motives are genuine? What I mean is, how do we know that we’re not seeking the welfare of others in an effort to increase our own sense of worth?

Well, that’s what we dive into on today’s episode. You won’t want to miss this interesting conversation. You might find out something surprising about yourself, just like Brian did!

Grace and peace,
Chris

Are you positioned to be promoted?

As we approach a new year, most people begin 1) reflecting on the year that’s ending, and 2) wondering if they’re positioned to get ahead, to lead, or to grow in the year to come.

We all know that there’s nothing magical about the calendar resetting to January first. But for many people, this time of year offers a brief pause to consider their lives, habits, and ambitions.

Here’s the deal: you have to put your life together by yourself: thought by thought and action by action. It’s not what you’ve already done that defines you as much as what you’ll do next.

To get ahead, move up, or go further, you can’t rest on your laurels, thinking I’ve finally arrived.

Life doesn’t give prizes for “been there - done that.” We are creatures made to grow higher, dig deeper, and mature to a fruitful state. But, how do you know if you’re actually making progress?

How can you determine if you’re even thinking in line with what success could or even should look like for you? Some people wrestle with the very concept of promotion and just opt-out.

In this episode, we’re going to challenge the core concept of what promotion is, determine what it should look like for you, and then help you to examine whether or not you’re on the right path.

Don’t let lies and faulty assumptions hold you back from the better life that you really want!

Enjoy this episode!
Chris

We’re so excited to celebrate 9 years of this podcast with you today!

To commemorate this 500th episode, we’re going to talk about what YOU’VE said about this podcast, what YOU want to hear more of, and that’s not all…

We’re also going to announce some of our giveaway winners! So, you’ll want to tune in.

And, not just for the prizes. The information that you provided through our 500th Giveaway survey has been compiled and the results are in! You might be surprised by what we learned.

On this episode, I’m joined by Joel Fortner and Aaron West, and together we’re taking a look at WHY your favorite themes are so important. Let me give you just two examples now.

One of the most impactful topics over the last year was identifying the lies. Wow, this is so important. We spent several episodes on this, hitting it from different angles. Why?

Most people are unaware of the lies that they’re believing, until they’re confronted with the truth. Even then, it can be hard to unlearn what they’ve programmed themselves to believe.

However, without dealing with the lies, they’re going to stay stuck in familiar but unhealthy patterns. These habits and cycles can cause them to be unfruitful in life and relationships.

Talking about cycles, another hot topic this year was beating the Crazy Cycle. This is a HUGE problem for so many leaders. And it takes focus, effort, and hard work to break out of.

These are just a few of the things that we’ll dig into today, so don’t miss this episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

Do you like being told “no” to something that you want to do?

Very few people like to hear that word. And a lot of people don’t like telling other people “no”, especially when they want to make those people happy.

Why? Because this tiny word packs a powerful punch! To make matters worse, we usually think of it as a negative word, something to be avoided entirely.

However, the truth about the word “no” is actually really freeing, for those who choose to embrace it. It can become a tool used to protect and empower.

Think about it. It takes real courage to decline an opportunity or shut the door on a relationship.

But, this could be the very thing that frees you up, empowers you to move on to more important things, and protects you from being taken advantage of.

Someone once said, it’s the setting of limits that introduces us to liberty.

Ironically, it’s the setting up of boundaries, whether for ourselves or for others, that creates the very space of freedom and liberty that we’re inwardly craving.

On today’s podcast, we’re talking about how freedom begins and ends with this little word.

No one is an island. We live in a world surrounded by other people. Saying “no” is a choice we can make that will create new space, new freedom, and new opportunities.

Remember: saying no to one thing is saying yes to something else.

Enjoy today’s episode!
Chris

How has examining victim mentality changed or challenged your thinking?

Exposing the lies and combating them with the truth will help us to live a life that’s healthy and full of meaning. Victim mentality is just one way that we can rob ourselves of that better life.

And while we’ve probably all “played the victim” card - more than a few times - it can be really tough to see when we’re being a bully. Now, you may be thinking, but I’m a nice person, I’d never hurt a fly… Well, let’s walk though this a bit.

Everyone goes through seasons in life when insecurities drive them to make poor choices, to lean into others, or even push them around. We’ve all been there, especially when we lose our sense of worth or we wrestle with unhealthy behavior patterns.

Think about it. No one is immune to the weights, wounds, and disappointments of life.

Have you ever put pressure on someone else to get your own way?
Have you ever used emotions, words, or actions to get others to conform?
Have you ever uncovered someone else’s weaknesses in order to hide your own?

I’ve said this before, without examining our lives, thoughts, and actions, our tendency is to get stuck in harmful and distorted thinking patterns. Without even realizing it, we might even be harming others to get what we want or what we think we need.

Today, we expose the other side of Victimhood by looking at the lies that Villains tell themselves.

Don’t be afraid to uncover the truth, look at yourself in the mirror, and take the necessary steps to change for the better. Your life - that better life you’ve always wanted - is waiting for you.

And, I can tell you that your relationships with others will benefit as well!

Enjoy today’s episode,
Chris

Have you ever played the “victim-card”? I’m sure that we all have at one time or another. Why? We’ve all been duped into believing some of the Lies Victims Tell Themselves.

Here’s the deal, we all struggle with untrue recorded memos in our heads, whether about ourselves or other people, and those recordings are often set to repeat on endless loops.

These untruths, or lies, that we tell ourselves usually manifest in two distinct ways: encouraging us to act as innocent victims or evil villains. Acting out, in either way, can be really unhealthy!

On today’s episode, we’re going to take some time to examine our lives and make sure that we’re living authentically by learning to interrupt these distorted thought patterns.

So, what’s the first step? We’ve got to recognize the lies holding us back from embracing the good life we’re meant to live! I’m sure you’re acquainted with at least a few of these:

I’m not good enough
I’ll never measure up
Everyone’s against me
It’s not (ever) my fault!
My life is just a mess
Life is out of control

Do any of those sound familiar? The “victim-mentality” lens colors everything we see, every event and interaction, as something that’s happening “to us” - and not for our good.

But, what happens when we wake up from victimhood? What happens when we discover that we are actually in control of our own thoughts, feelings, words and actions?

Find out on today’s episode!
Grace and peace, Chris

Have you ever played the “victim-card”? I’m sure that we all have at one time or another. Why? We’ve all been duped into believing some of the Lies Victims Tell Themselves.

Here’s the deal, we all struggle with untrue recorded memos in our heads, whether about ourselves or other people, and those recordings are often set to repeat on endless loops.

These untruths, or lies, that we tell ourselves usually manifest in two distinct ways: encouraging us to act as innocent victims or evil villains. Acting out, in either way, can be really unhealthy!

On today’s episode, we’re going to take some time to examine our lives and make sure that we’re living authentically by learning to interrupt these distorted thought patterns.

So, what’s the first step? We’ve got to recognize the lies holding us back from embracing the good life we’re meant to live! I’m sure you’re acquainted with at least a few of these:

I’m not good enough
I’ll never measure up
Everyone’s against me
It’s not (ever) my fault!
My life is just a mess
Life is out of control

Do any of those sound familiar? The “victim-mentality” lens colors everything we see, every event and interaction, as something that’s happening “to us” - and not for our good.

But, what happens when we wake up from victimhood? What happens when we discover that we are actually in control of our own thoughts, feelings, words and actions?

Find out on today’s episode!
Grace and peace, Chris

Ever get that sneaking suspicion that not everyone on the team is fully onboard with where you’re going as a company? It’s more common than you might think!

Getting others to buy-in to your vision is a challenge, but it’s not impossible and it can be highly rewarding! Can you imagine what it would be like for your team to become fully engaged?

There’s nothing like having your entire company owning the vision and running with it!

Imagine the possibilities! But that’s not where most business owners are. Sadly, most struggle to “convince” their teams of the destination and the best way to get there.

That’s what we want to discuss today. In this episode, Brian and Joel take a stab at what it takes to develop a culture of community and commitment around the goals you’ve set.

Here’s the deal: if your team can’t see how they’re connected to the vision, they’ll be reluctant to own their part in it. It won’t make sense to them. And they won’t be able to help you achieve it.

But, if they’re connected, committed, and cooperative then the sky’s the limit!

Don’t miss this episode!

Chris

No matter what industry your business is in, you’ve likely got customers or clients that you have to interact with. But, how do you know if you’re really connecting with them?

Do you know their needs, wants, or desires? Sure, maybe you do your fair share of market research, but do you have a connection with your clients that goes beyond the statistics?

Have you developed a relationship, as much as possible in your field, that helps you intuitively anticipate their needs, even their motives, for buying your products or hiring your services?

For some business owners, a client can become little more than a number; a means to a profitable end. Well, hopefully profitable. But, in our experience, this approach backfires!

If you’ve ever found yourself seeing clients this way, then it probably wasn’t too long before you discovered that the ends don’t justify the means, at least not in the long run.

Your relationship with your customer is the primary lifeline you have to a healthy and profitable future.

Here’s the deal: no matter what business you have, what product or service that you offer, “You are in the people business”, first and foremost.

So, how do you create a culture of consistent care for clients in your business? And how can you effectively communicate that care - through your team - to your customers?

On today’s episode, Joel and Brian take a deep dive into the motivation and methodology behind developing a stronger connection with your customer.

Don’t miss this episode!

Chris

You probably use some kind of Job Description in your recruiting and hiring processes, right?

But, what are you using in order to keep your team members on track once they're on board?

Maybe you’ve had your folks ask questions like: “Am I doing a good job”, “Am I doing the right things”, or “What would you want me to do differently”? These are great questions!

But what they indicate is that your process is missing something important. Enter KRAs.

Maintaining excellence, holding folks accountable to goals, and coaching them towards higher performance requires something more than just task lists and project assignments.

That’s why we talk so much about KRAs, or Key Result Areas. In fact, we do tons of coaching and training along this line in order to help leaders discover the benefits of this tool.

So, from time to time, we like to revisit this topic and tease out different aspects that we haven’t covered before, as well as help people to see what they’re missing out on.

KRAs, which are sometimes referred to as Key Responsibility Areas, are a huge asset to leaders wanting to create a high performance culture on their teams. But not only that!

While KRAs help define goals, they also provide the means to measure them. Remember, goals must be actionable, obtainable, and also quantifiable. That’s where Job Descriptions fail.

Joined once again in the studio by Brian, we take a look at some of our own client’s questions and comments about using KRAs on their teams. We also address this question head-on, Why Can’t I Just Use A Job Description?

What we discover may surprise you! Especially as we dig into the benefits that leaders receive from having to think through the vision and goals for each team member’s role.

Enjoy today’s episode!
Chris

How would you rate yourself as a communicator on a scale of 1 to 10?

Most of the time, leaders and their teams think they’re doing just fine. However, most are seriously mistaken!

After a careful assessment of team dynamics and interpersonal communication among leaders and team members, we discover time after time that quality communication is missing.

High levels of quality communication can be your team’s greatest asset, while the lack of this kind of communication - at high levels - can absolutely be your greatest liability.

There’s just no way around it.

The number #1 issue that we see holding leaders and teams back from greater unity and greater growth is a LACK of high quantities of high quality communication.

There are several reasons that leaders tend to get held back in this area: things like fear, anxiety, stress, poor processes and time management being among the top contenders.

Communication, we discover, is also a risky business.

There are so many things that can go wrong, including losing face as a leader or followers getting offended. So, how do we manage the Risks and Rewards of communication?

On today’s show, we’re going to take a deeper look at communication, and try to solve this dilemma for leaders and team members alike. It’s worth the effort, I promise you.

Greater unity, growth, and job satisfaction are just some of the rewards waiting for you!

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

How do you know if your coping skills are actually helping you in life or holding you back?

There are different kinds of coping skills or strategies. For example, some focus on emotions, some on problems, some help us to disconnect from stressful circumstances, and others are basically social or religious support systems.

And these things aren’t bad, I mean, they might actually help you to get you through a crisis or two… but are they a good long-term strategy? Well, not if they don’t address the problem!

While they might help us to feel better in the short run, masking our real feelings and emotions does little to empower us to understand what’s happening (and why) in the long run.

Think about it. Counting to ten, taking a walk in a park, stopping a moment to pray, and even cleaning or organizing a messy room may help us avoid lashing out in anger or breaking down in tears. But if that’s all we’re doing, then we’re not actually dealing with the underlying cause.

On today’s episode, I sit down with Brian as he asks the question, “Why can’t I just cope?” An honest question, especially when so many people are feeling triggered and traumatized.

Coping is like wearing designer eyeglasses, instead of getting the corrective surgery you need.

It may feel cool or attract some attention, but if it doesn’t actually fix the problem, then it’ll keep manifesting and get worse over time, leading you to use other coping skills or even vices.

Hope you enjoy this important episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

You were created to grow, thrive, and flourish.

You weren’t created to barely get by, wander aimlessly through life, or just maintain the status quo. In fact, that’s contrary to your very design!

In fact, when we’re not doing what we’re created to do, fulfilling our God-given purpose and growing into what He created us to be, then we’ll have a hard time enjoying life to its fullest.

Viktor Frankl said, When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure. But, that pleasure is often temporary, and serves only to distract us from purpose.

But things like joy, fulfillment, and growth are not necessarily easy to find. In fact, obtaining a deep sense of purpose takes time: it takes deliberate effort and developmental growth.

Today, we want to dig into the soil of one of your core needs: to grow, thrive, and flourish as God created you to. And the story of our growth as human beings began in a garden, long ago.

In that garden, God gave Adam and Eve work to do, things to enjoy, as well as things to avoid. Gardens are messy and take time to cultivate, but there are rich rewards for those who do it!

John Maxwell says, Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow is going to get better. We can probably say this too: if we choose not to grow, then we’re guaranteed nothing will get better!

So, join me in doing the hard work of developing your personal growth mindset!

Enjoy today’s episode,
Chris

Should I stay or should I go? That can be a loaded question when it comes to employment.

It’s no secret, transitions are stressful, especially when looking to change jobs. And, knowing how to leave a dead-end job, the right way and at the right time, can be a real challenge.

Statistically, this is one of the most pressing questions in today’s workplace. However, with so many jobs available, how do you know when to make a change or even if you should?

Where I live, in Middle Tennessee, there are wanted signs everywhere I look. And, I don't mean a search for on-the-run criminals, haha! I’m talking about employers ready to hire workers!

On the podcast today, I want to walk you through a process of assessment of yourself, as well as your situation, in order to accurately discern if you’re ready for this kind of transition.

You don’t have to stay stuck in a role or at a company where you don’t fit, and now may be the perfect time to prepare yourself for what’s coming up next in life. Let’s get to work!

Enjoy today’s episode,
Chris

Today we’re learning why character counts, and why it gets discounted so quickly.

In modern culture, character is one of the last virtues to get noticed, even though it's responsible for the rise (and fall) of many.

From preachers to politicians to parents and business CEOs, character matters.

Without character you won’t last, but that’s not to say that it’s the easier path. Far from it. The road to character is an upward climb; it’s the narrower path, the one less traveled.

And yet, it’s the surest way to longevity and, quite frankly, sanity in a world gone mad.

Character is like the DNA coding of your unique soul. Your mind, will, and emotions are all responsible for contributing to and creating the components of your character.

Around here, we like to say that character is who you are when no one else is looking.

And while that’s true, it also bleeds into everything else that you say and do, regardless of who’s around. Whether you know that someone’s watching you or not, your character is hard at work.

Character is who you are - the real you - deep down to your core. It’s arguably the most important asset in your life. It’s a treasure to be guarded and a garden to be cultivated.

Your character determines how you are likely to speak, act, and behave …

And those words, attitudes, and actions ultimately determine the results you get out of life.
Character largely determines and becomes part of your destiny.

So, let’s dive into why character counts, why it gets discounted, and what you can do about it!
I hope you enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

Have you ever felt a slight hesitation before confronting a team member, coworker, or even a family member on a goal that they set or a commitment that they made? I think we all have.

What’s that tinge of uncertainty or anxiety pointing us to? It’s probably something from our Root System that’s afraid of a negative outcome, the possibility of conflict, or something worse.

And while we’ve all seen it abused, when we truly understand what real accountability is, it can become something that’s helpful, healthy, and even life-giving. It’s necessary for growth!

On today’s podcast, I want to take a deep dive into the Risks and Rewards of holding others accountable. Now, let me clarify what I mean by “holding others accountable”.

This is so important to understand: accountability means lovingly helping others to succeed.

That’s it. Not as heavy as you thought, right? That’s because we’ve all got examples in our lives when others held us accountable, but their intentions were… well, neither loving nor helpful.

But, if you get this concept, it could be a game changer in your business and your personal life. Lovingly helping others to succeed is one of the greatest keys to success a leader can learn.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

Feeling stuck or out of control with your finances? You’re not alone. That’s why these three rules for changing your financial trajectory are so important.

When you really think about it, what do you imagine is currently holding you back from reaching your desired financial destination?

Is it that debt that you just can’t seem to get rid of?
Do you feel like you never get the traction that you need towards your goals?
Is it that dreaded budget conversation with a spouse or business partner that you just don’t want to have?

Don’t let a sense of helplessness or hopelessness keep you from making the changes necessary to change the direction of your finances! Whatever’s holding you back, I promise you that there’s a way through the decision-making maze to get you where you want to go.

Sometimes, a little nudge can go a long way towards making that dream a reality. On today’s show, Joel, Brian, and I discuss three rules to help nudge you - or push if necessary - to help you get unstuck and on your way today.

Enjoy this episode,
Chris

You’ve probably encountered a roadblock like this before.

The person on the other end of line or behind the plexiglass partition, a person responsible for “serving customers” and resolving problems, says something to the effect of “No ma’am, I’m sorry, that’s just not our policy, or I can’t help you with that, or no we don’t do it that way.”

Whatever happened to the idea of customer service? It can easily get limited by processes.

You likely didn’t feel well served or like your problem was addressed at that moment. In general, businesses offer products and/or services that help to resolve the problems of others. They try to make their lives better, easier, and more enjoyable. But, it doesn’t always work out that way.

Sometimes we encounter the policies, procedures, and processes of businesses that make them unable to provide the resolve that we’re after. We can feel stuck and even out of control. Maybe we end up frustrated, with no one to appeal to. And what comes next is less than ideal.

Then we’ll likely try to avoid using their product or service again as a way of avoiding frustration.

Now, let’s turn this table around and change our perspective a bit. Where are your business policies, practices, or procedures holding your capacity captive? One of the biggest reasons that businesses get blocked is that their own processes are limiting their growth and capacity.

It’s time to take a good look at how unhealthy policies could be holding your capacity captive.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace,
Chris

When’s the last time you came across a really well-oiled machine?

Well, you might not have even known it was there! Yup, and that’s kind of the point. Processes blending seamlessly into the structure that they serve and support is a beautiful thing.

It’s really only when we run into a process that’s out of date or out of touch that we recognize there’s something that’s wrong with the picture. In today’s episode, we want to talk about the positive side of processes, the side that has the potential to catapult your business forward.

If information and communication are the central nervous system of your organization, then process and procedure are its spine, giving it structure and stability.

We create and implement processes in our businesses that give form and structure, but also extend the capacity of our team! At the same time, we scrutinize these processes relentlessly as soon as they stop delivering the results that we want!

Here’s the deal:

all things change, your clients’ needs change, your team members change, etc.

Process gives form and structure to your organization, but they must remain flexible.

Let’s take a look at how healthy processes could help your business scale to success!

Enjoy today’s episode!

Grace and peace, Chris

Look, don’t take this personally, ok?

Sounds like good advice, right? But how many times have you been able to follow it? We tend to look at things that are going on around us as if they're actually happening to us.

When we're struggling, we can be pretty quick to be the victim, and slow to take responsibility.

To make matters worse, there are all kinds of things from our past, buried in our Root System, that come to the surface whenever we’re “triggered”. Instantly, a specific trauma or situation from our past is relived.

Have you ever taken criticism poorly, and then had one or more of these reactions?

Your self-worth felt jeopardized You retreated into victim mentality You held onto it like it was an insult Felt like your character was being attacked Your mind couldn’t let it go. And why is that?

Taking things personally creates a negative feedback loop that’s tough to break out of.

Ideally, we should take a more objective stance; one that’s open-hearted and appropriate to whatever situation we find ourselves in. However, our knee-jerk reaction is spontaneous, and usually an under or over reaction. What if we could respond in a healthier way?

How can we learn to NOT take things personally, and instead keep a steady balance, an open mind, and an objective perspective? Today, I want to tackle this topic with you.

Grace and peace, Chris

Ever get the feeling that your workload is following you home at the end of the day?

It might even take on a presence, like a little lost puppy. And if you decide to feed it, oh geez, you might never get rid of it! Taking your work home from the office can quickly get out of control.

Nowadays, it takes discipline and intentionality to separate yourself from your work, especially if your work is done at your home office. I mean, it’s hard to find the boundaries, determine the cut off point, and find space to actually disconnect and rest.

Whether or not you have the luxury of a traditional commute to and from your workplace, technology makes it all too easy to blur the lines between the home and office.

Meanwhile, your mental and physical health can suffer, relationships get taxed, and stress levels on all sides of the equation can start to rise.

Borders and boundaries can be incredibly helpful in identifying where work and home begin and end, but the reality is that these two often overlap.

Definition and clarity are essential skills, especially for you business owners!

On today’s episode, I sat down with Brian to answer the question of how NOT to take your work home with you. I’ll give you a spoiler though, there are no quick fixes here!

Depending on your personality type, family situation, your role at work, etc. there can be many strings attached to this question.

So, give a listen as we help you to separate who you are from what you do.

Enjoy today’s episode, Chris

Wanted: looking for someone to lead a confident, creative, and highly effective team of people.

Would you apply for that job? Well, you can actually have that kind of a team, as well as other tangible and measurable benefits, but you just have to do one thing to get it.

Leaders who train their teams well, investing time and resources, reap the rewards!

People are your greatest asset as a leader, and the role of the leader is to lead your team to success, not the other way around. So, why do so many leaders struggle here?

Oh there’s a whole list of reasons…

From time crunches to Crazy Cycles, from misplaced priorities to misallocated resources, we’ve heard it all when leading leaders and business owners through their strategic planning event in our offices.

And it’s painful to see them stuck!

I can tell you that most leaders struggle with pushing through this barrier, and rarely get to see what’s on the other side, without some outside help.

But until they start training their teams well, they’ll never get to the kind of scalability and strategic execution that’s possible for their business.

Maybe it’s not your team that’s holding you and your business back after all. Find out what happens when leaders train their teams well on today’s episode!

Grace and peace, Chris

We’ve probably all felt that tension in a relationship at least once, right?

Someone appears to be calm and agreeable, and yet they’re trying to control you or the situation at the same time. In fact, if we’re honest, we’ve even been that person!

Well, we’ve had this question pop up from time to time, and so we wanted to tackle it head on: can someone be both submissive and controlling at the same time? Yes, absolutely.

There’s some frustration here, agitation, and maybe even a little manipulation. I mean, people are people, we’re all human, and at times we can get a little controlling and self-centered.

Healthy roles with accountability are life-giving and will help us avoid getting stuck relationally!

So, we want to be able to recognize this activity, identifying it even in ourselves, so that we can respond to it maturely, with humility and respect, safeguarding ourselves and the relationship.

If we’re successful here in bringing balance and proper alignment to our relationships, we’ll enjoy fewer breakdowns, more harmony, and even more happiness with others.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace, Chris

Can you tell the difference between someone who’s truly passionate about their work and someone who’s just putting in the hours, passing time, and waiting for the weekend?

Well, of course you can! And so can your team members.

Maybe you don’t love every little task that you do, but there are probably things that you do enjoy, that are fulfilling, and that no one else can do quite like you can.

King Solomon, often referred to as the wisest man who ever lived, explained God’s plan for mankind engaging the work that He’s given them to do… and actually enjoying it!

“God gives people the ability to enjoy the wealth and property He gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work.” (Ecclesiastes 5)

Have you ever felt a tension around accepting and enjoying your work? If you’re struggling in your role or with your tasks, then there are going to be negative signs that others can see and feel.

On the other hand, leaders who love to show up everyday, who give themselves to what they’re doing, and who embrace their jobs wholeheartedly will create a truly wonderful workplace.

Today, you’ll discover what happens when leaders love what they do. Enjoy this episode!

Grace and peace, Chris

How far would you go to prove your point or to make sure others know that you’re right?

Sometimes, we can get caught up in needle-point precision, focusing on technicalities and useless facts, all the while losing touch with what really matters.

It’s easy to lose sight of the forest because of the trees. But, why do we do this?

We try so hard to convince the other person that we knew in advance, that we were right, and that they were wrong. But, what exactly did we gain, and what were we trying to win anyway?

Well, maybe we didn’t win at all; maybe we lost something.

Dale Carnegie said You can't win an argument. You can't because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it.

In other words, whether we succeed in proving our point or not, the people that we’re validating ourselves to can feel unloved, shut down, and unvalued when we do this.

So, what exactly is it that we’re trying to do by being right all the time, and what does that say about what’s going on inside of us?

If you’ve ever found yourself trying just a little too hard to press your point, be heard, or to be believed, then this episode may just help to change all that!

Living a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life is just ahead of you. Today we’ll untangle what always having to be right says about you.

Grace and peace, Chris

Were you ever told as a child, “just forgive them and let it go!” Sage advice… that’s much easier said than done!

It can be really tough to forgive. Anger, fear, judgment, pride, defensiveness, ego, and the pain of past traumas are just a few of the things that we wrestle with when it comes to forgiving other people.

Our Root Systems can get bogged down and overgrown with the weeds of unforgiveness. It can take a lot of time and effort to get the garden of our hearts cleaned up and growing healthily again!

So, how do you really forgive someone else and maybe even yourself?

On today’s show, we’ve got another episode in our Three Rules series, as I’m joined by Joel and Brian to discover three helpful rules for forgiving others.

We’ll explore, with humor and hopefully humility, a topic that for many people could be one of the biggest obstacles holding them back from the happier, healthier life that they really want. Don’t miss it!

Grace and peace, Chris

Are you the kind of leader who’s always plugged in, you can’t let go, you find it hard to delegate (without worrying), and you still can’t find the off button for your brain?

We’ve all been there. Here we are in the middle of June, and if you’re like most leaders, YOU are still at the office… with little to no vacation planned or on the horizon.

There are a million reasons why.

As an entrepreneur and leader of several businesses, I can tell you that this is a real challenge for even seasoned veterans. Most leaders don’t feel that they can, that they deserve, or that they can afford to take time off.

Maybe you’ve heard yourself say things like:

There’s too much work! I’m too important to leave I don’t really trust my team

But, what happens when leaders dare to take time off? Does everything fall apart (just as they feared) or something else entirely? Find out on today’s episode!

Grace and peace, Chris

What if there was a reset button on life? Would you hit that button and start again?

Some people would just love to start over, maybe hoping to make fewer mistakes, run into Mr. Right this time, or perhaps avoid Mrs. Wrong. You know what I mean, sometimes making mistakes is painful, and you’d like a do over.

Well, can’t live this whole life over, it seems that we only get one shot at it. However, it is possible to make a fresh start and then to keep moving forward in the right direction.

So, what’s the problem? A lot of people need help getting out of the rut that they're in.

Maybe they need to learn how to make better decisions, think differently about their past mistakes, or even find the courage to begin again. It’s not easy!

Today, we discuss three rules for making a fresh start. Are you ready to begin again? Join us on this fresh episode!

Have you ever needed grace? If we’re honest, we all have.

But, how much is too much, and how far is too far? Especially, when you’re responsible for a team member who just can’t get their act together.

I mean, there are limits, right? And, what about accountability?

It sounds really black and white, with an easy solution. The truth is that leaders often struggle in the tension between leading others to success and managing a team member’s behavior.

This can be a confusing and even emotional distinction to make.

To make grace a priority doesn’t mean to sacrifice other values, like excellence, honor, and accountability. However, it means we have to lead at a higher level than most.

On today’s episode, find out how you can prioritize grace in the workplace, while leading your team to succeed in business and in life.

How much time do you usually spend planning and preparing before getting into the action?

Today, we’ll continue our special “How To” mini-series where we’ll deal with a single topic and go as deep as we can in just a few minutes. This time around, examining that rough tension that exists between doing and preparing for the execution of our tasks and duties.

You probably remember that old adage about how sharpening the ax helps to chop down trees. Well, there’s really no mystery there! But, how often do we actually put that concept into practice? I mean, the part about sharpening before chopping. Not often enough, right?

We lead lots of businesses through strategic planning processes every year, and I can tell you that whether business or personal, planning is essential to your success!

But, how do you carve out the right amount of time for planning and preparing vs. doing and executing? That’s what we dig into today!

Ever feel like you can’t shake the negativity?

Today, we’ll continue our special “How To” mini-series where we’ll deal with a single topic and go as deep as we can in just a few minutes. This time around, how to stop seeing through a negative lens.

It’s not just about keeping your chin up and putting on those rose-colored glasses. No, instead, there’s a deeper work that needs to take place. We’re complex creatures, and we tend to take our baggage with us as we move through life.

But, you can leave the negativity behind you though, it’s just got to be unpacked a bit first. Breaking free from those self-defeating mindsets starts with recognizing them for what they are, the lies we tell ourselves.

Let’s make it a point to not let negativity blind us to the good things that are all around us!

470 | How To Stop Being Your Own Worst Critic by Chris LoCurto

On today’s show, we’re taking a departure from our normal format in order to tackle a few practical topics in our mini-series of “How To” episodes. Today’s topic is how to get others to start following you.

Maybe you’re a leader, but who’s following you? That’s the age-old question, right? If no one’s following, then are you really leading?

On today’s How To episode, we’re going to get into what it really takes to get others to start following. Maybe you’re a seasoned veteran, or maybe you’re just beginning your leadership career, but what does it take to make followers of the people around you?

A lot of leaders really struggle with the difference between just managing those “under” you and leading them to execute with excellence, to take ownership of their area, and to actually grow in their capacity or role within the organization.

I hope that today’s brief talk spurs your ideation and directs your attention towards getting others to follow you and leading them well!

On today’s show, we’re taking a departure from our normal format in order to tackle a few practical topics in a brand new mini-series of “How To” episodes.

In today’s How To episode, we’ll take a quick plunge into the depths of Caring Less about what others think of you. Does that sound like a strange topic to you?

For many people, getting free from the fear of other people’s opinions is a real struggle. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t surround ourselves with wise and caring people who can breathe positive influence into our lives, offering us the counsel that we need to hear.

On the other hand, approval seeking, worth finding, and people-pleasing can develop into harmful habits that are really tough to break! Have you ever found yourself there? I have.

I think most people aren’t even aware of how their need for significance - in the eyes of others - can become an unhealthy addiction, influencing how they think and make decisions every day!

I hope that today’s brief talk spurs your ideation and directs your attention to what really matters in life and where you’re currently getting your worth from.

What if you had a picture of a happier, healthier, and more successful you?

How would you feel? What would you be free to do? How would life be different for you?

And then, imagine that you’re given a step-by-step plan to get you there, to that better future… would you follow that plan?

Our modern culture is inundated with “quick and easy” plans for a new and improved you. But, how much of that is really true? What does it take to unlock your real potential and get you unstuck from the things holding you back from that best possible version of your life?

On today’s show, we delve into this Best Life concept, and I help you unravel what’s really at stake when we talk about transformation and living an authentic life.

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for eliminating needless distractions in life? You’ll find out today!

We’re in the third and final episode of a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you.

We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.

This time around, 3 Rules for eliminating distraction: is it a pipe dream or an actual possibility?

What are the things that are holding you back from setting appropriate boundaries, redeeming lost space in your routine, and saying “no” to the things that are neither healthy nor productive?

Follow these three rules for eliminating distractions!

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for leaving your past behind you? You’ll find out today!

We’re in the second episode of a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you.

We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.

This time around, leaving your past behind you. Easier said than done, right? For so many people the thing that continuously trips them up in the present is being nagged (or better said, plagued) by their past. So, how do you get past it?

Follow these three rules for leaving your past behind you!

Can Chris and Joel agree on Brian’s Three Rules for successful delegation? You’ll find out today!

We’re kicking off a fun, new mini-series with one goal in mind: you. We think you’ll enjoy the new format and interaction, but more importantly you’ll get to listen in on the reasoning (and debate) that goes into some of the core principles that we hold to in our businesses.

This time around, delegation. Delegating tasks to others is not easy. Many leaders struggle to delegate, or to delegate well, usually citing a few specific reasons:

I find it hard to trust others I want the job done “right” I have other priorities

Have you ever felt that way? You’re certainly not alone.

Regardless of why leaders struggle to delegate, it is something that can be mitigated. Learning to trust others, as well as spending time investing in proper training, are a good start.

But what can you do to make sure you’re a top-level delegator? Follow these three rules for successful delegation!

On the show lately, we’ve been dealing with the complexity in our modern world, but what about the complexity that we find right on the inside of us?

Inside of every human there are trillions of cells and synaptic connections, billions of neurons, a million moving parts, and then thousands of thoughts and feelings passing through our heads every day.

On top of all that, our experiences, traumas, and relationships all affect our thinking, feelings, and habits.

With all that going on, isn’t it possible that some of what we’re thinking, feeling, and even suffering at times could be a little bit off-base or even irrational?

How would we even know? I mean, have you ever wondered:

How can you make sense of what your feelings are telling you?
How can you know which feelings to respond to or to ignore?
And how can you know what a level-headed response is?

On today’s show, the difference between rational and irrational thinking: where reason and logic intersect with fear, emotion, and imagination.

How many hours in a day do you really need in order to get things done?

Anyone can think that there aren’t enough hours in a day, but how you spend your time is more important than how much time you actually have.

Many leaders fail because they fail to have a singular focus, vision, or attention.

A lack of prioritization is a huge hurdle for many leaders caught in the crazy cycle. But, what can you do about it? How can you get the traction you need?

Today’s episode is about disciplining the time that we’re given each day. We’re going to talk about prioritization, organization, and the one thing that most leaders forget. Here’s a hint of what that third point is about: every business, regardless of what it does, is in the “people business”.

Today, you’re going to learn how to give priority, organize, and serve people as you lead yourself and your business through the complexity!

461 | Dealing With Dishonesty & Deceit by Chris LoCurto

Self-assessment time! Are you a driven leader?

With most driven leaders, what often gets neglected are those soft skills that focus on different personality styles, creating culture, and especially the deeper, personal work that needs to be done inside the heart of a leader. These skills are necessary not only to be successful and to sustain that success, but to lead others well all along the way.

So, how are you doing with that? And if you’ve got some gaps, where’s the disconnect? Why’s the focus on the person of the leader often missing among leadership seminars and training?

The greatest leverage to grow your company is learning to effectively lead people and all the things that we teach there. – Joel Fortner, VP of Leadership Development

In today’s episode, we tackle how leaders need to learn to lead themselves before others!

Fear is a phenomenon that all of us deal with at some level and, left unchecked, it can subtly begin to dominate our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

While fear can be a healthy warning system, especially when getting chased by a lion, it can also be an unhealthy way of dealing with our stress and circumstances in life.

Fear becomes a habitual response and even a defense mechanism we get conditioned to.

On today’s episode, Heather joins us in the studio to discuss fear, how it can start to dictate our surface level responses, and how to escape its paralyzing effects.

Hey leaders,

What’s your measure, what are you made of, and where are you coming up short?

You’ve probably heard the Latin maxim, "know thyself", which in ancient Greek literally meant "know thy measure".

In today’s episode, Joel Fortner, VP of Leadership Development & Next-Level Life Facilitator sit down to talk about three ways in which leaders can overestimate their measure with regards to leadership, and in so doing hold themselves (and those they lead) back from success.

Ironically, all three ways we discuss today center on the self. It’s about how we think about our own capacity and how easily we can be fooled into thinking “we’ve got this” when we really don’t. There are some bad habits that we all curate that can inevitably lead us astray.

Not knowing yourself, as a leader, is probably the greatest limiting factor you will face. Remember, you can be your greatest enemy, but also your greatest friend.

So, don’t miss this episode!

As a leader or parent, are you more apt to avoid, rather than engage, in tough conversations with those you lead? Well, you’re not alone! In fact, you’re actually pretty normal.

Do you realize that the majority of leaders (and parents) have never been taught how to take on difficult conversations? And certainly not with sufficient tact, grace, or courage!

So, what usually happens? Well, to be blunt, a train wreck happens!

There’s often a collision of wills, a battle to be right, and a lot of fear present. Every leader knows that having difficult, but necessary, conversations is a complicated task.

When you consider how much is going on at once it can be a daunting task to have that talk.

There’s fear - first and foremost There’s risk - of things going badly There’s discomfort - it feels like conflict There’s pride - especially with big personalities And lots of emotions - things can get out of control

Things can get complicated quickly. But what can you do about it? How can you prepare for it? That’s what Aaron West and I sat down to discover on today’s episode!

On today’s episode, what we’re really talking about is leading, teaching, and helping others - this could be at the office with team members or at home with your family - to take responsibility and grow (up).

We discuss how to accurately assess your capacity as a leader, not to mention that of your team, and avoid falling into the traps that hold businesses back from scaling successfully.

To start delegating properly we must know how to take proper responsibility for ourselves first.

Listen now to discover ways to take responsibility and to recognize the lies we believe that cause us to lose worth.

On today's episode we go over why worth really matters.

Worth is the value that’s assigned to or associated with a person or thing.

What you’ve accepted about who and what you are, no matter where that information came from, is one of the biggest factors in how you see yourself.

It can be the very thing holding us back from living life to the fullest or propelling us forward towards our dreams and destiny.

Romans 12:2 says Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Listen now to evaluate where your worth is placed and why it really matters.

Are you overestimating your knowledge or capacity and setting yourself up for failure and burn out?

This is one of the reasons that leaders get trapped in The Leadership Crazy Cycle by being task saturated and over committed.

Listen now to learn how to accurately assess your capacity as a leader, not to mention that of your team, and avoid falling into the traps that hold businesses back from scaling successfully.

Self-sabotage refers to behaviors or thought patterns that hold you back and prevent you from doing what you want to do, getting on with your life, your family, your mission and ministry.

Listen now to learn how to identify self-sabotaging tactics, address them and then shift your mindset to getting yourself unstuck to be truly authentic!

The last few months on the podcast we’ve talked about clarifying direction, personal responsibility, and living authentically in life and leadership.

We want to pause and bring you up to speed on how we’ve been living these things out in our own lives – behind the scenes – at a place we call The Ridge at Leiper’s Creek.

A place that’s meant to serve people physically, emotionally, spiritually and bring healing to those who need it most.

Today you get the pleasure of hearing my amazing and beautiful wife, Heather, help share this story.

Do you have a shepherd's heart?

Today you will find out: what being a shepherd really means and why it's so important, key characteristics of leaders who shepherd others, and how you can have a similar heart and mindset.

You're going to learn keys to grow and develop leaders who love God and love people. This starts with who YOU are as a leader, because that’s who you're ultimately going to replicate.

Listen now to become a leader who shepherd's their team to success and creates the kind of leaders you really want.

On today’s episode the coaches gather together to discuss the most listened to episodes of 2021.

Joel, Aaron and I, will go over what the most important takeaways from those episodes were, and what we need to carry with us into 2022.

Find out on today's countdown, what our most listened to episode of 2021 is!

Learn how to grow success and master how to lead remote team members, navigating the challenges of multiple time zones, cultural differences, and even mild language barriers.

On today’s episode, my VP of Leadership Development Joel Fortner will help us identify and navigate the various challenges of leading remote teams and how to lead them to success.

Also one of our own remote team members, Brian Alex, is on the show and shares keys to leading remotely from the perspective of the team member.

As businesses rapidly go remote, find out what the statistics are for hiring remote workers and how going remote may be incredibly valuable for your business.

In part 1 of Strengthening Your Emotional Stability, we discussed how to recognize your current condition, as well as your daily contribution to your emotional health, and how different personality styles respond to feeling out of control.

Now I want to dig into some things you can do to take control of your stability.

In this episode, we go over the five emotional stability boosters that you need to be tapping into for your health.

Strengthening your emotional stability may be your best defense against the craziness of the world we live in.

In order to gain that strength, you must use self-awareness as a valuable tool to assess your condition and improve it. Today's three key points will help to analyze yourself and the role you play in your own emotional stability.

What does the structure of your life look like? Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? How about the amount of negative versus positive influences you have in your life?

All of these things contribute to your emotional stability.

Listen now to discover the emotional stability boosters that can help you feel grounded and better equipped to handle the struggles that we all face throughout our day.

Do you ever feel like you're just trying to keep up with the speed of tasks and "fires" that come your way? Or the number of decisions you have to make every day?

This is no way for a leader to live! It's critically important for leaders to get out of, what we call, "The Leadership Crazy Cycle," so they have more time to concentrate and lead people to success in their roles.

Leaders who have TIME to lead move businesses forward!

Get your free assessment tool that we’ve developed to help leaders like you determine their current state of health as it pertains to the Leadership Crazy Cycle.

As you listen to today's episode we go over the 3 tools that every leader must replenish to further grow and succeed!

Today’s episode is part 2 of "Personal Responsibility in the Age of Entitlement".

We’re going over how to change your inner dialog, complain less, and move towards taking responsibility for everything that we have control over in our lives!

So while you listen today, think about what Jordan Peterson says, "Treat yourself like someone you’re responsible for helping."

Our theme for the month is Personal Responsibility, and today we’re focusing on how entitlement can easily make us play the role of victims and refuse to accept responsibility for our lives and actions.

The person with a sense of entitlement believes: everything that happens should somehow benefit them. Anything unfavorable or unfortunate that happens in life is happening “to” them.

The person with a sense of responsibility believes: it’s their duty to deal with whatever comes up, to be accountable, and to accept all of the consequences of their own actions.

On today’s episode, we’re going to dive into a topic that I think is very important for the times that we’re living in. Especially, if you’re younger than 40 years old, this could be vital to you!

Today's episode is part 2 of "3 Ways to Avoid Mission Drift". This week we continue with what happens when you've found yourself drifting away from your mission and how to get out of that "crazy cycle".

It’s ok to force a culture of accountability if you want to avoid drift.

Part of forcing culture is teaching your team what is right. Learn how to rehearse your vision with your team. If you don’t catch your team doing it right, they’ll forget what right is. Catch them doing it right, rehearse it, reinforce it, help them memorize it, never forget it.

Leaders must lead to the destination they want to go.

Make every decision count.

Stay accountable to the mission.

Reinforce your very best practices.

Listen now to be sure you're still heading in the direction of your original mission and not experiencing mission drift!

Navigating Life with Courage

You’ve got clarity on your purpose and who you are in life, but what now?

Learn how to maintain your course with confidence!

Today we dive into the three keys to courage in times of trial.

• Take courage- You can choose to be discouraged when setbacks come,

or you can choose the courage to move forward with confidence.

-Anonymous

• Follow your instruments- Find out what instruments God has given you to help you navigate through life.

• Refuse to get off course- you’ve got to refuse to get distracted from your goal and destination!

We have all faced trials through life and business but I would like to help guide you on how to not only make it through these difficulties but to do so without fear, and even rejoicing!

Have you ever found yourself drifting away from your mission? Where you're just trying to survive the "crazy cycle"?

It's easy to get off track and "drift" from your original plan and purpose.

Drifting happens one decision at a time and eventually, your decisions start to drift away from the direction you had set.

We decide our way into drift and we can decide our way out of it...

Today we dive into these 3 ways to avoid drifting away from your original vision:

• Decision making • Constant accountability • Rehearsing Vision

Life and business can get messy! Learn to recognize the signs of falling back into old patterns that do not serve your mission.

Many leaders stumble and fall because of dis-ordered lives, but God wants us to live well-ordered lives. What do you need to do and/or change today, in order to gain perspective and clarity?Beginning with a goal or purpose in life is a great start but in order to discover your purpose you must know who you are at your core. Today we go through the 4 important questions to ask yourself for more clarity on who you are before leading others.

You are not here by accident! You were created on purpose for a purpose!

Making sure you have a a clear purpose might be just what you need to propel you to the next level in life and business.

In this episode, we discuss the path of finding out what that purpose is, and how it will help launch you into your potential.

We also go over what type of effects may occur in your life when you do not have a clear purpose.

Find out today how to set clear goals that will lead to obtaining your personal mission statement and learn how to overcome obstacles along the way.

What’s the number one obstacle that I see when it comes to personal relationships? You guessed it, bad communication. That’s why we revisit this subject so often, because it’s something we have to continually work on. Cultivating healthy communication is a lot like gardening; no matter how much time and attention we invest in the garden of our communication, we’ll always have to deal with the weeds that easily and frequently crop up. There are habits, or learned behaviors, that we all have that can get in the way of real communication. Simple things that you may not even realize you’re doing can choke the information you’re sending or receiving! On today’s podcast, we’ll dig into the garden and discuss three of the most common weeds that we find choking our communication with others.

What are the influences that you're currently choosing in your life?

You know, we all have various influences that are currently at work in our lives, shaping our thought patterns, habits and behaviors, and ultimately our character. The tricky part can be discerning the effect they’re having on us, and what to do about them!

The theme for the month of September has been influence, and in this final episode of the month (wrapping up the 3rd Quarter of 2021) the coaches get together to reflect on the influences that they’ve allowed in their lives - delving deep into both the positive and the negative effects of those choices.

The good news is that we can accept or reject the influences in our lives, it's a powerful choice. I hope this episode helps you to choose wisely!

What’s the number one obstacle that I see when it comes to personal relationships? You guessed it, bad communication. That’s why we revisit this subject so often, because it’s something we have to continually work on. Cultivating healthy communication is a lot like gardening; no matter how much time and attention we invest in the garden of our communication, we’ll always have to deal with the weeds that easily and frequently crop up. There are habits, or learned behaviors, that we all have that can get in the way of real communication. Simple things that you may not even realize you’re doing can choke the information you’re sending or receiving! On today’s podcast, we’ll dig into the garden and discuss three of the most common weeds that we find choking our communication with others.

We talk an awful lot about leadership in-person with our clients and on this podcast, and that’s for good reason. Leadership is a major form of influence in our modern world!

As leaders, we’re interested in helping to shape and impact others in a positive way.

Think about this as a parent. You exert “influence” on your kids, because you want to train them well and prepare them for life; you want them to have a good future.

But, when you think about it, there are many different kinds of influences in our lives. Some are positive and some, well, maybe aren’t so positive.

In today's episode, I want to discuss those other influences that are already at work in our lives. What are some of the forces that currently have sway; what’s forming us, our thoughts, our behavior and our character either positively or negatively?

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Feel free to leave a comment on the podcast platform you’re listening from!

What’s your knee jerk reaction when facing discomfort or pain?

If you’re like most people, it’s to seek to avoid pain and seek comfort. But, that could be the very thing holding you back from growing deeper roots and producing sweeter fruit.

It tends to be the hardships in life that either make us or break us. But, focus for a second on that first part. That tough break in life could make all the difference to you achieving the destiny that God has called you to. How is that?

Most people don’t understand that uncomfortable challenges are the very things that prepare us for our future. Discomfort is the “training course” of life, and without difficulty and pain we’ll rarely find the opportunity to really grow!

This week we continue our discussion of how pain prepares us for our destiny. In particular, you’ll discover three tips on how to respond to and get the most out of discomfort in your life.

It’s a little counterintuitive to think that the things currently causing us pain or stress in life could actually be working in our favor. I mean, we generally tend to avoid discomfort, rather than embracing it, am I right?

Well, let’s spin that around a bit. Lots of people pay good money every month to go to a gym where they workout, sweat, toil, have to endure hardships, and for what? Because they know that where there’s “no pain”, there’s “no gain”!

In today’s podcast, we’re going to dig down into what’s to be gained, and we’ll discover how to turn the tables on our discomfort. Here’s what C.S. Lewis had to say on the matter: Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.

I’d like you to consider this week: what discomfort are you trying to avoid? And how might that perspective be keeping you from growing, improving, and reaching your extraordinary destiny?

As a business owner, can you imagine a day when you start meeting and/or exceeding your target projections because your financial engine is so well-tuned?

Well, I have to tell you that I can, and so can our clients!

Over the last few weeks we’ve been diving into the world of economics, and this week we’ll continue looking at how to build predictability into business finances.

Predictability, scalability and dependability are the order of the day.

This is your future, if you want it!

If you haven’t listened to part one of this podcast, then you might want to start there as it will help to set the direction we go from here.

https://chrislocurto.com/430-building-predictability-into-your-business-finances-part-1/

In these episodes, you’re going to discover not only how to create predictability, which will get you through tough times, but you’ll also learn how to thrive in unstable economic conditions.

Enjoy today’s episode!

Chris

Hey folks,

Have you ever wondered what it would look like to catch a glimpse of a business just as it hit its stride and then catapulted towards success?

Do you think it's possible for any business to just take off like a rocket at any time? Or, is there a natural growth process, a leadership journey, that makes that kind of success possible?

Well, those are some great questions, and I think you’re going to love today’s episode!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with a long-time client and a great friend, Chris Camp, to talk about his leadership journey as a multiple-business owner.

I think you’ll be intrigued with the path he took towards implementing the paradigm-shifting information he was receiving as part of his discovery process for his businesses.

FREE STUFF ALERT! I’ve got a download for you today in the form of our Leadership Success Path. It’ll help you make sense of where you are in your journey and what’s next if you’re ready to grow!

Enjoy today’s episode! Chris

P.S. If you’d like to talk to someone about your own leadership journey and how to take your business through a discovery process, click on this link to https://chrislocurto.com/stratplan/.

Hey folks,

For you small and medium sized business owners out there, can you imagine a day when you start to meet and/or exceed your target projections, because your financial engine is so fine-tuned? I can, and so can our clients!

Over the last few weeks we’ve been diving into the world of economics, focusing on the personal side of that equation, but this week we’ll start looking at how to build predictability into our business finances.

Predictability, scalability and dependability are the order of the day.

In these next few episodes, you’ll discover not only how to create predictability that will get you through tough times, but you might also learn how to thrive in unstable economic conditions. Has anyone experienced some of that in the last year???

Not a business owner? Then maybe you’ll want to revisit our episodes on how to do this exact same thing in your personal finances, so check out the links below! We’ve got just 5 months until this year is over, so this is a GREAT time to get yourself ready for 2022.

Enjoy today’s episode!

Chris

Resources & Links:

https://chrislocurto.com/428-building-predictability-into-your-personal-finances/

https://chrislocurto.com/426-redefining-financial-success-part-1/

Hey Folks!

I don’t know how you feel about it, but it seems to me that problems just never go away. Right?

I mean, every day, no matter how many problems you solve, even more seem to crop up. In fact, the problems that we encounter today are likely more difficult to solve than they were before - ever more complicated! Life is like that, it’s as if it were training us for something.

On today’s episode, we’re going to take a look at the mindset we need, to not just “survive” in this complicated world we live in, but what we need in order to really “thrive”. I’ll tell you right now, it’s not easy to change our mindset about problems, but if you do you’ll be better for it!

Borrowing from one of our nation’s leaders over a hundred years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech with these stirring words:

“I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph.”

Theodore Roosevelt, The Strenuous Life: Essays and Addresses, 10 April 1899

What a “word in season” for that generation just about to encounter World War 1. Let’s glean wisdom from our forebears; let’s learn not to shrink back from our problems, but to run towards them, solve them, and make ourselves and our world better for it!

Enjoy today’s episode, Chris

Hey folks, who out there has experienced something that you didn’t predict or anticipate financially in the last … oh … say 12-18 months? Ha! I think maybe we all did. 2020 gave the word unprecedented a run for its money!

Well, here’s some good news. You can actually start building stability and predictability into your personal finances right now - and it doesn’t require Big Government bailouts or Low Finance loans. Does that sound good to you? Do you want to know how?

On today’s episode, we’re going to dig down into some core financial concepts, as well as answer some of the TOP questions about what it takes to be financially sound even in the midst of a crisis - or God forbid - another pandemic.

You can literally take steps now, to remain unshaken then. Let me know what you think of today’s episode, just reply to this email with your thoughts and questions!

Enjoy today’s episode,

Chris

Today we continue our discussion about money and what really matters in life, as we seek to redefine what financial success looks like.

Here’s something that you may have heard me mention before: Money is the leverage in your decision-making that helps you execute your mission well. How does that hit you?

What goes through your mind when you think about your mission? It doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner, a stay-at-home mom, a college student or a retiree… think about it: what’s your current mission in life and how are you leveraging money to get you to that goal?

I truly believe that financial success is achievable for you, but you might have to make some changes in how it’s defined! I hope you enjoy today’s episode, please shoot me a comment or question about the discussion today, as I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Chris

426 | Redefining Financial Success, Part 1 by Chris LoCurto

Hey folks,

I’ve got a question for you: what’s your motivation for getting up and going to work everyday?

Whether you’ve got a commute across town, or just down the stairs and into the home office, there’s something that’s propelling your work and your work ethic. So, what is it exactly?

Well, what if I told you that there’s a deeper layer to working than just doing the work itself?

On the podcast this week, you’ll discover that there are actually layers of fulfilment; layers that are not so much connected to what we do as to how and why we do them. This can be such a transformational mind-shift for some of us. A game-changer that brings greater joy in life.

Today we’re going “Beyond Tasks” as we examine the higher good that’s waiting in our work!

Enjoy the episode, Chris

Hey Folks,

Have you ever considered that what you've believed in the past is one of the biggest factors in your current experience of life? You see, your beliefs are at work affecting your present reality.

The problem is that so many beliefs go unnoticed in our daily lives, habits and conversations. They’re hard to detect sometimes, like a silent operating system at work in the background. We usually only take notice when we get a persistent error message or the entire system crashes!

Today on the show, our coaches gather together to share personal stories around the topic of belief systems, and what a huge impact they have on our current reality. [Tweet "We truly reap what we sow in this life, and we’ll either be limited or empowered by what we believe and what we know."]

The good news is that we can maintain and even change our beliefs to be more aligned with what we believe to be true. Our beliefs should continue to grow and improve just as we do!

Enjoy today’s episode,

Chris

Hey folks! I’m really excited to share this week’s podcast with you, it’s all about the beliefs that we hold, and specifically the ones that hold us back in both life and leadership. Think about that for a second, there could be things you’re believing right now - that really aren’t true - and they’re keeping you from going to the next level as a leader. "The very way that you believe your life is, the very way that you believe you are, is how you are going to define your worth." "We take our focus off of ourselves, put it on other people, and say "how do we get them to the next level?" Leaders, your worth is not in having the answers, your worth is not in being the one who knows everything. Your worth to the business is to duplicate yourself. It is to make people great." Here are a few sample “lies” that we deal with on this episode; these are limiting beliefs that keep us back, things like:

-I equate my position in the company with my value as a person -My team’s performance is a direct reflection of my leadership -If I show people my ignorance they will lose respect for me

And, well the list is quite long, but you get the point. Everyone of us gets stuck somewhere, inside our own heads, wrestling with limiting beliefs. But, there’s good news, the quicker we are able to identify the lies, the faster we can get to the truth about ourselves or the situation, get unstuck and move past them! Today, you’ll discover how to do just that, helping you to take your leadership to the next level!

422 | A Disciplined Inner Dialogue by Chris LoCurto

I don’t think anyone would dispute the perspective that it's a good thing to leave good things to our children after we’re gone. The book of Proverbs really puts it into perspective for us, “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren…” (Pro. 13:22). Listen to that language! Leaving an inheritance to our children’s children is a good thing to do!

But what usually comes to mind when you hear the words inheritance and legacy?

Today, I want to press beyond our usual interpretations of just money and earthly possessions. Those are “good” gifts, but what about the unseen things that we leave to our children? Things hidden in our root system. We leave all kinds of things, good and bad, for our kids to inherit. Maybe what comes to mind are the intangibles like character, work ethic and skill set. We don’t always equate them with a legacy that gets passed down, but we should!

On today’s episode, we’ll explore what you and I can do today to enrich the legacies that we’ll be leaving behind to loved ones. Imagine the home that you’re building today: I mean the culture and the environment that can literally be felt by a guest when they walk through the door. Things like love and acceptance, peace and a sense of security. Now imagine what might be holding you back from creating the home that you want your kids to inherit.

Changing your family tree means changing yourself first and foremost. It’s hard work - there’s no doubt about it! But the family tree that changes for the better is itself a lasting legacy that extends beyond ourselves; it’s a gift that keeps on giving for generations!

Resources & Links Podcasts referenced: https://chrislocurto.com/403-the-healthy-vineyard/

If you’re like most people, you don’t enjoy conflict.

Proverbs 26:17 says, A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

Quarreling can have some really negative consequences. Most personality types tend to shy away from conflict and confrontation whenever possible. But, it seems more and more difficult to avoid conflict altogether, especially in our social media drenched culture.

So, how do we know when confrontation is helpful or harmful? When should we engage healthily or just leave it alone?

On today’s show, we’re going to discuss where those boundaries are, when to engage in a healthy way, and when to hold your peace. You’ll discover some practical keys to coming away unscathed, while learning the control issues that are usually at play.

If you’ll apply what we discuss on today’s show, then I think you’ll breathe a little easier whenever you have to deal with others who are feeling out of control.

Resources & Links Podcasts Referenced

https://chrislocurto.com/surviving-in-a-world-of-monsters-and-victims/

https://chrislocurto.com/surviving-in-a-world-of-monsters-and-victims-pt-2/

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-self-manage-your-emotions/

https://chrislocurto.com/what-to-do-when-you-feel-out-of-control/

419 | Restoring Willpower For Better Health by Chris LoCurto

Hey leaders, what comes to mind when you think about growing your business?

If you’re like most owners or leaders, then you might think in terms of strategies for increasing revenue, increasing your reach through innovative marketing, or restructuring for increased scalability. Those are great things to think about, but you may be overlooking your most valuable asset: your people.

For me, it all started by looking at my leaders and saying, “If I don’t do something to grow you, then you’ll stay exactly where you are.” And that wasn’t acceptable. So then, I started growing people strategically, and by growing people I was able to step out of my day to day and into a higher level of leadership. That’s when real growth started to occur!

Here’s the deal: growing your team = growing your business. If you don’t stretch the potential, capacity, and output of those who work directly for you, then you may not be ready for the more traditional “revenue related” growth that most leaders are searching for. Let me share a trade secret that I’ve learned after decades of leading people. Are you ready?

It’s easy to think that strategy is all about the business, but “business” doesn’t happen unless people happen first.

I want to see business owners and leaders go to the next level. But, here’s the deal, you’ll never get to a higher level without strategically focusing on the growth of others. Let’s walk through his process together and discover how to Reverse Engineer Your Business Growth!

Well folks, we just wrapped up our 2021 Next-Level Leadership Live Event in Nashville, TN and I have to tell you that it was fantastic!

It was so good to be back onsite, live and in person with you, our friends (who are also clients that we get to serve). This year we added a few fun surprises, making it a truly “Nashville” experience! On Thursday of the event week, during the lunch hour, we got our coaches up on stage to answer questions from the audience. It was powerful and we’re excited to share it with you on today’s episode.

You’re going to hear from business leaders and owners just like you, asking questions about their teams, about hiring, KRA’s, and a few other topics. I think it’ll be thought-provoking to say the least!

416 | Managing The Numbers (So They Don’t Manage You)

Hey leaders, if you’re not living in your numbers, then what are you basing your decisions on?

A lot of leaders tend to shy away from their accounting processes, giving only an occasional glance to the bottom line. It’s tough to make well-informed decisions that affect the overall business without knowing the details of what’s happening in every area.

I hear from clients all the time, “Sometimes I don’t want to see the accounting, because I’m scared of where we’re at.” But that’s precisely why you need to be in the financials on a routine basis, making well-informed decisions that are going to set you up for success.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to managing your numbers and avoiding the pitfalls that so many leaders make. On today’s show, you’ll be empowered to win as I walk you through what you need to do in order to stay at the top of the numbers.

Resources & Links: Related media: https://chrislocurto.com/budget-correctly-or-fail/

This topic is so important to you and your business that we’re spending two episodes to cover it all and cover it thoroughly.

On today’s episode, I reveal the 3rd thing that I think every leader must do before this year is over. But, if you didn’t catch the first two points we covered, then I’d recommend pausing here and going back to listen to part one first.

Ok, so to bring some focus here, I want to share a verse from the book of Proverbs with you. I’ll put it a few different ways so that we can really dig into the value of preparation:

A sensible person sees danger and takes cover; the inexperienced keep going and are punished. The clever see trouble coming and hide; the thoughtless go on and pay the penalty. Be cautious and hide when you see danger— don’t be stupid and walk right into trouble. Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to the trouble and suffer for it.

Notice the words used to describe a person who refuses to take appropriate action and prepare in advance: inexperienced, thoughtless, stupid and a fool. Ouch!

Now take a look at the words used for the person who takes action before trouble comes: sensible, clever, cautious and wise. That’s what we’re aiming for!

Here’s the deal, I want you to have laser-focus this year, and I want you to lead your team and business to success, so that no matter what comes next you’re ready to weather the storm!

It takes hard work and preparation, but the result is so worth it.

Resources & Links

Podcasts referenced:

https://chrislocurto.com/409-three-things-every-leader-must-do-before-2022-part-1/

https://chrislocurto.com/404-replacing-the-negative-influences-in-your-life-with-the-right-ones/

If unity is about coming together, then peace is about staying together.

Einstein said, Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. So, what does it take to come together in agreement and stay in a place of harmony?

On today’s episode, we talk about the necessary ingredients to forging real peace in our homes and the workplace. Humility, vulnerability and understanding are all needed to foster a lasting unity. It’s going to be painful, it’s going to take time, but it’s going to be worth it!

Someone might say, Well, Chris, you don't need to be vulnerable to be on a leadership team. Oh but you do - to be on a successful one.

What’s the goal as a leadership team anyway? To lead the rest of the business to success. If I'm going to lead people well, I must be vulnerable. The same goes for parents: being able to admit when you’re wrong is strong leadership!

You’ve got to be able to get down in the muck in the mire and help others out of it. Right?

You’ve got to be able to be vulnerable with others; you’ve got to show them the flaws and faults and mistakes that you’ve made. So if you don't have trust in your family or leadership team, then I can tell you, you’re probably not being vulnerable and you won’t be truly unified.

So, how do we foster real unity on a team? What does it take and what’s at stake?

413 | Guest MaryBeth Fortner: Her Journey As a Wife and Mother

Continuing our focus on Taking the Lead in Parenting this month, I’m joined in this episode by long-time friend and former colleague MaryBeth Fortner. As you might’ve guessed, not only is she a good friend, but she’s also the wife of our Leadership Development VP, Joel Fortner!

Around here MaryBeth’s claim to fame is being the ONLY person to ever make ME cry while I was leading them through our Next-Level Life process! :-)

Today, we’ll dig into some of the tough topics that we brought up in the last episode, dealing with the baggage that we all bring into our leadership and parenting styles (e.g. things like self-worth, fear of failure, and taking personal responsibility for our families).

We’ll build on the concept that we’re not just raising kids, we’re raising adults by:

Becoming a more confident parent and spouse Pushing through inner struggles and insecurities Learning to be vulnerable with our kids ourselves

You’ll take away more than just a few tips and tricks on leading your kids well; you’ll also get great insight on how to stay on the same page with your spouse as you lead together in a unified direction. Don’t miss this vulnerable, encouraging, and lighthearted episode!

Enjoy the conversation! Chris

Resources & Links

Referenced podcasts: https://chrislocurto.com/412-what-parenting-leadership-have-in-common/ https://chrislocurto.com/parenting-in-the-social-media-age/

There’s no one size fits all approach to being a parent at home or a leader in the workplace. But, these two roles actually have a lot in common. Both are focused on leading others to grow, stretch and become something more than they currently are.

In today’s diverse, multi-functional work and life culture, we need all the help we can get to stay balanced and focused. The truth is that many parents have never been taught how to lead their family well. They struggle with root system issues, and end up making the same mistakes their parents did.

How many times have you heard, or you may have been the person that says, "Oh, I'm not going to be like my parents. I'm going to be completely different than my parents." And then you know, 10, 20 years later, you say, "Oh, my gosh, I’ve become my parent."

Likewise, leaders get promoted to a position over others, and follow in the same pattern they’ve been exposed to. In both cases, there are things we can change that’ll help us grow in our role. I’m going to share three PRO TIPS for parents and leaders to succeed at home and the office.

Resources & Links: Ep 402 “The Leadership Success Path” https://soundcloud.com/chrislocurto/the-leadership-success-path

We’re ending this first quarter of 2021 on a positive note. How’s that? We’re talking about failure. I can hear you now… “Chris, what’s so positive about failure?!” Here’s the deal, failure is a positive thing for those who learn from their mistakes and choose to improve. Where failure is concerned, “if we’re not learning, we’re losing the opportunity”. All of us fail; all of us make mistakes. But remember, you’re only a failure if you choose to be; that is, if you choose not to learn. Learning from other people’s failures is a best-case scenario: a real win-win-win! On this week’s episode, the coaches of the Poimen Group come together for a once-a-quarter discussion. This time around, they reflect on their own failures, mistakes and misfires of the first three months of this year. Today, you’ll discover the process of how Chris, Heather and Joel use failure to grow themselves, their teams, and their families!

Resources & Links iThese podcasts were referenced: https://chrislocurto.com/battling-fear-of-failure/ https://chrislocurto.com/405-you-dont-have-as-much-willpower-as-you-might-think/ https://chrislocurto.com/408-you-dont-have-as-much-willpower-as-you-might-think-ii/ https://chrislocurto.com/406-what-good-is-a-kra/ https://chrislocurto.com/407-michael-hyatt-win-at-work-and-succeed-at-life/

410: John Lee Dumas: The Common Path To Uncommon Success Have you ever wished that the path to freedom and fulfillment was just a little more clear? My friend John Lee Dumas, host of the Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast, has interviewed over 3,000 highly successful people to find out exactly how they made their success happen. His new book releases this month explaining the common path that they took to their uncommon success, and today he joins us on the show! The book is called, The Common Path to Uncommon Success. [Click here to check it out.] John Lee says, I remember reading this quote from Einstein, “Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” And I realized, Well, of course I’m not finding success; it’s because I’m not being valuable to others! That’s when things first began to change for me! You’ll gain insight as we discuss how to be a person of value to others, what all the struggle is good for as you head toward your dreams, and the benefits of persevering where others don’t. Here’s a link to John Lee Dumas’ website where you can find lots of great bonuses when you pick up his book. I know you’ll be excited and encouraged as he guides you along the path! Resources & Links https://uncommonsuccessbook.com/

The Three Things Every Leader Must Do Before 2022! On today’s episode, you - the business owner and the business leader - are going to gain laser focus on what you need to have in place before the end of this year. Why? Well, how many of you remember 2020? It wasn’t that long ago, and it wasn’t much fun! Now, a lot of our clients, the overwhelming majority, did not get hit that hard in 2020. In fact, a few of them have said they had their best year ever! How is that? Because they were focused on the right things, and they weathered the Covid storm well, making only a few small pivots. I can’t tell you how the rest of this year is going to go. But, I can tell you what you need to have in place so that you don't get hit sideways, again, should COVID or something worse happen! This topic is so important to your business that we’re going to spend two episodes on this subject, and I want to hint at the first point right here: Leaders have to plan strategically. But, in order to do so, they first need to take an accurate survey of where they stand. This is a crucial part of good strategy planning, but it’s also something that most leaders are loath to do. Why? Fear and the lack of healthy accounting processes (a subject all its own - and one that we’re going to tackle later this year). So, let me help you today to get over that fear and start pressing into setting a successful strategy for your future!

Resources & Links https://chrislocurto.com/406-what-good-is-a-kra/

Good to Great: Why Some Leaders Make the Leap...and Others Don't, by James Collins: https://amzn.to/2OBT9jG

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson: https://amzn.to/3lpwvqS

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't

Who Moved My Cheese

Willpower is a limited resource that’s easily depleted. What can you do to replenish it? What fuels the self-control and gratification centers of the brain? Today on the show, you’ll discover what makes willpower tick, how it gets depleted and what you can do about it! But, consider this as we get started: Learning what my true worth is, learning how to actually handle situations when my worth is tanking, learning how to handle situations when I'm struggling with something, learning the tools to actually walk through those situations. That's what's going to change you, that's what's going to help you. When you lose self-worth, you are way more likely to lose willpower! When you are strong with your self-worth, your willpower is strong. When you know your worth, then you don’t have the same reactions - cognitively - to situations that would normally deplete your willpower. You may not have as much willpower as you might think, but you do have deeper resources to strengthen your resolve! Consider these things as you move through your day. Choosing joy helps to improve your mood, which increases your willpower. The right motivation can help us persevere, because it allows us to endure suffering. Where are you wrestling with a lack of worth today? Where can you start choosing joy instead of complaining? Resources & Links And download this one-page overview of Willpower, published by the American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/willpower-conclusion.pdf

407 | Guest: Mike Hyatt - Blog & Blast Feeling run-down and tired? Feeling stretched between your obligations at work and home? Can’t seem to find balance between the two? Then, today’s show is for you! “Win at work and succeed at life so you don’t have to throttle back your professional ambition, but you also don’t sacrifice your personal priorities.” - Mike Hyatt Joining me on The Chris LoCurto Show today is long-time friend and founder of Michael Hyatt & Co, Mr. Mike Hyatt! Today we’re talking about Mike’s new book, Win at Work and Succeed at Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself From The Cult of Overwork. (2021 Amazon Affiliate Link) Folks, this is what we teach here, in our Next-Level events, our StratPlans, and on this podcast week after week. We teach how putting the spheres of your life into proper order and priority makes sure that what matters most in life stays healthy, protected and productive. “Success has got to be multi-dimensional in order for it to be sustainable.” - Mike Hyatt Listen as Mike and I talk about learning from our failures, the deep rooted psychological needs we all share for work that matters and a home that nourishes, as well as finding sustainable balance between work and home. You won’t want to miss this impactful discussion! I know you’ll be encouraged by today’s episode as we explore what Mike calls “the double win.” Grace and peace, Chris

Resources & Links https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DL5RHBQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B08DL5RHBQ&linkCode=as2&tag=chrloc-20&linkId=74eb99498b1f9cb039005846eb483d66

Win at Work and Succeed at Life: 5 Principles to Free Yourself from the Cult of Overwork

Hey business owners and leaders, we’ve got what you need!

You need a tool that helps foster greater accountability, clearer communication, and the results that you expect to see in each role on your team, without members being hounded, manipulated or controlled.

On today's show, we're discussing the top tool that we use to make all our teams successful.

As business leaders and owners, we know you want to see RESULTS from every position you hire! But, until team members understand AND take ownership of their roles, the results will be poor and sporadic.

A KRA is a clarifying document that details the areas of responsibility and results expected for every position on your team. It helps every player take responsibility for their part of the whole strategy.

On this episode we answer YOUR QUESTIONS about KRAs, and walk you through the results that you can expect by implementing this tool. But, first, here are some things for you to consider:

When team members accept responsibility for their roles, the responsibility stays where it should and the underlying tasks get accomplished. Without the KRA, the opposite is true - responsibility spills over on others... Or the leader takes it back upon themselves... Or tasks just don’t get done.

What do TEAM MEMBERS experience without a KRA? Wasted time and efforts Lack of communication Fog of confusion Lack of clarity Frustration

What do LEADERS experience when there are no KRA’s? Lack of communication Lack of accountability Missed expectations Wasted resources Wasted money!

DOWNLOAD We’ve got a KRA template for you to download, so you can see exactly what this looks like. [INSERT KRA LINK HERE] LIVE EVENT We’re going to coach you through the KRA creation and implementation process at our Next Level Live Event in Nashville, TN on April 28-30th.

If you’re not getting the results you want with your team, you need to be at this event. Bring your key leaders and the job descriptions of key roles to work on at the event! Visit chrislocurto.com today and click the banner at the top to secure your seat!

[INSERT LINK TO EVENT HERE]

TESTIMONIES (from actual clients)

Jeffrey said, We loved the KRA retreat, it was a shot in the arm in motivating us to keep following through with the KRA’s and to keep them updated.

Joe said, There’s nothing more important than defining the outcomes of each of your team members’ roles. The KRA retreat focused on just that, giving my team and I the space and guidance to put our vision to paper, defining the outcomes we need for each team member to be successful.

Matt said, It was great to be there. Probably better yet to have the amazing freedom to bring two friends that were needing direction and encouragement and immerse them in the culture. Thanks for that!

405 | You Don't Have As Much Willpower As You Might Think

Willpower is a limited resource that’s easily depleted. What can you do to replenish it? What fuels the self-control and gratification centers of the brain? Today on the show, you’ll discover what makes willpower tick, how it gets depleted and what you can do about it! But, consider this as we get started:

Learning what my true worth is, learning how to actually handle situations when my worth is tanking, learning how to handle situations when I'm struggling with something, learning the tools to actually walk through those situations. That's what's going to change you, that's what's going to help you.

When you lose self-worth, you are way more likely to lose willpower! When you are strong with your self-worth, your willpower is strong. When you know your worth, then you don’t have the same reactions - cognitively - to situations that would normally deplete your willpower.

You may not have as much willpower as you might think, but you do have deeper resources to strengthen your resolve! Consider these things as you move through your day.

Choosing joy helps to improve your mood, which increases your willpower. The right motivation can help us persevere, because it allows us to endure suffering. Where are you wrestling with a lack of worth today? Where can you start choosing joy instead of complaining?

Resources & Links: 1) To the original article (source material), https://www.apa.org/topics/personality/willpower

2) To the "one-page" PDF download of main points, https://www.apa.org/topics/willpower-conclusion.pdf

404: Replacing The Negative Influences In Your Life With The Right Ones What you don’t replace may come back to haunt you! Fact: we are creatures of habit. Our habits, thought patterns, and relationships all carry a massive influence on our hearts and minds. The negative influences in our lives must be replaced, not just edited or deleted. In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss how negative influences from these seven areas may be polluting you. Consider these the Seven Deadly Influences you need to get rid of right away! They could be holding you back from a healthier you by keeping you toxic! Learning to unfollow, mute and put up boundaries is important, but then think about where to redirect your attention.

Internet Conflict News Feed Social Media Toxic Relationships Negative Self-Talk Entertainment Streams Fun Distractions

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Ask yourself these questions about those 7 areas of influence: How are you guarding your heart from the negative influences in each of these areas? Where have patterns and habits developed that are having a negative effect on you? What are you putting in place to push out the negativity with things that are positive? Remember: what you don’t replace will come back to haunt you!

Resources and Links: https://chrislocurto.com/2-critical-steps-to-ditch-your-bad-habits-encore/ https://chrislocurto.com/shutting-down-the-negative-voices-in-our-head/

403: The Healthy Vineyard

Have you set yourself up for success this year? Most of us are really good at executing the exterior goals of our careers and passions, but few of us dig into the interior regions of life in order to assess where we’re stuck and need to grow.

Coming off of a GREAT quarterly retreat last week with our Mastermind group, I’m excited to share with you some of the transformational material we covered. More than 30 clients from all over the country came together at our office event space to walk through one of our signature lessons that we call The Healthy Vineyard.

If you’re already familiar with Next-Level Life, then you understand what I mean when I say things like “digging into your root-system”, identifying surface level responses, toxic behavior and - by contrast - what helps you cultivate a healthy vineyard.

If you want to explore more of the Wine and Vine elements, then you can go to a previous podcast episode #198 entitled, What You Have In Common With Wine. But in this episode, we’re going to dig into WHAT MAKES YOU HEALTHY so we can get the weeds out of the garden of your life so you can HAVE A REALLY HEALTHY YEAR!

Resources and Links:

BLOG POST: https://chrislocurto.com/403-the-healthy-vineyard/

DOWNLOAD: https://chrislocurto.activehosted.com/f/4

To help you get (and stay) healthy, we’re including a FREE life-oriented, goal-setting download to help you dig deep into your personal health. Don’t miss this opportunity, while we’re still early in the year, to really set yourself up for success!

This Healthy Vineyard Workbook will walk you through A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS of finding balance in every major category of life - your Wheel of Life. You’ll assess your status, determine what’s healthy and what’s not, then create a tailored action plan.

QUOTES

"The reason we fail at goal-setting and fulfilling new year’s resolutions is because we don’t set ourselves up for success first by gaining good perspective before reaching for the goals."

402: The Leadership Success Path We see a lot of business leaders and owners throughout the year. Many get stuck not knowing where they are in terms of a leadership process; the majority don’t know what to focus on next. Have you ever been there? You get thrown a book that has a 30,000 ft view of what leadership looks like, but there’s nobody coaching you along a path, no one walking with you step by step. Where there’s no comprehensive process, there’s usually something in the organization NOT getting addressed, and it causes leaders to stay at the same level - stuck in the very same rut. As a business leader, you’re probably looking to create change, and you’re asking things like: “Where should I focus that change”, “Where are my energies best spent? and “What should I be doing next?” In this episode, you’ll discover our Leadership Success Path as I unpack three crucial steps that every leader needs to take if they’re going to succeed in business. Where are you on the path?

Resources and Links:

https://chrislocurto.activehosted.com/f/32

https://chrislocurto.com/401-the-leadership-success-path/

401 | Guest Serena Dyksen: A Journey From Broken to Healed

How is fear holding you back from getting the healing you need?

Today on the podcast, we’ve got special guest Serena Dyksen with us. Serena is a published author, speaker, coach as well as a Next Level Life participant. She’ll be sharing her journey from brokenness to healing, the struggles that made her grow, and how She Found His Grace, the title of her latest book - is available on Amazon by clicking this link.

In this episode, Serena and I talk about:

Sexual assault Fear and pain Self-sabotage The Church Redemption Freedom

[Tweet "For some of you, you may be holding yourself back from getting the help and support you need in order to find real healing because of fear. Fear actually plays a baseline role in us not moving from woundedness to wellness: fear of others’ opinions, fear of judgement, fear of risk, etc."]

On today’s podcast you’ll discover the courage you need to move past fear and find freedom!

Joining me on the podcast today is entrepreneur, best-selling author, and speaker Seth Godin.

We have a GREAT conversation together that you won’t want to miss! You’ll discover some crazy-practical insight as Seth and I discuss:

the cost of creativity the value of good work and finding happiness in life

Part of the toxic myth is this thing about authenticity, which is, "Be who you are, do what you want, and things will follow." And that makes a really fine aphorism. But it doesn't actually hold up, if you examine it. In fact, the most reliable way to have a happy life is to make the commitment to like what you do.

You’ll find our conversation inspiring, as well as thought-provoking, as Seth unpacks some of important life-learnings like: how he compares creativity to learning to ride a bike!

Nobody's born knowing how to ride, and the art of learning to ride a bicycle is simply about sticking around long enough that you get over the falling part.

I know today’s episode will shine a ray of light and inspiration onto the road ahead of you!

Resources and Links: https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Shipping-Creative-Work/dp/0593328973/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OADQUEFQIG9K&dchild=1&keywords=seth+godin+the+practice&qid=1610050731&sprefix=seth+godin%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work

How many of you were just itching to push the “reset” button on last year? Or maybe even “fast-forward” past 2020 altogether? Well, we’re finally here!

While I can’t promise you better circumstances this year, I can tell you that your experience of life can definitely be better - if you want it to.

On today’s podcast, we’re breaking down “perspective-gathering” to a practical level, so we can gain more clarity, enjoy deeper relationships, and actually enjoy our lives more.

→ What?! Chris, you’re saying that if I just change my perspective, I can enjoy a better life?!

The short answer is YES! Why? Our attitude towards ourselves, other people, and circumstances all determine how we will experience those things.

Here’s what I know to be true, the greater perspective that we have:

the better decision-making we have,

the better relationships we have,

the less need for control,

the less need for protecting ourselves,

the less need for building up walls,

the less need for feeling like somebody is on the attack

In this episode, I’m going to show you how to slow down, gain better perspective, and (with that perspective) get the most out of your circumstances and relationships.

There is a tendency among leaders today, anybody with responsibility really, to focus on themselves to the detriment of those around them. One reason for this is that responsibility can feel like a weight on your shoulders, and helping others along the way can feel a little daunting!

Nobody wants to end up overwhelmed, and yet healthy leaders eventually learn a trade secret. An unhealthy self-focus might just be what’s holding you back from growing as a leader, not to mention really growing others and leading them well. So, how do we break out of this cycle?

I’ve spent decades learning to lead myself, so I can effectively lead others. Let me walk you down the same path that I’ve walked. On today’s show, you’ll discover:

How to get healthy, so that you can pour into others How to get your relationships into right order of priority *How to get your focus off of you, so you can help others

Resources: Blog Post and show notes: https://chrislocurto.com/healthy-leaders-pour-into-others/ Next-Level Life: https://chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife/ Next-Level Leadership Live Event: https://store.chrislocurto.com/next-level-leadership-event/

Today on the show we're talking about managing the stress of the holiday season. I'll give you some practical advice and solid encouragement for dealing with the various family, home and travel stresses that you're going to encounter this week and next. We'll talk about:

1) What NOT to do. 2) What you should do. 3) And, what's in it for you!

You can do more than just "survive" the season that we're in. You can actually thrive right now where you are, and come out on the other side of this season having gained greater perspective, richer relationships, and more peace than you thought possible.

But, first, we've got to prepare our hearts, and that's what we'll do together on today's show.

Leader, this is how you know whether or not your leadership team is going to succeed: each team member must have and maintain a teachable mindset.

"Each person can choose to take tough conversations as pressure and become self-protective, even prideful, and start to fight with each other. Or, they can use those tough conversations to grow, because they want to be better - each one wants to learn and grow together as a unified team."

Today on the podcast we’ve got a little twist for you: we continue to explore developing your leadership team, but this time I get to interview my own leaders!

We’re going to tackle some tough questions like:

what are leaders missing by not investing (their time, resources, quality communication, etc.) in their own leadership teams?
How do you know when a leader isn't cut out for the leadership team, or when they shouldn’t even be a leader at all?
And what are the major challenges to maintaining high levels of quality communication within the team (and how to resolve those challenges)?

On today’s show we’re going to play the game called “Would you rather?” :-)

Would you rather have SHORT term success and LONG term failure… ...OR… Would you rather have LONG term success and SHORT term failure?!

Think about your response, the choice is yours. Today’s show is about persevering until we find sustained success, which means that we’ll have to press through some short-term failures in order to get to that long-term success we all want.

For some people, that next breakthrough they’ve been after is just around the bend, but settling for less, getting tired, sloppy, and then throwing in the towel can keep them from realizing it. Has that been your story this year?

Has your strength been tested with COVID, the economy, and political unrest? How many times have you gotten up in the morning and wanted to throw in the towel? What do you do when you don’t think you’ve got another good idea in you and you just want to quit?

I’m going to give you a good shot in the arm today - consider it a booster for your enthusiasm and morale - to help you finish this year well!

“Push back against the age as hard as it pushes against you.” - Flannery O’Connor

On the show today, we’re talking about three reasons your business isn’t growing.

THE FIRST REASON - FOCUS ON NUMBERS AND NOT ON PEOPLE. Plans, numbers, projections, agendas, and strategies are all NECESSARY, but the focus should be on the PEOPLE who are going to make that happen - not the other way around!

THE SECOND REASON - LIMITING BELIEF SYSTEM (CRAZY CYCLE). It’s all on them as the “leader” to carry the load.

THE THIRD REASON - FEAR AND/OR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING. They don't know how to execute well.

395 | How Gratitude Helps Your Heart Grow by Chris LoCurto

In today's podcast, we are going to dive into understanding why we label and judge those around us, how we can stop ourselves from living in this negative mindset, and why being self-aware is key in preventing us from living in a false narrative.

It's a scary world out there when we put labels on people.

We live in a culture that is obsessed with cancling people, labeling everyone, and an insane amount of negative self-talk. This can become exhausting, but we also fall short in getting caught up in all of this!

So, how do we survive in this world? Well, it starts with taking responsibility of what YOU do, how you label people, and the boundaries you need to create.

The only thing on your mind today may be the word "leadership" because of this election happening!

Well, as uncertain as the election is, I want to remind all of the leaders that YOUR leadership is one that also needs attention. In a time of fear and uncertainty, your team needs to see you striving for excellence.

In today's podcast, I talk about how we as leaders need to push into our excellence- especially during this time!

Today on the podcast we’re talking about what to do when you don’t like the person you see in the mirror. Self-loathing is not a new phenomenon - it’s part of the human condition. All of us have moments of being disgusted with some aspect of ourselves - whether our appearance, attitude, behavior, etc. Besides that, we live in a world that wholesale BINGES on comparison and the result can quite destructive. The good news is that we can dig into our “root-systems”, deal with the skeletons and excess baggage in our closets, uprooting the lies that we tell ourselves, and self-manage to a healthier version of us.

Joining me on the podcast today is our very own Joel Fortner! Together, we've led hundreds of people through the Next Level Life process - I'm excited that we get to share from that wealth of knowledge and experience!

"You can't change unless you're aware of what's going on"

So, we ask you, leaders, do you know what's going on? In the second part of this podcast, My Leadership Team talks through what being vulnerable looks like, how to build a relationship and trust in your leadership team, and all the outstanding benefits there are in this!

This was so fun for our leadership team and our goal is for you to understand more about our leadership relationship to inspire you to create one that will become stronger in trust, vulnerability, and success!

Today, I take you into my leadership team!

In this podcast, my two leaders, Heather LoCurto and Joel Fortner join me on the show to discuss what it's like to be a leader, what struggles they have overcome, and all the great things they have learned throughout the years.

Control is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. When we really think about it, we have very little control over other people or events: it’s mostly an illusion.

In today's podcast, we talk through how to see clearer in the illusion we give ourselves for

What would your conversations look like if you took a step back to discover different perspectives? How would you manage conflict if you decided to gain the perspective of the other person rather than demanding your own?

Brian Alex and I talk through the art of gaining perspective and how much it can change your conflict resolution, relationships, and lead a life focused on others!

What if you were told that being healthy has more to do than just the food you eat? When we discuss a healthy lifestyle, food is just a portion of it!

Your mindset is another segment of the healthy lifestyle we need to learn how to train! In today's podcast, I talk with Heather LoCurto about how we can shut down those negative voices in our head and find health in it!

As leaders, we can easily get stuck putting out the same fires and dealing with the same issues over and over again. That happens all the time, right? A lot of times it can be the same person that we're having to deal with, the same problems.

You are probably thinking of somebody right now, that you're like, "I have to keep coming back. I just want to stop playing the game and lead from a higher level."

Well, that is what we're talking about today, is being able to do that!

What would your life look like if you stepped into the refining process? When a diamond is being refined, the process takes out the impurities and cleanses it to become whole.

This is a process we can also go through in our own life! Join me on the podcast where we discuss how to refine our emotions, create boundaries, and find a healthy balance to create a life full of refinement.

Today on the show, we are talking about tribes. No, not indigenous people groups, but the kind of tribes of team members who believe in your organization's purpose, follow the vision, and champion the cause.

Tribes follow their leaders willingly. They do it with a desire to follow a leader who is walking out their company's mission. This is crucial to their success, right?

There is no doubt that things are a wee bit crazy in our world right now! Whether you agree with the chaos or not, there’s one thing for certain, we’re all being affected by it. From fear and struggle in the work place, to fear and constant adjusting in the family. And where do we see God in all of this?

This is great stuff we’re diving into today with our guest Tom Bradford.

What happens when you are approached by a team member about an issue they are having with one of your leaders?

This can be a tricky situation for leaders, we've dealt with it first hand, just like you!

Joel and I act out what it should look like when you have to lead through a tough conversation about a leader's performance.

This week we have a special guest on the show to talk to us about what it was like to grow up in the social media age!

We have our very own team member, Steph Hansen on the show this week to discuss her life as she grew up discovering social media! She and I dive into what she experienced as a young teenager, how her parents handled the new generation and where she stands now at 21 years old looking back on her teen years in social media!

This week's podcast I dive into the reality of what our children are experiencing in social media, today.

We need to wake up, parents. These issues are incredibly chilling and our children need our help- they need us to protect them from love! This is not the easiest podcast to listen to but believe me when I say, it is one of the most important and crucial podcast I have done.

Do any of these sound familiar to you? -Competing ideologies that battle for dominance -Islands in your team -Prioritizing self and approval over the company -Lack of respect for leadership or each other

If they do, then you might be struggling with the Culture War in your workplace. Last week, we talked about how to win that war at home, and today, I'll talk about what it looks like to win it in the workplace!

It's tough to be a parent in this culture. In one of our staff meetings, we were discussing how important leading our families well is during this time. There seems to be a cultural war with how we should lead our family, and it’s a vital conversation that we should be having.

This week on the Chris LoCurto show, Joel Fortner (VP of Leadership Development) and I discuss what it is like to raise a family during this time.

All of the world has been affected in some way by the pandemic; it's an event we have all gone through. We're trying to find the rhythm again for both success and peace.

I had the honor of interviewing Rabbi Daniel Lapin on these exact issues. He has incredible wisdom and advice for us as we learn together where we need to place ourselves in these times.

Last week we dove into the negative sides each personality style of the DISC test goes to in moments of stress.

Today, we will be diving into the healthy ways the DISC personality styles can react to stressful times and how to gain a better understanding of yourself!

What happens when we become stressed? There are countless ways that stress affects us and in times like these, it's an important conversation. Brian Alex and I sit down to talk about the ways stress has been affecting us, while touching on the DISC personality styles to talk about how each personality deals with a stressful situation!

How many times have you told yourself you want to make changes in your life? How many times have you read a self-help book, had the energy to change your mindset? Then found yourself setting back into your normal routine of an unhealthy pattern of mindsets, attitudes, and perspectives?

Charlotte Miller had her Next Level Life a few months ago, and like you- she was feeling all those feelings. Her life was not the life she wanted but found it hard to make changes. After her event, she has gained the perspective she needed, changed her mindset and her attitude is completely focused on being her authentic self Our team has been doing Next Level Life's for years and it's always so encouraging to interview our clients to see where they were and where they are today!

Don't wait to make changes, make changes today! Contact Holly at Holly@chrislocurto.com to find out more information about how Next Level Life can change your life.

Through COVID19, it's guaranteed your business had to either adapt to the changes or reinvent how you were doing things.

In this podcast, I walk you through 7 steps that will train you up in preparation for any consequences that could set you up for failure. I want to help you lead your team to success even during these times!

Have you been struggling with this economic downturn and you've been asking yourself some tough questions as a leader? Questions are CRUCIAL, and I’m here to help you navigate those questions, and hopefully give you some answers to them as well!

Your team needs to understand each other and understand what communication looks like- especially for a time like this. In our latest Facebook Live, Joel Fortner and I dive into the DISC personality styles and how it can contribute to your team's success in communication.

While understanding perosnalities is crucial, it has to come with your accountability to each team member. There will always be a high success rate in your team if you understand their personality styles and lead them with accountability!

Are you currently navigating how to lead your team well during this time? There might be fears, questions and uncertainty flooding your head as you lead.

Today, my Vice President of Leadership Development, Joel Fortner, and I cover the questions you may be asking yourself during your leadership in this pandemic.

We have to lead ourselves better during this time. Now is a time when we either fall into the fear cycle of the pandemic or press into truth, values and a better mindset.

During our Facebook Live, Vice President of Leadership Development, Joel Fortner and I sit down to discuss ways to bring these goals to fruition. In order for us to lead others well, we have to start by leading ourselves best.

This past couple of weeks we've been all dealing with the same crisis and our team has worked on helping you all fight this virus and come out of this stronger and better.

Chris and Joel sit down again to talk about how we can handle fear and prepare for the future in our business as well as giving ourselves self-care. We will see the light of this tunnel soon! In the meantime, we are here to give you encouragement and our wisdom to provide peace.

During a Crisis, it can be hard to make sure you're making the right money decisions.

Today, I will be walking you through how to make smart decisions with money during this crisis our world is facing.

Are you confident that you have set your team up for success? I will be answering a question on how to set your team up for success. I am confident if you find the right direction to go for quality communication, continual encouragement and a better outcome of their area your team will improve immensely!

Are there moments in your life when you wished you had a better memory? Maybe you forget what you went to the store for, or you forgot someone's name just five minutes after you met them. Today, I have Elle Sompres on the show and she is talking through her steps of memory training and how we can better this area in our life that so many of us seem to struggle with!

We all do it, we fidget, cross our arms, cross our eyebrows and it is all a silent sign of how we are feeling. Let's dive in today to being more aware of the signs that seem silent, but can actually speak volumes to yourself and your team.

We all seem to be running around our life like crazy and instead of living our life, we start to survive it. Today, I will be giving you signs that may allow you to see if you are just trying to survive and not living.

There is a big chance during this Holiday Season you have been hurt by someone- and that someone is most likely going through a bunch of hurt themselves. This podcast, I get into the understanding that hurt people hurt people and how we can enable correct boundaries when we see this happening around us and in our own lives.

This season demands some healthy boundaries and expectations with those you have to spend the holidays with. In this second part podcast, today I will be discussing further into creating the right balance of how we need to spend this season, fully embrace the reason and the ability to know what we can handle and when we should just walk away from toxicity.

The Holiday Season seems to overwhelm us with overspending, overcommitting and overindulging; making the Holidays much more of a drag than a time of excitement. I am going to be addressing these three common grounds in the podcast today so we may find the balance of saying "yes" and "no".

We all make decisions based off of our influences, past or fears. There has to be a reason for why we look at life through our own personal lens and a way for us to break the patterns, see the reasons and work for the change we desire.

Today, I dig a little deeper in the soil of the Root System and how it affects our lifestyle and business.

We constantly want it; we crave control while our lives continue to be loud and unaware of the lack of stillness we need in our daily walks.

In the second part of this podcast, Brian and I continue to talk through the ways we can lose our obsession for control and give it back to God.

Finding value in our success, our business and our life can create a position of constantly wanting control and failing to trust God in the process. We need to establish our core value in the Creator of all things, even in our businesses.

Brian Alex and I talk about what it is like to let go of control, finding our value in Christ and how to continue the patterns of following Him when that may look like letting go of our current situations.

Most brands dream of becoming viral overnight, but Claire Diaz-Ortiz is here to tell us that social media should be done in a very different way.

Today I talk with Claire about her new book, "Social Media Success for Every Brand: The Five StoryBrand Pillars That Turn Posts Into Profits" to gain insight on what she has to say about businesses and their social media platform

Holiday's are approaching and our goals we set back in January are sneaking up on us.

Today, I will be talking about how to confidently finish the year off strong, accomplishing the goals you wanted and not getting overwhelmed.

Ask yourself the right questions, ask your team the right questions and be ready to finish the year off well.

You Don't Have To Be "Stuck," To Experience Life Change

Meet, Matt Fenske, a leader and father who wasn't seeking life change, but found transformation anyway.

In our conversation, we talk about finding more contentment and a richer marriage while growing as a leader.

Get the full show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/you-dont-have-to-be-stuck-to-experience-life-change/

Feedback can seem useless and unproductive when not received well, or given by someone unhealthy.

Today, I will be guiding the leader YOU are in how to receive quality feedback; inviting it to be productive on both sides so your leadership can grow, with your team: https://chrislocurto.com/how-leaders-can-get-productive-quality-feedback/

This can be one of our biggest leadership blindspots.

We often think we're open to feedback, but how we receive it keeps us from our greatest leadership opportunities.

Learn how to find quality feedback and create opportunity: https://chrislocurto.com/discover-the-leadership-opportunities-youre-missing

You may have unhealthy patterns in your life you are unaware of...

Today we will recognize these patterns and find solutions to prevent them from repeating in your life.

Go here to get this week's download >> https://chrislocurto.com/you-repeat-what-you-dont-repair/

If you are wanting more from your team, you can either make excuses for them or you can create solutions to get the team you desire.

Discover what may be holding them back, and learn how get the most out of your team.

Get this week's free leadership download here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-get-more-out-of-your-team/

Our relationships have a profound impact on our lives.

They can have a healthy influence in our life or a toxic influence, and I want you to feel confident in how you evaluate the community in your life.

Learn the characteristics to look for, important action steps, and discover whether or not you have chosen a healthy community.

Get this episode's free download on choosing healthy community here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-choose-healthy-community/

Do you feel like your business, project, or new leadership process is ready to scale?

Learn the important keys you must consider when scaling. There are 3 steps I am encouraging any kind of leader to take before they rush into scaling.

Get this week's free download on 3 Critical Ways To Scale here >> https://chrislocurto.com/is-your-business-set-up-to-scale/

Today, I'm getting personal and giving everyone an inside look into my leadership over the last 25 or so years.

If you understand and believe these three things I’m about to share, then you can take the right steps to move forward.

It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in... It doesn't matter what your specific issue is...

Learn 3 critical lessons to succeed in leadership.

Get resources and full show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/3-critical-lessons-from-my-leadership-journey/

Toxicity creates disunity, inefficiency, low productivity, gossip, backstabbing...the list goes on.

What do we do about it? How do we prevent it?

Learn how to stop toxicity as a leader.

Full show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-stop-toxicity-as-a-leader-encore/

Why do we get stuck in life? What leads us there?

Here is the thing about being stuck: none of us plan for it, none of us quite know what to do with it, but it is never impossible to overcome and get moving again.

Learn 3 reasons we end up stuck, and how to reset and live the life you want.

Full show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/3-powerful-actions-to-take-when-you-feel-stuck-in-life/

Tough stuff happens in our lives. How do you navigate work during a life crisis? There are healthy, and unhealthy tendencies when coping at work. Choosing unhealthy patterns can damage relationships and potentially your future at the company, long after the crisis is over.

Get this week's free pdf on " 4 ways to deal with life difficulties, without damaging your working relationships" here: https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-handle-work-through-a-life-crisis/

Are you stuck in "maintenance mode"?

It may look like...

No roadmap or strategic goals to help you get there
Overwhelmed leaders that are spread too thin
Team members showing up for just a paycheck

Learn 3 reasons leaders get stuck in "maintenance mode" (and how to get out) >> https://chrislocurto.com/3-areas-that-hinder-leadership-momentum/

One of the best ways to make stronger decisions for your future--and ditch your bad habits--is by learning the power of Core Impacts.

Learn how to ditch your bad habits: https://chrislocurto.com/2-critical-steps-to-ditch-your-bad-habits-encore/

Folks, on the show today we have a very special guest!

Patrick Devereaux is a husband, father, leader of leaders, and medical professional. His leadership growth, and its impact on his team and the business has been incredible to watch.

I wanted to bring him on the show because…there’s a lot to learn from Patrick.

He has been killing it as a leader, in the past year... He has opened another new business location and put a brand new leader in charge Grown team buy-in, that's allowing him to raise up new leadership Create alignment on the team creating focus in the most important areas Less stress and overwhelm personally High quality communication with his team Eliminating what's not important

Visit the show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-become-a-leader-worth-following/ Learn how to get these leadership results >> ChrisLoCurto.com/Mastermind

They shape our beliefs, decisions, and actions.

Lies hold us back from becoming something greater, from believing in yourself, from becoming the leader you want to be, from being at peace, from _________.

Learn how to ditch the lies keeping you stuck in a rut: https://chrislocurto.com/lies-we-believe/

Marriage can be one of the most amazing parts of your life, and it can be the most stressful, challenging thing in your life - or anything in between.

Without the right answers and tools, unity breaks down and we weaken the relationship.

Get the free pdf download of "4 Principles to Build a Stronger Marriage" here >> https://chrislocurto.com/building-a-strong-marriage/

There is a process every leader needs to follow when it comes to leading.

It starts with a compelling Mission and Vision...you have to know it, your team has to know it, and everything needs to be aligned to it.

Find out if the direction of your business is compelling and led well: https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-get-the-direction-your-business-needs/

A large part of the transformation that help others obtain, is getting rid of force-of-habit mindsets, and broken belief systems. In this episode I'm going to help you discover:

The "If, then" theory and how you're most likely trying to gain self-worth and value from the future. The broken belief system that what you're currently doing is filling the void that you're feeling. *How you actually already have permission to do what makes YOU healthy and pursue the things that will transform your life!

Resources and show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/the-3-negative-mindsets-holding-you-back-right-now-encore/

There's a bottleneck in business that causes us to lose our footing and come to a crashing halt.

It doesn't matter if you're leading 2, if you're leading 2000... it can happen to you. You can fall into the trap of being people dependent or process dependent. It's a two-sided equation, and you must be balanced on both sides.

Learn 4 questions you can ask to discover if you’re people or process dependent (and get the free download) >> https://chrislocurto.com/people-process-productivity/

This is the 2nd of 3 bottlenecks that keeps your leadership, and therefore your team or business from growing: correcting culture. If you missed the first bottleneck, catch up here: bottleneck #1.

Learn what to do this week to stop the bottleneck, and have a phenomenal culture that drives results >> https://chrislocurto.com/the-bottleneck-that-keeps-leaders-from-correcting-culture/

One of the most frustrating leadership situations…is trying to lead an uncoachable team member.

We're giving you a 5-step framework to lead team members to clarity and ownership. AND we're role-playing the conversation so you can hear how to lead it in real time.

Learn the 5 steps to lead an uncoachable team member today.

Get your free pdf with the 5 steps here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-lead-an-uncoachable-team-member/

Performing to the level of our “unpreparation" is a serious bottleneck that keeps teams and businesses from growing. Here's how to avoid one of the biggest leadership bottlenecks.

Full show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/the-leadership-habit-limiting-your-teams-potential/

Self-protection sneaks into our lives in subtle ways. Here's the problem: it's one of the greatest is the enemies of vulnerability and progress. Don't let self-protection keep you from your greatest growth: https://chrislocurto.com/how-self-protection-kills-your-growth

This is a special episode of The Chris LoCurto Show! My team and I put on the Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event in May (2019), and we had a LIVE Q&A session. What. Phenomenal. Questions.

Full show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/live-qa-from-next-level-leadership

Do You Fear Success? For most of us, it's as common as fearing failure, but much more subtle...

Have you ever felt like pure joy or happiness, and then the next moment felt a sense of anxiety? When things are going really well in life, do you start wondering...When is the 'shoe going to drop'? Do you find yourself wandering down the what if paths?

Fear of success is exhausting, and it keeps us from experiencing joy and deep peace.

Learn the 3 signs you fear success, and how to experience more peace >> https://chrislocurto.com/do-you-subconsciously-resist-success/

Want more ROI?

Learn how this leader set a rock-solid business foundation, increased productivity, and broke financial records by serving her team.

https://chrislocurto.com/turn-team-investments-into-better-business-roi/

The average iPhone user gets 1,377 notifications per month.

Then there's desktop notifications, social media, news on your tv, radio, what your friends, family, neighbors are telling you...And it’s no different in leadership. There's constant noise about what you "should be" focused on.

Here’s the kicker: so much of it is KEEPING us from doing what actually works.

Ask yourself: 1. Am I growing or getting distracted? 2. Is my leadership growth measurable and producing results?

Learn 3 ways to cut the noise and get measurable leadership growth.

Get this week's free download here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-cut-the-noise-and-do-what-works/

Where are you blind to unhealthy leadership? Learn how a C-Level leader discovered his blindspots, and the steps he took to become healthier, more equipped leader.

Some of his struggles may sound familiar…

Bogged down in tasks that aren’t his strengths Anxious about outcomes *Worried his team doesn’t have complete confidence in him as a leader

Learn what the healthiest version of yourself, and your leadership could look like.

Discover more about your Next-Level Life and take the next step: ChrisLoCurto.com/discover

Full show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/what-blindspots-are-keeping-you-from-healthy-leadership/

Get Results: Stop Settling For Task Completion

It's NOT the task that wins, it's the result of the task that wins.

Do you have a task result gap? It may look like this... * Tasks are getting completed, but KPIs aren't being hit * You don't see the results from the vendors that you were promised * Team members come to you seeking your solution to every issue instead of taking steps to solve it

Close the Task-Result gap and start seeing more ROI in your role, on your team, and in the business: https://chrislocurto.com/get-results-stop-settling-for-task-completion/

In the next 15 seconds... could you recite the company's mission statement by heart? Can your leadership team repeat it?

Get this week's free download "Define Your Mission" here >> https://chrislocurto.com/dont-be-shark-bait-define-your-mission-achieve-your-purpose/

Can you see the mission statement being reflected in...team conversations? Actions and attitudes in the culture? Tasks?

The more your mission statement drives your culture, the less time you will spend "fixing" bad actions and attitudes.

Define your mission to guide culture, inspire team members, and clearly guide your decision-making.

Key takeaways:

To get to the healthiest you, you have to understand how you got to where you are today. Sure, you may know you struggle with control, taking on too much, anger, you fill in the blank...but those responses don't change until you understand where they're coming from.

We're digging into the why and how of getting to our best selves today with Becky Taylor.

Take the next step here >> ChrisLoCurto.com/discover

So many leaders think they have revenue problems, team member problems, productivity problems, when what they REALLY have is a culture problem.

For full show notes and resources, go here >> https://chrislocurto.com/culture-covers-a-multitude-of-sins/

Today’s episode is strategic and tactical, AND you get a sneak peek into our operations...it's about getting solid execution at every level of your business.

In our interview, you’re going to learn how to…

Have more effective internal communication Give accountability at the task level without getting bogged down *Improve execution on projects.

Show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/my-favorite-tool-for-communication-and-execution/

"What is the fastest way to success?"

This question started Tom Ziglar's journey to discovering the answer.

You can you achieve massive change without massive upset. In Choose to Win: Transform Your Life One Simple Choice at a Time, Tom maps out the simple, daily process to create success and more importantly, your legacy.

Learn how to create real change, significance, and legacy starting with 15 minutes a day.

Show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/creating-a-legacy-with-tom-ziglar/

When team members are creative and take risks, there's increased productivity, innovation, money-making ideas, and team members contributing to growth and bottom line.

Learn how to foster creativity on your team to improve their results >> chrislocurto.com/increase-your-teams-productivity-by-fostering-creativity/

In this podcast we are talking about not just making decisions, but making strategic decisions. Decisions that lead to the results you desire. Decisions that create movement and build momentum...

Listen in to learn how to make stronger, strategic decisions as a leader.

Show notes and further resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-be-a-stronger-strategic-decision-maker

What is a Middle Eastern lens? How does it apply to leadership? What can the Bible teach me about being a business owner?

Kristi McLelland is taking us to Biblical leadership school on today's episode and answering those questions.

Learn how a Middle Eastern perspective can change your leadership, and life >> https://chrislocurto.com/same-bible-middle-eastern-lens-better-leadership/

Money isn’t greedy. Money isn’t elusive. Money isn’t fair or unfair. Money isn’t status. Money isn’t a bad thing!

Money is what we make it.

Money is a piece of paper or chunk of metal, and it’s our mindset that determines our relationship with it. Wealth and poor are both mindsets!

Learn your money mindset, and discover greater wealth: https://chrislocurto.com/2-powerful-money-mindsets-that-predict-our-wealth/

Key Takeaways:

Sign a poor mindset is owning you [3:20] An origin of our "poor mindset" [4:42] Why money isn't a slice of a pie...[5:19] Other telling signs of a poor mindset [9:09] What your life looks like when you have a wealth mindset [11:16] How I grew out of a poor mindset [14:26] *What I learned from Paul about a wealth mindset [17:45]

Learn how to resolve conflict and strengthen your relationship in 5 steps!

Free download here >> ChrisLoCurto.com/314

Key Takeaways:

Step #1 when you're in conflict to avoid damaging pitfalls [6:40]
What will NOT help you in resolving conflict [13:11]
What actions and words refuse to take responsibility in conflict and perpetuate the conflict [13:33]
Step #2 to shift your focus to resolution [17:19]
Step #3 to get both people on the same page [23:28] How to set boundaries when someone is trying to hurt you [20:29]
Step #4 to find growth instead of gridlock [24:52]
Step #5 to finally resolve conflict the healthy way [27:15]

Learn how to lead your team through conflict, struggle, and difficulties…right down into the details of what to say when you’re leading these conversations!

Show notes and resources here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-tackle-tough-conversations-with-your-team/

TODAY is the last day to save $100 ($160 on each if you buy 2 or more) on your Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event tickets!

Don't miss it - it ends 1/29 at MIDNIGHT >> ChrisLoCurto.com/Events

Key Takeaways:

What holds back leaders from longterm success with tough conversations [1:42]
Learn the two outcomes of tough conversations for your team [06:05]
The powerful method to get you started with tackling tough conversations [06:57]
How to sideline what will keep you from being successful leading your team member to a solution [09:44]
How to gain perspective from the team member [11:20]
Next steps in guiding tough conversations [15:56]
How to guide your team member to “self-discovery” [18:52]
What to do when a team member is defensive, difficult or defiant in a tough conversation [21:57]

Leading yourself better looks like: * Personal freedom * Contentment * Less stress * Fulfillment * A more productive, unified team * Greater ability to change lives

Discover how to change your life by leading yourself better >> ChrisLoCurto.com/310

Key Takeaways:

Discover why it matters to lead yourself? [1:51]
What leading yourself means [2:39]
Learn the benefits of leading yourself better [3:37]
What keeps us from leading ourselves well [10:20]
What to do when your personal leadership issues become strategic issues for the business [16:57]
Action step 1 to lead yourself better this week [17:41]
Action step 2 to lead yourself better this week [18:19]
How to be intentional with leading yourself better [23:18]

Some of you may want to acquire a business or some of you may want to start a franchise and become an entrepreneur. Some of you may want to add a new revenue stream or division to your company...

Is your business idea a golden opportunity or a distraction?

Here's how to discern if your newest opportunity is a winning strategy, or a harmful distraction: https://chrislocurto.com/5-step-framework-to-evaluate-new-business-opportunities/

Key Takeaways:

Key #1: the VERY first piece you need to know when evaluating winning business opportunities [6:52] Key #2: how look at every single opportunity as an outside investor [12:22] Key #3: discovering how to supply the energy a new opportunity requires, so your current money makers don’t suffer [15:22] Key #4: the personal steps you can take as a leader to make sure it’s a golden opportunity instead of a distraction [22:37] Key #5: how to uncover if new opportunities align with current strategy [26:02]

Get this week's download on "How To Set Stronger Goals" here >> https://chrislocurto.com/4-mistakes-leaders-make-in-goal-setting/

Key Takeaways:

Understanding what goal setting ISN'T [1:18]
Master the 1st step in setting your goals up for success[5:36]
A key to accomplishing goals: setting up 90 day initiatives [11:21]
How to proactively remove roadblocks to stop goal failure [15:21]
Address the thought process that keeps your goals too small [17:39]
The trap that holds leaders back from setting attainable goals [22:30]
The final goal setting step most leaders neglect [27:13]

Guilt is something that I have struggled with throughout my life. It's a weight that I carried around until I learned how to get free from it.

There's no magic mantra. But today, if you struggle with guilt or have ever struggled with guilt, then I want to tell you how I learned to grow from it so you can too.

Take the next step to getting free from guilt and what's holding you back >> chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife

“There are far, far better things ahead, than any we leave behind.” CS Lewis

To get to those better things, to have freedom, peace, and an incredible future, we have to let go of things. The things we hold onto from the past, poison our future.

Get today's download on "4 Steps To Let Go And Find Peace" here >> https://chrislocurto.com/4-ways-to-break-free-from-bad-patterns/

Merry Christmas everyone!

This season is about who He is, not about the consumerism, buying gifts, what you get when you wake up that morning...The reason we celebrate, is Jesus.

There are some misconceptions about The Christmas Story and the birth of Jesus. One in particular, that after I learned the truth, really changed some feelings that I had around Christmas and some struggle that I've had.

This episode, we're looking at the birth of Christ through a Biblical, and Middle Easter lenss

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Fear controls. Fear can keep you from living a great life, and being successful in business and leadership. Listen to today's episode to learn how fear stalls leadership growth (and how to eliminate it).

You can hear this lesson, learn it, deep dive on it, and take action at Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event! We’d love to see you there and see the same results (regardless of where you are) in your leadership, or business.

Go to http://bit.ly/2roxLPH to get your tickets TO-day. Don’t keep holding YOU back!

Learn how to kill the Leadership Crazy Cycle robbing you of time, money, and sanity.

Hear it from Cindy Taylor, a leader and business owner who just got out of the Leadership Crazy Cycle, gained 20+ hours back to her week, increased team productivity, and got her life back.

You can hear this lesson, learn it, deep dive on it, and take action at Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event! We’d love to see you there and see the same results (regardless of where you are) in your leadership, or business.

Go to https://chrislocurto.com/events to get your tickets TO-day at $200 OFF.

In this episode, you'll go inside Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event…where you’ll hear me answering leaders' and business owners' questions on becoming an excellent leader and day-to-day operations.

TODAY(Cyber Monday) you can save up to 30% OFF Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event tickets.

Don’t miss it - it's up to 30% off for 1 day only.

Go here to get your tail to this event, to get the results you want in your leadership and business >> http://bit.ly/2Acfp8v

Successful leaders and business owners, those who are running successful businesses control time rather than letting time control them.

NOTE: If you do not have the time to set your team up for success, you are not leading.

Learn the proven strategies you can practice daily to get out of overwhelm now.

And get your coupon code for up to 30% off Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event tickets when we launch next week >> chrislocurto.com/cybermonday

Leaders, business owners, moms, dads, millennials...we all do it.

We compare ourselves to others. We try and convince ourselves we're worth something by getting others to approve of our choices, clothes, houses, cars, and spouses. We think we're the only ones struggling.

How do we stop? How do we learn to rest, and know we're enough and loved? How do we find our worth from Christ?

Listen to today's episode to learn how to break free from the striving, and start seeking your worth in God >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-know-youre-loved-by-god/

Key Action Items:

Discover where you're getting your worth [2:19]
The comparison trap leaders fall into and how to spot it [4:12]
What we're really doing when we try to impress others [6:14]
How to know what God says about you, and your self-worth [7:51]
2 things that hold us back from understanding our worth in Christ [17:42]

Excellence is something so many business owners and leaders automatically expect from their team, but does the team know what excellence looks like in the first place?

Listen to this week's episode for the 2 ways to create excellence in your workplace this week:

What a lack of excellence looks like [0:55] What excellence in the workplace looks like [4:11] The first thing you have to ask yourself/the place to start if you want your team to be excellent [6:08] How to approach training your team on excellence [7:25] How to create a culture of excellence by teaching excellence [8:23] Where to put your leadership focus to ensure your team takes on excellence [10:08] Your weekly action step #1: how to reward excellence so it’s repeated [12:56] Action step #2: how to stop a lack of excellence in its tracks [15:06]

How To Grow Your Leadership (and bottom line) with Daniel Good…

Read the full interview here >> https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-lead-a-culture-of-ultimate-team-ownership/ Learn how to take the next step here (mastermind) >> https://chrislocurto.com/mastermind/

It damages your health, disrupts your productivity, negatively affects the way you treat others, and reduces your ability to trust in God...

Worry.

For more resources on how to replace worry with peace, go here:

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-replace-worry-with-peace/ https://chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife/

Everything you do right in a meeting is wasted if there's not a plan of action...

Why Your Meetings Suck is an easy read packed with information on how to have productive meetings that get results…and that your team even enjoys. It’s 7 chapters on what to avoid when it comes to meetings, and how to make your team come alive. It’s a great resource, and digital download, and it's free. Get it here >> https://chrislocurto.com/296

There's a world of difference between "team members" and "employees."

Team members produce excellent work, and drive success. Employees produce subpar work, and watch the clock all day so they can drive... home... right at 5 o'clock.

How can you better lead so that employees transform into team members?

Learn how to inspire loyalty, buy-in, and productivity in your team this week >> http://bit.ly/2RucZtW

Negative people poison the lives of those around them... How are you dealing with negative people in your life? How do healthy people deal with negative people and their toxicity?

Listen to this episode learn how to handle negative people without getting sucked into their drama.

Resources:

Episode 283: 5 Ways To Work As Unto God, Not People >> http://bit.ly/2L4hcVC

Boundaries [book] >> https://amzn.to/1v5oI06

Next-Level Life >> http://bit.ly/2BKr7Ko

Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life

There are 168 hours/week, and the average person has less than 3 "free" hours per day.

With such little free time each day, how do you fit time with God into your life... let alone grow closer to Him?!

Learn the 5 practical steps I follow (plus my morning routine) to draw closer to God >> chrislocurto.com/293

Your 5 minute Leadership assessment to see where you are in the Leadership Crazy Cycle >> chrislocurto.com/292

Go here for today's free pdf download >> http://bit.ly/2MUOQy3

Key Action Items from this episode!

Learn the 6 ways you may be your own worst enemy [6:10]
Uncover the false beliefs hiding under procrastination [7:07]
Hear the most common 'lies we believe' [10:37]
Set the right healthy boundaries [15:02]
Discover the signs you struggle with self-worth [19:14]
Learn how to stop seeking self-worth from man [20:46]
How the blame game holds us back...[24:38]

Lead people with dignity and you get incredibly productive team members. Lead them with fear and you get paralyzed office decorations. Episode show notes: chrislocurto.com/how-to-lead-when…team-is-failing/

Episode resources:

Episode 220: How To Overcome Your Fear (And Its Root Cause): bit.ly/2HkJlVz DISC Personality Profiles: bit.ly/2sfdAp8

Worry, insecurity, needing to be right, fearing failure, marriage problems, seeking approval, getting offended easliy…The problem is this junk holds us back until we gain perspective on it. Here's how to overcome it…NOT put a bandaid on it.

We guide people through a 2-day process to help them get past the "junk," improve relationships, and discover what's holding them back from peace and freedom in life. What would that look like in your life? Get more information, and find out here: chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife

No, you'll never find true balance! Life is unbalanced by design...but you CAN get healthier in the areas that matter most to you without getting burnt-out.

GET the "Wheel Of Life Goal Setting" Worksheet pdf here >> https://chrislocurto.com/why-your-life-is-unbalanced-and-how-to-fix-it/

People need consequences when they screw up, but punishing a team member is the worst kind of leadership in my book! What leadership actions are holding you and your team back?

Resources from this episode:

Where Successful Leaders Spend Their Time >> https://chrislocurto.com/where-successful-leaders-spend-their-time/

Learn how to get out of the leadership crazy cycle >> https://chrislocurto.com/the-leadership-crazy-cycle/

Other resources here>> https://chrislocurto.com/the-worst-kind-of-leadership/

It is so easy for us to just let life pass us by and to not take action, to not DO. What about those things that you want to accomplish that you're not getting to? Are you letting life pass you by?

Discover how to create the Next-Level Life bucket list in this episode, and learn more about Next-Level Life --> https://chrislocurto.com/nextlevellife/

There’s something that can hold leaders back from effectively making changes and seeing results: allowing poison and toxicity from team members to seep into culture.

Toxicity creates disunity, inefficiency, low productivity, gossip, backstabbing...the list goes on. What do we do about it? How do we prevent it? https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-stop-toxicity-as-a-leader/

Takeaways: * Even if you found the "magic pill" to make you money like crazy, none of it would matter if you've got a toxic culture. * We allow this toxicity into our culture because we either don't know how to stop it or we're choosing not to recognize it. * Culture = actions + attitudes * If you don't create the culture you want, the wrong culture will be forced on you. * When we allow the "blame game" we start to allow poison to seep into the culture. * When we bring toxicity into the building, into our culture, what happens next is you start to see a replicating behavior. * Accountability is not pointing out flaw in others or judgment, it's lovingly helping them to succeed by lifting them up, asking the right questions, helping people get to the solutions they need...https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-stop-toxicity-as-a-leader/

"It felt like I couldn't really be true to myself because I was constantly hiding behind this mask."

On today's episode we're talking with Andrea Lingenfelter.... She's a wife, a mom of two adorable kids, and a leader. She's recently been through our Next-Level Life event, and StratPlan with her team.

Here's what you'll discover on this episode:

What holds us back from our authentic selves How understanding our Root System repairs relationships The lies keeping us from more clarity and peace (we ALL have them) How the crazy cycle of seeking acceptance keeps us from growth *How to find freedom and peace in everyday life

Andrea L: Now I don't start out the day with that weight on my shoulders....

I'm more positive with my kids in the morning, I'm more positive with my husband. I come into work with a huge smile on my face just ready right when I come in the door to say, okay, here's what we're doing, let's kill it today.

...before, I struggled and juggled and I had a lot of issues with setting priorities and constantly feeling like a failure because I was trying to do the walk of life on my own, and I was just constantly beating myself up for it.

Chris LoCurto: I think this is the way many people are...you made the mention of beating yourself up. What was that like?

Andrea L: I constantly believed all the lies I would tell myself and I couldn't see clearly enough that they were lies.

I told myself that I was never good enough, and that I needed to be in full control and show control over my emotions at all times, and I saw myself as a failure and that I needed to be perfect.

It felt like I couldn't really be true to myself because I was constantly hiding behind this mask...keep reading our interview here: https://chrislocurto.com/next-level-life-what-keeps-us-from-freedom/

We spend so much of our lives in our work life trying to please people, almost every single one of us. In this episode you'll learn 5 ways to work to please God, not people.

https://chrislocurto.com/5-ways-to-work-as-unto-god-not-people/

If you have the wrong people in leadership roles, training them to be excellent and developing their leadership will be an uphill battle and it just may be in vain. Before you start this process, make sure you've listened to Episode #281: How To Spot Potential Leaders.

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-train-up-high-performing-leaders/

Biggest takeaways: - The best starting place is creating your Leadership List - Solving people problems > solving business problems - If you expect your leaders "know what to do," and just give them directives - you've already set them up for failure - Servant leadership is non-negotiable - The Leadership Team Meeting - The 5 questions I ALWAYS ask when there's a failure or mistake to solve it for good - It's okay to let your leadership "squirm" - you can't "solve" their problems - Don't let teachable moments pass you by... - If you're in the Leadership Crazy Cycle, you can't do any of the above.

Teaching future leaders how to solve problems is paramount. So is turning the above takeaways into action. Here's how to make excellent leadership a habit:

This week's key action items:

Creating your "Leadership list" [2:00] Evaluating your "Leadership list" [4:30] How to implement The Leadership Team Meeting [7:00] How to prepare your team to lead meetings, interviews, etc. [12:45] Capitalizing on "teachable moments" [15:24] The 5 question process to SOLVE problems once and for all [17:43] Getting out of the Leadership Crazy Cycle [21:14]

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-train-up-high-performing-leaders/

The #1 mistake many leaders make in raising up leaders, and the question you must answer to spot great leaders. Here's what you need to be asking...https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-spot-potential-leaders-on-your-team/

You may see parts of you in these 8 negative people. The truth is, we all struggle. If you've not listened to part 1, go listen to it!

Here are the last 4 Negative People You Should Avoid... The Impossible To Please The Manipulator The Judge The Self-Critic

The Naysayer, The Know It All, The Drama Queen, and The Taker. Learn how to spot these folks, and learn what you can do to protect your well-being against the lies that come from these types: https://chrislocurto.com/8-negative-people-you-should-avoid/

Profit sharing is a huge motivator for your team, and does a great job getting your expenses down.

But implementing it isn’t intuitive... How much should I share? How much is too much? *How often should I pay out profit sharing?

The answers on today's new episode: http://bit.ly/2LDtEY7

How do you use money to motivate your team?

On today's podcast we're talking about profit sharing, here's what you'll discover: * How to implement a profit-sharing plan * The 2 key questions to determine your profit sharing plan * When to do profit sharing * A Profit Sharing Matrix

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-implement-a-profit-sharing-plan/

What is victim mentality? What does it look like? Why are people victims? Can you unlearn it? What are the steps to stop being a victim?

We cover all of those questions in today's episode.

https://chrislocurto.com/what-makes-us-powerless-and-how-to-stop-victim-mentality/

Part 3 is here!!

We shy away from our weaknesses, but one of the most important parts of being a strong leader, is understanding and overcoming our weaknesses. Learn the 7 Enemies Of Your Leadership Success.

https://chrislocurto.com/7-enemies-of-your-leadership-success-episode-3/

Part 2 of 3: We shy away from our weaknesses, but one of the most important parts of being a strong leader, is understanding and overcoming our weaknesses. Learn the 7 Enemies Of Your Leadership Success.

https://chrislocurto.com/7-enemies-of-your-leadership-success-2/

We shy away from our weaknesses, but one of the most important parts of being a strong leader is understand and overcoming our weakness. Learn the 7 Enemies Of Your Leadership Success.

http://bit.ly/2I6vNKz

To lead well, you can't be bogged down in tasks! But a lot can hold you back from getting those tasks off your plate...

Learn where successful leaders spend their time.

I took our VIP attendees' questions LIVE at Next-Level Leadership Live Event this past week... What. Phenomenal. Questions.

Listen to their questions and my answers!

You cannot be a quality leader if you are not constantly pouring into yourself.

Daily personal growth is tough when you own a business, or you're a leader.

Here's how to determine where and how you spend your time in personal growth, what a weekly focus on leadership growth looks like, and what I always recommend for personal growth. https://chrislocurto.com/how-high-performing-leaders-manage-their-time-rebroadcast/

Do you ever find yourself... Feeling like crap about yourself? Feeling rejected? Feeling not smart enough? Making poor decisions you know you shouldn’t? Responding in defensiveness or anger? Upset or hurt by your spouse or close friend and blaming them?

How do we get to that place?

So often we feel rejected, not good enough, stupid, wronged…but are we really?

Here's how to break the self sabotage spiral.

Resources and FREE Webinar in show notes here:https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-break-the-self-sabotage-spiral/

How are you inspiring your team on a weekly basis?

You have to have an inspired team.

If your team is not inspired they are not productive. What do you get when you have an inspired team? What happens when you spend time focusing on inspiring your team? You get more than productivity....

Here are 5 unconventional ways to inspire your team and get buy-in.

https://chrislocurto.com/unconventional-ways-to-inspire-your-team-this-week/

Proper delegation, knowing when to let your team struggle, and the right meetings...

Here's what you'll discover on this episode:

The Proper Delegation we aren't taught
Details of Proper Delegation that equip your team
When to let your team struggle...
The meeting that builds culture
How to go from a lack of communication to high-levels of quality communication
How to successfully lead a team under 10 team members...https://chrislocurto.com/details-of-proper-delegation-when-to-let-your-team-struggle-meetings-for-solid-communication/

One of the most important parts of being a strong leader is knowing your weaknesses.

So today, we’re talking about the 5 most common ways leaders deceive themselves. This is not a comprehensive list, it’s the 5 most common I’ve seen in my leadership and coaching career.

Here are the 5 most common ways leaders deceive themselves: https://chrislocurto.com/the-5-most-common-ways-leaders-deceive-themselves/

Next week I’m going to take 4 days and guide a leadership team through a StratPlan. Today we’re talking about what makes the companies that come through this event so successful.

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-identify-whats-holding-your-business-back/

Here's what you'll discover on today's episode:

How our Western cultural mindset holds us back
Signs you're not gaining perspective
How to tax the collective intelligence
How Eastern cultures solve problems
Leadership assumptions that keep us from good decision-making

Today, we’re going to talk about how to handle mistakes in leadership.

Failure is inevitable. You’re going to fail! And the great thing is, it’s absostinkinlutely ok!

In Next-Level Life, StratPlan, and coaching, the fear of failure is one of the biggest issues I see with so many clients. It’s my belief that most of our population is afraid of failing.

In StrengsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath talks about how most parents, when seeing their child’s report card of all A’s and one D, would totally focus on the D.

Why?

Because we aren’t okay with failures, we struggle with failure.

In other words, if their child was an incredibly talented artist but was struggling in english, instead of pushing toward their talent, they would focus more on the weakness.

That is beyond ridiculous! Failure is one of the greatest teachers for the person who’s able to receive it. Without it, we have to trust that we KNOW everything to be successful in every situation. The truth is, we don’t!

That’s an example with kids...but what do we do as adults and as leaders, we get D’s and F’s on our report cards? When we drop the ball at work, or make a big mistake in leadership?

Today, we’re going to talk about how to handle mistakes in leadership.

I have made MANY mistakes in leadership.

There are 2 that come to mind as the biggest mistakes I’ve made in leadership...and I did something about it.

Here's the 4-step process to turn your mistakes (and your team's mistakes) into growth: https://chrislocurto.com/the-4-step-process-to-turn-your-mistakes-and-your-teams-into-growth/

On today's #AskChris episode, discover:

How to handle giving raises Why you should get rid of "annual evaluations" The traps of small business accounting The line between people-pleasing and solving problems

https://chrislocurto.com/ask-chris-small-business-accounting-giving-raises-and-people-pleasing/

Do you accept communication the way it is on your team, or do you lead the communication your team needs?

A lack of high levels of quality communication is the #1 issue I see that holds back businesses and teams from greater unity and growth.

Here's why.

We all bring to the table our habits, training, and personality styles.

As a leader, and a team member, it's critical to commit yourself to mastering communication, and then lead it through modeling, teaching, and accountability.

Here are 7 ways to have higher levels of quality communication on your team. https://chrislocurto.com/the-7-steps-to-fix-common-leadership-communication-blunders/

Today we're talking about how to get better results, and life change. There's no magic pill.

https://chrislocurto.com/inside-next-level-life-why-youre-not-where-you-want-to-be/

Do you work for a bad leader? Are you a bad leader?

Bad leaders get half the effort of their team.

Show notes here >> https://chrislocurto.com/what-your-leadership-should-be-and-what-it-should-not-be/

This is such an important topic right now. There is criticism flying around, different definitions, and people take to all kinds of social media to talk about their leadership complaints.

The government shutdown last week has added even more fuel to the fire of questioning leadership.

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be a leader...

On the podcast we're talking about what leadership is NOT and what it is.

Are you acting on the 5 poor leadership beliefs?

Are you aligned with the 11 principles of phenomenal leadership?

https://chrislocurto.com/what-your-leadership-should-be-and-what-it-should-not-be/

This episode is for leaders and business owners, presidents, entrepreneurs, and top-level leaders.

chrislocurto.com/inside-stratplan…-leadership-roi/

Here's what you'll discover:

How "rinse and repeat" sabotages your business Why you can't see all the things holding you back in business How a marketing firm followed a StratPlan and landed on Inc.'s "fasting growing companies in the US" When fear hides itself in business decision-making Closing the gap between what you don't know and what you need to know How to transform leadership meetings to create solutions Servicing clients to increase their investment Why leaders need to be surrounded by like-minded people *Why "go-do" doesn't work for your team

This is definitely NOT about New Year's Resolutions. This is about business and leadership goals. There's probably a much easier way than what you're doing...Today I want to give you a framework to set your 2018 business goals.

Go here for the 5-step framework: https://chrislocurto.com/the-5-step-framework-to-setting-successful-business-goals/

Here's what you'll discover on the episode:

Separating the goal setting "crap" from the goal setting gold
How to implement the 5-step framework for business and leadership goal setting
The main thing that causes leaders to fail in goal setting
5-step framework for goal setting

"We were in a 'life is good, but life isn't great' place.

Like everyone walking around, we've been through stuff. We had counselors over the years and learned and healed from it, but not completely....

Next-Level Life was between us being 75% healed, and getting to a full understanding, clarity, and a rock-solid foundation for our family."

Show notes for Brent & Sarah's story: https://chrislocurto.com/the-game-changing-power-of-good-to-great-rebroadcast/

92% of New Year's resolutions fail...

Folks, It’s everywhere. In your Facebook feed, in your email, on the radio, in conversations with people at work and friends…New Year’s Resolutions.

https://chrislocurto.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-transforming-your-life-in-2018/

67% of American make a New Years Resolution, and 92% of them fail.

On today's show, we talk about:

Why 92% of New Year's Resolutions fail The process to get to real change that lasts Why you should work harder on yourself than your job How to spot real change vs. superficial change *The root of real change

Christmas is over, and we just wanted to say...

Thank you!!!! I couldn't do what I do without YOU. That goes for all of our clients, friends, and podcast listeners. Without you listening to the podcast, taking action, and seeking growth there would be no 'us.'

Here's to you and yours this Christmas season, and a Happy New Year: https://chrislocurto.com/to-you-and-yours-happy-new-year/

When we think of Christmas, everything is so grand...

We imagine extravagant light displays, big presents under the tree, feasts of turkey and stuffing…

We even think that when it comes to the Christmas Story. We are given this picture of three Wise Men in elaborate costumes, a beautiful stable with fresh straw in a cozy manger, with Mary and Joseph looking rested and beautiful.

How we see Christmas is very different from how The Christmas Story actually happened.

There is an entire industry that does very well this time of year advertising to us to make Christmas grand. And don’t get me wrong, we have a HUGE tree decorated like crazy in the office, and we LOVE Christmas around here.

But the powerful story of Christmas isn’t about that. It’s the opposite.

Here's what really happened, and how it changes everything about you. Listen here: https://chrislocurto.com/christmas-special-glory-to-god-in-the-lowest/

The wrong team members can poison your culture…but having the right people in the wrong seats (including leadership) can also unravel your business.

https://chrislocurto.com/3-steps-to-develop-and-empower-strong-leaders/

How do you spot potential leaders? How do you trust your gut? How do you grow and develop them to excellent leaders?

Symptoms of bad leadership How we get “bad” or “wrong” leaders in roles *Three action steps to grow and develop the right leaders this week

Words have the power to destroy. Learn how to speak life into people's lives. https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-change-lives-with-your-words-and-the-study-behind-it/

Here's how to replace the stress that eats away at happiness and puts knots in your shoulders...with your words.

What's the science behind speaking life? Today we talk about how to reverse negativity, speak life into others, pray for others, and make an impact on the people in your life.

What you need to know about Core Values in your business.

https://chrislocurto.com/why-your-business-core-values-are-collecting-dust-and-how-to-fix-it/

These aren't your 90's-plaque-on-the-wall-collecting-dust Core Values. These are the values that will drive results and make your team successful.

Here's what you'll learn from our conversation on the show today:

Why Core Values matter in your business
How NOT making decisions from Core Values hurts your team, and clients
How to clear the 'fog' from your team and get to clear decision-making by utilizing Core Values
How Core Values get results
Your Core Values action steps [skip to 37:00 for what you can do this week]

Our guest today, Michael Bungay Stanier, is the founder and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, best known for their coaching programs that help time-crunched managers coach in 10 minutes or less. He has written a number of books and is best known for his book, Do More Great Work.

https://chrislocurto.com/7-questions-to-change-the-way-you-lead-forever-with-michael-stanier/

Here's what you'll learn from our conversation on the show today: - 8 secrets to asking a question well - The AWE question that separates good listeners from terrible listeners - Your TERA Quotient: connection between neuroscience and leadership - The 5 essential components to build new, effective habits - The coaching habit to say less, ask more, and change the way you lead

What causes people, and your team to start falling apart? chrislocurto.com/when-your-team-s…s-to-fall-apart/ Here's what you'll discover: - What causes teams to fall apart... - Why your team needs a Vision - How to communicate your company's Vision - How to inject passion into your team We've launched Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event!! See what the excitement is about and... GET $200 OFF YOUR TICKETS >> bit.ly/2zz2teS

Make the right calls as a leader. https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-execute-a-compensation-plan-to-lead-champions/

Here's what you'll discover, how to:

Create a killer compensation plan
Optimize every role to create revenue for your business
Build a stronger team
Empower your team's best performance
Get your team bought in to what the business is doing
Have confidence in growing and developing leaders inside your team, and leading your team to their highest capacity

We've launched Next-Level Leadership LIVE Event!! See what the excitement is about and...

GET $200 OFF YOUR TICKETS (only for 3 weeks) http://bit.ly/2yDvqGR

Get the Leadership Roadmap to build a stronger team, empower their best performance, and lead with confidence: http://bit.ly/2yDvqGR

You've heard me say it... "it's your job to make your team successful..."

Well, how do you do that? How do you know you’re doing the right things as a leader?

https://chrislocurto.com/how-to-build-your-leadership-roadmap/

Today we're talking about the leadership roadmap to get you there…the tactics we teach our Next-Level Mastermind clients. The processes that grow revenue, get entire teams bought into the business’ mission, and duplicate you as a leader so you’re not bogged down in tasks that don’t belong to you. It's your leadership roadmap.

Build a stronger team - get the right people in, wrong people out, structure your team correctly, and build in accountability
Empower your team for their best performance
Lead with confidence in a plan, and the tools you need to raise up leaders and duplicate yourself

This is the content and plan that moves the needle in business, that changes leadership, that creates the success stories, and gives you complete confidence in your leadership.

...we're also making a huge announcement!

People weigh in on this topic in everyday conversation, and so many conclude people can’t… To grow, to have a stronger life, change must happen. It is absolutely up to you to change yourself if you want a better, stronger life.

It’s not easy. Getting great perspective on life isn’t easy either.

So many friends and family member have well meaning advice…but true perspective is what allows people to change. It is what brings freedom.

Here’s how to gain phenomenal perspective on challenges in life, and learn what is keeping you from her authentic self.

Show notes here: https://chrislocurto.com/encore-episode-a-huge-life-change-takes-perspective-not-magic/

Find direction, and what you were created to do.

First, there are some things you need to ask, perspective you need to gain. It’s important to look at what molds who you are.

Here's what you'll discover on today's episode: - The questions to ask to find direction - Why passion can be misleading... - How to answer the question: What is your calling? - What does God call us to? - How to use your calling - Actions to find direction

If your self-perception is wrong or distorted, your efforts and decisions will be misguided...

Here are 5 steps to leading yourself better starting this week: https://chrislocurto.com/5-critical-steps-to-lead-yourself-better/

Will you create it, or suffer in it?

Let’s talk about one of the most frustrating things in business. It's something that drains productivity, creates turnover, and sets the tone for everything you do in your business...

Culture.

Everyone comes into your culture with a culture. They bring their previous culture in the door with them, and carry it around the office.

Here are the first three steps to take to Create a Culture of Champions https://chrislocurto.com/creating-a-culture-of-champions-podcast/

Who we think we are, and our ability to handle relationships and life, are shaped by what we believe, emotion health, and past experiences;

…experiences that literally create cellular memories on our DNA.

Learn what’s impacting your DNA: http://chrislocurto.com/how-your-root-system-shapes-your-dna/

Discover your next steps and goals, how-to leading in difficult situations, and budget…http://chrislocurto.com/askchris-the-right-leadership-questions-your-next-steps-and-budgeting/

Today we're answering your questions. Here's what we cover:

What to ask to determine your "next-level" direction
How to lead when team members don't hit deadlines
The question you should ask everyday at your office door
The critical questions leaders omit when dealing with tough situations
How you to utilize your talents and gifts to the fullest
What going to God for direction looks like
Budgeting!

How to handle pressure, nerves, negative self talk, and your mental state in high-pressure moments.

http://chrislocurto.com/peak-mental-performance-when-youre-under-pressure/

Narrow the gap between how good you are and how good you want to be.

The roadside is littered with companies who were the dominant players...

The only thing harder than becoming the best at what you do, is becoming the best and continuing to get better.

Learn the process for you to improve yourself and your performance regardless of how good you were.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-the-best-get-better-with-mark-sanborn/

On this episode, you will discover:

The process to make your best, better
How our minds think backwards, and hold us back from possibility
The Potential Matrix
How to leave less on the table in your goal setting
The Pygmalion effect, and why it matters to leaders and people seeking to grow
Why highly successful people are more often disappointed
Where long-term agendas can hold back your growth
Why confidence can't based on adequacy, and the kind of confidence that bring growth
Why a lack of critical thinking is a rising trend in the U.S.

Today we are talking about what holds us back from health...what keeps us from being healthy, thriving people. It's easy to see blatant destructive behaviors, hard to see our own subtle ones...http://chrislocurto.com/the-6-subtle-self-destructive-behaviors-we-miss-everyday/

Today is a special day on the show, because we have not only one, but two special guests joining us. Justin and Elana Epple are joining us today to talk about life, family, and their story. We wanted to bring them on and talk about their story, what's changed in their marriage, in their communication, and in their lives. Here's there story, and what changed...

There might be a simple answer to one of your most frustrating challenges…

Today is all about your questions on communication, and personality style. Sometimes communicating with team members or leaders can leave you frustrated, with little information, or just plain scratching your head...communication is a challenge.

High-levels of quality communication is the key to winning.

We all bring our own personality styles, training, and habits to the table, and as I’m sure you’ve noticed, team communication can be a total mess some days!

Show notes here >> http://chrislocurto.com/start-communicating-better-today/

So today we're answering your questions on communication. Here's what we cover:

How to communicate with a "High D" personality style
How each personality styles processes information, and what it means for your communication
How to pick up on others' personality styles to communicate effectively
Dealing with personality styles that are opposite from yours
How to lean in other's direction for high-quality communication to take place
How to get great information out of your team, by personality style

"Finding money in the business is the easy part...

...it was a lightbulb moment for me, the things that were limiting our company were cultural things, interactive things."

http://chrislocurto.com/3-days-to-a-stronger-business/

On today's show:

What is your vision for your business? Is it complete? Is it clear?
What's limiting your business? (hint: it's not revenue)
The subconscious fear-based decision-making process
Understanding your leadership team's Values
Raising up leaders in your business
Creating incredible culture in your business that's DNA

Key Results Areas are all about increasing productivity on your team.

A KRA (Key Results Areas) is a list of the most important tasks you do everyday to win. It’s a job description on steroids.

Download 3 Sample KRAs here >> http://chrislocurto.com/why-you-and-your-team-need-kras-key-results-areas/

In this episode we answer your KRA questions, and give you even more clarity on how they shape productivity and your business. Here's what you'll learn:

KRA Overview
What should NOT be on a KRA
The difference between a job description and a KRA
Who should be writing and editing KRAs
How to fill "communication holes" in hiring
KRAs for Business Owners/Presidents
Tactical steps to align weekly work with your KRA...

How to craft the right questions to find qualified applicants in the hiring process.

Welcome to Part II! We reached out to you folks a few weeks ago on Facebook and asked for your biggest questions and struggles in the hiring process...

Here's what you'll learn:

How to craft interview questions to get qualified applicants
The right questions to get past the candidate's "presentation" mode
How to see character in an interview
The leadership steps to take before the interview

Show notes here >> http://chrislocurto.com/why-mis-hires-slip-under-your-radar-and-the-hiring-process-to-spot-them-part-ii/

Your top questions in the hiring process, answered.

We reached out to you folks a few weeks ago on Facebook and asked for your biggest questions and struggles in the hiring process...

Our VP of Operations and I have answers for you. Here's what you'll learn:

How to avoid "mis-hires"
What you need to evaluate BEFORE you start interviewing
The quick questions to uncover personality styles in an interview
What answers, and responses to look for in the interview process
The ins and outs of our hiring process
What you need to know to about your culture before interviewing applicants

Show notes here >> http://chrislocurto.com/why-mis-hires-slip-under-your-radar-and-the-hiring-process-to-spot-them/

A people pleaser is one of the nicest and most helpful people you know...

They rarely if ever say "no," you can always count on them for a favor. They spend a great deal of time doing things for other people. They get their work done, help others with their work, make all the plans, and are always there for family members and friends. So far this sounds like a good thing, right?

What many people-pleasers don’t realize is people-pleasing can have serious health and relationship risks.

On this episode, the 5 steps to stop feeling responsible for others.

Show notes here >> http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-stop-feel…sible-for-others/

As CEO of Ziglar, Inc., Tom Ziglar shares not only a last name with his father, Zig Ziglar, but he also carries on his philosophy, which is simply, "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

Full show notes and resources here >> http://chrislocurto.com/success-significance-and-legacy/

Where the Ziglar philosophy “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want,” was created
The Ziglar success philosophy
How to put in the hard work in a “lifehack” culture
Ziglar Legacy Certification
The Wheel of Life and Legacy
Spiritual Success and the Wheel of Life
The top lesson Tom learned from Zig

How to move past trying to please people, overwhelm, tiredness, and not feeling like you're was accomplishing what you need to.

Full show notes and resources here >> http://chrislocurto.com/your-personal-plan-to-become-your-strongest-self/

According to the Census Bureau, 85% of businesses depend on the owner to run the day to day operations of the business...here's how NOT to be that leader.

Full show notes and resources here >>> http://bit.ly/2s6on2S

Here's what you'll discover: - The Leadership Crazy Cycle - The self-worth trap in leadership - 6 Steps to control your time as a leader - How to duplicate yourself with a team - How to get time back - The healthy leadership boundaries you need in place today

Ditch your bad habits and learn from your past.

Full show notes and resources here >> http://chrislocurto.com/2-critical-steps…-your-bad-habits/

One of the best ways to make stronger decisions for your future is by learning from your past.

Core Impacts are key events from your past that help you gain perspective on where you’re at and where you’re going. A Core Impact isn’t just a continuation of an event, it’s something that changed the direction of your life.

Learn your Core Impacts, gain perspective on your past, and ditch your bad habits.

This will change your family tree, your kid's lives, and the kind of adults they become.

Today we have the brilliant Dr. Meg Meeker with us, who has spent more than thirty years practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine and counseling teens and parents. (more on Meg and Hero here: megmeekermd.com)

Full show notes and resources here >>> http://bit.ly/2qRRoP0

On this episode, you will discover:

The casualties of feminism on fathers
Our generation’s father crisis
How kids see their fathers, and what they need from them
What “big” things you need to get right with your kids
How carrying around expectations from our fathers affects our adult lives
What dads are designed to do, that moms aren’t
The must how-to for dads and their teenage daughters
How to step up as a dad, when you have a strong-willed spouse
How to parent and communicate with your spouse when there’s conflict
The questions you never want your grown up kids to ask you, and how to prevent them from asking
How to exercise your authority as a parent and spouse, the right way
The difference between coaching and leading your children

A special behind the scenes episode with the Poimen Group team! You'll get to hear their perspective, favorite LIVE event moments, and what they have to say about culture.

Full show notes and resources here >>> http://chrislocurto.com/behind-the-scenes-with-the-poimen-team-live-events-culture-and-masterminds/

For every leadership style we have, there is a gap, and it can cost us in our greatness. With each archetype there is the light and the dark, the greatness and the gap.

The 30 year old leadership system that led Lolly to success in executive coaching and leadership: http://chrislocurto.com/the-leadership-g…d-your-greatness/

On this episode, you will discover:

The 30 year old leadership system that led Lolly to success in executive coaching and leadership
Which archetype Lolly coaches me on personally
The Re-think model
The 7 different leadership archetypes in your business
The greatness and the gap for the 7 types of leaders
How to use the 7 archetypes on your team
Why it's important to know your archetype
How your archetype can give you purpose and a legacy

...what happens when you screw up? When you do something stupid? For those of us that are Christians, what happens when you sin, and how do you solve it?

Full show notes and resources here: http://bit.ly/2q7aejI

For your Healthy Accountability Checklist download >>> text "Episode223" to 33444

Here's what you'll discover on today's show:

How to love someone through their stupidity vs. endorsing it
Why it's so hard to share our struggles
What James and Paul say about messing up
What healthy accountability looks like
How to help others through their struggles
Action steps for your week

The conversations and habits that could be holding your leadership team, and business back.

Full show notes and resources here >> http://bit.ly/2nZK8CD

On today's episode, discover how to make stronger decisions in your leadership:

What Jim Collins told me about decision-making
How to asses your Risk Factors
The killer of good communication
The list of questions you need to ask before making any decision
Assessing your leadership team

Here's what you can do if you're dealing with conflict, gossip, lack of accountability, or the blame game on a leadership team, or with your colleagues.

Full show notes and resources here >> http://bit.ly/2okgy7F

Why your team gossips [7:47] The two different styles of gossip [8:17] What Personality Styles have to do with gossip [14:00] How to communicate with leaders about gossip, make it their realization [18:10] What to say to shut down gossip in the moment [21:53] Biblical perspective on gossip [30:05] Doing your work as unto the Lord [31:40] How to communicate about accountability and expectation [34:46] How to get results with your communication [38:18] How to "force" culture [45:35] Creating buy-in [47:10]

Fear controls. Fear wants you to lose your strength, not have any courage, believe that you are incapable, that you aren't worthy...aren't good enough.

7 Steps To Overcoming Fear [download] >>> chrislocurto.com/fear

Discover how to look fear in the face, and overcome the root cause for good.

Show notes >>> http://bit.ly/2nQr6LH

What fear is [2:05]
How fear immobilizes you, in the most hidden ways [2:28]
The paradigm shift that drives out fear [7:24]
What fear wants you to believe [13:26]
Exercises you can do right now to overcome fear [14:45]

Don't let fear hold you back from the thing that is going to make you stronger! Don't let it hold you back from being your authentic self, who God created you to be.

Punch it right in the nose.

How to gain perspective on hiring opportunities, attract the best candidates for the job, and know who the "right" fit is.

Here's How to find the right hire, when the candidates are scarce: http://bit.ly/2nowk0G

How to advertise job roles based on DISC personality styles [5:00]
How Values Profiles influence the hiring process [6:00]
How to line up industry/trades and personality styles in hiring [9:00]
The challenges in hiring millennials [8:30]
The mentality that stifles work ethic [10:00]
Key pieces to include in your marketing, to find the right hire [11:20]
What to do when you're stuck in a business issue [18:30]

Full show notes and resources here: http://bit.ly/2nowk0G

On today's show, we are taking questions from our listeners on how to deal with a passive aggressive leader, and people pleasing.

Full show notes and resources here >> http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-deal-with-a-passive-aggressive-leader-and-stop-people-pleasing/

Passive aggressive behavior is the opposite of gaining perspective, and having healthy, upfront communication.

When you're dealing with passive aggressive people...

The key is why. Why are they being passive aggressive? There is something going on with that person, something they're experiencing. Maybe they're struggling with something involving you!!

Clarity creates unity.

Here's what you can do if you're on the receiving end, or feeling passive aggressive. Listen here:

Why people are passive aggressive [5:00]
How to have the conversation [6:00]
How to prevent passive aggressive conflict [10:00]
What personality styles have to do with conflict [13:00]

On our second question, I answer how to stop people pleasing, and what it has to do with your Root System.

Our caller asks how to stop people pleasing, and his breakthrough from 10 Signs You're A People Pleaser.

Here's what you'll discover:

Difference between walls and boundaries
The ramifications of isolation
The steps to take to create healthy relationships

Thanks for listening folks!

If you enjoyed the podcast, please share it!

Want more? Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes!

TODAY we are talking about sales and leadership. In this episode we walk through high level sales strategy, and the nitty gritty details. http://chrislocurto.com/the-powerful-repeatable-sales-process-critical-to-your-leadership/

Here's what you'll discover:

the #1 reason customers leave
How to build relationships and conquer objections in sales
What emotional buy lines in sales are, and how to use them
How to ask the right questions, and know when to close
How to determine if you have the right mindset for sales
Why selling doesn't have to produce anxiety and stress
The fears holding back your business growth
What holds businesses back in sales, that has little to do with sales
Why 85% of business owners are stuck in their job

Andy Andrews and I dive into why our culture offended all of the time, and the little things that create the vast gap between first and second place, and...

Today we are continuing the conversation from 4 Examples of Everyday Leadership in Action on how leaders are dealing with setting direction, focus, task saturation and stress in business and leadership every day.

Today we are talking about how leaders are dealing with mistakes from team members, failure, personality styles, and values in their every day business lives. We have three VERY special guests on the show today. Our clients and friends are giving their perspective as CEOs, Presidents, and entrepreneurs on walking out next-level leadership. chrislocurto.com/4-examples-of-everyday-leadership-in-action

This episode is all about our clients who have been with us for years, giving you the raw answers and stories on how they're leading their team members to success.

People weigh in on this topic in everyday conversation, and so many conclude people can’t... To grow, to have a stronger life, change must happen. It is absolutely up to you to change yourself if you want a better, stronger life.

It’s not easy. Getting great perspective on life isn't easy either.

So many friends and family member have well meaning advice...but true perspective is what allows people to change. It is what brings freedom. Our guest today shares how she worked past her habits and feeling like she was never going to get it right. Here’s how to gain phenomenal perspective on challenges in life, and learn what is keeping you from her authentic self. Listen here:

There comes a time in your role as a leader where you have to take responsibility for your company's actions. You have to treat your customers like they are actually the ones contributing to your 401k, putting the food on your table.

Rant, and what you can do about your leadership and culture this week: http://bit.ly/2jMhxwR

"The three skills entrepreneurs and leader need to master: productivity, discipline, and focus."

Your show notes and resources here: http://chrislocurto.com/the-3-skills-successful-entrepreneurs-share/

These are the 3 lies leaders tell themselves daily. We'll cover these lies leaders tell themselves, why, and what you can do about it TODAY in your leadership.

Your show notes and resources here: http://chrislocurto.com/3-lies-leaders-believe/

Your success in leadership starts with growing you, and it starts with what you're telling yourself right now.

Before Next-Level Life, we were in a "life is good, but life isn't great place."

On today's episode we dive into high-level leadership strategy, and walk through what purpose is in life and work. http://chrislocurto.com/vision-casting-strategy-and-your-calling/

If you want to grow and scale your business, you need to know the how, and the why: http://bit.ly/2hwWLxS

How your personal life holds you back at work, and what to do about it: http://chrislocurto.com/how-your-personal-life-holds-you-back-at-work-and-what-to-do-about-it/

How to deal with holiday setbacks, and thrive during this potentially stress-filled-frenzied-in-law-overwhelmed-people-drama-filled-glorious Christmas season.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show I get you ready to deal with family over the holidays.

Culture is kind of a big deal around here. It’s a major component of every business, and it has the power to destroy your company or make you successful.

Today's episode is all about leading leaders, and how to find and hire quality talent.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-train-your-team-to-solve-problems/

If a new hire is the wrong fit, you spend more time solving problems than you do getting things done. You don't have to spend time solving unnecessary problems.

http://chrislocurto.com/6-critical-steps-to-ensuring-your-new-hire-is-a-perfect-fit/

Lead people to greatness, and they will serve the people that supply your business.

Today’s episode is part viticulture and part life lesson. I think you’re going to enjoy it…especially if you like wine!

http://chrislocurto.com/encore-episode-what-you-have-in-common-with-wine/

In this Encore podcast I’ll explain:

How farming and the process of wine making relates to you and your business
How wine grapes are grown and how this relates to you and your business
Your Root System
What makes a great farmer and how that farmer harvests a perfect grape
The process of destroying perfect grapes to make great wine

For leaders, it can be difficult to deal with PTSD and mental health in the workplace. Here are the 3 key pieces involved in leading an employee with PTSD.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-care-for-employees-with-ptsd/

Daily personal growth is tough when you own a business or you're a leader. How to determine where to spend your time in personal growth, what I always recommend: http://chrislocurto.com/how-high-performing-leaders-manage-their-time/

If you're not getting the things you need, don't wait...change. How? By choosing to change. You have to make the choice.

"Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. -Jim Rohn

http://chrislocurto.com/how-this-couple-discovered-their-strongest-life/

Today we are talking with some fantastic people. Mike and Cathy have been through Next-Level Life individually, and had phenomenal experiences. We like to share these stories, because we get people asking about Next-Level Life events all the time, wanting to know what it's like, and wanting to hear about the process and results from the inside. This is Mike and Cathy's story. http://chrislocurto.com/how-this-couple-discovered-their-strongest-life/

You don't need great experience to pull off that business venture or big transition.

http://chrislocurto.com/why-biblical-perspective-grows-your-business-and-how-to-get-it/

The fear of failure, of not being capable, is overcome by understanding. Maybe you're here: you don't feel like you know everything about how to get started, what to do, or how to make it work. Here's my suggestion, fill in the blanks! You must have great perspective to not have fear.

When it comes to fear, what most people are missing is quality perspective. The more perspective you have, the less you fear.

Here's what you'll discover on the business side this episode:

What categories you need to gain perspective on for you business
How to define your platform
Forming a plan for reaching your audience
Differentiating yourself and your offering in the market
How to advertise to grow your brand and connect with your ideal customer
Determining the demographic that will be receptive to you
How to tailor your message to your audience
How to get your product or message in front of people...http://chrislocurto.com/why-biblical-perspective-grows-your-business-and-how-to-get-it/

That feeling of "I want to do more, I need to do more, I think I'm a little bored..." is a mindset for so many entrepreneurs. This feeling can get you into a lot of trouble.

http://chrislocurto.com/3-things-to-tackle-when-starting-a-new-business/

Disclaimer: You cannot remove too much energy from what makes you money. When you remove energy from the money maker, it begins to die. If you're not growing, you're dying.

Don't miss this entrepreneurs, you do not have to tackle every great idea.

http://chrislocurto.com/3-things-to-tackle-when-starting-a-new-business/

In our business, the lists of opportunities we have is huge. We're not getting to it because we can't. We can't do it with excellence, so we won't. When we can, we will go after those opportunities. Stay focused on the areas God has called you to!

What you'll discover from our conversation:

Three things to tackle before diving into a new venture
Setting up for a successful transition
Keeping energy flowing in your business
The process you can walk through to prioritize opportunities for work and service
Marketing a new business
Keys to success in a new (potentially large) market
Gaining perspective on what's truly realistic for your passions

http://chrislocurto.com/3-things-to-tackle-when-starting-a-new-business/

If you want to be on the show and have your question answered by me, it's easy to do now. Get on the schedule here.

Elevate Your Leadership Online Event!

"The fear is not going to do anything for you. That surface level response needs to take a hike."

http://chrislocurto.com/when-going-with-your-gut-is-holding-you-back/

On today's show we have four phenomenal questions from our podcast listeners! We hit social media and creating a greater tribe, social anxiety and networking, surface level responses, distance communication with your team, how to bring perspective to leadership, and when having a remote team is detrimental to your business. WOW. We have a jam packed episode today. Let's dive in!

Here's what you'll discover:

http://chrislocurto.com/when-going-with-your-gut-is-holding-you-back/

Strategies for video advertising on social media
Tactics to create loyal customers
Social anxiety and what it has to do with your Root System
Why networking does not come naturally for some
What TO do and what NOT to do in distance communication at work
Bringing new perspective to your leadership team
When a remote team is detrimental to the business

"Today we're talking about transformation, and Joel and I have a HUGE announcement..."

http://chrislocurto.com/the-three-most-powerful-lessons-for-leaders-and-entrepreneurs/

We are launching the Elevate Your Leadership Online Event!! Guys we are so crazy excited about this. This event is centered around solving the very struggles and core issues that impact every single leader and entrepreneur. These are the most powerful lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders, lessons I have been helping people with for a long time.

It's the content I'm always pushing our leaders and entrepreneurs in our Next-Level Mastermind and coaching program to solve...because these are the three biggest pieces holding you back right now as a leader.

http://chrislocurto.com/the-three-most-powerful-lessons-for-leaders-and-entrepreneurs/

In today's podcast, Joel (our extremely handsome client head coach) and I dive into the DNA of businesses, including ours. Two of our phenomenal Next-Level Mastermind clients join us and we get to the core of solving problems in business, and what the transformation in a business looks like behind the scene after implementing the three core lessons: Killing the Leadership Crazy Cycle, Tackling Tough Conversations, and Creating a Culture of Champions.

Let's hear from two of our AMAZING clients. Magnus and Quinn are incredible leaders and the Presidents of their companies, busting it every day for their businesses and families.

http://chrislocurto.com/the-three-most-powerful-lessons-for-leaders-and-entrepreneurs/

"Doing your work as unto the Lord..." how to turn a church buzz word into a successful mindset.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-turn-a-church-buzz-word-into-a-successful-mindset/

TODAY our conversation is centered around the #1 thing I have done in my life as far as growing a business and work. Our first caller asks,

"Professionally, how do I get a game plan to go to the next level and become a top performer in my field, and also be able to spot business opportunities."

Here's a taste of what we talk about:

Doing your work as unto the Lord: how to turn this from a church "buzz word" into a successful mindset
The one factor that overrides a growth mindset, financial planning, and diversification
The big "difference maker" between career fulfillment and failed events
Where society's concept of "hustle" is greatly lacking
As a parent, raising your kids to be successful adults

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-turn-a-church-buzz-word-into-a-successful-mindset/

Then we dive into setting culture:

How to motivate team members to complete tasks
How to successfully bring on new hires (to get work done you need them to get)
You have to force the culture that you want, or other people will force it for you.

If you want to be on the show and have your question answered by me, it's easy to do now. Get on the schedule here.

It's important to understand why you do what you do. You must have vision to see the direction you're going. But what do you do after you breakthrough and see it, and find yourself in the same job, with the same people...? Today's podcast guest called in and shared:

http://bit.ly/2btpS2E

"Leading up to that point I had so much frustration. I hated my job. I didn't know where I was going in life, I didn't know my purpose. I wasn't happy at all, I had a desire to change drastically..."

Here's what you will learn as we walk through his questions:

• The next steps after a breakthrough or personal discovery, to make lasting change • How to find a community where you can thrive • How to do your work as unto the Lord • What to do when you feel isolated as an entrepreneur or employee • Plus my insight on a personal situation...

Let's dive in: http://bit.ly/2btpS2E

"You're going to have to come up with their ideas."

http://bit.ly/2aV1LuR

Fixing bad culture in a business can feel like an uphill, if not impossible, battle. Especially when there are cynics and naysayers resisting change. I was talking with Jim Collins years ago, and his definition of a cynic is...

"A hopeful person who's tired of being let down."

Here's what you'll discover on today's episode:

• How to lead in a change-resistant culture • How to motivate employees when your supervisor has lost hope • The right questions to break your team's negative mindset • How to implement change when the leadership team is stagnant • The questions you have to ask to fix a broken culture • The best approach to combatting cynicism in a leadership team • How to cut through bureaucracy to reach a solution • How to unite leadership teams and third parties, get them "on the same page" • The process of setting goals with multiple areas in your business

http://bit.ly/2aV1LuR

If you want to be on the show and have your question answered by me, it's easy to do now. Get on the schedule here.

"If people don't know where they're going, they only give you half of their productivity. When they don't know what the business is doing, they come in and do their "j-o-b" with no desire to grow or learn more."

We have two incredible interviews on the show today!

http://chrislocurto.com/5-steps-to-become-the-strongest-leader-for-your-team/

These leaders have called in with questions every entrepreneur and leader should be asking...

"I think my meetings suck." We tackle this statement and what to do about it....

Here's a taste of what we talk about:

Where your time must be focused as an entrepreneur How to increase your team's productivity The 5 steps to becoming a stronger leader What your meetings should look like How to re-energize your business How to increase the loyalty of your team Keeping momentum in your business Our second guest asks, "How do I re-invest myself after working for a leader who tarnished my reputation and then was eventually let go?

http://chrislocurto.com/5-steps-to-become-the-strongest-leader-for-your-team/

We dive into:

The best mindset in business What's holding you back from being a stronger leader Recovering from setting unreasonable goals for the team, micromanaging How to turn a conflict situation into a growth experience How to set expectations for your team If you have questions that you want answered, solutions you need, things that are holding you back... Let's talk! I will give you the best solution I possibly can. It's really easy. Get on the schedule here.

I want to hear from you on this! Comment below with your questions, challenges, solutions, or stories.

If you want to be on the show and have your question answered by me, it's easy to do now. Get on the schedule here.

http://chrislocurto.com/5-steps-to-become-the-strongest-leader-for-your-team/

Welcome to the show, Nevin! He was our first podcast live call in Q&A guest! We brought Nevin back on to dive even deeper and get really practical...

If you have questions that you want answered, solutions you need, things that are holding you back... Let's talk! I will give you the best solution I possibly can. It's really easy. Get on the schedule!

http://bit.ly/2asBgPD

TODAY we are diving deeper into why entrepreneurs plateau in their business, why Nevin plateaued.

While there are generational and external influences that can be similar for many folks...this is truly a personal discovery process. Nevin and I unpack what this process looks like, here's what we walk through together:

Recovering from the endless cycle of people pleasing
The universal "empty" feeling, and where it comes from
How to get self-worth from God
The right and wrong places to gain self-worth
This is so important...

http://bit.ly/2asBgPD

Worth from people lasts about 5 minutes. Trying to make yourself feel good by making others happy lasts about 5 minutes. How do you get that happiness from somewhere else? We've been trained. We're programmed to think,

"If I don't take care of them in their struggles, I'm not a caring person, I'm a bad person. Or...it's the right thing to do."

We have this unhealthy mindset:

My worth tanks if I'm not constantly making someone else feel better or better about themselves.

You have got to get yourself out of this place!

I believe your greatest worth, period, is the act of love that happened with the cross.

I want to hear from you on this! Comment below with your questions, challenges, solutions, or stories!

Question: What is the best advice you've received about self-worth?

http://bit.ly/2asBgPD

We have so much crappy culture in our country. No one is standing up and teaching, "quit your complaining, do something about it."

Folks, it's not easy to create incredible culture in your business.

It can be exhausting dealing with critics and naysayers in your business when you're trying to create positive culture. Sometimes it's unproductive criticism...

Ever feel like you're running the gauntlet when you share your business' decisions to employees, vendors and the board? We're going to solve that today.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-deal-with-unproductive-criticism/

Here's what we cover on today's episode:

How to create a culture of positivity
How to deal with unproductive, critical "suggestions"
Most beneficial way to reason with your critics
Understanding artistic personalities in the decision making process
How to manage your business when you move across the globe
How to find a trusted leader to fill your shoes as you transition to owner
My advice on "leasing" clients and switchbacks
If you want to be on the show and have your question answered by me, it's easy to do now. Get on the schedule here.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-deal-with-unproductive-criticism/

Thanks for listening folks!

If you enjoyed the podcast, please share it!

Let us know...

Reviews are insanely helpful. I read each and every one of them! Please leave an honest review for Chris LoCurto Show Podcast on iTunes.

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Want more? Don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes!

"Don't just listen to this podcast. Implement."

Don't give me your excuses about why you can't make it happen...you just heard somebody who is bustin' it! Somebody who's willing to fight to make his dream happen.

http://clocurto.us/29E3uol

JP asked...

I've been working on a side business for 5 years, with a daytime job...but I still have $40,000 of debt to pay off. Should I wait until I'm completely out of debt to go all in on my side business? Or should I start now?

This is a phenomenal question. Here's what you'll discover on today's show:

How to balance a full time job, a side business and investing
When to take your side business full time
The right timeline for getting out of debt

http://clocurto.us/29E3uol

"Serve people where you are, even if it isn't your ideal picture of life."

If you have questions that you want answered, solutions you need, things that are holding you back... Let's talk! I will give you the best solution I possibly can. It's really easy. Get on the schedule here: chrislocurto.com/show

TODAY we are talking about how to get more sales right where you are.

Business owners miss the mark on marketing everyday. It's not a matter of how big your marketing budget is...One of the most important questions you can ask in your marketing process is:

How do I serve you with my product?

That's the first step...Here's what we cover on the show:

How to get more sales and get more people coming to you
Guerrilla Marketing
Advertising on a limited budget
Segmenting to get paying customers
Video Marketing for Your Business
How to get people to "purchase like crazy"

On today's episode of #AskChris we dive into this listener question: "What resources can I tap into to be a better communicator overall, and spot personality styles and how to communicate with them in the best way to get the best results quickly?"

Here are the highlights of what you'll discover:

-How to spot personality styles -How to master communication based on personality style -Macro and micro elements of the DISC Profile -How personality profiles affect workplace productivity -Pricing a Mastermind Group -Running a Mastermind Group

If you're going to communicate well, you have to set up the other person for success.

Gosh...hearing our podcast listener's words and being able to talk to you all is incredibly powerful. This episode blew me away. Here's what you'll discover:

-What's really causing your anxiety and stress -How to handle conflict with family members -How to reason with an argumentative boss -Debt...why it matters -What questions to ask to break free from Burnout for good -How your Root System affects your business -How to have productive conversations with hyper-defensive employees

In this episode of #AskChris, Chris dives into real life examples of dealing with business burnout that bleeds into other areas of life, surviving a lousy leader, and more. For entrepreneurs that struggle with burnout, and leaders that need to ignite growth, implementing just one of these strategies can make a huge difference in your life and business!

Be honest...how many "life hacks" are you trying implement this week? How many lists, habits and resources do you invest in monthly?

Timeout.

There are plenty of tools out there to fix "the problem" or increase your productivity. But before you invest in a solution, ask yourself...

-Do I really know what's holding me back? -Do I have correct perspective, not just people's advice and opinions? -Why am I responding the way I am? -Am I looking at my business and life the right way?

"Many people, and you see this a lot with the younger folks as well, have not been trained to think for themselves. Listen! I'm calling out my own generation too."

Today we are talking about surface level decision making.

This is something that I see a lot of people doing, it is not only not the best way to make decisions, it is something that absolutely holds people back in their growth. We have not been trained how to make good decisions, and because of that, we end up with what I call surface level decision making.

Definition: Making the first decision you see, or taking information from what's right in front of you, and not going any further. Coming up with the first thing that pops in your mind, and taking that as the answer.

If this is you... you need a #mindset change.

Five Strategies we dive into on this podcast:

How to "solve the problem" with persepctive Mindset: digging in when decisions are complicated, impossible and painful The right way to research: taxing the collective intelligence Spending time in prayer Write it down! Wise people seek counsel. Wise people don't focus on their own pride and having their own answers.

We are launching a live Q&A show!! You get to call in and have a conversation with me, so if you have questions that you want answered, solutions you need, things that are holding you back... whatever you've got. If you want to have that conversation, and I will give you the best solution I possibly can, it's really easy. Go to chrislocurto.com/show.

http://chrislocurto.com/why-entrepreneurs-plateau-in-their-business/

There's something that we are going to be doing more of, and that's because you guys said you loved it.

We did a live call-in show a few episodes back and had phenomenal responses to that. #welistened

We're going to start doing some of the shows as call-in! We will walkthrough whatever questions you've got. Get on the schedule here.

ASKCHRIS is back!

On today's show, we're tackling two killer questions from our podcast listeners. Here's a taste of what we talk about:

-Why entrepreneurs plateau in their business + life and what to do about it... -Tackling negative management and creating culture as a team member

http://chrislocurto.com/work-by-design/

I am so excited to announce that the Work by Design Summit officially starts today!

It's all about Purpose, Productivity and Profit.

Click BELOW to get your FREE ticket!

https://mm216.isrefer.com/go/workbydesign/clo

Here are my top 5 reasons for highly recommending joining this summit:

The tactical information will transform your work - no matter what you do.

The speakers know the value of tactical information you can employ in your life. All sessions are geared toward delivering key value in the form of specific, actionable steps.

The experts will inspire you to level up to reach maximum productivity and profit.

The speakers are some of the most inspirational individuals around when it comes to guiding people to do their best work. Don't reinvent the wheel when it comes to figuring out how to work well.

Instead, let these amazing speakers motivate you as they tell you what to maximize, what to minimize, what to avoid and what to jump on.

The Work by Design Summit will deliver results.

The speakers are laser-focused on delivering advice you can immediately implement to get you results ... fast!

Implementing the recommended strategies and action items will enable you to get fast results and build on those results for long-term, lasting success. Guaranteed.

These experts won't be together again.

It's hard to learn from the best, because the best are busy! This rare chance to hear from these 50+ experts - FOR FREE - simply won't come around again. Jump on it while you can!

It's FREE for a limited time if you sign up today.

Typical conferences and retreats require a huge investment of time and money. The Work by Design Summit is different. Save your money, save your travel time and claim your ticket today!

Click BELOW to get your FREE ticket! https://mm216.isrefer.com/go/workbydesign/clo

I really hope you'll take advantage and join today. I want to see you reach greater levels of success and learn to live and work better than you ever have before!

I hope to see you there!

Register today for the All Access Pass and get instant lifetime access to ALL interviews + incredible bonus gifts that you don't want to miss (seriously ... you don't want to miss out!).

Note that the price will triple in just a few short days - so get in on the low price now! Take that first step towards redesigning your life today!

175 | Next-Level Leadership LIVE Q&A by Chris LoCurto

http://chrislocurto.com/delivering-constructive-criticism-to-a-high-i-personality-style/

On today’s podcast, we are doing something a little bit different. We are taking your call-in questions over the phone.

We are super excited to try this out. Let us know if you enjoy this type of show. We want to know your thoughts so, leave a comment at the bottom of the post.

Now on to our first question!

Question 1:

One of the individuals that I coach is a great team member, has a ton of potential, and has been really receptive. Something came up last week when we were meeting that totally stumped me.

He’s a high D personality style, has a lot of I as well, so really can be sincere but on the job he’s totally task. As he and I were breaking down kind of what was going on on some of the actions that have happened and the behaviors that he had exhibited recently.

The thing that came out is that he doesn’t care about the individual that he’s working with at the moment. That’s pretty much how he said it and it kind of floored me for a minute.

He and I both have a good relationship. I let him know that I wasn’t judging his comment but I was totally bewildered, I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know where to go.

Here’s what we hit:

Adapting your personality style Gaining Self-worth in a role The need for control The role your root system plays in your leadership Fear of failing What questions to ask to guide a team member to self-discovery Delivering constructive criticism to a high I personality style Question 2:

I’m having a harder time than I used to of taking a breath and making the time to be there with the individual rather than just trying to get through the agenda so I can get to the next thing. I don’t know how to get back to a place of patience and just focusing on the individual.

The balance between the task at hand and a teachable moment Perspective when it comes to pressure and stress

http://chrislocurto.com/making-the-call-how-to-guide-your-teams-conversation/

What is leading? Do you want to know my definition? It's taking people to a place of thinking democratically.

Some of the most successful companies on the planet, long-term successful companies, have a democratic process.

What I've done for decades in my leadership is find out what people know. Get out of their heads the thoughts that they're having, the information that they've got, if they've got input.

Treat them with dignity. Treat them in a process that says, "Your input is not only worthy, but it's desired. I want to know what you think."

Your role as a leader is to LEAD people. Your job is to make them successful, not the other way around.

Bad attitudes will ruin your team. I say it all the time, champions want to be around other champions.

Negative team members will poison those around them, and ultimately your champions will leave because of it. http://chrislocurto.com/7-ways-to-lead-a-negative-team-member/

Listen leaders, you’ve got to take action. You have to do something about it, because I can promise you this…allowing one negative team member to chase off two champions is going to implode your team.

if you don’t stop that right now, then what you are allowing the negativity to shape and mold your culture.

These team members are literally forcing culture on you, and the company, or at least that team.

If you are a team leader, it is absolutely shaping your team’s culture. DO NOT allow it. It is dangerous!

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-move-forward-when-you-feel-stuck/

I am all about solving problems, fixing things, getting my hands dirty, and discovering the why behind the what...but what do you do when you feel stuck?

Today on the podcast, we hear from Jill, who is struggling with just that.

“Hi Chris, my name is Jill, I'm 45, I am not married, never married, no kids and have found myself in a situation where I am not working, I've been looking for a job since November, I moved across the country two years ago and still am not connected at all.

I did that because I felt that's what the Lord was asking me to do, but I know that I'm extremely closed down and I have a business, I'm an AdvoCare independent distributor, have been since 2002 and can't seem to get myself to do that business and it's all about not having a belief in myself.

I hear on your podcasts about life plan and agree that that's exactly what I need to do but I found myself having zero money, no ability to get to it and honestly I don't know what to do anymore.

I'm extremely unhappy and that's not the kind of person I am, so any hope as far as advice or action plan would be very, very welcome. Thanks Chris, I love everything you do.”

Wow! I know that there are a lot of people right now that can relate to Jill's question.

http://chrislocurto.com/5-ways-jewish-wisdom-leads-to-success

Folks, on today’s show, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, who is the best-selling author of Thou Shall Prosper, and Business Secrets From The Bible gives us five ways that Jewish wisdom leads to success.

http://chrislocurto.com/the-3-negative-mindsets-holding-you-back-right-now/

You have permission to feel worthy. You have permission to know that you are valued by somebody who is way more important than somebody else on this planet. You have permission, so make the decision right now. Make the decision right now. Choose.

168 | How To Lead A People Person by Chris LoCurto

http://chrislocurto.com/3-leadership-styles-that-show-up-in-the-workplace/

We just wrapped up our Next-Level Leadership Retreat here in Nashville and we did some crazy, fun exercises with the leaders.

One of the things I wanted to do was help them to see what styles worked, and what styles didn’t.

We broke everyone up into teams, and then just “randomly” (wink wink) assigned a specific style leader to each of the teams.

Of course, my team had a little fun setting this activity up because roles had to be reversed. We knew the personality styles of the leaders in the room, and we chose roles for them that would go against their normal style of leading.

We knew these leaders would have difficulty with the leadership roles that we gave them. It was the perfect setup!

The 3 types of leaderships that we set up:

The Democratic Leader The Dictator The Absent Leader The Roles:

The Democratic Leader – Tax the collective intelligence, see what kind of information your team has. Get input, grab information, and then make the decision to move forward.

The Dictator – Don’t take input from the team. Tell them what they are to do.

The Absent Leader – Don’t give direction, and don’t give input in the process.

You put a room full of leaders in place; they’re all going to be ready for competition. They all love challenge. They’re goal was complete the challenge, win. Do whatever it takes to win.

But, it had nothing to do with the challenge itself, it had to do with leadership styles and learning leadership styles.

Here’s what I want you to know about each style and the team underneath these leaders:

The Democratic Leader

What we discovered is the happiest team, the calmest team, and the team that worked best together. Everything that came from that process was positive. Every comment was positive.

Every single person on the team was like, “This is great. We didn’t have any problems. We enjoyed the process. We liked it.” Everything worked out well.

Why? Because everybody felt like they were a part of the process. Everybody felt that if they had an opinion on something.

This is not leadership by consensus. This was let me hear, let me hear what your ideas are, and I’ll make a decision on what direction we go in. That is treating people with dignity.

That is treating people with respect. That’s allowing them to give you information that you may not have. They feel a part of the process.

When you lead me that way, I have buying. Why? Because I believe you believe in me. I believe you want to hear what I have to say. Even if you don’t go with it, even if you don’t take my advice, you still are trying to hear from me.

Therefore, I feel more loyal to you in this process. I have ownership of the project.

The Dictator

We discovered that the frustration of the team members who had great information, that could cause the team to win. They were shut down because the leader would not take their input. They made the decision on what was going to happen.

How many of you are like this person? Do you find yourself not getting information from your team members? Do you find yourself having to be the one with all of the answers?

The Absent Leader

When we took at look at the team, we discovered they were so frustrated that their leader was not giving input, knowing that he had information. The frustration was very high. Even higher than the teams that had dictators.

If you’re somebody who is not leading your team, if you’re somebody who is just letting things happen, if you’re somebody who is not engaged, then guess what’s happening?

You are creating a culture of fear. You are creating a culture of confusion. You are creating a culture of people who don’t have respect for you as a leader, who don’t know what to do in their job.

http://chrislocurto.com/the-accidental-leader/

What is an accidental leader?

They have a great idea for a business. They go out and do it, they grow, and think that they are leading.

They start hiring people, unaware that they’re a dreadful leader. They realize that their employees are dreadful…or maybe it’s the other way around. It’s all in the numbers, right?

If you run through three or four employees in a couple of months, there’s a common denominator, YOU!

Today on the podcast, we are interviewing one of our clients, Bo McDonald, who has been with us for years. Bo discovered something very important about his leadership…the “accidental” leader.

We are digging in.

A few things we hit:

What turnover looked like for the “accidental” leader and what the signs were.

What the impacts were of being an “accidental” leader.

What the next step in leadership looked like for him.

How the next-level mastermind group helped his leadership.

The HUGE changes from his team from dedication to increased productivity.

If you’re not pouring into yourself and changing yourself and investing in you, it’s hard to invest in anyone else. The more you as a leader dig in, the more information you get, the more you can change, and be a better leader you will become.

Grace. It’s something we all need. Oddly enough, it’s not something that we give very freely. Every single one of us has junk in our lives. Instead of judgement or ridicule, we need to give grace and receive grace.

You’ve had at least one leader who was a jerk, a leader who was rough, a leader who didn’t have grace. The thing is that you have to understand people do what they’re taught.

Leading with grace requires one huge, huge thing. The first thing that leading with grace requires is, a relationship with the almighty God. A relationship with the one who has the most grace.

Your God is somebody who loves you so much, so much that he wants to spend eternity with you, that he did the greatest act of grace ever, and that was on the cross.

That was him saying, “I want everlasting life with you and so I am going to take on the worlds worst beatings, the worlds worst punishment, so that I can have it with you.” All you’ve got to do is choose.

That act is such a massive act of love, and an act of grace.

Now what does that mean for leading? What it means is if I am going to treat people with grace I must first have it. I have been given so much grace that I must give grace.

I have had so much grace in my life because I have screwed so many things up, I have done so many things with stupid, I have done so many things wrong, and I have needed that grace from god even when I didn’t realize I was doing things wrong.

It was there, and it’s been there, and I’ve bee able to receive that. I’m able to look back on my life and see many of the things that God has done to give me grace I must give grace to others.

Leading others has to start with me, I start with the understanding that I have this grace.

http://chrislocurto.com/using-the-force-with-culture/ Culture, for me, is summed up in 2 things: actions and attitudes. It's the actions of your team, it's the actions of your leadership, it's the actions of your clients. It's the attitudes of your team, your leadership, your clients. If you're a leader and you're overloaded and you're finding that you can't spend time with your team members then I can promise you this: culture is sneaking in your back door. People are sneaking in bad leadership, like not taking ownership, like possibly gossip, like not having buy-in in the direction or vision that we're going in, or silently sabotaging the vision in the process. For you to have great culture you have to understand the starting place is to force it. You have to literally force the culture that you want in your business, period.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-clear-is-your-decision-making/

One of the things that can absolutely destroy your business, long term, is a bad decision-making process.

Some people make decisions because they’re afraid. They’re afraid of something, they’re afraid something’s going to happen, they’re afraid, whatever, fill-in-the-blank.

They make really bad decisions. Listen to find out what questions you can ask to start making better decisions today!

http://chrislocurto.com/7-steps-to-a-tough-conversation/

How many of you need to have a tough conversation right now? Do you know how? After all, who taught you how to do it? Who taught you how to sit down and have a conversation with somebody who was just totally screwing up?

Who taught you to sit down with a vendor that doesn’t realize that YOU are the customer? Who taught you how to sit down and have a difficult conversation with somebody who is the opposite personality style that you are?

Maybe you might be struggling because it’s a big conflict for you and you don’t want to do it in the first place.

Here are 7 steps that you can put into practice this week:

STEP 1: Before you call a team member out you should always ask yourself first, “Am I the problem?” STEP 2: Take responsibility and treat people with dignity. STEP 3: Always, always, ALWAYS try hard to avoid jumping to conclusions. STEP 4: Gain perspective on the situation, the person, and yourself first. STEP 5: Once you are positive you have as much perspective as you can obtain, gain even MORE by asking questions starting with, “Help me understand…” STEP 6: Guide your team member to self-discovery. STEP 7: Ask the team member to clarify the situation.

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-dramatically-transform-your-leadership-in-3-days/

Look, I absolutely get it. You started your business or took on a leadership role because you wanted the RESULTS of having a business and leading.

Results like:

Making good money so you can do what you want in life (i.e. provide for your family, live in a nice house, take vacations when you want, pay for your kid’s college, have solid retirement savings)

Have the time and freedom to live your life on your terms (i.e. take time off to spend with your family, work from home if you want, heck…work WHEN you want and WHERE you want)

Make a difference in the lives of your team, and use your influence to set direction rather than just take orders (i.e. find more fulfillment in teaching and guiding team members to success, more control of your career and work)

It’s the dream, right?

But before you knew it, the amount of work on your plate, the running around like a crazy person putting out fires, people drama on your team, and the stress and overwhelm of it all some days has you asking why you ever decided to start this business or why you ever jumped into leading people.

Does any of this sound familiar?

http://chrislocurto.com/5-cant-ignore-keys-to-business-growth/

If you’ve run a business for more than a day, you know growing a company involves more than selling stuff.

Fast forward a year or two later when you’ve added team members, and you definitely know it involves more than that!

As an entrepreneur or leader, you know these issues, and so many more, are part of running a company and leading a team.

That said, I’ve learned how to eliminate or minimize them in my business so they don’t hold my team back or me from crushing it every day.

Here are 5 keys you can’t ignore to grow your business.

You and I both know traditional goal-setting doesn’t work.

But Michael Hyatt’s process does.

http://chrislocurto.com/best-year-ever/

If you truly want to make this your best year ever, and finally make progress against the goals that matter most, then go watch Michael’s video.

Today, I am talking about setting up your year for success.

Joel Boggess’s ReLaunch Show has been named one of the top five shows to jump start your inspiration and one of the top twenty business podcasts of 2015.

On today’s podcast Joel shares his discoveries about the value of determination, persistence, and faith on all sides. He illustrates how those three actions brought about a new beginning. Joel believes everyone has a message that is unique to them and the greatest gift we can give is to share that message.

As a bonus, Joel has given us his top 7 mistakes that podcasters make. Click below to receive your copy.

http://chrislocurto.com/everybody-matters/

The way we lead in business effects the way our team members live their lives. We make a profound impact on them by the way we treat them. We're not only effecting the team member who works with us, but we're effecting their role in their family when they go home.

We need to have leaders who know where they're going and how to get there safely so that people who entrust their lives, who join your organization in hopes of realizing their dreams through sharing their gifts, feel safe and valued.

35 Ideas that will change your productivity. Use these simple strategies to increase efficiency and make an impact every day.

http://chrislocurto.com/downloads

We all like to have freedom and independence to be creative and get things done. So as an Entrepreneur, how do you balance that in the workplace and create that great environment? I received a killer question the other day regarding autonomy in the workplace. Here's what Marc had to say:

"We hear a lot about what makes a great workplace and I've read several things recently from people that I really respect and one of the things that is often recommended for a great workplace is team members having a sense of autonomy.

That's great, but sometimes you have jobs that require a certain way of doing things. For example, we have a situation where we have an inside sales team and we'd like things said a certain way or presented a certain way and so on.

We're not asking to read a script verbatim, but feel like we need things done a certain way because these are methods that have been developed over time and have been proven to work, and will ultimately make them more successful.

With a sales team of over 30 people in two different locations, we feel the need for consistency in what's being said and presented. I'd love to hear some examples or stories of where a company has some guidelines of having to do things a certain way, but can still give their team members that sense of autonomy to create that great work environment. Thanks."

This is kind of a difficult one, which in leadership, what's not difficult, right? When I think of autonomy, I think of it as being two types of things. One would be self-governing. Can you govern yourself?

http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-attract-customers/

Forbes magazine said positive word of mouth is without question the most powerful factor in buying decisions today.

The old number used to be that a satisfied customer will tell four or five people. A dissatisfied customer will tell up to 20. You can change the math on that now because a satisfied customer may tell 1,000 people. A dissatisfied customer might tell 2,000 people, given the advent of social media.

So, how do you grow your company? What is the key to attracting customers to your business.

Join me today on the podcast as a discuss with Joe Calloway, author of the book Magnetic, the art of attracting business.

http://chrislocurto.com/downloads

Today, on the podcast, we are answering a question that came in from one of our listeners.

Justin writes, "I have to start with the obvious. Thanks for all that you guys are doing and keep killing it. I know you're always open to suggestions for podcast topics, and yes we are, so I wanted to throw out the idea of doing something high level on communication, and maybe topic in with your top 10 recommended books on communication.

I loved your list on the poverty mindset. I know how important you think communication is, and I think most of your listeners could benefit from what you have to say on the topic and from the books you recommend. Thanks again, and keep up the good work."

Thank you Justin, we appreciate all of that. I'm going to answer Justin's question but before I do I have created a tool for you to use to help you better communicate.

There are some do's and some don'ts of body language when you're communicating effectively. So make sure that you get today's download if you want to know these things, and you want the power of understanding body language, and the things to do and not to do for effective communication.

Here are the points we discuss:

Verbal Communication Non-verbal Communication Listening Patience Asking Questions Respect Problem Solving Being Socially Aware Self-Management Responsibility and Accountability Assertiveness

http://chrislocurto.com/downloads/

First off, when I say audience, audience is somebody who is listening. It could be one person sitting across the desk from you, or it could be a theater filled with people. Anybody who you ask for attention from is an audience, and there is often an inherent value in that interaction based on performance. Performance in the way that we're looking at is about authenticity.

The greatest performers in the world are the most honest ones, the most authentic ones. Performance is in large part about amplifying different parts of your personality in order to achieve a particular goal. We are talking with Michael Port, author of the book Steal the Show, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life.

It's easy to start something and do okay, but it's the finishing that's the key. Your life is made up of lots of high stakes situations, and how you perform during those moments, and if you fall flat, then your life is relatively flat, but if you can shine when the spotlight's on you, then you get to do big things. That's exciting. The book focuses on feedback, how to give it, how to take it, how to get the kind of feedback that you want. Recognize that you don't need to be an entertainer to be a performer. That's really important to remember. You just need to be somebody who wants to connect with others and deliver on promises.

Two different ways to reduce your anxiety about performing. They're internal, rather than external. There are certainly things you can do externally. You can try to calm your breath and warm up your body, but ultimately, the fear is inside you. It's not on the outside of you. It's on the inside. There are two ways that we can reduce that fear.

One, we can be better prepared. One of the reasons that we are often afraid is because we are not as prepared as we would like to be. We don't know if we are going to be able to deliver what we want to deliver. If you're prepared, then you tend to be calmer.

Number two; we get a lot more anxious when we get self-absorbed. Once we start thinking about ourselves, and we go, "Oh my God, I look fat in these pants," or "They're going to hate me," or "They're not going to believe anything I have to say," or "Who am I to say this? It's already been said," or any other number of things that we start to obsess on, when we obsess on those things, it just gets worse. Brainstorm your whole story. Sometimes, it helps recording it, because you were trying to flash it out. If we do it on audio, and then we listen back, and we can write it down, what we said or we can have it transcribed if it's a very long story. It's good to have just a big messy draft, because that way, what we're going to do is we're going to cut. I'm going to try to sculpt it, mold it, because a story has three acts. The first act is the exposition: the time, the setting, and the place. It's the information that the listener needs to know in order to understand what comes next.

The second act is the conflict. It starts with inciting incidence. Something occurs that creates conflict, and that conflict spurs some kind of action, and that action might create more conflict, which then spurs some more action, which the spurs some more conflict. That's where the tension's created.

Then, of course act 3 is the resolution. Resolution is the thing that we're waiting for. It's not always happy. Sometimes it's "they all lived happily ever after," and sometimes it's "they all died in the end." The resolution determines the length of the story, meaning if the resolution is worth waiting for, it's incredible powerful.

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Do you have any bad habits? Do you wonder why so many successful Entrepreneurs are able to create habits that contribute to their success while others can't seem to get them to stick? Well then you are in for a treat on today's podcast. The crazy, incredibly talented Gretchen Rubin in on to talk about that very thing! One of the things with happiness and habits, is to manage your own mind, to really think about the mood that you're in or the way that you're feeling and think about, "What can I do to fix this? That is the biggest myth is that there's a right habit that everyone should follow and it will work for everyone. There's all different factors that could influence whether someone found it easier or harder to keep their habit of exercise. An important clue is, when have you succeeded and when have you failed? How do you measure people against each other? How do you create a framework for understanding the patterns that we see? This thing almost melted my brain, it was so hard to grasp. I realized that when it comes to habits, people fell into four very striking patterns. I divided all of humanity into four. There are upholders, questioners, obligers, and rebels. So, the challenge for each of us is to take advantage of the strengths and counterbalance the weaknesses so we can get ourselves to the place we would want to be.

To have a really good Next-Level Life, you have to be willing to be vulnerable and open up and share things. One of the biggest things in my life plan that I gained freedom, and I'm able to go forward and have a better life and make better decisions. I think other people are going to have other things that they're going to have freedom from, but it is worth it. Gaining perspective on what has caused me to become this way and what influences have been in my life and how I've gotten to this point of believing the things that I do.

With that perspective, I can say, "okay, well I'm not this horrible person for believing these things; this is just how I was trained to be." Now going forward, I know this and I can choose to view things differently. You can't just choose to see things differently when you don't know. I needed Next-Level Life; I needed to really dig down to the why, to my root system to get that perspective.

149 | 5 Essential Leadership Questions by Chris LoCurto

http://chrislocurto.com/downloads Today we're talking again about the power to grow. This is something that everybody who's in our coaching program, or our mastermind groups, is doing to grow their business. To grow their leadership. This is so powerful, and we've been doing this with our clients for years. Because it works. Because we keep helping. We've also got a phenomenal download. There's 10 things, 10 things that will help you find a group. This is coming straight out of our groups. The things that are making our clients absolutely successful!

Network Of Challenging Minds - Like minded individuals who are focused on pushing each other to grow themselves and others in the process in the same area ie. Entrepreneur, leadership, small business.

There Is incredible Power In Community - There are 2 aspects to community. Having it, having people around you to keep you from being isolated in your own thoughts. It’s also a community of people that are sharing the same experience.

Accountability - People willing to take on the responsibility to hold others accountable to their own expectations. How they accomplish this is by not filling their own needs but by helping others to achieve theirs.

We hear a lot about people saying, "We'd like to hear from more people who have experienced some of our events, Next-Level Life, StratPlan." We have somebody who has been through both on today's show.

Brent Van Haren is joining us today to talk about the impact that Next-Level Life and StratPlan has had on his family and business.

I wanted to talk a lot about Next-Level Life, but since Brent went through StratPlan as well, I wanted to know what the experience was like for StratPlan. So I asked.

"That's a good question. StratPlan was pretty powerful for us in our business. I think I told you afterwards in the first couple of months afterwards that it was by far the most impactful thing that I've been a part of in the business. I've been there about 8 years.

It has helped change our direction, changed our understanding of who we are. It's really allowed us to focus on what we need to rather than just what we thought we should." For anyone who's out there, there's a lot of people listening, business owners, leaders, individuals, stay at home moms, that have not gotten around to doing Next-Level Life. "I'll get it. I need to, yeah, I need to do that. Ah, I'll get ...." That is one of the things that we hear a lot is people saying, "You know, I know I've needed to do this for 2 years." What would you say to them about getting in?

"My dad has been through Next-Level Life, my brother. I have been through Next-Level Life. It changes generations. It's going to change Addie. She's going to have more awareness for her children, or the people that are close to her in her life. It has a long lasting impact. I would never have realized these.

There's just nothing else in my life I ever would have encountered that would've helped me see that. To have that big of an impact, is pretty amazing. That's where some people do have a lot of anxiety, or concern about the experience, about the 2 days that Next-Level Life is. I just try to really look at the big picture, 2 days of discomfort, I'll say, is worth a lifetime of better choices, and better understanding, and better decisions. For me, it's a no brainer to invest the time, and the money, and the effort, and the discomfort to come out on the other side so different and so aware. It's amazing."

http://chrislocurto.com/downloads "Oh my gosh, Christmas is actually not that far away." We are now getting close to the fourth quarter. What things do you need to be doing? What areas do you need to be covering? The physical, the career, the financial goals, the family, the spiritual, the intellectual, all of these things that we need to be focusing on to make sure that we don't let this quarter throw us off track. PHYSICAL - Make sure that you actually have a plan on how you're not going to spend everyday shoving a ton of junk in your body. You've got to be getting outside even if only for ten minutes a day. Make sure that you do this so that you get some vitamin D in your body thus decreases your chance of getting sick. These are the things that make you happy; this helps you to have emotional well-being. This supports your brain and your nervous system. Here are some things that you can do to just be active for 30 minutes. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you're going grocery shopping, carry the groceries out if you can instead of using the cart. If your kids are playing soccer then walk around the field. Climb the bleachers, dance in your kitchen. I don't care. Make sure that you have a plan to get some sleep. This is the crazy time of year and unfortunately we keep jacking up our sleep while we're going to parties, and going shopping late, and doing all this stuff, and drinking coffee late in the afternoon. Make sure that you're actually getting enough sleep. Stop your electronics at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Pick up a book and read, that will help you on your intellectual goals. If you're reading the word then that will help you on your spiritual goals. But stop, stop all the electronics. Pick something up, read. CAREER-For me, I am a very growth minded kind of guy. I truly believe that the most successful businesses are growth minded as well. Ask yourself the following questions. Make sure that you're writing down those steps and What it's going to take to get there. With the remainder of this year, what is it that would take me to the next level? Where do it see myself by the end of the year? FINANCIAL-Folks, we have a few months left before Christmas destroys your checkbook and you know it's going to happen if you've not been planning. Be sure that you're budgeting. Look at the remainder of the year and ask yourself the question. What things do we need to save for? Whatever that is, make sure that you're putting this in your budget. What things do you need to be budgeting for? What things do you need to plan for? How much money are you going to spend at Christmas? How much money are you going to spend at Thanksgiving when you go see family? Whatever it is, make sure that you're asking yourself those questions when it comes to budgets. FAMILY-Make sure that you're scheduling your time wisely so you're not missing things or having to run to things or getting frustrated because everything is stacked on top of each other. Make sure that you're bringing balance and structure for you, for your spouse, and for your kids. Make sure that you're spending time resetting expectations of them so that you're not getting entitled children. Make sure that you're spending quality time together. Turn off the TV and the electronics. Have dinners together. Have conversations together. Have them put their cellphones down or put them away so that you can actually have quality conversations and can do things. What happens this time of year so that you can think through what healthy boundaries are needed. List out what healthy boundaries are needed. Do these things so that you can be happy, so that you can be healthy and so that you can get further along. Don't allow this end of the year to stress you out.

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Today on the show we've got Bruce Van Horn. He has written the book, Worry No More, which is The 4 Steps to Stop Worrying and Start Living. The opening of the book is a dedication to his boys. It reads: "Because you deserve the best of me that I seek to become the fullest expression of who I was created to be. I love you, Dad." POWERFUL!

Bruce has had lots and lots of cause to worry in his life. February 17th of 2014, 9:22 in the morning, he put his youngest on school bus and had just started to eat breakfast. "I was expecting my doctor to call me with the biopsy results, but he assured me that everything was just going to be fine. The phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and in that instant; I knew exactly what he was going to tell me.I knew that eating breakfast that morning was going to be the last normal thing I would do for a very long time. Sure enough he called and he said, "Bruce, I just have no idea how to tell you this. It all came back bad. You've got stage 4 prostate cancer." Then the wheels just start rolling and life didn’t assume normalcy for a long time after that". I can't even imagine. I'll never forget the day that Bruce texted me. He had just found out. Knowing what he went through, the terrible pain and process yet his faith remained so very strong. We asked Bruce, what is worry? "Worry is using your imagination to create images of what you do not want to see, and/or events that you do not want to occur. It becomes paralyzing. It is like watching a movie. You're creating, scripting, directing, and casting a movie in which you're a victim." When does worry become your dominant thought process? "There are so many things we worry about that we have absolutely no control over. There are certain things though that we worry about that we do have control over. Step 1: WATCH A DIFFERENT MOVIE. Many of us just live our lives unaware that we can indeed control our thoughts." You have that 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day, and researchers have discovered that approximately 75 percent of those are negative. Step 2: MOVE TO A DIFFERENT STATE Packing up our belongings and moving a couple hundred miles away might remove us from the source of what we think is some of our worry. That’s not the moving to a different state that I mean. I'm talking about physical and mental state management. Our bodies have control over our emotions. When we're happy, our bodies move in a certain way. We are expansive. We take up more space. If you will move your body the way you would be moving your body, if you were happy, amazingly, you start to become happy. Step 3: GIVE YOURSELF THE PRESENT-When we're worried, we are thinking about the future. When we're thinking about the future, we are not living in the present. The only thing that is absolutely guaranteed in this life is that God only gives us right now, this very second. This is why scripture says, "Tomorrow has enough worries of its own." Live today. Step 4: REST IN P'S - The P’s are perspective, plan, purpose, perfection, and peace. Ultimately, if we can understand that the life that we are experiencing right now we are only able to experience within our own thought process, then we can realize that there may be another perspective, another way. Trusting that there is a plan and that there's a purpose and that the creator of this plan and purpose is perfect means whatever is happening in your life is perfect. It doesn’t mean it's pleasant. If you can wrap your brain around perspective, plan, purpose and perfection, it can’t help but bring peace into your life and that’s ultimately what we want from our worry is peace. Conclusion: We live in this paradox and trying to find peace in that paradox. We are 100 percent responsible for our lives as far as the decisions we make, the thoughts we think, and the way we respond to certain event in our lives. We do not usually get to choose the path we get to walk down, but we get to choose how we walk it.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE DOWNLOAD

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Over this past weekend, I got a little frustrated. I was flipping through the Facebook feed, and there was a video of somebody talking about how poor people are kept poor.

I've got to tell you, I was so frustrated listening to this guy, and knowing that there are people out there that are clicking this and telling themselves, "Yeah, this guy is so right! Of course, there is a system in place that keeps me poor. There is a system that keeps me held down!"

We found so many businesses and leaders that have been struggling with this. I want to help you get to a place of leading your team members, maybe even helping yourself. Maybe this is you if you as a leader or struggling with this. So let's BUST this myth:

As a leader, it is your job to make your team successful. Let them know that there is an opportunity for them to absolutely hustle and win with money. You have to show them, and be willing to pay someone who does. You've got to start there. What are you willing to give to them if they will go bust it? Bring money in, I'll share it with you, period! That's it.
How can they help or support other areas to bring in more revenue? You have to look at that as well. Are they just in an admin role, or are they supporting an area that is creating more revenue? They're actually a part of that process. How do I share with them? Obviously, I'm going to pay them a great salary, but do I also give them part of profit sharing? What do I do? You have think through and allow them to see that they have an opportunity as well.
Invest in your team. My team is well aware that I am willing to spend money on them becoming better if they can show me how they can, and they can prove that it is actually work. I will pay for it. I will spend money on my team members to become better so that they can make even more money. I'm all about that.
Teach your team to serve, serve, serve. Like I said, almost every single job that I have ever had in some way, shape, or form served people. It took care of people. It helped people. Serving people. Helping them to get what they need, you will never worry about having enough, period. Again, as we talked with Rabbi Lapin, you have to become obsessively preoccupied with the needs of others. As you serve well, and do well, money comes your way. People want to pay to have their lives changed, to have their businesses changed. That's common sense. We don't have to seek the money. Instead, we serve people. They take care of us in the process.

When you begin to make money, more money than ever before, because of it, you tend to bust it more. When you discover this key to wealth, when you discover this key of serving, working hard, busting it, hassling, taking care of people, you tend to do it more. You tend to realize that it's very difficult to feel entitled when you're taking care of other people. When you're helping other people get their needs met, it's really difficult for you to go, "I need my handout."

There are champions out there who want it. They want the opportunity!

Do those things and you will have a team that's focused on serving. You will have a team that's focused on gaining wealth. You will have a team that is focused on growing your business.

It is all about changing your mindset, not only yours but that of your teams. If you can have a team that has this kind of mindset, there is nothing you can't accomplish.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA DOWNLOAD

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Did you know that Facebook has 1.5 billion people actively on it? There are already 30 million business pages on Facebook. Is yours one of them? Did you know that it has the most evenly distributed demographic? Which means you’re going to find almost as many 50-year olds on Facebook as you are 20-year olds.

Social media is networking online! So what if your business could get .1% of those people interested in what you are doing, you have increased your reach in your customer base by a thousand times!!

Today, on the show, we are talking all about social media. We walk through the importance of social media in your business, how to use it, and why you should be using it. PLUS, get Savannah’s SOCIAL MEDIA SWIPE FILE! It is a “power” tool FULL of proven tips and tricks that we use here in our business right at your fingertips!

Some Questions I Asked:

-Why is an editorial calendar important? -What should be posted on a business platform? -What is an avatar, and why do businesses need to know what their avatar is? -Can you explain vanity numbers? -How do you know what your demographic is? -What is a swipe file and how do you use it?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

-How to discover who your avatar is. -How to build loyalty through engagement on social media -What native posting is and how is applies to different social platforms -The importance of having a strategy for each platform -How to measure your engagement on each platform -Tools, Tips & tricks that we use -PLUS, so much more good stuff!!!

Did you enjoy the podcast?

We barely scraped the surface of all the ways to market using social media. In what ways are you using social media? Comment below and share, it helps others to grow.

Nearly every year 100 Jewish people are included in the Forbes 400 Wealthiest Americans. By demographic proportion, there shouldn’t be more than 8 or 9. How are they consistently wealthier than the rest of the population? Rabbi Lapin shares how on today’s episode of The Chris LoCurto Show!

Have you ever noticed that highly successful people have a distinct mindset? Do you wonder what they do to stay mentally strong?

On today's show, I unpack 18 Habits of Mentally Strong People. The stuff that so many people avoid doing, or have no clue that they should be doing them.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this podcast that we have created a FREE DOWNLOAD for you containing ALL 18 habits!

Stephen Scoggins is joining us on the show today. Stephen is a successful entrepreneur, a speaker, and the author of the book The Journey Principles (10 Simple Principles for a Life Journey That Matters).

On the show he shares how he built a multi-million dollar business, and yet his spirit was broken. Money and success didn't bring him happiness. Instead, he had to find out what was holding him back.

He talks about being minutes from the business going down the toilet, and then being led to having a discussion with yours truly. That conversation we had many years ago began his Journey which led him to today and his new book, which he uses to reach out to others in life changing ways!

Along this journey we’ve become great friends, and we both absostinkinlutely give God the glory that He chose that day for us to connect.

So let's dive in to the Journey Principles!

In day-to-day life it's easy to fall into the trap of believing a myth or a lie about yourself.

Broken belief systems are can cripple you if you don't watch out. On the show today I wanted to focus on 8 core myths that I see often during our Next-Level Life events.

Now these 8 lies are not the only myths there are! There's a ton more we didn't have time for. But I wanted to dive into these 8 and unpack them for you so maybe you can see if you are believing a myth about your life.

Here's a preview of what we cover on the episode:

Is other peoples happiness more important than yours? Why happiness isn't the end game Codependency and self sabotage Can you truly earn someone's love? Why "building walls" is killing your relationships Is all conflict bad? Unless it's easy...it's wrong! Do you really have to be right?

Click here to take our listener survey: https://hc250.infusionsoft.com/app/form/e6e597468488766c22b9d2989f68ef04

How well do you know your customers? Do you know what they want and need from you as a company? On today’s podcast, we are going to talk about how to better know and serve your customer base.

What we will cover:

How to gain perspective Common mistakes that are made about your customers How to gain great information from your customers Why we want your opinion (Take 90 seconds and fill out the survey below) Knowing your customers and their needs is vital for the direction and vision of a successful business. 82% of customers have stopped doing business with a company because of poor customer experience. (...and come to find out it's actually 89% based on a survey commissioned by RightNow and conducted by Harris Interactive

Don’t forget to take our survey!

Are you thinking about launching a new start up? Maybe you recently launched a new business and are still in the early phases.

Todays show will help you ask 7 fundamental questions of your new venture so you can set yourself up for success.

Successful people have mentors. Why? Because mentors are one of the best ways to fast track your success and performance.

That's the reason I have mentors in every area of my life.

If I can learn from the wisdom of someone who's "been there"...I literally can shave years off the learning curve.

You've heard me talk about my racing coach and how he coached me to setting a track record. I did mention I set a track record...right? Well, it would have taken a lot longer to reach that goal had he not been coaching me.

Now you don't have to have a mentor... You can keep doing life without one but when your limited to just "your" knowledge, you are extremely limited with your options.

Successful people understand the value of input.Successful leaders understand that one persons experience is another persons revelation. They understand that the best thing is not always the right thing. And they don't have to be the head of the class.

You see, NO ONE reaches success alone. And successful leaders know this.

Question: Who was your first mentor?

Today we're talking about how to define your core values. Now I'm sure for some of you you're thinking of "corporate core values".

Well... that's not what we're talking about today.

We're talking about your personal core values, your personal culture.

Let me start off by defining what court values are. These are the things that you value so much that you filter your life through them. These are things that are so important to you, that are such a high value to you, that you should be filtering your life through them. You should be making decisions based off of them. This seems like a no-brainer, but the problem is when we don't understand what our core values really are and we end up filtering life through things that are not healthy.

Here's some of the benefits of listening to the show today:

Why you should have personal core values How to have guard rails for your life The difference between healthy and unhealthy values How to have more directions and energy in your life How your values are vital in making decisions every day Your decision-making process What your leadership has to do with values Why God should be your number one value How to come up with your core values How to filter your life through your values

Question: What's your top core value? Why?

In November of 2010, Michele Cushatt's world was turned upside down.

She was 39 years old, had three boys, and on a Tuesday morning right before Thanksgiving her doctor told her she had a very rare kind of cancer.

She said, "The word cancer dropped into my life like a bomb…Everything changed after that point. The only thing I could think to do in that moment was run to my knees...and that’s where I found myself.”

Today's interview with Michele is powerful. She is amazing!

Here’s a few of the things we cover on the show:

• How to deal with devastating news • Learning to walk with God in tragedy • What having faith really looks like • Coming face to face with your beliefs • Dealing with misguided expectations • Discerning God’s presence • What to do when a piece of your story doesn’t go according to plan • How to cope with fear and uncertainty • A healthy perspective on perfection • The tragedy of poor work/life balance • Loving the dark parts of your story • How to plan life and business when plans fail • Finding value in yourself • Determining healthy motivation and drive

If you are going through a storm right now be encouraged. God has not abandoned you.

In fact he is more near to you now than ever before.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Michele:

“What we believe about God in those moments [when our story doesn’t go according to plan] ends up dictating what the future looks like.”

“I can choose to be very bitter and angry and be a victim…or I can choose to weave it into my story [and find the good.]”

[Tweet "“If you can write a check, it isn’t a tragedy.” "]

“It’s so easy to get caught in the temporal, and miss out on the things that truly last and matter.”

[Tweet "“Perfection doesn’t create very many opportunities for connection.""]

“All of our attempts to be so polished all the time are actually minimizing our opportunities for connection with others.”

“We think it’s all about being polished and perfect but there’s no one out there that can really connect with someone who is perfect”

“…believe in what you have to say, that’s what being really successful looks like.”

“It’s not all about crossing off my to-do list, sometimes there’s a more worthy pursuit”

[Tweet "“The struggle is exactly what I needed to bring myself to the place I am today.”"]

“I don’t have to work 70 hours a week to be worthy of my skin.”

“It’s only in the struggle that we develop perseverance and endurance.”

“we get caught up into thinking the world is dependent on us.”

“You can do everything right, and everything can change in a moment.”

“Is a 70 hour work week really the notch in your belt you want to leave behind? Is having 20,000 twitter followers really the legacy you want to leave?”

“We are so desperate to make an impression and to leave a mark on this world and yet the ways we’re going about it seem so contrary to what we say really matters.”

You can find out more about Michele by visiting http://michelecushatt.com.

You'll also want to read her book: Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life. I read it and was incredible moved by Michele's transparency and her perspective on life.

Here's the link for the post: http://chrislocurto.com/10-warning-signs-of-toxic-people/

I see it everyday...great people that are allowing a toxic person to control them, abuse them, and manipulate them.

This is serious folks.

Reality is that quite a few people listening to the podcast and reading this are either in a toxic relationship or are actually toxic themselves.

So while we’re on the subject of toxic people... be aware that you "may" be one of them.

Here's a few of the warning signs we cover on the show:

They have a big need for control. They tend to be dishonest. They are abusive. Typically they are disrespectful. Beware of their manipulation. They try to intimidate with power or money. Victim Mentality Hostility Remember that I want you to be the healthiest person possible.

Use this episode to gauge toxicity in yourself and your relationships.

Toxic people are always looking for someone to control. Beware!

What has been your experience in dealing with toxic people?

Today we have a couple of AskChris questions from Brian and Jay.

If you have a question you want me to answer on the show go to /askChris.

Leadership is often misunderstood. A title doesn't make you a leader and "title-leadership" can destroy a company.

Brian called in to tell us about a big leadership win he recently had. He built trust and loyalty...that's huge! That's a leader. You rock Brian!

Jay asked a great question about when to expand his business into departments and when to create an official org chart.

I've got some specific opinions on the classic org chart that I cover on the show. Would love to know your thoughts.

P.S. It all starts with vision.

Have you ever discovered that you're burnt out from work? From life?

Well...where is that coming from?

Is it because you've been overworked for too long? Maybe you've been overstressed for too long? (Keep in mind this could be work stress, family stress, and relationship stress.)

In order to avoid burnout there's a few questions I want you to consider.

When was the last time you went on vacation? How often are you telling people "NO"? Do you need to tell some family members or friends or bosses "No"? Do you have too much responsibility on your plate? Do you have controlling people in your life? Are you writing down all you commitments in order to eliminate the unnecessary? Are you focused on your health? Are you suffering from information overload? Are you in control of your calendar? You hear me talking about this all the time but you must stop making statements and start asking questions. Ask yourself questions. Gain perspective! Start asking yourself some good questions on how you got to where you.

We want you to be the strongest possible self that you can be.

Question: How do you avoid burnout?

Our guest today is Cliff Ravenscraft…The Podcast Answer Man!

In 2005 Cliff started podcasting about the TV show Lost and has been on a huge growth trajectory ever since.

He shares with us how he turned his passion into a business and how he took the scary leap into entrepreneurism.

Here’s what all we cover:

How Cliff got into Podcasting How he uses Podcasting to Build Relationships Why he walked away from a $500k insurance agency gig What the TV Show LOST has to do with podcasting How he transitioned from hobby to full time career What you need to know about following your passion How Cliff lost 45 pounds The 10,000 hour rule applied to Podcasting The power of just starting The biggest mistakes when starting to grow your platform His advice to folks just starting out

129 | Part 2 - Next-Level Life Journey: Before and After by Chris LoCurto

Self doubt. Fear of failure. Not feeling good enough.

Have you experienced any of these in your life?

If so…todays interview will challenge and motivate you to step out in faith and move towards health.

I interview Trent, a recent Next-Level Life attendee, about his powerful story of being overwhelmed with self doubt and fear. In fact this is a 2 Part interview, a before and after. I sat down with Trent BEFORE his Next-Level Life event. I knew the change that was about to take place in his life and I wanted to hear him share some of his reservations and fears about Next-Level Life.

He walks us through his journey of making the decision to change and move in the direction of health. He shares the feelings and emotions that most of us try to hide.

This is a powerful interview!

I asked Trent if he would share his story on the podcast because I have a feeling that a lot of you are just like Trent.

You are living in fear and you don’t have to anymore. You are wasting your life worrying about other peoples opinions.

Here’s what Trent and I cover on the show:

Not feeling good enough Viewing people as better than you Reaching the breaking point in life Trent’s battle with people pleasing Negatively influencing your children Passing your root system to your kids Being taken advantage of Being controlled by parents The possibility of change Trent’s story is the reason why we do Next-Level Life.

If you go day after day not making good decision, not feeling good enough, not feeling worthy…

If someone has taught you that you are not good enough…IT”S A LIE.

You are not a mistake. You are good enough. In fact…it’s not about you…it’s about God.

Part 2 of Trent’s interview will be out on Thursday so be sure to check back this week. It’s the fun one!

And a special shout out to Trent – Brother, YOU ROCK! Thank you for stepping up and sharing your story. You are helping change lives!

Do you want to know how businesses win at sales?

It's pretty simple...INTEGRITY. Not compromising just to make a buck. Trust me, it will always come back to bite you. I asked Joel to join me on the show to talk a little bit about our sales process and how he focuses on integrity when selling.

Here's what Joel and I cover on the show:

How to have integrity when selling Joel's philosophy on servant selling What you usually don't find in sales people How to guide the customer through serving Sales techniques vs. Serving Techniques How to help people trust you What causes someone to break integrity? Do you believe in what you're selling? I believe integrity is critical to growing your sales process. And as the leader it's your job to instill integrity into the DNA of your company culture.

Never.Break.Integrity.

Question: How have you experienced a lack of integrity in business?

126 | Achieve Peak Performance Avoiding the Leadership HALT by Chris LoCurto

We have special guest, Dr. Josh Axe on the show today.

This guy has authored 3 books...with another book in the works.

He's been featured on Dr. Oz and has worked with elite Olympic athletes!

Get ready for some insane info...a pen and paper would be recommended.

Here's a taste of what we talk about:

How sugar is more addictive than cocaine. The number one cause of disease. How to get rid of inflammation. Why you should stay away from fruit juice. The ideal amount of sugar you SHOULD get. The basics of the ketogenic diet. Is paleo the right diet for everyone. How your body burns energy. Burning body fat for weight loss. Acidic vs. Alkaline The common pitfalls of the paleo diet. The truth about fat. This is just a preview of all the good stuff Dr. Axe shares with us today.

If you'd like more info about Dr. Axe visit his website: http://draxe.com

He's giving away an amazing eBook for free right now so check it out.

Also, you can check him out on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJoshAxe

Or follow him over on twitter: https://twitter.com/drjoshaxe

So…how old are you?

Serious…what’s your age?

Well the average age a person lives here in the west is 79 years. That's it. Hmm…

Now take that average and subtract the number of years you’ve lived…how much you got now?

If you’re like me you’ve got about 34 years left. #realitycheck

This reality should change the way you work, deal with people, views of God, etc.

We gots to hustle!

You have to start looking at the things that keep you from being successful and eliminate them FAST!

Today’s show runs through 7 enemies of your success: https://chrislocurto.com/7-enemies-of-success/

We all procrastinate in some way. It effects each of us in... “unique" ways. The way I have been able to overcome procrastination is through a concious effort to fight it. All day err'y day. I want to shed some light on the reality of procrastination. The day to day wood shed of fighting against it.

Here's my journey with fighting procrastination...

Here's what I want you to understand...

When you give in to procrastination you are sacrificing your long term pleasure/health/goal for short term pleasure/temporary satisfaction. Now why would anyone do something like this?

There is a long list of reasons why people procrastinate including: Fear Fear of failure Fear of what others think Fear of being defined by failures Fear of proving the negative voices in your life to be correct Fear of being not good enough Fear of pain Most likely you associate that thing you are avoiding with pain instead of pleasure. It may be painful but…you know you should do it - that’s why you’re procrastinating. You naturally hate pain. We avoid it at all costs. Even to the extend of sacrificing our long term health for temporary pleasure. Perfectionism If I can’t to it perfectly, I shouldn’t do it Guilt I don’t deserve to be able to do this I’ll be selfish if I take care of me It’s my responsibility to put other first Lack of motivation What is this going to do for me? How can this benefit me? I don’t have enough information I don’t know if I’ll get the return for the investment

There is another thing, busyness. When you find everything in the world to do, other than the important things that might actually change your life and get you to a happier and healthier place.

Check out the podcast today and let me know what you think God is calling you to do.

Vanessa Van Edwards, behavioral investigator, teaches us how people work on todays show. She is a Huffington Post columnist and her work has been featured on CNN, Forbes, Business Week and the Wall Street Journal.

This episode of The Chris LoCurto Show focuses on your decisions and choices and how they could be hurting you.

Joel and I work through the idea that you can choose health...if you want.

But so often we choose just the opposite. Why? cue Root System Rant

Understanding your root system and boundaries is a BIG DEAL!

This is hard work - it's not easy. Especially when it involves family.

Today's show will help bring you clarity and equip you to start moving in the direction of health.

Click Here to See Sample KRA's

http://chrislocurto.com/inside-stratplan/

http://chrislocurto.com/a-leadership-transition-plan/

117 | How To Make Better Decisions by Chris LoCurto

116 | Are You Addicted to Busyness? by Chris LoCurto

115 | Forgiving Yourself and Living Under Grace by Chris LoCurto

Go to chrislocurto.com/askchris and leave any questions you have and we will do our best to answer them on the show.

How do you lead change when the folks around you are tuff to lead or work with? How do you influence company culture when the leadership doesn't value it? That's the topic of The Chris LoCurto Show today.

If you are in a company where the culture is less than ideal...this resource is for you.

Today's topic was a question by Nick, an AskChris caller.

Nick has a new leader that has a completely different personality style than the previous leader in that role. It sounds like it's creating some conflict in the organization which includes some "culture shock".

And it's leading to some gossip among the staff.

How can Nick influence his new leader and help create a stronger culture? Give this episode a listen to find out.

And...go to chrislocurto.com/askchris and leave any questions you have and we will do our best to answer them on the show.

113 | How Do You Handle Criticism? by Chris LoCurto

Click this link to ask Chris a question: http://chrislocurto.com/askchris/

Check out the resources at http://chrislocurto.com/?p=59977

110 | Emotional Intelligence Explained by Chris LoCurto

109 | 3 Decisions That Will Change Your Team Today by Chris LoCurto

What are the things that keep you from being phenomenal?

What keeps you from being great?

If you think about it like a car, you’ve got a brake pedal and a gas pedal – is your foot on the gas or the brake? Most people have an idea of what holds them back but for some reason they don’t think of it actually slowing down their life.

These “brake pedals” could be keeping you from doing great things.

So… here’s what I want you to do: Get our a pen and paper. (I want this to be visual.)

Using the Wheel of Life as a guide, I want you to ask yourself, “What’s slamming on the breaks?”. Do this in each area.

What are the things in the financial area that is holding you back? What’s slamming on your breaks in the spiritual area of your life? …Physical Are you exercising? Do you feel great? …Intellectual Do you not feel smart enough? Do you not feel good enough? …Family Are they telling you you can Are they controlling? Are they abusive? …Social Do you have good people in your life? Are you surrounded by negative people? …Career Are you following your dreams? Do you even know what your dreams are? Is it a bad leader? Are you giving 100%? Are you afraid to fail? Then rate them from zero to 100. For example: How much is a fear of failure holding me back in my career? ( 70%)

Be sure to run through each area, write down your answers, and then process through them. Why are they holding you back? Why are they brake pedals? And, most importantly, how am I going to get my foot off the brake and on the gas?

This should begin to identify those major road blocks in your life and how to manage them better. Once you know what’s stopping you from reaching the next level then you can begin to create a plan on how to get there. This is a lot of work but you can do it!

If you are having trouble or just want this at a deeper level, (like 100x!!!) then look into Next-Level Life. This is one of the many things that we cover in order to make sure your foot is on the gas pedal for your life.

Question: Is your foot on the brake or the gas?

107 | Do The Work - Start Your Business by Chris LoCurto

You probably know that if your team doesn't know where there are going...they lose interest. They get bored. Where there is no vision the people start to fall apart.

It's your job as the leader to set that vision. If your not the one setting the vision then it's your job to help communicate the vision to your team. ALL. THE. TIME.

It's something we do in StratPlan and it's something you should do too!

In this show you will learn:

A quick way to communicate your companies vision Why your team needs a vision Is the dress black and blue or white and gold? Why a company vision is vital when leading How to Inject Passion into your team

105 | How To Have A Transparent Team by Chris LoCurto

It’s time for another AskChris episode and we have 2 great questions. Brian’s question is unique, how do you lead your former boss?

Leadership is not managing people. The goal of leadership is to lead others in the direction of the vision of the company. And you do this by first understanding, “who am I trying to lead?”.

When it’s your former boss, you need to understand that you may also be dealing with some emotions. Understanding how she acts, reacts, responds, receives info, gives info, etc. will give you a HUGE advantage. You know what will shut her down and motivate her. This is crucial.

Secondly, you need to earn her respect. You’ve heard me say, it’s your job to make your team successful, not the other way around. If you will make sure she is set up for success and has everything she needs…she will allow you to lead her. She’ll see that you are for her.

You shouldn’t be guarded! Being guarded means you are putting up walls and not healthy boundaries. Being guarded is never beneficial. You need to attack the thing that leads you to feel the need to be guarded.

If there’s an issue…call it out. LEAD!

Megan’s questions is about Root Systems. She is wondering if I have any more resources that I would recommend.

Well, assuming you have listened to this episode: http://chrislocurto.com/understanding-your-root-system/, I’ve got a few more ideas for you too so jump in!

And you can leave a question or comment here: chrislocurto.com/askchris.

Your question just might end up on the podcast like these listeners!

103 | What Brian Williams Can Teach You About Leadership by Chris LoCurto

Today we have two great questions!

Steve made a choice to guard who he surrounds himself with. He made clear boundaries.

Part of having healthy boundaries is knowing who to surround yourself with.

When people are not ready to change…it’s can be difficult but you must continue to be an example for them.

If you are not in a place to be a support or example then its difficult to be in that place.

And James wants to know how to negotiate a raise if you work in the public sector.

Hmm…that’s a tuff one. :-(

I dive into both questions and rant a bit about the political season that’s starting to show it’s fangs.

So hit play, listen and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Or better yet…leave a question or comment here: chrislocurto.com/askchris.

Your question just might end up on the podcast like these listeners!

Coffee with Chris is back with a bang!

David Morris, Founder and CEO of Dillanos Coffee Roasters sits down in our studio in Franklin, TN.

David shares stories from his new book, The Rolling Desk, and we take a deep dive on the famous Dillanos company culture.

Umm...they have a dodge ball court!!! #epicCulture

We've got two great questions today!

We get into a little ObamaCare talk, apparently, a Buffalo Wild Wings printed a line on their receipts for the ObamaCare costs. Pretty interesting!

There's no such thing as free! Just keep that in mind the next time a politician says "free healthcare" or "free college". You are paying for it one way or another. :-)

Today on AskChris Colin wants to know: How do I manage productivity? I measure productivity with an old school little thing called…leadership.

And Jesse has a great question about managing stress. She wants to know, "How do you better manage stress at work and home"? How do you "leave it at the office"?

Some great questions!

Dive in and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Or better yet…leave a question or comment here: http://chrislocurto.com/askchris

99 | How to create a Legendary Brand with Brian Smith Founder of UGG by Chris LoCurto

98 | AskChris: How To Get A Raise and Leading Older Employees by Chris LoCurto

97 | Signs of a Controlling Leader by Chris LoCurto

What kind of people do you surround yourself with? You've heard me say you are the sum of your past and your influencers. Well this episode is all about your influencers.

What happens when you hang out with the wrong crowd?

There are a ton of quotes that articulate this but...they often leave out the reason why. They are incomplete.

The real question is: Why are you in a place where you surround yourself with the wrong people?

To figure this out you have to understand your root system. Understand "your why". If you don't understand you are hanging out with losers - hmm...that may be your bigger issue.

You need people in your life that you can trust. Today's show will help you find those folks.

For most of us we need to understand our default. If you've been controlled all your life your default will be to hang out with people who control you. They make you feel like you're not good enough. You need people to tell you what to do.

If you are the controlling person, you will surround yourself with other controlling people but you will never have them in your life very long. You can't control them so you don't stay friends long. You try to control through anger and that won't last.

Instead of people who will push you to be great...you stay in your default, your comfort zone.

If the 5 closest people in your life are not healthy for you - you need to find new friends. But, ultimately you have to find your self worth from God. Only one place can give you consistent self worth - it's GOD! If you are looking for the approval of anyone other than God you will end up in trouble. Listen to today's show and let me know in the comments how you surround yourself with healthy people.

We are jumping back into your questions today! Thanks to everyone who has been over to http://chrislocurto.com/askchris/ and left a question.

The questions today are dealing with listening to God and how to actually take time off from your job.

Taking time to listen to God is tuff in our busy world but it's vital. You have to make time for meet. It's truly the most important part of your day. I answer a great question from Jason about being more open to God and even listening to people too.

And Barry had an interesting question about taking time off during the week to "relax" or rest from work. Is it possible when you genuinely love your job? I feel ya Barry!

Here are some of the highlights from this podcast:

How to listen to God Being sensitive to God's voice Why you need to practice listening Building the listening muscles Being fully engaged in conversation Emotional attachment in your work Why the Sabbath is important? Are you putting work before family?[divider] [/divider] We love hearing from you!

If you've got a question for me or the team, go to http://chrislocurto.com/askchris/ and you might be featured on the next episode!

Dan Rockwell, Leadership Freak, is on the podcast today. Dan drops a few leadership bombs on us during our chat on coaching and creating a coaching culture.

In this show you will learn:

How Dan “fell into” coaching. Why hire a coach? The “aha" moments of coaching. Why the best coaches focus on the person. Dan’s goals for coaching The coaching style of leadership and it’s challenges. How you move leaders to a coaching culture. Micro Coaching Sessions The bottom line is if you are looking to grow…hire a coach. It doesn’t matter if it’s business, golf, fitness or fashion. Get a coach and you instantly get the knowledge that comes with it. The goal is to move the ball down the field and a coach makes sure that happens.

Today I'm giving you 5 ways to identify wether or not your root system is holding you back. If you haven't listened to the episode on Understanding Your Root System, you need this information. Listen to that podcast as soon as possible. When you dig deep into your root system, like we do in the LifePlan process, you will discover:

The list of lies you believe and how they hold you back
Things you don't see that are in your root system
Things you deny in your root system
Things you recognize in your root system but avoid instead of address
Why feeling worthless, not good enough or like you don't matter is a learned and trained behavior

The sooner you're able to understand the "why" behind the "what," the sooner you can change the way you move forward. You discover where your happiness comes from. You discover where your self-worth comes from. You're able to put up healthy boundaries and change your life.

If any one of theses things are affecting you, you've got to work on it right now. The sooner you call the lies lies, the sooner you move on to a stronger and healthier you. Pull the junk out, eliminate it and move on. This isn't an easy or quick process but that's why we've got Next-Level Life! If you're interested in learning more about this process, check out chrislocurto.com.

Chris is answering your questions today! In this episode, Chris covers personal finance, KRA's and how to become a public speaker.

The Key Results Area sample pack is one of the most popular downloads on the site. If you haven't checked it out, it's a great free resource to help you get started with your KRA. Do you feel like you're winning in your role? Does leadership think you're winning in your role?

When it comes to your KRA, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Your KRA should outline the key areas that will make us, the company, win The details aren't the key result area and when you're task saturated, you're not winning The more you add to your KRA, the less you can win Chris also covers how to build a platform that enables you to share information and create a demand for public speaking. Bottom line, public speaking and sharing a message can't be about you. It's about what you can do or share to help other people.

For more information on public speaking, check out 5 Tips on Speaking Without Fear and his Public Speaking Tips Q&A video: http://youtu.be/2mSZenjK20k

As always, we love hearing from you! If you've got a question for Chris, go to http://chrislocurto.com/askchris/ and you might be featured on the next episode!

After learning about Procrastinate on Purpose you will:

Have clear methodologies for defining what your priorities really are in life and business Feel more empowered to say “no” to the things that don’t matter so you can say “yes” to the things that do Understand the way the most successful people in the world think differently about time Employ solutions to give yourself more margin in life without compromising your results Develop a sense of inner peace and control from embracing and implementing the 5 Permissions of The Focus Funnel™: Eliminate: The Permission to Ignore Automate: The Permission to Invest Delegate: The Permission of Imperfect Procrastinate: The Permission of Incomplete Concentrate: The Permission to Protect

In today's episode of #AskChris, Trent has questions about understanding his DISC personality profile. He's noticed that as his coworkers & customers get to know him, his adaptive style shows up less & his natural style is showing up more. He questions if the goal is to become more natural in all areas of his life. Great questions!

Your natural personality style is when you feel the most comfortable. It’s your home life, when you're relaxed and just being yourself. When you get into your adaptive style, your work life or stress life, you adapt to the personality style in which you want people to receive you. The struggle comes as you get more comfortable with your coworkers or customers, they get to know the real you. Their expectations for who you've been can leave you feeling like you're faking it. Don't worry, you're not.

In this podcast, I'll dig into:

What a big spread between your natural and adaptive D, I, S, or C can mean
What happens when you force an area of your adaptive personality style
Why it’s so important to learn YOU as well as understand the people you’re working with and lean in their direction

If you haven’t taken the DISC or VALUES tests yet, make sure you do immediately - chrislocurto.com/store! It’s the most powerful way to win in business and family situations. It will absolutely change the way you communicate and are communicated to.

Wether you're an entrepreneur, team member or leader, you're not just working on the business side of running a company, managing projects or leading a team. You're doing life with the people you work with and you have a life that's interacting with your business. Today we're talking about emotional abuse and digging into what abuse actually is and how it effects your life.

Have you been emotionally abused? Are you the one doing it and not realizing it? In this episode I'm digging into:

The many signs of emotional abuse and how to recognize it
The purpose of emotional abuse and what it has in common with the abusers root system
Understanding the "why" and the lies of emotional abuse
Where your self-worth and self-confidence should actually come from

If you've felt this, been ridiculed or shamed or humiliated, you're not meat to live that kind of life. That is not what God wants for you. Go to chrislocurto.com, fill out your information and we'll get you help as soon as possible.

Have you considered that being rich has far more to do with your heart than your wallet? Author Matt Ham joins us on the show to talk about redefining what “rich” is and how to have a rich life. Through borrowed wisdom and perspective, Matt dives into the RICH principles to create a deeper, more well-rounded life:

R – Recognize you’re broken

I – Invest in others

C – Choose gratitude

H – Humble yourself with confidence

Matts new book, Redefine Rich, addresses these principles through amazing stories of people daring to live richly. In this interview, we discuss:

How to look at your life with purpose and perspective Having confidence in our gifts because they have been given to us by God Living out what we’ve been given How to move past force of habit thinking and be intentional Why giving is always better than having “Giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou

We are made rich, in every way, to share our generosity with others and that is the purpose of richness. In the spirit of giving, Matt is giving away copies of his brand new book, Redefine Rich, to 10 lucky listeners. Go to iTunes and leave a review of the Chris LoCurto Show. Send an email referencing your review to info@chrislocurto.com to be entered in the giveaway!

Also, it’s the LAST day to plug into Michael Hyatt’s goal setting program! Go, right now, do it. It’s the best program I’ve seen for goal setting. I endorse it fully!

Get started here: http://bestyearever.me/chrislocurto.

So many people have not been taught to be intentional or live intentionally. Intentional livings starts by saying, “I don’t want life to just happen to me anymore.” Instead of reacting and letting life happen one day at a time, it’s taking action and choosing to be intentional every day in your career, your marriage, with your children, with God, with your finances…and the list goes on. Intentional living is planning out the life you’re called to live and living it!

There’s no magic pill. There’s no trick. There’s no quick fix right now. It takes hard work.

Write your answers to these questions down, right now:

What’s the first thing that comes to mind that you want to be intentional about? What are the steps it’ll take to get there?

If you don’t have the answers, find someone who does! Next-Level Life is a great place to start.

In this podcast, Chris will discuss:

Being in the moment but being intentional about life Changing your mindset Having a vision, making a plan and setting goals along the way Mapping out what it’s going to take today to make your goals happen How to be successful by living intentionally We got a lot of comments over the holidays from many of you about starting Michael Hyatts Best Year Ever and just loving it! Tomorrow is the last day to sign up and I absolutely recommend going through this information. It’s the best program I’ve seen for goal setting. I endorse it fully!

Go here to get started: http://bestyearever.me/chrislocurto.

Welcome to 2015! I hope your year is already rocking and you've started living intentionally. Michael Hyatts "Best Year Ever" is still going on for the next few days. What are you waiting for? Get involved by going to http://bestyearever.me/chrislocurto.

Today, Joel is joining me on the podcast and we're answering your questions on Next-Level Life. This process is all about discovering the "why." Why you make decisions the way you're making them. Why you're doing what you're doing now. Why you're at where you're at in life. Everyone that comes through has decided to change their life for the better.

In this episode, we'll be answering:

How Next-Level Life works and what you can expect during the two-day process
How we discover your purpose in life and your career through Next-Level Life
What tangible things (documents, playbook, etc.) attendees leave with
If spouses can attend Next-Level Life together
How Next-Level Life will help you

Wether you're dealing with some serious junk or you just feel stuck in your life, I absolutely believe this process will change your life. It changes the way you live your life.

If we didn't answer your question today, there are two ways to get those questions answered. Either contact Joel by going to http://chrislocurto.com, or send a voicemail at http://chrislocurto.com/askchris/

The last day of the year! Can you believe it? Are you ready for 2015? I know you are!

Today I wanted to get the team on the show to share their top podcast moments from 2014. The good, the bad, and the awkward. #essentialoils #walgreens

The team and I talk about the highlights and touching moments that created a legendary 2014 for us.

It's a long one and we cover a lot of ground - so let's dive in/

AND a shout out to everyone who has left us a review on iTunes - YOU ROCK!

Today is the last day to leave a review for a free DISC Personality Profile.

So go to iTunes, leave a review, send an email to info@chrislocurto.com, reference your review with your name and we'll make sure you get your FREE Test.

AND remember, for the month of December we are giving away a FREE DISC Personality Style Test to EVERYONE who leaves us an iTunes Review. EVERYONE!!!

So go to iTunes, leave a review, send an email to keith@chrislocurto.com, reference your review with your name and we'll make sure you get your FREE Test.

We are getting a ton of questions!!! Thanks to everyone who has gone over to ChrisLoCurto.com/AskChris and left us a message. We love it!

Todays question is a tuff one: How do you lead when your hands are tied. This one's all about leadership. Our caller is in the public sector and doesn't have the authority to necessarily give a raise or fire anyone. How do you lead?

I think you will get a few actionable take aways from her question.

I'd also love to know if you have any tips for handling this situation. Leave a comment below and let us know.

In todays podcast you will learn:

Chris's definition of leadership The importance of knowing your "why" How to motivate your team Using your "why" to motivate your team The smart way to reprimand AND for the month of December we are giving away a FREE DISC Personality Style Test to EVERYONE who leaves us an iTunes Review. EVERYONE!!!

So go to iTunes, leave a review, send an email to info@chrislocurto.com, reference your review with your name and we'll make sure you get your FREE Test.

I've got a special treat for you on today's show… Mr. Barry White stops in the studio for a guest appearance. (You'll get it in a minute)

But seriously, our Q&A shows have been such a hit that we are changing the name to "Ask Chris" and are making it even easier to "ask Chris" your questions about business and life.

Go to ChrisLoCurto.com/AskChris and leave your question and you just might make it on the show!

Today's question is on the topic of who should you hire first when building your business.More specifically, "does my personality style limit me to who I should hire first?" Shout out to Randy for giving us today's question.

In this episode you will learn:

How do you set up your business for success.
Can any personality style be an entrepreneur?
Why you should avoid partnerships.
Who do you hire first in your startup.
Do you hire by personality style?
Why you should start small.
Fixed expenses vs. Variable expenses
How to get a free DISC personality test.

AND for the month of December we are giving away a FREE DISC Personality Style Test to EVERYONE who leaves us an iTunes Review. EVERYONE!!!

So go to iTunes, leave a review, send an email to info@chrislocurto.com, reference your review with your name and we'll make sure you get your FREE Test.

On today’s show Joel Fortner talks about the importance of mindset when it comes to growing your business.

If you are justing starting out on your entrepreneurial journey or you are a seasoned CEO this episode will inspire you to take a look in the mirror and recommit to staying on a growth trajectory.

On today’s show you will learn:

How to figure out how much to charge for your services The importance of mindset in success Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset Will your customers leave if you raise your prices Why mindset is the key to achieving your goals The crippling power of limiting beliefs That you can not stay isolated on your journey Also, be sure to download Joel’s marketing framework for growing your business the right way. It’s all about Get – Serve – Keep!

Today I'm answering a listeners question about what to do when you're overpaying a team member. As small business owners and entrepreneurs, we make mistakes. When those mistakes effect our team members, it's very important to act with compassion and respect but "there is no ministry where there is no margin." It's a tough situation but you can treat an overpaid team member with dignity by giving them options that are fair and create a timetable for resolution.

In this episode you'll learn:

The importance of a KRA & how to evaluate what winning looks like
How to honor your team members while honoring your business
How to give an overpaid team member options
Why it should always be a gut-wrencking decision to dock pay or let someone go

If you've got a question, click the microphone on the right side of chrislocurto.com and we'll try to answer it on a future episode. Also, if you're not using KRA's in your business, what are you waiting for? Get more information at chrislocurto.com

Michael Hyatt just released his all-new 5 Days To Your Best Year Ever Coaching Program.

Last year alone over 3,000+ people went through the program - and there are some amazing stories of people experiencing incredible transformations in their life.

We sat down for The Chris LoCurto Show to talk about how to have Your Best Year Ever.

In Part 2 of our interview you'll learn:

How to set the stage for breakthrough. On going public with your goals. How to stay focused. How many goals should you set? Why people don't set goals. The fear of failure in goals setting. Go listen and check out bestyearever.me/chrislocurto to make this YOUR BEST YEAR EVER!

Get started with your goals here: bestyearever.me/chrislocurto

I'm sure you can think of someone who just seems to strike gold with whatever they touch - am I right?

You look at their success and think, "why them?" I mean, you're just as smart. Just as talented.

So what sets them apart?

Well you'll find out in today's podcast with Michael Hyatt.

When you understand these qualities, you’ll also understand what may be holding you back from reaching your true potential.

You'll learn:

Why now is the best time to get started with your goals. How to avoid the New Years Resolution Curse Why traditional goal setting doesn't work. How to set effective goals. What to do when you get discouraged with your goals. The Messy Middle with goal setting. The correlation between goals and happiness. What the Country Music Marathon has to do with goals. Go listen and check out bestyearever.me/chrislocurto to make this YOUR BEST YEAR EVER!

Visit the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/do-you-need-an-mba-to-be-successful-a-discussion-on-education/

See the full post here: http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-fix-your-sales/

Download your marketing strategy checklist here: http://alturl.com/za3dr

Get The "What's Your Why?!" FREE Screensaver here: http://chrislocurto.com/whats-your-why/

Download the Conflict Guide here: https://my.leadpages.net/leadbox/1440e3473f72a2%3A128bf8b92b46dc/5675214360805376/

Get the FREE Audio Bonus Lessons on Company Culture: http://tinyurl.com/lpdprrg

Check out the full post here: http://chrislocurto.com/stop-worrying-about-other-peoples-opinions/

Get the FREE pdf download here: http://alturl.com/za3dr

We've got a fun topic for today's show: How do you handle employees who keep calling in sick?

This listener question came to us from Bill who is a manager of about 15 folks. Here's his situation: "...about every 2 weeks an employee is consistently calling out sick, at what point do I say "that's it, I've had enough"?

GOOD QUESTION BILL! (fyi…we're sending you a free DISC personality test for sending in your question)

Now you should know that with employees calling in sick I'm more concerned about the person than I am the business. I want to discover how I can help that person. What's going on in their life? What's really causing all the absence?

But…if I sense that an employee is abusing their sick day then I must act to protect my companies culture.

Today's show is sure to be a doozy!

View the full post here: http://bit.ly/10XSr0Z

See the full post here:

Are you afraid of other peoples opinions of you? Do you always seem to attract folks who need rescuing? Well…you just might be a people pleaser.

Quite a few people who come through Next-Level Life struggle with being a people pleaser and finding their worth in the acceptance of other people. It can control them.

When your life always revolves around being a people pleaser you actually end up losing life. It robs you of your authentic self and it all comes from a persons root system. It's the stuff that's deeply ingrained in you.

In today's show I look at 10 signs you may be a people pleaser.

Here's they are:

You end up doing things for others in hopes that they will do things for you.
You become frustrated when people don't love you back.
You're guarded and you don't let people in so that you don't get hurt.
You're always afraid of other peoples opinions of you.
You feel you are worth less than other people.
You attract takers and people who always need to be rescued.
You always apologize for things that you do. You blame yourself.
You become a victim of constructive criticism.
You neglect you.
You let opportunities and life pass you by.

If that list sounds a lot like you and you found yourself saying, "That's me!", you need to start the conversation about Next-Level Life. Your worth is not dependent on someone else's opinion of you. It's dependent on God and what God thinks is really all that's important. Find your significance in Him - He's crazy about you!

Question: Without naming names, do you know someone who is a people pleaser? (Maybe yourself) Which sign would you say is most prominent for them?

Today we are talking about knowing your customers and Mr. Joel Fortner jumps on the mic to talk a little marketing. (and butcher the outro to the podcast)

In case you've been under a rock the past few weeks, we just came out of a product launch for the new coaching programs. We discovered a couple things that blew us away.

But real quick - a special shout-out to the new mastermind and coaching folks. I'm honored and excited to dive in - your life and business is about to explode!

Back to the podcast…so, we asked you guys during the launch to send us your questions and YOU DID! Here's the top question we got: "Will Chris really work with me?"

Well heck yes!!!

On this episode Joel and I talk about why this question kept being asked and the importance of knowing your customers.

You can think your marketing is communicating one thing…and actually be communicating something entirely different.

Also, Joel mentions a few questions to help you better discover who your customers are and what they value. You can download the questions here: http://bit.ly/1tAQUVr

Well Garth Brooks presented the Entertainer of the Year Award last night at the CMA Awards. Wow! Great seeing him out there!

I'm a huge fan of Garth Brooks. When it comes to connecting with his fans…he's one of the best in the biz. This guy has an incredible marketing mind and it showed when I got the chance to see him in Vegas…twice. (I said I was a big fan)

It was such an incredible experience - Trisha Yearwood even took my camera to snap a pic of Garth and me. #epic

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show I talk about the marketing lessons I learned from Garth and how they directly apply to your business.

So…let's get this rodeo started! Couldn't help myself :-)

View the blog post here: http://bit.ly/1vMj69w

Hear this podcast on ChrisLoCurto.com at: http://bit.ly/1vGkAlD

In this episode, Chris reads listener emails and addresses the topic of "Deciding to Change". And three lucky listeners win free marketing coaching. Hear this podcast on ChrisLoCurto.com at: http://bit.ly/1ySUvDB

This is a special episode of the Chris LoCurto Show. Click here to view the notes: http://bit.ly/1q1aLgm

Check out the show notes: http://bit.ly/1DrxGax

Check out the show notes at http://chrislocurto.com/

Check out the show notes at http://chrislocurto.com/

Check out the show notes: http://bit.ly/1wnksth

Here's the link to this episode on the site: http://bit.ly/1tGy7P2

Here's the link to this episode on the site: http://bit.ly/1rrFZwf

Today we try out some great coffee from Dillannos Coffee Roaster and take a look at The Bucket List.

Chances are you don't have one! Find out why they are so important and why you need to started today.

Check out the full post here: http://chrislocurto.com/the-bucket-list/ ‎

We've got a hot topic on today's show - The Quarter Life Crisis.

I see this issue come up a lot in Next-Level Life and it's serious. You've got younger folks maybe right out of college or even in their thirties asking questions like: "Why am I not happy with my life?" "Why don't I have the dream job?" "Why am I not making the money I thought I would make?" "Why am I so lonely?" "Am I going to have to sit in this cubicle for the rest of my life?"

In this episode we cover:

The causes of a Quarter Life Crisis How to solve it if you are going through it How to know if you were the cause of a Quarter Life Crisis in you kids (I may step on some toes) How to help someone who is going through a Quarter Life Crisis

This is a reality check episode...so let's dive in!

Here's the link to this episode on the site: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-54H

On today's show we have a special guest - YOU! We receive a lot of questions each week and I thought it was about time we answered some of them. The questions in todays show are amazing!

Here's some of the topics we address:

How to find people to grow your business and where to start
How to incorporate your skills and passion into a business
How to overcome people's negative opinions of you (especially when they are justified)
How to repair your reputation

To see the show notes click: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-53g

Today we are talking about how to get the job you want. And to all the entrepreneurs listening...this applies to you too! You'll discover how I handle the interview process. Here's a hint, it has little to do with a resume.

Check out the show notes here: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-530

Today we are talking about Entrepreneurship and Team Building with William Vanderbloemen, the founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group and the author of the new book, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works. William has an impressive story. He was a Senior Pastor for 15 years before making the jump to entrepreneurship.

Here's a link to his full bio.

In this episode William talks about how he got the inspiration to start a business... to churches…in a down economy.

He also shares his definition of a dream job (it's awesome!) and what he looks for when hiring.

Here's the link to the full post: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-51B

Today we are talking about how to hire rock star sales people. These are the folks that you need to build and explode your business.

You'll find out the number one mistake when hiring sales people and the secret to finding the rock stars.

I also cover the two types of sales, inbound and outbound, and how to make sure you have a rock star in both roles.

Check out the show notes here: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-50Q

You have to have an inspired team. If your team is not inspired they are not productive. That's a no-brainer. What do you get when you have an inspired team? What happens when you spend time focusing on inspiring your team? Success! Read the full post: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-50D

We are talking about conflict in the family on todays show. More specifically - How do I get my children to get along?

We naturally think " my kids should just get along." But we have to remember that with kids it's no different than the people you work with. The reason why kids (or anybody else) are in conflict is because they don't' understand each other.

Check out the show notes here: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-501

Matt Paulson, author of 40 Rules for Internet Business Success: Escape the 9 to 5, Do Work You Love, and Build a Profitable Online Business, joins me on the podcast to talk about how to kill it online. Building a profitable internet business is hard and Matt's 40 rules can help steer you down the road to success.

To get the show notes, go to: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-4Zi

Today we are talking about seeking God. Seeking God first.

This topic came up during one of our team devotions. The theme of our devo was Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Seeking God First | ChrisLoCurto.com What does this mean? How does it apply to you?

That's the topic of todays show.

In this episode we discuss:

-Team Devotionals -Matthew 6:33 -Chris is old -Do the diligent really prosper? -What is worship? -"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." - Zig Ziglar -You have to set aside time to spend with God -God doesn't want fancy words…He wants your heart. -The more you seek God, the more your desires become His desires.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/seeking-god-first-podcast

Everyone is in sales! The way to sell properly is to understand who you are selling to. When you know the personality style you are selling to then you can change the way you give information.

Check out the show notes here: http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-4Yr

Today we're diving into Part 2 of the 10 Signs You're Not Emotionally Strong and have recapped all 10 of the signs. What does it mean to be emotionally strong? Other peoples actions can't tear you down or affect you or stress you out. You don't have problems making decisions and you're content with life. You're happy and everything in your world is going well. Even if there are struggles or problems, you're able to get through decision making processes and be strong.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/10-signs-youre…part-2-podcast/

It doesn't matter what position you have in a business, if you're a team member, leader or entrepreneur there are so many of us struggling in the area of being strong emotionally.

What does it mean to be emotionally strong? Other peoples actions can't tear you down or affect you or stress you out. You don't have problems making decisions and you're content with life. You're happy and everything in your world is going well. Even if there are struggles or problems, you're able to get through decision making processes and be strong.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/being-emotiona…-strong-part-1/

Steve Jobs' famous and highly criticized "stick and carrot" approach was created to incentivize and lead people. Believe it or not, this approach works according to personality style. When you're leading people and trying to incentivize them you have to know what their motivators are. How do you find out what motivates them? By understanding the personality styles and values of your team.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/steve-jobs-car…proach-podcast/

Today's podcast is all about hiring - when to hire, who to hire and how to bring on team members that aren't directly generating revenue.

As a solopreneur, when you're trying to build a business, you're wearing a lot of hats. In the early phases, when you're just starting to create revenue, subcontractors are a great way to get tasks done without investing in a salaried position. Always focus on creating revenue before hiring.

To read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/

Today we're talking about the assumptions we all have and make. Sometimes our assumptions lead to certain expectations in business or life that can cause us a lot of pain. We assume our employees or team members are performing a certain way, we assume our leader is giving us all the information we need to be successful, and so on.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/are-your-assumptions-making-you-unhappy/

We've received several questions related to Key Results Areas and today we're digging into the topic on the Chris LoCurto Show and answering your specific questions!

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/key-results-areas-podcast/ ‎

Almost all conflict is a direct result of poor communication. Go to http://chrislocurto.com/conflict for a free guide on how to avoid conflict by personality style.

John G. Miller, the best-selling author of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, Outstanding! and Flipping the Switch, joins me on the podcast to talk about personal accountability and responsible parenting. QBQ has been a huge part everything I've done and I firmly believe in the message of personal accountability in business and in life.

To read the full post, go to: http://chrislocurto.com/personal-accou…th-john-miller/

Rude customers are a breed of their own. Today I’m answering a question from Vanessa:

"I just recently had a situation with one of my customers and a representative that was assisting the customer. The rep took the call and felt the customer was being rude and was upset and possibly yelling at the rep. As soon as I heard that, I told the rep to place the customer on hold and I would handle the call...."

To read the full post, go to: http://chrislocurto.com/how-to-handle-rude-customers/

Many of you have asked to hear from past Next-Level Life attendees and today is the day! Stephen Scoggins and April Browning are joining me on the podcast to talk about their Next-Level Life experiences.

They're going to unpack what it means to go through a Next-Level Life and give you the ins and outs of this 2-day process of discovery.

This is a topic that's been heavy on my mind lately. I see so much of it in every aspect of our world. Many people have a lot of hurt and reasons to be bitter but if you're spending time being bitter, you're holding on to poison. You're destroying yourself from the inside out.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/is-bitterness-holding-you-back/

On this episode I'm joined by Andrea Waltz, author of Go For No!: Yes Is the Destination, No is How You Get There, to talk about fear, rejection and overcoming the word "no." Andrea has made it her mission to liberate people from the fear of failure and share an entirely new mindset about the word "no."

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/overcoming-fear-of-failure/

When you need help but don't reach out, you stop growing. As a leader, you're not only holding yourself back but you're holding the whole team back when you don't ask for help. Tap the collective intelligence of your team! It will only grow your team - you're not the only one with great ideas. You'll get buy in, respect and loyalty. When you don't ask, they know it. When somethings not working well and your team sees that you're not able to pull it off, they know it!

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/how-pride-holds-you-back/

Your life and your decision making process comes from your root system. In LifePlan, I spend time tying what's happened in a persons life to their root system - family, influences, leadership, friends, etc. Whatever has happened in your past shapes the decisions you make today.

Read the full post: http://chrislocurto.com/understanding-your-root-system/

The lies that we're told, the lies we tell ourselves, and the lies we believe hold us back.

Read the full post at http://chrislocurto.com/the-lies-we-believe-podcast/ ‎

In this podcast I'll explain:

How wine grapes are grown and how this relates to you and your business
What makes a great farmer and how that farmer harvests a perfect grape
The process of destroying perfect grapes to make great wine
How farming and the process of wine making relates to you and your business

To read the full article, check out: http://chrislocurto.com/what-you-have-…mmon-with-wine/ ‎

Do you ever feel discouraged by family or friends? I have. As I look over my life, there have been many times that someone close to me told me I couldn't do something. There are enough things in life to challenge you, make sure you've got healthy boundaries with negative people.

Read the full post at: http://chrislocurto.com/dont-be-discouraged-podcast/ ‎

When we exercise regularly, we're stronger emotionally, physically and mentally. Stress levels are down at work and our decision making process is better... read the full post at http://chrislocurto.com/the-importance-of-exercise/

I've been writing a series of posts on business plans - why you need one, how to write one, the importance of mission and vision, etc. I wanted to talk about it on the podcast because it's a topic that comes up all the time.

If you're starting a new business, creating a new division in your company or launching a new product, you need to know the ins and outs and be able to explain every detail of the new venture. Many entrepreneurs write a business plan for an investor, which I don't recommend. Instead, I think a business plan should exist to answer questions like...

Read the full post at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/business-plans/

On todays podcast, team member Joel Fortner joins me to answer your questions about strategic planning! In this episode, I dig into my strategic planing process and answer questions like:

Why does strategic planning matter?
What's involved in a strategic plan?
How do you implement and follow through once you've got the strategic plan?
What kind of information do you get out of a strategic plan?
How far ahead do you plan out the future of your company?
How often do you revisit a strategic plan?
When do you re-vamp a strategic plan?
Will you make more money and increase revenue?

Read the full post and ask your question at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/your-strategic…tions-answered/

Today's podcast is my response to a great question that came in on the blog from Matt Hamm:

Chris – how do you decide the next right steps when processing through growing a business? Is there a particular order that you recommend?

Read the post and share your comments at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/steps-to-grow-your-business/

Every time I do a Next-Level Life, I spend several hours going over the major turns in each participants life. Major turns are key events from your past that help you gain perspective on where you're at and where you're going. It's literally a process of sharing the major changes from your life, like moving as a kid or marriage, loss, accepting Christ, etc. It doesn't have to be something big, heavy and deep but it very well could be.

Typically, we get around 10 to 15 major turns or changes in eachNext-Level Life. Of course this depends on age and experience too. Some people have 10, others have 18. There's no right or wrong number but a major turn isn't just a continuation of an event, it's something that actually changed the direction of your life.

Here's what I want you to do:

Think back as far as you possibly can and start writing down the major turns in your life...

Read the full post at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/how-your-past-…ge-your-future/

In the spirit of the Olympics, today I'm sharing a story from childhood. I spent a good chunk of my youth training to be in the Olympics. I was downhill slalom skier and competed on a team in Northern California. We were good and we knew it and in full disclosure, I was pretty cocky.

I had two incredible ski coaches, Mike Spalding and Chuck Frye. One day, at a competition, Chuck reminded me to take off my jacket before competing and I went against his better judgement. I had been on a big wining streak and I didn't think it would affect my performance. I was cold and I had beaten the guys I was about to race anyway.

As I went down the course, I felt slow. When I hit the finish line, I'd lost by a couple of a hundredths of a second. In that moment, I knew I should've listened to my coach. For the first time, I realized the importance of great coaches in my life.

In life and business, it's so important to have somebody that's been there to help you along. Every time I do a Next-Level Life event, I talk about the importance of not only having a coach or mentor in your life but being a coach or mentor for someone that's not as far along as you are. That's why I do what I do!

I've been leading and coaching people to grow in life and business for almost two decades. If you're interested, check out the Coaching page. I coach people in a wide variety of industries - from leaders to entrepreneurs to people that want to be leaders and entrepreneurs.

Go to http://ChrisLoCurto.com/the-importance-of-coaching/ to answer the question - why is a coach important to you?

Grace. It's something we all need. Oddly enough, it's not something that we give very freely. Every single one of us has junk in our lives. Instead of judgement or ridicule, we need to give grace and receive grace.

All too often we kill our wounded. At the very point a family member, friend or co-worker needs our love and grace, we turn our back. We roll our eyes at their failure. We walk away. Why? Maybe it's our own shame. All the failure and imperfection in our life-being is reflected in that moment. Maybe we're so overwhelmed with baggage from our past, or problems in the present, that we can't possibly think about extending help to someone else.

Folks, don't kill your wounded. It's very possible that someone on your team or in your family or church desperately needs you to come behind them and offer support. Maybe they did something bad. Hate the sin, not the sinner.

Add your comments at: http://ChrisLoCurto.com/dont-kill-your-wounded-podcast/

Last month, I taught about celebrating achievement on CLo.TV and today I'm digging deeper into celebrating your team and how each personality style wants to be recognized for their achievements. Read the full post here: http://ChrisLoCurto.com/celebrate-achievement-on-your-team-podcast/

I can't say enough great things about Crystal Paine, the Money Saving Mom. Not only is she an incredible entrepreneur, but she's also a phenomenal influence to so many folks who are tired of just surviving.

Crystal joined me on the podcast a few weeks back to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur, as well as her new book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode. Problem is, she's so deep with great information that we didn't even get to the book!

In rockstar fashion, Crystal was gracious enough to do another interview so we could dive into her newest release on the 9 simple strategies to stress less, sleep more, and restore your passion for life.

And trust me when I say, YOU NEED THAT! We ALL need more of that in our life!

Back in December, we released our VALUES Motivators Test. The VALUES profile tests what you value most in life. For leaders, having a team member in a position where their motivators aren’t utilized can be a huge waste of time, energy, and money. It is vital to have team members operating in their strengths with both their personality style and values!

To read the full post and learn more about vales & motivators, go to: http://ChrisLoCurto.com/what-do-you-value/

Michael Hyatt joins me on the podcast today to talk about his incredible new goal setting course, 5 Days To Your Best Year Ever (http://www.bestyearever.me/chrisl).

You can absolutely make 2014 your best year ever but it's not just going to happen. Making resolutions and having goals is a step in the right direction but to actually achieve meaningful goals, you need an action plan. In the Skype interview, Michael and I talk about:

How to write S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, time-bound)
Why looking into your past can change your future
How to get motivated and stay motivated
What happens if you don't achieve your goal(s)
Why you should focus on 5 to 7 goals that are career and life oriented
How to get off your "BUT"
What to do about people that don't support your goals

I'm giving away the course to one lucky reader but if you're not that lucky person, you've got to sign up for Michaels course before Jan 16! After 11:59pm on Thursday, the store closes. Why? Michael found that there is a small window of time for people to set goals. The first time is over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. The second is at the halfway point of the year during the summer. So if you want to have your best year ever, register now.

Don't procrastinate! Don't put it off any longer. Make 2014 your best year ever and start today!

I'll announce the winner by 5pm CST. Also, you will save 25% by using this link to purchase the course: http://www.bestyearever.me/chrisl

Who's ready to win? After listening to the podcast, answer the question in the comment section and be sure to tweet or post on Facebook and LinkedIn! It might just get you extra credit...

Go to http://ChrisLoCurto.com/five-days-to-your-best-year-ever/ to enter!

During LifePlan, the topic of being selfish comes up all the time and it's always an assumed no-no. Healthy selfishness is a vital piece of living a healthy life with boundaries. If you don't have healthy boundaries in your life, a boundary that says "stop here" or "this is my limit," you'll get walked all over.

Join the discussion at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/its-okay-to-be-selfish-podcast/

If you haven't read Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, buy a copy today!

When you begin to start setting healthy boundaries at home and at work, it changes your life. Be selfish and get rid of junk so you can be the best version of yourself. Take time to unpack your past and get healthy. If you don't get rid of the baggage in your life, you'll continue to carry it around and pick up more along the way.

Take time to get healthy. Take time to get coached on how to do that. If you're interested in Next-Level Life, check out the Work With Me page above for additional information - http://chrislocurto.com

Crystal Paine is the creator of moneysavingmom.com and author of the soon-to-be-released book, Say Goodby to Survival Mode. On today's podcast, Crystal and I talk about not quitting and how she turned Money Saving Mom into one of the highest-trafficked personal finance blogs on the web.

Join the discussion at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/interview-with-crystal-paine-podcast/

Crystal is a true entrepreneur and built her thriving business on a shoe string budget by becoming a self-taught expert on search engine optimization, web development and social media. She shares her insight on Facebook and Pinterest as well as building a virtual team and serving people.

This is the gift-giving time of year and there's no greater blessing in life than to be a giver. Many of you are small business owners, entrepreneurs and team leaders but let me remind you - your business is what you do not who you are. When you make your business your life, you're missing out on life. You're sure not able to give of yourself either.

Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/you-get-what-you-give-podcast/

Colossians 3:12 - You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

There's only one way to clothe yourself with mercy and kindness and patience and that's to take care of yourself. I'm not telling you to be selfish, but if you don't take care of you, you don't have anything else to give.

As you take time this holiday to step away from work, make sure that you're scheduling time to replenish, exercise and create balance in your life. Going forward into the new year:

How are you going to replenish you? What are the things you need to be doing to be the absolute best you? When you do these things, you can pour yourself out into other people. You get what you give. Take care of yourself and help those around you be the best they can be.

Merry Christmas!

Culture is kind of a big deal around here. I spend a great deal of time teaching entrepreneurs and guiding teams on how to create high quality culture in their organizations. It's a major component of every business, and it has the power to destroy your company or make you successful.

INC Magazine invited me to do a talk on culture and those lessons have been available in chapters to blog subscribers. Today, I'm featuring three of the lessons in the podcast. Join the conversation http://ChrisLoCurto.com/creating-high-quality-culture/

Meetings. Suck. At least most of the time. Why? I'll tell you!

Get your copy of my new, free eBook Why Your Meetings Suck at http://chrislocurto.com and share it with your team, office and social circles.

Today's podcast is dedicated to the topic of making your meetings more productive! Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/why-your-meetings-suck-podcast/

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! For some of you, it's a fantastic time of year. For others (and quite possibly people on your team), this whole holiday season is difficult.

I'm sharing several stories on the podcast today as well as information that I teach in my Next-Level Life events. Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/hurt-people-hurt-people-podcast/

"When you can't fix yourself, you're frustrated with the broken people in your life." - Chris LoCurto

Be sure to pick up a copy of Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life as well as the North Pole Patrol single, "Naughty List" featured at the end of the podcast!

Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life

It's the week of Thanksgiving and there's no better time than the present to show your team how thankful you are. Making your team productive starts with making your team feel appreciated.

In today's podcast, we get into a bunch of fun Thanksgiving themed discussion around coffee and my top secret Deep-Fried Turkey recipe. Which isn't so top secret. Turns out Bon Appétit is on the exact same page. Join the conversation - http://ChrisLoCurto.com/make-your-team-productive-podcast/

When Rory Vaden and I sat down to talk about his upcoming book, Procrastinate On Purpose, we couldn't stop talking! If you missed the first part of the interview, be sure to listen here first - http://wp.me/p1Yb4m-4tj

Here's Part 2 of our interview on The Chris LoCurto Show! Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/procrastinate-on-purpose-with-rory-vaden-part-2-podcast-2/

Today's topic is a question I get asked all the time and it came up in several comments on our recent reader survey. If you're struggling to understand your leader or just hoping to make things better around the office, here are a few things to keep in mind:

You have to understand how they receive information and how you communicate to them is equally important. Learn more about communication in this post, Start Communicating Better Today.
Lead up - make sure your intentions are to help them, not belittle them. It's got to be beneficial to both of you.
Ask questions and get to understand them personally. When you do that, you'll get perspective on why they are the way they are.
Don't allow a terrible leader to hold you back. Do everything you can to make the people around you successful - up, sideways and down.

Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/how-to-lead-your-leader/

New York Times best-selling author, speaker, radio show host, genius, and all-around great guy, Rory Vaden, joins me today on The Chris LoCurto show. Rory talks about his upcoming book, Procrastinate On Purpose, and how to manage life and business in our overly busy and constantly connected lives.

Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/procrastinate-on-purpose-with-rory-vaden-podcast/

Creativity and focus come from clearing your mind...and your desk! If you're in need of a mental refresh, listen to today's Coffee With Chris podcast! Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/whats-killing-your-creativity/

When your office is a mess, whether it's paperwork scattered across your desk or unanswered emails junking up the inbox, your subconscious is cluttered. Here's what I want you to do:

Tell your staff or co-workers you're going to clean your office.
Pick a Saturday to actually clean your office and go through everything.
When you find something you need to be working on, put it in a place where you'll get to it immediately.
When you find something you don't need to be working on, delegate it.
When you find something irrelevant, throw it away. Get it out of your brain and your subsconcious.

Once you've done this and see how effective it is, have your team do it as well!

Don’t skip todays podcast! I get it, budgeting and accounting are they type of words that typically equal brain freeze or mental check out. Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/budget-correctly-or-fail/

Guess what? Businesses that don’t know how to budget fail. Leaders that don’t know how to budget fail. I know digging into excel spreadsheets and accounting software can be painful tasks but they're so important to your success. So important, I’m sharing my personal budgeting spreadsheets with you and explaining how to get on top of your profit and loss right now!

Go to http://ChrisLoCurto.com/budget-correctly-or-fail/ and download the free excel spreadsheets showing how I budget!

On today’s podcast, I answer a great question from Paul on the different types of personality tests and tools, and what I think is best. I also explain the importance of StrengthsFinder and working in your strengths.

Stay focused on your strengths! If you can get to a place where all you do is work in your strengths, you’ll be so much happier. Life is too short to be working in your weaknesses.

To discover what your strengths are, I’d recommend digging into StrengthsFinder 2.0, as well as how to communicate in your personality style! Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/working-in-your-strengths/

Today, I’m answering your questions on The Chris LoCurto Show! In last week’s podcast, we asked for you to comment about your greatest challenges when it comes to communicating and understanding personality styles. Folks, you brought it! Check out the podcast for my answers.

Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/why-youre-misunderstood/

Today’s Coffee With Chris podcast is all about doing what you love. If you’re not happy in your job, your business, or your life, make a change! Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/do-what-you-love/

“Why did Chris LoCurto leave Dave Ramsey’s organization?” is the #1 question I get asked. Everybody wants to know the details of why I left. So today, I break it down for you and share my story of how I got to where I am now.

Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/why-i-left-dave-ramseys-organization/

Everyday I receive messages from the #CLoTribe asking when we will relaunch the podcast. Well, today is the day! To celebrate, this weeks topic is on celebrating progress. Join the conversation at http://ChrisLoCurto.com/the-podcast-is-back/