It doesn't take a genius.

AI's advice to new managers: Did it get it right?

Mike asked our AI overlords, "What advice would you give a new manager?" Do the answers line up with Mike and Mark's coaching? 
Interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark. 

The intern who figured it out: Be open to learning

Mark shares the story of what happened when an intern opened up to a room full of professionals. Are you willing to say you don't have it figured out? Your future growth--and success--may depend on it. 
We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark. 

Winners and losers: Both have goals ... what separates them?

If you are trying to reach a goal, congratulations! Now let's talk about your activities, habits and lead measures--which are all the same thing. 
Learn more about "Atomic Habits" by James Clear here. (And here's a documentary short about Mark's papaw, country and bluegrass artist Red Harrison.) 
We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark. 

Booker T's ancient secrets to communicating

What if you could always effectively communicate and persuade employees, customers and leadership? Our special double-length episode celebrates one of America's most successful communicators, Booker T. Washington. His method illustrates one of the world's oldest communication methods: the "five canons" of classical rhetoric.Click here for our episode on the first canon's tool, the "common topics."Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

Hey Boomer: Don't tell your hard workers McDonald's is hiring

Mark shares a true story about Baby Boomers misunderstanding Millennial hard workers, and the disastrous results of not addressing negative feedback. If you care about employee retention, this one's for you. Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

Booker T: Mistreating others hurts YOU

Mark is still fired up about Booker T. Washington. His take on his slaveowner father blew us away. Washington has something to teach us about how we handle mistreatment of people in the workplace. Resources mentioned:
Donna Hicks and her dignity books
Crucial Conversations resources
Our podcasts on dignity (parts one, two and three)
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

Lessons we've learned after 200 episodes

Honor the streak! Lost episodes! More Booker T. to come! And other insights from our labor of love that has lasted weekly for almost four years. 
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

Booker T.'s 3 secrets to overcoming challenges

Mark thinks Booker T. Washington is one of the greatest Americans of all time. Need proof? Check out how Washington improved students who wanted to be teachers ... by turning his school into a brick-making powerhouse.
Resources mentioned:
"Up from Slavery"
"What a black cemetery teaches us about self control"
"Choices: a Civil War battle and the battles we face with every decision" 
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

The 3 elements of training that sticks

It's the model of education that built a culture that has lasted millennia. It's so profound--and so simple--that we can explain it in 15 minutes. Are you using all three elements in your training? 
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark. 

Learning from your best--and worst--boss

Mike had two questions and two fill-in-the-blanks. Mark observed rooms of participants wrestle with the simple exercise. On this episode, they share the results and how you can use it, too. 
Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes ... or interview subjects? Email Mike and Mark.