Quick Take | Tips to Help Executives and Leaders Grow
The Quick Take podcast provides concise and actionable tips to help executives and leaders, like you, tackle the thorny and complex challenges that affect us daily. By leveraging their experience and relationship with other global leaders, our hosts provide suggestions that are based on their deep experience as leaders and coaches but also pressure tested in boardrooms everywhere because they asked their friends….(almost). Hosted by James Capps and Susie Tomenchok. Episodes release weekly on Thursdays.
Episodes
120 episodes
Is AI Making Your Team Anxious? What Leaders Should—and Shouldn’t—Do
AI is everywhere—but not everyone is excited. In this episode, we explore the growing anxiety employees feel about AI and what leaders can do when they don’t have all the answers. Susie and James unpack new survey data, generational differences...
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Episode 119
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13:15
The Time Gap Between Speaking and Being Heard in Leadership
You said it clearly, so why isn’t your team acting on it? In this episode, Susie and James dig into a subtle but critical leadership challenge: the time gap between when something is said and when it’s truly heard, understood, and internalized....
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Episode 118
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11:10
Leading from the Middle: Influence, Motivation, and Managing Up
Middle managers are often the most overlooked—and overloaded—leaders in an organization. Caught between executive pressure and team expectations, they’re expected to influence without authority, stay motivated under stress, and manage up, down,...
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Episode 117
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10:27
Can You Lead a Team Without Knowing Their Job?
Should leaders be able to do their team's work—or is that missing the point entirely? In this episode, Susie and James unpack a question that comes up more often than you'd think: what’s the role of expertise in leadership, and where does it ge...
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Episode 116
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9:17
Is Your Team Sending You Silent Signals?
Not all feedback is spoken—and often, the most important signals from your team are the ones they don’t say out loud. In this episode, Susie and James explore what it means to recognize and respond to the subtle cues that indicate misalignment,...
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Episode 115
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10:41
Reigniting Motivation in Disengaged VPs and Middle Managers
When motivation fades in the middle layers of leadership, the ripple effect can stall an entire organization. In this episode, Susie and James unpack why VPs and middle managers often feel stuck—and what leaders can do to reignite energy, owner...
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Episode 114
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11:19
Should You Roll Out the Red Carpet—Again? The Truth About Rehiring Former Executives
Bringing back a former executive can feel like a safe bet, after all, they know the business, the people, the playbook. But is it really the right move? In this episode, Susie and James explore the complicated reality of rehiring former leaders...
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Episode 113
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11:54
Do Leaders Still Need to Be Technical? with Angie Cullen
As technology evolves at lightning speed, executive leaders are facing a tough question: just how technical do you need to be? In this episode, Susie and James sit down with award-winning coach and former engineer Angie Cullen to unpack the gro...
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Episode 112
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20:15
Let AI Make You a Better Leader
Leadership is a human skill—but what if AI could help you sharpen it? In this episode, Susie and James explore how leaders can use AI not to replace their instincts, but to strengthen them. From analyzing your communication patterns to crafting...
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Episode 111
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12:25
The AI Turf War: Who Really Owns It at the Top?
As AI becomes central to business strategy, a new kind of leadership tension is emerging: everyone wants to “own” it. But should anyone? In this episode, Susie and James dig into the growing turf war at the executive level—where AI sits, who le...
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Episode 110
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12:07
Is a 3AM Wake-Up the Secret to Great Leadership?
We’ve all heard the stories: the most successful leaders wake up at 3AM, journal, cold plunge, and run six miles before sunrise. But… is that actually what makes them great? In this episode, we challenge the myth of the “perfect morning routine...
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Episode 109
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12:25
Finding the Evidence of Your Influence
How do you know if you actually have influence—or if people are just following orders? Influence isn’t just about authority or making decisions; it’s about trust, relationships, and how others engage with you. But too often, leaders assume they...
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Episode 108
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13:47
How to Get Hired When AI Does the Screening
AI is changing the hiring process, from screening resumes to influencing how interviews are conducted—but what does that really mean for job seekers? Is AI helping candidates land jobs, or is it just another system to outsmart?In this ep...
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Episode 107
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14:57
The Feedback Trap
We all know that feedback is essential for growth—but why is it so tricky to get right? Whether you're giving it or receiving it, emotions, biases, and communication breakdowns can turn a simple critique into a full-blown misunderstanding.<...
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Episode 106
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14:50
Why Great Leaders Never Stop Learning with Alex Porter
What does it take to stay at the top of your game as a leader—year after year? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Porter, CEO of Location3, a digital ad agency specializing in franchise marketing. With 25 years in the industry, Alex shares ...
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Episode 105
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20:33
Can You Cultivate Innovation in Your Team?
Innovation is something every company says they want, but what does it actually look like in practice? Leaders push for creativity and fresh thinking, but often get stuck in the same routines that make true innovation difficult. Is it about cha...
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Episode 104
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14:26
Are we Better Together?
Is it time to return to the office, or have we mastered remote work? In this episode, we take a fresh look at the return-to-office debate and why more companies are pushing for in-person work again. We discuss the hidden benefits of being toget...
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Episode 103
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20:18
Getting Past the First 90 Days
The first 90 days of a new role are full of energy, excitement, and big plans—but what happens when the honeymoon phase ends? In this episode, we explore why many leaders struggle after the initial momentum fades and how to avoid common pitfall...
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Episode 102
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16:46
Recognizing and Addressing Unspoken Team Dynamics
Not all team dynamics are loud and obvious—some of the most important signals are the quietest. In this episode, we dive into the subtle, unspoken cues that shape collaboration, trust, and engagement within a team. Learn how to recognize shifts...
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Episode 101
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14:22
We did it! Looking Back on 100 Episodes
Can you believe it? We’ve hit 100 episodes! In this milestone episode, we take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, the lessons we’ve learned, and the unexpected joys of podcasting. Join us as we share insights from our journey, the momen...
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Episode 100
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14:31
Leadership DNA: Finding Your Authentic Style
How do great leaders find their authentic voice? In this episode, we break down what it means to develop a leadership style that feels genuine and effective. From building a leadership portfolio to adapting your approach for different situation...
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Episode 99
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14:07
Silencing Your Inner Critic and Stepping Into Leadership
Do you ever feel like you don’t belong at the table? In this episode, we explore how imposter syndrome can hold you back and share our tips to quiet your inner critic. Learn how to recognize your wins, reframe failures, and surround yourself wi...
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Episode 98
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12:58
Creating Connections That Matter
What’s your relationship with networking? In this episode, we challenge the traditional idea of networking as just collecting business cards and explore how to create meaningful, career-changing connections. You’ll hear tips for building a valu...
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Episode 97
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14:44
Storytelling and Listening: Skills Every Executive Needs
What makes a great leader truly impactful? In this episode, we explore how storytelling can turn dry data into narratives that resonate and inspire action. We also uncover the often-overlooked skill of active listening and its role in building ...
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Episode 96
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16:40
Why Grit and Vulnerability Matter in Leadership with Steve Foster
What truly defines a great leader? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Foster to uncover his incredible journey from a challenging childhood to a career spanning law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and civic service. Steve shares how grit, e...
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Episode 95
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22:34