Lead With Influence

Inspired by Matt Norman’s article “What to Avoid When Building Relationships and Influencing Others,” this episode explores how reactivity—our instinct to defend, blame, or panic—undermines trust, credibility, and influence. Through a powerful story of two colleagues who respond to stress in very different ways, we see how staying calm and grounded can transform outcomes. Drawing on psychologist E...

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to freeze under the weight of everything on your plate. Inspired by Matt Norman’s article “The Most Important Thing to Do When You’re Overwhelmed ," this episode explores why the way forward often begins with something small: the very next step. Through personal stories about depression, anxiety, and even lessons from the tennis court, Norman shows how...

Inspired by Matt Norman’s article How to Stop Neglecting Activities That Will Pay Off in the Future , this episode explores why important but non-urgent tasks are so easy to avoid—and how leaders can overcome neglect through three proven systems: time-boxing, habit-stacking, and priority-listing. By building intentional routines, you’ll shift from guilt and procrastination to energy and consistent...

Inspired by Matt Norman’s “The Value of Space in Meetings, Schedules, and Plans,” this episode explores why leaving room for silence and spontaneity leads to deeper reflection, authentic connection, and stronger outcomes. From family life to leadership, discover how resisting the urge to fill every moment with words or activity creates more thoughtful and productive environments. Do you want me to...

In this episode, we explore why consistency is the foundation of safe, trusting relationships. Inspired by Matt Norman’s article, the discussion unpacks how unpredictable behavior erodes psychological safety, and why self-regulation—both emotional and physiological—is essential for healthy connections and effective collaboration at work and at home.

When feedback hits a nerve, defensiveness often kicks in. In this episode, we unpack the three ways people protect their self-image—by deflecting, rationalizing, or fishing for reassurance—and how those reactions can block real connection and growth. Inspired by Matt Norman’s article, we explore how to break the cycle of blame and shame, and instead create space for psychological safety, self-awar...

Inspired by Matt Norman’s article “The Four Messages that Build Trust and Influence,” this episode explores how four simple but powerful messages can transform communication and rebuild trust in teams, relationships, and leadership. Through a real-world example of organizational misalignment, we break down the four messages: You are safe. You are loved. You are capable. You are responsible. We sho...

Whether you're making small talk at a party or navigating a tough disagreement at work, strong communication can make or break the moment. In this episode, Matt Norman breaks down the five essential conversations everyone needs to master, from explaining what you do, to articulating your ideas, to handling conflict with grace. You’ll also hear three research-backed strategies to boost your co...

Ever leave a conversation replaying everything you said — and cringing? You’re not alone. In this episode, Matt Norman explores the sneaky voice of the inner critic and why so many of us base our self-worth on how others respond to us. We dive into the concept of the “reflected self,” the exhausting need for constant validation, and how it keeps us stuck in cycles of self-doubt. But there’s anothe...

What if the best thing you could say as a leader… was nothing at all? In this episode, Matt Norman unpacks a powerful yet underrated leadership skill: self-restraint. Inspired by insights from podcaster Dan Heath, we explore how great leaders resist the urge to jump in with answers — and instead create space for others to speak freely. You’ll learn why asking before explaining leads to more authen...

This episode focuses on the critical role of communication style over content in achieving comprehension and acceptance from others. We introduce  seven specific phrases —"so that," "could we," "say more," "you'd mentioned," "for example," "let's," and "that's important"—as tools to foster dialogue, demonstrate ac...

This episode explores the complexities of moving from problem to solution, arguing that a linear approach often overlooks crucial human elements. Drawing on Matt Norman's personal experience in corporate technology, we illustrate how focusing solely on task completion can lead to a disconnect from underlying motivations and emotions. Subjective interpretations, feelings, and context can signi...

Here we talk about the power of remembering and using names as a foundational element for building influence and fostering genuine connections referencing personal anecdotes, such as interactions with Costco employees as well as public figures known for this practice, like sports columnist Sid Hartman. This simple act of attentiveness to others, inspired in part by the Dale Carnegie Course, transf...

If you’re leading change, influencing people, or just trying to get your team on the same page, the words you don’t say might matter more than the ones you do. In this short and powerful episode, Matt unpacks common words that subtly derail collaboration, trust, and buy-in — like the word “but,” which might as well mean “brace yourself for what I really think.” Drawing on 20+ years of leadership t...