The Fractional Leader Podcast

The words we say matter, but the way we say them matters just as much. Leadership is influence, and you waste your influence when you don't communicate well. On this episode Matt and Drew talk about how to have tough conversations and not wreck your influence with your team.  

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of great leadership and business books. But if you're new to business and leadership, you may not know where to start. On this episode Matt and Drew take a high level look at several of their favorite resources that every leader needs at their disposal. 

Ever felt like your vacations aren't doing enough to relieve the stress? Join the ever-growing crowd of owner-operators who feel like the can't take a break. On today's episode Matt and Drew talk about the importance of rhythms of rest and recovery that keep you sane and keep your business going strong at the same time.

We've all heard the phrase "Fog of War," but have you ever thought about that in a business setting? Sometimes we get so confused and turned around, and leading gets extremely difficult when we can't see the whole battlefield. Today Matt and Drew talk about how to find capital "T" Truth in your business so you can make better calls and more effective decisions. 

The amount of effort and ambition it takes to become "successful" is almost unquantifiable. And, more than a few of us have become addicted to the process and the results of success along the way. Today Matt and Drew talk about redefining success, and how to put the emphasis on the  most important things in your leadership. 

One of the best investments you can make in your leadership to commit to a mastermind. Of all the resources available to leaders, a mastermind is truly unique because it combines relationships and content that you just can't get anywhere else. Today Matt and Drew highlight the FractionX way of leading a mastermind.

Can you love what you do and not lose yourself while you do it?  Is finding the balance even possible? On this episode we discuss a couple strategies to help prioritize the things that matter most, and where meaning, purpose, and significance really come from.

Have you ever considered that sometimes, to reach new levels of leadership, you might need to quit some things altogether? Our latest episode unpacks this leadership truism -  "If you want to go up in leadership, there are things you have to give up to get there." What things do you need to quit to make room for the more important things in your business?

As a follow up to the previous episode on hiring , Matt & Drew bring their experience and practical takes on the things leaders need to know when it's time to let an employee go. 

All hiring processes suck, yes, it's true.  BUT, you can create systems that make them suck less.  When it comes to finding talent and hiring great talent, there are no silver bullets.  But if you stay true to your vision, mission, and values you can make a tough process produce better results. 

Have you ever been captivated by the glint of a 'shiny penny'?  We've all worked for those leaders and some of us have even been those leaders—chasing the thrill of every possible new idea.  On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Shiny Penny Syndrome (S.P.S.), and talk about how to understand it, manage it, and how help our teams with it.

It's almost impossible to keep up with how quickly things change in marketing. Between the ever evolving technology and strategies, it's easy to get lost trying to stay current. But, there's one marketing principle that never changes - telling great stories. On today's episode Drew helps business owners understand the steps they have to take to become better story tellers and h...

Have you ever been at a crossroads, wondering whether to take a bold step forward or patiently wait for the right moment? Our latest podcast episode, Matt and Drew talk about the pace of leadership and why you need both a gas and brake pedal to lead effectively.

Have you ever wondered what your boss really thinks but won't say? Our survey revealed a few shocking responses to our question. On this episode we find out, not only what bosses said, but you can hear how Matt and Drew coach both sides to greater clarity and clearer communication.

At best the employer / employee relationship is complicated. Of course there are great organizations with great leaders and inspiring culture where things operate amazingly, but by and large (and unfortunately) the perpetually frustrated employee is the rule.  On this episode Matt and Drew go through a few responses to the poll that asked our listeners to fill in this blank - "I wish my boss...

Life can often be painful. Leading anything meaningful eventually leads to more of it. On this episode Matt and Drew talk about embracing the pain of leadership, how pain can fuel growth and how pain can ignite your passion in a way comfort never could. 

This one scene from Christoper Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises inspired this topic. On this episode Matt and Drew talk about making the jump without the rope. The big idea is if you're playing it safe, you are limiting your future. The safety you seek is holding you back. 

"Feedback" is often a platitudinal buzzword in the work place, but even if feels tired, I promise you it's incredibly crucial. On this episode Matt and Drew talk to leaders who need to grow in how they receive feedback from their teams, and we give some tips for employees who want to learn how to give their leader feedback. 

For good and for bad, leaders (employers) have huge influence on the people they lead. AND, as employees it's imperative we don't give away more of our emotional and mental health than we have to, even as we contribute at high levels in our jobs. Today Drew and Matt talk about redefining our relationship with work so we can live healthier lives.

Leaders, don't make the mistake of creating this kind of culture. Today we poke the bear and get Drew talking about unhealthy "family culture" we see so often in organizations. 

Most of us don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall the level of our habits.  There's a similar parallel in your business.  You don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems. Today Matt and Drew talk about how to return to your why and build your systems to drive results, rather than the results driving you. 

Have you ever felt the effects of bad leadership? Or, have you ever caught yourself leading poorly and thought, I can do so much better than this? On today's episode we encourage leaders to step into the tension of working on your business when the pressure to stay working in your business is overwhelming. 

Does data drive your decisions or do you lead and decide with your gut? On today's episode Matt and Drew hash out a better way to make decisions.

Casting vision is not creating culture. Creating culture is not casting a vision. Have you stopped to think about the difference? Do you know where your strengths as a leader lie?  On this episode Matt and Drew draw the distinction between culture and vision and give some ideas on how to better lead in your business. 

You might not think it, but talking about goals and goal setting is a polarizing topic. Some leaders love goals, and others loathe them. On this episode Matt and Drew talk about two new ways to think about goals as we prepare for bigger impact in 2024.