Lead With Influence

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...