Nic Bittle: Life and Leadership

“The fact is when we remember another’s name, they will automatically feel more valued and respected,” Nic writes at the beginning of Chapter 21 from Know This Do That . Nic and Tarina discuss the power of connection and then immediately share their own failures at remembering people’s names. One of the tips Nic uses is called word association. It’s a best practice he brings into Full Auto because...

Cruze Bittle joins his dad, Nic, in his own words, “Because I like food and a bed.”  They talk about Cruze’s favorite sport (spoiler alert: it’s not football). And spend some time going through Cruze’s morning routine.  Nic compliments his son as being one of the most disciplined people he knows. Cruze says he started his discipline journey when he decided to workout and get in shape. Ge...

Tarina shares a big family announcement and Nic is surprised (and a little offended 😉) when a young man uses this “Nic Bittle crap” against him.  In this episode, they return to  Know This Do That  and how It’s all about the return on investment [CH19] and getting over yourself [CH20].  It’s wise to realize sooner rather than later that your work and your wages depend on...

Nic and Tarina ring in the new year with a discussion on resolutions. They also express gratitude for being healthy after going a few rounds with colds. And Nic says he doesn’t make New Year’s Resolutions for himself—but knows that Tarina has a few for him. Together they return to Nic’s book Know This Do That. Nic quotes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest w...

Nic and his friend, Brett, talk about his work of creating a culture of leadership. At the age of 20, Brett started a marble countertop store. He began his 26-year career in the fire department as a volunteer firefighter—and did it for 2 years before taking a paid position. He talks about setting goals—even 20 year goals—and being undettered. Brett says he encourages people to look at the big pict...

Tarina denies having robbed anyone despite wearing robber masks. And Nic defends his freedom to have a cold without criticism. Because Christmas is a time for family and friends, Nic and Tarina talk about the five love languages. Together they go through the languages and the people in their lives who represent each. In this episode, you experience the love and appreciation Nic and Tarina have for...

With Christmas just around the corner, Nic and Tarina talk about growing up in Corn and holiday traditions. When Nic brings up their first Christmas together, Tarina declines to tell the story. Tarina shares about how her mom would sew—and her Dad would be the one to pick out the fabric. Nic would open presents Christmas morning, feed the cattle, then spend the day with grandparents in Stillwater....

In-person at the Nic Bittle Studio in Corn, Oklahoma and all the way from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is Patrick McGowan. Patrick is Nic's audio producer for the Life & Leadership Podcast. They cover a range of topics including why it's important to show up on video like you care and how the goal of all communication is to connect with another human. Patrick McGowan is the owner of Punchn Commu...

In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the spark that led Nic to develop the Life Ready Curriculum . He shares how meaningful this project has been to work on and what he hopes young people will gain—namely, knowing and living by a set of core virtues. Frequent listeners of the podcast already appreciate how Nic and Tarina discuss their values every week and provide insight into key life skill...

This the third and final episode in the 3-part series with Manley Feinberg: keynote speaker, former executive, jazz guitarist, and rock climber. In this episode, Manley shares the story about rock climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in California. It was the climb of a lifetime, and for one of the climbers, a real life or death situation. It’s worth checking out Manley’s website ( www.ve...

In this episode, Manley picks up where he left off on his journey from corporate executive to professional speaker. Among other things, he shares how learned first hand the importance of exponential commitment and the need to command your momentum. Manley is the founder of Vertical Lessons, Inc. He is an award-winning international keynote speaker, business leader and best-selling author. Leveragi...

From the Workplace Pro studio,  Nic has a conversation with Manley Feinberg. This is the first of a three-part series with Manley.  Manley is the founder of Vertical Lessons, Inc. He is an award-winning international keynote speaker, business leader and best-selling author. Leveraging more than thirty years of business, professional speaking and adventure experience, his insight and ener...

In the flesh at the Nic Bittle Workplace Pro studio in Corn, Oklahoma, is Mark LeBlanc, Nic’s long-time friend, mentor, and business coach. Mark LeBlanc, CSP, CPAE has been on his own virtually his entire adult life. He once had a job for six months and was inspired by the two words, “You’re fired!” At the ripe, young age of 21, he vowed he would do whatever it would take to make it on his own. An...

Leaders have a responsibility to connect a task to a purpose. Every job worth doing is worth doing well. Nic and Tarina, in this episode, talk about Chapter 17 from Know This. Do That. They point out how even the menial and mundane tasks demand excellence. No job is too small, or insignificant, for someone to be good at it. As Nic says, the foreman on an oil field needs to tell the fire watch, “Yo...

John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyways.” In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk more about fear and the fear of failure. They take a break from discussing Nic’s book, Know This. Do That. A question they ask is: Are you one of those whose tombstone should read, “Died at 30 - Buried at 60”? Failure is not the end of the world. If you fail, pick yourself up and...

Nic and Tarina talk about the benefits of not being busy. They ask the question, “What are we doing for the sake of being busy?” And how we wear our calendar on our sleeve—puffing up our importance. In San Diego, they took a pedal taxi to a Ralph’s grocery store so they didn’t pay $7 for a bottle of water at their hotel. The punch line was how much Nic had to pay for a ride that was shorter than t...

Nic takes a moment to talk about how easy it was to remove the corner post at The Bittle Ranch. Much easier than he imagined it would be—even had four batteries charged and ready for the job. And at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tarina tells him he looks fat in a pair of shoes. But don’t worry, they didn’t buy them. The corner post project—and Nic’s procrastination over way too much time—triggered the qu...

In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about his journey of writing multiple books, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. As you will hear, it wasn’t all puppies and rainbows. He shares how people need micro-learning to help reinforce what they read or what they learn in a workshop, which explains the origins of his Leadership DRIP YouTube videos. They also discuss some of...

It’s autumn and football season and Tarina is happy with the change of season. This means making sliders for the Crusaders football team. Nic and Tarina continue their discussion on his book, Know This Do That . First up to bat is the need for apprentices to eliminate the phrase, “I know.” Why? It’s important to demonstrate humility and coachability. Even if you to do know, listen for Nic’s sugges...

Nic shares the quote: “Margin is the space between your load and your limits.” And Tarina illustrates it with the two-lane highway and the space along the side of the road. It’s a buffer in your schedule, your heart, and your capacity. It’s room for error. In this episode, they talk about Chapters 8-11 of Nic’s book, Know This Do That . The negative question a lot of people to ask themselves sound...

In this episode, Tarina and Nic talk about dropping off their daughter at college. As Tarina says, “Elle is now far, far away.” Nic describes his own moment when it really started to hurt as he watched Elle, during orientation, being too nervous to admit she was nervous. During the orientation session for parents, they explained the “W” model and the likely path and feelings their new freshman wou...

In this episode, Tarina shares a big announcement and Nic talks about how his dad used to drag him out of church when he’d misbehave. In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the in’s and out’s, do’s and don’ts of constructive criticism. First, on the punch list knowing that for criticism to be constructive it has to be information that someone can use to do better. Unfortunately, many superinte...

In this podcast Nic and Elise discuss the role Human Resources and the part Elise plays in helping to create a culture of safety, mental and emotional health, and Egan's focus on people development. You will hear the passion she has for serving others and how executing key strategies looks a lot like building relationships across the enterprise. This is key. She shares wisdom from her 8+ years in...

Nic opens with a story about a recent float trip with his son and other boys. When their small flotilla passes a group of attractive teenage girls with a wet cat, Nic shows his motley crew how to talk to them. Then he and Tarina discuss chapters 4 and 5 from Know This Do That . Your career and life are about taking initiative and getting people to like you. Can you make people laugh? Do they see y...

Men and women working in the construction and trades industry get paid to build things. As Nic and Tarina discuss, it’s important for everyone, and especially those just starting out, to see they are also building relationships. Chapter 2 of Nic’s book, Know This. Do That, is about being on time. Someone building a career (see Chapter 1) aims to build good relationships. The first step to building...