It’s easy to see the faults in others—but real growth begins when we have the courage to look inward and ask, “Am I the problem?”

In this revisit to episode 582 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how self-awareness can transform negative influence into positive impact. Drawing from The I in Team Series and S.M.A.R.T. Management principles, Brian helps you identify repeating patterns, manage emotional reactions, and practice accountability without shame.

Listen in to learn how reflection, emotional intelligence, and intentional resets can help you own your influence and use it for good.

What happens when the strengths that helped you become successful start limiting the way you lead?

On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with executive coach, former software developer, and former attorney Adam Quiney to explore why leadership growth often requires more than acquiring new skills or knowledge. Adam explains that highly capable leaders can become so accustomed to knowing the answer, being right, and relying on proven approaches that those same strengths can make it difficult to recognize what they are protecting, avoiding, or unwilling to see.

Adam shares how his own leadership development required vulnerability and a willingness to be humbled rather than simply becoming more self-aware. He discusses why certainty can sometimes signal that a leader may be overlooking something and offers a practical exercise: pay attention to the behaviors you judge most strongly in other people, then become curious about where those same tendencies may appear in yourself.

The conversation also examines the difference between understanding leadership intellectually and actually transforming how you lead. Adam argues that transformation often requires stepping forward before you fully understand the answer rather than continually trying to solve the problem through more analysis, knowledge, or effort.

Gregg and Adam also discuss mindfulness, curiosity, relationships, and responsible influence including Adam’s challenge to become genuinely fascinated by the people around you instead of assuming you already have them figured out.

In this episode:

• Why intelligence, competence, and certainty can eventually become leadership limitations

• How to recognize when you may be protecting your ego, identity, control, or need to be right

• Why awareness alone does not necessarily create transformation

• How judgment of others can reveal potential blind spots in yourself

• Why vulnerability and uncertainty are essential parts of leadership development

• How curiosity can change the way you experience relationships, networking, and everyday interactions

• Why responsible influence requires paying attention to your impact, not just your intentions

Adam leaves listeners with an invitation to approach both others and themselves with greater curiosity, empathy, grace, and acceptance—and to notice the moments when an automatic reaction could instead become an intentional choice.

Connect with Adam Quiney:

Website: adamquiney.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamquiney

Substack: Search for Adam Quiney

Podcast: The Transformational Leader with Adam Quiney 

In this revisit to episode 540 of Daily Influence, Brandon Cohen interviews Brian Smith about the delicate balance of preserving culture while planning for leadership succession. The business in focus had one major concern: maintaining its strong internal culture through future ownership—without sacrificing value or vision.

Brian unpacks how the SMART Management framework helped align team members, clarify stakeholder roles, and create a multi-year succession plan rooted in intentionality. Through stakeholder discovery and transparent conversations, the company moved from uncertainty to confidence about its path forward.

If you're leading a mission-driven organization and thinking about succession—even five years out—this episode offers powerful lessons on planning with heart, structure, and strategy.

Talking about death can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation can leave families making difficult decisions during a crisis without knowing what their loved one truly wanted.

On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno speaks with Sandi Bianchi, an end-of-life doula, founder of Shepherd U Home, and co-founder of the Chicago Death Doula Collective. Sandi explains how death doulas provide non-medical emotional, practical, and educational support while working alongside hospice, medical, legal, and funeral professionals.

Drawing on her Mexican heritage and the communal traditions around death she experienced growing up, Sandi shares how community, ceremony, family involvement, and simply being present can help people navigate grief and the end of life with greater dignity and connection.

The conversation also explores what happens when fear begins influencing end-of-life decisions. Sandi discusses how family members can unintentionally place their own fears onto someone who is dying, and why listening, empathy, and respect for the individual’s wishes are essential to preserving autonomy and dignity.

Listeners will also hear a practical step they can take now, even if they are healthy and nowhere near the end of life. Sandi recommends beginning a simple conversation about personal wishes and documenting preferences over time, including where you would want to be, who you would want around you, and what comfort and care would look like for you.

This episode is ultimately about more than preparing for death. It is about communicating intentionally, protecting individual choice, reducing uncertainty for the people we love, and recognizing that difficult conversations can be an important form of responsible influence.

Learn More and Connect with Sandi:

https://shepherdyouhome.com/

https://www.chicagodeathdoulacollective.com/

INELDA- International End of Life Doula Association: https://inelda.org/

NEDA- National End-of-Life Doula Alliance: https://nedalliance.org/

University of Vermont End-of-Life Certification Program: https://learn.uvm.edu/program/end-of-life-doula-certificate/

Values Worksheet from the Compassion & Choices website: https://compassionandchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Values-Worksheet-Only-FINAL-6.29.20.pdf

My Particular Wishes Only from the Compassion & Choices website: https://compassionandchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/My-Particular-Wishes-Only-FINAL-6.29.20.pdf

In this revisit to Episode 520 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith challenges the reactive mindset of desperate hiring and invites leaders to embrace a more intentional, values-based approach. He explores how rushed hiring decisions can erode your organizational culture and how responsible influence starts with knowing your values—and the true value of every role.

Brian shares practical insights for aligning hiring practices with long-term vision, focusing on core values, and asking the right questions before making a hire. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a revolving door of turnover, this episode will help you reframe hiring as a positive, powerful influence on your culture, your people, and your business.

In this revisit to Episode 515 of the Daily Influence, Brian explores the powerful—but sometimes conflicting—forces of analytics and gut instinct in leadership and decision-making. He breaks down why relying too much on either can lead to poor choices, missed opportunities, or burnout—and shares how integrating both leads to responsible, authentic leadership. Whether you’re overwhelmed by data or flying blind on feelings, this episode will help you find your balance and lead with clarity, intention, and influence.

What separates effective leaders when circumstances are difficult, trust has been lost, and every decision seems urgent?

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno talks with Gigi Fergus, healthcare executive, transformational leader, and founder of Memorable Care, about leading through organizational change, rebuilding trust, creating accountability, and making better decisions under pressure.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience, Gigi has stepped into organizations facing cultural, regulatory, financial, staffing, and operational challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped bring California’s Sleep Train Arena Alternative Care Facility to operational readiness in just seven days and went on to lead more than 300 healthcare professionals.

Gigi shares a practical approach leaders can use when everything feels important: separate priorities into must have, need to have, and nice to have. She also explains why rebuilding trust requires more than communication, it requires leaders to follow through, close the loop, show results, and take ownership when results fall short.

The conversation explores:

• How leaders build credibility before asking people to change

• Why employees experiencing “change fatigue” may actually be experiencing a loss of trust

• How to prioritize when resources and time are limited

• Why accountability and psychological safety need to coexist

• How seemingly separate cultural, operational, regulatory, and financial problems are interconnected

• Why financial problems can be a lagging indicator of deeper organizational issues

• How leaders can correct problems without defaulting to blame

• Why patience and urgency can and should exist together

Gigi also challenges listeners to begin a gratitude practice and consider keeping a simple one-line-a-day journal to recognize growth, maintain perspective, and stay grounded through difficult periods.

This episode is a practical conversation about what responsible influence looks like when leadership is difficult: listen, establish clear expectations, make intentional decisions, follow through on your commitments, and leave the organization and the people around you better than you found them.

Connect with Gigi Fergus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigi-fergus-mba-rn-7090a23/

Email: gigi@memorablecare.com

Memorable Care: https://www.memorablecare.com/

Join Brian Smith from the I in Team Series with this revisit to episode 234 of The Daily Influence as he delves into the critical role of data analytics in shaping strategic decisions and tactical development. In this insightful episode, Brian underscores the importance of understanding and leveraging key metrics beyond just sales and bank balances to drive organizational growth and efficiency.

Discover how labor utilization, among other vital analytics, can provide a comprehensive understanding of your business operations. Brian shares practical tips on creating dashboards and utilizing data to make informed decisions, identify trends, and implement effective tactical solutions. Whether you're a leader, manager, or team member, this episode offers valuable insights on how to harness the power of data to enhance your influence and operational success.

Listen now to learn how data analytics can transform your strategic planning and boost your organization's viability and growth. Don't miss out on this essential guide to making data-driven decisions that propel your business forward.

For more expert advice, check out our latest book, Responsible Influence: Build the I in Team, available now on Amazon.

Artificial intelligence can improve how organizations operate but technology should support human judgment, not replace human responsibility.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno talks with Dylan Reid, President of Dylan Reid Media, about responsible AI leadership, healthcare, organizational culture, and the role accountability plays when adopting new technology.

Dylan explains why leaders need to understand the workflow and problem they are trying to solve before implementing AI, why ownership of AI-driven decisions ultimately remains with people, and why technical literacy matters for leaders working alongside AI and technology teams.

The conversation also explores how strong organizational cultures are built through daily behavior, clear expectations, role alignment, and consistent communication. Dylan shares lessons from his own career, including why he chose to learn how to code to better understand the technology he was discussing and how that decision changed the way he contributes to AI conversations.

One of the episode’s most practical lessons is also one of its simplest: responsible influence often starts by asking better questions. Rather than accepting vague statements and assumptions, Dylan encourages leaders to seek specificity—what actually happened, who was affected, and what evidence supports the conclusion.

Listeners will learn:

• Why AI should support rather than replace human judgment

• How leaders can approach AI implementation more responsibly

• Why accountability cannot be delegated to technology

• How clarity and role alignment shape organizational culture

• Why technical literacy strengthens leadership credibility

• How asking better questions can reduce confusion and improve accountability

A practical conversation about AI, leadership, culture, and what it means to remain responsible for the influence and technology we put into the world.

Connect with Dylan Reid

Want to learn more about Dylan and his work?

Website: https://dylan-reid.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-reid-moskowitz/

Toxic behavior in the workplace isn’t always easy to spot—and it doesn’t always come from poor performers. In this revisit to episode 517 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the nuances of toxic employees, defining what toxicity looks like beyond performance metrics. He discusses the importance of emotional intelligence, feedback culture, and structured remediation rooted in SMART communication principles. Whether you’re leading a team or navigating workplace dynamics, this episode equips you to protect your culture by addressing the uncomfortable—responsibly and intentionally.

In this revisit to Episode 282 of The Daily Influence podcast, Brian S. Smith delves into the critical topic of building a high-trust work environment. Discover why fostering transparency, accountability, and empathy within your organization can lead to a culture where innovation thrives, teams collaborate effortlessly, and everyone contributes to continuous improvement. Drawing on insights from The I in Team Series and SMART Management principles, this episode offers practical advice for leaders and team members alike to create a workplace where trust is the foundation of success. Tune in to learn how to build and sustain a reliable and supportive work culture that drives your organization forward.

Strong workplace cultures aren’t created through slogans or one-time initiatives. They are built through the small, intentional actions leaders repeat every day.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno speaks with educator, executive leader, author, and TEDx speaker Alicia Hughes about how caring for people can produce measurable organizational results. Alisha shares the leadership practices that helped her achieve a 97% staff retention rate while leading 260 employees and contributed to increasing a school’s graduation rate from 30% to 90%.

You’ll learn how simplifying priorities can strengthen decision-making, why leaders must acknowledge when an initiative isn’t working, and how small moments of recognition, kindness, and joy can influence an entire workplace. Alisha also explains why leadership is defined by your actions, not your title, and offers practical ways to create a culture where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-victoria-hughes/

Email: alicia@sparkingupleadership.com

In this revisit to episode 194 of Daily Influence discuss how most of us look for a way to resolve issues for immediate gratification, of either self or others being negatively influenced by an issue. This will sometimes get us moving out of and through some issues, however if we don't quickly understand the root cause of issues, they will resurface and often, if not most of the time, cause deeper and more far reaching consequences.

How can you quiet your inner critic, stop overthinking, and take meaningful action?

On this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno speaks with psychologist, life coach, author, and The Present Coach creator Dr. Pamela Garcy about the connection between self-influence and the influence we have on others.

Dr. Pam explains how automatic thoughts shape our emotions, choices, and behaviors, often without us realizing it. She also introduces her practical NOW framework: Notice, Orient, and ask a “What” question to help us become present, interrupt unproductive thought patterns, and identify the next small step forward.

In this episode:

• How your internal dialogue influences your choices and relationships

• Why being present is more effective than trying to be perfect

• A simple framework for moving from overthinking to constructive action

• How leaders can recognize their unintended impact on others

• Why defining and tracking progress can create meaningful change

• How small, intentional actions can produce a much greater influence than we realize

Learn how to replace self-criticism with awareness, personal responsibility, and intentional action, one thought, conversation, and choice at a time.

Connect with Dr. Pam: drgarcy@gmail.com

Link to Dr. Pam’s Book: https://a.co/d/0cc2MbvG

What happens in the space between something going wrong and how you respond?

On Episode 833 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with Crystal Rowland, founder of Path to Serenity Consulting, to explore what she calls the “wisdom pause” — the intentional space we create before allowing stress, frustration or someone else's emotions to determine what happens next.

Drawing from Stoicism, Buddhism, emotional intelligence and her own workplace experience, Crystal explains why slowing down isn't weakness. It can be one of the most responsible things we do for ourselves and the people we influence.

Brian and Crystal also tackle a harder question: Who is responsible for workplace well-being?

Organizations have a responsibility for the environments they create, the resources they provide and the behaviors they tolerate. But individuals also have responsibility for the emotions, energy and influence they carry into the next conversation, meeting or customer interaction.

The conversation explores emotional carryover, self-governance, the difference between empathy and absorbing someone else's emotions, and practical ways to become more present before the workday even begins.

Because influence is always on — and sometimes responsible influence begins with something as simple as a pause.

https://path2serenity.info/about/

In this revisit to episode 358 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the critical importance of aligning company values with day-to-day operations. Drawing insights from The I in Team Series and IA Business Advisors' S.M.A.R.T. Management System, Brian shares how to integrate core values into every aspect of your organization—from individual contributions to team dynamics and operational strategies. Learn how to empower teams, foster accountability, and adapt through reflection to create a culture that thrives on purpose-driven growth. Tune in for actionable steps to bridge the gap between mission and execution while staying true to your values.

AI adoption is not primarily a technology problem it is a people problem.

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg Koleno speaks with Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, behavioral scientist, bestselling author, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, and author of The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work: From Resistance to Results.

Dr. Gleb explains why many workplace AI initiatives stall even when the technology works. He identifies three major psychological barriers to AI adoption: fear of job loss, threats to professional identity, and shame or stigma around using AI. He also explains why traditional technology implementation strategies often fail with artificial intelligence and what leaders need to do differently.

In this episode:

• Why employee resistance to AI is often emotional rather than technical

• How fear of job displacement can undermine AI adoption

• Why leaders should consider focusing AI productivity gains on growth rather than immediate job cuts

• How professional identity affects employees' willingness to use AI

• Why leaders should identify frustrating, repetitive tasks employees actually want AI to eliminate

• How leadership modeling can reduce stigma around AI use

• Why measuring AI usage alone can create misleading results

• How to measure AI through outcomes such as time saved, quality, error reduction, and business value

• Why “human in the loop” is not enough—and why employees must remain accountable for AI-generated work

• How leaders can build trust while encouraging responsible experimentation with AI

Dr. Gleb also shares one of the most important lessons from his work studying decision-making and organizational change: leaders often underestimate the role emotions play in determining whether people embrace or resist transformation.

For leaders navigating AI implementation, this conversation offers a practical framework for moving beyond reluctant compliance toward responsible, productive AI adoption—without sacrificing human judgment, accountability, or trust.

Learn more about Dr. Gleb Tsipursky and The Psychology of AI Adoption at Work at Disaster Avoidance Experts, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gleb-tsipursky/

Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

We rarely notice it, but influence is with us constantly—like breathing. In this revisit to episode 512, Brian Smith unpacks how influence operates as a continuous, often unconscious force in our lives. From body language to internal dialogue, we're always broadcasting—and always receiving. Learn how building self-awareness helps you better manage the influence you have on others and what’s influencing you from within.

Can one small act of kindness really change a life or even the world?

In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kevin Smith, founder and Chief Kindness Chaser of Kindness Worldwide, to explore how one stranger’s decision to return his lost wallet sparked a global mission to create a culture of kindness. What began as Kevin’s desire to recognize one person for doing the right thing evolved into a movement focused on helping people see the good, be the good, and recognize the influence they have every day.

Kevin shares why kindness is a strength, not a weakness, and explains the difference between genuine kindness and simply being nice or avoiding conflict. He also introduces the eight characteristics of kindness (gratitude, patience, forgiveness, empathy and compassion, respect, joy, generosity, and service) and discusses how individuals and leaders can intentionally put them into practice.

The conversation also explores how leaders can build a genuine culture of kindness in the workplace, why Kevin believes organizations should think about ROK Return on Kindness alongside Random Opportunities for Kindness, and how helping employees feel seen, valued, and understood can strengthen both people and organizations.

Kevin leaves listeners with a simple challenge: ask yourself each day, “What can I do today to make a difference in someone else’s world?” From a smile or thank-you note to an unexpected act of generosity, small actions can create ripples far beyond what we may ever see.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How one act of kindness inspired the creation of Kindness Worldwide

• Why kindness should be viewed as a strength and intentional leadership practice

• The eight characteristics that form Kevin’s framework for kindness

• How leaders can create cultures where people feel seen and valued

• Why “Return on Kindness” can have meaningful organizational impact

• How daily acts of kindness can create lasting ripple effects

• Why every individual has the power to positively influence the world around them

Kevin’s message is straightforward: no act of kindness is too small to make a difference and meaningful change begins with the choices each of us makes every day.

https://www.kindnessworldwide.org/

ksmith@kindnessworldwide.org

https://www.rokindness.org/

Subscribe to the S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

In this revisit to episode 298 of The Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into one of the most significant challenges facing modern teams: how to bridge the generational gap using technology. As organizations grow increasingly diverse in age, older generations may feel left behind by the tech-savvy younger workforce. Brian explores how leveraging collaboration tools like Slack, project management platforms, and reverse mentorship programs can turn these differences into strengths. He offers practical tips for leaders to foster mutual learning, create stronger bonds between generations, and build a culture that thrives on knowledge sharing and collective growth.