Discover a world where everyone’s influence matters. Welcome to Daily Influence, co-hosted by Brian Smith, founder and managing partner at IA Business Advisors and author of the &#39;I in Team&#39; series, along with IA Business Advisors Partner Gregg Brooke Koleno. Each day, Brian and Gregg craft episodes designed to elevate your influence and transform it into a force for positive and responsible influence.Every episode is a journey through real-life experiences, transformative concepts, and powerful tools that help you FIND, BE &amp; BUILD Your Influence. We aim to help you radiate your unique influence, find balance, celebrate victories, and shape your reality. The podcast highlights the art of leading yourself and those around you, remaining humble and composed, learning effectively, and embracing true diversity.Whether you tune in during your morning coffee, mid-day break, or your evening wind-down, Daily Influence is your daily dose of inspiration and upliftment, relevant to your everyday life. The goal is not just to influence you but to equip you with insights you can share within your sphere of influence.Join Brian and Gregg as they explore the principles and practices that align with IA Business Advisors&#39; S.M.A.R.T. Management Consulting Methods, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. Remember, it’s not just about being part of the team; it’s about finding the ‘I’ in every team.So, listen, learn, share, and expand your influence with Daily Influence. Tune in and discover how to make your influence matter, every day.

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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&#39; 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/

831. Why AI Adoption Fails: Dr. Gleb Tsipursky on Psychology, Trust & Leadership

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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&#39;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.

830. The Influence You Don’t See: Always On, Always Active (rerun)

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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/

829. Kindness as a Superpower: How Small Acts Create Global Change - Kevin Smith

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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.

828. Leveraging Technology for Intergenerational Team Collaboration (rerun)

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In this revisit to episode 296 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith PhD explores the critical role that emotional resilience plays in leadership. He shares how resilient leaders are not just emotionally intelligent, but also capable of navigating challenges with calmness and stability. Learn how to manage stress, setbacks, and unforeseen challenges without letting emotions negatively impact your team. Through responsible leadership, Brian shows how emotional resilience can promote trust, transparency, and collaboration, creating a stronger and more innovative organizational culture.

827. The Role of Emotional Resilience in Leadership (rerun)

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Burnout rarely happens all at once. More often, it builds slowly through constant stress, sleepless nights, neglected self-care, and the pressure to keep pushing—even when your body and relationships are telling you something needs to change. In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Lori Lea, founder of Lori Lea Healing Hopes, to explore her journey from more than 20 years in the corporate world including serving as the CFO of an international company to discovering a new approach to balance, healing, and intentional living. Lori shares how chronic stress began affecting her health, relationships, communication, and ability to remain present and the wake-up call that ultimately led her to step away and reassess what truly mattered. She also explains how her personal exploration of sound healing and energy healing evolved into a way to help others slow down, reconnect, and create greater calm in their lives. Together, Gregg and Lori discuss how unmanaged stress can influence the way leaders communicate, make decisions, and treat the people around them—and why caring for ourselves is an important part of responsible leadership and positive influence. In this episode, you’ll hear about: •	The warning signs of burnout that are easy to overlook •	How chronic stress can affect leadership, communication, and decision-making •	Lori’s transition from corporate CFO to sound and energy healing practitioner •	What happens during a sound bath and how Lori creates an environment for relaxation •	Simple techniques for resetting during stressful moments •	The importance of boundaries, rest, gratitude, and being fully present •	Why self-care is not selfish—and how restoring yourself can improve the influence you have on others Lori’s story is a reminder that slowing down does not mean abandoning your responsibilities. Sometimes, creating space to restore yourself is exactly what allows you to return with greater clarity, patience, and intention. Learn more about Lori Lea and Lori Lea Healing Hopes: https://lorileahealinghopes.com/ Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

826. From Burnout to Balance: Sound Healing, Stress Relief & Responsible Influence

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What happens when achieving success is no longer enough? On this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith sits down with Tony Holland, CEO of Global Premier Benefits, Managing Partner at Integrity Marketing Group, entrepreneur, investor, youth coach and minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Tony’s journey began far from where he is today. Raised by a teenage single mother in a difficult home environment, Tony experienced adversity early in life before earning an academic scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. After college, his path eventually found him living out of a van, bartending and waiting tables before an unexpected opportunity in insurance changed his trajectory. Tony quickly became one of the industry’s top performers—but a tragic experience involving the death of a client’s child fundamentally changed how he viewed his work. Success stopped being about recognition, money and what Tony could achieve. It became about people, purpose and contribution. Brian and Tony explore how adversity can prepare us rather than define us, why Tony believes great leaders “lead with love,” what coaching young athletes taught him about developing people, and why his greatest accomplishments aren&#39;t the trophies, businesses or financial success, but seeing people he influenced go on to succeed themselves. Tony shares a leadership philosophy that captures the heart of responsible influence: “I want you to do better than me.” This is a conversation about overcoming circumstances, finding purpose in success, building people up in a world that too often tears them down, and recognizing that achievement becomes far more meaningful when we use it to create opportunity for someone else. Because the question isn&#39;t whether you have influence. The question is what you&#39;re going to do with it. <a href="http://www.thetonyholland.com/" rel="nofollow">www.thetonyholland.com </a>https://linktr.ee/thetonyholland

825. When Success Becomes Contribution: Tony Holland on Adversity, Leadership & Building Others Up

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What does it take to become more visible in business without losing sight of who you are? In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jennifer Anderson, founder of Jen Anderson Fit Life and a self-described professional wing woman, to explore how entrepreneurs and professionals can build confidence, strengthen their visibility, create meaningful relationships, and pursue opportunities that genuinely align with their goals. Drawing on more than two decades in the fitness industry and her experience in business development, messaging, strategic collaboration, podcast bookings, speaking opportunities, and launches, Jennifer explains why your greatest value often comes from the qualities that make you different not simply your technical expertise. She shares how learning to “bring your whole self” into professional relationships can make you more memorable, relatable, and trusted. Jennifer also discusses how business owners can evaluate opportunities more strategically. Rather than saying yes to every client, partnership, podcast, event, or speaking engagement, she encourages leaders to consider audience alignment, capacity, opportunity cost, and whether an opportunity actually supports where they want to go. Gregg and Jennifer also explore: •	Turning visibility into credible relationships and measurable business growth through consistent follow-up •	Why a “no” may really mean “not right now” •	The connection between physical discipline, confidence, and business performance •	Creating small, non-negotiable routines that help prevent burnout •	Planning today to make life easier for your “future self” •	Finding the confidence to speak up and trust the value you bring •	How one simple introduction, message, or act of advocacy can strengthen a relationship and create opportunities for someone else Jennifer leaves listeners with a practical challenge: when someone comes to mind, take action. Send the message. Share their work. Make the introduction. Strong relationships are built when good intentions become intentional actions. If you want to strengthen your personal brand, increase your business visibility, build more meaningful professional relationships, and become more intentional about the opportunities you pursue, this conversation offers practical strategies you can use immediately.  Connect with Jen: janderson5969@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-anderson-wingwoman/ Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter:  https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/ Keywords: business visibility, personal branding, strategic relationships, networking, business development, professional confidence, entrepreneurship, relationship building, speaking opportunities, podcast guesting, leadership, authentic leadership, business growth, Jennifer Anderson, Daily Influence Podcast

824. How to Build Visibility, Confidence & Strategic Relationships with Jennifer Anderson

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What happens after you achieve the success you’ve been working toward? In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith challenges us to look beyond the next goal, promotion, client, dollar, or accomplishment and consider a different question: What are you doing with what you’ve already built? Success gives us more than achievement. Along the way, we accumulate experience, relationships, knowledge, credibility, resources, and influence. And with greater influence comes greater responsibility for the ripples we create. Brian explores the important transition from achievement to contribution—using what we’ve built to develop people, create opportunities, share knowledge, strengthen organizations, and build something that can continue making an impact without us. Success isn’t the finish line. What you do with your success may ultimately matter more than achieving it in the first place.

823. Success Isn't the Finish Line: What Are You Doing With What You've Built?

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Success can hide a lot of problems. When revenue is growing, customers are happy, and opportunities keep coming through the door, it’s easy to assume the organization is working exactly as it should. But what happens when good people are compensating for bad processes? When critical knowledge lives in someone’s head? When the founder is still holding together things that should have become systems years ago? In Episode 822 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why growth often doesn’t create organizational problems—it exposes the ones success allowed us to ignore. As organizations grow, individual capability must become organizational capability. Leadership has to move beyond the leader and become embedded in how decisions are made, responsibilities are defined, communication happens, performance is measured, and accountability is maintained. The question isn’t simply, “Are we successful?” It’s: What is our current success allowing us to ignore? Because if your business doubled tomorrow, what would break first?

822. Growth Exposes What Success Lets You Ignore

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What does it take to become a leader whose influence creates trust, clarity, and meaningful action? In this episode of Daily Influence, Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Kurt Luidhardt, founder of Liberty Spenders and president of The Prosper Group, to explore how intentional leadership and effective communication shape businesses, teams, families, and communities. Drawing on more than 20 years of business leadership and his extensive experience in marketing, communications, and political strategy, Kurt explains why influence is never neutral. Leaders are influencing the people around them every day the question is whether they are doing it intentionally. Kurt shares practical lessons on creating greater clarity within an organization, communicating transparently during difficult seasons, challenging assumptions before they become costly mistakes, and protecting dedicated thinking time as a business owner. He also explains why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to help employees understand the larger purpose and impact of their work. The conversation goes deeper into the meaning of success, including Kurt&#39;s perspective on ambition, family, faith, integrity, and building a legacy that extends beyond short-term accomplishments. You&#39;ll learn: •	Why clarity is one of the most important leadership skills •	The difference between intentional and accidental influence •	Why leaders need dedicated time to think—not just execute •	How challenging assumptions can prevent costly business mistakes •	Why transparency builds trust during difficult business situations •	How regular communication helps strengthen organizational culture •	Why storytelling moves people from passive observers to engaged contributors •	How ambition can become destructive when success becomes the ultimate goal •	Why thinking generationally can change business and financial decisions •	How stepping away from social media and constant negativity can improve the influence you have on others Kurt also shares a practical challenge for anyone wanting to become a more positive and responsible influence: pay closer attention to what you are allowing into your mind and what you are carrying into the lives of the people around you. Whether you&#39;re a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, manager, marketer, or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical ideas for communicating more effectively, building stronger relationships, and becoming more intentional about the influence you have every day. Connect with Kurt Luidhardt: LinkedIn: Search Kurt Luidhardt Website: LibertySpenders.com About Daily Influence: Daily Influence explores how leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday people can create meaningful positive impact through intentional actions, responsible leadership, and the influence they carry into their businesses, relationships, and communities. Subscribe to Daily Influence and share this episode with someone who wants to become a more intentional and positive influence. SEO Keywords: intentional leadership, leadership communication, responsible influence, Kurt Luidhardt, Daily Influence podcast, business leadership, communication skills for leaders, leadership clarity, building trust at work, transparent leadership, storytelling in leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, positive influence, organizational culture, leadership development Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

821. Intentional Leadership: How Clarity, Communication & Responsible Influence Build Trust | Kurt Luidhardt

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What happens when everything in your organization becomes urgent? Every email needs an immediate response. Every new idea becomes the next priority. Every problem becomes a fire—and eventually, people stop managing priorities and start managing interruptions. In Episode 820 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the hidden organizational cost of constant urgency and the responsibility leaders have for the pace, anxiety, and priorities they create around them. Drawing from 30 years of working with organizations and the principles of S.M.A.R.T. Management, Brian challenges leaders to distinguish between what needs their attention and what actually deserves priority. In this episode: • Why urgent and important are not the same thing • How constantly changing priorities create organizational chaos • Why every new priority has a cost—even when that cost isn&#39;t immediately visible • How a leader&#39;s pace and anxiety influence the entire team • Why reacting to every problem can teach employees to escalate instead of solve • How S.M.A.R.T. Management creates clarity around priorities, ownership, measurement, and outcomes • Why speed with direction is different from motion created by anxiety Sometimes the chaos leaders are frustrated by is chaos they&#39;ve helped create. Before calling something urgent, ask: Is it genuinely urgent? Is it important? Or is it simply the thing that has my attention right now? Because priority requires choice—and choice requires discipline. Your influence is always on. Make it positive. Make it responsible. Find your influence. Be the influence. Build your influence.

820. The Cost of Constant Urgency: When Everything Becomes a Priority

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What if confidence isn’t about knowing exactly what comes next, but trusting yourself to figure it out? On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Erin Ramirez, founder of Real Change Studio, executive coach, leadership strategist, and facilitator who helps leaders and teams navigate change, growth, complexity, and pressure. Erin shares why uncertainty doesn’t have to leave leaders stuck and why waiting for the perfect answer can actually hold people and organizations back. Drawing from her experience leading large-scale organizational change initiatives, she explains how leaders can build adaptability, strengthen their confidence, and move forward by focusing on the next best step. The conversation also explores the concept of the leadership shadow the idea that every action, reaction, conversation, and behavior sends a message to the people around us, whether we intend it or not. Erin explains why responsible influence starts with understanding not only what we mean to communicate, but how others actually experience us. You’ll also learn Erin’s practical three-step approach for navigating uncertainty: identify the facts and separate them from the story you’re telling yourself, expand your options through mental flexibility, and choose an intentional next step. In this episode, you’ll discover: •	Why confidence comes from trusting your ability to respond rather than having certainty •	How a leader’s behaviors create a leadership shadow that influences the entire organization •	Why listening can be more effective than simply communicating more •	A three-step process for getting unstuck and identifying your next best step •	How “both-and thinking” can help leaders move beyond limiting either-or choices •	Why adaptability and mental flexibility are increasingly critical leadership skills •	How to take responsible action even when you don’t have a perfect plan Erin’s message is simple: you don’t need to see the entire path before you move forward. You need the willingness to take the next responsible step, learn from it, and keep adapting. Learn more about Erin Ramirez and Real Change Studio at https://www.realchangestudio.com/ and connect with Erin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinrdramirez/. Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

819. Leading Through Uncertainty: How to Build Confidence and Take the Next Best Step

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What happens when good people stop telling leaders what they really think? Silence inside an organization can easily be mistaken for agreement. But when employees stop challenging ideas, raising concerns, admitting mistakes, or offering suggestions, that silence may be telling leaders something important about the environment they have created. In Episode 818 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores how a leader&#39;s reactions can unintentionally teach people that agreement is safer than honesty. Every response to bad news, disagreement, mistakes, and difficult feedback influences whether people will speak openly the next time. Brian also connects honest communication to self-awareness and S.M.A.R.T. Management, challenging leaders to create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely ways for important information to move through their organizations. The question isn&#39;t simply, &#34;Why aren&#39;t my people speaking up?&#34; Responsible leaders are willing to ask a harder question: Have I created an environment where people know they can respectfully challenge me and still be valued? Your influence is always on. Make it positive and responsible.

818. When Good People Stop Speaking Up: What Silence Says About Leadership

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Having the difficult conversation is only the beginning. In this episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores what happens after expectations have been discussed—and why communication without follow-through rarely creates meaningful change. True accountability isn&#39;t about punishment. It starts with clarity. Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management framework, Brian explains why expectations should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely—and why both the individual and the leader have responsibilities once those expectations are established. Most importantly, Brian examines how accountability shapes culture. When leaders establish expectations but fail to follow up, people quickly learn that the standard is optional. Positive influence requires empathy. Responsible influence requires follow-through. Great leadership requires both. Find. Be. Build your influence.

817. Accountability Isn’t Punishment: What Happens After the Conversation

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What if kindness isn’t just a personal value but one of the most practical tools we have for improving leadership, workplace culture, relationships, and well-being? On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Jaclyn Lindsey, Co-Founder and CEO of Kindness.org, a global nonprofit advancing the science of kindness and transforming research into practical solutions for schools, workplaces, and communities. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Kindness.org has developed evidence-based programs reaching more than 500,000 students worldwide. Jaclyn shares how both kindness and experiences with bullying shaped her early life and ultimately influenced her mission to better understand the measurable impact of kindness. She explains why kindness should not be confused with being nice, agreeable, or avoiding difficult conversations and why genuine kindness can sometimes require courage, honesty, boundaries, and accountability. The conversation also explores the ABCs of kindness: kindness is an action, it is intended to benefit another person, and it typically has a cost—whether that cost is time, energy, effort, or resources. Jaclyn explains how this framework helps transform kindness from an abstract idea into an intentional behavior anyone can practice. 🌟 In this episode: • Why kindness and niceness are not the same thing • How kindness can become an intentional leadership practice • The ABCs of kindness and how to turn good intentions into action • Why responsible kindness sometimes requires boundaries and difficult conversations • How science and evidence helped Kindness.org make kindness measurable • How the Kindness Quotient (KQ) can help people strengthen their everyday kindness • Why small acts can create ripple effects far beyond what we immediately see • Practical ways to choose kindness in everyday interactions Jaclyn also challenges listeners to recognize that their individual actions matter. A smile, a thoughtful text, checking in on a neighbor, or acknowledging someone who has positively influenced your life may feel small—but those actions can have an impact you may never fully see. This conversation is a reminder that positive influence doesn’t require a grand gesture. It starts with intentional choices—and kindness is something every one of us can practice. 🔗 Learn more about Jaclyn Lindsey and Kindness.org: https://www.facebook.com/kindnessorg https://www.instagram.com/kindnessorg/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kindnessorg/ https://youtu.be/OBqfKUWaku8?si=SABmQmjMa7EN-vp4 Explore the Kindness Quotient (KQ) and discover practical, research-backed ways to strengthen your kindness. Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/ #DailyInfluence #Kindness #Leadership #PositiveInfluence #ResponsibleInfluence #KindnessMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture

816. The Science of Kindness: How Small Actions Create Big Impact

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Valuing people does not mean avoiding difficult conversations with them. In Episode 815 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores why one of the least responsible things a leader can do is allow discomfort today to become somebody else’s problem tomorrow. Leaders often disguise avoidance as patience, empathy, grace, or simply waiting for the “right time.” But problems rarely disappear while we wait. A performance problem can become a consistency problem. A consistency problem can become an accountability problem. And eventually, an accountability problem can become a culture and credibility problem. Brian discusses the important difference between giving someone grace and withholding information they need in order to improve. He also explains how S.M.A.R.T. expectations—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely—can help leaders replace vague criticism with clarity, accountability, and an opportunity for growth. Positive influence isn’t simply about making people feel good. Sometimes responsible influence means caring enough to have the conversation neither person particularly wants to have. What conversation are you avoiding—and what might that avoidance cost tomorrow? Find your influence. Be the influence. Build your influence.

815. The Cost of Avoiding Hard Conversations: When Empathy Becomes Avoidance

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What happens when leaders intentionally create opportunities for others to be seen, heard, and empowered? On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dr. Laura McGowan-Robinson, Founder and CEO of the Diversity in Leadership Institute, to explore how representation, resilience, self-reflection, and responsible leadership can create meaningful change in schools, organizations, and communities. Laura shares how the influence of her mother and grandmother helped shape her commitment to education and why seeing leaders who reflected her own identity made such a profound difference in her life. She also discusses how that experience eventually inspired her work developing racially diverse and culturally competent school leaders throughout California. Throughout the conversation, Laura offers practical lessons for anyone who wants to become a more intentional leader. She explains why effective leadership begins with self-reflection, recognizing the strengths others already possess, and using your own relationships, knowledge, and influence to create opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Laura also shares the story of launching a school during an economic crisis, facing severe under-enrollment and financial uncertainty, and choosing to persevere when the odds suggested the school might not survive. Today, that school serves more than 1,000 students in grades K–12—a powerful example of what can happen when purpose, community, and persistence come together. In this episode, you’ll learn: •	Why representation in leadership can have a ripple effect across students, families, and future leaders •	How self-reflection helps leaders recognize where they need to grow •	Why identifying and developing the strengths of others is a critical leadership responsibility •	How leading through inquiry can empower teams to think, contribute, and solve problems •	What perseverance looks like when circumstances make success seem unlikely •	Why meaningful change often requires leaders to pace themselves for the long term •	How small, intentional actions can create lasting positive influence Laura’s message is a reminder that leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about creating space for others to grow, using your influence responsibly, and leaving the world better than you found it. Connect with Dr. Laura McGowan-Robinson and the Diversity in Leadership Institute: https://www.diversityinleadership.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/diversity-in-leadership-institute/ https://www.instagram.com/dil_institute/ https://www.facebook.com/DILInstitute/ Sign up to receive our S.M.A.R.T. Advantage Newsletter: https://www.smartadvantagenewsletter.com/

814. Leading with Purpose: How Representation and Responsible Influence Create Lasting Change

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The workplace is changing quickly. Artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs, automation is transforming processes, organizations are searching for greater efficiency, and employees are being asked to adapt and accomplish more with the resources they have. But as the nature of work changes, are we making a dangerous mistake by confusing the value of the work with the value of the person doing it? In this special Labor Day episode of Daily Influence, Brian Smith explores the responsibility leaders have to develop people alongside technology—not simply use technology to extract more productivity from them. From judgment, accountability, and empathy to curiosity, critical thinking, and responsible influence, there are distinctly human contributions that technology cannot replace. Labor Day is ultimately a celebration of people: the people who build our businesses, serve our customers, solve problems, challenge assumptions, and influence what our organizations become. Technology will change. Jobs will change. The way we work will change. The value of work is changing. The value of people shouldn’t.

813: Labor Day 2026: The Value of Work Is Changing. The Value of People Shouldn’t.

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In this revisit to episode 212 of Daily Influence we explore the transformative power of Servant Leadership. Learn how to provide positive, responsible influence by becoming a servant leader, and discover how this approach can grow your team&#39;s influence and success. Tune in to gain practical insights on fostering a supportive and empowering environment that elevates both individual and collective performance. Perfect for leaders looking to inspire and drive their teams to new heights.

812. Empower Your Team: The Power of Servant Leadership in Daily Influence (rerun)

Discover a world where everyone’s influence matters. Welcome to Daily Influence, co-hosted by Brian Smith, founder and managing partner at IA Business Advisors and author of the 'I in Team' series, along with IA Business Advisors Partner Gregg Brooke Koleno. Each day, Brian and Gregg craft episodes designed to elevate your influence and transform it into a force for positive and responsible influence.

Every episode is a journey through real-life experiences, transformative concepts, and powerful tools that help you FIND, BE & BUILD Your Influence. We aim to help you radiate your unique influence, find balance, celebrate victories, and shape your reality. The podcast highlights the art of leading yourself and those around you, remaining humble and composed, learning effectively, and embracing true diversity.

Whether you tune in during your morning coffee, mid-day break, or your evening wind-down, Daily Influence is your daily dose of inspiration and upliftment, relevant to your everyday life. The goal is not just to influence you but to equip you with insights you can share within your sphere of influence.

Join Brian and Gregg as they explore the principles and practices that align with IA Business Advisors' S.M.A.R.T. Management Consulting Methods, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. Remember, it’s not just about being part of the team; it’s about finding the ‘I’ in every team.

So, listen, learn, share, and expand your influence with Daily Influence. Tune in and discover how to make your influence matter, every day.