In this revisit to Episode 242 of the Daily Influence podcast, Brian Smith explores the critical differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and their impact on workplace culture. Drawing from the I in Team series, Brian delves into how understanding these motivations can enhance leadership at all levels. Learn practical strategies to create a motivational environment, set SMART goals, and foster both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to build a cohesive, high-performing team. Discover insights from "Individual Influence: Find the I in Team," "Positive Influence: Be the I in Team," and our latest bestseller, "Responsible Influence: Build the I in Team." Join us to elevate your leadership and inspire your team!

You do not need a large organization, major funding, or a formal title to make a difference in your community. Sometimes the most effective place to start is with the skills you already have. On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Harold Jones, founder of the Harold S. Jones Fine Arts Center in Cairo, Illinois, to explore how one person can turn a recognized community need into sustained action. Harold shares how his background as a musician led him to create opportunities for young people through violin, dance, visual arts, etiquette, computer literacy, financial literacy, and other programs designed to help fill gaps in education and exposure. He also discusses why access to the arts can help young people build confidence, focus, discipline, and a broader sense of what is possible for their future. The conversation also examines the realities of community leadership: restoring and repurposing neglected spaces, navigating resistance to change, building trust gradually, collaborating with others, and creating programs that can continue beyond one founder. Harold’s message is practical: identify a need, start with what you know how to do, and take action. Positive influence does not always begin with more resources, it often begins with one person deciding to use what they already have to serve others. https://hsjfineartscenter.com/ [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057255017695

In this revisit to episode 490 of Daily Influence, Brian explores the idea of "boardroom frequency"—the tone, energy, and alignment of those we rely on for critical decisions. Whether your advisory group is a formal board, a team of leaders, or trusted peers, how they resonate with your mission and values matters. Brian challenges us to be intentional about who we allow to influence us, how we receive that influence, and whether it aligns with our strategic goals. Discover how clarity, empathy, and SMART decision-making can cut through the noise and elevate both individual and organizational influence.

What changes when you stop asking, “What can this person do for me?” and start asking, “How can I help?” On this episode of Daily Influence, host Gregg-Brooke Koleno sits down with Dean Klassman, founder of Pay It Forward Financial, to explore how a give-first mindset can strengthen relationships, build community, and create meaningful influence. Drawing from more than 25 years with Buddy Baseball, decades of relationship-based networking, and his work bringing people together through community initiatives, Dean shares why genuine connection requires more than good intentions. He discusses the importance of inclusion, giving without keeping score, making thoughtful introductions, and learning from the times when an attempt to help does not go as planned. Gregg and Dean also discuss the need for intentional friendships and community as people move through different stages of life, as well as the importance of taking action today rather than waiting for the “right time” to support others or prepare for the people who depend on us. Dean leaves listeners with a simple challenge: find a cause that matters to you and take a specific step to give back. This conversation is a practical reminder that positive influence is built through everyday choices how we listen, connect, give, and show up for the people around us. Website: https://www.payitforwardfinancial.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deanklassman 

In this revisit to episode 262 of the Daily Influence, Brian Smith delves into the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in effective leadership. Discover how mastering self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills can transform your leadership approach and enhance your influence. Learn practical strategies for developing EI, such as active listening, transparent communication, and conflict resolution. Join us to understand how emotional intelligence not only improves workplace dynamics but also enriches personal relationships. Tune in for actionable insights and start your journey towards becoming an emotionally intelligent leader.

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.