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PODCAST

Things Leaders Do

Whether you"re a new manager figuring out how to lead your first team or a seasoned executive refining your approach, host Colby Morris delivers actionable tools and real-world frameworks you can use today to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.Things Leaders Do is the straight-talk podcast for leaders who want practical strategies that actually work—not just leadership theory that sounds good in a boardroom.Each week, Colby breaks down people-first leadership with humor, insight, and straight

business management

All Episodes

25:04

Performance Issue or Hiring Mistake? Make the Call

Things Leaders Do ·

2026/01/27

How do you know when someone needs more coaching versus when you've made a hiring mistake? Look for three signs: (1) They're missing one of Patrick Lencioni's core virtues (Humble, Hungry, or Smart) and it's not improving, (2) You're having the same coaching conversation on repeat with no change, and (3) Your high performers are asking pointed questions about this person. If it's a hiring mistake, handle the transition with dignity: be clear about the decision, own your part, focus on what's ...

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28:04

When to Address Underperformance (Part 2 of 2)

Things Leaders Do ·

2026/01/20

How do you actually have a performance conversation with an underperforming team member? Use a six-step framework: (1) Schedule it without drama, (2) Start with specific observations, (3) Listen to understand the root cause, (4) Name the impact clearly, (5) Create a specific plan together, and (6) End with a clear recap. Then follow up the next week—not when you remember, but when you said you would. The conversation without follow-up is just theater. Episode Description What do you actually...

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26:35

When to Address Underperformance (Part 1 of 2)

Things Leaders Do ·

2026/01/13

Quick Answer When should you have a performance conversation with an underperforming team member? Address it immediately the first time you notice an issue—not the third or fourth time. The first time, approach it with curiosity: "What happened?" The second time, express concern and document the conversation. Waiting only makes the problem worse for everyone involved. Episode Description How do you know when it's time to address underperformance? What are the early warning signs that someone...

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23:56

When Your January Plans Fall Apart (Year-End...

Things Leaders Do ·

2026/01/06

What should you do when your January plans fall apart? Acknowledge what slipped, identify why it happened, and make one small adjustment to get back on track. This episode shares a three-step recovery process refined over 20+ years of leadership—because leadership isn't about perfect execution, it's about recovery. Episode Description What happens when your January plans fall apart by Week 2? How can you recover when you've already slipped back into old habits? What's the difference between...

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40:06

Starting 2026 Strong - The First Week Reset (Year-End...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/12/30

What should leaders do in the first week of January to set their team up for success in 2026? How can middle managers use the first week back to re-engage their teams and set the tone for the entire year? Most leaders waste the first week of January drowning in email and attending pointless meetings. But the first week of January isn't about catching up—it's about resetting. In this episode, Colby breaks down the specific conversations leaders need to have, why one-on-ones are non-negotiable,...

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23:04

Setting 2026 Goals That Don't Suck (Year-End...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/12/16

93% of employees can't align their personal goals with company objectives—because most goal-setting is one-directional garbage. This episode shows you how to create SMART goals using the two-way framework that balances corporate priorities with what your team actually wants to develop. What You'll Learn: Why SMART goals remove ambiguity and prevent performance review conflictsHow to cascade corporate goals using the trickle-down effect (not copy/paste)The two types of personal development goa...

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20:42

Performance Review Feedback That Actually Sticks...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/12/09

Year-end performance reviews often fail because feedback evaporates by February. This episode shows you how to deliver feedback that actually changes behavior—whether you've been doing one-on-ones all year or you're starting fresh in 2026. What You'll Learn: How to own it when you haven't been present (the 10-second script that builds trust)The four steps for giving feedback when you've been MIAHow to introduce one-on-ones without the awkwardness derailing youThe three anchors of feedback tha...

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18:18

How to Show Your Team Gratitude (Without the Awkward...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/12/02

Employee Recognition Strategies That Actually Work How do you recognize employees effectively? Most leaders only show appreciation during holidays—a team lunch at Thanksgiving, gift cards at year-end—but your people deserve consistent recognition year-round. Research shows 76% of employees don't feel adequately recognized at work, yet gratitude often becomes a seasonal checkbox instead of a daily leadership practice. This episode gives you a proven framework for meaningful employee reco...

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20:12

How to Disagree With Your Boss (Without Getting Fired)

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/11/19

Ever felt stuck between speaking up to your boss and protecting your career? You're in a meeting, your boss makes a decision you know is wrong, but you stay silent—worried that disagreeing will make you look insubordinate or damage the relationship. Here's the truth: you're not alone. 76% of employees avoid workplace conflict, and nearly 24% of all workplace conflict happens between employees and their direct supervisors. This episode tackles the biggest challenge middle managers face: how to...

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13:56

How to Hold Someone Accountable Without Micromanaging

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/11/12

You delegated the project. Now you're wondering: Should I check in without micromanaging? How do I hold people accountable without hovering? Here's the tension every middle manager feels: You want accountability, but you don't want to be the micromanager everyone complains about. In this episode, leadership consultant Colby Morris breaks down the critical difference between holding someone accountable and micromanaging—and shows you exactly how to check in on your team without making them fee...

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23:32

Tough Conversations Part 2: When the First...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/11/04

You had the tough conversation. You thought you were clear. But nothing changed. Now what? Most leadership advice stops at "have the conversation" and never tells you what to do when the issue repeats. In this episode, leadership consultant Colby Morris walks you through exactly how to handle the second conversation—and why it's often more important than the first. What You'll Learn: Why the first conversation probably didn't work (and how to avoid the same mistake)The two bad paths leaders ...

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18:32

How to Be a People-First Leader When Your Company Isn't

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/10/28

You believe in people-first leadership, but you work in a results-only culture. Your peers manage by spreadsheet. Your boss treats people like resources. You're wondering: Can I actually lead differently without getting crushed? Here's the truth: You can't change the entire company culture right now. But you CAN change your team culture. And that's more powerful than you think. In this episode, leadership consultant Colby Morris shares how middle managers can pioneer people-first leadership i...

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23:24

How Leaders Should Use AI: Practical Guide to...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/10/21

Your inbox is full of articles about AI replacing jobs. You're wondering: Am I next? Here's the truth: Great people-first leaders won't be replaced by AI—but 88% of heavy AI users are burning out because they're doing it wrong. In this episode, you'll learn how to use AI strategically to become MORE people-first, not less. Get the exact methods leaders are using to save 100+ hours per year while spending more time with their teams, not less. What You'll Learn: Why 88% of AI users burn out (a...

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23:26

Building Leaders From Within: How to Make Succession...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/10/13

Look around your executive team. How many of you were external hires? Every hand goes up. Now show me how many managers you have promoted from front-line positions. Zero. Not one. Crickets. Host Colby Morris shares the devastating boardroom moment that exposed why one organization could not stop the turnover bleeding. When every leadership opening goes external, you are sending your team a clear message - there is no path forward for you here. This episode transforms succession planning from ...

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19:07

Leadership in the Age of Mental Health Awareness

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/10/07

Your top performer just quit without a backup plan. They're driving Uber while they figure out their next move. Why? Because the pain of staying became greater than the pain of change. In 2025, 35% of Gen Z workers will quit without another job lined up, and 1 in 4 employees have considered quitting due to mental health concerns. The gig economy changed everything—your people have options now, and being a "nice boss" isn't enough. Host Colby Morris reveals the critical difference between boss...

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17:49

The Hybrid Leadership Playbook: 3 Systems That...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/09/29

This deep-dive follow-up delivers exactly what you asked for: three specific, actionable systems that successful hybrid leaders use to build trust, measure performance, and manage remote teams without losing their minds. Host Colby Morris shares a real transformation story about Lisa, a marketing director whose team was crushing goals but sending deliverables at 2:00 AM - creating massive anxiety about "when" her people were working. Discover how implementing SMART goal-aligned KPIs eliminate...

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17:34

The Hybrid Leadership Dilemma: Why Your Old...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/09/22

BREAKING: New 2025 research reveals 51% of workers would quit rather than return to traditional management styles. Is your hybrid leadership approach driving away top talent? If your best performer just quit with an exit interview citing "micromanagement" and "lack of trust," you're experiencing the hybrid leadership dilemma that's costing organizations their most valuable people. The hybrid workplace has exposed a critical flaw in how most leaders manage remote teams, virtual employees, and ...

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15:27

Leading Through National Tragedy – When Silence Isn't...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/09/15

When national tragedy strikes, leaders don’t have the luxury of silence. In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and what it reveals about the role of leaders during moments of crisis. This conversation isn’t about politics. It’s about leadership. It’s about how you show up when your team is already processing fear, anger, confusion—and yes, sometimes celebration. In this episode, we cover: Why silence in the f...

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17:07

Conflict IQ Part 3: The Courage Conversation – How to...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/09/09

How do leaders invite productive conflict? Most leaders avoid workplace conflict, then wonder why teams never bring them the truth until it's too late. In this final Conflict IQ episode, discover the advanced skill that separates good leaders from great ones: actively inviting disagreement to strengthen team performance. Learn specific language patterns that encourage honest pushback and practical tools for creating environments where the best ideas emerge from anywhere on your team. What Yo...

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19:31

Episode 100: Conflict IQ, Part 2 – Reading the Room...

Things Leaders Do ·

2025/09/02

Welcome to Episode 100 of Things Leaders Do! I can’t believe we’ve hit this milestone together. Thank you to every listener who’s been here along the way—your feedback and stories keep pushing me to bring leadership conversations that actually matter. For this milestone episode, we’re continuing the Conflict IQ series with Part 2: Reading the Room—How to Spot Hidden Conflict Before It Explodes. Here’s the truth: by the time conflict becomes visible, it’s already too late. The real leadership ...

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120 results

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