"Nice Business!" Podcast
“Ruthlessly” use human kindness and decency when becoming the best business owner/manager you can be. After all, would you rather be loved or feared by your team?
Richard Train from Richard L Train Consulting, LLC talks with Jim Bob Howard about how to help business leaders uncover those pesky "drama problems" that quietly drain performance: poor communication, disengaged teams, toxic staff dynamics, or leadership gaps no one wants to touch, and how to overcome them.
"Nice Business!" Podcast
The Power of Understanding "People-Pivot-Purpose"
In this episode of the Nice Business Podcast, Richard Train and Jim Bob Howard sit down with Laurie Guzman, CEO and Founder of The Inside Story, for an insightful conversation on the power of pivoting, purposeful leadership, and the people side of business.
Together, they discuss the vital role of trust, transparency, and communication in building a strong, supportive team while maintaining leadership effectiveness. Laurie shares her experience navigating business challenges, offering practical insights on recognizing when to pivot and how to embrace change intentionally. She highlights how listening deeply and fostering openness can create a thriving company culture where both people and business flourish.
Topics Covered:
00:00 – Episode Snippet
03:57 – When leaders lose sight of people under pressure
10:20 – Decision-making fatigue: How much is enough for you
13:12 – How to best communicate regardless of who you're talking to
18:00 – How thoughtful questions help teams think, grow, and move toward shared purpose
20:17 – Trusting people’s genius
23:23 – The burnout cycle of micromanagers
25:22 – Understanding the power of pivoting
29:12 – Building your support system
34:22 – Seeing competitors as collaborators instead of threats
37:07 – Pivoting during crises
42:42 – The power of asking “why”
45:51 – Listening as a leadership skill
48:06 – Adapting communication across generations
52:31 – Closing reflections on connection
About Our Guest:
Laurie Guzman is an Opportunity Broker and Powerhouse Connector, leading business development initiatives as the CEO of The Inside Story. She and her talented virtual team help entrepreneurs uncover opportunities, grow their businesses, and maximize ROI while maintaining strong company culture and confidentiality.
Connect with Laurie Guzman:
- Web: https://www.insidestorytellers.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-guzman
- YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7vWSyLqaagFkAutTr51HA
About Your Hosts:
Richard Train is a Vistage Chair, leadership coach, culture consultant, and the creator of the “Nice Business” Podcast. He has spent more than 30 years helping leaders uncover the real issues behind performance, often the hidden “drama problems” that do not always show up in the numbers.
Connect with Richard Train:
- Web: https://www.richardltrainconsulting.biz
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578616461967
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-train-b39501349
Jim Bob Howard is a speaker, author, connector, and collaboration expert specializing in SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365. He helps teams and organizations communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and connect ideas to solve real business challenges.
Connect with Jim Bob Howard: