Most leaders think they’re great listeners—until they realize they’re missing the most critical step.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, I am joined by leadership expert Heather Younger to break down the 5-step framework for active listening that transforms team trust, communication, and engagement.

Heather shares why active listening is a superpower every leader needs, how most of us are doing it wrong, and most importantly—how to do it right.

We’ll dive into:
✅ How to truly listen—not just hear—what your team is saying
✅ The #1 mistake leaders make when trying to connect with employees
✅ Why small, consistent actions matter more than grand gestures
✅ How to use active listening to navigate tough conversations with confidence

If you want to lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection—this episode is a must-listen.

Follow along with Heather's journey👇
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📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the transformative power of relentless curiosity in leadership. Whether you’re navigating high-stakes negotiations, leading through uncertainty, or striving to build a more innovative team, curiosity is the secret weapon that unlocks better solutions and deeper connections.

I share a high-pressure leadership moment where I worked on a project that was deemed “impossible”, forcing me to shift from proving expertise to embracing curiosity. We explore how asking better questions, listening beyond the first response, and stepping outside your comfort zone can elevate your leadership impact.

Tune in to learn:
✅ Why curiosity is the key to problem-solving and innovation
✅ How to shift from “having the answers” to asking the right questions
✅ Practical ways to foster a culture of curiosity in your team
✅ The four steps to developing relentless curiosity as a leader

Curiosity is the key to unlocking growth and trust—for yourself, your team, and your organization. Are you leading with curiosity? Let’s dive in.

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🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

What happens when you have to make one of the toughest leadership decisions—letting someone go?

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole Bianchi sits down with sales and leadership expert Mark Hunter, also known as The Sales Hunter, to dive deep into the realities of the "Moving On" conversation, from Nicole's best selling book and online course "Five Tough Talks".

Mark shares powerful personal stories from his career, including the emotional weight of firing employees, high-stakes terminations, and navigating difficult workplace dynamics. He also reflects on his own journey—from struggling with a stutter as a child to becoming a globally recognized sales leader—and the Small Brave Moves it took to get there.

Together, Nicole and Mark unpack:
✅ The emotional and strategic preparation required for tough conversations
✅ The mindset shift that can help leaders fire someone with compassion and integrity
✅ Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems for teams
✅ The Small Brave Moves that will strengthen your sales and leadership game

Whether it's having a tough talk, making a tough decision, or even reaching out to a cold lead—this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you be a better, braver, and more authentic leader.

Follow along with Mark's journey👇
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Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the critical role of intentionality in leadership and life. Too often, leaders find themselves operating on autopilot—reacting to challenges instead of proactively shaping their path. But what happens when you pause, set clear intentions, and take deliberate action toward your goals?

From a powerful leadership experiment with Fortune 500 executives to personal stories of transformation, this episode unpacks how being intentional can elevate your leadership, deepen your relationships, and create real, lasting impact. We’ll cover:

✅ How to own your growth and stop waiting for opportunities to come to you
✅ The key to time-blocking and deep work to maximize focus and results
✅ The power of setting clear daily intentions to align with your goals
✅ Why accountability partners (or “swim buddies”) are game-changers for success

Brave leaders don’t leave their success to chance. They intentionally choose to make Small Brave Moves every day to shape the life and career they truly want. Ready to take control? Tune in now! 🎧✨

Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of being there for others and how it can elevate your leadership to new heights. Through heartfelt stories, including a military leader who changed the course of a young soldier’s life and lessons from coaching executives through fear and transformation, we uncover how presence and support make all the difference.

Learn actionable tips for showing empathy, expanding perspectives, and offering meaningful support that inspires bravery in others—and yourself. Discover how simple acts of generosity, like listening or sending a thoughtful note, can build stronger teams, deepen trust, and create lasting impact.

Tune in to understand why being there for others is not just a leadership skill but a cornerstone of bravery, authenticity, and connection in leadership and life.

Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
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📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the transformative power of leaning on your circle as a leader.

Brave leadership isn’t a solo act—it thrives in connection, trust, and collaboration. Through personal stories, like a pivotal conversation on a corporate jet and lessons from my daughter’s “A-Team,” we’ll uncover the importance of swim buddies—the people who support, challenge, and elevate us.

Whether you’re rethinking your inner circle, learning how to ask for help, or seeking ways to deepen your leadership impact, this conversation will inspire you to lean in and grow.

Tune in for practical strategies to strengthen your personal and professional connections in 2025 and beyond!

Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the art of failing, and how high performing leaders turn their slips, trips and falls into growth and success.

Failure isn’t just a setback—it’s a critical part of growth. From small slips that reveal areas for improvement to major falls that shake our confidence, each experience offers powerful lessons.

Nicole shares candid stories from her own leadership journey, including navigating tough feedback with a CEO, addressing team misalignments, and confronting integrity issues at the highest levels. Through these stories, you’ll discover:

• The difference between slips, trips, and falls—and how to learn from each.
• Why vulnerability and intentional risk-taking are essential for leadership growth.
• How to reframe failure as a stepping stone toward resilience and success.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and honest reflections to help you lead with bravery, embrace failure, and keep moving forward—no matter how messy the journey gets.

Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter

In this short but inspiring New Year themed episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole kicks off 2025 with a powerful focus: Conquer Yourself, Not Others.

Nicole dives into the essential mindset shifts needed to lead with more flow and ease—both professionally and personally.

Through reflective prompts and actionable insights, you'll explore:
✨ How to identify the areas of your life and leadership that need intentional edits or enhancements.
✨ Why focusing on what you can control is the key to lasting growth and success.
✨ The importance of small brave moves that align your habits, mindset, and behaviors with your goals.

Join Nicole as she shares her vision for embracing self-mastery in 2025 and invites you to set your intentions for a year of clarity, alignment, and purpose.

Work with me⬇️
🎤Book me as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire me to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out my books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

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Small Brave Mondays Weekly Newsletter