Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Markku Kauppinen

What if you focused on making a life, instead of making a living? That is one of the deep topics Carrie discussed with Markku Kauppinen, President and CEO of Extended DISC North America. Markku shares the unexpected story of how a $12 dare and a family emergency led him from Helsinki to the helm of his company. Extended DISC has become one of the top assessment companies in the world that provides data to develop self awareness, make better decisions, build better teams and support improved results.Quick reference on DISC styles:

• D (Dominance/Driver): Fast-paced, risk-takers, focused on immediate results.
• I (Influence): Outgoing, social, energized by people and excitement.
• S (Steady-relater): Team-oriented, patient, focused on long-term plans and stability.
• C (Compliance): Detail-oriented, analytical, driven by accuracy and facts.
  Every leader and team member is a blend of all four, but one usually feels most natural.

From elevator rides to emergency rooms, Markku brings the DISC behavioral model to life with real-world analogies and stories, showing leaders how to spot—and leverage—the unique communication styles on their teams. He discusses how the sports world is set up to break down roles and identify improvement areas, but in our personal and professional lives, we can do a better job of that. Having a system like DISC helps. Markku reminds us the most successful leaders don’t just know their own style—they adapt their communication and leadership to meet others where they are. Listen in for life lessons and wisdom to live by, like treating time as the most precious currency!

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “One thing I've noticed observing successful people… that they all have in common. They are all confidently self-aware.”
• “Don’t build a happy life—build a happy today.”
• “If you want success in any part of your life, you need to develop good habits.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Self-awareness is crucial for successful leadership.
• The DISC model helps in modifying behavior and communication.
• Leaders must adapt their communication to differentstyles.
• Different DISC styles impact team dynamics andcommunication.
• Integrating DISC into organizational culture enhances teamwork.
• Understanding DISC styles aids in better hiring decisions.
• Good habits are essential for effective leadership.
• Time is a valuable currency that should be spent wisely.
• Clarity in personal and professional goals leads to fulfillment.
• Leadership is a collective effort, not a solo act.

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about Extended DISC @ Website: https://www.extendeddisc.org/

Markku on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkukauppinen/

Extended DISC on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/extendeddisc/

Extended DISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extendeddisc/

Resources mentioned:

Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by MarshallGoldsmith https://amzn.to/4lqRbfY

Book: Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith https://amzn.to/3G38k07

Extended DISC Quick explainer videos - https://www.extendeddisc.org/videos/

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Shauna MacDonald

This episode of Suits & Sneakers pulls back the curtain on the PR world with Shauna MacDonald, the powerhouse founder and principal of Brookline Public Relations. Their client roster spans major brands, hotels, and community organizations like the Edmonton Oilers Ice District, The Brick, Sobey’s Inc. and Calgary Public Library.

Shauna nurtures talent, builds culture and leads with both heart and backbone. You’ll hear how her leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment and clarity—she’s direct, but always gives her team plenty of rope to grow. She explains why being “all in” is the only way to make it as an entrepreneurial leader.

Shauna talks about the importance of over-communicating with intention, and why authenticity and respect are the secret sauce for both brands and leaders. She shares her take on personal branding, and the risks of leader-as-brand (hello, Elon Musk).

Whether you’re a new leader or just someone who loves a good story about grit and growth, you’ll leave this episode inspired to own your journey—and maybe even take a few risks of your own.

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “Whether you win or lose, you need to own it no matter what.”
• “Even if you feel that you've given the rationale of this is why we're doing it, there still might be some people that just don't understand it. And you have to be okay with that.”
• “I will look for someone and I will hire someone that's passionate and eager versus someone who knows exactly what to do… but also willing to accept the consequences if it's not done right and learn from that.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Brookline PR offers a full range of services, from crisismanagement to media relations.
• Leadership involves making tough decisions and listening to different perspectives.
• Mentorship is crucial for developing new talent
• Leaders can’t over-communicate when setting expectations
• Clear communication of expectations is essential for effective leadership.
• Brand communication should tell a compelling story and connect with audiences.
• Motivating teams requires understanding individual needs and celebrating successes.
• Authenticity in communication builds trust and respect in leadership.
• Leaders should embrace change and be adaptable.
• Entrepreneurs must be all-in and ready for continuous engagement.

LINKS FROM EPISODE:Learn more about Brookline Public Relations @ Website: https://www.brooklinepr.com/

Shauna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunamacdonald/

Brookline on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/brookline-public-relations-inc./

Shauna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunabpr/

Brookline on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brookline_pr/

Beyond PR podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rexC3J2jkd4LJEA4p1LTF?si=c5c37e453b4e42a7

Resources mentioned:

Book: “Good to Great” by Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/4l38lQp

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Host: Carrie Tuttle
Guest: Ian Tell

What happens when a chemist-turned-sales leader meets the AI revolution?

In this episode, Carrie sits down with Ian Tell, Chief Revenue Officer at Bison and Bird, to demystify the real-world impact of AI on operations, sales, and leadership.

Ian breaks down how AI agents can take on specialist roles in your organization, from summarizing emails to analyzing complex schedules. Learn why the future isn’t one all-knowing AI, but a team of specialized agents working together, like staff would do. He shares how AI support helps him be more present in human-to-human interactions and speed up contract review.

Before you go implementing the next shiny new tech, he calls out the importance of understanding organizational needs and analyzing your activities, especially repeatable tasks, to see where AI can help.

Once you start implementing, Ian suggests treating AI like a new team member. Give it context, set expectations, and get specific. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in interactions with AI and human teams, the necessity of onboarding and training AI systems, and how AI tools can enhance leadership effectiveness. The more you communicate, the better the results—just like with people.

Leaders, take note: Even if you haven’t rolled out an official AI policy, odds are your team is experimenting on their own. Ian talks about governance, security, and onboarding to keep your data safe and your team empowered.

Ian’s Top AI Tools:

• Copilot: For secure, private work environments.
• ChatGPT: For creativity and brainstorming.
• Claude: For detailed documentation and SOPs.

About Our Guest

Ian Tell is the Chief Revenue Officer at Bison and Bird, where he helps companies streamline operations, predict trends, and drive growth through cloud, AI, and tech-driven leadership. With a background in chemistry and over 25 years in sales and leadership, Ian brings a unique blend of technical know-how and people-first wisdom.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for your team—or what “data therapy” really means—this is the episode for you.

QUOTE-WORTHY MOMENTS:

• “The more specialized the [AI] agent is, the better it's going to be able to perform a specific task.”
• “Software isn’t the answer. It’s a gateway to better answers.”

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Small, specialized AI agents can drive big efficiency gains when they’re given clear roles and context.
• AI can automate administrative tasks, freeing up time for high-value work.
• Digital transformation begins with understanding your team’s roadblocks and goals
• Leaders should establish governance around AI usage to protect sensitive information
• Different AI tools serve different purposes
• Ask AI questions about it’s capabilities and limits, so AI teaches you to use AI effectively
• Effective leadership involves understanding team members' goals.
• The best leaders are those who know themselves and empower their teams to do the same.
• The fastest way to learn about AI is to start testing it and try to break it

LINKS FROM EPISODE:

Learn more about Bison and Bird @ Website: https://www.teambisonandbird.com/

Bison and Bird on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bison-bird/

Portal Mill https://www.portalmill.com/

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