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.

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.

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! 🎧✨

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.

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!

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.

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.

In this special holiday episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the profound power of alignment—both in leadership and in life. 

Whether it's aligning your team around shared goals or creating harmony in your personal relationships, alignment sets the stage for clarity, connection, and meaningful progress.

As we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2025, Nicole offers thoughtful reflections and actionable insights to help you create smoother communication, stronger bonds, and greater impact.

This episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and give yourself—and those around you—the gift of alignment. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that blends leadership wisdom with a touch of holiday warmth. Happy Holidays! 🎁✨

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we sit down with Phillip James, Vice President of WEG Transformers USA, who leads nearly 600 employees across three manufacturing sites. Phillip shares how his decades-long career in manufacturing has been shaped by small, brave moves, intentional leadership, and navigating some of the toughest challenges in business.

From leading through the 2008 recession to addressing difficult workplace behavior, Phillip offers candid insights into the moments that tested his courage and defined his leadership style. We explore the importance of transparency, setting team expectations, and fostering collaboration through the "How We Work" conversation.

Learn how Phillip approaches tough talks with clarity and respect, the leadership philosophies that have guided him through challenging decisions, and how small, intentional actions can transform teams and build trust. Whether you're leading through adversity or striving to align your team, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and authentic leadership lessons.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole breaks down the process of preparing for tough conversations in leadership. 

From crafting a clear plan to managing emotions during the talk, she shares a proven three-phase framework for before, during, and after the conversation.

Drawing from personal stories (like how hip-hop dance taught her the power of preparation!) and leadership experiences, Nicole provides actionable steps to help you build confidence and lead with clarity. 

Tune in to learn how to approach tough talks with intention, align on outcomes, and grow as a brave leader.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves® podcast, Nicole is joined by Chris Dill, Vice President and CIO at Kiewit, to explore the leadership lessons and Small Brave Moves® that have shaped his remarkable 30+ year career in technology. 

Chris shares stories of stepping into challenging roles, fostering team alignment, and building trust through genuine leadership.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, Nicole breaks down the process of preparing for tough conversations in leadership. 

From crafting a clear plan to managing emotions during the talk, she shares a proven three-phase framework for before, during, and after the conversation.

Drawing from personal stories (like how hip-hop dance taught her the power of preparation!) and leadership experiences, Nicole provides actionable steps to help you build confidence and lead with clarity. 

Tune in to learn how to approach tough talks with intention, align on outcomes, and grow as a brave leader.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves® podcast, Nicole is joined by Chris Dill, Vice President and CIO at Kiewit, to explore the leadership lessons and Small Brave Moves® that have shaped his remarkable 30+ year career in technology. 

Chris shares stories of stepping into challenging roles, fostering team alignment, and building trust through genuine leadership.

From taking on the challenge of an "unfixable" team to preparing for tough conversations with empathy and honesty, Chris offers actionable insights for leaders at all levels. Learn how his authentic approach has transformed struggling organizations and discover why investing in relationships and having brave conversations are essential for long-term success. 

Tune in for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and making an impact.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle one of the toughest conversations in leadership—the “Moving On” talk. 

This conversation is about establishing a new path forward when a project, position, or relationship is no longer working. Through personal stories and experiences, Nicole shares how to approach these conversations with empathy and clarity, transforming what can be a difficult moment into an opportunity for growth. 

From guiding an employee through a transition to ending a project that’s misaligned, this episode provides actionable steps on how to navigate moving on with compassion and professionalism. 

Tune in to learn how to lead these courageous conversations and create healthier, forward-focused environments. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we dive into the “Being Better” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks® every leader should be ready to have. When a team member isn’t showing up as their best self consistently, it’s essential to step in with compassion and clarity. 

Nicole shares a personal story of her own “being better” moment, illustrating how these conversations can lead to transformative change. Learn how to approach ongoing issues with behavior or performance through a structured five-step framework, designed to encourage improvement and strengthen trust. 

Tune in for insights on guiding your team members to rise to their potential with empathy and purpose.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the importance of the “What’s Going On” conversation—one of the Five Tough Talks every leader must master. This conversation is essential for addressing subtle yet impactful shifts in behavior, performance, or relationships within your team before they escalate into larger issues. 

Through a real-life story of navigating a high-stakes meeting between GE Aviation and British Airways, Nicole illustrates the power of getting to the heart of a problem by addressing the underlying issues. She breaks down three key areas to watch for shifts and shares practical steps to approach these talks: building understanding, building alignment, and building action. 

Tune in to learn how to recognize these changes, initiate a constructive conversation, and foster a culture of openness and trust in your team. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the first of the Five Tough Talks every leader needs to master: the "How We Work" conversation. 

I share personal stories, including how a simple conversation transformed a trip to Italy and strengthened my 25-year marriage, to illustrate the power of setting clear expectations. We dive into the importance of establishing rules, routines, and rhythms for aligned, high-performing teams and discuss practical steps to implement them. 

Whether you're leading a corporate team or navigating personal relationships, these conversations are essential to fostering trust, collaboration, and exceptional results. 

Tune in for actionable insights on how to lead your team—and your life—with clarity and confidence.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we explore the first of the Five Tough Talks every leader needs to master: the "How We Work" conversation. 

I share personal stories, including how a simple conversation transformed a trip to Italy and strengthened my 25-year marriage, to illustrate the power of setting clear expectations. We dive into the importance of establishing rules, routines, and rhythms for aligned, high-performing teams and discuss practical steps to implement them. 

Whether you're leading a corporate team or navigating personal relationships, these conversations are essential to fostering trust, collaboration, and exceptional results. 

Tune in for actionable insights on how to lead your team—and your life—with clarity and confidence.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we celebrate a monumental achievement alongside franchise leadership expert Scott Schultz as we both earn the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. Recorded live from the Influence 2024 Conference in Denver, Colorado, we dive into the importance of accountability, the power of a supportive "swim buddy," and the small, brave moves that led us to this milestone. Scott shares his powerful 'C Game' framework—curiosity, connection, and consistency—as a solution for keeping teams engaged and driving success in any organization. Tune in to learn how to implement these principles in your leadership journey and make your own small, brave moves.

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast I introduce the Five Tough Talks Online Certification Program, a self-paced leadership development course designed to help leaders at every level navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity. We dive into the five essential conversations that every leader needs to master, from setting team expectations to navigating tough departures. Learn how to boost team alignment, resolve conflicts, and unlock your team's full potential. Tune in to discover how this program can elevate your communication, culture, and performance, and why it’s the ultimate tool for creating exceptional results on your leadership team. 

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves podcast, we tackle the essential skill of navigating tough conversations—whether in leadership or life. We explore why so many of us avoid these difficult talks, how fear often holds us back, and the missed opportunities that come with delay. Drawing from my experience, we dive deep into the five types of tough talks every leader must master. Learn how to transform these tough conversations into brave, productive ones that build stronger relationships and drive exceptional results. Tune in for practical strategies on preparing, practicing, and processing tough talks, and gain the confidence to handle them with clarity and courage.