Episodios

  • 647 | Before You Hire: 5 Questions Every Smart Leader Must Answer

    647 | Before You Hire: 5 Questions Every Smart Leader Must Answer
    Oct 14 2025
    You can't hire strategically if you're desperate and unclear. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down five critical questions every leader must answer before posting a job.

    The worst hiring mistakes don’t happen in the interview — they happen way earlier.

    This episode will help you avoid costly mis-hires, protect your culture, and hire with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re adding your first team member or your fiftieth, these questions will sharpen your leadership and save you months of regret.

    What we cover:

    (00:01:32) What’s the Strategic Why Behind This Hire?
    Hiring for relief vs. hiring for growth leads to very different outcomes.

    (00:07:13) What Are My Cultural Non-Negotiables?
    Top performers who don’t align with your values will erode your team from the inside.

    (00:11:01) What Does Success Look Like at 30/60/90 Days?
    Define it early, or you won’t recognize it when it shows up.

    (00:14:39) Do I Have the Bandwidth to Lead This Person Well?
    No matter how skilled they are, every new hire needs strong leadership.

    (00:20:42) What Will It Really Cost Me If I Get This Wrong?
    A bad hire doesn’t just waste salary — it can break momentum and morale.

    Want the full Smart Hiring Framework?
    Get free access at: chrislocurto.com/hiringframework
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    27 m
  • 646 | The Real Hiring Problem and How to Stop It

    646 | The Real Hiring Problem and How to Stop It
    Oct 7 2025
    Most hiring mistakes don’t happen in the interview—they happen before you ever post the job. In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down why hiring from stress instead of strategy leads to misalignment, burnout, and costly rehires.

    We cover:

    00:02:09 – The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47–50)
    A wide net catches everything—including the wrong people. Learn how clarity in your hiring process acts as a filter, not just a funnel.

    00:03:18 – Attachment to Filling the Role—Not Solving the Problem
    Stop rushing to replace a warm body. Start by asking if the role even fits your current mission and strategy.

    00:12:20 – Attachment to the Resume—Not the Results
    A polished resume doesn’t equal performance. We show you how to ask better questions that reveal real-world capability.

    00:17:49 – Attachment to Past Roles—Not Current Strategy
    If your business has changed, your roles should too. Don’t hire for yesterday’s needs—clarify what the role needs to deliver now.

    00:22:20 – Attachment to Charisma—Not Culture Fit
    Charisma fades. Culture fit endures. Learn how to look past personality and identify alignment with your core values.

    00:26:27 – Smart Hiring Framework
    This episode kicks off a full series on building a better hiring system. Sign up to get every resource at chrislocurto.com/hiringframework
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    28 m
  • 645 | Too Much Leadership: Why Good Intentions Create a Disempowered Team

    645 | Too Much Leadership: Why Good Intentions Create a Disempowered Team
    Sep 30 2025
    Can You Lead Too Much?

    In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we break down how even good leadership can go too far—leading to resentment, confusion, or dependency.

    If you’ve ever wondered whether your praise, accountability, or delegation is actually helping—or hurting—this one’s for you.

    👇 Episode Breakdown:

    00:03:24 – Too Much Praise Feels Inauthentic
    When everything is celebrated, nothing feels meaningful. Praise loses power when it's overused.

    00:08:14 – Over-Accountability Breeds Resentment and Fear
    Constant check-ins and harsh reactions don’t build trust—they build fear and resentment.

    00:13:57 – Over-Delegating Without Support Sets People Up to Fail
    Dumping tasks without guidance or check-ins leaves people confused and unprepared.

    00:16:29 – Overleading Creates Dependency—or Rebellion
    Too much oversight leads to either passive followers or frustrated rebels.

    00:21:32 – The Sweet Spot Is Empowerment, Not Control
    True leadership creates ownership and growth, not just compliance.

    00:24:39 – Action Steps
    Simple ways to audit your leadership habits and shift toward healthier team dynamics.

    00:26:06 – Additional Resources
    Check out Episodes 641–644 for more on leadership balance.
    • 641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship
    • 642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance
    • 643 | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance
    • 644 | Too Little Leadership: The Silent Cost of Missing Praise, Accountability & Delegation
    00:26:28 – Conclusion
    Leadership is a relationship, not a formula—and balance is the key to building strong teams.
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    29 m
  • 644 | Too Little Leadership: The Silent Cost of Missing Praise, Accountability & Delegation

    644 | Too Little Leadership: The Silent Cost of Missing Praise, Accountability & Delegation
    Sep 23 2025
    Is your team missing clarity, energy, or follow-through?

    In this episode, we break down what happens when leaders give too little praise, too little accountability, and too little delegation—and how those gaps silently wreck culture and performance.

    Learn how to recognize the signs of underleading, how to course-correct with clear action steps, and how to build a team that’s aligned, motivated, and growing.

    Timestamps:

    00:01:39 – Too Little Praise Makes People Feel Invisible
    Why a lack of recognition quietly erodes motivation.

    00:14:38 – Too Little Accountability Breeds Inconsistency
    How low standards spread when no one is held to them.

    00:22:26 – Too Little Delegation Leaves You Overwhelmed
    The hidden cost of holding onto tasks instead of developing your team.

    00:26:54 – A Lack of Praise + Accountability = Culture Drift
    What happens when leadership goes quiet in both areas.

    00:29:17 – Delegation Is the Fastest Way to Multiply Leadership
    Why real delegation expands your influence and frees your time.

    00:31:56 – Action Steps
    Five clear things to do this week to lead better—without burning out.

    00:34:50 – Additional Resources
    Links to related episodes on coaching, communication, and leadership balance.
    • 641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship
    • 642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance
    • 643 | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance


    00:35:16 – Conclusion
    Praise, accountability, and delegation done well lighten your load and lift your team.

    Need clarity on what to delegate or how to lead with less stress? This one’s for you.
    Listen now and lead with purpose.
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    37 m
  • 643 | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance

    643 | Too Much Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance
    Sep 16 2025
    Are You Doing Too Much for Your Team?

    In this episode, we unpack how over-communicating, over-solving, and over-guiding might be killing initiative, creativity, and ownership on your team. When leaders do too much, they accidentally become the bottleneck. Here's how to fix it.

    Timestamps:

    00:00:44 – Intro: The Goose and the Golden Eggs
    A classic fable that shows how too much control can ruin what’s working.

    00:02:41 – Over-Communicating Can Create Confusion, Not Clarity
    Too many updates? You might be causing information fatigue.

    00:06:50 – Solving Every Problem Makes You the Bottleneck
    Fixing everything trains your team to stop thinking for themselves.

    00:10:41 – Over-Guidance Cripples Creativity and Confidence
    Mapping every step robs your team of ownership and buy-in.

    00:13:46 – Over-Leading Often Comes from a Good Heart—But the Wrong Fear
    We dig into the fear of failure and fear of not being needed.

    00:18:41 – The Best Leaders Pull Back So Others Can Step Up
    Great leaders ask questions and give space for their team to grow.

    00:22:43 – Action Steps
    Five practical ways to stop overleading and start empowering.

    00:24:32 – Additional Resources

    This is the third episode of the series, go check out part 1 and part 2!

    00:24:53 – Conclusion
    Stop overdoing it. Lead with balance and give your team the gift of ownership.
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    26 m
  • 642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance

    642 | Too Little Leadership—Communication, Problem-Solving, and Guidance
    Sep 9 2025
    It might not be their effort—it could be your leadership. In this episode, we break down five signs you’re leading too little: poor communication, unresolved problems, unclear expectations, and more. Learn what to watch for and how to adjust without micromanaging.

    Timestamps:

    00:01:37 – Too Little Communication
    When clarity fades, people start guessing—and execution suffers.

    00:11:36 – Ignoring Problems Breeds Frustration
    Avoiding issues doesn’t grow leaders—it causes disengagement.

    00:16:44 – Assuming People Know What to Do
    Unspoken expectations lead to confusion and dropped results.

    00:28:37 – Too Little Leadership Feeds Insecurity
    Silence and distance create team anxiety and cultural instability.

    00:33:17 – You Can’t Expect What You Don’t Express
    Without defining success, you won’t see it.

    00:36:46 – Action Steps
    Audit your communication, reset expectations, and check in with purpose.

    00:38:32 – Additional Resources
    Explore Episode 641 and the first part of this Leadership Balance series.

    00:38:46 – Conclusion
    Underleading may feel safe—but it leads to drift. Show up, lead well.
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    40 m
  • 641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship

    641 | The Role of Coaching in Leadership: Growing Teams Through Mentorship
    Sep 2 2025
    Ever feel like you’re the only one solving problems in your business? In this episode, we kick off our Leadership Balance series with Monique James from Alaska Auto Rental—a leader who transformed her team (and herself) through coaching.

    We explore how shifting from control to coaching creates clarity, ownership, and freedom. Monique shares her powerful journey, including what changed when she stopped carrying the load and started developing leaders.

    Timestamps & Highlights:

    00:01:05 – Introduction: Monique James
    Monique’s leadership journey begins at a live event with a major wake-up call.

    00:02:20 – Monique’s Experience with Coaching
    The moment she realized she was both the problem—and the solution.

    00:06:49 – Monique’s Path in Leading People
    How leading by example changed her team and culture.

    00:19:46 – The Big Shift’s Impact in Her Team
    Coaching turned followers into owners.

    00:38:27 – Key Questions to Ask
    Monique’s top coaching questions that develop critical thinking.

    00:40:36 – Marshall’s One, Three, One Tactic
    A simple tool to grow confident problem-solvers.

    00:41:56 – Taking the Time
    Why coaching saves time (even when it feels slower at first).

    00:46:47 – A Team That Owns It
    Her team now solves problems—and holds her accountable too.

    00:56:22 – If You Could Go Back
    The one thing she’d tell her younger self: release control.

    00:57:49 – Conclusion
    Leadership freedom begins with coaching.

    00:58:35 – Action Steps
    Try this: coach just one person this week. Don’t give answers—ask questions.

    01:00:07 – Additional Resources
    578 | The Mentorship Advantage: Why Every Small Business Leader Should Have a Mentor

    We explore the transformative power of mentorship in small business leadership, offering insights and solutions to common challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
    .
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    1 h y 2 m
  • 640 | How to Prevent Team Drift: Keeping Everyone Aligned with Your Vision

    640 | How to Prevent Team Drift: Keeping Everyone Aligned with Your Vision
    Aug 26 2025
    Does your team feel busy but disconnected?

    In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we talk about how to stop team drift—when focus fades, priorities get fuzzy, and silos form. Here’s the breakdown:

    Vision Leaks—So Recast It Relentlessly (00:01:59)
    Vision fades unless repeated and tied to real work—keep it front and center.

    Define the Culture—And Keep It Visible (00:05:28)
    Culture must be taught, modeled, and celebrated—not just posted on a wall.

    Create Rhythms That Keep People Grounded (00:09:39)
    Consistent meetings and communication keep alignment strong and drift low.

    Address Mismatched Priorities and Silos Immediately (00:13:49)
    Leadership unity is the foundation for company-wide alignment.

    Invite Ownership, Not Just Agreement (00:22:19)
    True buy-in comes from involvement, not just nodding in meetings.

    Action Items (00:25:41)
    Recast vision, define culture, build rhythms, unify leaders, invite ownership.

    Additional Resources (00:26:42)
    See Episode 494 for more on building team ownership of vision.

    Conclusion (00:26:56)
    Drift isn’t failure—it’s a signal to re-engage, re-focus, and lead with purpose.
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    29 m