Épisodes

  • 184- The Founder’s Dilemma- Staying CEO vs. Hiring One

    184- The Founder’s Dilemma- Staying CEO vs. Hiring One
    Sep 23 2025
    Every successful business starts with a visionary founder, but not every founder is the right person to lead the company once it begins to scale. Knowing when to step aside — or when to level up your leadership — can make or break your startup’s future. In this episode, Steve Smith and Travis Smith unpack:
    • The critical shift from startup founder to commercial CEO
    • How to recognize if your leadership style fits your company’s next stage
    • The dangers of ego and why self-awareness is key to scaling
    • What investors look for when deciding to back your business
    • Options for founders: CTO, CMO, Chairman, or staying CEO — which role is best?
    • Real-world examples (from Zuckerberg to startups that imploded)
    • How to avoid chaos, retain your best people, and build sustainable growth
    Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or leader navigating change, this discussion will give you a practical framework to evaluate your role — and your company’s future.
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    43 min
  • 183- The Dark Side of Scaling- Real Stories of Growth Gone Wrong

    183- The Dark Side of Scaling- Real Stories of Growth Gone Wrong
    Sep 22 2025
    In this episode of The Business Wingman Show, Steve and Travis Smith unpack what happens when growth spirals out of control, drawing lessons from major brands you already know: Peloton, Krispy Kreme, Blockbuster, and Redbox.

    ➡️ What went wrong?
    ➡️ How can you avoid the same fate?
    ➡️ And what does scaling for longevity really look like?

    If you’re a business owner, executive, or entrepreneur with big growth ambitions, this conversation will give you clarity on how to scale smarter, not faster. Don’t just grow your business — build it to last. #Scaling #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership
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    42 min
  • 182- The Most Difficult Workplace Communication Style to Manage

    182- The Most Difficult Workplace Communication Style to Manage
    Sep 2 2025
    Leaders face many challenges, but one of the toughest is dealing with passive aggressive behavior in the workplace. From sarcasm and missed deadlines to victim-playing and quiet resistance, passive aggressive employees can quietly drain your team’s performance and culture.

    If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I deal with a passive aggressive employee, teammate, or even boss?” — this conversation is for you. Just tune into this episode of the Business Wingmen and let your hosts, Steve Smith & Travis Smith, guide the way!
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    39 min
  • 181- Are Manager's Really Doing This

    181- Are Manager's Really Doing This
    Sep 2 2025
    Quiet firing is an emerging workplace trend — but what does it really mean, and why is it a dangerous trap for managers and executives? In this episode of The Business Wingmen Podcast, Steve and Travis Smith unpack the reality behind quiet firing: the subtle ways leaders push employees out without saying a word. Whether intentional or not, quiet firing damages trust, kills culture, and hurts your top performers.
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    39 min
  • 180- The #1 Reason You're Not Taken Seriously at Work

    180- The #1 Reason You're Not Taken Seriously at Work
    Aug 5 2025
    Ever feel like you're the most knowledgeable person in the room, but your ideas get dismissed? If your communication doesn't reflect your true value, you create a "credibility gap" that can stall your career. This isn't about being the loudest person; it's about communicating with intention and influence.
    In this episode, we dissect the three pillars of communication that will ensure you are never overlooked again. You'll learn the practical mindset shifts and tactics to manage conflict, leverage emotional intelligence, and demonstrate accountability in a way that commands respect and establishes you as a true leader in your organization.
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    49 min
  • 179- Are You Creating Accidental Managers

    179- Are You Creating Accidental Managers
    Aug 1 2025
    A 60% failure rate is unacceptable in any other part of your business. So why do we accept it for new managers? Companies lose their best technical experts every day by promoting them into leadership roles they aren't equipped for. We call it the "Accidental Manager" trap.

    You give them a new title and more pay, but no training on the single most complex part of the job: leading people.
    The result?
    → Your star performer burns out.
    → Their team disengages.
    → Your best people leave.

    It’s a silent killer of productivity and morale. But it's entirely preventable. In this episode, we break down the proven, step-by-step strategy to turn your high-achievers into high-performing leaders. We cover how to assess for potential, the immediate steps to take post-promotion, and how to find training that actually works.
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    41 min
  • 178- Why 60% of New Managers Fail and How to Ensure Yours Succeeds

    178- Why 60% of New Managers Fail and How to Ensure Yours Succeeds
    Jun 17 2025
    The episode discusses the challenges of transitioning individual contributors into management roles, highlighting a significant 60% failure rate within the first 24 months. The hosts, Steve and Travis Smith of "The Business Wingman Show," share personal anecdotes and expert insights, emphasizing that successful managers must shift from a "me" to a "we" mindset, prioritize the success of others, and embrace delegation despite initial inefficiencies. Key areas for development are outlined, including moving beyond day-to-day tactical work, adopting essential behaviors like setting boundaries and embracing accountability, and cultivating a proactive, collaborative leadership mindset focused on anticipation and problem-solving. Ultimately, the discussion aims to equip both aspiring managers and those responsible for promoting them with the knowledge to foster long-term success.
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    35 min
  • 177- The Real Reason New Graduates Are Failing

    177- The Real Reason New Graduates Are Failing
    Jun 14 2025
    The "Business Wingman Show" podcast episode focuses on the challenges new graduates face when entering the workforce and offers practical advice for success. Hosted by Steve and Travis Smith, a father-son duo, the discussion centers on a LinkedIn article Travis wrote outlining ten common struggles experienced by young professionals. Key areas explored include the importance of strong communication skills, emphasizing the need for professional diction, proactive initiation of conversations, and conciseness over jargon or overly lengthy explanations. The hosts also stress the significance of time management, respecting deadlines, and developing professional acumen, advocating for early arrivals to meetings and proactive communication regarding potential delays. Finally, the conversation highlights the importance of gaining real-world experience, navigating office politics, and setting realistic career expectations, underscoring the value of internships and mentorship over immediate high compensation, and suggesting strategic career planning even before choosing a college major.
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    37 min