Neil Benson is taking the hot seat today as we dive into the Practice Leading podcast, and, spoiler alert, he's doing some things right! We’re all about making mediocre shows sound good and the good ones sound even better, so get ready for some juicy insights. Neil’s got that sweet knack for asking the right questions and actually listening—yeah, shocking, right? We’ll explore how he builds a dynamic company culture and innovative hiring strategies, proving that people really are at the core of any business. So, grab your headphones and prepare to learn a thing or two about leadership without all the boring fluff!

Let’s talk about Neil Benson’s episode on the Practice Leading podcast, which just might be the best thing you listen to this week if you’re into leadership and Microsoft tech. Seriously, I mean it. Neil knows his stuff, and it shows. The way he talks about hiring practices is like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy office. He’s not just spouting buzzwords; he’s got real strategies that make sense. We’re not just throwing darts at a board here; we’re aiming for the bullseye with a solid plan.

In our conversation, we highlighted some of Neil’s standout qualities, like his ability to ask the right questions and actually listen. That’s right, folks – he shuts up when it counts! We also dug into how he accidentally stumbled upon creating a holacracy at Tech Labs London – yeah, you heard me right. It’s a real thing! We’re talking about a workplace where everyone has a voice, and that’s not just lip service. Neil shares his journey from the corporate grind to creating a culture where people look forward to Mondays. Can you even believe that? It’s like finding unicorns in the tech world.

So if you’re sick of the traditional corporate mold and want to hear how to shake things up, Neil’s got the goods. This episode is a masterclass in leadership that you can’t afford to skip over. Buckle up and get ready to take some notes because you’ll definitely want to implement these ideas in your own leadership journey.

Takeaways:

• Neil Benson's podcast, Practice Leading, is all about helping Microsoft professionals become better leaders while avoiding the usual BS.
• The key to a good podcast is asking great questions, then shutting up and listening to the answers.
• Neil's guests share their journeys and insights, making each episode feel like a masterclass in leadership and innovation.
• Diversity in hiring is crucial; it's not just about finding clones of ourselves but enriching the team with different backgrounds.
• Neil emphasizes the importance of a strong culture where employees actually look forward to Mondays, which is just wild, right?
• And don't forget, if you're not engaging your audience, they might wander off like a cat that heard a can opener.

Practice Leading Podcast Site

School of Podcasting

Storyworthy Book by Matthew Dicks

Mentioned in this episode:

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Are you looking to start your podcast but don't know where to begin? Look no further than the School of Podcasting. Our comprehensive online courses and one-on-one coaching will teach you everything you need to know, from equipment and editing to marketing and...

Tamara Schoon did something I've not seen other people do: she found the episode that didn't get as many downloads as her other episodes.

Her website is at https://straightfromthesourcesmouthpod.net/

The description of the show is:

Are you perpetually single? Do you want longer-lasting relationships? Tired of miscommunication and misunderstandings? Wish you were better in bed? Advice from experts as well as real talk from real people so that you can see you are not alone in your thoughts and experiences. I talk about sex in my stand-up comedy and people often tell me that I say what they are thinking but are too afraid to say or admit it to their partners; too taboo they think. We'll talk about books we've read on dating, relationships and sex so that you can gain knowledge without having to read all the books yourself. I'll interview people on both sides of an issue: people who are great at dating and unsuccessful at dating...learn from the person who's great and also learn what not to do! We'll do the same with sex and relationships so that you can learn what works so you don't need to repeat others' past mistakes. I'll interview sex coaches and love coaches. We intend this to be a how-to guide. Hit subscribe and join us!

So I reviewed the episode and checked out her website.

Here are some takeaways:

Tamara had an urgency to get to the content ASAP. This is a good thing, but you want to let people know the following:

• Let them know what the show is about
• Let them know what the episodes is about
• Let them know why you chose to have this guest
• Answer the question, "Why should I listen (what's in it for me?)

There were a few times when she consulted the guest on where to go. I felt this undermined her authority and came across as slightly unorganized.

There were times when her comments were simply an echo of what the guest had said. This isn't bad when you're conversing, but it may not need to stay in the recording.

She did an excellent job of asking for actionable items from the guests so the audience had something they could try.

Tamara is using Godaddy's website tool (which is one of my least favorites as it's not very flexible). Tamara wants an audience to help validate the effort she is putting into the show. Yes, she has a heart of a servant, and she wants to help people. If she could hear how her show is helping, then it would inspire her more with the show. With this in mind:

• While you have done stand up, it's been quite some time. I would move the video of you doing stand up to the about page (where people go to learn more about you and the show).
• Treat every episode like a blog post. When you point people for more episodes, you send them to buzzsprouts built in page (which is nice and simple). I doesn't do everything you want it to do, but it comes with you hosting.
• I would recommend a Podpage Pro account (full disclosure I work there), as that imports all your episodes and treats them like a blog. It also gives you the ability to add additional pages like the one for your book listings (that would be clickable).
• If Podpage is not in the budget you could hack together a website by pointing your domain at your buzzsprout page, and then using Notion (a free note taking app that allows you to make public pages) for your book listing, and then add it to your episode signate in buzzsprout. Not the best solution, but it's free.
• Have a page where people can follow the show (don't just share an Apple link). Buzzsprout has this built in (as does Podpage).

Tamara was great to work with, and she is doing the show she wants to do, to serve those who are looking to have more fulfilling...

Welcome to another episode of Podcast Hot Seat. Today, we are looking at Stacey Bratcher who hosts the Legal Pad podcast.

Practical, efficient and fun, The Legal Department podcast delivers the bottom line of what busy in-house attorneys need to know to level up their career. Whether you’re the general counsel or just starting a career in a corporate law department, The Legal Department podcast is the place to get real world advice from leading legal executives, executive coaches, and other thought leaders on how to grow your career and deliver more value to your clients.

Through conversations with prominent general counsel, chief legal officers and select law firm thought leaders, you’ll get to the bottom line of what you need to know about front page legal issues like digital privacy, cybersecurity and AI. Guests will share their strategies for managing the legal team, budgets, and navigating tricky company politics. Episodes will also tackle in-house fundamentals like the attorney client privilege, litigation, M&A, governance and working with boards of directors and the c-suite.

The Podcast will also feature guests from the c-suite, executive coaches, and other thought leaders who will offer practice insights for attorneys seeking to fuel their own professional development and build those elusive “soft skills.” Each episode of The Legal Department will provide practical tips and takeaways that you can use to take your in-house career to the next level.

The Legal Department podcast provides practical, concise, and actionable insights for busy in-house attorneys. Whether you're a seasoned general counsel or a new corporate law professional, each episode of The Legal Department offers the essential tools, information, and resources to enhance your professional skills. Elevate your career and deliver value to those you serve.

Each episode features in-depth conversations with prominent general counsel and chief legal officers, and select law firm thought leaders who share war stories from their own careers. Learn how to tackle any situation with finesse and confidence, no matter how delicate or politically challenging. Accelerate your journey towards a fulfilling legal career through these podcast conversations.

Guests will share key insights and strategies for effectively managing legal teams, budget oversight, navigating company politics, and mastering in-house fundamentals like privilege, litigation, M&A, governance, and board interactions.Becoming an in-house leader requires more than legal knowledge and experience. It requires business acumen, executive intelligence, and being a team player within your company and with your partners. The Legal Department podcast will help you level up your career.

Host Stacy Bratcher, a general counsel and chief legal officer with nearly twenty years of in-house experience, has fun and engaging conversations about legal careers within in-house legal departments. The Legal Department podcast delivers informative, relatable, and practical advice from thought leaders. As she explores topics with exceptional attorneys, c-suite executives, and other key business partners, you will gain a deeper understanding of front-page legal issues, become more familiar with the impact of today's technology on your practice, and learn to cultivate stronger relationships to position yourself as an approachable and effective legal partner.

No matter where you are in your career, The Legal Department is here to help you tackle whatever comes your way. Join Stacy in these episodes filled with inspiring stories, valuable advice, and tips to elevate your legal practice. Become an invaluable asset to your organization or law firm and establish yourself as the dependable professional they can't afford to lose. Level up your legal career with The Legal Department podcast.