The Craig And Greg Show: Surviving The Trenches

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible.

Sales is a battle! While there (hopefully) isn’t any real bullets flying, the stress and exhaustion can make it feel like there is at times. To stay in the fight and avoid defeat in these situations you need preparation and planning. This is where Greg’s new book Sales Armageddon comes in. Here is a sneak peek of a couple of chapters in this entertaining and educational book.

  • [0:00] Introduction
  • [0:22] I have a great gift idea for all sales professionals—Greg’s newest book called Sales Armageddon.
  • [1:00] This book has a bunch of interesting characters that are based on real people.
  • [2:24] Greg and I unwrap a couple of chapters in this book. First of all, the chapter entitled “Aggressively waiting for the phone to ring.”
  • [6:47] The subtitle of this book is: Prepare and practices sales differently, or perish!
  • [7:30] Greg shares some traps that can be keeping some sales professionals in a slump.
  • [10:10] I put Greg on the spot with something not in his book: How do sales professionals distinguish themselves when they first contact their prospects?
  • [15:38] Some of the added features in Sales Armageddon.
  • [16:02] Another chapter we discuss is “The Know-It-All.”
  • [21:21] Every chapter of this book stands alone, and you can learn something that will help you learn new sales skills.
  • [22:24] There is great value in getting a coach outside of your organization.
  • [22:51] Greg has some great keynote addresses that he provides for sales and leadership professionals.

I also have a new book out for ministry leaders called Amen Indeed.

Don’t Get Distracted

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible. 

One of a leader’s most important jobs is guiding the vision of their organization. Much has been said about getting others to follow that vision, and in our most recent episode Greg and I talked about being careful to stay true to the vision you have set.

You can watch this full episode of The Craig and Greg Show here.

The first book in our Business by the Book series is on a CEO’s vision casting. This will be available soon. In the meantime, check out some other leadership resources from Greg and me:

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Seasons Greetings From Craig And Greg

Greg and I have enjoyed bringing you quality leadership content this year and we look forward to another great year ahead.

If you want to catch up on all our leadership conversations, check out the full library of Craig and Greg Show episodes.

The Craig And Greg Show: Take Them With You

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible.

In a previous episode we brought you the exciting news that Greg and I are collaborating to write a series of books called Business By The Book. In today’s episode, we revisit the first book in this series—A CEO’s Vision—and discuss how once the vision has been cast the next vital step is to bring your team along with you. 

  • [0:00] Introduction
  • [0:11] I welcome Greg to an exclusive club!
  • [0:49] We show why we think we are over-achievers.
  • [2:00] Leaders need to take others along with them, transitioning from “I” to “we.”
  • [4:39] How do leaders handle the frustration of a slow-moving team?
  • [6:51] How we wrote “Business by the Book” for a CEO who is casting vision.
  • [7:11] The importance a leader going first.
  • [10:53] Be realistic with your team about the challenges ahead.
  • [11:49] How do leaders handle doubts or questions from their teammates?
  • [14:37] Leaders need to know the pitfalls of casting vision.
  • [16:59] Watch out for the things that will distract from your vision!
  • [20:25] The courage to take the first step is vital.
  • [22:03] Leaders need to help the stragglers catch up with everyone else on the team.
  • [23:23] The last crucial step is for leaders to move forward confidently.
  • [24:31] Maximize Leadership has a lot of resources to help you on your leadership journey.

Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Eliminating Toxicity

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible. 

On an episode of The Craig and Greg Show, Greg and I discussed some toxic behaviors that can creep into your workplace and cause major discord. Two attitudes to watch out for are confidence without humility, and humility without confidence. 

Check out this full Craig and Greg Show episode here. 

And check out my Shepherd Leadership book where I dive into this topic in greater depth. 

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

The Craig And Greg Show: Leadership Lessons From Veterans

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible. 

The entire Maximize team loves our veterans! Those that volunteer to serve and protect our nation deserve our utmost respect, and we honor their sacrifice. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss the leadership lessons we have learned from veterans—some directly and others by simply observing the way our nation’s protectors conduct themselves. Join us as we salute the contributions of veterans!

  • [0:00] Introduction 
  • [0:15] One of our favorite days of the year
  • [1:08] Leadership lesson #1 from veterans: Sacrifice
  • [2:28] Leadership lesson #2: Selflessness
  • [4:12] Leadership lesson #3: Camaraderie
  • [5:33] Leadership lesson #4: Organization in planning and training
  • [8:52] Leadership lesson #5: Emotionally invested
  • [9:31] Leadership lesson #6: Training in action
  • [11:18] Leadership lesson #7: Communication skills
  • [12:53] Leadership lesson #8: A bigger cause—a heritage of service
  • [15:41] Leadership lesson #9: A visible leadership style
  • [17:27] Greg’s salute to veterans
  • [19:02] Our challenge to our audience

Personal Vision Comes First

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible. 

Before a leader can cast a compelling vision for an organization, he or she has to be living a compelling personal vision. Greg and I explain why this is an indispensable first step. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/bqnLzYp4VN8?feature=share

This clip is from an episode of The Craig and Greg Show where we are discussing the first book in our new series of books called Business by the Book. The first book is What the Bible says about a CEO’s vision-casting. 

Check out my other podcasts, my books, and so much more by clicking here.

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Links & Quotes

We have a culture where respect for others is eroding quickly. The Bible makes it clear that reverence for God results in respect for people, and respect for people helps us reverence the God who created them.

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

AI models can develop brain rot just as assuredly as humans can. You are what you consume!

“The real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” —G.K. Chesterton

Dr. Louis A. Markos has an insightful article on the works of C.S. Lewis that help us learn how to stay human. “Christians today who are committed to restoring a proper view of man have an ally in the greatest apologist of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis (1898–1963). Though Lewis offers much help in his best-known apologetics books (Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce) and his beloved Chronicles of Narnia, we would do well to expand our reading of Lewis to include his searing critique of modern educational philosophy (The Abolition of Man) and his anthropologically incisive science fiction novels, The Ransom (or Cosmic) Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength.

The ICR has an article about a fascinating new dinosaur that was unearthed. “Even now in the twenty-first century, paleontologists are still at a loss as to the origin of the dinosaurs. As recently as 2024, five evolutionists stated, ‘Today, inspired by clues from fossils and footprints from a lost world, scientists continue to piece together the puzzle of how various dinosaur groups arose, behaved, and diversified.’ In contrast, the creation model argues that all dinosaur kinds were created during the same period—specifically on Day 6 of the creation week—several thousand years ago. From this perspective, the lack of definitive transitional forms or ancestral precursors in the fossil record aligns with the expectation that dinosaur kinds appeared fully formed and distinct, as observed in the fossil record.”

Axis’ Culture Translator discusses an article posted in Harper’s: “Many have written about how porn warps the expectations users have for relationships; this article demonstrates that, for young men in particular, pornography is often willingly embraced as a complete replacement for human connection. … Woven throughout this subculture is also conscious self-degradation; as the Harper’s article points out, ‘ruin your mind,’ ‘go deeper,’ and ‘give up on life’ are embraced as the movement’s rallying cries. Many young men and women are trapped in this spiritual prison, convinced there is nothing better to live for. Who will show them the way out?” Two helpful resources are Fight The New Drug and Pure Desire.

Leaders need to learn that disagreement on your team is normal and can be healthy. Disagreement doesn’t mean people distrust their leader, but it may mean that they want the bring out the best in their leader. Check out the full conversation Greg and I had on this subject.

The Craig And Greg Show: Disagreeing Is Not Disagreeable

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible.

We can all agree that disagreeable people are some of the hardest to work with, constantly shooting down ideas without providing anything constructive in return. These types of people can quickly put a strain on any organization if left unchecked. However, we need to be careful not to lump disagreement into the category of disagreeable. In this episode Greg and I discuss why people in disagreement are actually the exact opposite of disagreeable, and are a valuable asset to your organization.

  • [0:00] Introduction 
  • [1:02] A strong quote about “no men” from Dick Brogden—“Strong leaders respect and need ‘no’ men. It is weak leaders who surround themselves with the ever agreeable. Unity requires honorable disagreement. Otherwise, you don’t have unity; you just have uniformity.”
  • [2:06] Disagreeing people are not necessarily troublemakers.
  • [2:59] What bothers me about disagreeable people?
  • [3:49] Opinions vs facts have to be considered to determine if someone is disagreeable vs disagreeing.
  • [4:36] Leaders are required to listen more to people who disagree with them.
  • [7:00] Many new leaders mistakenly treat disagreeable people as an enemy.
  • [8:44] Greg and I share how we misunderstood disagreeing people early on in our leadership journey.
  • [11:04] Leaders need some thoughtful boundaries for disagreeable people.
  • [13:28] How many times do we call someone disagreeable when they are simply disagreeing with us?
  • [15:53] Make sure disagreeable people don’t dominate the conversation in meetings.
  • [16:48] I apply a proverb from the Bible to disagreeing people.
  • [18:35] Leaders need to guard against defensiveness when people disagree with them.
  • [19:52] Greg shares a great quote to wrap up our discussion.
  • [20:36] A leadership coach can help you sort out the disagreeing from the disagreeable.

My book When Sheep Bite is a great resource for dealing with people who are disagreeing to the point of becoming disagreeable. Check it out!

Micromanagement Stifles Creativity

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on AppleSpotify, or Audible. 

Leaders have an important balancing act to perform every day: remaining in control of their organization without becoming a controlling leader. Over-controlling leaders who micromanage end up stifling creativity that could be unleashed in their teammates. 

Check out the full conversation on The Craig and Greg Show episode The Balance of Control. 

Here’s that quote I shared from Tim Irwin’s book Derailed: “Lack of courage shows up in many organizations as micromanagement, failure to empower others, risk aversion, overcontrol, and perfectionism.”