High Impact Leaders

Hosted by Doug Staneart

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255

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to High Impact Leaders! Your shortcut to personal growth and career success. Join Doug Staneart for leadership development training that will bring out your inner entrepreneur and make you a fearless leader in today's chaotic business world.

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60 recent

August 17, 202623 min

Claude Skills Make Sure the Work You Assign Is Done Your Way

This is week five and the last week of our how to use Claude.AI in your small business series. In the last four weeks we've shown you how to set up Claude and create the connections with your office software. Then, we started using an analogy to explain how Claude is a very competent Executive Assistant. A couple of weeks ago, I explain the different tools that he uses to get the work done for you. Those tools are Chat, Projects, and Artifacts. Chat is your office intercom system. Projects are the filing cabinets to organize everything. And artifacts are very unique self-service kiosks that you can use to help other team members when you are not available. Then last week, we talked about the staff that Claude brings with him. So, if Claude is your assistant, then this additional staff are similar to independent contractors that you can hire to do specific jobs. Cowork is like an independent contractor you can hire for specific projects where you give him instructions and a schedule, and he just does the work and bring back the results to you. But Cowork has to remain in your office (within the files on your computer). Claude in Chrome, however, is a contractor who can leave your office. He can do research on the web, update your website, or even keep track of what your competitors are doing in real time. Claude Code is your tech expert who can design apps and fix technical bugs. And then you have a series of experts who join the team in Claude Microsoft 365. You get a pseudo-accountant, writer, and presentation expert there. So if you missed any of those episode take a few minutes to catch up, because on today's show, I'm going to blow your mind with what really sets Claude apart from the other AI agents out there. It is called a Claude Skill. And it's basically a set of instructions that Claude follows exactly as he accomplishes tasks for you. So, if you have a repetitive task and Claude isn't doing it exactly the way that you want, all you have to do is give additional instructions in the skill, and Claude makes the correct. And he makes the correction every time he completes that same task in the future. And, if you have a team who each has a unique style that they like to use to complete a task, they can adjust their version of the skill to fit that style. We'll cover all that and more, and then I'll finish by giving you a few easy ways to get started with Claude -- things he can do for you right now that can improve your margin. Show Notes: How to Use Claude AI to Increase Your Margins ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/how-to-use-claude-ai-to-increase-your-margins/ )

August 10, 202631 min

The Staff that Claude Bring with Him (Cowork, Chrome, Code and 365)

For the last couple of weeks, I've been sharing with you a series on how to use Claude.AI in your small business. We started with how to set up Claude so he can have access to your system and do work for you. In that episode, we started using an analogy to explain how Claude is a very competent Executive Assistant. Last week, I explain the different tools that he uses to get the work done for you. Those tools are Chat, Projects, and Artifacts. Chat is your office intercom system. Projects are the filing cabinets to organize everything. And artifacts are very unique self-service kiosks that you can use to help other team members when you are not available. This week, we're going to cover the staff that Claude brings with him. So, if Claude is your assistant, then this additional staff are similar to independent contractors that you can hire to do specific jobs. The titles that Claude uses for these Contractors are Cowork, Chrome, Code, and Microsoft 365. Each of these contractors has a specific expertise, so it's important to explain the different roles that each plays. Otherwise, it would be like hiring an outside accountant to do technical work on your website. So today, I explain the different roles, and give you a few examples of how to get values from these different contractors. Show Notes: How to Use Claude AI to Increase Your Margins ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/how-to-use-claude-ai-to-increase-your-margins/ )

August 3, 202627 min

Understanding the Claude AI Tools - Chat, Projects, and Artifacts

For the last couple of weeks, I've been sharing with you a series on how to use Claude.AI in your small business. Last week, we went through the set up process and finished by explaining the Connectors. Just as a refresher, we are using an analogy to explain hoe Claude is a very competent Executive Assistant. And last week, those connectors were you giving Claude the keys to the office and getting him set up as an employee. This week, I explain the different tools that he uses to get the work done for you. Those tools are Chat, Projects, and Artifacts. Chat is your office intercom system. Projects are the filing cabinets to organize everything. And artifacts are very unique self-service kiosks that you can use to help other team members when you are not available. These tools are really cool, and you are only limited by your creativity! Show Notes: How to Use Claude AI to Increase Your Margins ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/how-to-use-claude-ai-to-increase-your-margins/ )

July 27, 202622 min

How to Setup Claude AI to Increase Profit Margins in Your Business

Part 1) Setting Up Claude and Connecting It to Your Workspace Last week, I started a series on how to use Claude.AI in your small business. this week, I'll take you step-by-step through the different parts of Claude, because it can be a little confusing. But once you understand all the parts and what this AI agent can do for you, you'll start coming up with so many creative ideas to improve performance within your company. I mentioned in last week's episode how Claude is different from other AI agents like ChatGPT. And one of the things I spent a lot of time on is how Claude has a memory -- it can retain content and instructions from you. SO, once you specify the way that you like things, it can deliver results for you in those ways that you like. So this week, I'll show you how to set up Claude, how to train it, and what the different parts of Claude are. Hopefully, I can shorten your learning curve a little so you don't have to struggle as much as I did. Show Notes: How to Use Claude AI to Increase Your Margins ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/how-to-use-claude-ai-to-increase-your-margins/ )

July 20, 202630 min

What is the Best AI for Small Businesses in 2026?

About a month ago, one of my executives had me download the Claude.AI app. Since then, it has completely revolutionized the way my small business works. Interestingly, the thing that won me over wasn’t better content creation or smarter answers. After all, every one of these tools can do that. Instead, Claude pulled off something none of the others could. In under a month, it let me eliminate a position I’d planned to re-hire. And my profit margin went up instead of down. Just so you know, though, I'm a big fan of AI. I use a lot of different AI platforms for various business processes. But what my team and I have been able to do in the last few weeks is unbelievable. If you miss this opportunity and your competitors capitalize on it, you will be left behind -- and likely in a very, very, very short time. That's how powerful this is! On this episode, I'm going to give share with you what Claude is, how Claude is different from ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and other AI platforms, and a few specific things you can do in your business that will free up a ton of your time. Show Notes: What Is the Best AI for Business in 2026 (Small Businesses)? ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/what-is-the-best-ai-for-business-in-2026-small-businesses/ )

July 13, 202632 min

How to Improve Employee Engagement - Part 2

Our topic today is about how to improve employee engagement at your company and we are continuing a two part series that we started last week. If you recall, last week, I mentioned that most HR directors and executives know engagement is a problem. They just are not sure what is actually causing it or what to do about it. So, in the last episode, I shared with you a bunch of studies and statistics about what the experts are saying is the real problem. And as it turns, most companies are spending their workforce engagement budgets on things that aren't the real problem. Today we cover the two root causes that most companies never address along with a few steps that you can implement to actually solve the problems -- or at the very least, minimize the destructiveness of the behaviors. And then, at the end of the episode, I included a list of widely circulated FAKE employee engagement statistics! During our research, we kept coming across these same statistics over and over. Apparently, other posts keep reprinting them because they never actually checked the original source. Once you see the list that we compiled, you'll begin to realize WHY HR executives are spending so much for activities and processes that don't move the needle at all. So, stick around until the end of the episode for that. Show Notes: Most Employee Engagement Activities Aren’t Engaging Employees ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/most-employee-engagement-activities-arent-engaging-employees/ )

July 6, 202623 min

How to Improve Employee Engagement - Part 1

If you want to know how to improve employee engagement at your company, you are not alone. Most HR directors and executives know engagement is a problem. They just are not sure what is actually causing it or what to do about it. The good news is that experts around the world have researched this topic extensively. As a result, we know what drives engagement and what kills it. We know what moves the numbers in a positive direction. And we also know what does not work — which turns out to be what most companies are spending their workforce engagement budgets on. This episode is a summary of some of the most compelling data related to Workforce Engagement. Below are 35 interesting employee engagement statistics for 2026 that every HR leader needs to know. (We also linked to all of our primary sources.) Below the statistics, our experts will give you the seven things worth actually measuring, the two root causes most companies never address. And finally — perhaps most usefully — we included a list of widely circulated FAKE employee engagement statistics! During our research, we kept coming across these same statistics over and over. Apparently, other posts keep reprinting them because they never actually checked the original source. We did. Show Notes: Most Employee Engagement Activities Aren’t Engaging Employees ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/most-employee-engagement-activities-arent-engaging-employees/ )

June 29, 202617 min

Five Ways that Poor Leadership Ruins Your Team's Morale

Poor leadership skills can ruin team morale. As a manager, you hold more power than you might think. Obviously, you can hire and fire your subordinates. You can also promote them… or not promote them. You may also have the ability to approve a raise. If not, you at least have the ability to conduct the annual review. In essence, your leadership skills and moral compass have a direct impact on their career. Even if you treat everyone fairly, your impact on their lives is unmistakable. This is why having a great boss is the number one wish of most employees. They often rank this above more vacation time and a bigger paycheck. So if you're looking to become that great boss so many teams desperately need, stick around for 5 reasons you really need to pay attention to your leadership skills! Show Notes: Five Ways that Poor Leadership Skills Can Ruin Team Morale ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/four-ways-poor-leadership-skills-can-ruin-team-morale/ )

June 22, 202616 min

What is Effective Communication, and Why do You Need it?

If you’ve ever worked on a team that had a crazy amount of chemistry, you already know the answer. Everything they touched was gold, they produced more than any other team combined, and they had fun doing it. Unfortunately, you know that that is not the norm. Most teams have people you don’t like, that one person that doesn’t do anything, one person who shows up always talking about their personal life, one person who thinks they’re better than everyone else, and you have to try and make it work. So, what’s the difference between those two teams? I would say it all comes down to how they communicate! So this week I'll be going over everything I know about effective communication to ensure your team becomes the best version it can be! Show Notes: What is Effective Communication and How Does it Create a Dream Team Dynamic? ( https://team-building.org/what-is-effective-communication-and-how-does-it-create-a-dream-team-dynamic/ )

June 15, 202630 min

5 Steps to Give an Impromptu Speech

Looking for the best way to deliver an effective impromptu speech? You will want to master two components. First, you want to reduce your nervousness so your audience sees your response as credible. Then, you want to deliver a credible response so your audience sees you as the expert. If you are new to public speaking, an impromptu speech is one where you have to speak on short notice. So you won’t have a lot of preparation time. Even seasoned speakers can panic when asked to deliver one of these “spur of the moment” presentations. So stick around to hear the absolute best, easy ways to give a reliable impromptu speech. (Oh, by the way, if this is something that you're wanting to learn even more about, go check out my other podcast Fearless Presentations and learn more about our 2 day public speaking classes) Show Notes: 5 Steps to Give an Impromptu Speech (Even If You Hate Speaking) ( https://www.leadersinstitute.com/how-to-improve-impromptu-speaking-skills-tips-to-deliver-an-improvised-speech/ )