You can't outsource your thinking (even to AI)

Aligning teams without sacrificing ambition

In this episode of The Standup, we sit down with Oren Greenberg [http://linkedin.com/in/orengreenberg], growth marketing advisor and founding partner at Kurve [https://kurve.co.uk/], who has helped teams at every stage navigate complexity and scale smarter.   He shares how conflicting incentives between teams can quietly stall progress, and why misaligned KPIs are usually a symptom of a deeper strategic disconnect at the top. With stories from the field and sharp observations, Oren talks about practical ways leaders can rebuild trust, set clearer goals, and make collaboration feel less like a turf war. Finally, Oren shares sound advice about the evolution of artificial intelligence and why leaders should stay cautious. What you’ll learn: * How to build KPI alignment without losing team autonomy * Why strategic clarity at the C-suite level drives better collaboration * The real reason AI adoption stalls and how to respond with realism Things to listen for: (00:00) Why personal brand is reshaping how companies build influence (01:01) What truly motivates your team and how to spot the difference (01:54) How misaligned KPIs quietly sabotage growth (02:48) When physical office layouts create invisible barriers (04:42) A proven method for aligning KPIs across departments (06:37) Why sales-led and marketing-led cultures clash (07:40) Common traits of top-performing leaders (08:49) Where AI is actually improving marketing workflows today (09:55) What most AI tools get wrong and how to train your team wisely (11:05) A career mistake that taught the danger of borrowed platforms (12:06) Mindset shifts for B2B leaders (14:51) What we learned from Oren Resources: * Connect with Oren [http://linkedin.com/in/orengreenberg] * Kurve Website [https://kurve.co.uk/] * Connect with Yael [http://linkedin.com/in/yael-miller] For more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights [https://forms.monday.com/forms/f6a43bd1d11128761d3533a395c4c655]

Don’t let culture get lost in growth

In this episode of The Standup, we’re joined by David Hanrahan [http://linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan], SVP of People Success at SolarWinds [http://www.solarwinds.com], who brings over 15 years of leadership experience in high-growth tech companies like Eventbrite, Niantic, and Twitter. David’s deep expertise in HR leadership, employee experience, and organizational design offers invaluable insights on building culture in fast-scaling environments. He explains the importance of fostering a thriving workplace as companies grow and scale, explaining how leaders can balance the values that matter most during periods of change. From navigating divergent cultures across teams to the evolving role of HR, David shares strategies for leaders to stay connected with their teams while pushing for meaningful performance. Plus, he reflects on a personal failure that taught him the power of collective ownership and how leaders can create sustainable change without forcing their vision on others.  What you’ll learn: * How to scale company culture without losing core values * Why leaders should spend time outside of their teams to stay ahead of potential issues * The key question to ask when leading through change and uncertainty Things to listen for: (00:00) How curiosity drives leadership success (01:13) Building and scaling company culture at large organizations (03:15) Convergence vs. divergence in company culture (04:31) The importance of skip-level meetings in understanding company culture (05:04) Pros and cons of flattening hierarchical structures (07:04) Diversity, equity, and inclusion in building a strong, unified culture (08:49) Embracing cultural differences while staying true to core values (10:36) The importance of listening and seeking diverse perspectives (11:23) A failure in driving change at Twitter — and the lesson learned (14:01) The role of AI in leadership development and talent assessment Resources: * Connect with David [http://linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan] * SolarWinds Website [https://www.solarwinds.com/] * Connect with Yael [http://linkedin.com/in/yael-miller] For more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights [https://forms.monday.com/forms/f6a43bd1d11128761d3533a395c4c655]

You can't outsource your thinking (even to AI)

In this episode of The Standup, we’re joined by Andreas Welsch [http://linkedin.com/in/andreasmwelsch] - an executive, former VP, and now Chief AI Strategist at The Intelligence Briefing [https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/] - who’s spent his career helping organizations bridge the gap between technology hype and business reality.  Andreas has led high-performing teams through change, uncertainty, and the rise of disruptive tech. He gets real about what it takes to foster an AI-ready culture, why clear communication is a non-negotiable, and how leaders can set smarter standards as AI enters the daily workflow. Plus, he shares a candid failure story that every leader navigating AI projects will want to hear - and a simple question to ask before greenlighting your next big initiative. What you’ll learn: * Why clear communication matters more than AI fluency when leading teams * How to decide when to kill a project (and how to do it without losing trust) * What it really takes to build an AI-ready culture from the inside out Things to listen for: (00:00) Why experimentation with AI tools is a leadership skill (01:01) The top questions leaders are asking about AI today (02:15) Why AI rollouts often miss the mark — and how to fix it (03:36) How to identify where AI can add real value in your workflows (05:03) Don’t skip the ROI check: Evaluating tools and vendors wisely (06:26) How to communicate about AI with clarity — and less fear (08:06) What it means to lead hybrid teams of humans and AI (11:24) Overhyped vs. underhyped trends in the AI space (12:42) Andreas shares a failure story — and how it shaped his leadership (16:11) One thing leaders should stop doing immediately Resources: * Connect with Andreas [http://linkedin.com/in/andreasmwelsch] * Connect with Yael [http://linkedin.com/in/yael-miller] * For more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights [https://forms.monday.com/forms/f6a43bd1d11128761d3533a395c4c655]

Want CXO buy-in? Tell the story behind your strategy

Think you’re not cut out for a career switch? Think again. Changing paths can feel daunting, but it’s possible to bring your strengths with you. In this episode of The Standup, Devin Reed, Founder of The Reeder, opens up about his own journey from sales to content marketing. He shares how his experience in sales taught him the power of accountability and how that mindset has shaped his success in marketing. Devin talks about the key skills leaders need when transitioning to a new role, from staying curious to mastering the art of listening. He also gets real about leadership struggles, including how to communicate strategy with the C-suite and set boundaries as a working dad. Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to Devin Reed (02:05) Transferable skills from sales to marketing: Accountability and curiosity (03:40) Listening and transparency: Key skills for leadership transitions (05:35) Protecting strategy: Educating others and staying focused (07:50) Communicating strategy effectively with the C-suite (10:00) The challenges of balancing work and family life (13:25) Audience growth: The key focus for marketing teams this year (14:36) Budgeting and measuring success: Efficiency and creativity (16:02) The importance of documented strategies and playbook Resources: * Connect with Devin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinreed/details/experience/] * Connect with Yael [http://linkedin.com/in/yael-miller] * For more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights [https://forms.monday.com/forms/f6a43bd1d11128761d3533a395c4c655]

Employees don’t need fluff (they need clarity)

How do you make sure your messages actually land? In this episode of The Standup, Joanne Frankel, Head of Internal Communications at Amdocs, explores the real challenges leaders face in cutting through noise and building trust.  Drawing from years of experience, Joanne shares why clear, authentic messaging is a leader’s greatest asset and how internal comms should be a strategic force, not just a service function. She also calls out a critical leadership blind spot: assuming a message was understood just because it was delivered. Things to listen for: (00:00) Introducing Joanne Frankel (01:46) Communicating with clarity: Cutting through noise (03:33) Why authenticity matters: Trust and leadership (06:02) Women in leadership: Strength in authenticity (08:58) Redefining internal comms: Strategy over service (10:30) Leadership mistakes: Assumptions in communication (14:46) Key takeaways: Authenticity, transparency, and trust Resources: * Connect with Joanne [http://linkedin.com/in/jofrankel] * Connect with Yael [http://linkedin.com/in/yael-miller] * For more leadership insights and trending news sent to your inbox weekly, subscribe to monday insights [https://forms.monday.com/forms/f6a43bd1d11128761d3533a395c4c655]