The end of the year is here, and with it comes a crucial opportunity: setting yourself up for success in the next year.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I’m joined by our VP of Leadership Development (and my daughter), Lyneé South. We’re pulling back the curtain to show you how we close out our businesses for the year, why it’s so important, and how you can do the same.

If you’ve ever wondered how to properly evaluate your business’s financial health, plan for the future, and set yourself up to win, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and examples to guide you through it all.

Episode Breakdown: Key Sections and Takeaways
Introduction (00:00:00)
Why year-end planning is the secret weapon of successful business leaders.

Introduction to Year-End Closeout Process (00:01:52)
Lyneé kicks off the conversation by asking why year-end closeout is critical for sustainable success.

Financial Closeout and Planning (00:09:10)
Discover the key reports and metrics that guide my decision-making—P&L, budgets vs. actuals, and more.

Goal Setting and Reflection (00:20:39)
How to use financial data and business wins to adjust and solidify your goals for the upcoming year.

Acquisitions: Physical and Human Resources (00:31:00)
Why understanding your business needs versus wants is crucial when evaluating new hires or assets.

Reflection on Culture and Company Vision (00:39:41)
Assessing whether your culture aligns with your company vision and how to keep your team motivated and connected.

Advice for Other Business Owners (00:52:57)
Overwhelmed? Here’s how to take the first step toward mastering your business closeout process.

Conclusion (00:58:44)
Final thoughts on vulnerability, seeking help, and crushing the fear of judgment to grow your business.

Practical Examples for Every Step
Throughout the episode, we provide real-world examples from our own businesses to illustrate each point. Whether it's balancing budgets, setting team goals, or building a culture of accountability, you’ll see exactly how these strategies play out.

So grab your notepad and get ready to take your year-end planning to the next level. Let’s close out this year strong and set you up for success in the year ahead!

Hey, folks!

Welcome to The Chris LoCurto Show. Today, we’re diving into a big leadership challenge: helping a team member step out of irrational thinking.

Whether you’re dealing with stubborn mindsets, emotional outbursts, or plain refusal to see things logically, we’re going to walk through how to approach these moments with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

Not only will you be turning potentially exhausting situations into growth opportunities, but this episode might just give you the tools to manage some of your own irrational thoughts. Let’s jump in!

Key moments:

Recognizing Irrational Thinking Early (00:01:42)
The first step is spotting irrational thought patterns early on—defensiveness, extreme emotional responses, and circular arguments are key signs to look for. Recognizing these can prevent team morale from spiraling, and we’ll go through examples you’ve probably seen before.

Understanding the Root Cause (00:07:11)
Digging into the root cause of irrational thinking—often stress, fear, or insecurity—can help you understand where the behavior stems from. I’ll share examples and insights on how leaders can empathize without overstepping.

Communicating Effectively with Empathy (00:16:11)
Approaching irrational behavior with empathy, open-ended questions, and understanding transforms the conversation. This section dives into ways you can encourage self-reflection without shutting down your team member’s perspective.

Helping Them Reframe Their Thoughts (00:21:34)
Guiding someone to reframe their thinking is a powerful way to shift their outlook. Here, I walk you through a simple 5-step method to turn perceived failures into learning experiences, helping your team think more rationally moving forward.

Setting Boundaries and Accountability (00:24:40)
Sometimes empathy isn’t enough—you need boundaries and accountability to prevent repeated irrational behavior. I outline clear ways to set limits and hold team members accountable, along with examples of how this looks in real situations.

Action Items (00:28:56)

• Monitor Your Communication (00:28:57)
• Empathy First (00:29:39)
• Encourage Self-Reflection (00:30:05)
• Set Clear Expectations (00:31:20)

Conclusion (00:31:53)

Leading a team member out of irrational thinking takes patience, empathy, and strong communication skills. Remember, your role isn’t just managing tasks but helping your team grow professionally and personally, turning irrational moments into incredible leadership opportunities.

Additional Resources (00:32:59)

• 463 | Rational vs. Irrational Thinking

We discuss the difference between rational and irrational thinking: where reason and logic intersect with fear, emotion, and imagination.

• 379 | Leading Through Tough Conversations

Before you do something you might regret later, Joel and I get together to give you some guidance on just exactly how to lead during this exact situation! We acted out this scene so there can be more understanding of how navigating tough conversations can be beneficial for both sides!

Toxic relationships —whether they involve team members, clients, or others in the workplace—can drain your energy, damage your business, and impact your mental health.

But as much as these relationships can be exhausting, it’s crucial to understand how to handle them professionally, with empathy and clear boundaries.

I’m not someone who loves drama or toxicity. I know you get that, and today, we’re going to dive into strategies to deal with these relationships in a healthy way. If you struggle with setting boundaries, this episode is for you.

Key Points Covered:

• Understand the Nature of the Relationship (00:02:45)
  • Types of Toxic Relationships:
  • Emotionally Draining Relationships (00:03:04)
  • Controlling or Manipulative Relationships (00:10:14)
  • Passive-Aggressive Relationships (00:18:59)
  • Codependent Relationships (00:18:59)
  • Abusive Relationships (00:32:17)
• Identifying the Severity (00:40:48)
• Know Yourself and Your Boundaries (00:40:48)
• The Role of Healthy Boundaries (00:45:53)
• Practical tips for Establishing Boundaries (00:48:06)
• Set Clear Consequences (00:53:21)
• Managing with Empathy and Communication (00:56:35)
• When and How to Part Ways (01:00:52)
• Self-Care and Managing Your Own Triggers (01:05:24)

Understand this—if you tolerate toxicity in your business or personal life, it will spread. It impacts team morale, your productivity, and the health of your relationships.

Managing toxic relationships professionally requires a delicate balance of empathy, grace, and firm boundaries. Whether you're dealing with a difficult team member or someone in your personal life, it's essential to address toxic behavior directly and proactively. You'll protect your well-being, improve team dynamics, and foster healthier relationships overall.

Remember—take this information, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life. See you in the next episode!

Additional Resources (01:12:25)
Episode 212 | What Toxic Culture Looks Like, And How To Avoid It
Yes, there are times that the customer is wrong. I believe that. The customer might not always be right, but the customer should ALWAYS be honored.

Episode 285 | How To Stop Toxicity As A Leader
Toxicity creates disunity, inefficiency, low productivity, gossip, backstabbing…the list goes on. What do we do about it? How do we prevent it?

On today’s episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we continue to dive deep into the heart of leadership challenges with Lyneé South, VP of Leadership Development and a core coach in our Key Leader Program.

This episode is packed with practical insights on how to improve delegation, accountability, and communication with your leadership team.

If you haven’t yet listened to part 1 (episode 596*), make sure to check it out first! We covered essential topics like the Leadership Crazy Cycle, trust issues, culture challenges, and prioritization.

In this follow-up episode, we build on those ideas and dig further into how to make more informed decisions and help your key leaders succeed.

Key Points in Today’s Episode:

• Introduction (00:00:00)
  Chris introduces the episode and welcomes Lyneé South back to the show.
• Recap (00:01:20)
  Chris reviews the leadership challenges discussed in episode 596, including delegation, tough conversations, and trust issues.
• Personal Experiences (00:02:23)
  Lyneé shares stories from her experience coaching leaders through delegation and accountability challenges.
• Delegation Challenges (00:03:40)
  Discussion on how to overcome delegation obstacles and create success throughout the business.
• Accountability and Tough Conversations (00:08:22)
  How setting clear expectations with KRAs (Key Result Areas) transforms tough conversations into manageable discussions.
• Biggest Takeaways (00:11:54)
  Lyneé highlights her biggest takeaways from coaching leaders—focusing on communication and alignment.
• Leading Up and Communicating Expectations (00:13:10)
  Insights on how leaders can effectively communicate with those above them and clarify goals.
• Understanding the Key Leader Program (00:29:22)
  An in-depth explanation of the Key Leader Program and how it helps middle-level leaders develop their leadership skills.
• Conclusion (00:44:42)

If you’re looking to empower your leadership team and align everyone toward the same goals, the Key Leader Program could be the solution.

Visit chrislocurto.com/keyleader to learn more and see how it can transform your business. As always, take this knowledge to change your leadership, change your business, and change your life!

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, I’m thrilled to bring on a very special guest, our new VP of Leadership Development—and my daughter—Lyneé South.

Not only is Lyneé a phenomenal leader with over two decades of experience, but she’s also been instrumental in helping leaders break free from the dreaded Leadership Crazy Cycle.

Today, we’re tackling some of the most common challenges that leaders face: feeling overwhelmed, struggling with delegation, and navigating tough conversations. If you're dealing with these issues, this episode is for you.

We're diving into practical solutions that will help you lead with confidence.This is part one of a two-part series, so make sure to come back next week for more insights from Lyneé and me!

Key Points Covered:

1. Key Leader Struggles (00:02:42)
   Lyneé shares her leadership journey and the obstacles that leaders encounter when they’re overwhelmed with responsibilities.
2. Leadership Crazy Cycle (00:09:50)
   What is the Leadership Crazy Cycle, and how can you get out of the reactive loop of constant tasks without losing your effectiveness as a leader?
3. Delegation Challenges (00:26:24)
   We talk about proper delegation—why most leaders struggle with it and how you can delegate tasks effectively without taking them back.
4. Stress and Tough Conversations (00:38:57)
   Handling tough conversations in stressful times is no easy feat, but there are ways to make these discussions more effective and less daunting.
5. Culture and Trust Issues (00:52:22)
   We break down the common trust issues within teams and how leaders can build a culture of unity and accountability.
6. Prioritization and Time Management (00:57:48)
   As leaders, prioritizing tasks is one of the hardest but most critical skills to master. Lyneé explains why proper prioritization and time management are key to leadership success.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you overcome leadership challenges and break free from the Leadership Crazy Cycle. Lyneé shares her practical wisdom, and together, we offer strategies that can immediately impact how you lead your team and your business.

Be sure to check out part two next week, where we dive deeper into coaching techniques and explore the Key Leader Program in more detail.
As always, take what you’ve learned, change your leadership, change your business, and change your life.Listen to the full episode now!

In today's episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive into part two of our series on overcoming conflict avoidance. This episode is all about learning how to have tough conversations and gaining tools to handle them effectively.

If you haven’t yet listened to part one (Episode 594), go back and listen to that first, as it sets the foundation for understanding your conflict tendencies and how to develop skills to face them.

In this second part, we focus on building confidence through positive outcomes and how success in handling conflict can create a snowball effect, making future tough conversations easier.

We’re continuing to learn from every conversation, build emotional muscles, and ultimately, become leaders who resolve conflict with grace and effectiveness.

Key Points Covered in the Episode:

Building Confidence Through Positive Outcomes (00:02:05)
Repeated successful conflict resolution builds momentum and makes future conversations easier.

Success Creates Confidence (00:02:38)
Momentum from resolving conflicts gives you the confidence to tackle the next one with ease.

Success Reinforces Positive Behavior (00:05:46)
Every successful resolution strengthens positive communication habits.

You Learn from Every Conversation (00:07:09)
Each tough conversation provides lessons in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication styles.

Momentum Breaks the Cycle of Avoidance (00:10:32)
Positive conflict resolution disrupts the avoidance cycle, making future conflicts less intimidating.

Each Success Builds a Stronger Foundation (00:12:09)
Resolving conflicts consistently builds your reputation as a leader who handles difficult conversations well.

Overcoming the Fear of Failure or Rejection (00:15:08)
Learn how fear plays a significant role in avoiding conflict and how to overcome it.

Fear Amplifies What Might Go Wrong (00:17:06)
Fear exaggerates potential negative outcomes, but often the worst-case scenario is not as bad as it seems.

Fear Makes You Forget the Long-Term Benefit (00:19:14)
While short-term discomfort is unpleasant, the long-term benefit of handling conflict far outweighs it.

Fear Keeps You Stuck in a Cycle of Avoidance (00:23:23)
Breaking the avoidance cycle is crucial for leadership growth and effective conflict resolution.

Pushing Through Fear Starts with Small Steps (00:24:55)
Start with smaller conflicts to build momentum before tackling bigger issues.

Fear is Temporary, But Avoiding Conflict Has Long-Term Consequences (00:26:05)
Short-term discomfort will fade, but avoiding conflict can lead to long-term damage.

Courage is Acting in Spite of Fear (00:27:07)
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.

Practical Steps to Get Started (00:29:09)
We walk through practical steps to acknowledge avoidance, start small, and use a structured approach to conflict.

Conclusion (00:38:02)
We outline how building momentum in handling conflict can change your leadership and relationships for the better.

Success creates confidence, and each time you engage in tough conversations, you become more skilled and emotionally intelligent. By following these steps and focusing on long-term benefits, you can turn conflict into opportunities for growth.

For more resources and tools to help you lead better, visit ChrisLoCurto.com.

Resources:

420 | Confrontation, Conflict & Control

We discuss where boundaries are with confrontation, conflict & control; when to engage in a healthy way, and when to hold your peace.

312 | Kill Conflict without Killing Your Relationships

We talk about how conflict is in every relationship, how to deal with it, how to keep it from damaging relationships, and how to grow through it.

In this episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we tackle an issue that affects many leaders and businesses: conflict avoidance.
While conflict is inevitable in any organization, avoiding it often leads to bigger problems down the line.
We dive into why conflict avoidance occurs, how to recognize your tendencies, and the steps you can take to handle conflict in a healthy, productive way.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips for leaders looking to improve their conflict resolution skills and create a healthier work environment.
Key Points Covered in This Episode:

• Understanding Your Own Conflict Avoidance Tendencies (00:02:50)
  • Desire for Harmony (00:05:52)
  • Emotional Energy (00:09:17)
  • Analytical Perspective (00:10:39)
  • Long-Term Focus (00:11:34)
• Examples - DISC Personality Styles (00:12:22)
  • High S (00:13:32)
  • High C (00:15:58)
  • High I (00:18:43)
  • High D (00:20:27)
• Example (00:22:08)
• Developing the Skill of Addressing Conflict (00:26:44)
  • Building Emotional Muscle (00:28:27)
  • Seeing Conflict as Opportunity (00:33:20)
  • Boosting Confidence in Communication (00:35:41)
  • Learning to Listen and Empathize (00:37:12)
  • Facing Your Fears Head-On (00:41:36)
  • Consistency Breeds Confidence (00:45:29)
• Using Effective Conversation Templates and Scripts (00:50:29)
  • Clarity Leads to Confidence (00:52:52)
  • Keeps You on Track (00:54:27)
  • Promotes Active Listening (00:56:09)
  • Prepares You for Emotional Responses (00:59:10)
  • Ensures You Address Key Points (01:02:41)
  • Fosters Constructive Outcomes (01:04:13)
• Suggested structure:
  • Neutral Observation (01:06:03)
  • Express Concern (01:09:06)
  • Open-Ended Question (01:10:59)
  • Collaborate on Solutions (01:12:38)
  • Face the Tough Conversations (01:15:03)
  • Follow-Up Is Key (01:17:42)

This is just part one of a two-part series on conflict avoidance. Tune in to this episode for actionable advice and tay tuned for the next episode as we continue to dive deeper into strategies for overcoming conflict avoidance and leading your team with confidence.Listen now and start transforming how you handle conflict in your leadership!

Resources:
Handling Tough Conversations Template

Running a business is hard, especially when you're trying to do it all on your own. You need to Build an Unstoppable Support System to truly Maximize Your Business.

In our latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we dive deep into a critical topic for business owners: the importance of building a support system.

From overcoming fear and imposter syndrome to leveraging accountability and diverse perspectives, we offer practical advice on breaking down barriers and surrounding yourself with the right people to achieve long-term success.

Hey folks! In this latest episode, we're diving into a crucial topic for every leader—how to calculate risks and rewards when making important business decisions.

Whether you’re launching a new product, considering a team change, or evaluating an operational shift, understanding how to balance risk and reward is key to moving your business forward with confidence.

Here’s a breakdown of what we cover in the episode, along with timestamps so you can jump straight to the sections that matter most to you.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Introduction: What is Risk? (00:00:00)
We kick things off by talking about the importance of taking calculated risks as a leader. I share a bit of my own journey—whether racing cars or running a business, I’ve learned that understanding both the potential rewards and risks is essential to making the right calls.

Understanding Types of Risks and Rewards (00:02:09)
We explore different kinds of risks that you face in business—financial, operational, market, and even cultural risks. I also dig into the potential rewards that come with those risks, like financial gains, cultural growth, or market expansion.

Steps to Calculate Risks and Rewards (00:11:12)
I break down the step-by-step process of evaluating risks. Plus, I share practical insights on how to analyze costs, timelines, and market fit.

- Analyzing Risks (00:18:07)
I emphasize the importance of analyzing how each risk might impact your business—from finances and operations to your personal life. 

- Evaluating Rewards (00:21:37)
We look at the long-term rewards you might not immediately think about. I also talk about how to set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure your success.

- Real-Life Example: Measuring Rewards (00:27:41)
I share a real-life story of how we launched a new event by calculating both the risks and rewards. It’s a great example of how thinking through risks can pay off in more ways than one.

Additional Resources (00:33:51)
Want to dive deeper into risk-taking? Check out Episode 540: The Pros & Cons: Becoming a Risk Taker.

It’s a great companion to this episode and can help you think through what might be holding you back from making bold decisions.

Conclusion (00:34:26)
At the end of the day, calculating risks and rewards is all about spotting potential challenges, understanding their impact, and balancing them against the possible benefits. By doing this, you’ll make smarter decisions that benefit your business, your team, and your bottom line.

I hope this episode helps you become more confident in your decision-making process. Take these strategies, apply them in your leadership, and watch your business thrive.

As always, we’re here to help you grow, so make sure to join us for the next episode!

In the latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we tackle a challenge many leaders face but often struggle to address—self-destructive behaviors within their teams.

These behaviors, whether it’s people-pleasing, perfectionism, or isolation, can quietly undermine team productivity and morale. As a leader, recognizing and supporting team members through these struggles is critical to fostering a healthy, thriving work environment.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction (00:00:00)

Learn how to spot the signs of self-destructive behaviors in your team and guide them toward healthier habits.

• Recognizing Self-Destructive Behaviors (00:01:29)

As leaders, it’s our job to lead people to success—and that often means identifying what’s holding them back. Discover what self-destructive behaviors look like, from subtle signs to more obvious patterns.

• Common Self-Destructive Patterns (00:02:18)

Explore common behaviors like substance abuse, perfectionism, and self-isolation, and learn why people-pleasing can be one of the most damaging patterns.

• Consequences of Self-Destructive Behaviors (00:11:07)

Understand the ripple effects these behaviors can have on team dynamics, communication, and relationships. Unchecked, they can erode trust and create lasting damage within the team.

• Mental Health Impact (00:13:31)

Self-destructive behaviors often tie into deeper mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. Learn how to recognize the warning signs early and help your team avoid long-term harm.

• How to Support and Manage Team Members (00:25:22)

It’s crucial to offer support while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Get tips on how to lead with empathy, understand your team's needs, and maintain a healthy work culture.

• Actionable Steps (00:26:30)

We share practical advice on how you can encourage your team members to recognize and change self-destructive habits without crossing any professional or personal lines.

• Encouraging Healthy Habits (00:28:51)

From promoting better eating habits to creating moments of self-care, this section focuses on how you can help team members build healthier routines that support both their personal and professional lives.

• Additional Resources (00:34:09)

Looking for more insights? Check out these related episodes:

Episode 238: The 6 Subtle Self-Destructive Behaviors We Miss Every Day.
Episode 269: How To Break The Self-Sabotage Spiral.

Take Action as a Leader
Leaders, the journey to overcoming these behaviors is ongoing. It’s about creating a culture where open communication thrives and harmful habits are replaced with healthier, more productive ones.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how you can support your team, enhance their well-being, and create an environment where they can thrive.

In the latest episode of The Chris LoCurto Show, we explore the elusive concept of work-life balance. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you understand what true balance looks like and how to achieve it in a realistic, sustainable way.

A key tool we discuss is Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life, which breaks down life into seven essential areas: Career, Social, Financial, Family, Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual. This framework can help you achieve balance by focusing on different areas at different times.

Key Points Covered:

• Understanding True Work-Life Balance (00:00:59)

Perfect balance doesn’t exist day-to-day. Life is constantly changing, requiring you to rebalance your priorities over time. Focus on achieving harmony over the long term rather than chasing daily perfection.

• Seasons (00:10:09)

Balance happens over months or seasons, not daily. Learn to navigate the seasons based on what you need. Be proactive in taking care of yourself.

• Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize (00:13:34)

Sometimes, urgent issues demand more attention. Once resolved, it’s crucial to refocus on other important areas, like family and personal well-being.

• Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life (00:17:45)

We explore Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life, covering seven essential areas: Career, Social, Financial, Family, Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual. Regularly reassessing and rebalancing (00:22:33) these areas helps you maintain long-term harmony.

• Support and Accountability (00:26:34)

Surround yourself with a strong support system to help you stay balanced. Accountability partners and healthy relationships are key to maintaining focus and well-being.

• Good Routines and Habits (00:28:25)

Establish beneficial routines, like the Two-Minute Rule (00:30:11), to start new habits and build momentum. Consistent, small actions can lead to significant improvements in your overall balance.

• Conclusion (00:32:27)

Work-life balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about long-term harmony. By focusing on the big picture and building good habits, you can achieve lasting balance in your life.
Achieving work-life balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding harmony over time. Tune in now and take the first step toward rebalancing your life!