“Most leaders wait until the exit interview to ask the real questions — and by then, it’s too late.”

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, best-selling author and workplace culture expert Ryan Englin challenges the myths around pay, perks, and bonuses. He explains why real retention isn’t about dangling more incentives — it’s about understanding what your employees truly need to thrive.

💡 What We Cover:

3 unconventional questions for effective stay interviews

Why awkward conversations lead to better retention insights

How to flip the script from “What do I need from my employees?” to “What do they need from me?”

Why higher pay, bonuses, or perks aren’t the magic answer

Practical ways to build a culture where people actually want to stay

Top Takeaways:

✔️ Retention starts with listening, not incentives

✔️ Stay interviews uncover motivations before it’s too late

✔️ Leaders who meet their team’s needs keep their best people engaged long-term

Common Misunderstandings We Address:

❌ Thinking more money solves engagement problems

❌ Believing culture is only about perks and policies

❌ Waiting until employees resign to ask the real questions

Why This Matters:

A revolving door of talent costs more than higher paychecks. True leadership means creating space where employees feel supported, valued, and heard. When you meet their needs, they’ll take care of yours.

🎙️ Co-Host Discussion:

What makes stay interviews so powerful?

How can leaders get past the discomfort of tough questions?

Why do so many leaders focus on pay when it’s rarely the core issue?

What’s one change leaders can make today to strengthen retention?

Closing Thoughts:

Retention is not about perks or paychecks — it’s about understanding your people. The sooner leaders realize this, the stronger and more loyal their teams become.

📌 CTA:

What’s one question you’d add to your own stay interview? Drop it in the comments below!

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA

Your time is valuable. Virtual Assist USA offers experienced, US-based Virtual Assistant services to help CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster—with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio

👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

📚 Hear more from Ryan Englin: corematters.com/freebook

#NYAELPodcast #EmployeeRetention #StayInterviews #LeadershipMatters #CultureFirst #NotYourAverageCEO #RyanEnglin #EngagedTeams #LeadSmarter

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, Danielle Cuomo, MBA sits down with Scott De Long, PhD, founder of Lead2Goals, to explore what success and leadership really mean beyond titles and money. Scott shares why true leadership is measured by the impact you have on others and how people feel when they choose to be around you.

💡 What We Cover:

Redefining success: shifting focus from external achievements to authentic connection and influence

Why leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all—and how command & control leadership can help or hurt

Scott’s practical approach to building leaders through communication, trust, and mutual respect

Tools and resources from Lead2Goals: quizzes, e-books, videos, and testimonials that support leadership growth

Top Takeaways for Leaders:

✔️ Success is about people, not things—how they feel around you matters most

✔️ Adjust leadership style to fit the situation, not the other way around

✔️ Influence and connection are stronger than authority alone

✔️ Growth happens when leaders learn to listen as much as they direct

Why This Matters:

Scott’s story and teachings prove that leadership is about impact, not ego. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, rethinking how you define success and how you lead can transform your culture, performance, and legacy.

Closing Thoughts:

Leadership is personal. It’s about building trust, creating connection, and inspiring others to grow with you. As Scott says, “Success isn’t about titles, money, or things—it’s about the people who choose to be around you and how they feel when they do.”

📌 CTA:

Reflect on your leadership style this week: Are you leading with control, or with connection? Take one action today to shift toward impact-driven leadership.

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA

Helping CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio

👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

🔗 Connect with Scott & Lead2Goals:

🌐 Website: lead2goals.com

#NYAELPodcast #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #NotYourAverageCEO #ImpactDrivenLeadership #Lead2Goals

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Logan Cuvo, the founder and CEO of Best Dam Tape, the hockey tape trusted by athletes from beginners to NHL players. Logan shares his journey from spotting a gap in the market to building a brand that athletes love and the strategies that helped him get there.

💡 What We Cover:

How Logan scaled Best Dam Tape while still studying Entrepreneurship & Innovation at West Virginia University

Ways to stay ahead of the game as a CEO: leverage resources, be prepared for the next steps, and focus on long-term goals

The importance of fostering relationships: Logan balances networking and working on his business 50/50 to keep growth steady

Practical tips for building a brand that resonates in a niche market

Top Takeaways for Leaders:

✔️ Leverage your network and existing resources to accelerate growth

✔️ Always be prepared for the next opportunity or challenge

✔️ Build for the long-term: create a brand story and hire smart

✔️ Relationships are as important as strategy, balance networking with business execution

Why This Matters:

Logan’s story shows that building a successful business isn’t just about hard work, it’s about smart strategy, long-term vision, and the people you bring along for the journey. Whether you’re running a startup or scaling an established business, these lessons are universally applicable.

Closing Thoughts:

Passion + preparation + relationships = growth. Logan proves that with the right mindset and approach, you can take your business from concept to market dominance.

📌 CTA:

Check your own strategies: Are you balancing networking with building your business? Are you thinking long-term? Take one step today to level up.

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA

Helping CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio

👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

🔗 Connect with Logan & Best Dam Tape:

🌐 Website: https://bestdamtape.com

📧 Email: logan@bestdamtape.com

#NYAELPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #StartupJourney #NotYourAverageCEO #Leadership #SportsBusiness #Innovation #BestDamTape #HockeyLife