Managing up isn't what you think... Do you ever feel like your boss just doesn't "get it"?   It's time to get on the same page and rebuild your working relationship from the ground up. This episode breaks down a new perspective on "managing up" that prioritizes collaboration and mutual consideration over power struggles. YOU'LL DISCOVER: What managing up is and what is and what it isn't.10 concrete tactics for managing up effectivelyHow managing your team shows you how to manage upHow ...

Are your "best customers" actually as loyal as you think? Or could it just be a matter of convenience? Join me as I talk to the brilliant Ali Cudby and she shares her insightful take on the different levels of customer loyalty, and how we can help get more of our customers to the highest level - the Lucrative Loyal! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN:  The three different tiers of customer loyalty - lazy loyals, limited loyals, and lucrative loyalsHow to identify which type of...

Is your onboarding process falling flat?  Are you struggling with low adoption rates despite your best efforts?  It's time to rethink your approach and consider the psychology behind effective onboarding. Dive into the reason why traditional onboarding methods often fail and what you can do to revolutionize your onboarding process for better customer adoption. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: The crucial difference between implementation and onboarding, and why you should...

Is it possible to motivate your team without paying them more? In a time when workloads are doubling and raises are scarce – How can you keep your team motivated - even EXCITED - to give it their all? Money matters - no question about it.  But it's only a small piece of what actually impacts job performance.   Now I'm not saying to be cheap!  Pay your people as well as you possibly can! But if you're getting no wiggle room from the C-Suite on budget - that doesn't have to mean your team...

Learn about the effectiveness of SMART goals in customer success and explore alternative goal-setting strategies that align with human psychology and brain science, including practical tips on setting and achieving goals that are more motivating, achievable, and relevant to the priorities of CS professionals. Are SMART goals stupid? Do you struggle to stay motivated by SMART goals?  Well, there's a reason for that.  SMART goals may not always be the best fit for the human brain and...

Are You Falling for This Common Misconception About Your CEO's Support for Customer Success? Many customer success leaders believe their CEOs fully support customer success just because they say they do.  But what if this belief is based on a misunderstanding? This episode dives into the dangers of assuming your CEO's initial enthusiasm equates to ongoing support and how this can lead to the unexpected loss of your CS department. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: How...

Bob London and I discuss the power of Radically Authentic Discovery in customer success, emphasizing deep listening and strategic questioning to uncover true customer insights and drive engagement. Bob shares practical tips and the psychological foundations behind his method, inspiring CS leaders to adopt a more human-centered approach in their conversations. Have you ever been blindsided by a customer churning? It’s not that your health score needs adjusting (again) or that they were being...

Are you struggling to get your ideas across to the C-suite in your Customer Success role?  Do you feel like they just don't see the urgency or importance of your CS initiatives and customer feedback, despite your best efforts? If this sounds familiar, you might be missing a crucial tool in your arsenal: strategic presentations.  But it's not just about the slides; it's about understanding the psychology behind effective communication with senior leadership based on their point of view In...

If you're feeling the weight of imposter syndrome in your leadership role, constantly battling with thoughts that you're not good enough, welcome to the club!  The pressure to appear perfect, handle everything on your own, and know everything can be overwhelming. Thankfully, none of those things are actually necessary.    Let's explore effective strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and step into your role with confidence and authenticity. In this episode, you'll discover: ·     ...

Why You Know Less Than You Think: Cognitive Biases in Customer Success Join me as we explore the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias that can impact customer success. Discover how overestimating abilities and misunderstanding customer needs can lead to challenges in the CS field.  But what happens when we realize we don't know as much as we thought? Stay tuned to find out. In this episode, you'll discover: How the Dunning Kruger effect impacts your customers so you can tailor your...

Do you avoid giving negative feedback because you don't want to upset your employees?   Do you ever worry they won't like you? You’ll learn why it’s so hard to give negative feedback, what the consequences are for avoiding it, and a proven (Provan?) framework for delivering it in a way that gets results without sending the other person into a shame spiral or being wishy-washy.   Takeaways for You: Why the brain goes haywire in these situationsCaring About Employees vs. Being LikedHow to...

Failure happens to all of us.  In this episode, we'll delve into the often-feared concept of failure and discover its hidden potential for growth and learning. We'll explore the essential role of mindset, how to differentiate between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and uncover sneaky signs that a fixed mindset holding you back in both your personal and professional life. Embrace a fresh perspective on failure, seeing it not as a setback, but as a vital stepping stone to success....

Want to know a secret?  Setting your CS strategy is the easy part! What often prevents MOST CS leaders from achieving the results and recognition they hope for is their mindset. We'll dive into what the heck mindset is, how it affects your results, and how it needs to change as you move from an individual contributor to a leader.  BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL  KNOW:  The key differences between a CSM mindset and a CS Leadership mindsetAdvice for how to let go of perfectionism...

Have you struggled to find best practices on the customer journey?  Or perhaps your CEO says you have one already - but when you look it's all about the pre-sales cycle... It turns out there are a few small - kind of stupid - reasons it's such a struggle.  You'll learn the limitations of traditional customer journeys that focus on the company's perspective rather than the customer's required outcomes. We'll dig into the concept of Customer Value Realization Maps, which involves...

Do you feel completely overburdened with work - but can't begin to imagine how to show someone else how to do it? Worried it won't get done correctly and you will be blamed? Learn how to stop choosing short term benefit over long term success in this episode: It's just easier if I do it... BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:  How to delegate tasks in a way that your team will thank you forWhat to delegate - and what to keep for yourselfHow to create a culture of...

Wouldn't it be nice if customers would just do what we tell them to do so they can get what they say they want? Unfortunately, humans don't work that way.  For better and worse, we're much more complicated.  Dive into the fascinating fields of behavioral economics, neuroscience, and cognitive behavioral psychology to understand why people do the things they do, what motivates them, and how to use that to create positive outcomes for your customers, your company, and yourself. BY THE TIME...

Are you afraid to say no because you feel that you will come off  as self-important or "not a team player"? Do you say yes to everything that people throw at you and believe you'll find a way to get it all done? If this rings a bell, you may have a "Helper Personality", as many in Customer Success do.  It's a great quality to have, but like any strength, it also has a dark side that leads to burnout, resentment, and ineffectiveness.  Learn the key strategies you need to make the most of...

Humans don't think or behave like computers. You can't just run a command and get them to do what you want them to do. So why are you still basing your CS strategy based solely on logic? I'm Rachel Provan, CS Leadership Coach, Award Winning CS Strategist, and Certified Psych Nerd. I teach CS leaders how to build and scale world-class CS departments using a combination of strategy, leadership, and mindset, using my secret weapon, psychology. Come join me every Wednesday for Psychology of...