Episode 23

full
Published on:

4th Jun 2025

The Real Secret to Business Success? People. | Leadership, Conflict & Courageous Conversations

"We need to ask the hard questions." - Ben Baker 

Think your business is all about strategy and tech? Think again! Ben and Syya get real about the true game-changer in business: people, and the tough questions we avoid asking them.

From dodging conflict to dancing around difficult conversations, this episode is your no-fluff guide to leading with empathy, owning accountability, and sparking honest dialogue that fuels growth, not gossip. If you've ever felt like you're tiptoeing through team dynamics or avoiding a much-needed "we need to talk"... this one's for you.

🎯 Topics that’ll hit home to #GnawOnThis:

  • Why people are your X factor, not your problem
  • The power of asking uncomfortable questions (yes, even that one)
  • How to handle conflict without crushing morale
  • Emotional intelligence in leadership (it’s not just a buzzword)
  • Why honest feedback is your brand’s best defense
  • And why not everyone will be happy—and that’s totally okay

This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and leadership truths that might sting a little, but will strengthen your team and your brand a whole lot.

đź’¬ Ready to stop sugarcoating and start leading with guts and grace?

👇 Hit play. Then hit your team with a few good questions.

#LeadershipTruths #BusinessCulture #EmployeeEngagement #EmotionalIntelligence #CourageousConversations #BenAndSyya #GnawOnThis #ToughTalks #PeopleFirstLeadership


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About the Podcast

Gnaw On This...
Business Bytes with Ben & Syya
If there is one thing that we have learned about business and life
IT’S THAT PEOPLE ARE THE X FACTOR
They constantly surprise us, both in amazing ways . . .
And . . . NOT SO MUCH
We’re Ben and Syya
AND
Welcome to GNAW ON THIS . . . BUSINESS BYTES
This show is about the real-life things
we ALL deal with EVERY DAY
HOW they relate to business
And HOW to make some sense out of our daily chaos
WELCOME to the show!

About your hosts

Syya Yasotornrat

Profile picture for Syya Yasotornrat
Syya is a tenured tech sales professional with her time at SonicWALL and Hewlett Packard (HPE) with some hospitality at the Walt Disney Company and IT recruitment experience in the mix. She is currently a podcast strategist and consultant, helping others to bring out their voice and legacy through podcasting. She loves to learn and talk about anything, so feel free to reach out!

Ben Baker

Profile picture for Ben Baker
Ben has been helping companies, and the people within them understand, codify, and communicate their unique value to others for more than a quarter of a century.

He is the president of Your Brand Marketing, an Employee Engagement Consultancy specializing in helping companies communicate more effectively inside their organizations.

He is the author of two books: “Powerful Personal Brands: a hands-on guide to understanding yours,” and “Leading Beyond a Crisis: a conversation about what’s next,” and the host of IHEART and Spotify syndicated YourLIVINGBrand.live show with more than 300 episodes behind him.

You can reach him at www.yourbrandmarketing.com