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The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

Leadership Development Lessons from Nike, Google, and Amazon with Vic Smith

Jun 2, 2026 · 34 min · 12 segments

Andy Storch sits down with leadership development expert Vic Smith to unpack what truly makes great managers and high-performing workplace cultures. Drawing from leadership development experience at…

Andy Storch sits down with leadership development expert Vic Smith to unpack what truly makes great managers and high-performing workplace cultures. Drawing from leadership development experience at Nike, Google, and Amazon, Vic shares why most leadership training programs fail, how organizations can actually drive behavior change, and why investing in managers is now a business imperative. The conversation explores modern leadership challenges, the impact of AI on management, culture transformation, coaching conversations, career development, and the critical role managers play in employee engagement and retention. If you lead people, build leadership programs, or work in learning & development, this episode is packed with actionable insights for building stronger leaders in today’s evolving workplace. I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - *Own Your Career Own Your Life* and *Own Your Brand, Own Your Career* - on Amazon. Connect with Vic Smith: LinkedIn

Andy Storch sits down with leadership development expert Vic Smith to unpack what truly makes great managers and high-performing workplace cultures. Drawing from leadership development experience at…

Speakers: Vic SmithGuestAndy StorchHost

Top entities: Nike×25 Google×12 Amazon.com×9 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development×3 Portland×2

Show Opening & Guest Introduction0:00 – 0:57

Andy StorchHost

0:00

Welcome to the Talent Development Hot Seat.

Andy StorchHost

0:02

I am your host, Andy Storch, and I'm excited that you're joining me today for another great episode and conversation to help you up your game and improve your capabilities in the world of talent development.

Andy StorchHost

0:10

And today, we are talking all about leadership development and helping your managers succeed.

Andy StorchHost

0:16

My guest today is an expert on the subject, Vic, uh, [laughs] sorry.

Andy StorchHost

0:21

Vic Smith is a professional certified coach, skilled facilitator, leadership development consultant, podcast host, and experienced talent development professional.

Andy StorchHost

0:30

She combines deep expertise in leader and manager development with best-in-class relationship building and communication skills.

Andy StorchHost

0:36

With over 25 years of experience, Vic has led leader development at Nike, Google, and Amazon, three massive brands that we all know, and she has taken her learnings and built Whistle Smith, a leadership development consultancy focused on building stronger leaders.

Andy StorchHost

0:54

Vic, that's a lot.

Andy StorchHost

0:55

Welcome to the show.

Andy StorchHost

0:56

[laughs]

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NikeCompanyFootwear company
97%25 mentions
GoogleCompanyTechnology corporation
91%12 mentions
Amazon.comCompanyE-commerce company
84%9 mentions
Chartered Institute of Personnel and DevelopmentCompanyHuman resources company
78%3 mentions
PortlandCityCity in Oregon
72%2 mentions
LinkedInSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
66%8 mentions
United KingdomCountryCountry in Europe
59%4 mentions
AmsterdamCityCapital of the Netherlands
50%2 mentions
LondonCityCapital of England
50%2 mentions
EuropeContinentContinent
41%4 mentions
AuthorEntity
34%1 mention
HilversumCityCity in the Netherlands
28%1 mention
BeavertonCityCity in Oregon
22%1 mention
OregonAdministrative AreaUS state
16%1 mention
Andy StorchPersonAuthor
9%1 mention
Artificial intelligenceEntityProfessional field
3%1 mention

Human ResourcesBusiness
Career DevelopmentEducation
LeadershipBusiness > Human Resources > Talent Development
Organizational CultureBusiness
Training ProgramsBusiness > Learning and Development
Learning and DevelopmentBusiness
Employee EngagementBusiness > Organizational Culture
CoachingEducation > Career Development
Corporate StrategyBusiness
Investment in PeopleBusiness > Corporate Strategy
Performance ManagementBusiness > Organizational Culture > Employee Engagement
Talent DevelopmentBusiness > Human Resources
Manager DevelopmentBusiness > Human Resources > Talent Development > Leadership
Leadership StylesBusiness > Organizational Culture > Employee Engagement > Performance Management
MicrolearningBusiness > Learning and Development > Training Programs
Behavioral ChangeBusiness > Learning and Development > Training Programs > Microlearning
Cultural ShiftBusiness > Corporate Strategy > Investment in People
Performance ImprovementBusiness > Corporate Strategy > Investment in People > Cultural Shift
Managerial SkillsEducation > Career Development > Coaching
Generational DifferencesEducation > Career Development > Coaching > Managerial Skills
Education
Business

Show Opening & Guest Introduction0:00 – 0:57

Andy StorchHost

0:00

Welcome to the Talent Development Hot Seat.

Andy StorchHost

0:02

I am your host, Andy Storch, and I'm excited that you're joining me today for another great episode and conversation to help you up your game and improve your capabilities in the world of talent development.

Andy StorchHost

0:10

And today, we are talking all about leadership development and helping your managers succeed.

Andy StorchHost

0:16

My guest today is an expert on the subject, Vic, uh, [laughs] sorry.

Andy StorchHost

0:21

Vic Smith is a professional certified coach, skilled facilitator, leadership development consultant, podcast host, and experienced talent development professional.

Andy StorchHost

0:30

She combines deep expertise in leader and manager development with best-in-class relationship building and communication skills.

Andy StorchHost

0:36

With over 25 years of experience, Vic has led leader development at Nike, Google, and Amazon, three massive brands that we all know, and she has taken her learnings and built Whistle Smith, a leadership development consultancy focused on building stronger leaders.

Andy StorchHost

0:54

Vic, that's a lot.

Andy StorchHost

0:55

Welcome to the show.

Andy StorchHost

0:56

[laughs]