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Tough Things First

Discipline, servant leadership, entrepreneurial success

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Focus Filter

A focus filter is for making better decisions like getting rid of good but not great projects, and creating daily rituals that leaders can use to audit their own calendars and team building meetings. Ray Zinn Discusses that a decision tool for alignment with core vision, resource cost, long-term payoff) Rob Artigo: Ray, today we’re discussing a practical tool for […]

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Hiring and Developing for Legacy Companies

How do you attract and grow talent that cares more about becoming better humans than just getting rich? Ray Zinn explores hiring and developing people who build legacy companies. Rob Artigo: Today we’re talking about one of the most important responsibilities for any leader, hiring and developing people who help build legacy companies. Specifically, how do you attract and grow talent […]

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Civility

Ever wonder why some leaders build unbreakable teams while others fuel endless conflict? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores how true civility comes from one essential skill: seeing through the other person’s eyes—strengthens relationships and drives real business results. (Watch Now!) Rob Artigo: Ray, as you know, a couple of times each month we do a video […]

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The Morality Crisis

You’ve probably heard people say that morality is declining — but is it really? And what’s the real difference between being a moral person versus an amoral one? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn cuts through the noise with clear thinking on why the distinction matters more than ever. Rob Artigo: Today we’re tackling a foundational but often […]

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Demystifying “Trust But Verify”

You have heard it said many times, but most people get it wrong. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn uses smart business logic not magic to demystifying the proverb “Trust But Verify.” Rob Artigo: I’m Rob Artigo, joined once again with Ray, as you’ve just heard his voice right there, founder, longtime CEO at Micrel Semiconductor for 37 profitable […]

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Leading Through Geopolitical Whiplash

THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE US AND IRAN. IT REMAINS RELEVANT. Can an entrepreneur succeed and staying profitable even when some much seems out of control? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn has a reality check and some words of inspiration. (Watch Now!) Ray Zinn: Hey Rob, good to be with you today. […]

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The Difference Between an Ambitious Founder and an Overly Optimistic One

Every founder dreams big. But there’s a razor-thin line between ambition that builds empires and optimism that quietly destroys them. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the subtle but critical difference between an ambitious founder and an overly optimistic one. Rob Artigo: Ray, today we’re exploring a subtle but critical distinction. What’s the difference between an ambitious…

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Smart Persistence

Ray Zinn is no gambler. In business, his trump card is knowledge. In this Tough Things First podcast, we explore why smart persistence is educated decision making. Rob Artigo: Well, today it’s really about smart persistence, knowing when to double down and when to just walk away gracefully. This is one of the toughest calls any leader can make. So […]

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The Hatred Epidemic – How to Stop What Makes Us Toxic

In a world seemingly drowning in division and anger, why does hatred spread like a virus—and is it truly hardwired into human nature? On this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn unmasks the hatred and explores practical ways to stop what makes us toxic, before it poisons everything we value. Ray Zinn: Hello, Rob. Good to be with you. Rob […]

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Capitalism vs Socialism

In a world divided by competing visions of prosperity, today on Tough Things First we tackle one of the most consequential debates in human history: Capitalism versus Socialism. Ray Zinn cuts through the ideology, examines real-world outcomes, and explores which system better delivers freedom, innovation, and human flourishing. (Watch Now…) Rob Artigo: Big topic, Ray, in modern America, capitalism…

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