In this episode of Team Amplifier, Byron interviews Chris Leonard, a high-performing team builder, avid musician, and newly appointed board chair for the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps. Chris discusses his journey from a musician and audio engineer to a consultant who now helps businesses and teams improve their performance by fostering collaboration and autonomy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of teaching team members to be wayfinders or individuals who can independently navigate and solve problems within their work environment. Chris advocates for leaders to practice patience, ask open-ended questions, and resist the impulse to micromanage. He also shares practical advice like the 'five-minute rule' to encourage better decision-making within teams. The episode concludes with ways tech leaders can implement these strategies immediately to enhance team performance and human flourishing.
Links:
Chris Leonard on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/letshirechrisleonard/
East of Eden by John Steinbeck - https://www.amazon.com/East-of-Eden-John-Steinbeck-audiobook/dp/B0055WXTPQ?tag=sommardahl-20
Chris Leonard - https://www.noimpediments.com/coaching/
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Chris Leonard
00:34 Chris's Journey in Nashville
01:44 Life Lessons from the Road
04:49 Impactful Reads
06:43 Confessions of a Tech Leader
11:18 Teaching Teams to be Wayfinders
22:25 The Importance of Exploration
23:29 The Impulse to Explore and Wayfinding
24:30 Autonomy and Flourishing in the Workplace
29:24 The Role of Muscle Memory in Professional Habits
29:44 Challenges in Teaching Wayfinding
32:40 Leadership and Enabling Team Success
36:34 Practical Advice for Tech Leaders
38:56 Unexpected Outcomes of Wayfinding
43:06 Promoting Team Flourishing
44:10 Conclusion and Contact Information
