In this episode, Byron chats with Sherol Streden, a former project manager turned IT consultant, about the impact of workplace politics on team performance and flourishing. Sherol, who has a rich background as a quality controller and the founder of Boss Dynamics, emphasizes the importance of shielding teams from politics to enhance productivity and prevent burnout. He shares personal anecdotes of past mistakes and lessons learned, highlighting strategies for building trust and maintaining focus in team projects. The conversation also covers the crucial distinction between providing feedback and playing politics, and offers actionable advice for tech leaders on fostering a healthy, effective work environment.

Links:
* Sherol Streden on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smstreden/
* "Staring Down the Wolf" by Mark Divine - https://www.amazon.com/Staring-Hardcover-Divine-Leadership-Collection/dp/9124279358?tag=sommardahl-20
* Website - https://bossdynamics.biz/
* Email - sherol@bossdynamics.biz

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Sherol Streden
00:17 Sherol's Background and Journey
01:34 Current Professional Endeavors
02:54 Leadership Insights and Book Recommendations
03:40 Learning from Mistakes
08:48 The Importance of Trust in Teams
10:04 Navigating Politics in the Workplace
15:33 Navigating Management Dilemmas
16:35 The Impact of Politics on Burnout
18:21 Leadership Strategies to Protect Your Team
20:01 Balancing Transparency and Protection
23:59 Negotiating and Shielding Your Team
25:21 Challenges and Solutions in Project Management
34:47 The Importance of Mentorship
37:18 Contact Information and Closing Remarks