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

In this episode, Brian interviews Paul McRae, a fractional CTO specializing in healthcare, to discuss the importance of allowing employees to work on more interesting and impactful problems. Paul shares insights from his career in healthcare technology, emphasizing the benefits of modernizing systems and utilizing technology to enhance both clinical and operational efficiency. He also talks about the human aspect of leadership, focusing on the value of understanding team concerns and promoting a culture where employees feel valued and empowered. Key topics include the role of AI in healthcare, the significance of data analytics, and strategies for fostering team growth and motivation.

Links:
* Paul McRae on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmcraehealth/
* "Healthcare Digital Transformation" by Edward W. Marx https://www.amazon.com/Healthcare-Digital-Transformation-Consumerism-Accelerating/dp/B08NTVPX1D?tag=sommardahl-20

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:21 Paul McRae's Background and Current Work
02:04 Challenges in Healthcare Systems
03:06 The Role of Technology in Healthcare
06:37 Personal Anecdotes and Lessons Learned
10:48 Empowering Teams with Interesting Work
23:53 Humanizing the Workplace
37:11 Call to Action for Tech Leaders

In this conversation, the host interviews Meade Kincke, an executive in the tech industry who runs a luxury brand and provides technology guidance. The discussion focuses on the concept of brutal honesty in leadership. Meade shares his experiences and insights on the importance of delegation, trust, and effective communication within teams. He emphasizes the necessity of being honest with team members, even when it's uncomfortable, and the value of constructive feedback. The dialogue covers strategies for implementing brutal honesty to promote human flourishing and high-performance cultures. Meade also highlights the significance of having a strong, communicative team and the benefits of in-person interactions to build genuine connections. The episode provides practical advice for both new leaders and those already established, on how to foster transparency and integrity within their organizations.

Links:
* Meade Kincke on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meadekincke/
* "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams - https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B0009JKV9W?tag=sommardahl-20
* Website: Imperfektus - https://imperfektus.com/
* YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@Imperfektus

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:53 Balancing Multiple Roles
01:37 The Importance of Delegation
02:41 Favorite Books and Their Impact
03:53 Humanizing the Guest
04:22 Embarrassing Mistakes in Tech
07:00 Being Brutally Honest
10:24 Crucial Moments for Brutal Honesty
16:33 Promoting Human Flourishing Through Honesty
22:06 The Importance of Private Criticism
23:15 Challenges of Brutal Honesty in Leadership
27:04 Strategies for Effective Communication
30:37 Building a Culture of Accountability
38:42 Unexpected Benefits of Brutal Honesty
42:15 Advice for New and Established Leaders
45:27 Connecting with Meade Kincke