In this episode, Michael Turner shares his inspiring journey from a children's home to becoming a fractional CTO and Marine Corps veteran. He discusses how he met his wife during a mission trip in Honduras, and the unique life they lead, splitting their time between Tennessee and Honduras. The conversation delves into the importance of leadership and mentoring, with a specific focus on building systems like API for the brain to promote clarity, reduce stress, and enhance team communication. Turner introduces frameworks like the Five Voices and the Health Index to help employees grow both personally and professionally, emphasizing the power of genuine care in leadership. The episode also includes anecdotal experiences, including Turner's humorous kickball mishap, and offers actionable advice for tech leaders to foster human flourishing within their teams.

* Michael Turner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-turner-11615515

* "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins - https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-David-Goggins-audiobook/dp/B07KKP62FW?tag=sommardahl-20

* Website: https://www.miketurner.us/

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
01:18 Technical Setup and Initial Challenges
01:56 Meet Mike Turner: Leadership Journey
06:33 Impact of Marine Corps on Leadership
08:27 Books that Shape Leadership
10:51 Confession Time: Embarrassing Mistakes
12:16 The Kickball Incident
17:46 API for the Brain: Concept Introduction
20:27 Implementing the API Framework
22:04 Setting Professional Growth Plans
23:01 Using Trello Boards for Skill Improvement
25:38 The Five Voices Framework
26:42 Understanding Team Dynamics
31:26 Promoting Human Flourishing
36:20 Challenges in Implementing Frameworks
45:40 The Importance of Caring Leadership
47:52 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this podcast episode, tech leader Rachel Bland shares insights into fostering effective team communication and collaboration. Described as a 'Coordinator of Chaos,' Rachel emphasizes the importance of clear communication and teamwork in achieving results in software development. She explores the nuances between bugs and features and advocates for creating a culture where team members are encouraged to ask questions and engage in open dialogue. Rachel shares personal experiences and highlights the value of iterative problem-solving, vulnerability, and maintaining a balance between collaboration and focused work. Additionally, the episode delves into strategies for promoting human flourishing within tech teams, emphasizing the significance of transparency and empowering team members.

* Rachel Bland on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkmbland/
* Dare to Lead by Brené Brown - https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520?tag=sommardahl-20

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Bland
00:20 Rachel's Journey into Tech
01:19 The Bug vs. Feature Debate
03:33 The Art of Team Communication
04:26 Impactful Reads and Personal Growth
06:03 Confession Time: Embarrassing Mistakes
08:50 Encouraging Team Conversations
18:32 Building a Culture of Open Communication
22:29 The Importance of Team Collaboration
24:53 Balancing Introversion and Teamwork
25:30 The Value of Iterative Development
26:39 Embracing Estimates and Communication
36:44 The Power of Feedback and Vulnerability
44:04 Innovative Problem Solving
47:47 Encouraging Creativity and Collaboration
50:46 Final Thoughts on Team Dynamics

In this episode, organizational development and executive coaching expert Jessica Katz delves into the concept of leading through consent. She explains this management style, which focuses on shifting from power over to power among, fostering a culture of autonomy, and ensuring psychological safety. Jessica shares her journey from IT to agile methodologies and the valuable lessons learned along the way, including the importance of effective communication, listening, and creating a non-retributive environment.
The discussion also highlights practical steps for leaders to start building a consent-driven culture and the challenges they may face. Throughout the conversation, various books and methodologies are referenced, providing listeners with additional resources for further exploration.

* Jessica L Katz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeskatz/
* "Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind" by Geert HOFSTEDE - https://www.amazon.com/Cultures-Organizations-Software-Mind-Third/dp/0071664181?tag=sommardahl-20
* "Psychological Safety" by Dan Radecki and Leone Hall - https://www.amazon.com/Psychological-Safety-happy-high-performing-people/dp/1732159505?tag=sommardahl-20
* "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD - https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X?tag=sommardahl-20
* Website - https://www.poly-labor.com/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:33 Jessica's Background and Interests
01:41 Book Recommendations and Insights
03:58 Confession Time: Embarrassing Mistakes
07:15 Leading Through Consent: An Overview
13:52 The Importance of Psychological Safety
15:40 Struggling with Fairness and Esteem
16:25 The Importance of Trust and Belonging
17:15 Psychological Safety and Human Flourishing
18:09 Challenges Leaders Face in Consent-Based Cultures
23:24 Common Pitfalls and Practical Tips for Leaders
26:41 Real-Life Examples of Leading Through Consent
29:47 Practical Advice for Promoting Human Flourishing
32:51 Connecting with Jessica Kaz

In this episode, the host interviews Monica Swanson, a seasoned IT leader with 30 years of global experience. They discuss the importance of keeping the purpose and vision of a business at the forefront for team members to foster flourishing and productivity. Monica shares her career journey, the impact of purpose on team motivation, and actionable strategies for maintaining this focus within teams. She also provides personal anecdotes, industry insights, and practical advice for tech leaders to improve team effectiveness and engagement. The discussion touches on the balance between technical excellence and fulfilling business objectives, highlighting the profound impact of purpose-driven work.

* Monica Swanson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaroeswanson/

* "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Them-Theory-Life-Changing-Millions/dp/B0DFMZMKFJ?tag=sommardahl-20

* "In On It" by Elisabeth O'Toole - https://www.amazon.com/Adoptive-Parents-Adoption-Relatives-Friends/dp/0982876505?tag=sommardahl-20

* "The Introvert's Edge" by Matthew Pollard - https://www.amazon.com/The-Introverts-Edge-audiobook/dp/B074XKXNQZ?tag=sommardahl-20

* Website: monroebusinesssolutions.com

* Email: monica@monroebusinesssolutions.com

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Business
00:31 Meet Monica Swanson
01:22 Monica's Professional Background
02:46 Personal Interests and Hobbies
06:32 Confession Time: Embracing Mistakes
09:21 Keeping Purpose Top of Mind
17:30 The Impact of Purpose on Teams
27:04 The Importance of Grounding Meetings in Purpose
27:26 Interactive Communication and the Power of Stories
29:35 Understanding Customer and Employee Experiences
31:18 Trust and Transparency in Leadership
35:08 The Pitfalls of Micromanagement
44:33 Aligning IT and Business Goals
46:30 Unexpected Career Paths Through Purpose-Driven Work
48:41 Practical Tips for Tech Leaders

In this episode, the host engages in a compelling conversation with Nate Abele, an experienced tech advisor and strategist, about fostering a culture of ownership and accountability within tech teams. Nate shares his personal experiences, insights on the benefits of empowering team members, and practical advice on how to implement this mindset. The discussion covers the importance of intentional leadership, avoiding common pitfalls, and enhancing team productivity and morale by making individuals feel like they own their work. Additionally, Nate provides a candid look into how adopting this approach helped turn around a struggling startup project. The episode is packed with actionable tips and thought-provoking ideas for tech leaders looking to inspire and lead their teams effectively.

* Nate Abele on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nateabele/
* "Boundaries with Kids" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend - https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Children-Control-Their/dp/0310243157?tag=sommardahl-20
* Website - https://nateabele.com/

00:00 Introduction: Minimalist Tech Habits
01:08 Switching from Windows to Mac
01:59 The Messy Windows Registry
02:56 Starting the Discussion
04:07 Guest Introduction: Nate Abele
04:52 Nate's Background and Current Work
06:25 Book Recommendation: Boundaries with Kids
08:28 Confession Time: Embarrassing Leadership Moments
16:54 The Importance of Boundaries in Leadership
19:57 Making Teams Feel Like Owners
22:00 Ownership and Accountability in Business
24:26 Human Flourishing and Ownership
27:52 Implementing Ownership in Teams
32:08 Challenges and Pitfalls of Ownership
36:10 Success Stories and Unexpected Outcomes
43:59 Practical Advice for Tech Leaders
49:53 Conclusion and Contact Information