In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, Preston Chandler and JL Heather are joined by Daniel Holguin, the Chief Technology Officer at Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachyocca Tribe. Daniel shares his extraordinary journey from a police officer to a leader in the tech world, highlighting the key moments that shaped his career, including overcoming a life-changing cancer diagnosis. Through it all, Daniel has developed a unique leadership style focused on empathy, relationship-building, and resilience.

Daniel dives into what it means to lead with kindness, offering valuable insights into how great leadership goes beyond technical expertise. He emphasizes the importance of fostering strong connections with teams and motivating them by keeping the “why” of a project front and center. In this conversation, Daniel offers real-world wisdom on overcoming challenges within government and tribal organizations, effectively communicating complex ideas, and driving innovation with clear, concise communication.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode: 

Empathy & Relationships in Leadership: Daniel explains how empathy and strong relationships form the foundation of effective leadership and team success. 

Leading with Kindness & Motivation: Learn how to keep your team engaged and motivated by recognizing their value and maintaining a collaborative approach. 

Overcoming Challenges in Government & Tribal Organizations: Daniel shares his experience navigating bureaucracy, securing resources, and aligning teams for impactful change. 

Clear Communication for Tech & Innovation: Discover why clear and concise communication is crucial, especially in technical fields like IT. 

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: How Daniel turned personal adversity into professional success, showing that resilience and adaptability are key in leadership.

Key Takeaways: 

✅ Empathy is a key driver of leadership success.

✅ Leading with kindness fosters collaboration and innovation. 

✅ Overcoming organizational barriers starts with clear communication. 

✅ Resilience and adaptability can transform challenges into growth opportunities. 

✅ Small wins build momentum for bigger innovations.

Links And Resources:

• Daniel Holguin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danielholguinsr
• Website: tachi-yokut-nsn.gov (Company)

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