When I grew up in corporate, I was taught the following:

• Leave your baggage at the door.
• Fake it until you make it.
• Suck it up, buttercup.

As a result, as an employee and new manager, I thought you had to divorce your emotions and personal life from your work life as soon as you entered your work environment.

What I have learned over time is that I was WRONG with a capital “W.” I have managed and led many people over the years and learned that you manage to the person’s soul and total person, not just their productivity or work persona.

We as leaders need to show up authentically and treat our employees as the capable adults they are. My guest today, Andrea Wanerstrand, is aligned with me in my perspective. 

During the podcast, Andrea and I chatted about:

1. What does an A3 Culture mean? What are the key features of that culture?
2. How we can navigate our emotions at work.
3. Barriers that prevent people from being real and authentic at the job
4. The 5 conversations toolbox
5. Advice that Andrea would give to a leader that struggles with empathy and authority
6. How we can take our teams from dependent to autonomous