In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Eric Girard, founder of Girard Training Solutions and author of Lead Like a Pro.  Eric has dedicated his career to helping new managers transition from individual contributors to effective leaders who can inspire and guide their teams.

We explored so many valuable insights about leadership, including:

• The crucial mindset shift for new managers: Moving from being a doer to becoming a leader who achieves results through others.
• The art of delegation: Why it’s essential to let go and how it can even involve a bit of grieving.
• SMART and stretch goals: How to set meaningful, achievable goals that align with company priorities and motivate your team.
• The importance of feedback and coaching: Eric shares his favorite models, like GROW and SBI, to elevate team performance.
• Building stronger relationships with DISC: A tool to understand different working styles and how to collaborate effectively.

Eric also shared some personal stories, including a powerful scuba diving metaphor for management that you don’t want to miss. His ability to connect everyday experiences to leadership lessons is truly inspiring!

For organizations in the climate-critical space or any mission-driven sector, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you develop managers who can thrive in complex, fast-changing environments.

Links and Resources:

• Eric’s Website: Girard Training Solutions
• Eric’s Book: Lead Like a Pro on Amazon
• Eric’s Podcast: Management Development Unlocked

Eric's bio:
Eric Girard has over 30 years of experience helping improve the performance of managers and employees. He specializes in the development of new managers, focusing on their successful transition to their new role and on their team management skills. He has a high-energy and engaging facilitation style.

Eric is a passionate, lifelong learner. He is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer pursuing the rating of IDC Staff Instructor. When not designing or delivering training, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and twin 15-year-old daughters.

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