Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet

When you've invested heavily in processes but aren't seeing the expected returns, the problem might not be in your systems—it's in your and your team's thinking patterns. In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, coach Kris Liebau reveals how high-achieving leaders sabotage results through overplayed strengths like perfectionism, achievement addiction, and hypervigilance.

Discover:

• Why we struggle to see when our greatest strengths become limiting weaknesses
• The hidden costs of achievement addiction, perfectionism, and people-pleasing
• Why awareness alone isn't enough—the critical steps to transform insight into change

Perfect for directors and executives who've implemented process improvements and culture change initiatives but still face roadblocks. 

#ExecutiveLeadership #ProcessOptimization #PerformanceImprovement #LeadershipDevelopment #StrategicThinking #BusinessEfficiency #ManagementConsulting

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Discover how improv techniques can transform your leadership style from task-focused to truly present and engaging. In this Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet episode, improv experts and coaches Betsy Salkind and Amy Warshawsky reveal how structured improvisation techniques can help analytical leaders build stronger teams and clearer communication.

Gain insights on why:

• Structure and rules actually enhance creativity
• Simple communication often yields better results
• Being present unlocks genuine curiosity

Perfect for directors, managers, and leaders ready to move beyond spreadsheets to create meaningful team connections while maintaining their analytical edge. 

Connect with Kris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisliebau/

Learn more about BNA Mentor Coaching: https://www.BNAMentorCoaching.com/corporate-team-coaching

#LeadershipDevelopment #ManagementSkills #TeamBuilding #ImprovSkills #BusinessCommunication #ExecutivePresence #CorporateTraining

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Engineering leader Jim Mason shares powerful insights on managing scope creep, making effective course corrections, and maintaining project momentum. Join Kris Liebau, host of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, and Jim as they explore how sailing's "Velocity Made Good" principle transforms project management and team leadership. 

In this episode, Kris and Jim unpack strategies for:

⛵ Optimizing team velocity while navigating obstacles
🗺️ Making data-driven course corrections without losing sight of goals
🧭 Mentoring junior engineers through project challenges

Perfect for engineering managers, project leaders, and technical teams looking to improve project outcomes while maintaining team momentum. Kris brings her expertise in helping analytically-minded leaders balance technical excellence with people leadership. Watch to unlock the secret of efficient progress, even when the path isn't straight.

New episodes of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet drop every other Tuesday.

#EngineeringLeadership #ProjectManagement #TeamLeadership #Engineering #Mentoring

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Transform your leadership effectiveness with a data-driven approach to time management. Join Kris Liebau as she breaks down the four essential pillars of productivity: volume management, focused execution, mental energy optimization, and strategic perspective.

🎯 Perfect for engineering managers, technical directors, and data-driven leaders looking to maximize their impact while minimizing overwhelm.

In this episode, discover:

• Strategies for maintaining deep focus
• Methods for optimizing your peak mental performance hours
• Practical techniques for building team clarity and momentum

 🔑 Learn how top tech leaders are reducing context switching, eliminating productivity bottlenecks, and creating high-performance team cultures through strategic time management.

#TechLeadership #ProductivityHacks #EngineeringManagement #TimeManagement

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Struggling with endless tasks and competing priorities? Join Kris Liebau on Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet as she reveals proven strategies for busy professionals to conquer work overload in Part 1 of this 2-part series on time management. Learn how to implement the Eisenhower Matrix, master task triage, and lead with emotional intelligence.

Discover practical techniques to:

• ✓ Transform your approach to task prioritization
• ✓ Make confident delegation decisions
• ✓ Navigate team communication during priority shifts
• ✓ Balance strategic thinking with daily demands

Perfect for technical directors, overcommitted leaders, and project managers looking to move beyond reactive management and build sustainable leadership practices. Subscribe for more leadership insights and actionable strategies.

#TechLeadership #TimeManagement #ProductivityTips #ManagementSkills #LeadershipDevelopment

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Join Kris Liebau, our host, and Heidi Ettlinger, global snowsports leader, as they explore how expert bias impacts communication effectiveness by experts in their respective fields. Discover why your expertise might be hindering your ability to connect with your team and learn practical strategies for overcoming the 'curse of knowledge.' This episode reveals how humble curiosity and active listening can transform your leadership communication style.

Key takeaways:

• Understanding the double-edged sword of confidence in expertise
• Practical techniques for adapting communication to diverse audiences
• How to balance sharing expertise while remaining open to collaboration
• Strategies for building trust through authentic communication
• The importance of active listening in leadership effectiveness

Perfect for technical leaders, data analysts, and subject matter experts looking to enhance their communication impact and team engagement. 

You can connect with Heidi and follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-ettlinger-gearingtogo/

#TechnicalLeadership #CommunicationSkills #ExpertBias #LeadershipDevelopment

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Struggling to find satisfaction and purpose in your leadership role? In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, coach Kris Liebau reveals how to establish and reconnect with your purpose as a leader. Learn why getting things done isn't enough anymore, and discover how to measure success beyond spreadsheets and tasks. Perfect for technical managers, directors, and executives who miss the satisfaction of hands-on work.

 Key takeaways:

🔑 Redefine success beyond task completion
🔑 Build genuine trust through meaningful relationships
🔑 Transform challenges into team-building opportunities
🔑 Create lasting impact through small, consistent actions

Whether you're a new manager or seasoned executive feeling disconnected from your work, this episode provides practical strategies to find purpose and satisfaction in leadership. Subscribe for more insights on becoming an inspiring leader while honoring your technical roots.

📝 Download the free companion worksheet: www.actionandeasecoaching.com/purpose

#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #TechnicalLeader #Management #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Transform your leadership by mastering the art of celebration! In this powerful episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, Kris Liebau reveals why celebrating success - both visible and invisible - is crucial for sustainable growth and team motivation.

In this episode, discover:

• How to identify and celebrate "invisible" wins
• Practical strategies for building celebration into your daily routine
• Why acknowledging small victories drives major results
• The connection between celebration and sustained motivation

This episode is perfect for leaders who want to move beyond the checklist mentality and create lasting positive change. Learn how celebrating progress, not just outcomes, can revolutionize your leadership approach and team dynamics.

#Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamMotivation #SuccessMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #CorporateCulture

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Expressing gratitude may feel unnecessary when expectations are simply being met. Yet 81% of employees say they would work harder if their leaders showed appreciation, and 74% of workers say they rarely receive it. In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, Kris Liebau breaks down the tangible impact of strategic gratitude and provides a framework for analytical leaders to implement it effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• • How high expectations can inadvertently block appreciation
• • Delivering gratitude and thanks when expectations are met versus exceeded
• • Common pitfalls analytical leaders face with appreciation

Perfect for technical, engineering, and finance leaders who value data but may be missing opportunities to multiply team performance through strategic appreciation. 
💡Discover how small adjustments in your recognition approach can create measurable improvements in team engagement and output.

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

In this thought-provoking episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, host Kris Liebau explores the intricate relationship between abundant choices and our desires to map outcomes spur on overthinking. Discover how the sheer number of options in today's workplace can compound decision-making challenges, leading to analysis paralysis. 

Join us as we delve into the mental complexities of contemplating countless variables and their potential outcomes, shedding light on why leaders often find themselves stuck in cycles of indecision. This episode aims to bring awareness to the hidden costs of the cycle of overthinking. 

Takeaways
- Self-judgment and criticism fuel the cycle of overthinking.
- Understand how the amount of choice we have impact overthinking.
- Awareness of the impact of overthinking is the first step to change.
- Overthinking has more costs than just time.

Looking for some curious questions to help break the speed of the thought tornado inside your head?  
Check out our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and connect with questions to help turn your and your team's overthinking into powerful insights. 

Download your free guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit

Transform your one-on-ones from mundane check-ins to powerful performance drivers! 

Grab our free "One-on-One Upgrade Toolkit" and start unlocking your team's true potential today. 

Download your guide at https://www.actionandeasecoaching.com/toolkit