Do you wonder if your team genuinely loves working for you... or if they're secretly planning their exit? Even well-intentioned leaders can unknowingly become the boss people want to escape from. In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, host Kris Liebau interviews Joel Hilchey, author of "The Six and a Half Habits of Highly Defective Bosses." Joel reveals the surprising differences between bosses people love and bosses people leave - and how to make sure you're the former. ...

Stop treating well-being as dessert after you've eaten your performance vegetables. Learn why integration, not sacrifice, is the key to sustainable high performance. In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, leadership coach Kris Liebau reveals why the most successful leaders don't choose between performance and wellbeing—they master both. Perfect for leaders who: Feel guilty taking breaks while their team is working hardCan't turn off their racing minds, even during downtimeBelieve ...

Are you frustrated that your team isn't buying into new initiatives despite having all the facts and data to support your decisions? You're not alone. Most analytical leaders make the mistake of thinking more PowerPoint slides and detailed explanations will overcome resistance. In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, leadership coach Kris Liebau reveals the real reasons teams drag their feet on change - and it's not what you think. 🔑 What You'll Learn: The 2 communication cha...

Are your factual data-driven presentations falling flat? Getting endless clarifying questions instead of action? If you're an analytical leader struggling to build buy-in despite having solid data and compelling spreadsheets, this episode is for you. Leadership coach Kris Liebau interviews communication expert Barbara Boldt to reveal why technical professionals often fail to persuade—and how to fix it. Key Takeaways: 🔑Why informing ≠ persuading (and when you're actually "pitching" wit...

Do you cringe at the word "networking"? In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, host Kris Liebau and guest Greg Peters (The Reluctant Networker) reveal why most analytical leaders hate networking—and how to completely redefine it. Forget awkward small talk and business card exchanges. Discover a practical approach to building genuine professional relationships that actually deliver value. Learn why networking isn't about putting on your "funeral suit" but about strategically ...

In this episode of Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet, host Kris Liebau and executive coach Aaron Fields explore the hidden psychology of procrastination for high-achieving professionals. Discover: why procrastination isn't about laziness but about avoiding uncomfortable feelings, how perfectionism masquerades as productivity, and practical strategies to shift from analysis paralysis to meaningful actionhow to recognize when you're procrastinating (even when you're busy), create a...

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 weaknessesThe hidden costs of achiev...

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 creativitySimple communication often yields better resultsBeing present unlocks genuine cur...

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 ...

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 focusMethods for optimizing your pe...

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 duri...

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-edg...

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 🔑 Bui...

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" winsPractical strategies for building celebration into your daily routineWhy acknowledging small victories drives major resultsThe connection between celebration and sustained...

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...

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 fin...

Are you engaged in a battle with your calendar and you mind on how to maximize each hour of the day to get it "ALL" done? Feeling like those Tetris skills you honed in your youth are helping you squeeze every little time block into place? Discover how to optimize your personal operational capacity with Kris Liebau on "Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet." In this eye-opening episode, Kris explores the delicate balance between maximizing potential and maintaining well-being. Key insights: Un...

Discover the power of self-awareness in leadership coaching with Kris Liebau on Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet. In this eye-opening episode, Kris shares her journey founding Action and Ease Leadership Coaching and reveals how personal growth drives positive workplace change. Key takeaways: - Boost leadership effectiveness through self-awareness - Identify and overcome limiting patterns and habits - Integrate knowledge into action for professional development - Find the right actions for progr...

In this debut episode of “Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet,” Kris Liebau, an engineer turned engineering leadership coach, reveals the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in driving successful projects and processes. Kris shares her personal journey from technical problem-solving to understanding the crucial importance of people management. Learn why emotional intelligence and difficult conversations are key to addressing root causes and building strong relationships, and discover how coachi...

Reconnect and ignite the power of your one-on-one meetings to build stronger teams and boost productivity. In this episode of "Leading Beyond the Spreadsheet," host Kris Liebau reveals how to turn these often-overlooked sessions into valuable opportunities for relationship-building and empowerment. Key takeaways: Balance your roles as manager, mentor, and coachCreate energizing and productive one-on-onesFoster critical thinking while providing directionImplement strategies for effective team ...