Episode 078 - Michele Strasz - collaborative leadership

It's ok to not have all of the answers. And the stronger your network, the less risk there is in what you don't know.

Our podcast guest says she is all about relationships. Michelle Strasz is the director of the Capital Area College Access Network and describes herself as the bridge and translator for different groups sitting around the table. She talks to us about collaborative leadership, fresh starts and why you shouldn't resist change.

QUOTE IT
"Tension can be used for good, ultimately to get to the right outcome as an organization." (7:27)
"It's not just listenening to the words people say, it's their body language or seeing how they interact...and understanding what's the core thing driving them." (12:24)

DIG IN
Go to 5:51 to hear Michelle describe how to handle change without becoming paralyzed by fear or over analysis.
At 10:25 Michelle tells a story about how she identified commonalities and organizational gaps at a new job that might help you the next time you need to assess a new environment.

TAKEAWAYS
Change is a natural part of any process, it doesn't have to be good or bad.
Understand what is driving your decisions.
Assess the dynamics of a situation, including the different motivators at play.
Put together solutions that benefit the majority of the group.
Be the model for engaging with others.