In this episode, Byron chats with Sherol Streden, a former project manager turned IT consultant, about the impact of workplace politics on team performance and flourishing. Sherol, who has a rich background as a quality controller and the founder of Boss Dynamics, emphasizes the importance of shielding teams from politics to enhance productivity and prevent burnout. He shares personal anecdotes of past mistakes and lessons learned, highlighting strategies for building trust and maintaining focus in team projects. The conversation also covers the crucial distinction between providing feedback and playing politics, and offers actionable advice for tech leaders on fostering a healthy, effective work environment.

Links: * Sherol Streden on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smstreden/ * "Staring Down the Wolf" by Mark Divine - https://www.amazon.com/Staring-Hardcover-Divine-Leadership-Collection/dp/9124279358?tag=sommardahl-20 * Website - https://bossdynamics.biz/ * Email - [email protected]

Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Sherol Streden 00:17 Sherol's Background and Journey 01:34 Current Professional Endeavors 02:54 Leadership Insights and Book Recommendations 03:40 Learning from Mistakes 08:48 The Importance of Trust in Teams 10:04 Navigating Politics in the Workplace 15:33 Navigating Management Dilemmas 16:35 The Impact of Politics on Burnout 18:21 Leadership Strategies to Protect Your Team 20:01 Balancing Transparency and Protection 23:59 Negotiating and Shielding Your Team 25:21 Challenges and Solutions in Project Management 34:47 The Importance of Mentorship 37:18 Contact Information and Closing Remarks