We brought the chaos, the questions, and the real talk to Spokane. In this special live episode recorded at the Inland Northwest Project Managers Institute, our leadership collective tackled the messy, complicated questions that keep leaders up at night—and we didn't pull any punches. From managing constant change to navigating the minefield of "free labor," this one's packed with raw, actionable wisdom that only comes from years in the trenches.

THE MAIN POINTS

1. Change Is the Constant—Control What You Actually Can When organizations are in perpetual motion, leaders often waste energy fighting the unfightable. The real move? Identify what's in your control and what isn't. Let go of the missile you can't stop, focus on the chess pieces you can move, and help your team do the same. Acceptance isn't surrender—it's strategy.

2. Leadership Isn't About Power, It's About Influence Hard lesson learned: having the title, the corner office, and the rubber tree plant doesn't equal actual power. Real leadership happens when you influence people toward shared mission and vision, not when you command compliance. It's servant leadership, always.

3. Motivation vs. Inspiration—Know the Difference (and Pick the Right One) You can motivate someone with fear and pressure. That wears off. Inspiration? That sticks. The best leaders create environments where people choose their own motivation instead of chasing external carrots or dodging sticks. Daily rhythm beats one-time pep talk every time.

4. Going Above and Beyond Has a Price—Make Sure You Know What It Is Working unpaid overtime to prove yourself is a trap with teeth. Before you sacrifice your vacation days and personal bandwidth, ask yourself: Am I choosing this, or am I being trained to accept exploitation? Have the conversation. Get clarity. And if the company won't align with your values, they're not your people.

5. Managers Maintain; Leaders Create One runs the jungle floor with efficiency metrics. The other looks from the treetops and asks what's next. You can have a management position and still be a leader—it just requires perspective, relationships, and the willingness to serve rather than direct.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Leadership isn't complicated. It's just uncomfortable. Real leaders don't hide behind titles or fear tactics. They show up, ask the hard questions, communicate relentlessly, create clarity where there's chaos, and put people first. Full stop.

TUNE IN FOR:

CLOSING STATEMENT

If you're leading from fear, you're leading from the wrong place. Come join us—we're making leadership actually make sense.

Have questions,  suggestions or just a great story to tell about some Leadership BS you have experienced? Let us know by emailing us 

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