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Leadership Jam SessionWhere leaders come to jam on various leadership topics. Author: Rob Fonte
Rob Fonte is the host of the Leadership Jam Session Podcast, where every other week you'll get to hear leaders at all levels of management share their practical solutions to the management challenges you face every day. On this podcast, Rob shares leadership experiences with listeners by bringing in leaders from all different levels to Jam on a variety of leadership topics. Some of the best insights are captured from just listening and learning from each other as they share their experiences. More importantly, we learn to see things through the lens of a different perspective and how to move forward with a different approach. With that concept in mind, the Leadership Jam Session podcast was born. Be sure to stay up to date at leadershipjamsession.com. Language: en Genres: Business, Education, Management, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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106: People First, with Ryan Pawless
Episode 106
Monday, 12 January, 2026
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Pawless, Vice President of Sales for a leading medical device company, to explore his people-first leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent at every stage of a career. Ryan draws on more than a decade of management experience—including leading global teams—to share his insights on balancing empathy and accountability, cultivating authentic relationships, and driving performance through intentional development.We dive into Ryan Pawless’s practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the hidden potential in individuals, managing large teams across multiple time zones, and designing effective development plans regardless of tenure or ambition. Listen in to hear real examples of career growth, promotional success, and the role of managers in actively supporting employees' ongoing learning—whether moving up the ladder or simply being the best in-role.Key takeaways:People-first leadership means prioritizing investment in team members, understanding what motivates them, and creating environments for success.Development is not just about career advancement, but also building new skills, behaviors within current roles.Authentic relationships—knowing employees beyond their work—are essential to effective coaching, retention, and performance.Intentional, regular development discussions (not just annual reviews) promote continuous growth and support business results.Balancing empathy with accountability is crucial: leaders must recognize when supportive conversations turn into unhealthy patterns and address them constructively.Leaders actively contribute to building each employee’s brand and influence, helping them embrace risk, learn new skills, and refine behaviors for career longevity and fulfillment.Whether you manage six or nineteen direct reports, this episode offers actionable advice and reflection points for leaders at every level seeking to inspire, grow, and empower their teams.
