What if the biggest risk in your next project isn't the budget, the timeline, or the building code — but the people?

In this episode, Chris and Brad take their signature walk and unpack a real conversation that unfolded over a lunch on holiday.

Chris shares how a chance encounter with two accomplished leaders turned into a powerful reminder of what even the most capable leaders can miss.

A seasoned manager had done everything right, yet when it came time to move forward, the very people she was trying to help pushed back hard. Why? Because no one had assessed the relational risk: the fears, past experiences, and questions of the people involved.

Chris and Brad explore why talented leaders are often the most at risk of leaving people behind, and what to do when you realize you've gotten out ahead of your people.

• The Relational Risk Assessment — Why your plan needs a people-risk column alongside budget, timeline, and compliance
• Fear Fills the Blanks — When people don't have the full picture, they write their own ending (and it's usually worse than reality)
• The Puzzle Analogy — How sharing the frame of the puzzle first brings people in, rather than leaving them frustrated on the outside
• The Power of the Pause — A simple but powerful move for leaders who've charged ahead: pause publicly, invite people in, and push play together
• Talent as a Liability — Why the more capable you are, the easier it is to leave people behind without realizing it

Leading relationally isn't a leadership tool — it's a lens. And once it's on, you can't turn it off (even on holiday).

Before you charge ahead on your next initiative, ask yourself: Have I done the relational risk assessment?