What does it take to move an entire organization forward—without relying on brute force leadership or toxic top-down control? In this episode, Chris Hutchinson shares how authentic leadership creates ripple effects that move teams, organizations, and entire systems.

Drawing from his book Ripple, Chris explains how small, intentional leadership actions can generate long-lasting, exponential impact.

He reflects on his own journey from an early experience on a challenging team in the military to building thriving leadership ecosystems. We discuss why thriving teams start with trust and interdependence, and what happens when “brilliant jerks” are no longer protected by leadership.

Chris also breaks down why efficiency is the wrong starting point for sustainable success, how micromanagement is often a survival strategy, and how leaders can better equip themselves and others for collective performance.

This is a must-listen for anyone navigating siloed environments, leading technical experts, or seeking to start a culture change ripple with their immediate team.

Resources

Ripple: A Field Manual for Leadership that Works

Sticky-note facilitation exercises for alignment

Goldilocks Curve (performance vs. overuse model)

Connect with Chris & Trebuchet Group

Website: trebuchetgroup.com

Book: rippleleader.com

About Team Lab

TeamLab explores the power of teams, the science and art of collaboration, and the magic of thriving relationships at work. Hosted by Angela Migliaccio and Cori Caldwell, this podcast brings you inspiring stories and insights to help you build trust, foster alignment, and unlock creativity in your teams.

Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe/follow to never miss an episode!

What happens when you're a capable leader trapped in a challenging organizational culture?

How do you create value and showcase your team's worth when you're dealing with controlling stakeholders, chaotic planning processes, and an authoritarian leadership style that permeates the entire organization?

In this special solo episode of Team Lab, hosts Angela Migliaccio and Cori Caldwell unpack a real listener situation from ‘Holly*’, a senior director at a large software company navigating the complexities of a highly matrixed, high-pressure environment with challenging stakeholder dynamics.

This episode explores the systemic nature of workplace dysfunction, practical tools for building psychological safety, and strategies for creating positive change from within - even when you feel like "a small cog in an important wheel deep inside the machine."

*Names and details anonymized.

Two-by-Two Stakeholder Matrix: Map stakeholders by influence level and relationship quality to identify gaps.

"Walk in My Shoes" Exercise: Empty chair technique for building empathy and understanding across roles.

Design Alliance/Rules of Engagement: Creating team contracts for communication and decision-making.

Red Card/Green Card System: Behavioral feedback tools for team accountability.

"Yes, And" Communication: Improv-based technique for building on ideas rather than shutting them down.

Need advice about a sticky situation with your team? Head to teamlabatwork.com, click the 'Submit a Team Dynamic Story' button and you just may hear it unpacked on a future episode!

"The Heart Aroused" by David Whyte - Referenced book on bringing humanity to corporate environments

About Team Lab

Team Lab explores the power of teams, the science and art of collaboration, and the magic of thriving relationships at work. Hosted by Angela Migliaccio and Cori Caldwell, this podcast brings you inspiring stories and insights to help you build trust, foster alignment, and unlock creativity in your teams.

Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe/follow here to never miss an episode!

Team Lab's theme music was composed and performed by @subrasonic

What if we told you that your team’s capacity to carry challenging moments without shutting down is directly related to the amount of time you invest with them to build a culture of trust, adaptability and emotional intelligence?

In this wide-ranging conversation, leadership coach and global facilitator Joshua Pinchuk joins us to explore what it means to lead in a fast-changing work world. He shares stories from his own career—from a factory floor mishap that defined his leadership philosophy to coaching tech teams navigating the rise of AI.

Joshua makes the case for ditching outdated command-and-control leadership models in favor of compassionate, curiosity-driven cultures. He talks about how flatter organizations, mounting workplace pressures, and the speed of technological change are challenging leaders in new ways—and how adaptability, experimentation, and emotional intelligence are the remedies to meet the moment.

He also offers thoughtful insights on the future of work, including why companies must invest in early career professionals and embrace internal mobility to better maintain a flow of fresh perspective, engagement and commitment.

Joshua Pinchuk is an experienced leader in the fields of learning and coaching. Joshua has over twenty-five years of experience driving innovation in education, talent development, and organizational transformation. Recognized for his skills in people management, leadership development, and performance coaching, Joshua is passionate about enabling individuals and organizations to succeed.

Resources Mentioned

BetterUp Report → The Performance Crisis

Peter Drucker: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

About Team Lab

Team Lab explores the power of teams, the science and art of collaboration, and the magic of thriving relationships at work. Hosted by Angela Migliaccio and Cori Caldwell, this podcast brings you inspiring stories and insights to help you build trust, foster alignment, and unlock creativity in your teams.

Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe/follow here to never miss an episode!