Are great leaders born...or are they built through experience, relationships, and deliberate practice?

After spending ten years as a junior high English teacher, Teli Van Rycke made the kind of career change most people only talk about. Today, as Regional Director of Workforce Innovation at the Greater Burlington Partnership, she develops leaders, strengthens workplace culture, and helps shape the workforce of tomorrow.

Together we unpack several assumptions about leadership—from the myth of the "born leader" to imposter syndrome, hiring, organizational culture, mentorship, discipline, and why putting people first may be the most effective way to accomplish any mission.

• Why the idea of the "born leader" may be one of leadership's biggest myths.
• Why great organizational culture retains talented people better than pay or perks.
• Why putting people first is often the best way to accomplish the mission.
• How recruiting relationships often outperform traditional hiring processes.
• Why imposter syndrome doesn't mean you're unqualified.
• How mentorship accelerates growth and confidence.
• What the Working Genius framework reveals about building stronger teams.
• Why discipline extends far beyond the gym.
• Teli's leadership philosophy: Be the leader you want to have.

Ready to take your leadership to the next level?

Join the Next Level Leadership Community at parksandrestoration.com.

Parks and Restoration is a podcast and leadership development platform exploring leadership through the lens of ecology — for the land, via the people who serve it. Each episode is built for current and aspiring leaders in parks, conservation, and natural resources who want practical wisdom on culture, growth, and what it really takes to lead well.

Better leaders. Better parks.