Building Bridges: The Art of Curiosity in Leadership

 Are you a people leader looking to unlock the full potential of your team? If so, you'll want to hear what Charlene Bunting has to say. She's a seasoned leader in software engineering management with extensive experience in fostering effective team dynamics and nurturing cross-functional collaboration and we're thrilled to welcome here to the Manager-to-Manager podcast. 

Join us as Charlene takes us through her diverse journey, encompassing roles such as business analyst, systems analyst, project manager, and more, leading up to her current position as the Senior Director of Software Engineering at Workiva. She highlights the significance of viewing an organization as a cohesive unit, where success is achieved not in silos but through concerted effort across various functions.

Throughout our dialogue, Charlene illustrates her unique "Curiosity Mission" approach, a method that involves understanding team interactions, uncovering interdependencies, and addressing collective challenges. She shares an enlightening story from her career that underscores the importance of creating psychological safety and resolving friction between teams.

Moreover, Charlene discusses her strategies for fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their challenges, thus aiding in identifying and addressing blind spots. Her focus on building and maintaining relationships within and across teams is a testament to her empathetic and inclusive leadership style.

Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this episode offers practical advice on building a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

 

Show Notes:

Connect with Charlene on LinkedIn

 

Charlene's Recommended Books:

The Like Switch

Leadership and Self Deception