Season 9 Episode 10: The Ripple Effect with Lisa Even

In this episode of The Thermostat Podcast, host Jason V Barger welcomes Lisa Even—a dynamic leader whose journey from waitressing at a local café to steering multi-million-dollar budgets in corporate America has transformed her perspective on leadership and team culture. The conversation offers invaluable insights into how leaders can foster a positive corporate culture, drive team engagement, and create lasting impacts in every aspect of their work and personal lives.

A Journey of Connection and Impact

Lisa Even’s story is a testament to the power of hard work and authentic connection. Starting her career in a humble setting, she learned early on the value of building relationships that extend beyond day-to-day tasks. Her transformation into a respected leader is rooted in the idea that you happen to the world, not the other way around—a phrase that encapsulates her philosophy on leadership.

Throughout the episode, Lisa shares how her personal experiences and professional challenges have guided her to develop strategies that integrate joy, accountability, and meaningful participation within teams. She emphasizes the importance of taking time to step back and evaluate the “temperature” of a team, ensuring that each member feels valued and connected.

Cultivating a Positive Corporate Culture

The conversation highlights key strategies for creating a vibrant corporate culture:

• Intentional Engagement: Lisa encourages leaders to make space for genuine human connection. By understanding what brings joy to individuals—whether in personal or professional contexts—leaders can craft an environment where everyone thrives.
• Curiosity and Empathy: An essential part of fostering team cohesion is the practice of asking questions and seeking to understand the experiences of team members. As Lisa notes, this approach not only builds trust but also prevents negative energy from taking root.
• Participatory Leadership: The episode underscores the power of involving team members in decision-making. By allowing employees to contribute to solutions—such as when a simple change like a new policy around the office coffee break was collaboratively devised—leaders create a shared sense of ownership and purpose.

A particularly memorable moment is when Lisa recalls her experience with an ice machine in the break room. Initially, a team member’s impassioned reaction signaled deeper underlying issues. Instead of dismissing the concern, Lisa’s curiosity led her to uncover the story behind it, and in doing so, she turned a moment of potential discord into an opportunity for connection and growth.

Notable Quotes to Inspire Leadership and Team Success

Throughout the podcast, several powerful quotes stand out:

“The best leaders and team cultures in the world are the ones that make time to step back, breathe in good oxygen, and calibrate their thermostat.”
– Jason V Barger

“You happen to the world, not the other way around.”
– Lisa Even

“Joy is my job.”
– Lisa Even

Each of these quotes reinforces the idea that leadership is about setting a positive example and intentionally creating an environment where every action contributes to the larger mission of building strong, resilient teams.

Practical Insights for Leaders and Organizations

Lisa Even’s approach is both practical and transformative. Her experience in industries like healthcare, where the pressure is high and the stakes are even higher, has honed her ability to maintain balance between urgency and empathy. By routinely checking in with her team—taking the “temperature” of the workplace—she ensures that challenges are addressed proactively and that every member feels heard.

This strategy is not limited to any one sector; it applies to any organization aiming to foster a positive culture and effective leadership. When leaders actively seek to understand the needs and emotions of their teams, they set the stage for a ripple effect of goodwill and productivity that can transform an entire organization.

A Question to Ponder

Reflect on your own leadership or team experience: How will you create a ripple effect in your team that not only inspires engagement and joy but also transforms your corporate culture for the better?

By embracing the principles shared by Lisa Even and Jason V Barger, leaders at all levels can turn everyday interactions into powerful opportunities for growth and positive change.

Links and References

For more insights and practical tips, be sure to check out Jason V Barger’s book Breathing Oxygen. This book dives deeper into the concepts discussed in this episode and provides additional strategies for fostering a positive mindset and effective leadership.

Visit LisaEven.com as referenced in this podcast follow her on Instagram instagram.com/lisaeven_

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By incorporating these practices into your summer routine, you can breathe new life into your personal and professional endeavors. Remember, as Jason says, “The best leaders, teams, and cultures on the planet stimulate progress by recalibrating their thermostat together.”

Our next episode will feature “Feels Like” Temperatures with Christian Long. Stay Tuned!