Leading Human-First to Deliver Results and More From Dan Doerksen

Today Dr, Christie recaps her conversation with returning guest Dan Doerksen (author of You Can Manage). They explore a people-first approach to management that intentionally translates into measurable team and organizational results.

Dan’s five-step management framework moves from self-awareness to strengthening the organization, emphasizing that caring for people must be paired with clear focus on outcomes.

Check out Dan’s book: You Can Manage by Dan Doerksen

Connect with Christie: Intentionality Group — coaching and organizational support (email: christie@intentionalitygroup.com)

Key points & takeaways:

- Dan’s five-step framework:

  1. Know who you are (self-awareness)

  2. Invest in your people

  3. Build your team

  4. Advance the team’s work

  5. Strengthen the organization

- Start leadership with the human side, then focus on product/outcomes — not the reverse.

- Psychological safety and trust are foundations, but intentionality is required to convert support into results.

- Leaders must balance caring for people with clarity about desired outcomes and focused energy toward them.

- Repetition and consistency matter: building capability and delivering results is ongoing, not one-off.

- Practical leadership question: Are you leading people toward the desired outcomes — product, revenue, or designed team culture?

Actionable steps for leaders:

- Clarify the specific outcomes your team must deliver.

- Pair regular people-focused practices (feedback, development, trust-building) with concrete performance priorities.

- Limit competing directions; set and protect focused goals.

- Revisit and reinforce the organization-level contribution of your team frequently.

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