Episode 91: A New Paradigm for Teamwork and Community with Dr. Esther Zeledon

Guest Bio

Overall, I make meaningful differences in leaders’ ability to envision, strategize, and achieve their objectives. Leading governments, donors, executives, communities and individuals (whoever I am engaging with at that time) to identify their branch points and opportunities, I work with them to structure their short- and long-term goals. We jointly frame their objectives and create custom strategies to help them reach these milestones.

Building Capability

I work with governments, donors, executive, communities and individuals to define and integrate their vision into plans spanning business development, sustainability plans, communication strategies, KPI refinement, project management, and more to gain:

✅ Clarity around their goals
✅ Insight into their barriers
✅ A plan for bigger impact
✅ Balance among the competing demands on their time and mental spaces

Through a whole-person and whole-team systems approach, I encourage people to embrace and incorporate every aspect of their professional and personal lives into their growth programs. People who interact with me in this way thus understand their strengths and the joys of sustainable growth—both individually and as members of an interconnected group.

Expanding Team Capacity and Realizing Organizational Potential

I focus on using Systems Analysis / Thinking to realize locally led solutions for some of the most challenging development issues experienced across some of the world’s most conflicted / controversial areas. Building on domain expertise in the ESG space, I work alongside organizations to help them create visibility and advocacy within peer institutions, including NGOs, public entities, and private corporations:

✅ Advising executives in bilateral and multilateral development organizations on program development and goal realization
✅ Partnering with NGO leadership on strategies to ensure that program beneficiaries can build on the initial interventions and sustainably succeed for the long term
✅ Creatively acquiring funds to support cross-functional projects that overlap disciplines
✅ Engaging powerful private and public (local, national, global) stakeholders to strengthen goal achievement.

Recap & Takeaways

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Welcome to the Future of Teamwork Podcast00:18 Introducing Dr. Esther Zeledon: Trailblazer in Leadership and Teamwork
00:37 The Power of Purpose in Team Dynamics
02:36 Dr. Zeledon’s Journey: From Trailblazer to Diplomat
04:04 Creating Impactful Teams Through Listening and Shared Vision
10:16 Unpacking Purpose: Individual and Collective Impact
14:26 The Art of Listening and the Importance of Purpose in Teams
26:52 Reimagining Team Dynamics: From Childhood Insights to Global Impact
29:00 Discovering Your ‘How To’ Through Journaling
30:01 The Power of Community Centers: A Vision for Change
30:57 Building Vibrant Communities: A Strategic Approach
31:52 Personalizing Problem-Solving Strategies
34:16 Redefining Resumes: Showcasing Unique Value
35:36 Challenging Traditional Hiring Practices
36:23 The Importance of Team Composition and Vulnerability
45:03 Aspirations Beyond Metrics: A New Perspective on Success
49:44 Creating Your Own Limitless Life