January 27, 2026
Episode 172: Leading Without Burnout: Mastering Human Energy with Andrea Wanerstrand
What if the key to better leadership and stronger teams starts with how you manage your own energy? In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane Groeneveld chats with Andrea Wanerstrand, founder and CEO of A3 Culture Lab, a company that provides fractional executive advisory, coaching, and consulting services. They have a very human conversation about energy management, leadership, burnout, and connection you won’t want to miss.
You’ll hear Andrea break down her Mindset Maven methodology, which includes the role of our three brains (gut, heart, and thinking brain), and how they affect our leadership decisions. She also describes the difference between being nice and being kind as a leader, how visualization and energy management help leaders navigate ambiguity, and practical ways to manage emotional triggers at work.
Finally, they unpack why “drudgery” isn’t the same for everyone and why some routine, hands-on, or systematic work can be deeply restorative, especially in knowledge-based roles filled with ambiguity. They dive into Andrea’s A³ philosophy – Authenticity, Autonomy, and Accountability – and how these elements create a reinforcing loop that drives trust, clarity, and innovation.
Whether you’re in remote or in-person work, this is a must-listen for leaders who want to foster connection and lead effectively without burning themselves – or their teams – out.
🔗 Connect with Andrea Wanerstrand on LinkedIn or email her at AndreaW@a3culturelab.com
Leading Without Burnout: Mastering Human Energy with Andrea Wanerstrand
Guest Bio
Andrea Wanerstrand is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and cultural transformation expert with 25+ years inside some of the world’s most complex organizations—including Microsoft, Meta, T-Mobile, and Hitachi. As the Founder & CEO of A3 Culture Lab, and the creator of the Mindset Maven Method, Andrea helps leaders make bold shifts—from control to connection, performance to presence, and burnout to bold cultural influence.
Andrea has designed and led transformational programs in performance management, leadership development, and coaching, impacting leaders across 100+ countries. Her A3 philosophy—Authentic, Autonomous, and Accountable—is the foundation of her mission: to build extraordinary, human-centric workplaces where people actually thrive.
Through her work, Andrea blends neuroscience, behavioral strategy, and straight-up clarity to drive powerful change in how leaders lead—and how people feel at work. Her message is simple but disruptive: Culture doesn’t start with a handbook. It starts with how leaders show up. And when leaders get that right, everything changes.
When she’s not on stage speaking or coaching leaders on reshaping the future of work, Andrea’s on her lavender farm on Maury Island, just outside the city of Seattle, swapping corporate chaos for clarity and intention. She and her partner are avid boaters, exploring the islands of the Salish Sea on their Nordic Tugboat.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork
02:00 Meet Andrea Wanerstrand: Leadership Strategist
04:26 The Power of Community and Connection
05:47 Understanding the Three Brains
07:40 Mindset Maven Methodology
09:11 Activating the Three Brains in Leadership
11:57 Navigating Resistance and Setting Intentions
22:14 Mindfulness, Awareness, and Visualization
24:44 Energy Management Techniques
26:52 Monitoring Energy Drains and Boosts
36:50 The A3 Philosophy: Authenticity, Autonomy, Accountability
47:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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