September 5, 2025

Leader Lab Episode 4: Building Teams That Scale in Times of Change with Erik Woodward

In this episode of the LEAD3R Lab mini-series, Dane Groeneveld chats with Erik Woodward, COO of Streamline Innovations, to explore his journey from global assignments with Chevron to leading in a fast-paced startup environment. Erik shares lessons learned from living and working abroad in places like Brazil, leading diverse teams across engineering and finance, and navigating the shift from the structure of a large corporation to the scrappy, hands-on reality of a 15-person startup.

They discuss the challenges of building systems from the ground up, the importance of leading by example, and how great leaders balance patience with accountability. Erik also dives into a powerful example from the oil and gas industry, where his team rallied to achieve what once seemed impossible by breaking challenges into smaller steps, staying motivated, and celebrating wins along the way. 

From navigating tough customer situations with radical transparency to creating a culture where teammates willingly run into the fire for each other, Erik highlights how leaders can build trust, resilience, and a sense of mattering within their teams. If you’re a leader who wants to strengthen your team’s culture, you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

🔗 Episode 126: How to Overcome Your Team’s Biggest Challenges with Jonathan Bennett

🔗 Episode 85: Reimagining Teamwork: The Path to Enhanced Engagement and Productivity with Michael McCarroll

Leadership Development Exercise: How Do You Lead3r?

Leadership, like any discipline, is strengthened through consistent practice. Just as physical training develops strength and resilience, reflective leadership exercises help build emotional intelligence, awareness of your natural response tendencies, and an understanding of healthy team dynamics.

This exercise is part of the ‘How Do You Lead3r?’ series – incorporating short, purposeful prompts designed to stretch your thinking around the topic of ‘leadership and teamwork’. 

You can complete the questions individually as a journaling activity or use them to spark a rich conversation with your team or peers. The goal is to reflect honestly, share generously, and develop practical insights you can carry into your everyday leadership practice.

Reflective Questions:

1. When transitioning from a large corporation to a start-up environment, what leadership habits did you need to unlearn or adapt?
2. Beyond the workplace, what personal experiences have shaped your views on teamwork and collaboration?
3. Thinking back on your career, what’s one achievement that stands out as a true team success—and what made it work so well?
4. If a critical customer issue emerged across multiple teams you don’t directly manage, how would you lead the effort to troubleshoot and deliver a solution?
5. In your experience, what’s a common mistake teams make when trying to collaborate—and how can it be avoided?
6. What’s one of your go-to ways to celebrate a team’s success in a meaningful way?
7. How can leaders create space for every voice to be heard—while still keeping discussions focused and purposeful?
8. Looking ahead, what’s your hope for your team over the next five years—and what would progress look like to you?

Next Steps:

Remember, there’s no ‘right or wrong’ answer – leadership is contextual and constantly evolving. The real value comes from engaging with the questions, staying curious, and listening to others’ perspectives.

For more bite-sized leadership development drills like this, explore the full ‘How Do You Lead3r?’ series at the Future of Teamwork Podcast. Each episode and exercise is designed to help you lead with greater intention, connection, and impact.

If you’re looking for a fuller development program – connect with our Team Effectiveness or Coaching specialists to learn more about your options.