In this episode, Chris Behnke sits down with Jennifer Jensen, author of "Developing Authentic Leaders" and a 29-year corporate veteran who mastered the art of leading teams without formal authority. Jennifer shares her journey from managing through influence to taking six months off to write her uniquely formatted leadership book—52 topics in bullet points for weekly growth. They dig deep into why organizations lose millions by not investing in leaders, how self-awareness beats authority every time, and why micromanagement is the fastest way to destroy your team. If you're stuck in the middle of a toxic culture or wondering how to advance without becoming part of the problem, this conversation delivers real solutions.

Highlight

"We're all leaders in some area of our life. Whether in your family or in relationships with friends or spouses, we're all leaders." – Jennifer Jensen

Self-awareness is your superpower—Understanding how you respond under stress is the foundation for leading others effectively

Micromanagement costs millions—One senior leader leaving can cost $300K to $2M when you factor in knowledge loss and employee poaching

Stop seeking approval, start taking ownership—Shift from asking "Is this okay?" to "Here's my research, here's my plan, I'm moving forward"

Your environment might be the problem—If micromanagement is cultural and conversations don't help, it might be time to leave

Leading by example works—But if months pass without change, evaluate whether staying is worth it

Other Resources

Jennifer Jensen's Website: authenticleader.ca

Book: "Developing Authentic Leaders: A Practical Guide for All Leaders" (Available on Amazon and through website)