#146 – How to Call the Right Play: Empowering Better Decision-Making on Your Team with Jen Mueller

AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP, Podcast

What can a Super Bowl sideline reporter teach us about making better decisions at work? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

Jen Mueller has spent more than 25 years on the sidelines covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more, where split-second decisions, clear communication, and trust can make all the difference. But the same principles that help a sports team make the right call can also help leaders empower their teams to make confident decisions when things don’t go according to plan.

On this episode of The Workplace Communication Podcast, we’re talking with Jen Mueller, Keynote Speaker, Communication Strategist, and Sports Broadcaster at Talk Sporty to Me about what it really takes to empower people to make decisions without waiting for permission. You’ll learn why confidence alone isn’t enough, how clear boundaries and context can help people take ownership, and why leaders need to stop playing not to lose and start creating the conditions for their teams to play to win.

Leadership tips you won’t want to miss:

🎙️ Empowering your team with clear guardrails instead of vague encouragement
🎙️ Defining what failure looks like so people can make decisions with confidence
🎙️ Building trust through small, intentional moments of connection
🎙️ Embracing action over perfection to keep decisions moving forward

Jen is a veteran sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks and a longtime member of the Seattle Mariners’ TV broadcast team. As the founder of Talk Sporty to Me, she translates the communication strategies she’s learned in professional sports into practical insights for business professionals. Her work focuses on helping leaders communicate more intentionally, build stronger relationships, and recognize the impact that small actions can have on a team.

If you’re looking to empower your team to make better decisions, then this episode is for you!

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave a review.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://lindsaylapaquette.com/podcast/

For a full written transcript of the episode, please see the show notes at the link above.

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Lindsay Lapaquette

Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc.(A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. As a former Speech-Language Pathologist, Lindsay applies her expertise in the neuroscience of communication and connection to help managers foster an environment of trust and respect in their teams, so that everyone can bring their best selves to work.

Lindsay’s approach has been profoundly influenced by her work with First Nations organizations, her experience as a parent to two neurodivergent children, and the premature loss of both of her parents. These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise.

Lindsay Lapaquette

Lindsay Lapaquette, M.Sc.(A) works with middle managers who want to communicate authentically so they can effectively lead their teams without losing themselves. As a former Speech Language Pathologist, Lindsay applies her expertise in the neuroscience of communication and connection to help managers foster an environment of trust and respect in their teams, so that everyone can bring their best selves to work.

Lindsay’s approach has been profoundly influenced by her work with First Nations organizations, her experience as a parent to two children with pervasive mental health challenges, and the premature loss of both of her parents. These experiences have taught Lindsay great lessons about the power of excellent people skills that extend well beyond her professional expertise.

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