What if the key to better leadership isn’t “managing harder”…but managing like an ecologist?

From a difficult conversation where Chris was told he could be "intimidating" to his questioning whether he was cut out for a leadership role, this episode unpacks Chris' leadership journey and the origins of his Organizational Ecology framework — a leadership approach rooted in the idea that you don’t force results, you create the conditions for people to thrive and let performance follow.

Key takeaways:

• Conservation work is ultimately people work — nothing sustains without humans who care.

• Leadership isn’t a title or a system; it’s how you show up, especially under pressure.

• You don’t command ecosystems into productivity — you build habitat. The same is true for teams.

• The 5 Ps of a thriving organization: People, Perspective, Purpose, Proactive, and Process.

• Fulfillment and connection are the real “energy sources” that drive performance.

• Perspective matters: behavior at work is often a symptom of unseen burdens.

• Proactive leaders slow down reactions and invest in real one-on-one relationships.

Want to go deeper? Head over to ParksandRestoration.com

• Join the Next Level Leadership Community

• Bring these concepts to your organization through trainings, workshops, or keynotes

About Parks and Restoration

Parks and Restoration is the show for parks and conservation professionals who want to lead better for their teams, their communities, and future generations. Hosted by Chris Lee and Jeremy Yost, the podcast blends real-world stories, practical leadership tools, and lessons from nature to help organizations - and the people that lead them - thrive.

What if “performance evaluations” weren’t a dreaded, once-a-year formality… but one of the best tools you have to build culture?

In this episode, Chris and Jeremy talk about a different way to look at performance evaluations—less as a grading system, and more as a structured, intentional check-in that helps you understand your people, clarify expectations, and keep the workplace ecosystem healthy.

They dig into why annual evals can create recency bias, and why real performance issues should be addressed in real time (not stored up for a “gotcha” conversation months later). They also talk about what makes a performance system work even when it’s informal: clarity on your “why,” a shared way to prioritize work, and regular check-ins that keep your finger on the pulse.

Chris shares the review questions he uses (and why), including:

• What energized you most this year—and what are you most looking forward to next?

• What could have been better, and how do we improve it?

• How would you describe our workplace culture? Has it changed?

• What exemplary work have you seen from coworkers that should be recognized?

• How did our work deliver on our mission?

• What do you want to do better going forward—and what resources do you need?

• How can I (as a leader) be a better resource to help you succeed?

• What challenges do you expect, and how can you preempt them?

A big theme here: culture isn’t built by policies and manuals. It’s built by creating the conditions where people can thrive—and then actually acting on the feedback you invite. Because if you ask for input and nothing changes, you don’t just waste time… you lose trust.

Chris also shares a simple leadership “ninja move” that works everywhere: secondhand compliments. When you pass along praise someone heard from someone else, it lands differently—and it reinforces the behavior you want to see repeated.

If you’re trying to build a high-performing team without building a fear-based workplace, this episode is for you.

Episodes referenced:

• Finding energy in the work you're wired for (discussion of Working Genius)
• The power of partnerships (eating elephants reference)
• Culture eats strategy (and elephants)
• SPF2 framework for effective recognition

About Parks and Restoration

Parks and Restoration is a podcast for park professionals, land stewards, and the people doing the often unseen work of caring for public lands and natural resources. We share stories, lessons, and practical ideas to help you lead well, build healthy workplace cultures, and create thriving systems—outdoors and at work.

Back in November, we invited the Parks and Restoration Next Level Leader Community to an exclusive meetup with Jessica DeAngelo, author of the new book The Wild Advantage: Why Your Brain on Nature is Your Boldest Business Move. With help from the community, the book hit bestseller status in multiple categories on Amazon.

Jessica doesn't have a parks or conservation background. She comes from the corporate world. Yet she discovered the undeniable value of time unplugged in nature and now has built an entire business around connecting business leaders with the very places that parks and conservation people like us strive to provide and protect everyday.

This meetup was both insightful and entertaining and we can't wait to see what's next for Jessica and her company, Hike to Become.

If you would like invites to future meetups with the community, simply sign up at www.ParksandRestoration.com.

Thanks for all you do and we'll chat again in 2026!