One of the most important roles a leader plays is creating an environment where people feel empowered to do their best work. This was a central theme in a conversation with Krista Pell, Chief People, Culture, and Engagement Officer at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCO). For Krista, the starting point for enabling people to excel is focusing on “good” rather than aiming for perfection right out of the gate.
Why Start with “Good” Instead of “Great”?
Krista often hears the question, “Why not aim for greatness immediately?” Her philosophy is refreshingly simple: “Let’s start with good. Greatness will come.” By giving people the space and support to perform in a way that suits them, the path to greatness becomes far smoother. She believes that when employees are empowered to contribute in their unique ways, they are more likely to thrive, and the organization will benefit as a result.
The key here is recognizing that individuals work best under different circumstances. Some people are at their most productive at the crack of dawn, while others might need a more relaxed start to their day. Organizations often expect employees to fit into a predefined mold, but Krista advocates for flexibility. “Why wouldn’t we want people to work in ways that enable them to do their best?” she asks. This simple shift in mindset can make a world of difference.
Shifting the Leadership Mindset
A major obstacle in enabling people to do their best work is an unconscious tendency for leaders to impose their own work styles on others. Krista believes this is often unintentional. Leaders aren’t trying to stifle creativity, but by expecting everyone to work in the same way, they inadvertently create barriers to success.
“As leaders, we have to move away from thinking that our way is the best way,” Krista explains. She encourages leaders to ask a fundamental question: “How can I get the best out of you?” By asking this early on, whether in an interview or during day-to-day interactions, leaders can help employees find their flow, which leads to better results for everyone.
For instance, rather than assigning deadlines based on a leader’s timeline, Krista suggests asking employees when they believe they can deliver their best work. This way, employees can set expectations that align with their personal and professional demands, leading to more effective outcomes.
The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
One of the most powerful tools in leadership, according to Krista, is asking the right questions. Instead of directing a team with a rigid plan, she advises leaders to start with curiosity. Ask employees, “What does success look like for you?” and “How do you think we can achieve this together?” These types of questions foster a collaborative environment where employees feel they have ownership over their work.
Krista is a strong advocate for co-creation—the idea that leaders and employees should work together to define the path forward. She often invites her team to “rip apart” her initial ideas and offer their perspectives. This approach not only leads to better outcomes but also ensures everyone is aligned from the start, avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings and time wasted on rework.
She also believes in checking in with her team before they’ve gone too far down a particular path. Instead of coming back with a fully baked idea, Krista encourages teams to come with “all the ingredients or maybe just the dough.” This analogy underscores the importance of building things together, piece by piece, so that everyone is clear on what’s being created.
Conscious Leadership Disciplines
Krista outlines a few key conscious disciplines that leaders should adopt to foster an empowering work environment. These aren’t revolutionary steps, but small, deliberate shifts in how leaders show up can make a big difference.
- Listen First
Leaders often feel the need to have all the answers, but Krista encourages them to listen before speaking. “Come in with the questions first, not the answers,” she says. Listening actively helps leaders understand their team’s perspectives and needs, which leads to better solutions. - Be Open to Multiple Solutions
In her experience, there are often multiple ways to reach a goal, and the more open leaders are to different approaches, the better the outcomes. By allowing employees to explore diverse methods for solving problems, leaders foster a culture of innovation. - Create a Safe-to-Fail Environment
One of Krista’s most impactful principles is creating a safe space for employees to fail. She acknowledges that failure is a natural part of experimentation and growth, and without it, innovation stalls. By reassuring teams that it’s okay to fail, leaders unlock creative thinking and risk-taking, which often leads to breakthroughs.
Simplifying Processes
Another core component of enabling people to do their best work is simplicity. Krista warns against overcomplicating processes in the name of thoroughness, which can create unnecessary barriers for employees. Leaders often feel the pressure to include extra steps or layers of detail, but she advises focusing on what is truly essential.
“There’s so much power in simplicity,” she says. By streamlining workflows and removing obstacles, leaders can help their teams focus on what matters most. This also includes using clear, easy-to-understand language when setting expectations. Krista believes that simplicity requires effort, but the results—more clarity and better alignment—are worth it.
Before launching into action, Krista encourages leaders to pause and consider whether the approach they are taking is the most efficient. By focusing on the core issues rather than getting bogged down in peripheral details, leaders can remove unnecessary complexity and help their teams stay focused.
Removing Barriers to Success
Part of enabling employees to do their best work involves removing barriers. One way Krista does this is by promoting a culture of vulnerability, where it’s okay for even senior leaders to admit they don’t have all the answers. She recalls a time when a high-level colleague said in a meeting, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Can you explain it to me?” This simple act of openness not only set a powerful example but also created a safe environment for others to ask questions and seek clarity.
In addition to promoting openness, Krista emphasizes the importance of clearly defining which projects are “safe to fail” and which require a more cautious approach. Not every decision needs to be perfect, and by identifying where there’s room for experimentation, leaders can encourage employees to take calculated risks. This freedom allows teams to innovate without fear of failure.
The Path from Good to Great
Starting with “good” rather than aiming for “great” immediately is one of Krista’s key insights. She believes that when you start by aiming for good, you build momentum that can eventually lead to greatness. Setting realistic expectations from the outset allows teams to make steady progress, which is much more manageable than trying to leap straight to perfection.
This approach also enables teams to celebrate small wins along the way, which builds confidence and motivation. Once the foundation of “good” is solidly in place, moving toward “great” becomes much easier.
A Blueprint for Better Leadership
Enabling people to do their best work is not about dictating every step or expecting perfection from the outset. It’s about creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to perform in a way that suits them best. Krista Pell’s insights into leadership emphasize collaboration, curiosity, and simplicity as keys to unlocking potential in teams.
By shifting from a mindset of control to one of co-creation, leaders can remove barriers and help their teams thrive. Start with “good,” focus on what truly matters, and empower people to take the steps that lead to greatness. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode 236: Enabling People To Do Their Best Work with Krista Pell
Key Takeaways:
- Tailoring work environments to individual needs
- The role of self-reflection and powerful questions for leaders
- Implementing effective people strategies within organizations
- Embracing simplicity and an 80-20 approach for results
- Creating a psychologically safe space for team performance
Things to listen for:
[00:00:00] Organizations should help employees work effectively together.
[00:04:24] Relationship-building, effective communication, and setting expectations.
[00:07:35] Leaders: listen, be open-minded, try new things.
[00:11:31] Co-creation enables people to do best work.
[00:14:54] 80/20 rule; embrace imperfection, take the first step.
[00:17:07] Effort to simplify creates unintended complexity and duplication.
[00:21:40] Encouraging collaboration, addressing risks, and enabling autonomy.
[00:23:24] Listen before solving problems; always offer why.
[00:27:56] Joined Aimco in 2022, action-oriented, impactful 2023.
[00:30:10] Stay rooted in purpose, be open-minded.
