Episode 161: Learn how to lead through change, strengthen collaboration, and create meaningful connections in a virtual world
What does it take to adapt as a leader, build stronger teams, and stop letting your business run you? In this episode, John Chen sits down with Allison Tabor, an international speaker, facilitator, business owner, and leadership expert who helps business owners, leaders, and teams work their “assets off” without working so hard in business and in life.
Allison shares her journey from running a structural engineering business for 23 years to helping other business owners create businesses that are energizing, inspiring, and rewarding. She talks about the lessons she learned from experiencing exhaustion and being on the path to burnout, and how changing her role and approach ultimately led her toward the work she does today. She also explains why leaders need to continually evolve, adapt to changing circumstances, and build teams with people who can bring new skills and perspectives.
The conversation then turns to the shift into virtual work during the pandemic. Allison explains how she quickly invested in becoming proficient with Zoom and learned how to bring her workshops and team facilitation into a virtual environment. What started as an adaptation became something she genuinely enjoyed, allowing her to support people across different locations while creating opportunities for connection, learning, and collaboration.
John and Allison also explore the power of community and cross-team collaboration. They discuss the West Coast Alliance, how virtual technology helped leaders from different chapters connect and support one another, and why collaboration can create value beyond simply sharing information. Allison also shares why she believes both virtual and in-person experiences are here to stay and why leaders need to be comfortable operating in both worlds.
Key Takeaways
- 💡 Why leaders and leadership teams need to continually evolve as their businesses grow
- 🔄 How adaptability and the willingness to change can help businesses respond to shifting circumstances
- 💻 How investing in virtual facilitation skills can create new opportunities to support teams and clients
- 🤝 Why people crave connection, community, and opportunities to learn together rather than working in silos
- 🍷 How informal virtual gatherings can create psychologically safe spaces for leaders to share challenges and resources
- 🌎 How virtual technology can help professional communities collaborate across geographic boundaries
- 👥 Why cross-team collaboration is important for building sustainable organizations and businesses
- 🌱 How serving and supporting others can create a culture of abundance within a professional community
- 🎥 Why virtual and in-person experiences can both play an important role in the future of meetings and events
- ⚡ Why leaders need to be prepared to “dance” in both worlds and develop the skills needed to make virtual and hybrid experiences work
Whether you’re leading a business, managing a team, facilitating meetings, or trying to adapt to a changing work environment, this conversation with Allison Tabor offers practical insights on leadership, collaboration, community, and creating a more sustainable way to work.
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Connect with Allison Tabor:
https://allisontabor.com
https://www.workyourassetsoff.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisontabor/
Connect with John Chen:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceojohnchen/
