Accountability, Culture, and Leadership in Complex Systems with Mike Derricott

In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Mike Derricott, a seasoned municipal executive and former Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cochrane, to explore the realities of leading complex public-serving organizations. Drawing on his experience guiding rapidly growing municipalities, Mike shares candid insights about leadership under pressure - where competing stakeholder expectations, rapid growth, and public accountability collide. From navigating the tension between collaboration and decisiveness to building cultures of accountability in human-centred organizations, this conversation explores what it really takes to lead when the work is messy, political, and deeply consequential. Together, we unpack the subtle dynamics that shape leadership teams: the discomfort of using power responsibly, the risks of consensus-driven decision-making, and the importance of creating clear expectations for behaviour and performance. This conversation moves beyond leadership theory and into the practical realities of building mature, high-performing teams in complex systems. In this episode, we explore: Why consensus-based decision making can quietly erode accountability The hidden risks of prioritizing process over outcomes in public organizations How leaders can balance collaboration with decisive action Why effective teams must develop a tolerance for “messiness” and discomfort The difference between welcoming people and accepting all behaviours Why accountability is one of the greatest forms of respect a leader can offer If you lead in government, nonprofits, or any mission-driven organization, this episode offers grounded wisdom about building cultures that are both human-centred and high-performing. Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development community for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.