MEL #021 | From Co-op Student to Startup Champion through Relationship-Driven Leadership with Dan Miller

In this episode, I speak with Dan Miller, Director for Innovation Crossroads, a US Department of Energy Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dan grew up in a family of engineers and followed in his parents' footsteps, attending Kettering University. After starting his career in mechanical design, he pivoted into tech transfer through a dual MS MBA program at the University of Tennessee, eventually leading him to Oak Ridge National Lab.In our leadership segment, Dan shared a compelling case of negotiating with multiple stakeholders to bring an entrepreneur into the Innovation Crossroads program. The challenge required listening deeply, aligning competing interests, and building consensus, skills he believes are essential for engineers stepping into leadership. Dan encourages aspiring engineering leaders to first master their craft, build reputations of follow-through, surround themselves with people they can learn from, and actively listen to understand what motivates others. Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/