Unlocking Your Team’s Potential

Join me for a captivating interview with Will Warshauer, President & CEO of TechnoServe. 

Will’s leadership journey began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone.  A chance encounter with a young boy named Bolo highlighted the impact of unequal opportunities, inspiring him to dedicate his career to international development and unlocking potential for people.

Will reflected on another pivotal career moment while leading a team in Pakistan. They faced delays and productivity issues. Frustration built as he pushed the team to work harder. Then, a complex issue arose, one the group was attached to, and Will experienced a lightbulb moment.

“The very same team, once resistant to change, transformed into dedicated problem solvers after being attached to a new complicated issue and taking ownership. It ignited my journey into adaptive management, understanding diverse needs, and unlocking untapped potential."

Tailoring his leadership to the unique needs and dynamics of different individuals and situations allowed Will to unlock their potential. He has used that lesson ever since. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Will learned to lead from behind. With 90% of TechnoServe’s global staff from the country where they work, Will realized that many were already accustomed to handling crises, from coup d’etats to natural disasters. Will leaned into empowering his team, granting them the autonomy to tackle challenges. The results were remarkable. 

“A lot of my leadership during COVID was…really admiring and supporting our leaders around the world, who were less angst-filled and more action-oriented, and did a great job figuring out how we continue to deliver.”

During this time, Will also received feedback that his team sought inspiration from him as the CEO. In response, he initiated a weekly call where anyone could ask him about anything. 

“People were incredibly frank and open with me, which helped me be the same with them. It was a real gift they all gave me and something I won't forget. It brought me a lot closer to people. There were a lot of hidden gifts in all the sadness and struggle during COVID for me.”

Lastly, Will explains why he wants “the need for [TechnoServe] to go away” through market-based approaches to fighting poverty. He issues a powerful call to action for more long-term measurement of development impact to determine what actually works and what doesn’t.

I hope you enjoy listening to this fantastic, insightful, and downright fun conversation with TechnoServe CEO Will Warshauer.