106: People First, with Ryan Pawless
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Pawless, Vice President of Sales for a leading medical device company, to explore his people-first leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent at every stage of a career. Ryan draws on more than a decade of management experience—including leading global teams—to share his insights on balancing empathy and accountability, cultivating authentic relationships, and driving performance through intentional development.
We dive into Ryan Pawless’s practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the hidden potential in individuals, managing large teams across multiple time zones, and designing effective development plans regardless of tenure or ambition. Listen in to hear real examples of career growth, promotional success, and the role of managers in actively supporting employees’ ongoing learning—whether moving up the ladder or simply being the best in-role.
Key takeaways:
- People-first leadership means prioritizing investment in team members, understanding what motivates them, and creating environments for success.
- Development is not just about career advancement, but also building new skills, behaviors within current roles.
- Authentic relationships—knowing employees beyond their work—are essential to effective coaching, retention, and performance.
- Intentional, regular development discussions (not just annual reviews) promote continuous growth and support business results.
- Balancing empathy with accountability is crucial: leaders must recognize when supportive conversations turn into unhealthy patterns and address them constructively.
- Leaders actively contribute to building each employee’s brand and influence, helping them embrace risk, learn new skills, and refine behaviors for career longevity and fulfillment.
Whether you manage six or nineteen direct reports, this episode offers actionable advice and reflection points for leaders at every level seeking to inspire, grow, and empower their teams.
About the host, Rob Fonte
Rob Fonte is the founder and President of Sarto Leadership Group, whose reputation has been built on being a transformational leader and inspirational coach with a passion for developing others. His twenty-year career spans across multiple disciplines including leading award-winning sales teams. Rob is an academically trained Executive Coach certified by The University of Texas and the International Coach Federation.