Dean Fulford, Stratford Group’s Leadership Development Practice Leader, was recently featured on Shine Your Light, a leadership and emotional intelligence online series hosted by Nadine Zenon on The Bold Brave TV Network.
During the episode, Dean emphasized the role of individual relationships within a team, explaining how leaders can align personal motivations with organizational goals to unlock greater potential. He stressed that clarity—both in purpose and roles—is a foundational element of teamwork, helping individuals understand not only their contributions but also the shared value the team brings to the organization. Dean explained that trust, communication, and collaboration often falter when this clarity is missing, resulting in teams operating in silos or struggling with internal dynamics.
- Drawing from his engineering background, Dean introduced a systematic approach to leadership that balances technical planning with people-centered strategies. He highlighted the importance of conflict as a tool for innovation, encouraging leaders to normalize constructive conversations within their teams. "When we embrace productive conflict, we uncover new perspectives and make better decisions," Dean explained. Leaders, he added, must model these behaviors by fostering psychological safety and planning work more effectively, focusing on future outcomes instead of simply reviewing past results.
Watch the full conversation here to hear more about Dean’s practical advice for empowering leaders, creating strong teams, and driving organizational success.
About Dean:
