This week’s conversation with Lee Whiting was a reminder of why I value the people I’ve worked with as much as the work itself. Lee is one of the most positive, can-do people I’ve met, someone who lifts a team not with titles or hierarchy, but through action, optimism, and genuine care for others.
We talked about the hugely accountable role of Quality Assurance and what true leadership looks like inside it, a discipline that demands balance between precision and pragmatism, between holding standards and helping progress.
“How do we compromise? How do we work together to get this done? Everyone has a different approach, but you can always work together to get the result you’re after as we all ultimately want the same end goal usually.”
Focusing on the outcome, It’s the difference between being right and being effective.
In high-pressure delivery environments, compromise isn’t about lowering the bar, it’s about aligning everyone on what really matters right now and how to get there together.
Lee spoke about the importance of real-time collaboration, sharing updates, blockers, and wins with both peers and senior stakeholders as they happen. That openness creates alignment and accountability without the need for micromanagement.
“To me, leadership isn’t a role above somebody. It’s another role within the team… someone has to be that strategic manager and people person, but it’s no different. Everyone is just as valuable in getting that outcome.”
Leadership, in Lee’s view, is side-by-side, not top-down.
When challenges appear, his advice is simple:
“Get in front of it. Get in the trenches.”
Visibility builds credibility. People trust leaders who are willing to show up, stay calm under pressure, and help solve the problem shoulder-to-shoulder.
Sustainability, for Lee, isn’t just about processes, it’s about people.
“Make work as fun as possible, and make time for yourself too.”
That balance matters. Teams perform better when leaders model enjoyment, not exhaustion.
And perhaps the most powerful piece of advice came at the end of our conversation:
“Don’t hold onto things too tightly. Trust the people you’ve hired. Don’t micromanage, and always praise good work when you see it. Don’t take ownership or credit for yourself, your role is to build other people up.”
It’s easy to forget that leadership doesn’t have to be complicated. Lee’s approach: compromise, trust, fun, and visibility, reminds us that simplicity can be powerful when it’s lived consistently.
Sustainable leadership is about showing up, setting clear outcomes, and creating the conditions for others to succeed.
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