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High-Stress, High-Trust Leadership Lessons for Live Events
Episode 54 🎧
In this episode of Beats Working, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren break down one of the most referenced leadership books in the event world: "Leaders Eat Last." Through laughter, real talk, and a surprisingly memorable broccolini metaphor, they unpack why leadership in events isn’t about titles or perks — it’s about trust, safety, and showing up for your people long before show day. From backstage chaos to boundary-setting (no, your coworkers are not your family), this episode connects Simon Sinek’s ideas directly to the lived reality of event professionals.
Our favorite takeaways from this episode?
• Leadership is service, not status — especially in high-pressure event environments.
• Trust is built in the planning phase, not magically on show day.
• Small leadership behaviors compound over time—for better or worse.
• “Work family” can blur boundaries and create unhealthy dynamics.
• Great event leaders protect their teams so the team can protect the show.
Tune in to the Beats Working events podcast here: