Leadership, Resistance, and the Real Power of Asking Better Questions
Leadership, Resistance, and the Real Power of Asking Better Questions
with Jennifer Lacy | Strategy, Solutions, & Sanity Podcast
What do you do when you feel out of place in the room—but still know you have value to bring?
In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, & Sanity, I sat down with Jennifer Lacy: a former teacher turned construction leader, facilitator, and co-author of Lean in Love. Jen isn’t just part of the conversation around culture change in the building industry—she’s leading it. And she does it by connecting people and process through what she calls her superpower: facilitation.
This conversation is packed with honest reflections, practical tactics, and a refreshing reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the space for others to contribute.
Here’s what stood out.
Facilitation Is a Superpower—Here’s Why
You don’t need a construction degree or technical expertise to be a strong leader. What you need is the ability to guide a room, navigate different personalities, and ask better questions.
That’s where facilitation comes in.
Jen talked about how her teaching background gave her an edge: she learned how to read the room, adjust in real time, and draw people out—even the resistant ones. She emphasized that facilitation isn’t just about delivering content. It’s about engagement, ownership, and understanding the why behind the work.
From Imposter Syndrome to Owning the Room
Early in her career, Jen struggled with imposter syndrome. She felt the pressure of not having a technical background, and it held her back from fully contributing.
The shift came when she built what she calls a “personal advisory board”—a small group of trusted peers who helped her see her value clearly. Over time, that support system helped her stop second-guessing herself and start speaking up, knowing she had a unique perspective that others in the room didn’t.
Resistance Isn’t Personal—It’s a Signal
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation was how Jen reframed resistance.
At first, she saw pushback as a personal rejection. Over time, she realized it wasn’t about her—it was about the discomfort of change. That insight helped her shift from pushing back to leaning in and asking open-ended, unscripted questions.
The key? Ask without assuming the answer. Give people space to be heard. Often, the best ideas come from the people who were initially most hesitant.
Practical Takeaways from the Episode
Stop aiming for perfect. Jen says: Just make it exist. You can make it better later. The first version won’t be flawless, but it will get things moving.
Ask curious questions. Not leading questions. Not scripted ones. The kind that make space for real conversation—and real change.
Build your advisory board. Whether it’s two people or five, surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and reflect your value back to you.
Don’t assume resistance is about you. It’s often about the change itself. Take a breath, ask better questions, and keep the conversation going.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever sat in a room and wondered if they belonged. If you lead teams, facilitate change, or work with people who don’t always agree with you—it’s worth your time.