Private Practice Elevation with Daniel Fava 192. Leading with Curiosity: How to Influence Your Team Without Micromanaging
In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we're joined by Michael Diettrich-Chastain, founder of Arc Integrated — a leadership development consultancy that helps teams and leaders around the world create cultures of engagement, sustainability, and purpose.
Michael brings a unique background that blends psychology, therapy, and organizational development.
He's worked in everything from community mental health to corporate coaching and now supports leaders in shaping healthier workplace dynamics.
His insights have been featured in Time, Entrepreneur, and The Washington Post, and his bestselling book Changes explores how individuals and teams can navigate growth more effectively.
Whether you're a group practice owner, leading a small team, or simply looking to strengthen your leadership mindset, this episode will give you practical frameworks to improve communication, foster autonomy, and influence your team without micromanaging.
Michael shares why curiosity — not control — is the key to effective leadership, and how asking the right questions can shift your entire team culture.
In This Episode, You'll learn:-
How to influence your team's behavior through inquiry rather than command
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Why understanding communication styles (like DISC) can prevent conflict and boost collaboration
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Simple questions to start meetings with intention and end them with clarity
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A 3-step framework for performance reviews and post-mortems (great for handling breakdowns without blame)
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How to balance autonomy and accountability with tools like the Success Path and Communication Map
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Why your response to failure is one of the most defining elements of your practice's culture
Michael also shares some incredible free resources, including a quick leadership quiz and an invite to his annual leadership retreat in Costa Rica.
Links from this episode:
Watch The Video: This Episode Is Brought To You By
Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.
Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation.
About Michael Diettrich ChastainMichael Diettrich Chastain is an author, speaker, professional coach and consultant dedicated to peak performance.
Michael is an expert on peak performance in the workplace and is passionate about helping leaders and teams create company cultures of engagement, sustainability, and purpose. He is the founder of Arc Integrated, a leadership development consultancy serving teams and leaders around the globe. Michael is widely regarded by the various CEO's and leaders he has worked with as the "go to resource" for helping to transform the company cultures in which he works. His writing has been featured in Time, Money, Entrepreneur and The Washington Post and his first book (Changes) which was released in 2019 became an instant best seller in multiple categories. Michael's mission is to help create and maintain purpose driven organizations that elevate the consciousness of all involved.
About Daniel FavaDaniel Fava is the owner and founder of Private Practice Elevation, a website and SEO agency focused on helping private practice owners create websites that increase their online visibility and attract more clients. Private Practice Elevation offers web design services, SEO (search engine optimization), and WordPress support to help private practice owners grow their businesses through online marketing.
Daniel lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Liz, and two energetic boys. When he's not working he enjoys hiking by the river, watching hockey, and enjoying a dram of bourbon.