After taking his now-usual post-InfoComm break, Joe Way returns to the Higher Ed AV Podcast with a major announcement… His second book, “Producing Leaders: 9 Principles for Developing High-Performing Teams,” is on the way.
In this solo episode, Joe explains why the hardest part of leading an AV organization is rarely the technology. The real work happens behind the scenes in setting the vision, designing the organization, aligning people to purpose, creating trust, navigating conflict, and building an environment where talented people can do their best work.
The book grew out of more than 30 years of leadership, business ownership, organizational change, and team development. It also came from watching people Joe has mentored go on to become respected leaders in their own right. Rather than writing another general leadership book, he wanted to document the process he uses to build the foundation beneath successful teams and organizations.
Joe walks through the nine principles that shape the book:
- All of Life Is Sales: Influence and Opportunity
- Strategy with Purpose: Vision and the Non-Negotiables
- The Organizational Puzzle: Designing for Impact
- Business Powers the Mission: Stewardship, Sustainability, and Results
- Authentic Leadership: Vulnerability and Transparency
- The Empowerment Cycle: Mentorship, Trust, and Freedom
- Productive Conflict: Leading Through Change
- Failing Up: Realigning Your Path Forward
- Positioning Value: Advocacy, Branding, and Recognition
Along the way, Joe shares why leaders must remain accountable to the organizations they serve, why business sustainability is what keeps the mission alive, and how mentorship, trust, freedom, and accountability work together. He also talks about learning from failure, handling change without losing the team, and making sure good work does not remain invisible.
The book will include reflection questions and workshop materials that readers can use on their own or with their teams. It is written for current leaders, aspiring managers, project leaders, and anyone preparing to guide people through growth, change, or transformation.
“Producing Leaders” is scheduled for release on September 12, 2026, the eighth anniversary of the first Higher Ed AV Podcast episode, with pre-orders available in the next couple weeks. Joe also closes with a teaser… Listen to learn more.
