B-Corp COO Offers Leadership Lessons -An Interview with Mark Frein

In the corporate workplace, where your team is spread across different locations, bringing heart into your leadership is more important than ever. By leading with empathy, authenticity, and emotional intelligence, you create a supportive environment where people want to work. We all could use more people that are excited to show up an put their heart into their work. This heart-centered approach builds trust, enhances communication, and aligns everyone with the company’s mission, making each team member feel motivated and valued. Embrace this kind of leadership to foster a strong sense of belonging and unity, and watch how it transforms your remote or hybrid team into a vibrant, cohesive force.

Mark Frein is the Chief Operating Officer at Oyster, a global platform that enables companies to hire talent worldwide. He specializes in distributed workplaces and organizational culture, drawing on a decade of experience with venture-backed startups. Previously, he held leadership roles at Lambda School, InVision, and Return Path. Mark lives in Austin, Texas, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia.

In this episode, Mark teaches us:  

• The importance of never ceasing to be inquisitive and continuously learning, as it is fundamental to personal and professional growth.
• The need for self-reflection in leadership, recognizing that while a strong sense of responsibility is crucial, it can lead to overblaming oneself if not balanced correctly.
• The importance of maintaining optimism about the potential of organizations while balancing it with realistic concerns. 
• The power of admitting when you don’t know something. This vulnerability can be empowering and reassuring for others, fostering a culture of openness and curiosity rather than certainty.