Human Services Stories: Management, Customer & Staff Voices
Human Services Stories: Management, Customer & Staff Voices
A podcast for helping professionals and the people they serve.
Hosted by Clinton Lewis, a human services leader with over 30 years of experience in the Department of Health and Human Services and advanced degrees in Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Educational Leadership, this show is a space for honest, supportive conversations about the realities of CPS, foster care, and related human services work.
Each episode blends real stories, practical guidance, and coaching‑style encouragement. We talk about:
•Getting past the stigma of working in human services.
•Dealing with isolation from family and community.
•Building a supportive community and finding time for yourself.
•Leadership, management, and staff support.
•Customer success stories and navigating the system with clarity and confidence.
Whether you’re a manager, staff member, or specialist in human services — or a customer, family member, or community partner touched by these systems — this podcast is for you. Our goal is to honor the professionals who do this hard work, support the families they serve, and create a space where growth, healing, and connection are possible.
Subscribe to Human Services Stories: Management, Customer & Staff Voices wherever you enjoy podcasts, and contact me at https://human-services-stories-management-customer-staff-voices.myshopify.com/ to learn more about the show and the 1‑on‑1 coaching services offered for managers, staff, and customers.
Human Services Stories: Management, Customer & Staff Voices
Leading with Curiosity, Not Judgment
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In this episode, Clinton Lewis encourages leaders to lead with curiosity rather than judgment. He explains that when managers ask questions, listen first, and stay open, they build trust, reduce defensiveness, and create space for honest feedback. The episode focuses on how curiosity can improve supervision, team culture, and professional growth.
Welcome to Human Services Stories Management, Customers, Staff Voices. I'm Clinton Lewis and I'm glad you're here. This shows about the people behind the work, the managers, staff, customers, and communities who care, support, and help one another move forward. And this episode is called Leading with Curiosity, Not Judgment. In leadership, one of the most powerful shifts you can make is this Lead with Curiosity instead of judgment. When you walk into a conversation with a question instead of a conclusion, you open the door to understanding, collaboration, and growth. You know, curiosity builds trust. Curiosity sounds can sound like tell me what happened from your side. What made you decide that? What's been hard about this case? You're asking a point of view. Those questions say, I see you as a person, not just as a problem. No, judgment shuts down conversation. Judgment shows up as jumping to conclusions, assuming the worst, or making quick decisions without hearing a full story. That can cause people to shut down, defend themselves, or disengage completely. How to leave with curiosity. You can leave a curiosity by asking open-ended questions, leading, listening without interrupting, and checking your own assumptions. When you leave with curiosity, you may still have to hold people accountable, but you do it with respect and not blame. For a culture moment, I want you to ask and don't assume. Before you react to a situation, pause and ask, What do I know about this yet? What would make sense from this person's point of view? And what questions can I ask that would help me understand more? Then say, I will leave with curiosity and not judgment. Thank you to listening to Human Services Stories, Management, Customer Staff Voices. Remember, when you leave with curiosity, you build trust, you encourage honesty, and help people grow. Remember, you got this.