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Register Now for CBP Connects New Orleans (December 8-10, 2025)

When Passion Isn’t Enough: Developing the People You Lead

Most brewery leaders step into leadership because they’re good at what they do. They care. They work hard. And they want the people around them to succeed. But at some point, that’s not enough. Passion doesn’t automatically translate to progress, and well-meaning effort doesn’t always grow a healthy team.

This session offers a practical look at what it means to lead people on purpose. We’ll explore a proven framework for developing your team members on purpose – including the necessary steps and stages, as well as what kind of support they need from you at each step.

It’s not about adding more to your plate. It’s about getting clearer on what leadership actually requires if your goal is to build people, not just fill roles. If you’ve ever felt stuck between being the go-to person and wanting others to step up, this session will give you language, clarity, and a way forward.

Chris Ediger is the founder of Craft Leadership, where he works with breweries to strengthen the people side of the business. Craft works alongside owners, managers, GMs, and shift leads to help them lead with more clarity, coach with more purpose, and build teams that actually work. The approach comes from years spent inside breweries of all shapes and sizes – on the floor with production crews, behind the bar with taproom staff, and in the room with leadership teams making hard calls. With simple tools and honest conversation, Craft helps leaders handle the everyday tension of running a brewery: managing people, keeping standards high, and still walking out the door with something left to give.

Learn more about the Craft Leader Certification: https://craftleadership.co/certification