76: The Behaviors of Partnering for Success - A Live Panel Recording from the ABMA-IAATE 2026 Annual Conference

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode, is a live panel recording from the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with live submitted questions from conference attendees. The panelists discuss “The Behaviors of Partnering for Success” and give advice for both formal leadership and frontline staff.  Among other topics asked by the live audience, the panelists discuss what it means to be a good teammate, setting up systems for success, how to “disagree well”, and how leadership and staff can partner together for success. The panelist are Chris Jenkins (Virginia Zoo in Norfolk), Cinnamon Eubanks (Saint Louis Zoo - Forest Park Campus), Kit Lacy (Cascades Raptor Center) and Erin Katzner (World Parrot Trust).  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠⁠ 

• 6:20 What does “Partnering for Success” look like in the animal care field? 

• 10:55 What is the difference between avian and mammalian trainers? 

• 16:25 From a leadership perspective, what does it look like to partner for success with your staff? 

• 25:05 Advice for staff to have a discussion about partnering with their leadership on a project or initiative

• 33:30 Advice for when there is resistance to change because what happens now “works” 

• 43:00 Advice for disagreeing well 

• 51:35 Setting up a departmental system for success 

• 1:00:10 Advice for leaders to define roles and staff to work within those roles 

• 1:09:40 Advice when collaboration with a peer isn’t reciprocated 

• 1:16:10 The behaviors of a good teammate 

• 1:21:55 What changes or advancements are the panelists most excited for and how can leadership and staff work together to achieve that goal