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Simplifying the Complexities of Your Leadership Journey
Episodes
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Episode 65 - Building Your Leadership Well: Going Deep to Lead Effectively
- Depth Equals Competence
You are only as good as you continue to learn.
To become a truly competent leader, you must dive deep into your field or industry.
Competence allows you to:
- Make informed decisions
- Solve complex problems effectively
- Earn the respect and trust of your team
- Depth Inspires Confidence
Leaders who invest in their development and continually deepen their skills become a source of inspiration and confidence for their teams.
QUESTION: What is one quality you look for in a leader that instills confidence?
Deep leadership involves having a well-rounded understanding of not only your domain but also your team's needs and aspirations.
Leadership is not about being selfish.
When your team witnesses your commitment to self-improvement, it encourages them to do the same, creating a culture of growth and excellence within your organization.
BOOK: The Gap and The Gain, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Worry about what you are doing.
QUESTION: Are you inspiring confidence in the people you lead?
- Depth Encourages Adaptability
Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken.
Deep-rooted knowledge and skills make you better equipped to adapt to changing circumstances.
There would be no need for leaders if things didn’t go wrong.
You can make changes or you can make excuses, but you can’t do both.
BOOK: Leading Up, by Michael Useem
Good leaders ask great questions.
Stay dynamic. Don’t be stale. Change with the times.
In times of crisis, depth of knowledge becomes an anchor for the team, fostering trust and stability.
MO’s Final Thoughts:
Strive to master your field and continuously expand your knowledge. Be a source of inspiration and confidence for your team through your commitment to growth. By nurturing your Leadership Well, you not only become a more effective leader but also empower your team to reach new heights of success.
Amazon Book Links:
Leading Up: How to Lead Your Boss So You Both Win, by Michael Useem - https://a.co/d/3j5Fxp4
The Gap and the Gain, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy - https://a.co/d/1vMDQk3
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Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Episode 64: Leaders Attract the Best
Point 1: Remote work is here to stay
- Leaders need to recognize that remote work is here to stay for a significant portion of the workforce.
- Invest in technology, foster open communication, and create a work culture that values flexibility.
- Leaders who adapt and provide the tools and support for remote work will thrive in this new environment.
BOOK: “The Four Hour Work Week,” by Tim Ferris
- It's not about punching a time clock, it’s about helping people to be able to get their stuff done.
- If you breed a culture of people that are trying to skirt work and not get things done, it says more about you as a leader than it does about them as an employee.
- “There are no bad teams, only bad leaders”. Jacko Wilinks
- Be better at leadership and give your people a reason to be a part of your team.
Point 2: Offer flexibility and adaptability
- Leaders should empower their teams to choose the work setup that suits them best.
- Encourage open dialogue about preferences
- Provide the necessary resources for each scenario
- Flexibility will increase employee engagement and retention
- Leaders find a way to help their people want to be a part of their culture
QUESTION: Are you creating flexibility and adaptability?
EXERCISE (Write it down): What parts of your job are the in-person kind of stuff and what parts are virtual? What percentage of time do you have to be with your people and what percentage do you not need to be in front of others?
- Help your superiors understand those percentages
- Make sure that your people that look to you as a leader are okay with those percentages as well. (Do your percentages match up with what the company, and your people, need from you?)
Point 3: Embrace Technology
- Leaders must ensure that their teams have access to secure systems, collaborative tools, and effective communication platforms.
- You should be learning from young people on your team more than they are learning from you
BOOK: “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell - You have to make the connection before you can have people buy into your vision.
QUESTION: Are you the kind of leader that people want to follow? Are you using technology in the right way?
MO’s Final Thoughts
If you want the best people, if you want to attract the best, you are going to need to continue to change with the times. If you have stuff that you can have your people do remotely, give them the autonomy to do that. Let them show you how good they are. And, reward those who do well and get rid of the people who refuse to get on board and make those changes with you. If you make these changes, it is only helping them because this is the kind of work that people are expecting today. They would rather be at home or be on the move or whatever, and you as a leader just need to get things done. Why don't you just learn how to do both? That's the true Mark of leadership.
Amazon Book Links:
The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferris - https://a.co/d/fYpk9ia
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell - https://a.co/d/3e0sziL
Special thanks to:
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Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Episode 63: Building Your Winning Team
Point 1: Assembling the Right Mix of Talent
It's not about finding the best individuals; it's about finding the right individuals to work effectively together to achieve a common goal.
QUESTION: Where are you called to be a leader?
Leaders need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their team members and align them with these roles.
BOOK: Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
- Once you know your top five strengths, you can start to lead from those strengths.
- Know the strengths of your team.
Point 2: Fostering Collaboration and Synergy
A winning team isn't just a group of talented individuals; it's a group of talented individuals who work seamlessly together.
- Create opportunities for team members to get to know each other on a personal level
- put team in scenarios where they work together
If they can work together on the small things, they will support one another and achieve objectives
Leaders should encourage open communication and provide a safe space for team members to express their concerns.
- Mediate conflicts early and effectively.
- Don’t make it too easy for your team.
- Butterfly/Cocoon - the struggle that makes it able to live.
- Learn to love the process.
- Facilitate good interactions and communication.
Point 3: Empowering and Developing Your Team
A winning team not only achieves its current goals but also grows and evolves over time.
Trust them to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
Leaders have to develop their people into a team they can trust by delegating responsibilities and providing autonomy.
- offer guidance and support when needed
- provide opportunities to develop the necessary skills and knowledge
When your team members feel valued and supported, they're more likely to give their best.
Delegation
- You need to know what to give away and what to keep
MO’s Final Thoughts:
Take time to build your team. Give yourself the grace. Don't worry about setbacks. Embrace the struggle. Try new things. You’ll be better for it.
Amazon Book Link:
Strengthsfinder 2.0, Tom Rath - https://amzn.to/3Sn7uNm
Special Thanks To:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
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Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Episode 62: Nurturing Innovative Leaders
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Leaders Empower Creative Mindsets
QUESTION: Are you helping your people take calculated risks to be creative?
- The best leaders promote innovation by creating an environment of psychological safety.
How to foster growth mindsets:
- Create learning opportunities (books, seminars, etc.)
- Continuous skill development
- Support personal projects
When you focus on empowering creative thinking in your people, it will ultimately lead to increased engagement and a sense of ownership among employees.
-
Leaders Focus on Collective Success
QUESTION: What does success look like for your team? What are the deliverables?
BOOK: “Dare to Serve”, Cheryl Bachelder
- By fostering cross-departmental interactions and encouraging participation in problem-solving, leaders allow individuals with diverse skills and perspectives to unite towards a common goal.
Two Techniques:
- Diverse Problem-Solving Approaches: Encourage teams to approach problems from different angles. Asking, “What’s the angle you would take?”
- Transparent Resource Allocation: Ensure resources are allocated fairly across departments.
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Leaders Cultivate Purposeful Empathy
Leaders who value empathy inspire their team members, leading to a sense of belonging and commitment to the organization's innovation journey.
BOOK: “Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time”, by Howard Schultz
Once you get people on your side, believing in the same goal, you are going to create an unstoppable team.
QUESTION: How do you treat your people?
- Value your employees not by what they can produce, but by how you know their strengths connect with the rest of the people on your team.
- Be empathetic and learn about your people. Get to know them as more than just people on your team.
MO’s FINAL THOUGHT:
Share your own experiences, challenges, and success stories related to nurturing innovative leaders. Do this with the men and women that you trust. Connect with someone today and ask them how you are doing when it comes to nurturing innovation.
Amazon Book Link:
“Dare to Serve”, by Cheryl Bachelder - https://a.co/d/5cMSsDp
“Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time”, by Howard Schultz - https://a.co/d/2zIAwoC
“Good to Great”, by Jim Collins - https://a.co/d/8xrV4KA
Special Thanks To:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
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Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Episode 61: Leaders Sacrifice More
- Personal Time and Energy Investment
QUESTION: What kind of time and energy do you give to your team?
- Sacrificing personal time for work-related tasks is a hallmark of effective leadership.
QUESTION: Are you the one who gets it done? Are you willing to go the extra mile?
- When everybody else goes home, leaders stay to pick up the pieces and make things happen.
- Decision-Making and Accountability
- Leaders demonstrate accountability by taking ownership of both successes and failures.
- Accountability requires leaders to sacrifice their ego for the benefit of the team's growth.
- True leaders understand that responsibility is a core of what they do in their role. They recognize they can't simply pass the buck to someone else. Instead, they step up and take ownership of their decisions, whether they're big or small.
- True leaders say, “I want the buck to stop with me”.
- The best leaders don’t whine and don’t complain—they get things done.
- Development of Team Members
- This investment drives individual growth and contributes to the overall success of the team.
- Find the right people first.
QUESTION: Is your company finding the right people?
- If you take the time to find the right person, you will actually be doing less work than if you were to just fill the spot.
- Burnout shouldn’t happen. Make a change!
- Talk to the decision makers.
- You have to have trust in your leaders because those who you lead need to have trust in you.
- Get under a leader who knows how to pick the right people.
- Actively promote the career advancement of the people on your team.
MO’s Final Thoughts:
Leadership is a journey that demands continuous commitment and sacrifice. The higher you go, the more you have to sacrifice. As leaders, we set the tone for the entire team. Our willingness to sacrifice paves the way for others to be a stronger, more cohesive, and successful group.
Amazon Book Links:
“Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink - https://amzn.to/3ke0tSA
“Good to Great” by Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/3lXHuvQ
Special thanks to:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0
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Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Episode 60 - Thriving in Leadership in the Workplace
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Build trust within your team.
Trust starts by getting to know each team member on an individual level.
- Take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and personal aspirations.
- Show genuine interest in their lives outside of work.
-
Open and Transparent Communication:
- Be accessible and approachable to your team members.
- Encourage them to share without fear of judgment.
- Actively listen to their perspectives
-
Emphasize Personal Connections:
- Take the time to understand their strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
- Show genuine interest in their lives
-
Create new opportunities for team members.
- It's essential to encourage professional growth and development within your team.
- Identify their unique skills and passions, and then find ways to align those with their roles or responsibilities.
BOOK: “Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future” by Dorie Clark
- You need to build your brand.
- You need to help your people build their brands.
This will build trust because they know that you want the very best for them.
ACTION POINTS:
- Ask each of your team members what they want from their time at the company, and what they want from you as a leader.
- If another opportunity comes along for one of the team members, you need to be the first one to tell them that they need to go for it.
The best leaders are trying to work their people out of the job.
When team members feel that their growth is supported, they become more engaged and motivated to contribute their best work.
-
Help others use personal strengths for team success.
- It is crucial to create a culture where knowledge-sharing and collaboration are encouraged.
BOOK: “They Call Me Coach” by John Wooden.
- "The star of the team is the team. 'We' supercedes 'me'.”
Your job is to do your very best and help your team do the same.
MO’s Final Thoughts:
I'd like to leave our listeners with one final thought: leadership is not about a title; it's about how you inspire and empower those around you.
Amazon Book Links:
“Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future” by Dorie Clark- https://amzn.to/3OfWkIr
“They Call Me Coach” by John Wooden. -https://amzn.to/3OyDUmL
Special thanks to:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
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Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Episode 59: Leaders Know Their Weaknesses
Point 1: Self-Awareness and Growth
Leaders who possess self-awareness:
- have a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses
- play to their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses
QUESTION: Are you aware of the stuff that you don't know?
BOOK: 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell
- “You don't know what you don't know.”
If you don't ask people what you are doing wrong, then you might start believing your own press.
Surround yourself with people you can ask, “What is it that I don't know that I don't know about myself?”
BOOK: Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
- Learn how to be self-aware
- Become socially aware
Point 2: Building Strong Teams
A leader who understands their own limitations:
- can assemble a team with diverse skill sets that complement their weaknesses
- promotes collaboration, innovation, and better decision-making within the team
When we figure out what we're good at and then know our weaknesses, then we can humbly ask others to collaborate with us & unlock a new level of leadership.
Point 3: Adaptability and Learning
By acknowledging their weaknesses, leaders create opportunities for growth, enabling them to adapt to changing circumstances.
How can leaders start to identify their weaknesses?
- Seeking feedback from peers, mentors, and team members
- Self-reflection
- Assessments
- Regular performance evaluations
- Open communication and constructive criticism
FINAL THOUGHTS
Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for growth. By recognizing and addressing them, leaders can unlock their full potential and create impactful change in their organizations and communities.
Amazon Book Links:
“21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, John Maxwell - https://amzn.to/3xIAHsA
“Emotional Intelligence 2.0”, Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves - https://amzn.to/43sWHFd
Special thanks to:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0
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Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Episode 58: Leaders Always Ask Questions
Being in relationships with people is all about having great conversations.
- Asking Good Questions Fosters a Culture of Learning and Collaboration
- Collective efforts are greater than any individual's contribution.
- Creates a profound sense of camaraderie, trust, and unity among the team members.
- Actively listening to others' perspectives, valuing their contributions, and working together can foster a culture of respect and collaboration
QUESTION: Does your team ask good questions?
Too many leaders do not ask the right questions and fail to get others involved.
Great leaders encourage their team members to:
- Think critically
- Explore new ideas
- Share their perspectives
By asking good questions, leaders empower their team members, build trust, and create a collaborative atmosphere that drives growth and success.
- Asking Good Questions Fosters a Deeper Understanding of Challenges and Opportunities
All great success stories have a team of people that get the job done.
QUESTION 1: What are the core values that define your company, and how do you live up to them? What is the one thing that matters?
QUESTION 2: What are our customers' needs, and how can we surpass expectations?
Asking good questions:
- allows leaders to better understand the challenges and opportunities they face
- uncovers hidden issues, identifies potential risks, and discovers untapped opportunities
It’s not just important to know what you do, you also need to know what you don’t do.
Leaders gather relevant information to:
- challenge assumptions
- explore alternative viewpoints
- enable more informed decisions
- develop comprehensive strategies
- navigate complex situations
Ultimately, by asking good questions, leaders enhance their ability to anticipate and address challenges effectively while capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Pick up the rock and ask:
- What am I doing right?
- What am I not doing right?
- Asking Good Questions Fosters Team Development and Empowerment
Asking and Listening:
- Creates an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated
- Taps into the collective potential of the workforce and drives positive change
- Helps team members develop critical thinking skills, increase their self-awareness, and identify areas for improvement
- Allows leaders to offer constructive feedback and guidance and nurture professional development
MO’S FINAL THOUGHTS
By actively listening, we demonstrate respect for diverse perspectives and ideas, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. Listening allows us to tap into the collective wisdom of our team, unlocking innovative solutions and enhancing decision-making. We cultivate trust, boost engagement, and empower. Embrace the power of listening.
Special thanks to:
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Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Episode 57: Effective Listening for Leaders
Listening Builds Communication
- As a leader, the way that you communicate with your team is as important.
- A leader needs to be able to communicate effectively.
- Listening well is a crucial aspect of effective communication for a leader.
By actively listening:
- A leader can understand their perspectives, concerns, and ideas.
- Allows the leader to respond appropriately and make informed decisions.
- Teams are more likely to trust and engage with their leader, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
QUESTION 1: Are you listening to those perspectives, concerns, and ideas?
Active listening - write stuff down
- Personal Journal
- Leadership Journal
Listening Builds Relationships
BOOK: How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnagie
When you take a genuine interest in people, and listen to them, you will not only endear yourself to them, you will also learn a whole heck of a lot about them.
Listening well helps a leader build strong relationships with their team members.
When leaders genuinely listen
- It demonstrates respect, empathy, and support.
- It creates a sense of psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration.
- Fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty among team members, which in turn boosts morale, productivity, and retention.
Listening Builds Insight
Apollo 13 Movie - a great story about leadership, and what it means to work together.
- He found the right people
- Put them in the right places
- Made sure that everybody communicated and listened to one another.
- Deferred to others in that situation, all while maintaining strong leadership
A leader who listens well can tap into their team's collective intelligence.
By actively listening, a leader can harness this diversity and gain valuable insights that may lead to innovative solutions and better decision-making.
MO’s FINAL THOUGHTS
Learning how to listen well allows a leader to enhance their communication skills, build strong relationships with their team, and tap into the diverse insights of their employees. These benefits ultimately contribute to better decision-making, improved team dynamics, and increased overall effectiveness as a leader.
Amazon Book Links:
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, Dale Carnegie - https://amzn.to/3Eub5n7
Special thanks to:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
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Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Episode 56: Accountability in Leadership
BOOK: “Getting things done”, David Allen
Leadership accountability is crucial for the success and growth of a business.
Three reasons why accountability is important:
- Organizational Alignment
Everybody is accountable for what happens within the company, no matter what level you are at. Leadership accountability ensures that everyone in the organization is aligned with the company's goals and objectives.
Alignment promotes:
- collaboration,
- coordination,
- efficient decision-making,
- improves overall performance and success
- Trust and Credibility
BOOK: “Five Dysfunction of a Team”, Patrick Lencioni
Accountability builds trust and credibility among team members, peers, and superiors.
Trust is the foundation of effective teamwork and collaboration, and it fosters a supportive environment where individuals are more likely to take risks, be innovative, and contribute their best efforts.
- Performance Improvement
Leaders who embrace accountability drive performance improvement within their teams and the organization as a whole.
Despite the importance of leadership accountability, many leaders struggle to maintain it due to several reasons:
- Fear of Failure and Blame
- Lack of Clarity and Communication
BOOK: “Leading Up”, Michael Useem.
- Inadequate Systems and Processes
- If you are somebody in a program-driven sector, these systems and processes keep you on track and ensure that everybody has the same goals and vision in mind.
Final Thoughts
Leaders should focus on fostering a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, promoting open communication, and investing in systems and processes that facilitate tracking and evaluation. By embracing accountability, leaders can create a positive and high-performing work environment that drives success.
Amazon Book Links:
- “Getting things done”, David Allen - https://amzn.to/42ifq61
- “Five Dysfunction of a Team”, Patrick Lencioni - https://amzn.to/3Zfr54s
- “Leading Up”, Michael Useem - https://amzn.to/3IqCXJN
Special thanks to:
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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd
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Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out
Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0
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