Rising Tide Leadership Podcast

Influence Without Authority (Ep. 82)

Summary

In this episode, Scott and Mo discuss the concept of leading from where you are, even without formal authority. They draw inspiration from the TV show Parks and Recreation and share real-world examples of individuals who have successfully influenced others without holding a position of power. The key themes explored include building credibility and trust, mobilizing allies, and finding common ground. The hosts provide practical strategies for leaders to implement, such as building relationships with colleagues in other departments, resetting with their boss, and understanding the non-negotiables of their team members. The episode concludes with the reminder that influence doesn't require a title, but rather a willingness to connect, listen, and lead with purpose.

 

Takeaways

-Leading from where you are means influencing others without holding a formal position of power.
-Building credibility and trust is crucial for leading from where you are.
-Mobilizing allies, especially those in higher positions, can help you achieve your goals and overcome obstacles.
-Finding common ground and understanding others' non-negotiables is essential for effective collaboration and teamwork.
-Influence doesn't require a title; it requires a willingness to connect, listen, and lead purposefully.

Toxic Leadership at Work (Ep. 81)

Toxic Leadership at Work (Ep. 81)

 

Summary: 

 

The conversation explores toxic relationships and how they relate to leadership and influence, particularly in the context of younger generations. The hosts discuss the challenges of navigating toxic relationships in the age of social media and the impact of negative comments and online bullying. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and setting boundaries in dealing with toxic people. The conversation also touches on different leadership styles and the concept of servant leadership. Overall, the hosts encourage listeners to prioritize their own well-being and surround themselves with positive influences. In this conversation, MO and Bailie discuss the concept of servant leadership and the importance of taking responsibility as a leader. They emphasize the need for leaders to take action and not wait for others to follow. They also discuss the role of culture in leadership and how leaders can create a positive culture by setting clear expectations and behaviors. They highlight the importance of addressing toxic behavior and removing individuals who are not a good fit for the team. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining relationships and the need to prioritize those who are responsive and supportive. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of being a proactive and responsible leader.

 

Takeaways:

• Toxic relationships can be passive or in-your-face, and social media has made it easier for negativity to spread.
• Younger generations are more sensitive and affected by negative comments and online bullying.
• Self-awareness and setting boundaries are crucial in dealing with toxic relationships.
• Servant leadership involves serving others, but it's important to avoid enabling toxic behavior.
• Surrounding yourself with positive influences and prioritizing your own well-being is essential. Leaders need to take action and not wait for others to follow
• Creating a positive culture requires setting clear expectations and behaviors
• Address toxic behavior and remove individuals who are not a good fit for the team
• Prioritize relationships with those who are responsive and supportive
• Be a proactive and responsible leader

Am I An Authentic Leader? (Ep. 80)

Summary

 

Lego faced financial trouble in the early 2000s due to the emergence of digital distractions. The new CEO, Jorgen Vig Knutstorp, embraced authenticity and refocused on Lego's core values. He introduced Lego Ideas and formed strategic partnerships with franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter. Authenticity is crucial in leadership because consistency builds confidence, transparency transforms teams, and integrity inspires influence. Consistency cultivates confidence by being the same person in every situation. Transparency is about being open and honest, creating a predictable environment that fosters trust. Integrity is the backbone of authenticity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

 

Keywords

 

Lego, financial trouble, authenticity, core values, Lego Ideas, strategic partnerships, Star Wars, Harry Potter, consistency, confidence, transparency, trust, integrity, influence

 

Takeaways

• Authenticity is crucial in leadership because it builds trust and fosters a predictable and secure environment.
• Consistency cultivates confidence by being the same person in every situation.
• Transparency transforms teams by creating an open and honest environment where ideas and concerns can be shared.
• Integrity inspires influence by doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Sound Bites

• "Struggling with plummeting sales and a market that had moved on, Lego was teetering on the edge of financial ruin in the early 2000s."
• "His authentic approach revived that company and really transformed them into the global success story that they are today."
• "Consistency cultivates confidence."

Books Mentioned

• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, by Brene Brown
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick M. Lencioni

Olympians Inspire Leadership Greatness (Ep. 79)

Summary

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, Scott and Mo discuss the power of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and the commitment to excellence, using examples from Olympic athletes. They start by talking about Simone Biles and her journey to the Olympics, highlighting her ability to overcome challenges and prove her critics wrong. They then discuss Jesse Owens, who faced racial discrimination and financial hardships but still won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Next, they talk about Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio and poverty to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. Finally, they discuss Michael Phelps and his unmatched work ethic and focus on continuous improvement. The episode concludes with the advice to watch and learn from these athletes' stories of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and commitment to excellence.

 

Keywords

perseverance, overcoming adversity, commitment to excellence, Olympic athletes, Simone Biles, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Michael Phelps

 

Takeaways

• Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges and proving critics wrong.
• Leaders should embrace obstacles as opportunities to grow stronger and improve their capabilities.
• Adversity can be conquered with tenacity and an unyielding spirit.
• Continuous improvement and setting high standards are essential for achieving excellence.
• Leaders should learn from the stories of Olympic athletes and incorporate their lessons into their leadership practices.

Leaders are Resilient (Ep. 78)

Leaders are Resilient (Ep. 78)

Summary

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, Scott and Mo discuss the importance of accountability in leadership. They use the movie 'Civil War' from the Marvel franchise as an analogy to highlight the conflicts that arise when there is a lack of accountability. The conversation is divided into three key actions: leading by example, taking responsibility, and holding others accountable. They emphasize the importance of leaders setting the tone of accountability and creating a culture of trust and collaboration. They also discuss the role of feedback and continuous communication in maintaining accountability.

 

Keywords

 

accountability, leadership, leading by example, taking responsibility, holding others accountable, trust, collaboration, feedback, communication

 

Takeaway

• Leading by example is the foundation of accountability. When leaders model the behavior they expect from their team, it sets a powerful standard and creates a culture of trust.
• Taking responsibility for one's actions and outcomes reinforces the need to be reliable and dependable. It enhances a leader's credibility and strengthens overall leadership.
• Holding others accountable ensures that everyone is contributing to the team's success and maintains a high level of performance. It should be done from a place of support and encouragement, rather than punishment.
• Regular feedback and open communication are essential in holding others accountable. Leaders should create a safe space for open communication and provide constructive feedback to motivate individuals to take ownership of their performance.
• Leaders should set clear goals and expectations, regularly check in with their team members, and foster a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.
• Accountability starts with the leader. By embodying accountability in their leadership, leaders create a ripple effect that influences the entire team and builds a culture of trust and integrity.

Special Guest: CW4 (Ret.) Dave Morphis (Ep. 77)

Summary

 

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, host Mo interviews his friend Dave, a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the United States Army. They reminisce about their time in the Army and discuss the role of a Chief Warrant Officer. Dave shares his journey from enlisting in the Army Reserves to becoming a Warrant Officer specializing in food service. He explains the unique position of Warrant Officers as specialists in their chosen fields, advising commanders and keeping them out of trouble. Dave also shares a funny story about a deployment where soldiers were fed nothing but chili dogs for several meals. 

 

Overall, the conversation provides insights into the life and responsibilities of a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army. David Morphis shares his experiences working as a logistics officer in Northern Iraq and the challenges of being away from his family during his wife's labor. He emphasizes the importance of finding value in everyone and learning from their experiences. He also discusses the influence of his father and wife in shaping him as a person of influence. 

 

David recommends the books '12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos' by Jordan Peterson and 'David Copperfield' by Charles Dickens. He encourages listeners to strive to be better and uplift those around them.

 

Takeaways

 

• A Chief Warrant Officer in the Army is to be a specialist in a chosen field and advise commanders.
• Warrant Officers manage specific areas, such as food service, and ensure the commander's decisions align with regulations and best practices.
• Army deployments can last for extended periods, with soldiers spending months in a foreign country before returning to the United States.
• The Army Reserves have a different mobilization process than the active duty Army, with reservists going to a mobilization site before deployment.
• Deployments can involve challenging and dangerous situations, but soldiers find ways to cope and maintain communication with their families.
• Humor and camaraderie play a significant role in soldiers' experiences, even in difficult situations like being fed only chili dogs for multiple meals. Find value in everyone and learn from their experiences.
• The influence of family members, such as fathers and spouses, can shape a person's character.
• Read books like '12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos' and 'David Copperfield' to gain wisdom and inspiration.
• Strive to be better and uplift those around you.

 

Sound Bites

 

• "An entire training organization of 2,000-3,000 soldiers was fed only chili dogs for about four meals."
• "It was the best deployment I ever had, mainly because of those four months working with the special forces."
• "We all have those staples of influence and shifting influences."
• "You can overcome just about all obstacles. You just have to stick with something."
• "There's a lot of wisdom in organizing yourself before you try to organize others."

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Books Mentioned in the Show

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by Jordan Peterson

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens

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Leaders are Resilient (Ep. 76)

Summary

 

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, Scott and Dr. Michael David Morales discuss the topic of resilience. They start by sharing the story of Ari Dickey, a former knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball, who faced numerous roadblocks and challenges throughout his career. The conversation then delves into the importance of understanding resilience and how it can fundamentally change the way leaders approach challenges. They explore strategies and practices for building resilience, such as reflection, mindfulness, and continuous learning. The episode concludes with a discussion on applying resilience and the role of vulnerability in inspiring others.

Main Takeaways

 

1. Resilience is not just about bouncing back, but about growing through challenges.
2.  Leaders need to understand resilience and its importance in navigating uncertainties and inspiring their teams.
3. Building resilience requires reflection, mindfulness, and continuous learning.
4. Leaders can apply resilience by fostering an environment of support and encouragement, and by sharing their own stories of facing and overcoming challenges.
5.  Resilience is a catalyst for transformation and growth, both personally and within organizations.
6. It starts with vulnerability 

Top Quotes From MO

 

"Resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about growing through what you actually go through."

"Building resilience is like strengthening a muscle. It requires consistent effort, the right exercises, and sometimes a little bit of guidance."

"Resilience is not just a theoretical concept. It's something that we deal with every day. It's about lived experience."

 

Books Mentioned in the Show

A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

I Am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai

Whenever I Wind Up by R.A Dickey

Special Thanks To:

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Change Management (Ep. 75)

Episode 75 - Change Management Summary

 

In this episode, Scott and Mo discuss change management and its importance in the workplace. They highlight the need for leaders to encounter challenges, build resilience, and foster open communication. They emphasize the importance of recognizing opportunities and engaging employees in the change process. The hosts also encourage leaders to be proactive and continuously evaluate and refine their approach to change management. They conclude by emphasizing the need for leaders to be open to change and drive positive change within their organizations.

3 Ways to Deal with Change Management

 

1. Focus on encountering challenges. 

• Change can disrupt the status quo 
• Change can create resistance among employees. 
  • If you're not encountering challenges, then you're not leading. 
• Look for the unexpected
• Get out in front of challenges and be ready to work them out
• Resilience
  • What is going on in your company?
  • How can you work amidst those challenges? 
  • How can you build that resilience within your team that is going to be vital for navigating change effectively? 
• Be adaptable.
  • Are you ready to adapt quickly to change? 
  • Are you ready to bounce back from the setbacks? 

 

BOOK: The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organization, by Kouzes and Posner. 

 

“The only way you're going to get good is to get good”. 

• Don't baby your people. 
• Build resiliency in your team. 
• Leaders think challenges are opportunities.
• Foster open communication. 
  • Open up - Be honest
  • Allow team members to express within the team and to one another their concerns. 
  • Be part of expressing those concerns 
• Change presents opportunities for innovation and for growth. 

 

How do you recognize opportunities? 

• Focused on the things that can be used as a learning moment or a teaching moment. 

2. Focus on Engaging Employees.

• The “Buy-in” - John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
• To be an effective leader, you need to create a buy-in of ownership for your people. 
  • Empower team members 
    • To contribute ideas
    • Give those solutions 
    • Foster a sense of ownership
    • Create commitment

 

BOOK: Made in America, by Sam Walton

 

3. Encourage Pro-activists 

• Your people are only going to be proactive if you allow them to be proactive. 
• Continuous evaluation and refinement of our approach to change is going to ensure ongoing success. 

 

QUESTIONS: 

• What are the things that are worth evaluating in your business? 
• What are your feedback mechanisms? 
• Are you giving your people a way to tell you the things that are going good and bad?
• Do you have an open door policy? 
• Are you making it better in your workplace? 

 

MO’s Final Thoughts:

You need to be the most open person in the room when it comes to change management. It is so easy for us as leaders to tell other people that they need to be open to change. When in reality, leaders, it's really us that's not open to change. Don't get upset with your people. Help them and redirect them to where they're supposed to be. Change is what you need to be about. Leaders are all about change. 

 

As we talk about encountering challenges, engaging employees, encouraging proactiveness, you know, who's in charge of all that? You are in charge of that as the leader. You're the person who is responsible both for the productivity of your company and specifically for your team. So leaders, remember, it's about embracing opportunity because that's going to bring you to growth and innovation and your people are going to jump onto that process. And when it comes to leadership, you are the one that drives those processes.Give your people the best opportunity to succeed. The way you do that  is to get in front and be ready to deal with that change management.

Amazon Book Link:

The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organization, Kouzes and Posner - https://a.co/d/aO2WW5M 

 

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell - https://a.co/d/72MPij0 

Made in America, Sam Walton - https://a.co/d/aUgPpSs 

 

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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Leaders Create a Clear Vision (Ep. 74)

Episode 74 - Leaders Create a Clear Vision 

 

A clear vision does more than just set a destination. It inspires, motivates, and provides a sense of purpose essential for any team's success. 

Point 1: Articulate the Vision Clearly and Passionately

 

• Not just about what the goals are but why they matter. 
• Use inspiring and relatable language, ensuring that every team member can see how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
• Make the vision feel tangible, so every individual understands their role.

 

Making it Make Sense:

• Embrace Simplicity. 

• Articulate ideas in the simplest terms possible. 
• Boil down complex concepts into their essence. 

1. Engage in Active Listening.

• Communication is a two-way street. 
• Listen to the team's feedback. 

• Adapt to your audience. 

• Every team member has a unique background, learning style, and perspective. 

Point 2: Align the Vision with Team Values and Goals

 

• The vision should be in harmony with the team's values and goals. 
• Engage the team in discussions about the vision, incorporating feedback and making adjustments.
• When people feel they have a stake in the vision, their commitment and motivation skyrockets.

 

Key Strategies of Motivation

1. Be Transparent: 

• Share the vision with your team, including potential roadblocks. This will build trust and prepare them mentally for the challenges ahead.

2. Celebrate Small Wins: 

• Acknowledging and celebrating the progress made can boost morale and keep everyone motivated.

3. Keep the Mission Front and Center: 

• Regularly remind your team of the bigger picture. Why are you doing what you're doing? What impact will it have on the world? This can help to reignite passion and commitment, even when the going gets tough.

 

Point 3: Keep the Vision at the Forefront

• Consistently remind your team of the vision, celebrating progress towards it and recalibrating when necessary. 
• Helps to maintain momentum, even when challenges arise. 
• Provides the resilience teams need to push through obstacles. 

 

BOOK: "Making Vision Stick" by Andy Stanley's

 

• vision needs to be reiterated across various platforms and mediums—team meetings, emails, company newsletters, and one-on-one conversations. 
• Weave the vision into the fabric of the organization's communication so that it remains top of mind.
• Demonstrate its relevance to each team member's daily work, connecting the dots between the work individuals do and the broader vision of the organization. 

 

Practical Ways to Keep Vision at the Forefront: 

• Understand the vision yourself. 

• Before you can convince anyone of anything, you need to be a believer.

• Dive deep into the why behind your company's goals. 

•  Communicate effectively and often. 

• Communication is key in any relationship.

• Find opportunities to remind your superiors of the original vision in your regular reports, meetings, or casual conversations. 

• Use real-life examples to highlight how current projects or decisions align with that vision.

• Be a bridge. 

• Use your unique position to bridge this gap. 
• Share feedback from your team and customers that reinforce the vision.
• Show how the day-to-day work contributes to the grand goal.

1. Lead by example. 

• Actions speak louder than words. 
• Show your commitment to the vision 

Mo’s Final Thoughts:

 

Mo: Leaders create and sustain a clear vision. Make sure that you have a clear vision. If it’s a mist in the pulpit, it is a fog in the pew. Align your vision with the values and goals and help your team understand them. You always have to keep the vision at the forefront. Every day, get up and do something that will get you closer to the goal.   

 

Amazon Book Link:

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell - https://a.co/d/72MPij0 

Making Vision Stick, Andy Stanley - https://a.co/d/cuevuOo 

 

Special Thanks To:

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Special Guest - Dr. Lem Usita (Ep. 73)

Episode 73: Special Guest - Dr. Lem Usita

 

Summary:

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, host Mo interviews Dr. Lem Usita, an entrepreneur and leadership expert. They discuss Dr. Lem's leadership experience and how he defines leadership. They also explore the obstacles he has faced in his leadership roles and how he overcame them. Dr. Lem shares his early influences and the catalyst for his intentional leadership development. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and surrounding oneself with a supportive team. The episode concludes with Dr. Lem's recommended reading list and his final thoughts on leadership.

 

Takeaways:

• Leadership is not easy and comes with challenges and obstacles that must be faced and overcome.
• Surrounding oneself with a supportive team and mentors is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Leadership development requires self-reflection and a willingness to address weaknesses and areas for improvement.
• Reading books on leadership and learning from other leaders can provide valuable insights and strategies for effective leadership.

Facing Obstacles:

• Every leadership role has its dark side.
• Organizational culture. 
  • Sometimes you jump into a role and there were other people in that role before you
  • Others tell you how to do things
  • Lack of resources
  • Inherit problems

• It’s a cop out to blame the organization for the obstacles. As the leader, it's my responsibility to lead the organization no matter what situation they're in. 
• I need to know what my weaknesses are and I need to shore up my weaknesses in order to lead this organization. 
• The responsibility is on the leader.

 

“If I am not leading well or if I don't lead these folks well, it impacts their family, it impacts their kids. And it might even impact the generation.”

• When you start thinking and reading and researching and studying leadership, then you're able to:
  • Change your behavior
  • Change your practices
  • Change your habits 

• Every leader can teach you those two things:
  • Things that you want to do
  • Things you don't want to do

• Surround yourself with people:
  • Mentors
  • Those who walk alongside you 
  • Business resources
    • CPA, Attorney, etc 

 

Lem’s Final Thoughts: 

Lead out of who you are. You lead out of your personality, you lead out of your history, you lead out of your family sculpture, family of origin stuff, you lead out of your trauma and pain, you lead out of your weaknesses, and you lead out of your strengths. And if you're not doing the work of getting to know yourself, you're not growing your effectiveness as a leader, you just aren't. And so it takes courage and humility to do this work—to become better because it's facing yourself and making some huge changes and that takes courage and humility to lead yourself so that you can lead and be effective as a leader. 

 

Amazon Book Link:

Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, Daivd Hawkins. - https://a.co/d/03N27ma 

 

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect, Will Guidara - https://a.co/d/eyo9HqM 

 

Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Mak e the Competition Irrelevant, Roger Wayne, W. Chan Kim, Renee Mauborgne - https://a.co/d/hYOjpmg

48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene - https://a.co/d/eP3VELJ 

 

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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