How Companies Should Support Side Projects

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #277: Tom Goodwin - Life Advice From The #1 Influencer On LinkedIn

Show Notes:

• Commonalities of sustaining excellence:
  • Confidence + Conviction
  • Ability to make quick decisions with limited amounts of information
  • Faith in their judgement
• "There is a feeling in the room when a quality leader walks in. A charisma, an energy, a presence."
• How does one develop charisma?
  • "Introversion is more interesting to me. Great presenters are introverts. They are empathetic and think of the audience first."
• There is "cultural permission" when you're on stage. The audience is rooting for you to succeed. Use that energy and positive vibes
• The importance of a proper introduction
• Head of Innovation at Zenith. What does that entail? "An observer. Reading a lot. Gain perspective through a lot of global travel. You learn more from countries outside of the U.S. where we have everything that we could want or need."
• How he became the #1 Influencer on LinkedIn?
  • First, look for the differences in commonality vs causation. There is a difference
  • "I orchestrate a conversation on LinkedIn. I facilitate it through my articles. I don't claim to know everything."
  • "I got quite irritated. I got fired at my job for being outspoken. I started sharing my beliefs and it caught on."
  • "Because I wasn't filtered, it hit a nerve with people. I am not careful with my words."
• How to gain support for your passion/side hustle while working at a big company
  • "Encouraging this attracts great candidates and helps retain top talent."
  • "Senior management needs to support and encourage it. If they have envy or are insecure, then it won't work."
• "Large companies need to understand why they got big. Those reasons may not be what gets them to the next level. We need to rethink rigidity."
• "Life is about creating good problems."
• "We need to create a culture of progressive criticism."
  • The Apple commercial: "It took 1,000 No's to get to a Yes"
• "We shouldn't worship busyness. We should worship output."
• The reason for writing Digital Darwinism
• Life/Career Advice:
  • "Don't worry. Too many people spend their youth thinking their career would take a tidy path. It's not. My career has been quite messy, but it's worked out fine. Be humble, thoughtful, and empathetic."
  • Develop curiosity - "The UK education fuels curiosity, fuels interest. That doesn't seem to happen in the States. We need a breadth of the world. Like James Dyson or Elon Musk."
  • Build a network - "Job postings. That's not how the world works and it won't in the future. I want sparkly talent that has five other jobs. Don't be afraid to nurture multiple talents."
  • Have a sense of humor. It helps ease the mood/tension and makes you more enjoyable to be around.
• Issue: "We're obsessed with being correct rather than being helpful. That's not good."
• Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea
• Use the "Get To Know You Document"

Social Media:

• Follow Tom on Twitter: @tomfgoodwin
• Read: Digital Darwinism
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12