Peak Performance Leadership

In this week's episode, I go solo again and answer your challenges! I asked a question in our free Facebook Community this week "What is your current leadership struggle?" and the replies were wide ranging and deep. Lots of things to consider and many different themes. Just shows leadership is not a single line process but rather an ever evolving dance. Nonetheless I decided to provide some advice to three different members' problems live online. Here they are. Topics During this episode I respond to these three problems: "Bridging the gap between expectations and performance""Dealing with the leadership above me""Getting my people on the same page or communication barriers" For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/220

“Leadership is not as much about knowing the right answers as it is about asking the right questions,” is Bob Tiede’s motto. But that wasn’t always the case, according to Bob; he was a “benevolent dictator,” a “serial teller” in his professional life for decades. But that all changed in 2006, when he stumbled upon a book that exhorted readers to “lead with questions” instead of “telling with kindness.” He started a blog on the topic, and after 15 posts, ran out of material. He searched for similar-minded bloggers, and to his delight, the first five he contacted all agreed to let him share their content on his own site. He soon discovered that “a leader who leads with questions will often be ten times more effective than a leader who only leads by telling!” Bob Tiede has been on the staff of Cru for 48 years. He currently serves on the U.S. Leadership Development Team and is passionate about seeing leaders grow and multiply their effectiveness. He is committed to helping leaders shift their paradigm from the pressure of having to have all the right answers to simply having a few of the right questions. In 2006, while browsing in a bookstore, he came across Leading With Questions by Michael Marquardt. He only had to peruse a few pages before declaring, “This is a keeper.” He then launched Leading With Questions—a blog with a companion ebook, Great Leaders Ask Questions—with the goal of changing forever how he and others look at leadership. Bob and his wife, Sherry, live in Plano, TX, and are blessed with 4 incredible children and 6 remarkable grandchildren. Topics During this interview Bob and I discuss the following topics: How he came to the idea of leading with questionsWhy leading with questions is more effective than leading with the answersHow to ask effective questions to inspire teams membersLeadership lessons from a US Navy Captain For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/219

Robert Jordan leads InterimExecs, providing access between the best interim and project executives in the world and company owners seeking brilliant leadership on demand. Robert has helped launch, grow and ultimately sell a number of fast growing companies. His first company, Online Access, put him on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies. After selling Online Access, the first Internet-coverage magazine in the world, he launched InterimExecs LLC, which works with public and private companies and nonprofit organizations. He is author of How They Did It: Billion Dollar Insights from the Heart of America and author of the Nightingale Conant audio production, How They Did It: Real World Advice from Today's Most Successful Entrepreneurs. Topics During this interview Robert and I discuss the following topics: How he came to define the four different leadership stylesWhat a “fixer” is and how to be a great oneWhat a “artist” style is and how to be a great oneWhy having balance is key in leadershipHow to balance a type around these styles For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/218

It's happening again. One of your employees and you are not seeing eye-to-eye. Tension is high, there's disrespect in the air, and results are just not what they should be. You keep pointing the finger at their performance, they keep pointing the finger at your attitude towards them. Congratulations, you found yourself in the "You vs Me" scenario. A scenario where the outcome is almost guaranteed to not yield the results you want. If this situation sounds familiar, I'm (un)happy to tell you that you are not alone. In fact, it is all too common that supervisor and subordinate don't get along or see eye-to-eye. Yet, in order to achieve peak performance we need to have a respectful work relationship. Thus, this episode is all about repairing that relationship to achieve these results. Topics In this episode I cover the following topics: Why location is so crucial for repairing the relationshipHow humility will set you up for successWhy using Appreciative Inquiry will yield the results you wantWhy the "Blame Game" is one to avoid at all costsHow to map out a plan for success For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/217

In the end results do matter. It matters to your company's bottom line, it matters to your team's morale, and it matters to your personal pride. But yet all too often we don't get the results we are looking for, why is that? Sometimes we need to look inwards to find out that it is us as leaders who are the cause of our own burdens. Topics In this episode I talk about: Why we are leaders cause our own problemsWhy leaving space and your door open is crucial is avoid problemsHow to ensure that you listen to your team when opinions differ For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/216

The word transition often gets leaders scared. Just like changes some people run away from them while others embrace them. Transitions are not simply just changes but rather major fundamental changes. Which can truly scare people. However, in order to be successful in an ever-changing world, we need to embrace transitions and seek them out. Topics In today's episodes I talk about the following points: The difference between changes and transitionsWhy transitions are so importantHow organizations have failed transitioning in the past/currentlyTransitions I have gone through with my business and podcastA transition upcoming For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/215

Unless you’ve been living on another planet, the past few years have shown that we’re in a time of unimagined and unrelenting change—and we’re not very good at it. According to McKinsey & Company, an alarming 70% of all change initiatives fail, largely because we’re biologically hardwired to return to what’s worked for us before. But to create the future we hope for (and cope with the here and now), we need to embrace the very thing we’re wired to avoid, says one author-expert-thought leader.  Erika Andersen is the founding partner of Proteus, a coaching, consulting, and training firm that focuses on leader readiness. Over the past 30 years, Erika has developed a reputation for creating approaches to learning and business-building that are tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture. She and her colleagues at Proteus focus uniquely on helping leaders at all levels get ready and stay ready to meet whatever the future might bring. Much of her recent work has focused on organizational visioning and strategy, executive coaching, and management and leadership development. In these capacities, she serves as a consultant and advisor to the CEOs and top executives of several corporations, including Spotify, Amazon, Revolt TV and Media, Charter/Spectrum, and the Yale School of Public Health. She also shares her insights about managing people and creating successful businesses by speaking to corporations, non-profit groups and national associations Topics During this interview Erika and I discuss the following topics: Where leaders fail leading changeThe three things that people want to know during a period of changeHow leaders can foster change from the insideThe 4 levers of changeHer 5 step model for change management For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/214

J. Jeffrey Spahn is a researcher, executive educator, entrepreneur, executive coach, storyteller and speaker. With over 20 years of experience Jeff continues to design a unique and powerful leadership practice for leaders, executives, teams and organizations. The Leading Leaders Practice is a practical approach to leadership in the 21st Century and is designed to enable leaders to mold complexity and ambiguity into innovation and performance. Disciplines and insights from business and philosophy, arts and athletics, science and spirituality enliven this practice. A degree in business from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Chicago ground his practice in sound scholarship. After more than twelve years of executive leadership Mr. Spahn taught business graduate students and conducted research on the purpose of business. During this investigation he engaged many of the top executives in the United States. In response to a publisher’s request Jeff is currently writing a book entitled The Magic of Mutual Leadership: How to Lead and Follow Simultaneously for Exponential Results. His most recent published article by the same title can be found in Developing Leaders Magazine by clicking here Other published articles include “Leading Leaders: The Art of Peak Performance”, Velocity, vol.4, No.2, 2nd Quarter 2002, “The Leading of Leaders in the Boardroom”, Directors & Boards, Winter 2003 edition, “Honest Boardroom Communication”, Director’s Monthly, November 2002 “A New Capitalist Manifesto?: Re-imagining Business in the 21st Century” Virtual Strategist Spring 2004, “Transforming (Not Overcoming) Objections’, Advisor Perspectives, November 2011, “3 Steps to Empathic Active Listening”, FPA’s Practice Management Solution., March/April 2012. Board memberships include The Chicago Moving Company, a modern dance enterprise, SCUPE, a nonprofit dedicated to developing urban leaders and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Alumni Club of Chicago. Topics During this interview Jeff and I discuss the following topics: What does “We the Leader” meanHow to determine the best common purpose for an organizationHow to get team members onboard with the common purposeCurious conviction - what it is and how to establish itWhy you “bring a piece” and not “the whole”How to establish a team where ego is releasedHow to de escalate conflict as it arises For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/213

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, the concept of leadership is often clouded with misconceptions and outdated beliefs. Understanding and debunking these myths is crucial for anyone aspiring to be an effective leader. This topic is of paramount importance because it helps leaders to discern between what is genuinely valuable advice and what might be potentially harmful or misguided notions. By identifying and addressing these myths, leaders can cultivate more authentic, empathetic, and effective leadership styles that resonate across their personal, team, and organizational domains. This focus on the reality versus the myths of leadership aids in building resilient and adaptive leaders who can navigate the complexities of modern organizational dynamics with confidence and clarity. Timestamped Overview​ [00:02:04] Myth 1: You Can't Make Mistakes - Scott explains why making mistakes is not the end of the world and how they can contribute to trust-building and team cohesion.[00:05:13] Myth 2: You Need to Know It All - A deep dive into why leaders don't need to have all the answers but should instead focus on asking the right questions.[00:08:22] Myth 3: You Can't Change Decisions - The flexibility in decision-making and why reacting to new information is crucial for effective leadership.[00:10:35] Myth 4: Leadership Is Glorious - Exploring the less glamorous aspects of leadership and why the real glory lies in the success and well-being of your team.[00:13:22] Myth 5: You Need to Be a Hard Ass - Why being overly demanding isn't effective in the long run and how adaptability in leadership styles is key.[00:15:37] Myth 6: Experience Is the End-All, Be-All - Scott demystifies the notion that experience is the sole foundation of good leadership and highlights the importance of skills and attributes.[00:19:41] Myth 7: You Can't Show Uncertainty - How showing humility and conviction, even in uncertain times, can build stronger trust and respect among team members.[00:22:12] Myth 8: Leadership Has to Be Lonely - While leadership can be isolating, it doesn't have to be. Building a tribe of supportive peers can make a huge difference. For more information check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/212

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, effective leadership is more critical than ever. The ability to lead a high-performing team not only hinges on technical skills but, more importantly, on one's capacity to inspire, coordinate, and build meaningful relationships. Leadership transcends the act of merely managing; it involves understanding the intricate dynamics of information flow, enabling team members to shine in their areas of expertise, and fostering a culture where learning and growth are prioritized. Additionally, the essence of building robust professional networks cannot be overstated. It's not just about amassing connections but cultivating relationships that are meaningful and mutually beneficial. Networking, when done right, becomes a pivotal tool for leaders, contributing to both personal growth and organizational success. In tandem with networking, today’s leaders must also navigate the complexities of talent acquisition and retention. The shifting expectations of the modern workforce—amplified by profound movements like the Great Resignation—demand that organizations place equal weight on cultural alignment, mission, and values as they do on financial incentives. Effective hiring practices, underscored by a strategic and marketing-savvy approach, can significantly improve the buy-in from potential talent. Moreover, the importance of conflict resolution and team upskilling cannot be overlooked. Leaders must address conflicts promptly to prevent escalation and maintain a healthy, productive work environment. Continuous skill development through practical, interactive learning ensures that teams remain agile and capable of meeting ever-changing challenges. In essence, modern leadership is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a delicate balance of empathy, strategic thinking, and relentless pursuit of personal and team growth. Understanding and implementing these principles makes a leader not just effective but transformational in guiding their organizations toward peak performance. Topics During this interview Mark and I discuss the following topics: [04:30] Mark’s Leadership Approach - Mark describes his team-oriented role as CTO, emphasizing member expertise and information flow.[08:15] Leadership Philosophy - Scott shares his leadership philosophy centered around prioritizing, delegating, inspiring, and decision-making.[11:50] Upside-down Org Chart Concept - Mark illustrates the importance of non-managers who execute actual work, while managers coordinate.[18:00] Network Building - Discussion on the significance of meaningful, quality relationships over superficial networking contacts.[23:40] Podcasting as a Networking Tool - Scott highlights podcasting for building professional networks and shares his experiences.[27:15] Mark’s Networking Strategy - Organic networking in natural settings and leveraging past interactions for relationship building.[32:50] Effective Interviewing Techniques - Importance of training in conducting interviews and the concept of selling job roles to candidates.[38:10] Changing Workforce Dynamics - Adjusting to new workforce values; prioritizing mission, cultural fit, and growth opportunities alongside financial benefits.[42:00] Addressing Workplace Conflicts - Immediate addressing of conflicts, comparative analogy with geopolitical conflicts.[47:30] Qualities of Great Leaders - Characteristics of a great leader: continuous growth, caring for the team, achievable goals.[50:45] Upskilling Teams - Practical learning strategies, peer learning groups, and using diverse content to enhance real-world applications. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://movingforwardleadership.com/211