Coaching for Leaders

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431: Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal Sep 16, 2019

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Nir Eyal: Indistractable Nir Eyal is one of the most respected experts on the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. The MIT Technology Review has called him, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.” He previously authored the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products* which received tremendous traction in the technology and entrepreneurial communities. Now, he’s turned his attention to how we can control our attention in a world of complexity. His new book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life*, challenges some of the traditional misconceptions about distractions. In this conversation, Nir and I discuss the practical steps on how to align your calendar with what matters most. Key Points Being a professional is doing what you say you’re going to do. Most people don’t know what they are going to do. Research shows only a third of Americans keep a daily schedule. If you don’t plan your time, someone else will plan it for you. Look to executive leaders for inspiration on being intentional with time. Move away from the to-do list and instead begin the discipline of timeboxing your calendar. Resources Mentioned Resources Nir mentioned in our conversation Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life* by Nir Eyal Book Notes Download my highlights from Indistractable in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Getting Things Done, with David Allen (episode 184) How to Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, with Mark Barden (episode 207) The Way to Stop Spinning Your Wheels on Planning (episode 319) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

430: How to Start Seeing Around Corners, with Rita McGrath Sep 09, 2019

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Rita McGrath: Seeing Around Corners Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, a sought-after speaker, and a longtime professor at Columbia Business School. She is one of the world’s top experts on innovation and growth and is one of the most regularly published authors in the Harvard Business Review. Rita is consistently ranked among the top 10 management thinkers in the world and was ranked #1 for strategy by Thinkers50. Rita is the author of the bestseller The End of Competitive Advantage*. Her newest book is titled Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen*. In this conversation, Rita and I explore how it feels like change happens overnight, but why that’s not usually accurate. We detail four basic stages of inflection points, why it’s critical to be present at the edges, and what leaders can do practically to see around corners. Key Points Strategic inflection points feel like they happen overnight, but in reality there are many indicators over time that inflection points are coming. The four basic stages of almost every inflection point: hype, dismissive, emergent, maturity. Snow melts from the edges. The most effective leaders can and will see this if they are present at the edges. To see early warning signs, create information flows that reach directly from leaders offices into the frontlines of the business. Create incentives that reward useful (and awkward) information. Talk to the future that is unfolding now. There are people, customers, and businesses where the future is already happening. Resources Mentioned Seeing Around Corners by Rita McGrath Rita McGrath on LinkedIn Breaking Up the Degree Stranglehold: Disruption in Higher Education Only the Paranoid Survive* by Andrew Grove Book Notes Download my highlights from Seeing Around Corners in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Lead a 100-Year Life, with Lynda Gratton (episode 266) The Truth and Lies of Performance Management, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 361) The Way to Nurture New Ideas, with Safi Bahcall (episode 418) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

429: Create Margin Through Intentional Leadership, with Amy McPherson Sep 07, 2019

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Amy McPherson: Advisors for Change Amy McPherson is the managing partner and founder of Advisors for Change. Since 2007, Advisors for Change has developed financial management systems for non-profit organizations so they can spend more time on their mission and less time on their administration. Amy is also a member of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. After discovering this podcast three years ago, Amy sought a practical way to implement the leadership ideas she was discovering. In this conversation, Amy and I discuss how her aim to create more margin for her family has driven more intention for staff development, coaching, and transparency. We also discuss what she’s discovered from expert guests and how she utilized the framework of the Academy to create movement. Key Points The seven questions from The Coaching Habit provided a framework for the kind of culture that would best serve the non-profit partners of Advisors for Change. Shifting focus from lagging indicators to leading indicators helped zero in on the behaviors needed today for success tomorrow. Find the bigger “why” behind what you are doing. In Amy’s case, her leadership growth was fueled by her desire to spend more time with her teenage children. The Coaching for Leaders Academy provided Amy with the framework for deliberate, consistent movement on what was most important for the business. Resources Mentioned Advisors for Change Amy McPherson on LinkedIn Related Episodes These Coaching Questions Get Results, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 237) How Teams Use StrengthsFinder Results, with Lisa Cummings (episode 293) How to Actually Move Numbers, with Chris McChesney (episode 294) How to Challenge Directly and Care Personally, with Kim Scott (episode 302) Growth Mindset Helps You Rise From the Ashes, with Jeff Hittenberger (episode 326) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

428: Ten Million and Counting, with Bonni Stachowiak Sep 02, 2019

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Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She joins me monthly to respond to listener questions. Key Points In this episode, Bonni and I celebrate Coaching for Leaders recently passing the milestone of 10 million episode downloads since we began airing this podcast in 2011. Today, this podcast is regularly ranked as a Top 50 business show on Apple Podcasts. The growth of the show has been the direct result of listeners like you who have put your trust in us to support your development. As a result, we invited listeners to be featured in this episode by telling us what they’ve gained from the show. Thank you for supporting Coaching for Leaders and for sharing it with others in your professional network. There is no greater compliment to our work. Resources Mentioned Essential Communications with Tom Henschel StrengthsFinder with Isabeau Iqbal Lead Through Strengths with Lisa Cummings Sequentia Solutions with Steve Chase Aid for Aid Workers with Torrey Peace Related Episodes The Power of Introverts, with Susan Cain (episode 44) How to Improve Your Coaching Skills, with Tom Henschel (episode 190) These Coaching Questions Get Results, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 237) How to Write a Killer LinkedIn Profile, with Brenda Bernstein (episode 285) Move From Theory to Practice, with Steve Schroeder (episode 369) Unconscious Mistakes Women Make, with Lois Frankel (episode 386) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

427: The Way to Get Alignment With Your Boss, with Pete Mockaitis Aug 26, 2019

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Pete Mockaitis: How to be Awesome at Your Job Pete Mockaitis is an award-winning trainer and coach who helps professionals perform optimally at work. He hosts the How to be Awesome at Your Job podcast, a show that has been downloaded eight million times and consistently ranks as a top business show in Apple Podcasts. Pete facilitates training for organizations on enhanced thinking and collaboration to increase clarity and reduce rework. He helps teams save an average of 1.4 hours per person per week. In this conversation, Pete and I explore some of the key mindsets and questions that are helpful when getting alignment with your boss. We explore the areas you’ll want to generate clarity, as well a few key questions to consider. Key Points Six areas where clarity is critical: Deliverables Timing Process Resources Audience Motive Questions you may consider when getting alignment with your boss: How do you want this to look when complete? What does the organization value on metrics and deliverables? What’s an example of a time this expectation was not met? What metrics are my boss being measured on for their own success? Resources Mentioned How to be Awesome at Your Job Related Episodes Seven Principles for Leading People Older Than You, with Bonni Stachowiak (episode 59) How to Influence Numerous Stakeholders, with Andy Kaufman (episode 240) Effective Delegation of Authority, with Hassan Osman (episode 413) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

426: Five Lies About Corporate Culture, with Ginger Hardage Aug 19, 2019

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Ginger Hardage: Unstoppable Cultures Ginger Hardage is the former senior vice president of culture at Southwest Airlines. She led a team responsible for building and sustaining the organization’s legendary culture and communications enterprise, resulting in 23 consecutive years on Fortune’s list of Top 10 Most Admired Companies in the World. Today, Ginger leads Unstoppable Cultures, a firm designed to help organizations create and sustain cultures of enduring greatness. She facilitates the annual Unstoppable Cultures Fellowship to help leaders of all kinds take practical steps to create the culture that will help their organization thrive. In this conversation, Ginger and I discuss the five lies she’s seen come up again and again in her work with leaders who are struggling with culture. Perhaps most importantly, Ginger emphasizes that leaders need not accept the default culture, but should work to define the culture. Key Points The five lies Ginger has uncovered about culture: Culture is someone else’s job. Our values are on the wall. Culture is fluffy. If I empower my employees, I might lose control. We can’t afford culture. Bonus Audio Defining a culture Resources Mentioned Unstoppable Cultures Fellowship Related Episodes The Four Critical Stories Leaders Need For Influence, with David Hutchens (episode 148) Notice and Change Dysfunctional Culture, with Jonathan Raymond (episode 327) How to Create an Unstoppable Culture, with Ginger Hardage (episode 350) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

425: Change Comes Through Resilience, with Leonardo Baumworcel Aug 17, 2019

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Leonardo Baumworcel: Hospital São Lucas Leonardo Baumworcel is the director of Hospital São Lucas in Brazil. He oversees a 200-bed hospital and emergency room seeing 10,000 patients a month. He also oversees the work of 2,500 staff. He is a cardiologist by training and a recent alum of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. Key Points One way to utilize the podcast is to leverage if for staff training to get the entire team on the same page. Resilience is key when working to achieve your vision through change — beware of giving up too quickly. Leaders need to establish the frameworks and limitations for what to do — and then help people to have the freedom to work within it. Peer mentoring allows both leaders to learn from each other, instead of limiting the professional development to one person. Resources Mentioned Leading Change* by John Kotter Our Iceberg Is Melting* by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber Related Episodes The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership, with Jason Brooks (episode 385) How to Create an Unstoppable Culture, with Ginger Hardage (episode 350) How to Succeed with Leadership and Management, with John Kotter (episode 249) Move From Theory to Practice, with Steve Schroeder (episode 369) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

424: Craft a Career to Fit Your Strengths, with Scott Anthony Barlow Aug 12, 2019

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Scott Anthony Barlow: Happen to Your Career Scott Anthony Barlow is the founder of Happen to Your Career. He’s been featured on CNBC, Yahoo, CareerBuilder, Fast Company, and Huffington Post and various colleges and universities as a top expert on career happiness. He's held executive roles in human resources, business development, and career coaching. Scott is the host of the Happen to Your Career podcast, featuring the career stories of many successful professionals. He and his team have worked with over 25,000 people to help them stop settling, find their signature strengths, and start doing meaningful work they are enamored with. Key Points Many people frame career choices only as, “Should I take this offer or not?” or, “Should I quit this job and go and get another?” Skills are not necessarily strengths. People who are successful and happier are spending more time in their strengths. The CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) assessment is a useful tool for getting clarity. Change to a role/company that allows you spend more time in your strengths or decide to design your career from the inside. Stop pursuing marginal improvements of your weaknesses. Resources Mentioned The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Strengths to Get Hired* 8-Day Video Course to Figuring Out What You Love StrengthsFinder training for individuals and teams* (use code CFL10 for a 10% tuition discount) Related Episodes How to Figure Out Your Career, with Scott Anthony Barlow (episode 259) How Teams Use StrengthsFinder Results, with Lisa Cummings (episode 293) Move From Caretaker to Rainmaker, with May Busch (episode 390) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

423: Step Into Leadership and More Questions, with Bonni Stachowiak Aug 05, 2019

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Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly-traded company. She joins me monthly to respond to listener questions. Listener Questions Samantha asks about how to confront an employee who is not willing to take direction for her. Cathy is wondering how she can lead on a team where she does not have formal authority. Amir is seeking advice on how to step into a director role with confidence and managing former peers. Kelly asks about responding to stakeholders who give suggestions when it doesn’t align with organizational strategy. Resources Mentioned Let's Get Real or Let's Not Play* by Mahan Khalsa, Randy Illig, and Stephen R. Covey Working Wardrobes* Related Episodes How to Manage Former Peers, with Tom Henschel (episode 257) How to Actually Move Numbers, with Chris McChesney (episode 294) The Path to Start Leading Your Team, with John Piñeiro (episode 349) Finding Joy Though Intentional Choices, with Bonni Stachowiak (episode 417) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

422: Influence Through Overlapping Networks, with Sandie Morgan Jul 28, 2019

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Sandie Morgan: Global Center for Women & Justice Sandie Morgan is the director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University of Southern California. She is recognized globally for her expertise on combatting human trafficking and working to end violence against women. Sandie is professor, researcher, and partner to many organizations and agencies across the globe including governments, law enforcement, and non-profits. Since 2011, she has hosted along with me the bimonthly Ending Human Trafficking podcast which was recognized by The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth at the Department of Health and Human Services as a great way to “get up to speed on human trafficking.” Key Points Culture often changes from the top down. Engage “elites” who are outside of the centermost position of prestige. Find avenue of agreement instead of focusing on differences. Influence happens in exciting ways when the networks of elites and the institutions they lead overlap. Change will mean conflict — don’t be scared of this. The more diverse your partnerships are, the stronger your net is going to be. Bonus Audio Why learning from elites is so important Resources Mentioned To Change the World* by James Davison Hunter How to Win Friends and Influence People* by Dale Carnegie Global Center for Women and Justice 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report Related Episodes How Storytelling Helps You Lead, with Sandie Morgan (episode 51) How to Collaborate Across Organizations, with Kirsten Foot (episode 215) How to Grow Your Professional Network, with Tom Henschel (episode 279) The Power of Weak Connections, with David Burkus (episode 347) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

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