Why Great Leaders Are Great Listeners

Episode 202: Jenny Blake - Pivot - What Do You Do When Your Back Is Against The Wall?

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The Learning Leader Show

"What do you do when your back is against the wall?"

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:
  • Great listeners -- Not just doing
  • Getting the right people in the right seats on the bus
  • Design thinking -- Empathy interviews
• Common problem with CEO's? -- They surround themselves with people who only agree with them and fear disagreeing with them
  • Requires listening and a culture shift
• Why Jenny left Google
• Taking a leave of absence to write a book -- The impact that had on Jenny
• FONT - "Fear Of Not Trying"
• The process of uprooting her life and moving to NYC
• What do you do when your back is up against the wall?
  • Think of a basketball player -- "It's not a 180... it's a pivot."
• "High Net Growth Individuals" -- People always looking to improve, grow, learn...
• Advice to others -- Don't worry too much on a formal business plan or thinking too far in advance. You can't predict it.
• 4 Stage Pivot Method:
  • Plant - Strengths
  • Scan - People, Skills, Projects, Target
  • Pilot - Test. Like a pilot episode of a TV show -- 3 E's - Enjoy, Expert, Expand
  • Launch
• Taking measured risks -- Great originals take measured risks (don't have to "burn the boats")
• Mentors -- "Friend-tors"
  • Don't ask a mentor, "How can I help you?" -- Come up with a list of ideas for them and give them away. Proactively help without them asking
• "You can navigate uncertainty. We're always doing this."
• Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
• "Befriend your fear. It's trying to help you based on old scripts."
• What % of your job do you dislike?
• The importance of mediation -- Headspace App
• Gamification -- Daily To Do List

"What does success look like a year from now?"

Continue Learning:

• Follow Jenny on Twitter: @jenny_blake
• Read: Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
• To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 071: Nate Boyer - Green Beret, Texas Football, The NFL

Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions

Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

Did you enjoy the podcast?

If you enjoyed hearing Jenny Blake on the show, please don't hesitate to send me a note on Twitter or email me.

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

The Learning Leader Show is supported by Rhone. Use the code "Hawk" for 15% off. Rhone... premium activewear engineered with principle, performance and progress for the modern man. Rhone builds clothing around 3 main tenants: Cutting-edge Performance, Premium Comfort, and Simplistic Style.